What is with the Grant/Gift of armamment line?

[R.Dane]

<DIV>The Grant/Gift of Armament line of spells (a) does not seem to fit the class in any way, shape or form and (b) is pretty useless.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>What is with this?</DIV>

[Grimgrun]

<DIV>I'm sure there's got to be a use for these spells in certain circumstances. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Hasn't there? :smileyvery-happy:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Can they be used to make Coffee or "buff" other people's shoes? :smileywink:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Seriously though, I've only ever seen a use for this on occasion when you may find a healer with a tendancy to attract a little more agro than normal and can use the extra AC for a short while, but to be honest I've always found it much more efficient to use our array of hate-management spells to control this more effectively and just make sure the healer stays behind the mob.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Anyone have any practical tips for this spell line?</DIV>

[Draq]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Grimgrunta wrote:<BR> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Anyone have any practical tips for this spell line?</DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P><FONT color=#0066cc>Yeah <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> remove it from the Hotkeybar <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></FONT></P> <P><FONT color=#0066cc>Seriously, I tried using it on a Guardian but it doesn'T work on them because some other buff is blocking it. Just like VoT and Draw Strength.<BR></FONT></P>

[Ransomv]

<DIV>I think it's pretty good.</DIV> <DIV>It's nice when I'm a secondary tank.</DIV> <DIV>The MT gets the spell if he can hold aggro well, keeps him from getting hit a little better.</DIV> <DIV>I also stack it with Ancient Pledge.:womanmad:</DIV>

[Exmortis_MT]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Grimgrunta wrote:<BR> <DIV>I'm sure there's got to be a use for these spells in certain circumstances. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Hasn't there? :smileyvery-happy:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Use it in every group where I am not the main tank, if the MT has a better buff I will dump it on the rogue or the healer.  I dotn always use it, but like so many spells, it has its uses, just not every day in every situation.  Experiment, try it.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Can they be used to make Coffee or "buff" other people's shoes? :smileywink:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Seriously though, I've only ever seen a use for this on occasion when you may find a healer with a tendancy to attract a little more agro than normal and can use the extra AC for a short while, but to be honest I've always found it much more efficient to use our array of hate-management spells to control this more effectively and just make sure the healer stays behind the mob.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Depends on alot of situations, I use it anytime im not MT, admittidly as highest tank in guild that is only in a pickup grp or two when i am not MT, again not often, but that is not fault of the spell.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Anyone have any practical tips for this spell line?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Yes use it on anyone that does generate alot of aggro and could use a little protection.  MT, MH, or rogue.</DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>

[Coter]

I use this line when I'm in a group, and not the main tank, it seems to help a little, I have Offering at apprentice 3, and Ancient Pledge at Adept 1 right now. The extra boost in AC on the main tank seems to help the healer conserve power a little more. With Knights Stance I barely notice a drop in my AC, and usually see a better increase in the MTs defense.

[R.Dane]

So is it really worthwile?I guess my problem with it is that it just does not fit my idea (nor the official description) of what a Shadowknight is supposed to be.I would personally prefer that this spell line were dropped and replaced with something like a line of AC drains (which could be group buffs) like SK's had in EQ1. I know this is not EQ1, nor do I want it to be, but it seems like there were some really great concepts present in the class that got dropped in the translation to EQ2 and replaced with things that don't seem to fit the theme.

[WuphonsReach]

Our regular group uses OoA all the time (late 20s group). It takes roughly 20% from the buffer and gives 10% to the buffee. Which takes the tank from 1650AC to 1800+AC. A good, sizable boost and useful for tough fights.I like it. It makes us a nice, useful, secondary tank. I just have to remember to click it off before I attempt to off-tank an additional mob that's beating on someone who can't take it.

[Shadame]

The only thing I use is VoT. It seems to stack well enough with the other buffs, compared to OoA.