Troub Race and Soloability

Koman · 03-22-2005, 03:28 AM

Please post your Race, level and the highest con mob you are able to solo with a good chance of winning (ie, you can defeat the mob at least 75% of the time). I'm still trying to figure out why I'm so [Removed for Content], and the posts on this board and others are all over the place regarding Troubadours ability to solo. I'm wondering how much of a factor character race is.

As a Lvl 30 Half Elf Troubadour, the highest mob I can solo is a Blue con non-heroic (solo) mob. Next...

MMThunda · 03-22-2005, 03:37 AM

46 Half Elf Troubador, can solo high green group mobs consistently (unless they are sorcerers, which makes things considerably harder) or yellow con solo mobs consistently (again, unless they are sorcerers). This has been roughly the same since my high 20s-low 30s, around the time of the agility nerf. Exception: a "solo" encounter that is made up of two or more creatures with down arrows is considerably harder for me to deal with than a single monster much of the time. I think it has to do with flanking me or getting in extra stuns/special attacks.

Message Edited by MMThundarr on 03-21-2005 04:37 PM

RuneSing · 03-22-2005, 05:31 AM

I'm a lvl 31 (wood elf)Troub. Pre-update I could win consistently against lvl 32 Orcs in Zek and lvl 32 solo mobs (Wasps, Beetles and Turtles) in EL. Those are the areas I would solo in as of this weekend.

My main tactic is to pull with Diessenting Cantanta, hit with Root spell (not sure of name) and then hit the mob with Eli's or Reproach (Debuff) and then buff with Instatiable Ardor. Followed by spamming with CAs and HOs till mob is dead. I will often use the Root spell again and back up and hit with Eli's or Dissenting. That lvl mob brings my health down to half (orange?). I stopped using the stealth attack becuase with the Root spell i'm usually getting a "free" hit on the mob with a high damage spell.

I have not learned how to make the Cheap Shot/Flank attack combo work.

The buffs I'm using are Songster's Luck, Elsie's Ditty, Performers Talent, Vallen's and Raxxyl's. Sorry if I'm wrong on some of these names. My armor is a mix of AQ armor with dropped and purchased (ranging from orange to blue). I also experiment with the pow and health songs and drop one of the stat buffs. The health buff helps a little, but it is not significant. I also use a shield and 1h wpn when soloing.

Post update, I'll know tonight. I may be starting a new toon.

WorldsAway_Nybor · 03-22-2005, 07:46 PM

Lvl 37 half-elf, and although the changes over the past few months have made me weaker, I can still defeat yellow solo mobs 75% of the time or better and green groups most of the time. I also have some problems with casters, using Arcane Symphony sometimes helps but I just get whooped a little bit slower. If I have to beat a difficult caster, such as the lvl 31 ^^ skeleton for the final part of Cove of Decay access (forget his name) my best bet is to resist as much as I can and drain their power. Once powerless, they are normally easy to defeat even if I too am running out of power.

I should probably mention also that I use Ghoulbane and a shield for soloing, as well as using defensive buffs as opposed to attack ones such as haste. Using DW and trying to take down the mob quickly doesn't seem to be as successful for me, but others I know seem to find DW works better.

Mat · 03-22-2005, 08:02 PM

I'm a 22 halfling, I've soloed Holly Windstalker, The Fanglords, Drovlen, and a couple other things I cant remember the name of. I'll post the strategy I use if you like. I Haven't died yet. This can be done without any uber equip or anything (this is my highest char).Edit-- I don't think race matter much. I think the only difference of stats is +5 -5 of some stats, and a crappy racial trait.

Message Edited by Matt5 on 03-22-2005 07:13 AM

RuneSing · 03-22-2005, 11:40 PM

Ok post patch tried lvl 32 solo orcs in zek. Used Minstrel's Fortune, Songster's Luck, Raxxyl's, Elsie's Ditty and Performers Talent. Used same basic approach as listed in my other post to pulling and rooting. Had no problems soloing that level/type of mob. Spoke with a Ranger who was soloing the area and he reported no major difference.

With Insatiable Ardor was able to get my Avoidance for a lvl 31 mob up to 64.1%.

Dou'd the D'Morte Unearthing with a 32 Fury and found Swindle Essence and other POW draining abilities the most help against the named mobs in the tomb. Was able to complete the Unearthing with only one death.

My only problem now is what are they going the nerf next? Seems like I've been able to adapt so far. Me hopes the nerf bat will no longer swingeth!

Lopdrop · 03-22-2005, 11:43 PM

Lvl 18 bard still.........but.....I am soloing 18^^ Scarecrows with Giant Kodiak and wolf adds. No problem. Have not died yet. Can also Solo 2 lvl 18 ^^ grp scarecrows. Might get me to half life. I know I am not a troub yet, but that is my direction. But as a bard, I can solo very well and not get touched very often. I also have a lvl 36 Fury, Very fun as well. BUt I am liking the Bard alot. I think they can solo the highest lvl creatures compared to their lvl than any other class. ./shrug. Have a great day!! Lopdrop

Spar · 03-23-2005, 03:34 AM

Well.. I am a 26 Gnome Troubador... as I posted in depth a while back.. soloing was a joke as was leveling my troub.. That was then... I have consistantly pulled two up group greens.. in an unlimited number.. ie 9-12 at a time.. they simply could not hit me.. leveling was a joke... (my armor is all player crafted orange and adept 1 on all spells and with my buffs I had an AGI of 138 and a defense of 2600)

Then came last weeks patch.. I logged on to find my AC had dropped by over 700... I could now be hit by those mobs.. so, I tweeked all my armor.. switched to a shield.. and was able to solo the two up greens again.. without being hit.

