SK Questions

[Yngwiem]

<div>Hi all... Been playing since launch, and this is my first Tank class, so I have a few questions about my SK.</div><div> </div><div>I just hit 16. So here are my questions.</div><div> </div><div>What type of weapon should I use? 1H or 2H? Currently using 2H.</div><div> </div><div>Also, I have noticed that a couple of my best spells are getting Miss, Paried, or Riposte over 80% of the time. The spells are:</div><div>Fetid Strike and Flesh Cleave. These spells/arts are almost useless. I have them to Adept 1.</div><div> </div><div>What can I do to get them to land more??</div><div> </div><div>What attributes should I work on? STR is one I assume. What else is important?</div><div> </div><div>Thanks!</div><div> </div>

[totallynumb]

On 1h-shield vs 2h... Get both. 2h for soloing or in a group, but not main tank, where you'll want the extra damage. As MT you'll use the shield for taking hits and bashing. Our shield bash CAs have a hate gain attached which is important for aggro control.Not sure about Fetid Strike and Flesh Cleave... I don't have too many problems landing blows/spells unless fighting mobs higher lvl than me. Oh, make sure the skills tied to those abilities are maxxed out.I try to balance somewhat between STR and INT (increases spell damage) as my two highest attributes. Our taunts are weak, but we can compensate by doing more damage and that will come from spells.<div></div>

[Yngwiem]

<div></div><p>Thanks for the reply.</p><p> </p><p>Any others have input?</p><p> </p>

[Mogh]

<div></div><div>I rarely find a 2h worthwhile just because it is only a small bump in DPS -- most of your offense is coming from CA/Spells anyways.  This is from the perspective of a level 45 SK -- it may be very different at level 60-70 during long raid encounters.  Having just obtained a Screaming Mace, I cannot find a remotely comparable 2h that would be worth losing the Shiny Brass Shield.</div><div> </div><div>Definiitely focus on Strength and Intelligence; however, if you tank a lot, Wisdom can help a lot against tanking casting mobs since it boosts all resists across the board (and our defensive stance is great for this).</div><div> </div><p>Message Edited by Moghra on <span class="date_text">03-21-2006</span><span class="time_text">12:47 PM</span></p>

[mikeyswizz]

<div></div>I use both, but it depends on the situation. If im in a group where the mobs are tough and im the tank I use a 1h and a sheild in defensive mode. If we are fighting easy mobs or i am not the tank i go offensive and switch to a 2h. My DPS almost doubles with my 2h in offensive compared to my 1h and sheild in defensive.

[Yngwiem]

<div></div><p>This is good information!</p><p>I am currently just soloing. And if I do group, it would only be with my wife. So, I better not get her killed (unless she makes me mad)!!</p><p>Thanks all!!</p>

[Bhazell]

<div></div><p>Go with the 1H/Shield for when in groups as Main tank and 2H when solo. As to why your spells are being avioded I can't give you an answer unless the mob is a much higher con. Keep the faith Ska re a blast to play in both groups and solo. Focus on str, int, and wis in that order.</p><p>Radlek</p><p>58SK AB server</p><p> </p>

[Yngwiem]

<div></div><blockquote><hr>Bhazell wrote:<div></div><p>Go with the 1H/Shield for when in groups as Main tank and 2H when solo. As to why your spells are being avioded I can't give you an answer unless the mob is a much higher con. Keep the faith Ska re a blast to play in both groups and solo. Focus on str, int, and wis in that order.</p><p>Radlek</p><p>58SK AB server</p><p> </p><hr></blockquote>Yea... I'm sticking with him. Just kind of weird that my two highest damage spells get that much resist, parry, riposte, or miss. And this is on creatures 3-4 levels lower than I am!

[Impetus]

Are you in defensive stance? I'm not totally sure on this, cause I'm a bit of a SK newb as well (level 29), but it seems like in defensive stance it's a lot harder to get those melee arts to land because of the -crush/slash/pierce.If that's the case, it's almost a plus for SKs, since we can go into defensive stance but still cast all our spells like normal. Although conversely, being in offensive stance wouldn't help our spells land at all.Oh, another thing is that if you're fighting monk/bruiser mobs, they dodge and parry and deflect like crazy. What I've been doing in those cases is casting the reactive lifetap, the disease dot and nuke, etc, instead of wasting time/mana with those melee-based ones.

[Ronte]

<div></div><p>I just switched to 1H and shield, I think it also helps soloing tough mobs from the extra defense.  We do alot of damage from our combat arts.  I find I bring down mobs faster with my 2H but 1H keeps me alive for the Heroics.</p><p>Also, this considers the "pet" we get in the 20s, a fast swinging 1H will have a better chance at getting essenses necessary to summon our "pet".  I use quotes since our pet is really an awesome DOT that hits really hard.  The problem is you cannot summon him every battle because of the need for essence.  When soloing heroics, you want to stay alive long enough to let your pet do your melee damage and you deal out life taps to stay alive and wear them down.</p><p>One other reason for using one weapon over another is the animation.  I know it sounds stupid but I dont play the game by the numbers.  I want to look cool and have fun so I mix it up alot.  If you cant tell the difference, then there probably isnt a big one.</p>

[Yngwiem]

<div></div><blockquote><hr>Rontero wrote:<div></div><p>I just switched to 1H and shield, I think it also helps soloing tough mobs from the extra defense.  We do alot of damage from our combat arts.  I find I bring down mobs faster with my 2H but 1H keeps me alive for the Heroics.</p><p>Also, this considers the "pet" we get in the 20s, a fast swinging 1H will have a better chance at getting essenses necessary to summon our "pet".  I use quotes since our pet is really an awesome DOT that hits really hard.  The problem is you cannot summon him every battle because of the need for essence.  When soloing heroics, you want to stay alive long enough to let your pet do your melee damage and you deal out life taps to stay alive and wear them down.</p><p>One other reason for using one weapon over another is the animation.  I know it sounds stupid but I dont play the game by the numbers.  I want to look cool and have fun so I mix it up alot.  If you cant tell the difference, then there probably isnt a big one.</p><hr></blockquote><p>SInce I just hit 19, I don't know of this pet. What is this essence you talk about?</p><p>Thanks for the strategy tip!!</p>