Raiding as a Swash...

DarkVillian · 02-27-2007, 01:06 PM

Really curious as to some feedback from you raid swashys in reference to Maximizing DPS and what Buffs you run? Any insight as to the order of Attacks/Debuffs you like to use on encounters? On Group encounters how quickly do you engange with your AEs?

Understanding that spamming combat arts work fine, I would imagine everyone has their personal favorite order to engage an encounter and what to spam to start. Do you find your self relying on the Double attack?

Recently started a brig/betrayed to swashy last night. 45 and quickly running to 70. Retiring my fabled/mastered dirge, to raid as a swash and would like any type of feedback any one could contribute. Figure if I can parse 800-1k+ on a Dirge, I can do ok as a swash. SMILEY

Also, how do you manage agro? How often do you use your agro dumps? My goal is to basically hit the ground running as soon as 70 to make the transition from Dirge to Swash seemless while still contributing to the overall Raid DPS.

Gear is not an issue. Masters won't be an issue, next to finding the rarer ones. (Also, what are the rare and hard to find Swash Masters?)

Thanks

Foolsfolly · 02-27-2007, 02:19 PM

Many of your weakest attacks will actually lower your dps compared to just autoattacking during that time, assuming you have decent gear and haste/dps mods. It's best only to use the weaker attacks when you really need their debuff, which won't be often. For your stronger attacks, start with the 2 that debuff physical mitigation and then just cycle through the other strong attacks in any order. As soon as they are finished trigger one of your self-buffs, either perfect finesse or ruthless cunning or inspiration, whichever is up; then just let your autoattack go until your CA's refresh. Swashbucklers have very decent self-haste, so we benefit most from group members who can buff our dps mod. Of course procs are always good as well. Agro shouldn't be an issue if you have a good tank. If it is an issue, just use your deagro skills as often as needed, and stop using poison.

Rokjin · 02-27-2007, 04:02 PM

Double Cross, Mitigation Debuffs, then Dazzling Steel and Lung Puncture.. then throw in the snare for the diviniation and magic resist debuff to help others.. After that it's fairly free form.

All CAs are worth using if you can synchronize your auto attack to them, since then you don't actually lose any auto-attack. But yes, things like Impair can definitely be left off due to not doing much damage and costing power.

From my parses (STR/WIS with 2.0 delay PvP weapon, Style and Reach), ~40% of my damage is auto-attack, 6-10% is Inspiration, followed by Guile at ~5-7%. Around 3-5% then is Uncanny Response, Plunder, Whirl of Blades, then Dazlling Steel and Razorpoint.

So those are the most important CAs damage-wise. I have the Inspiration and En Garde timer reductions maxed out (since an En Garde proc triggers another Inspiration hit, it's good to synchronize them and always use them together), and I just alternate using Finesse and Ruthless Cunning, along with En Garde and Inspiration (triggered in that order).

Amwix · 02-27-2007, 10:27 PM

1 trick ive found is to switch to the fastest wep i have durring inspiration. Also make sure you have Brovado proc'd before you inspiration so your max haste. dont use any attacks just let auto attack spin..

Foolsfolly · 02-27-2007, 11:56 PM

En Garde and Inspiration do work very well together, however I prefer to save en garde for when you encounter a monk-class monster. Once you start to see regular parries/deflections, trigger that en garde and the tanks won't be able to keep the agro off you. When it comes to named monsters then yeah using both skills together is probobly best.

Ujina · 02-28-2007, 07:54 PM

I love to caste ruthless cunning then perfect finesse the inspiration SMILEY

i feel strong SMILEY

MÃ¶rk · 03-01-2007, 08:32 AM

I have a swashy in Purity on Darathar, a rather deserted PvP server so our raiding is not exactly of the same standard as PvE guys enjoy, however we've taken down Vyemm on a regular basis and got as far as Vilucidae in Lyceum, dropped Harla Dar, been viciously wiped repeatedly by Gorenaire and the first named in Freethinkers O.o

I'm in MT group, with master and ad3 deaggros, aggro transfer and so on- so as well as hitting my regular debuffs (doublecross, guile, whirl of blades, constrain, dazzling steel, plunder and the front attack whose name I forget SMILEY ) I spam devious blade whenever it's up. I also use my taunt and elude, as 27% of my taunt's hate moves to the MT. At the moment, we lose aggro when guys in other groups seriously out-dps me, which occurs probably because i'm str/wis specced using Ghoulbane Empowered or Wurmslayer. Alas, the agi/wis spec might be a better choice until I get a better 1h (the PvP servers have a PvP reward sword that's on a par with the best raid-drop items, but i'm about 750 kills from getting it... and that remaining FP character won't stand still long enough for me to kill him 750 times. SOE, save our server please) but my spec unfortunately has to be geared towards solo play.