Then came yesterdays patch.. without the stacking of the AGI spells.. my AGI took a hit.. after following the 700+ drop in Ac with a hit to my AGI.. I discovered last night I can no longer Hunt the two up green mobs.

As of last night.. I realized my days of a leval a night soloing are over.. time to find some groups and start grinding like all my other alts did.. hehe , well it was good while it lasted.

Tunz...26 troub Lavastorm

Toogel · 03-25-2005, 07:00 AM

RuneSinger wrote:

I'm a lvl 31 (wood elf)Troub. Pre-update I could win consistently against lvl 32 Orcs in Zek and lvl 32 solo mobs (Wasps, Beetles and Turtles) in EL. Those are the areas I would solo in as of this weekend.

My main tactic is to pull with Diessenting Cantanta, hit with Root spell (not sure of name) and then hit the mob with Eli's or Reproach (Debuff) and then buff with Instatiable Ardor. Followed by spamming with CAs and HOs till mob is dead. I will often use the Root spell again and back up and hit with Eli's or Dissenting. That lvl mob brings my health down to half (orange?). I stopped using the stealth attack becuase with the Root spell i'm usually getting a "free" hit on the mob with a high damage spell.

I have not learned how to make the Cheap Shot/Flank attack combo work.

The buffs I'm using are Songster's Luck, Elsie's Ditty, Performers Talent, Vallen's and Raxxyl's. Sorry if I'm wrong on some of these names. My armor is a mix of AQ armor with dropped and purchased (ranging from orange to blue). I also experiment with the pow and health songs and drop one of the stat buffs. The health buff helps a little, but it is not significant. I also use a shield and 1h wpn when soloing.

Post update, I'll know tonight. I may be starting a new toon.

The key to making Cheap Shot > Flank attack work is to make sure you have turned your auto attack off before Cheap Shot finishes AND that you dont have any damage over time spells currently hitting the mob (damage over time can be either health or power wont matter... they get hit with it and they dont get stifled). I can Cheap Shot Flank attack all day and not have any problems as I watch the order of my attack spells (never using Walt's Singing Blade before Cheap Shot) and just ensuring that I have turned auto attack off before I complete cheap shot.

To set up the flank attack, simply move the second the cheap shot hits to the side of the mob or as close to its back as posibble... DO NOT worry about whether you are facing him or not as when you hit your flank attack ability the skill will automatically turn you to face the mob. After cheap shot goes off you should be positioned to use your flank attack in less than a second, though you will typically have more time than you need.

Also, a side not eI thought about after posting this... I find it easier to cheap shot > flank attack in third person than first person for whatever reason.

Message Edited by Toogeloo on 03-24-2005 06:02 PM

Asheb · 03-26-2005, 12:41 AM

29 Erudite Troubador, and I agree that you cannot [Removed for Content] yourself with a race choice. You can give yourself different challenges and assets, but I don't think there is a class/race combo in the game that is unplayable. Just for illustration, an erudite bard has great int/wis, middling agility and poor str/sta. I have relatively low health, but with buffs and trait choices relatively inexhaustable power.

I've been able to solo yellow con solo skeletons in TS, and most green group mobs (groups of green mobs seems to be easier than a single green group mob, if that makes sense). Unlike what others have said, casters don't seem to be a problem for me. Being an erudite helps because I resist more and can see ahead of time who are priests and mages and prepare for them by using arcane chorus (arcane resistance buff) instead of reproaching discant (physical ability debuff).

On using a flank attack, one solo HO sequence I use goes like this:

- Lucky break (start HO)

- cheap shot -> turn off auto attack

- wait for stun -> jump over mob for extra style points

- taffo's (used my one silver cluster to make adept3, very happy with that choice)

- fulgent to finish

If you hit them all and get ringing blow, you do about 350dmg.

Drop a cantata while the mental debuff is still up and do another 200dmg.

RuneSing · 03-26-2005, 01:20 AM

Toogeloo thanks for the advice. I thought that after making that post I should research the stun/flank attack move. So I did and have been applying it over the last few days. I appreciate you taking the time to post this adivce.

To take this thread slightly off direction. I think it has been great for people playing this class to provide adivce to each other. I have been reading this forum since I started playing the game and have learned alot.

Also I hope the OP has found some useful info and been able to overcome his problems with playing a Troub.

