New to dirge and I have some questions

Reevanthara · 04-14-2005, 01:15 AM

I recently made a bard and fell in love with the class pretty quickly. I am not far from level 20, and had a few questions about Dirge:

1- I have a Teir III rare (Rough Jasper I think) and can buy others if needed. What adept IIIs are worth getting in the 20-30 range and will any stay with me til the end of the game?

2- I bought a pair of Pristine imbued weapons. Is there anything better/different I should consider?

3- What are the core differences between Troubadour/Dirge?

4- What stats should I be focusing more on when looking at gear? I have a ton of sparkling flowers/stones so I should be able to imbue a full set if needed. Also, the first time around the armor quests took FOREVER and didn't yield armor that was all that much better than what I could buy. I am considering just skipping these and leveling through the 20s instead. What do you think?

MiscreantPy · 04-14-2005, 01:18 AM

Reevanthara wrote:

I recently made a bard and fell in love with the class pretty quickly. I am not far from level 20, and had a few questions about Dirge:

1- I have a Teir III rare (Rough Jasper I think) and can buy others if needed. What adept IIIs are worth getting in the 20-30 range and will any stay with me til the end of the game?

2- I bought a pair of Pristine imbued weapons. Is there anything better/different I should consider?

3- What are the core differences between Troubadour/Dirge?

4- What stats should I be focusing more on when looking at gear? I have a ton of sparkling flowers/stones so I should be able to imbue a full set if needed. Also, the first time around the armor quests took FOREVER and didn't yield armor that was all that much better than what I could buy. I am considering just skipping these and leveling through the 20s instead. What do you think?

Ark get lanets excruciating screms adept III if you go dirge.

Don't worry about armor till 25+

core differences would be they get a mez, and we get a rez. mez is better for xp groups rez is better for raids. some of their group buffs stack, some of our self buffs stack.

Reevanthara · 04-14-2005, 01:58 AM

Hey Symph...been a long time. So what level is Lanet's? And I think I will stick with storebought weapons and armor for a while then. I really enjoy the class thus far. It offers a lot that defiler doesnt, and it gives me a chance to play with lower level guild mates.

I have a Ruby and a Jasper thus far, but I have about 5 plat I could throw into the character if there is anything your recommend getting. I upgraded all my spells to Adept 1 and was rather amused to see how little that did (especially mana regen), but the weapons made a huge difference.

Thanks for the advice so far...

Havlen · 04-14-2005, 02:52 AM

Actually, we get Fear which is about like a Mez its just a little bugged when using in some dungeons. It's pretty useful for tying up a named while taking out his underlings. Did this on the big bad guy of Nek Castle and made that encounter pretty easy.

Priestbane · 04-14-2005, 07:47 AM

While I don't know how well the imbued versions scale, the AQ armor is clearly leaps and bounds better than any piece of crafted gear you can get, so if you have 4 plat to throw at your new dirge, see if you can find those for sale. =)

As for the rest, you won't get a clear answer because we all have our own opinions! None of your spells at 20-30 will stay with you forever except Lanet's Scream, and only that one due to the fact that it's a good pulling tool (stack it with your mental mitigation debuff for sure!) and has no upgrade. And possibly the level 30 training for runspeed, which you can't upgrade anyhow.

VelvetAcid · 04-14-2005, 02:12 PM

Godstalk wrote:
the AQ armor is clearly leaps and bounds better than any piece of crafted gear you can get, so if you have 4 plat to throw at your new dirge, see if you can find those for sale. =)

Unless you find yourself in a guild or small group playing tank or off tank or you like to solo then the best armor at 20-30 isn't really that important for a scout, i certainly wouldn't spend the time doing the armour quests again, normal crafted gear will do you fine. If you play alot you won't be in the 20's for long and i'd save the money and get a nice set for 30 - 40.

