Soloing in RoK.

nirm · 11-23-2007, 08:53 AM

To start, this isn't a rant. More of a guide describing how I do it. Probably not the only way but it seems to work pretty good for me.I'll start off by listing the Gear:

Helm - Nightcord CapCloak - Cloak of Nether Energy (RoK Quest Reward)Breastplate - Tunic of Shadowed SongsShoulders - Nightcord ShouldersBracers - Nightcord BracersGloves - Nightcord GlovesBelt - Broken Toe Belt of Blasting (RoK Quest Reward)Leggings - Nightcord LeggingsBoots - Boots of the Bonetrodder (RoK Quest Reward)Neck - Mark of the Awakened InstinctEarring 1 - Sarnshak Earring of Jade (RoK Quest Reward)Earring 2 - Iceglint Earrings (RoK Quest Reward)Ring 1 - Nathsarian Ring of the Mighty (Legendary Drop from RoK)Ring 2 - Threaded Steel Ring (RoK Quest Reward)Wrist 1 - Dragonscale BraceletWrist 2 - Bandit Hunters Wristguards

Weapon/Shield/Ranged1H - Qeynos CutlassShield - Opulent Roundshiled of the NimbleRanged - Selnok Legionnaire’s Longbow

AA’s – Instead of trying to describe where I put what, I’ve put in a couple SS’s of them:

BARD AA's.

STR - 4 -1 AGI - 4-4-8STA - 4-4-8-8WIS - 4-4-8-6-1TROUBADOR AA's.

Sorry about the size of the pictures, I didn't want to use huge pictures.

BUFFS:

Going to first list the non-concentration required buffs:

Selo’s Song of TravelAllegroDon’t Kill the messengerFortissimoDaelis’ Frolicking of Blades

Concentration Required Buffs:Bria’s Inspiring Ballad (Master I)Raxxyl’s Brazen Descant (Master I)Balletic Avoidance (Master I)Aria of Acclamation (Master II)Quiron’s Blissful Celebration (Adept I)Jester’s Cap (Master I) when it’s available.

Here is what I do:

Start off with Jester’s Cap and pull with Dispirited Processional (Ap IV), then Disheartening Discante (Ap IV) then Chaos Anthem (Ap IV). Right after that, I hit Round Bash (Ap IV) and get behind the mob so I can use Bright Blade (Ap IV). Start the HO with Lucky Break then hit Cheap Shot, get behind the mob to Bump (Ap. IV) so that I can use Clara’s Midnight Tempo (Ad I) and finish the HO with Perfect Shrill (Ad 1). I try to do as many HO’s as possible and use cheap shot to get behind the mob to use any of the backstab skills that are up.

I have been able to solo most of the quests in RoK using this method. However, I did have to respec to the AA's described above to be able to do it. I know when I first got to RoK I was really frustrated from not being able to do anything without help. However, i've had pretty good luck so far using this method. I hope it helps those that are still trying to find a method that works.

Ahtener · 11-23-2007, 10:31 AM

Wow, at last one constructive post in this ocean of whining! Good job!Just a few comments:1) i never use shield. instead, i use DW (SoD reward + Waning Moon Cutter). Also, sometimes (when i need to fight thru tons of green or blue mobs), i use Opus instead of Aria. However, i can do that because of good equipment (EOF fabled and such). In your case, shield might be a good idea. 2) On AA's... in Bard part i have STR and WIS to last spell, mostly because of Bladedance required for raiding. That a lso implies upgrade to melee buffs, another reason to use Opus and CAs. 3) On tactics... always start off with mezz, even if you're not going to kite. Just place all debuffs you want, last one being Kian's (which breaks mezz), and then bite it to death as you described.