Jaktara · 03-26-2005, 04:40 AM

Toogeloo...I also wanted to thank you for your advice on Cheapshot + Flank attack. I have been trying this technique with no results until I read you post...sweet)

WirrelTheSa · 03-28-2005, 01:09 AM

I am a Lvl 32 Ratonga Troubadour and I can consistantly fight ^^ green mods that are one level from going gray. Sometimes I can do the ones two levels from gray depending on the type of critter. Its actually been awhile since i played solo alot. I generally sing the critter to death after i have sucked all its power away. Generally I am almost back upto full health after dropping to two bars. Can you guess which buff is running there. But i prefer to be in groups which to me depending on the group is where the real challenge is. If its not a group i have been in before I have to learn their way of fighting and at times instruct the fighter on how to turn the mob away from me. Hate being in front of a critter.

Oh um when I solo I am using a round shield (forget what kind) and Berik's Sword of Thunder. (boy is that pally mad I got that)

Belisarius · 03-28-2005, 01:19 AM

I am a lvl 34 Troub, 170+str and 170+ agi when buffed. I can solo lvl 40 mobs without a problem, if I have full health and power im usually at 60% health and 20% power by the end of the fight. (not kiting)

I was also able to kill a yellow ^^ by kiting when I was 33. I havnt tried that since then tho since it took me about 7 min to kill it.

As far as armor im using full feyiron, with a pgt, slime coated harpoon and slayers ring of agi.

Psst, using your bow makes your pgt proc more often.

Vasii · 03-28-2005, 09:03 AM

lvl 50 iksar. Highest mob I have attempted and beaten was lvl 49 double up Tundra terror in EF. If you play it smart they can be defeated.

burrito · 03-28-2005, 09:03 AM

To do cheapshot/flank. turn off melee, quickly hit cheapshot, jump behind him and get a stab in his back :smileywink:

SGrim · 03-28-2005, 10:12 PM

MMThundarr wrote:
46 Half Elf Troubador, can solo high green group mobs consistently (unless they are sorcerers, which makes things considerably harder) or yellow con solo mobs consistently (again, unless they are sorcerers). This has been roughly the same since my high 20s-low 30s, around the time of the agility nerf. Exception: a "solo" encounter that is made up of two or more creatures with down arrows is considerably harder for me to deal with than a single monster much of the time. I think it has to do with flanking me or getting in extra stuns/special attacks.
Message Edited by MMThundarr on 03-21-2005 04:37 PM

Level 40 half elf troubador and my experience is spot on with MMThundarr's. Green group/heroic, yellow solo consistently, orange solo on a case-by-case basis. I despise caster mobs. Spell mitigation isn't all it's cracked up to be and far less effective than melee mitigation/avoidance.

thorvang · 03-29-2005, 03:19 PM

if you want to solo a lot, choose a race which has +defense as a trait. might help

Koman · 04-03-2005, 05:40 PM

Well, it would seem that race is not much of a factor (tactics either for that matter - more on this later). Equipment, spell upgrades and mob selection seem to make all the difference. My armor/weapons are all upgraded now with some nice feysteel stuff thrown in. The song upgrade that really seemed to make a big difference was getting Songster's to Adept III. Most other songs are at Adept I. At lvl 33, my buffed agility is now 200 and I can solo fine without a shield. I *might* have gimped my early-self by not choosing a stat-buff for training, but that doesn't seem to matter now. I'd have to re-roll to find out if additional stats would have helped earlier, but that's not gonna happen.

As far as mob selection, if a mob is difficult to solo, simply move on. Duh! SMILEY Obviously my intel isn't what it should be.

Tactics: Other than spamming HO's to conserve my power, if a mob is hitting for me for a lot with specials, I'll drain power from them. Once they are out of power they do a lot less damage. Stealth attacking, stunning-and-running behind, semi-kiting with arrows and all the other stuff doesn't really seem to make that much of a difference for me.

Conc. Buffs: Running with Songster's / Raxxyl's / Rousing with one slot open for situational songs.

Thanks all for the input!

Message Edited by Komandi on 04-03-2005 06:49 AM

Koman · 04-03-2005, 05:41 PM

Dbl Post. Sorry.

Message Edited by Komandi on 04-03-2005 06:46 AM

Koman · 04-03-2005, 05:41 PM

Dbl Post. Sorry.

Message Edited by Komandi on 04-03-2005 06:47 AM

fatredfr · 04-04-2005, 01:24 PM

I'm a 50 troubador, and decided to try soloing to verify these complaints....and quite frankly, they're false. I was able to solo a heroic group of lvl 48 2x ^ gobbue groups and even some ^^ lvl 46 or so leopards in EF. At 49, a long long time ago, I also had no problem soloing groups of gobbues in EF (usually the 3x no arrow variety for effeciency, but really any were possible given enough patience).

Just cause you can't stand infront of a mob and do more dmg than you take does not mean you cannot solo. Think outside the box, play the game, try to win, don't try to be a guardian in a scout's body...

Troubadors have some valid complaints, mainly the effectiveness of our power and haste songs....however, soloing, we have absolutely no trouble with. If you cannot solo groups of mobs as a troubador, you've either a sheep or not trying.