Salmastryon · 04-14-2005, 03:25 PM

Are you based in Freeport or Qeynos? With the new changes to Fallen Gate it has become rediculously easy. SMILEY

I mentored down to help some guild mates and we blew threw the whole place with only 20's and 21's. Of course by the time we hit the bottom they were 21 and 22. So if you are based in Freeport and have some guildies willing to come with you, you can blow thru the armor quests in a few nights. Some decent XP too. The only irritating part now is Edgewater. I think they tinkered with that too though. When I went thru with my guildie, it wasn't nearly as difficult as I remember. As for stats, I think it depends on you playing style. If you mostly use the combat skills go for agility and strength. Intelligence is also good since we have a lot of spell based skills. Personally, I am working primarily on agility right now (I'm level 31) because for some reason I end up tanking a lot in pick-up groups. After that, I keep and eye on intelligence and strength. Since the gear that works on those tend to be in different slots it hasn't been that hard. If you have a good tank you regularly play with; then, while agility is important for power and to hit (our power is based on agility), it isn't nearly as necessary to work up your avoidance. That's my opinion. SMILEY

The people here have lots of helpful advice that have really helped me in the past. Oh and definitely go for Lanet's I upgraded mine to Adept III and haven't regreted it. You pick that up at 21.8 and it never gets upgraded. From what I've read here many of the Dirges in their 50's still are using it. As for the rest, I wouldn't waste the money upgrading them to Adept III since it sounds like you'll soon out level them anyway. Save the money for other stuff. A last piece of advice, I don't know it you'd worked on your ranged at all but at level 31.6 we pick up Thuri's Sapping Shot which does a nice bit of damage as an opening volley. It also give you some power but I've never particurly thought it was note worthy. Anyrate, you might want to work up your range since it affects your chance to hit. In a group, I tend to stand back, open with this and then cast lanet's and debuffs as I close in to the target. It works rather nice.

Message Edited by Salmastryon on 04-14-2005 04:30 AM

Priestbane · 04-14-2005, 08:00 PM

I said buy, not quest. =)

04-14-2005, 01:15 AM	#1
Reevanthara Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 45	I recently made a bard and fell in love with the class pretty quickly. I am not far from level 20, and had a few questions about Dirge: 1- I have a Teir III rare (Rough Jasper I think) and can buy others if needed. What adept IIIs are worth getting in the 20-30 range and will any stay with me til the end of the game? 2- I bought a pair of Pristine imbued weapons. Is there anything better/different I should consider? 3- What are the core differences between Troubadour/Dirge? 4- What stats should I be focusing more on when looking at gear? I have a ton of sparkling flowers/stones so I should be able to imbue a full set if needed. Also, the first time around the armor quests took FOREVER and didn't yield armor that was all that much better than what I could buy. I am considering just skipping these and leveling through the 20s instead. What do you think? __________________ Arkelias 49th Level Defiler on Antonia Bayle Server

04-14-2005, 01:18 AM	#2
MiscreantPy Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 197	Reevanthara wrote: I recently made a bard and fell in love with the class pretty quickly. I am not far from level 20, and had a few questions about Dirge: 1- I have a Teir III rare (Rough Jasper I think) and can buy others if needed. What adept IIIs are worth getting in the 20-30 range and will any stay with me til the end of the game? 2- I bought a pair of Pristine imbued weapons. Is there anything better/different I should consider? 3- What are the core differences between Troubadour/Dirge? 4- What stats should I be focusing more on when looking at gear? I have a ton of sparkling flowers/stones so I should be able to imbue a full set if needed. Also, the first time around the armor quests took FOREVER and didn't yield armor that was all that much better than what I could buy. I am considering just skipping these and leveling through the 20s instead. What do you think? Ark get lanets excruciating screms adept III if you go dirge. Don't worry about armor till 25+ core differences would be they get a mez, and we get a rez. mez is better for xp groups rez is better for raids. some of their group buffs stack, some of our self buffs stack. __________________ Symphonia -70 Buffbot / 62 Armorer, Halcyon Affinity Stop calling me dps.