Kulaf · 11-23-2007, 10:40 AM

I tend to use the KISS methodology when soloing. Pull with bow art, snare, debuff and land other ranged arts. This usually results in the MOB being at around 50-60% health by the time I engage in melee. Then just beat it down and look for the next target.

nirm · 11-23-2007, 01:10 PM

Ahtener wrote:

Wow, at last one constructive post in this ocean of whining! Good job!Just a few comments:1) i never use shield. instead, i use DW (SoD reward + Waning Moon Cutter). Also, sometimes (when i need to fight thru tons of green or blue mobs), i use Opus instead of Aria. However, i can do that because of good equipment (EOF fabled and such). In your case, shield might be a good idea. 2) On AA's... in Bard part i have STR and WIS to last spell, mostly because of Bladedance required for raiding. That a lso implies upgrade to melee buffs, another reason to use Opus and CAs. 3) On tactics... always start off with mezz, even if you're not going to kite. Just place all debuffs you want, last one being Kian's (which breaks mezz), and then bite it to death as you described.

If I had more fabled or better fabled, I would totally go DW but I seem to get pretty beat up using DW against RoK Mobs.Thanks for the Tips.

Myrddhinn · 11-23-2007, 01:21 PM

Good point Nirmal,

I have thinked about a respec of my AA's too. And i surely will put 5 points in Agi line to use the Clara's Night Strike more often.

I have a slightly better stuff more similar to Ahtener's and i DW too, using SoD (Phantom)/ Rapier of Darkness (+12 Pierce) or Bisecter (Poison Adorn) depending on the level i hit. Should i really need hp, i use my 5 pieces of Fascination, but i dislike most of them preferring my procs on many others stuff and the Lyrical Salvo too, for ex.

For intense combat, I usually pull with mezz, again like Ahtener. Debuff without the Aria then back to Aria, Jester's, PotM... Well you know.

My buffs are generally : Avoidance, Raxxyl, Opus, Aria and Quiron's more than Bria's on long fights. All mastered (as we got plenty of time in T7 to find'em). If things goes wrong, i usually Mezz and put back Bria's on. If things goes bad, i Charm and use the Aaryonaar's totem/tome to get full hp or full mana...

With less care, i often use Night Strike (actually, i still use Clara's, Master I and Focus 3 are still better than AdIII T8, even more considering it costs less mana) to pull on casters and Processionnal on hitters. My bow has more usefulness than before and i move myself very much more than i was used to. Bah, square dance is an entairtaining classic, after all

Ahtener · 11-23-2007, 02:38 PM

Myrddhinn wrote:

Good point Nirmal,
I have thinked about a respec of my AA's too. And i surely will put 5 points in Agi line to use the Clara's Night Strike more often.i'm going for INT line... to balance my magic buffs with melee ones
I have a slightly better stuff more similar to Ahtener's and i DW too, using SoD (Phantom)/ Rapier of Darkness (+12 Pierce) or Bisecter (Poison Adorn) depending on the level i hit. Should i really need hp, i use my 5 pieces of Fascination, but i dislike most of them preferring my procs on many others stuff and the Lyrical Salvo too, for ex.Procs can be good and bad, depending on situation... While soloing, you may sometimes get a huge hit (say from monk mob) and want to mezz mob and heal. Unwanted proc can ruin that attempt. So, i stick to buff-type armor (4 Fascination, and of course Cloak of Unrest for casting time).
For intense combat, I usually pull with mezz, again like Ahtener. Debuff without the Aria then back to Aria, Jester's, PotM... Well you know. My buffs are generally : Avoidance, Raxxyl, Opus, Aria and Quiron's more than Bria's on long fights. All mastered (as we got plenty of time in T7 to find'em). If things goes wrong, i usually Mezz and put back Bria's on. If things goes bad, i Charm and use the Aaryonaar's totem/tome to get full hp or full mana...I just put Bria instead of Aria, so i dont have to switch it on/off. I'm too lazy
With less care, i often use Night Strike (actually, i still use Clara's, Master I and Focus 3 are still better than AdIII T8, even more considering it costs less mana) to pull on casters and Processionnal on hitters. My bow has more usefulness than before and i move myself very much more than i was used to. Bah, square dance is an entairtaining classic, after all
Another nice way to pull (after mezz & debuffs) is our HO: slow debuff (sorry, i'm bad with spell names) + Shrill. This makes a big hit on target, plus it' s slowed. For Clara's you have to be closer to him , which isnt always an option.