Message Edited by fatredfrog on 04-04-2005 02:28 AM

IKS_Nels · 04-04-2005, 02:11 PM

fatredfrog wrote:

I'm a 50 troubador, and decided to try soloing to verify these complaints....and quite frankly, they're false. I was able to solo a heroic group of lvl 48 2x ^ gobbue groups and even some ^^ lvl 46 or so leopards in EF. At 49, a long long time ago, I also had no problem soloing groups of gobbues in EF (usually the 3x no arrow variety for effeciency, but really any were possible given enough patience).

Just cause you can't stand infront of a mob and do more dmg than you take does not mean you cannot solo. Think outside the box, play the game, try to win, don't try to be a guardian in a scout's body...

Troubadors have some valid complaints, mainly the effectiveness of our power and haste songs....however, soloing, we have absolutely no trouble with. If you cannot solo groups of mobs as a troubador, you've either a sheep or not trying.

Message Edited by fatredfrog on 04-04-2005 02:28 AM

Yeh great idear take your lvl 50 Troubador out and solo green mobs that have trouble hotting you with all your songs, then proclaim their is nothing wrong with Troubadors ability to solo.

I am lvl 40 now and the OP and others in their 30s and lower and at these lvls things are very much difrent, for starters most of us at thoes lvls are struggling to find the money to upgrade spells and equipment all the time to maxamise our efectiveness, but the most important thing is at thoes lvls our songs are less efective even if we use the same lines as a lvl 50! and choice of songs is important too which as you get to a higher level become far greater, form lvl 20+ solo mobs are a nightmare to deal with, from 30 onwards life gets far better, this is simply down to songs at lower levels and limited effects.

IMHO The is a problem with Troubadors and their ability to solo is only at lower levels and the only thing that needs ajusting is song effectiveness, devs just need to tweek it a bit SO it shouldn't throw the hole class into uberness.

fatredfr · 04-05-2005, 02:02 AM

Apparently, you did not read my post. Not only were the mobs not green, they were blue, and would kill me in about 15sec if I just stood there. I also stated that I also solo'd these mobs before I was 50. Now, as to the soloability at lower levels, I cannot say with certainty, however, I don't see why the tactics I use would be unavailable at any level. It's just a matter of picking your fights. Now, as I said in the last post, try to think outside the box, your effectiveness is not solely based on your ability to fight a mob face to face.

MMThunda · 04-05-2005, 09:48 PM

fatredfrog wrote:

Apparently, you did not read my post. Not only were the mobs not green, they were blue, and would kill me in about 15sec if I just stood there. I also stated that I also solo'd these mobs before I was 50. Now, as to the soloability at lower levels, I cannot say with certainty, however, I don't see why the tactics I use would be unavailable at any level. It's just a matter of picking your fights. Now, as I said in the last post, try to think outside the box, your effectiveness is not solely based on your ability to fight a mob face to face.

I will not attempt to argue that you did not defeat these encounters solo. However, how long did it take you to beat them, and/or how much money did it cost you in ammunition? SMILEY

fatredfr · 04-05-2005, 10:27 PM

3x no arrow gruops takes about 2min to kill. 2x ^ takes about 5min. the ^^ leopard took about 7min. I used about 40 indium arrows. I used mostly spell damage with the exception of using the 40+ ranged skill (sorry don't remember name, as it sucks to spell). I only used arrows on the arrow mobs, not the no arrow x3 groups. It's actually very good xp killing the x3 no arrow groups. Was better xp than trio'ing with a berserker and warden before they nerfed rampage (berserker averaging about 1000dps over the session), however, it is riskier than grouping. If you get sloppy or careless, you're either dead or running back from evac point.

Message Edited by fatredfrog on 04-05-2005 11:29 AM

MMThunda · 04-06-2005, 12:37 AM

Yeah, killing things like that is quite possible if A) your target has no ranged attacks of any significance, and B) if you are in an area where you can run around a lot without picking up additional agro. Everfrost has several good spots like this. When I said earlier what I could consistently kill, what I meant was what I could kill regardless of where it happened to be SMILEY

Denon's Destructive Anthem (level 40 training option) + Exquisite Shrill + Guviena's Osmotic Ovation and tier 5 arrows makes for a potent kiting combo, throwing in Alin's Coruscating Concord too when its multiple enemies. I still can't quite work things down that quickly, though. By the way, where do you get your indium arrows from? I typically have been using fulginate arrows from the merchant in Elddar Grove.

fatredfr · 04-06-2005, 05:29 AM

the Master Bowyer in East Freeport, assume there is a comparable merchant somewhere in Qeynos.

MMThunda · 04-06-2005, 07:40 AM

Hmm, the master bowyer in Qeynos just sells fulginate arrows. Maybe they are equivalent *shrug*

aeio · 04-07-2005, 09:01 PM

At level 41 I have been able to solo up to yellow/oranges pretty much my entire career. I have also been able to always solo green group mobs, and often but not always high green group mobs. Although as I near the end of a level high green group mobs are almost always doable by me. I have killed probably 100+ different named group mobs for experience and loot in my 41 levels. I am a halfling but I think that has pretty much nothing to do with my ability to solo.