As for maximising dps... well, my best raid parse so far was just over 2k- caustic poison, mit debuffed, ad3 off stance, and the right buff combination. That is, the tier 4 DPS buff, followed by finesse, then inspiration hitting JUST as the group dirge calls out CoB.

--

Rahael, Darathar

Rokjin · 03-01-2007, 12:20 PM

Mörk wrote:

I have a swashy in Purity on Darathar, a rather deserted PvP server so our raiding is not exactly of the same standard as PvE guys enjoy, however we've taken down Vyemm on a regular basis and got as far as Vilucidae in Lyceum, dropped Harla Dar, been viciously wiped repeatedly by Gorenaire and the first named in Freethinkers O.o
I'm in MT group, with master and ad3 deaggros, aggro transfer and so on- so as well as hitting my regular debuffs (doublecross, guile, whirl of blades, constrain, dazzling steel, plunder and the front attack whose name I forget ) I spam devious blade whenever it's up. I also use my taunt and elude, as 27% of my taunt's hate moves to the MT. At the moment, we lose aggro when guys in other groups seriously out-dps me, which occurs probably because i'm str/wis specced using Ghoulbane Empowered or Wurmslayer. Alas, the agi/wis spec might be a better choice until I get a better 1h (the PvP servers have a PvP reward sword that's on a par with the best raid-drop items, but i'm about 750 kills from getting it... and that remaining FP character won't stand still long enough for me to kill him 750 times. SOE, save our server please) but my spec unfortunately has to be geared towards solo play.
As for maximising dps... well, my best raid parse so far was just over 2k- caustic poison, mit debuffed, ad3 off stance, and the right buff combination. That is, the tier 4 DPS buff, followed by finesse, then inspiration hitting JUST as the group dirge calls out CoB.
--
Rahael, Darathar

Fellow PvP Swashy here.. and yes, Sword of Runic Omens is amazing. I've finally retired it now that our guild alliance has downed Tarinax and I've picked up Qeynos Kilij.

If your in main tank group and your Templar and Dirge have the proc chance buffs, AGI/WIS might parse better for you then STR/WIS. Not sure if your raid relies on Traumatic Swipe though. I used to have it, but dropped it now for Sailwind and Coule. Will have to see how we do on Tarinax without it.

02-27-2007, 01:06 PM	#1
DarkVillian Loremaster Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 282	Really curious as to some feedback from you raid swashys in reference to Maximizing DPS and what Buffs you run? Any insight as to the order of Attacks/Debuffs you like to use on encounters? On Group encounters how quickly do you engange with your AEs? Understanding that spamming combat arts work fine, I would imagine everyone has their personal favorite order to engage an encounter and what to spam to start. Do you find your self relying on the Double attack? Recently started a brig/betrayed to swashy last night. 45 and quickly running to 70. Retiring my fabled/mastered dirge, to raid as a swash and would like any type of feedback any one could contribute. Figure if I can parse 800-1k+ on a Dirge, I can do ok as a swash. Also, how do you manage agro? How often do you use your agro dumps? My goal is to basically hit the ground running as soon as 70 to make the transition from Dirge to Swash seemless while still contributing to the overall Raid DPS. Gear is not an issue. Masters won't be an issue, next to finding the rarer ones. (Also, what are the rare and hard to find Swash Masters?) Thanks

02-27-2007, 04:02 PM	#3
Rokjin Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 511	Double Cross, Mitigation Debuffs, then Dazzling Steel and Lung Puncture.. then throw in the snare for the diviniation and magic resist debuff to help others.. After that it's fairly free form. All CAs are worth using if you can synchronize your auto attack to them, since then you don't actually lose any auto-attack. But yes, things like Impair can definitely be left off due to not doing much damage and costing power. From my parses (STR/WIS with 2.0 delay PvP weapon, Style and Reach), ~40% of my damage is auto-attack, 6-10% is Inspiration, followed by Guile at ~5-7%. Around 3-5% then is Uncanny Response, Plunder, Whirl of Blades, then Dazlling Steel and Razorpoint. So those are the most important CAs damage-wise. I have the Inspiration and En Garde timer reductions maxed out (since an En Garde proc triggers another Inspiration hit, it's good to synchronize them and always use them together), and I just alternate using Finesse and Ruthless Cunning, along with En Garde and Inspiration (triggered in that order). __________________ Braznak, Swashy of Venekor, Darkshine Initiative Leanan Sidhe, Retired, Venekor Rokkah Shineteeths, Retired, Antonia Bayle

02-28-2007, 07:54 PM	#6
Ujina Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 59	I love to caste ruthless cunning then perfect finesse the inspiration i feel strong __________________ Pikifou, Swashbuckler 90 Carpenter 90 tinkerer 400 of the Clan Nan Dreolan on Permafrost