Cuz · 11-23-2007, 11:59 PM

Trebal@Permafrost wrote:

Ahtener wrote:
Wow, at last one constructive post in this ocean of whining! Good job!Just a few comments:1) i never use shield. instead, i use DW (SoD reward + Waning Moon Cutter). Also, sometimes (when i need to fight thru tons of green or blue mobs), i use Opus instead of Aria. However, i can do that because of good equipment (EOF fabled and such). In your case, shield might be a good idea. 2) On AA's... in Bard part i have STR and WIS to last spell, mostly because of Bladedance required for raiding. That a lso implies upgrade to melee buffs, another reason to use Opus and CAs. 3) On tactics... always start off with mezz, even if you're not going to kite. Just place all debuffs you want, last one being Kian's (which breaks mezz), and then bite it to death as you described.
If I had more fabled or better fabled, I would totally go DW but I seem to get pretty beat up using DW against RoK Mobs.Thanks for the Tips.

I'd still keep the shield for the 2nd stun alone.

Loresong the Bard · 11-24-2007, 10:33 AM

All I can say is screw you people.

Now I have to respec my troub. Thanks tons.

You know I still love you guys.

I want to have dps troub babies with you all.

Jehannum · 11-24-2007, 12:59 PM

Depends on mob con. Anything between blue and orange, it's Raxxyl, Aria, quiron, bria*, Opus (like so many others, M1 so the new spells aren't upgrades until I find some rares, and even then it's tough to justify at new-expansion prices).

If it's a particularly low blue or green, or something I know has trouble hitting me but can occasionally flurry, I'll swap out Opus for Avoidance. Lately I've been using the draco razor with a roundshield I picked up in Kunark; my old shield was fabled but, well... it's very old. Due to being kitted in a mix of T6 raid fabled, T7 fake fabled and an item or three of T7 raid fabled, while I'm able to max my int out I'm unable to do the same for my strength as yet, so my melee is weaker. Those in similar situations may prefer my squaredance - old mitigation plus low strength means it's a lot rougher to deal enough dps in melee situations to compensate for the damage taken.

I've laid out my bard AAs as a harbinger and am working on the Skald line; on the troubador page I've got Alin and Shrill maxed out, and am working on the Demoralizers. I've been playing around with the 'opposing abilities reduced duration' AA (whose name escapes me) but it seems that's less than universally useful in solo play. I suppose if I found some necro mobs I can't take on, it might be useful though.

How I engage depends largely on the mob's type. If PoM is up, I often like using that on the pull for some extra damage on the way in - if I'm low health to begin with or foresee a need to mez, usually I'll hold it for a finishing series instead (it's good for about 35% unopposed damage if I plan it right). If I anticipate a caster, I lead with a stifle shot and use all the ranged nukes, starting with Shrill. If it's a tank, I move up to snare range instead, back off while nuking and then mez (stunning if the root breaks and the mob catches up). If it's a scout, I go with Alin's (the group AE) as a leader and follow up with the stat/skill debuffs, magic debuffs and Kian before nuking. If I'm getting whupped, I'll usually mez and regroup regardless of the opponent, and I never allow myself to become so atached to an encounter that I can't walk away from it in 3 seconds if I spot the heat around the corner.

*Using the debuffs and mez in combination can burn power fairly well, but with decent regen gear and Bria's it can be offset very effectively. I also have a +10 from the character spec options. When I solo, I'm never low on power, and I can keep all the debuffs on a raid encounter group (or one after another) for a long, long while if need be.