03-22-2005, 07:46 PM	#4
WorldsAway_Nybor Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 115	Lvl 37 half-elf, and although the changes over the past few months have made me weaker, I can still defeat yellow solo mobs 75% of the time or better and green groups most of the time. I also have some problems with casters, using Arcane Symphony sometimes helps but I just get whooped a little bit slower. If I have to beat a difficult caster, such as the lvl 31 ^^ skeleton for the final part of Cove of Decay access (forget his name) my best bet is to resist as much as I can and drain their power. Once powerless, they are normally easy to defeat even if I too am running out of power. I should probably mention also that I use Ghoulbane and a shield for soloing, as well as using defensive buffs as opposed to attack ones such as haste. Using DW and trying to take down the mob quickly doesn't seem to be as successful for me, but others I know seem to find DW works better. __________________ ------------------------------- Nybora Ceileir Returned Troubadour!

03-25-2005, 07:00 AM	#9
Toogel Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 78	RuneSinger wrote: I'm a lvl 31 (wood elf)Troub. Pre-update I could win consistently against lvl 32 Orcs in Zek and lvl 32 solo mobs (Wasps, Beetles and Turtles) in EL. Those are the areas I would solo in as of this weekend. My main tactic is to pull with Diessenting Cantanta, hit with Root spell (not sure of name) and then hit the mob with Eli's or Reproach (Debuff) and then buff with Instatiable Ardor. Followed by spamming with CAs and HOs till mob is dead. I will often use the Root spell again and back up and hit with Eli's or Dissenting. That lvl mob brings my health down to half (orange?). I stopped using the stealth attack becuase with the Root spell i'm usually getting a "free" hit on the mob with a high damage spell. I have not learned how to make the Cheap Shot/Flank attack combo work. The buffs I'm using are Songster's Luck, Elsie's Ditty, Performers Talent, Vallen's and Raxxyl's. Sorry if I'm wrong on some of these names. My armor is a mix of AQ armor with dropped and purchased (ranging from orange to blue). I also experiment with the pow and health songs and drop one of the stat buffs. The health buff helps a little, but it is not significant. I also use a shield and 1h wpn when soloing. Post update, I'll know tonight. I may be starting a new toon. The key to making Cheap Shot > Flank attack work is to make sure you have turned your auto attack off before Cheap Shot finishes AND that you dont have any damage over time spells currently hitting the mob (damage over time can be either health or power wont matter... they get hit with it and they dont get stifled). I can Cheap Shot Flank attack all day and not have any problems as I watch the order of my attack spells (never using Walt's Singing Blade before Cheap Shot) and just ensuring that I have turned auto attack off before I complete cheap shot. To set up the flank attack, simply move the second the cheap shot hits to the side of the mob or as close to its back as posibble... DO NOT worry about whether you are facing him or not as when you hit your flank attack ability the skill will automatically turn you to face the mob. After cheap shot goes off you should be positioned to use your flank attack in less than a second, though you will typically have more time than you need. Also, a side not eI thought about after posting this... I find it easier to cheap shot > flank attack in third person than first person for whatever reason. Message Edited by Toogeloo on 03-24-2005 06:02 PM

03-26-2005, 12:41 AM	#10
Asheb Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 55	29 Erudite Troubador, and I agree that you cannot [Removed for Content] yourself with a race choice. You can give yourself different challenges and assets, but I don't think there is a class/race combo in the game that is unplayable. Just for illustration, an erudite bard has great int/wis, middling agility and poor str/sta. I have relatively low health, but with buffs and trait choices relatively inexhaustable power. I've been able to solo yellow con solo skeletons in TS, and most green group mobs (groups of green mobs seems to be easier than a single green group mob, if that makes sense). Unlike what others have said, casters don't seem to be a problem for me. Being an erudite helps because I resist more and can see ahead of time who are priests and mages and prepare for them by using arcane chorus (arcane resistance buff) instead of reproaching discant (physical ability debuff). On using a flank attack, one solo HO sequence I use goes like this: - Lucky break (start HO) - cheap shot -> turn off auto attack - wait for stun -> jump over mob for extra style points - taffo's (used my one silver cluster to make adept3, very happy with that choice) - fulgent to finish If you hit them all and get ringing blow, you do about 350dmg. Drop a cantata while the mental debuff is still up and do another 200dmg. __________________

03-26-2005, 04:40 AM	#12
Jaktara Loremaster Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 1	Toogeloo...I also wanted to thank you for your advice on Cheapshot + Flank attack. I have been trying this technique with no results until I read you post...sweet) __________________ Jaktara 70 Dirge PvE - Everfrost

03-28-2005, 01:19 AM	#14
Belisarius Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 81	I am a lvl 34 Troub, 170+str and 170+ agi when buffed. I can solo lvl 40 mobs without a problem, if I have full health and power im usually at 60% health and 20% power by the end of the fight. (not kiting) I was also able to kill a yellow ^^ by kiting when I was 33. I havnt tried that since then tho since it took me about 7 min to kill it. As far as armor im using full feyiron, with a pgt, slime coated harpoon and slayers ring of agi. Psst, using your bow makes your pgt proc more often. __________________ 70 Troubadour, Oasis Troubadours are overpowered! Nerf us!

