AA + Combat Questions

slipped · 06-22-2006, 09:20 PM

Howdy, all. I have two rather dumb questions that, as a 57 monk, I should probably know the answer to at this point: First: I'm interested in developing max DPS for soloing. As I currently only have about 8 AA points--I've no idea how others seem to accumulate them so quickly--wouldn't I be best served to dump them all into Tiger Strength (at least for now) to get the max passive strength bonus, and then start working on another line (INT, or perhaps STA)? Since the STR line benefits don't really show themselves until you've got at least 4-4-8, it doesn't seem worth it to fight bare handed until all necessary points are invested. This way, I get the max passive strength bonus and can still use my DW for the stats. Am I off base here? Second: When initiating combat, I tend to pounce on the mob and then simply spam my skills like a madman until either (1) mob is dead, or (2) I panic, FD, whither like the tender-hearted coward that I am and whimper quietly to myself as my health regens. Recently, I'm starting to think that there's more potential strategy to all this than I'm aware of. For example, does anyone have recommendations for a particular order for going through the skills while in combat? Are there some skills I should pause after, to get their full effect, before spamming the next one, etc.? Broad questions, I know. However, I've recently left WoW behind to return to EQ2 full time and am eager to sharpen up my game a bit. Thanks!

JudyJudy · 06-22-2006, 10:04 PM

First off, I'm spec'd more toward tanking, so I'll leave the AA debate to the more appropriately geared DPS monks out there. Although, I've heard 4-4-8 in STA/INT/WIS combined with a good 2hander drops some good DPS.

But! (And you knew there was a but) Mastering your offensive CA's should be a primary goal. I've gone STA/INT for tanking, but seem to hang well with other DPS geared brawlers due to my master CA progression.

Good luck!

Farengor · 06-28-2006, 01:35 AM

I can't address your first question, as I only have 5 AA's at level 54. However, as far as your second question, being proficient in how you use them is important. I don't know the names of the attacks II typically use (because I'm at a different computer than which I play), but I can tell you categories. I usually start go into a fight with a shocking hand class of attack where I'm going to do additional damage per hit. Also, the sooner you use it, the sooner it regens, and you may be able to use it again. I then start with an attack that will decrease the mobs defense as well as an attack that does damage over time. Once I have the two CA's that produce status effects on the mob, I'll use an attack that will stun or knockdown the mob, then use an attack that won't, then use one that will, then use one that won't etc. I think I can get three combo's like this, which can keep a mob down for a more consistent period than using knockdown moves back to back. Once I learned how to do this, I've found that it serves me pretty well. It won't take long looking at the effect of your CA's to set up a pattern. Tweak it over time to see what combo's seem to be most effective.

A couple of other notes. One is that I have an HO macro set up, so that as I cycle through my CA's, and they are all greyed out (if I mash them fairly quickly), I will throw in a quick HO to allow my CA's to refresh so that I can rinse and repeat the above strategy. Another idea is that you can pace your attacks to do a CA, then the normal melee, then a CA, then melee etc. You have to get your timing down here, with a weapon that doesn't have too short of a delay so that you are not doing a CA when you would normally be doing a standard melee attack. There are lots of folks out there that are more technical towards the game that can discuss how that process works.

Eventually you'll learn a pattern and speed that works best, as well as being able to be fluid in your approach based on what the mob is doing. Sometimes they get up on you, and you have to alter your strategy for a moment, then plan ahead to get back to the pace again.

Hope that helps!

06-22-2006, 10:04 PM	#2
JudyJudy Lord Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 368	First off, I'm spec'd more toward tanking, so I'll leave the AA debate to the more appropriately geared DPS monks out there. Although, I've heard 4-4-8 in STA/INT/WIS combined with a good 2hander drops some good DPS. But! (And you knew there was a but) Mastering your offensive CA's should be a primary goal. I've gone STA/INT for tanking, but seem to hang well with other DPS geared brawlers due to my master CA progression. Good luck! __________________

06-22-2006, 09:20 PM	#1
slipped Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 2	Howdy, all. I have two rather dumb questions that, as a 57 monk, I should probably know the answer to at this point: First: I'm interested in developing max DPS for soloing. As I currently only have about 8 AA points--I've no idea how others seem to accumulate them so quickly--wouldn't I be best served to dump them all into Tiger Strength (at least for now) to get the max passive strength bonus, and then start working on another line (INT, or perhaps STA)? Since the STR line benefits don't really show themselves until you've got at least 4-4-8, it doesn't seem worth it to fight bare handed until all necessary points are invested. This way, I get the max passive strength bonus and can still use my DW for the stats. Am I off base here? Second: When initiating combat, I tend to pounce on the mob and then simply spam my skills like a madman until either (1) mob is dead, or (2) I panic, FD, whither like the tender-hearted coward that I am and whimper quietly to myself as my health regens. Recently, I'm starting to think that there's more potential strategy to all this than I'm aware of. For example, does anyone have recommendations for a particular order for going through the skills while in combat? Are there some skills I should pause after, to get their full effect, before spamming the next one, etc.? Broad questions, I know. However, I've recently left WoW behind to return to EQ2 full time and am eager to sharpen up my game a bit. Thanks!

06-28-2006, 01:35 AM	#3
Farengor Loremaster Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 8	I can't address your first question, as I only have 5 AA's at level 54. However, as far as your second question, being proficient in how you use them is important. I don't know the names of the attacks II typically use (because I'm at a different computer than which I play), but I can tell you categories. I usually start go into a fight with a shocking hand class of attack where I'm going to do additional damage per hit. Also, the sooner you use it, the sooner it regens, and you may be able to use it again. I then start with an attack that will decrease the mobs defense as well as an attack that does damage over time. Once I have the two CA's that produce status effects on the mob, I'll use an attack that will stun or knockdown the mob, then use an attack that won't, then use one that will, then use one that won't etc. I think I can get three combo's like this, which can keep a mob down for a more consistent period than using knockdown moves back to back. Once I learned how to do this, I've found that it serves me pretty well. It won't take long looking at the effect of your CA's to set up a pattern. Tweak it over time to see what combo's seem to be most effective. A couple of other notes. One is that I have an HO macro set up, so that as I cycle through my CA's, and they are all greyed out (if I mash them fairly quickly), I will throw in a quick HO to allow my CA's to refresh so that I can rinse and repeat the above strategy. Another idea is that you can pace your attacks to do a CA, then the normal melee, then a CA, then melee etc. You have to get your timing down here, with a weapon that doesn't have too short of a delay so that you are not doing a CA when you would normally be doing a standard melee attack. There are lots of folks out there that are more technical towards the game that can discuss how that process works. Eventually you'll learn a pattern and speed that works best, as well as being able to be fluid in your approach based on what the mob is doing. Sometimes they get up on you, and you have to alter your strategy for a moment, then plan ahead to get back to the pace again. Hope that helps!