11-23-2007, 08:53 AM	#1
nirm General Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 17	To start, this isn't a rant. More of a guide describing how I do it. Probably not the only way but it seems to work pretty good for me.I'll start off by listing the Gear: Helm - Nightcord CapCloak - Cloak of Nether Energy (RoK Quest Reward)Breastplate - Tunic of Shadowed SongsShoulders - Nightcord ShouldersBracers - Nightcord BracersGloves - Nightcord GlovesBelt - Broken Toe Belt of Blasting (RoK Quest Reward)Leggings - Nightcord LeggingsBoots - Boots of the Bonetrodder (RoK Quest Reward)Neck - Mark of the Awakened InstinctEarring 1 - Sarnshak Earring of Jade (RoK Quest Reward)Earring 2 - Iceglint Earrings (RoK Quest Reward)Ring 1 - Nathsarian Ring of the Mighty (Legendary Drop from RoK)Ring 2 - Threaded Steel Ring (RoK Quest Reward)Wrist 1 - Dragonscale BraceletWrist 2 - Bandit Hunters Wristguards Weapon/Shield/Ranged1H - Qeynos CutlassShield - Opulent Roundshiled of the NimbleRanged - Selnok Legionnaire’s Longbow AA’s – Instead of trying to describe where I put what, I’ve put in a couple SS’s of them: BARD AA's.STR - 4 -1 AGI - 4-4-8STA - 4-4-8-8WIS - 4-4-8-6-1TROUBADOR AA's.Sorry about the size of the pictures, I didn't want to use huge pictures. BUFFS: Going to first list the non-concentration required buffs: Selo’s Song of TravelAllegroDon’t Kill the messengerFortissimoDaelis’ Frolicking of Blades Concentration Required Buffs:Bria’s Inspiring Ballad (Master I)Raxxyl’s Brazen Descant (Master I)Balletic Avoidance (Master I)Aria of Acclamation (Master II)Quiron’s Blissful Celebration (Adept I)Jester’s Cap (Master I) when it’s available. Here is what I do: Start off with Jester’s Cap and pull with Dispirited Processional (Ap IV), then Disheartening Discante (Ap IV) then Chaos Anthem (Ap IV). Right after that, I hit Round Bash (Ap IV) and get behind the mob so I can use Bright Blade (Ap IV). Start the HO with Lucky Break then hit Cheap Shot, get behind the mob to Bump (Ap. IV) so that I can use Clara’s Midnight Tempo (Ad I) and finish the HO with Perfect Shrill (Ad 1). I try to do as many HO’s as possible and use cheap shot to get behind the mob to use any of the backstab skills that are up. I have been able to solo most of the quests in RoK using this method. However, I did have to respec to the AA's described above to be able to do it. I know when I first got to RoK I was really frustrated from not being able to do anything without help. However, i've had pretty good luck so far using this method. I hope it helps those that are still trying to find a method that works. __________________ Trebal - 80 Troubadour - Permafrost Server Smin - 72 Monk - Permafrost Server Nihilist Dynasty

11-23-2007, 10:31 AM	#2
Ahtener Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Russia Posts: 18	Wow, at last one constructive post in this ocean of whining! Good job!Just a few comments:1) i never use shield. instead, i use DW (SoD reward + Waning Moon Cutter). Also, sometimes (when i need to fight thru tons of green or blue mobs), i use Opus instead of Aria. However, i can do that because of good equipment (EOF fabled and such). In your case, shield might be a good idea. 2) On AA's... in Bard part i have STR and WIS to last spell, mostly because of Bladedance required for raiding. That a lso implies upgrade to melee buffs, another reason to use Opus and CAs. 3) On tactics... always start off with mezz, even if you're not going to kite. Just place all debuffs you want, last one being Kian's (which breaks mezz), and then bite it to death as you described. __________________

11-23-2007, 10:40 AM	#3
Kulaf Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 387	I tend to use the KISS methodology when soloing. Pull with bow art, snare, debuff and land other ranged arts. This usually results in the MOB being at around 50-60% health by the time I engage in melee. Then just beat it down and look for the next target. __________________