03-22-2005, 03:28 AM	#1
Koman Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 34	Please post your Race, level and the highest con mob you are able to solo with a good chance of winning (ie, you can defeat the mob at least 75% of the time). I'm still trying to figure out why I'm so [Removed for Content], and the posts on this board and others are all over the place regarding Troubadours ability to solo. I'm wondering how much of a factor character race is. As a Lvl 30 Half Elf Troubadour, the highest mob I can solo is a Blue con non-heroic (solo) mob. Next...

03-22-2005, 03:37 AM	#2
MMThunda Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 73	46 Half Elf Troubador, can solo high green group mobs consistently (unless they are sorcerers, which makes things considerably harder) or yellow con solo mobs consistently (again, unless they are sorcerers). This has been roughly the same since my high 20s-low 30s, around the time of the agility nerf. Exception: a "solo" encounter that is made up of two or more creatures with down arrows is considerably harder for me to deal with than a single monster much of the time. I think it has to do with flanking me or getting in extra stuns/special attacks. Message Edited by MMThundarr on 03-21-2005 04:37 PM

03-22-2005, 05:31 AM	#3
RuneSing Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 8	I'm a lvl 31 (wood elf)Troub. Pre-update I could win consistently against lvl 32 Orcs in Zek and lvl 32 solo mobs (Wasps, Beetles and Turtles) in EL. Those are the areas I would solo in as of this weekend. My main tactic is to pull with Diessenting Cantanta, hit with Root spell (not sure of name) and then hit the mob with Eli's or Reproach (Debuff) and then buff with Instatiable Ardor. Followed by spamming with CAs and HOs till mob is dead. I will often use the Root spell again and back up and hit with Eli's or Dissenting. That lvl mob brings my health down to half (orange?). I stopped using the stealth attack becuase with the Root spell i'm usually getting a "free" hit on the mob with a high damage spell. I have not learned how to make the Cheap Shot/Flank attack combo work. The buffs I'm using are Songster's Luck, Elsie's Ditty, Performers Talent, Vallen's and Raxxyl's. Sorry if I'm wrong on some of these names. My armor is a mix of AQ armor with dropped and purchased (ranging from orange to blue). I also experiment with the pow and health songs and drop one of the stat buffs. The health buff helps a little, but it is not significant. I also use a shield and 1h wpn when soloing. Post update, I'll know tonight. I may be starting a new toon.

03-22-2005, 08:02 PM	#5
Mat Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 11	I'm a 22 halfling, I've soloed Holly Windstalker, The Fanglords, Drovlen, and a couple other things I cant remember the name of. I'll post the strategy I use if you like. I Haven't died yet. This can be done without any uber equip or anything (this is my highest char).Edit-- I don't think race matter much. I think the only difference of stats is +5 -5 of some stats, and a crappy racial trait. Message Edited by Matt5 on 03-22-2005 07:13 AM

03-22-2005, 11:40 PM	#6
RuneSing Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 8	Ok post patch tried lvl 32 solo orcs in zek. Used Minstrel's Fortune, Songster's Luck, Raxxyl's, Elsie's Ditty and Performers Talent. Used same basic approach as listed in my other post to pulling and rooting. Had no problems soloing that level/type of mob. Spoke with a Ranger who was soloing the area and he reported no major difference. With Insatiable Ardor was able to get my Avoidance for a lvl 31 mob up to 64.1%. Dou'd the D'Morte Unearthing with a 32 Fury and found Swindle Essence and other POW draining abilities the most help against the named mobs in the tomb. Was able to complete the Unearthing with only one death. My only problem now is what are they going the nerf next? Seems like I've been able to adapt so far. Me hopes the nerf bat will no longer swingeth!

03-22-2005, 11:43 PM	#7
Lopdrop Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1	Lvl 18 bard still.........but.....I am soloing 18^^ Scarecrows with Giant Kodiak and wolf adds. No problem. Have not died yet. Can also Solo 2 lvl 18 ^^ grp scarecrows. Might get me to half life. I know I am not a troub yet, but that is my direction. But as a bard, I can solo very well and not get touched very often. I also have a lvl 36 Fury, Very fun as well. BUt I am liking the Bard alot. I think they can solo the highest lvl creatures compared to their lvl than any other class. ./shrug. Have a great day!! Lopdrop

03-23-2005, 03:34 AM	#8
Spar Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 11	Well.. I am a 26 Gnome Troubador... as I posted in depth a while back.. soloing was a joke as was leveling my troub.. That was then... I have consistantly pulled two up group greens.. in an unlimited number.. ie 9-12 at a time.. they simply could not hit me.. leveling was a joke... (my armor is all player crafted orange and adept 1 on all spells and with my buffs I had an AGI of 138 and a defense of 2600) Then came last weeks patch.. I logged on to find my AC had dropped by over 700... I could now be hit by those mobs.. so, I tweeked all my armor.. switched to a shield.. and was able to solo the two up greens again.. without being hit. Then came yesterdays patch.. without the stacking of the AGI spells.. my AGI took a hit.. after following the 700+ drop in Ac with a hit to my AGI.. I discovered last night I can no longer Hunt the two up green mobs. As of last night.. I realized my days of a leval a night soloing are over.. time to find some groups and start grinding like all my other alts did.. hehe , well it was good while it lasted. Tunz...26 troub Lavastorm

03-26-2005, 01:20 AM	#11
RuneSing Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 8	Toogeloo thanks for the advice. I thought that after making that post I should research the stun/flank attack move. So I did and have been applying it over the last few days. I appreciate you taking the time to post this adivce. To take this thread slightly off direction. I think it has been great for people playing this class to provide adivce to each other. I have been reading this forum since I started playing the game and have learned alot. Also I hope the OP has found some useful info and been able to overcome his problems with playing a Troub.

