Curse

josh axiom · Jul 02, 2006, 10:02 AM // 10:02

If one were to take a random polling from the community, asking what build they expected would be most used in these playoffs, I would venture a guess that over 50 percent would confidently claimed Soul Barbs and Recurring Insecurity. They would have been wrong, though - and you can include me in that group, by the way.

These playoffs were dominated by Smite Monks, Ritualists, a splash of Assassin imagination, and a revival of last season’s wild card skill du jour, Recall, making for several very innovative matches, but also some very tedious ones. Catch up on some quick recaps, and get the big picture at the bottom of the article with the updated brackets. The biggest news coming out of Round 1 is Sacrament of the Waooru’s elimination, coupled with Treacherous Empire's advancing, means Te is guaranteed at least a tie with their Japanese rivals.

Read the full article here: http://www.ampedesports.com/news/2502

LuLu · Jul 02, 2006, 11:05 AM // 11:05

Always a good read. Thanks for the writeup josh.

Duly Thankful · Jul 02, 2006, 11:11 AM // 11:11

PvP isn't my scene at all, but I enjoy reading your writeups. Thanks Josh!

Lady Erighan · Jul 02, 2006, 12:30 PM // 12:30

Quote from article, "As an aside, this friendly observer feels that Ritualist spirits having a protective effect on NPC’s creates an imbalance at VoD, assuming two relatively evenly matched teams. If Aegis, Heal Party, Extinguish, et al don’t affect NPC’s, then Shelter, Union, and Displacement shouldn’t either. But that’s another story!"

Very interesting comment...

Juicey Shake · Jul 02, 2006, 02:09 PM // 14:09

should heal area not effect them, too, then? >_>

Paperfly · Jul 02, 2006, 02:33 PM // 14:33

Nah, Heal Area is designed to work like that - in that it's what distinguishes it from Heal Party.

josh axiom · Jul 02, 2006, 09:27 PM // 21:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juicey Shake

should heal area not effect them, too, then? >_>

Heal Area affects everything, including opponents (assuming they're standing next to you). Ranger spirits also affect both teams.

Ritualist defensive spirits almost guarantee a VoD match, and then give a massive edge to their team's NPC's - basically, within the first 30 seconds of contact at VoD, one NPC force will be dominant over the other, based on which one is better supported. Several matches in Round 1 were decided on NPC's alone, so this advantage should not be scoffed at.