11-23-2007, 01:10 PM	#4
nirm General Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 17	Ahtener wrote: Wow, at last one constructive post in this ocean of whining! Good job!Just a few comments:1) i never use shield. instead, i use DW (SoD reward + Waning Moon Cutter). Also, sometimes (when i need to fight thru tons of green or blue mobs), i use Opus instead of Aria. However, i can do that because of good equipment (EOF fabled and such). In your case, shield might be a good idea. 2) On AA's... in Bard part i have STR and WIS to last spell, mostly because of Bladedance required for raiding. That a lso implies upgrade to melee buffs, another reason to use Opus and CAs. 3) On tactics... always start off with mezz, even if you're not going to kite. Just place all debuffs you want, last one being Kian's (which breaks mezz), and then bite it to death as you described. If I had more fabled or better fabled, I would totally go DW but I seem to get pretty beat up using DW against RoK Mobs.Thanks for the Tips. __________________ Trebal - 80 Troubadour - Permafrost Server Smin - 72 Monk - Permafrost Server Nihilist Dynasty

11-23-2007, 02:38 PM	#6
Ahtener Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Russia Posts: 18	Myrddhinn wrote: Good point Nirmal, I have thinked about a respec of my AA's too. And i surely will put 5 points in Agi line to use the Clara's Night Strike more often.i'm going for INT line... to balance my magic buffs with melee ones I have a slightly better stuff more similar to Ahtener's and i DW too, using SoD (Phantom)/ Rapier of Darkness (+12 Pierce) or Bisecter (Poison Adorn) depending on the level i hit. Should i really need hp, i use my 5 pieces of Fascination, but i dislike most of them preferring my procs on many others stuff and the Lyrical Salvo too, for ex.Procs can be good and bad, depending on situation... While soloing, you may sometimes get a huge hit (say from monk mob) and want to mezz mob and heal. Unwanted proc can ruin that attempt. So, i stick to buff-type armor (4 Fascination, and of course Cloak of Unrest for casting time). For intense combat, I usually pull with mezz, again like Ahtener. Debuff without the Aria then back to Aria, Jester's, PotM... Well you know. My buffs are generally : Avoidance, Raxxyl, Opus, Aria and Quiron's more than Bria's on long fights. All mastered (as we got plenty of time in T7 to find'em). If things goes wrong, i usually Mezz and put back Bria's on. If things goes bad, i Charm and use the Aaryonaar's totem/tome to get full hp or full mana...I just put Bria instead of Aria, so i dont have to switch it on/off. I'm too lazy With less care, i often use Night Strike (actually, i still use Clara's, Master I and Focus 3 are still better than AdIII T8, even more considering it costs less mana) to pull on casters and Processionnal on hitters. My bow has more usefulness than before and i move myself very much more than i was used to. Bah, square dance is an entairtaining classic, after all Another nice way to pull (after mezz & debuffs) is our HO: slow debuff (sorry, i'm bad with spell names) + Shrill. This makes a big hit on target, plus it' s slowed. For Clara's you have to be closer to him , which isnt always an option. __________________

11-23-2007, 01:21 PM	#5
Myrddhinn Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 84	Good point Nirmal, I have thinked about a respec of my AA's too. And i surely will put 5 points in Agi line to use the Clara's Night Strike more often. I have a slightly better stuff more similar to Ahtener's and i DW too, using SoD (Phantom)/ Rapier of Darkness (+12 Pierce) or Bisecter (Poison Adorn) depending on the level i hit. Should i really need hp, i use my 5 pieces of Fascination, but i dislike most of them preferring my procs on many others stuff and the Lyrical Salvo too, for ex. For intense combat, I usually pull with mezz, again like Ahtener. Debuff without the Aria then back to Aria, Jester's, PotM... Well you know. My buffs are generally : Avoidance, Raxxyl, Opus, Aria and Quiron's more than Bria's on long fights. All mastered (as we got plenty of time in T7 to find'em). If things goes wrong, i usually Mezz and put back Bria's on. If things goes bad, i Charm and use the Aaryonaar's totem/tome to get full hp or full mana... With less care, i often use Night Strike (actually, i still use Clara's, Master I and Focus 3 are still better than AdIII T8, even more considering it costs less mana) to pull on casters and Processionnal on hitters. My bow has more usefulness than before and i move myself very much more than i was used to. Bah, square dance is an entairtaining classic, after all