04-14-2005, 01:58 AM	#3
Reevanthara Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 45	Hey Symph...been a long time. So what level is Lanet's? And I think I will stick with storebought weapons and armor for a while then. I really enjoy the class thus far. It offers a lot that defiler doesnt, and it gives me a chance to play with lower level guild mates. I have a Ruby and a Jasper thus far, but I have about 5 plat I could throw into the character if there is anything your recommend getting. I upgraded all my spells to Adept 1 and was rather amused to see how little that did (especially mana regen), but the weapons made a huge difference. Thanks for the advice so far... __________________ Arkelias 49th Level Defiler on Antonia Bayle Server

04-14-2005, 07:47 AM	#5
Priestbane Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,527	While I don't know how well the imbued versions scale, the AQ armor is clearly leaps and bounds better than any piece of crafted gear you can get, so if you have 4 plat to throw at your new dirge, see if you can find those for sale. =) As for the rest, you won't get a clear answer because we all have our own opinions! None of your spells at 20-30 will stay with you forever except Lanet's Scream, and only that one due to the fact that it's a good pulling tool (stack it with your mental mitigation debuff for sure!) and has no upgrade. And possibly the level 30 training for runspeed, which you can't upgrade anyhow. __________________

04-14-2005, 02:12 PM	#6
VelvetAcid Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 57	Godstalk wrote: the AQ armor is clearly leaps and bounds better than any piece of crafted gear you can get, so if you have 4 plat to throw at your new dirge, see if you can find those for sale. =) Unless you find yourself in a guild or small group playing tank or off tank or you like to solo then the best armor at 20-30 isn't really that important for a scout, i certainly wouldn't spend the time doing the armour quests again, normal crafted gear will do you fine. If you play alot you won't be in the 20's for long and i'd save the money and get a nice set for 30 - 40. __________________ --------------------------------- Duath - 50 Dirge - Splitpaw Rebirth

04-14-2005, 02:52 AM	#4
Havlen Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 167	Actually, we get Fear which is about like a Mez its just a little bugged when using in some dungeons. It's pretty useful for tying up a named while taking out his underlings. Did this on the big bad guy of Nek Castle and made that encounter pretty easy.

04-14-2005, 03:25 PM	#7
Salmastryon Loremaster Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 616	Are you based in Freeport or Qeynos? With the new changes to Fallen Gate it has become rediculously easy. I mentored down to help some guild mates and we blew threw the whole place with only 20's and 21's. Of course by the time we hit the bottom they were 21 and 22. So if you are based in Freeport and have some guildies willing to come with you, you can blow thru the armor quests in a few nights. Some decent XP too. The only irritating part now is Edgewater. I think they tinkered with that too though. When I went thru with my guildie, it wasn't nearly as difficult as I remember. As for stats, I think it depends on you playing style. If you mostly use the combat skills go for agility and strength. Intelligence is also good since we have a lot of spell based skills. Personally, I am working primarily on agility right now (I'm level 31) because for some reason I end up tanking a lot in pick-up groups. After that, I keep and eye on intelligence and strength. Since the gear that works on those tend to be in different slots it hasn't been that hard. If you have a good tank you regularly play with; then, while agility is important for power and to hit (our power is based on agility), it isn't nearly as necessary to work up your avoidance. That's my opinion. The people here have lots of helpful advice that have really helped me in the past. Oh and definitely go for Lanet's I upgraded mine to Adept III and haven't regreted it. You pick that up at 21.8 and it never gets upgraded. From what I've read here many of the Dirges in their 50's still are using it. As for the rest, I wouldn't waste the money upgrading them to Adept III since it sounds like you'll soon out level them anyway. Save the money for other stuff. A last piece of advice, I don't know it you'd worked on your ranged at all but at level 31.6 we pick up Thuri's Sapping Shot which does a nice bit of damage as an opening volley. It also give you some power but I've never particurly thought it was note worthy. Anyrate, you might want to work up your range since it affects your chance to hit. In a group, I tend to stand back, open with this and then cast lanet's and debuffs as I close in to the target. It works rather nice. Message Edited by Salmastryon on 04-14-2005 04:30 AM

04-14-2005, 08:00 PM	#8
Priestbane Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,527	I said buy, not quest. =) __________________