03-28-2005, 01:09 AM	#13
WirrelTheSa Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1	I am a Lvl 32 Ratonga Troubadour and I can consistantly fight ^^ green mods that are one level from going gray. Sometimes I can do the ones two levels from gray depending on the type of critter. Its actually been awhile since i played solo alot. I generally sing the critter to death after i have sucked all its power away. Generally I am almost back upto full health after dropping to two bars. Can you guess which buff is running there. But i prefer to be in groups which to me depending on the group is where the real challenge is. If its not a group i have been in before I have to learn their way of fighting and at times instruct the fighter on how to turn the mob away from me. Hate being in front of a critter. Oh um when I solo I am using a round shield (forget what kind) and Berik's Sword of Thunder. (boy is that pally mad I got that)

03-28-2005, 09:03 AM	#15
Vasii Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 17	lvl 50 iksar. Highest mob I have attempted and beaten was lvl 49 double up Tundra terror in EF. If you play it smart they can be defeated. __________________ Arian Absolution 70 Fury Retired

03-28-2005, 09:03 AM	#16
burrito Loremaster Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 33	To do cheapshot/flank. turn off melee, quickly hit cheapshot, jump behind him and get a stab in his back :smileywink: __________________ (>")> <(^^)> <("<)

03-28-2005, 10:12 PM	#17
SGrim Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 52	MMThundarr wrote: 46 Half Elf Troubador, can solo high green group mobs consistently (unless they are sorcerers, which makes things considerably harder) or yellow con solo mobs consistently (again, unless they are sorcerers). This has been roughly the same since my high 20s-low 30s, around the time of the agility nerf. Exception: a "solo" encounter that is made up of two or more creatures with down arrows is considerably harder for me to deal with than a single monster much of the time. I think it has to do with flanking me or getting in extra stuns/special attacks. Message Edited by MMThundarr on 03-21-2005 04:37 PM Level 40 half elf troubador and my experience is spot on with MMThundarr's. Green group/heroic, yellow solo consistently, orange solo on a case-by-case basis. I despise caster mobs. Spell mitigation isn't all it's cracked up to be and far less effective than melee mitigation/avoidance. __________________ Phentrus McGee Inquisition Najena Server - Qeynos

03-29-2005, 03:19 PM	#18
thorvang Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 862	if you want to solo a lot, choose a race which has +defense as a trait. might help __________________

04-03-2005, 05:40 PM	#19
Koman Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 34	Well, it would seem that race is not much of a factor (tactics either for that matter - more on this later). Equipment, spell upgrades and mob selection seem to make all the difference. My armor/weapons are all upgraded now with some nice feysteel stuff thrown in. The song upgrade that really seemed to make a big difference was getting Songster's to Adept III. Most other songs are at Adept I. At lvl 33, my buffed agility is now 200 and I can solo fine without a shield. I might have gimped my early-self by not choosing a stat-buff for training, but that doesn't seem to matter now. I'd have to re-roll to find out if additional stats would have helped earlier, but that's not gonna happen. As far as mob selection, if a mob is difficult to solo, simply move on. Duh! Obviously my intel isn't what it should be. Tactics: Other than spamming HO's to conserve my power, if a mob is hitting for me for a lot with specials, I'll drain power from them. Once they are out of power they do a lot less damage. Stealth attacking, stunning-and-running behind, semi-kiting with arrows and all the other stuff doesn't really seem to make that much of a difference for me. Conc. Buffs: Running with Songster's / Raxxyl's / Rousing with one slot open for situational songs. Thanks all for the input! Message Edited by Komandi on 04-03-2005 06:49 AM

04-03-2005, 05:41 PM	#20
Koman Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 34	Dbl Post. Sorry. Message Edited by Komandi on 04-03-2005 06:46 AM

04-04-2005, 01:24 PM	#22
fatredfr Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 14	I'm a 50 troubador, and decided to try soloing to verify these complaints....and quite frankly, they're false. I was able to solo a heroic group of lvl 48 2x ^ gobbue groups and even some ^^ lvl 46 or so leopards in EF. At 49, a long long time ago, I also had no problem soloing groups of gobbues in EF (usually the 3x no arrow variety for effeciency, but really any were possible given enough patience). Just cause you can't stand infront of a mob and do more dmg than you take does not mean you cannot solo. Think outside the box, play the game, try to win, don't try to be a guardian in a scout's body... Troubadors have some valid complaints, mainly the effectiveness of our power and haste songs....however, soloing, we have absolutely no trouble with. If you cannot solo groups of mobs as a troubador, you've either a sheep or not trying. Message Edited by fatredfrog on 04-04-2005 02:28 AM