11-23-2007, 11:59 PM	#7
Cuz Loremaster Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 825	Trebal@Permafrost wrote: Ahtener wrote: Wow, at last one constructive post in this ocean of whining! Good job!Just a few comments:1) i never use shield. instead, i use DW (SoD reward + Waning Moon Cutter). Also, sometimes (when i need to fight thru tons of green or blue mobs), i use Opus instead of Aria. However, i can do that because of good equipment (EOF fabled and such). In your case, shield might be a good idea. 2) On AA's... in Bard part i have STR and WIS to last spell, mostly because of Bladedance required for raiding. That a lso implies upgrade to melee buffs, another reason to use Opus and CAs. 3) On tactics... always start off with mezz, even if you're not going to kite. Just place all debuffs you want, last one being Kian's (which breaks mezz), and then bite it to death as you described. If I had more fabled or better fabled, I would totally go DW but I seem to get pretty beat up using DW against RoK Mobs.Thanks for the Tips. I'd still keep the shield for the 2nd stun alone. __________________ ------------------------------------------------------------ one immature posted ------------------------------------------------------------

11-24-2007, 10:33 AM	#8
Loresong the Bard Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 18	All I can say is screw you people. Now I have to respec my troub. Thanks tons. You know I still love you guys. I want to have dps troub babies with you all. __________________ Please... Flame Me. Just when you thought it was safe to post... HAMBURGERS! Loresong Symphonia - 52 Troubador of Venekor And you thought Troubadors didn't exist. Silly Freeps, get mezzed.

11-24-2007, 12:59 PM	#9
Jehannum Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 651	Depends on mob con. Anything between blue and orange, it's Raxxyl, Aria, quiron, bria, Opus (like so many others, M1 so the new spells aren't upgrades until I find some rares, and even then it's tough to justify at new-expansion prices). If it's a particularly low blue or green, or something I know has trouble hitting me but can occasionally flurry, I'll swap out Opus for Avoidance. Lately I've been using the draco razor with a roundshield I picked up in Kunark; my old shield was fabled but, well... it's very* old. Due to being kitted in a mix of T6 raid fabled, T7 fake fabled and an item or three of T7 raid fabled, while I'm able to max my int out I'm unable to do the same for my strength as yet, so my melee is weaker. Those in similar situations may prefer my squaredance - old mitigation plus low strength means it's a lot rougher to deal enough dps in melee situations to compensate for the damage taken. I've laid out my bard AAs as a harbinger and am working on the Skald line; on the troubador page I've got Alin and Shrill maxed out, and am working on the Demoralizers. I've been playing around with the 'opposing abilities reduced duration' AA (whose name escapes me) but it seems that's less than universally useful in solo play. I suppose if I found some necro mobs I can't take on, it might be useful though. How I engage depends largely on the mob's type. If PoM is up, I often like using that on the pull for some extra damage on the way in - if I'm low health to begin with or foresee a need to mez, usually I'll hold it for a finishing series instead (it's good for about 35% unopposed damage if I plan it right). If I anticipate a caster, I lead with a stifle shot and use all the ranged nukes, starting with Shrill. If it's a tank, I move up to snare range instead, back off while nuking and then mez (stunning if the root breaks and the mob catches up). If it's a scout, I go with Alin's (the group AE) as a leader and follow up with the stat/skill debuffs, magic debuffs and Kian before nuking. If I'm getting whupped, I'll usually mez and regroup regardless of the opponent, and I never allow myself to become so atached to an encounter that I can't walk away from it in 3 seconds if I spot the heat around the corner. *Using the debuffs and mez in combination can burn power fairly well, but with decent regen gear and Bria's it can be offset very effectively. I also have a +10 from the character spec options. When I solo, I'm never low on power, and I can keep all the debuffs on a raid encounter group (or one after another) for a long, long while if need be.