Changing from solo/group SK to raid SK - need some advice please [Archive]

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Meryddian

11-21-2006, 11:32 PM

<DIV> SKs all seem to agree that the INT line for us for the spell crits (4 4 <img src="/smilies/b2eb59423fbf5fa39342041237025880.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> is better than going for the melee crits (in I think it's the STA line?). Here's the thing: I joined a raid guild and will most likely be utilized as a MA, so obviously aside from improving my gear in general to improve survivability, which AAs from the original tree are going to help me maximize my utilities/skills as a raid tank vs. just a solo/group SK? Our guild leader is a paladin and he's told me how he has his AA spec'ed, but I know from experience that pally and SKs usage of the same tree of AAs do not necessarily work for us in the same way. So I'm looking for some advice from high-end raiding SK perspectives on both use of the original AAs, but also to a lesser extent the new EOF SK AAs as well. I'm mostly in legendary gear from KOS instances/quests, have 2 pieces of relic (bp, gloves) and 1 piece of the new Kyle Bayle (boots); my guild is high-end KOS and we prowled around high-end EOF this week. My taunts are all Adept 3 / M1 / M2, with most of my damage spells also being Adept 3+. *Obviously* I need better gear, which will come with time, so I can't do much about that, yet. Last night I respec'd over to the STR line (think I put 4 4 4 <img src="/smilies/b2eb59423fbf5fa39342041237025880.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> and then dumped 4 4 8 in INT and the remainder to WIS 4 4 4 1. Then I headed over to POA to try for the mob I need to finish the quest before Six o'Flock High. I'm very familiar with POA and have soloed my way through various parts of the zone on multiple occassions, including after EOF's release, so I know what I have to do in order to work this zone and survive. As much as I want the haste and hate+ from the STR line, I have to say -- ugh -- I could not believe the difference, and not in a good way. I had not realized how much of a difference that in-combat hp regen (WIS 4 4 4 <img src="/smilies/b2eb59423fbf5fa39342041237025880.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> makes, as well as the boost to stats/skills from Combat Leadership, especially when soloing. Stuff I was readily soloing two days ago was now really doing some damage to me, even though I now had more haste. Will I see more of a difference with the respec when my gear is better? Should I go back to what I had? (I was full WIS line before with most of the balance to INT). I really want to know what's going to make a big difference in terms of things like holding aggro in particular. Any advice is welcomed - however, please let me know the 'whys' as to any recommendations (that is, don't just say '__ line 4 4 8 works for me, tell me why, and what your gear is like, etc.). Much thanks in advance. * * *</DIV>Message Edited by Meryddian on 11-21-2006 12:32 PM

CHIMPNOODLE.

11-22-2006, 11:48 PM

Hiya Melime <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />...we are old groupmates. The INT line is a super boost for dmg and helps with aggro...but quite a few of us also agree that it is *not* a must. I do not experience any significant aggro ctrl problems without it. I found the biggest problem was absorbing the initial flurries of dammage at times and the largest of the spike hits before investing the majority of points into the STA line. With the extra health pool % and direct HP boost from the extra STA that became a non-issue. Most of my gear is also Mit/STA/WIS/+health Heavy. The rest is WIS AA (with a few soon to be switched still wasted in AGI...just keep procrastinating <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> ) I mastered out all of my taunts/hate procs, defensive stance and quick higher dammage CAs first, then all the AOEs and Dots. I think I have 1 or 2 left non-master (A3s), besides Mortal embrace. Gear wise I have a couple relic pieces and the rest is named dropped fabled or the mit-centric claymore pieces, besides the totems and wrists (which are +STA/WIS and HP heavy). My shield needs upgrading still though. I haven't played much with the EoF AAs but I'm going down the Hate line all the way...partially because of not going with the KoS AA INT (so I don't have as high DPS to rely on hate-wise), but mostly since there are a lot of heavy dammage God abilities, stat cap increases, new gear choices for others, and some tougher/resistant mobs.....I don't want aggro to become an issue. Anyway, that's my setup and it works very well. I haven't run into any mobs have made me rethink my choice for a second yet either. Filmore Graves The Shard CollectorsMessage Edited by CHIMPNOODLE. on 11-22-2006 11:29 AM