03-01-2007, 08:32 AM	#7
MÃ¶rk Loremaster Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 220	I have a swashy in Purity on Darathar, a rather deserted PvP server so our raiding is not exactly of the same standard as PvE guys enjoy, however we've taken down Vyemm on a regular basis and got as far as Vilucidae in Lyceum, dropped Harla Dar, been viciously wiped repeatedly by Gorenaire and the first named in Freethinkers O.o I'm in MT group, with master and ad3 deaggros, aggro transfer and so on- so as well as hitting my regular debuffs (doublecross, guile, whirl of blades, constrain, dazzling steel, plunder and the front attack whose name I forget ) I spam devious blade whenever it's up. I also use my taunt and elude, as 27% of my taunt's hate moves to the MT. At the moment, we lose aggro when guys in other groups seriously out-dps me, which occurs probably because i'm str/wis specced using Ghoulbane Empowered or Wurmslayer. Alas, the agi/wis spec might be a better choice until I get a better 1h (the PvP servers have a PvP reward sword that's on a par with the best raid-drop items, but i'm about 750 kills from getting it... and that remaining FP character won't stand still long enough for me to kill him 750 times. SOE, save our server please) but my spec unfortunately has to be geared towards solo play. As for maximising dps... well, my best raid parse so far was just over 2k- caustic poison, mit debuffed, ad3 off stance, and the right buff combination. That is, the tier 4 DPS buff, followed by finesse, then inspiration hitting JUST as the group dirge calls out CoB. -- Rahael, Darathar __________________

03-01-2007, 12:20 PM	#8
Rokjin Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 511	Mörk wrote: I have a swashy in Purity on Darathar, a rather deserted PvP server so our raiding is not exactly of the same standard as PvE guys enjoy, however we've taken down Vyemm on a regular basis and got as far as Vilucidae in Lyceum, dropped Harla Dar, been viciously wiped repeatedly by Gorenaire and the first named in Freethinkers O.o I'm in MT group, with master and ad3 deaggros, aggro transfer and so on- so as well as hitting my regular debuffs (doublecross, guile, whirl of blades, constrain, dazzling steel, plunder and the front attack whose name I forget ) I spam devious blade whenever it's up. I also use my taunt and elude, as 27% of my taunt's hate moves to the MT. At the moment, we lose aggro when guys in other groups seriously out-dps me, which occurs probably because i'm str/wis specced using Ghoulbane Empowered or Wurmslayer. Alas, the agi/wis spec might be a better choice until I get a better 1h (the PvP servers have a PvP reward sword that's on a par with the best raid-drop items, but i'm about 750 kills from getting it... and that remaining FP character won't stand still long enough for me to kill him 750 times. SOE, save our server please) but my spec unfortunately has to be geared towards solo play. As for maximising dps... well, my best raid parse so far was just over 2k- caustic poison, mit debuffed, ad3 off stance, and the right buff combination. That is, the tier 4 DPS buff, followed by finesse, then inspiration hitting JUST as the group dirge calls out CoB. -- Rahael, Darathar Fellow PvP Swashy here.. and yes, Sword of Runic Omens is amazing. I've finally retired it now that our guild alliance has downed Tarinax and I've picked up Qeynos Kilij. If your in main tank group and your Templar and Dirge have the proc chance buffs, AGI/WIS might parse better for you then STR/WIS. Not sure if your raid relies on Traumatic Swipe though. I used to have it, but dropped it now for Sailwind and Coule. Will have to see how we do on Tarinax without it. __________________ Braznak, Swashy of Venekor, Darkshine Initiative Leanan Sidhe, Retired, Venekor Rokkah Shineteeths, Retired, Antonia Bayle

02-27-2007, 02:19 PM	#2
Foolsfolly Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 465	Many of your weakest attacks will actually lower your dps compared to just autoattacking during that time, assuming you have decent gear and haste/dps mods. It's best only to use the weaker attacks when you really need their debuff, which won't be often. For your stronger attacks, start with the 2 that debuff physical mitigation and then just cycle through the other strong attacks in any order. As soon as they are finished trigger one of your self-buffs, either perfect finesse or ruthless cunning or inspiration, whichever is up; then just let your autoattack go until your CA's refresh. Swashbucklers have very decent self-haste, so we benefit most from group members who can buff our dps mod. Of course procs are always good as well. Agro shouldn't be an issue if you have a good tank. If it is an issue, just use your deagro skills as often as needed, and stop using poison.

02-27-2007, 10:27 PM	#4
Amwix Loremaster Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 30	1 trick ive found is to switch to the fastest wep i have durring inspiration. Also make sure you have Brovado proc'd before you inspiration so your max haste. dont use any attacks just let auto attack spin..

02-27-2007, 11:56 PM	#5
Foolsfolly Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 465	En Garde and Inspiration do work very well together, however I prefer to save en garde for when you encounter a monk-class monster. Once you start to see regular parries/deflections, trigger that en garde and the tanks won't be able to keep the agro off you. When it comes to named monsters then yeah using both skills together is probobly best.