04-04-2005, 02:11 PM	#23
IKS_Nels Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 23	fatredfrog wrote: I'm a 50 troubador, and decided to try soloing to verify these complaints....and quite frankly, they're false. I was able to solo a heroic group of lvl 48 2x ^ gobbue groups and even some ^^ lvl 46 or so leopards in EF. At 49, a long long time ago, I also had no problem soloing groups of gobbues in EF (usually the 3x no arrow variety for effeciency, but really any were possible given enough patience). Just cause you can't stand infront of a mob and do more dmg than you take does not mean you cannot solo. Think outside the box, play the game, try to win, don't try to be a guardian in a scout's body... Troubadors have some valid complaints, mainly the effectiveness of our power and haste songs....however, soloing, we have absolutely no trouble with. If you cannot solo groups of mobs as a troubador, you've either a sheep or not trying. Message Edited by fatredfrog on 04-04-2005 02:28 AM Yeh great idear take your lvl 50 Troubador out and solo green mobs that have trouble hotting you with all your songs, then proclaim their is nothing wrong with Troubadors ability to solo. I am lvl 40 now and the OP and others in their 30s and lower and at these lvls things are very much difrent, for starters most of us at thoes lvls are struggling to find the money to upgrade spells and equipment all the time to maxamise our efectiveness, but the most important thing is at thoes lvls our songs are less efective even if we use the same lines as a lvl 50! and choice of songs is important too which as you get to a higher level become far greater, form lvl 20+ solo mobs are a nightmare to deal with, from 30 onwards life gets far better, this is simply down to songs at lower levels and limited effects. IMHO The is a problem with Troubadors and their ability to solo is only at lower levels and the only thing that needs ajusting is song effectiveness, devs just need to tweek it a bit SO it shouldn't throw the hole class into uberness.

04-05-2005, 02:02 AM	#24
fatredfr Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 14	Apparently, you did not read my post. Not only were the mobs not green, they were blue, and would kill me in about 15sec if I just stood there. I also stated that I also solo'd these mobs before I was 50. Now, as to the soloability at lower levels, I cannot say with certainty, however, I don't see why the tactics I use would be unavailable at any level. It's just a matter of picking your fights. Now, as I said in the last post, try to think outside the box, your effectiveness is not solely based on your ability to fight a mob face to face.

04-05-2005, 09:48 PM	#25
MMThunda Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 73	fatredfrog wrote: Apparently, you did not read my post. Not only were the mobs not green, they were blue, and would kill me in about 15sec if I just stood there. I also stated that I also solo'd these mobs before I was 50. Now, as to the soloability at lower levels, I cannot say with certainty, however, I don't see why the tactics I use would be unavailable at any level. It's just a matter of picking your fights. Now, as I said in the last post, try to think outside the box, your effectiveness is not solely based on your ability to fight a mob face to face. I will not attempt to argue that you did not defeat these encounters solo. However, how long did it take you to beat them, and/or how much money did it cost you in ammunition?

04-05-2005, 10:27 PM	#26
fatredfr Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 14	3x no arrow gruops takes about 2min to kill. 2x ^ takes about 5min. the ^^ leopard took about 7min. I used about 40 indium arrows. I used mostly spell damage with the exception of using the 40+ ranged skill (sorry don't remember name, as it sucks to spell). I only used arrows on the arrow mobs, not the no arrow x3 groups. It's actually very good xp killing the x3 no arrow groups. Was better xp than trio'ing with a berserker and warden before they nerfed rampage (berserker averaging about 1000dps over the session), however, it is riskier than grouping. If you get sloppy or careless, you're either dead or running back from evac point. Message Edited by fatredfrog on 04-05-2005 11:29 AM

04-06-2005, 12:37 AM	#27
MMThunda Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 73	Yeah, killing things like that is quite possible if A) your target has no ranged attacks of any significance, and B) if you are in an area where you can run around a lot without picking up additional agro. Everfrost has several good spots like this. When I said earlier what I could consistently kill, what I meant was what I could kill regardless of where it happened to be Denon's Destructive Anthem (level 40 training option) + Exquisite Shrill + Guviena's Osmotic Ovation and tier 5 arrows makes for a potent kiting combo, throwing in Alin's Coruscating Concord too when its multiple enemies. I still can't quite work things down that quickly, though. By the way, where do you get your indium arrows from? I typically have been using fulginate arrows from the merchant in Elddar Grove.

04-06-2005, 05:29 AM	#28
fatredfr Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 14	the Master Bowyer in East Freeport, assume there is a comparable merchant somewhere in Qeynos.

04-06-2005, 07:40 AM	#29
MMThunda Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 73	Hmm, the master bowyer in Qeynos just sells fulginate arrows. Maybe they are equivalent shrug

04-07-2005, 09:01 PM	#30
aeio Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 267	At level 41 I have been able to solo up to yellow/oranges pretty much my entire career. I have also been able to always solo green group mobs, and often but not always high green group mobs. Although as I near the end of a level high green group mobs are almost always doable by me. I have killed probably 100+ different named group mobs for experience and loot in my 41 levels. I am a halfling but I think that has pretty much nothing to do with my ability to solo.