Anyone given STA AA a serious shot?

[Wryth]

Just wondering how the Troub's STA AA set works. Do you find you still dish out enough damage? Does the shield help you take hits noticeably better? Any input would be great, thanks much.

[Crombie]

Yup ~ stemming back from my level 30s I used a roundshield and a sword... and felt I wanted to try it again with the advantages of the STA aas.  I have found it to be quite decent.

Using the Roundshield of Harmony for dps (t5 shield drops from zalak )... it has a 10% proc on meele hits to place a 10% fire dot. 

Maxed out Fortissimo I have 56% doubleattack with a roundshield being used.  I have done countless parses, with the right wep, I have done more dps than using 2 dual wields.  (Preferably a weapon with a proc. ) There are always instances where dps will be slightly lower than that of 2 dual wields though.  Its very situational.

The shield focus aa that gives a higher % to block /use/ to be broken to the point where one aa into the skill would give you 80+% avoidance.  They fixed it in the LU21 and it is noticably lower (43-50% )  It is very decent for whatever you happen to be doing... but recomended you have a higher shield factor roundshield if your taking hits.  In a way it reminds me of the Pre-Combat revamp where we were able to put up Swan Song and not take many hits while fighting higher end mobs.  I am quite enjoying it...except when mobs actually hit me.. then it hurts!! Even using the Dual Wield wurmslayer with the shield.. double attacking with it and its 8% proc that can do about 1000+ dmg to dragonic mobs... its quite nice. 

I do not have, nor plan to get, the final AA in the line to prevent knockdowns.  Other aas within our AA lines are worth more imo.

Keep in mind that this is not recomended for those who like to use DWs ... the Agi branch is very nice with the 16% chance for poison + parry + attack putting you into stealth which gives you a good chance to sneak attack.  Not to mention brandishing 2 particle effect weapons dripping with shimmering particles looks a lot better than swinging one.

Basicly the STA branch is just another way to play your character.. nothing overpowering but still fun.

Message Edited by Crombie on 03-31-200612:03 PM

[ShiroiOokami]

Just wanted to add my 2 cents. I had full stamina line, including 8 points into double attack, and just recently switched over into the wis line. The double attacking was nice, unfortunately there's not a good enough good equipment out there usable by scouts to make this viable. I'd managed to pick up a Grizzfazzle's Dirk (52.1 DR) and Turadramin's Fang (53.9 DR), compared to using Doomrage Blade (63.1 DR) and Small Chitin Protector (653 proteciton, 9% block, 17% with max shield protection). In the end, I get 106 DR with the DW, and only 98 when using the 1hand with double attack. That's completely ignoring that both the DW have a 5% proc, which the 1hander doesn't (from the brigand forums, they've parsed that the 1hand style with double attacks does also increase the chance for procs proportionately).The shield bonus was nice while I was leveling up to 70, often soloing, but it's not that great once you get there. I couldn't justify spending 24 points of AA on a line that gives me only slightly more protection, and doesn't bring my damage up to what it was with 2 DW daggers.The wisdom line with the same 24 points invested gives everyone in my group a 3.4% reduction in cast time (which still seems to reduce a 0.5 sec ability to 0.4), and 7.5% chance to crit on anything. Sure it's only 7.5%, but multiply that by 6 people in your group, and it can add some serious damage. The run speed is also a nice touch, 50% runspeed at 4 points with jboots on.The one thing I did miss from the stamina line is the 4 second stun. It might be worth considering putting 5 points in just for that.

[Wryth]

Thanks for the great replies. Very informative.

I probably should have mentioned I play on Venekor (PVP) server. I was thinking going STA AA line (skipping the last ability as I really don't see the need to waste the points on it) then jumping to the INT line for increased damage output.

I am trying to build a high-survivability Troubadour with good dmg output. Focusing on 3 stats.

By priority: STA, INT, AGI.

What really caught my eye was the additional stun on the STA-AA line. I'm still going to give it a go and see how it pans out.

Thanks again. :smileyhappy:

[SeregWethrin]

I was thinking about using the STA line as the kb will be a massive help against casters in pvp melee kite FTW but casters gotta stifle and hope i got the melee for them 

[SoMaKuTa]

I am using this line on a PVP server and raiding and with a 79.8 dps 1 hander I do more damage then with my 59 dps 1 dual wields.  The great thing about the double attack portion of the skill is it allows procs to go off much more often because of delay and the double attack isn't normalized so when you double attack it is as if you swing twice not just once like with dual wield.

[Nightt N'D]

SoMaKuTala,

 

What one Hander are you using and where do you get it? :smileywink:

[Tamo]

For good Dual wield you could try for Oblivion's edge from Laboratory of Lord Vyemm(sp?)....