Kryptonix

11-24-2006, 11:28 AM

<div></div><div><blockquote><hr>Meryddian wrote:<div></div> <div> SKs all seem to agree that the INT line for us for the spell crits (4 4 <img src="/smilies/b2eb59423fbf5fa39342041237025880.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> is better than going for the melee crits (in I think it's the STA line?). Here's the thing: I joined a raid guild and will most likely be utilized as a MA, so obviously aside from improving my gear in general to improve survivability, which AAs from the original tree are going to help me maximize my utilities/skills as a raid tank vs. just a solo/group SK? Our guild leader is a paladin and he's told me how he has his AA spec'ed, but I know from experience that pally and SKs usage of the same tree of AAs do not necessarily work for us in the same way. So I'm looking for some advice from high-end raiding SK perspectives on both use of the original AAs, but also to a lesser extent the new EOF SK AAs as well. I'm mostly in legendary gear from KOS instances/quests, have 2 pieces of relic (bp, gloves) and 1 piece of the new Kyle Bayle (boots); my guild is high-end KOS and we prowled around high-end EOF this week. My taunts are all Adept 3 / M1 / M2, with most of my damage spells also being Adept 3+. *Obviously* I need better gear, which will come with time, so I can't do much about that, yet. Last night I respec'd over to the STR line (think I put 4 4 4 <img src="/smilies/b2eb59423fbf5fa39342041237025880.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> and then dumped 4 4 8 in INT and the remainder to WIS 4 4 4 1. Then I headed over to POA to try for the mob I need to finish the quest before Six o'Flock High. I'm very familiar with POA and have soloed my way through various parts of the zone on multiple occassions, including after EOF's release, so I know what I have to do in order to work this zone and survive. As much as I want the haste and hate+ from the STR line, I have to say -- ugh -- I could not believe the difference, and not in a good way. I had not realized how much of a difference that in-combat hp regen (WIS 4 4 4 <img src="/smilies/b2eb59423fbf5fa39342041237025880.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> makes, as well as the boost to stats/skills from Combat Leadership, especially when soloing. Stuff I was readily soloing two days ago was now really doing some damage to me, even though I now had more haste. Will I see more of a difference with the respec when my gear is better? Should I go back to what I had? (I was full WIS line before with most of the balance to INT). I really want to know what's going to make a big difference in terms of things like holding aggro in particular. Any advice is welcomed - however, please let me know the 'whys' as to any recommendations (that is, don't just say '__ line 4 4 8 works for me, tell me why, and what your gear is like, etc.). Much thanks in advance. * * *</div>Message Edited by Meryddian on 11-21-2006 12:32 PM<hr></blockquote>Right now I am set up for a number of things as hate goes. STR: 4 4 4 8--WIS: 4 4 8--INT: 5 4 8. Reason being, is because I didnt want to lock myself into a certain role. So I made myself good at the things we were meant to be good at. STR for the hate gain, WIS for the buffs in skills, and INT for the DPS. I carry with me at least 2 sets of gear at all times, 1 for straight tanking, and the other for solo/dps. I then mix and match if I need more of the other. Most of it is fabled, but I do have a few pieces that are legendary (mostly the Claymore ones) and I keep 1 or 2 pieces of treasured gear (I have my reasons). I havent had any trouble what so ever with holding hate, even if i lose it I cast FD. I get more adds I AE, still doesnt work I cast Death March. Holding hate isnt an issue at all with SKs anymore. Soloability, I just got done soloing a pair of level 67 HEROIC double down arrows. I died on the first try and used up HT in the process. Switched gear up a bit, went back and beat their [Removed for Content] down, without HT. For EoF AAs, right now I am going down the hate line for the increase in resists in our taunts. I see myself gettin resisted a lot more often now. Afterwards I plan on going for Reaving to enhance some of my spells. Right now the way things are, after I get 100 AAs, I might respec the KoS tree. Might go STR: 4 4 4 8 8--INT: 8 4 8 with the left over points going to various places in the STR line. Doing this because I want to see the difference it makes with our recast timers, the last ability on STR line combined with the reaver line. If the difference is extremely noticable and for the better, I will stick with the respec. If it isnt ill stick with the old set up. If you are for sure gonna be the MA or OT, I would try going down the STA line. The end ability will save your [expletive haxx0red by Raijinn] (if its fixed that is). I would lean also twards the INT line rather than the WIS line. Only because you really need the DPS to help out on agro control. </div>Message Edited by Kryptonix on 11-24-2006 09:42 AM

Xanoth

11-24-2006, 04:00 PM

<blockquote><hr>Kryptonix wrote:I want to see the difference it makes with our recast timers, the last ability on STR line combined with the reaver line.<hr></blockquote>As i currently have the STR end ability i thought i'd save you the trouble, as im also considering swiching from this to a similar line up to what you listed.<img src="http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/1134/eq2000138wx6.jpg">screen shot taken while wearing the ring of the four winds, all 3 spells have 5 AA points spent in their augmentation

Kryptonix

11-24-2006, 10:40 PM

<div></div>Thanks for the info on the spells. 12 secs on Drain Vitae, is really really interesting. And if I get lucky and lend 5 of your armor set, it would be UNREAL. The set up I have right now so far has never held me back at all. I have never respecced. As I stated, the set up I have is made so I can do various things fairly well. Not one thing I can be extremely good at. Try it out and see how it goes in the solo and group aspect. Then try it out as an MA or OT. I am not sure it can hold as an MA or OT as I dont have much experience as some of the guys in this board. If it doesnt work out as an MA or OT AA build, I would suggest using an INT/WIS/STA build. It would mostly depend on your regular raid force. If you are able to get 1 dirge in the MA or OT group, then dont bother with the hate gain in the STR line, because with a dirge you can gain a massive amount of hate. If you have a regular templar in the MA or OT group, maybe going all the way down the STA line wont be nessecary. If your riad force has regulars, that will be in the raids 90%+ of the time and you are able to keep the same group set up, then set your AAs up to that group set up. Enhance what the group gives, and try to fill the holes and weaknesses with your AAs.<div></div>Message Edited by Kryptonix on 11-24-2006 09:47 AM