Curse

~ Dan ~ · Mar 31, 2008, 10:56 AM // 10:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Celestial Beaver

Oh wow, you're right.

There was no reason for it, it was simply overlooked.

I'll fix it in due course.

Pfft, slacker.

Cebe · Apr 14, 2008, 12:53 PM // 12:53

Update:

Updated BBCode. If anyone noticed any errors please let me know and I'll get it fixed.

It's a shame I can't make in-line-text tags as before. Looks a bit messy now with little boxes everywhere...

Winterclaw · Apr 14, 2008, 03:06 PM // 15:06

Question, I was told Victorous Sweep isn't that great a skill because of the condition attached to it. I like using it, but is it really a worth-while skill?

Cebe · Apr 14, 2008, 03:35 PM // 15:35

It has a 4 second recharge, which is the lowest recharge on any Scythe Mastery skill.

It deals more bonus damage than a lot of the other non-elite Scythe Mastery skills at 12 Scythe Mastery.

You gain health if you meet it's condition.

I like it. I see the health as a bonus, which after one or two hits, the condition of <50% HP is often easily met (and, depending who you're fighting, you may have taken some splash damage which needs healing up). You need to ask yourself:

1. Does it fit into my build, or is there another skill which would be more beneficial?
2. If I never need the health from it, is it worth me taking it?

My reasoning for using it, is that it deals a high amount of damage, and has a short recharge, though I wont use it in builds such as Avatar of Lyssa, where the quicker attacks (Mystic Sweep, Eremite's Attack) are more beneficial. It is a good skill in Alliance Battles where you may not necessarily have a Monk to back you up.

Faer · Apr 14, 2008, 05:14 PM // 17:14

[AoB Dervish;OgGikysM5eJGKd1cxUMG6fJAAA]

CV and RT swappable for AoHM and EA for PvE usage (if you don't like using PF with that pair, swap your IAS to HoF or Flail (or Drunken Master if your Deldrimore Rank doesn't suck and you have the booze to waste; I don't like the idea of using an IAS that requires grinding to Rank 10 and spending money to use as effectively as skills that require no grinding, however)). BS can be traded for Wild Blow if you are in a PvE area with lots of foes that use annoying stances (Kourna comes to mind). With the changes to various skills over the past year, Avatar of Balthazar has become more of an attractive option for both PvE and PvP, compared to the days when it was completely overshadowed by every other Avatar, especially Melandru and Grenth. Keep in mind that the +40AL granted by the skill is only a small added bonus - the idea is to deal damage, not to tank, and the constant 33% speed boost greatly assists in the damage dealing process.

Equipment Code:

Code:

PkphQvYH+kqOplI90SplIDLFplI7TNplI3jRplIDLA

Standard melee weapon rules apply. Carry Sundering, Vampiric, Zealous, and Elemental at all times. If you are cheap, or poor, or just lazy, at least carry a Sundering and Vampiric pair to swap between (you'll make babies cry if you don't).

Cebe · Apr 14, 2008, 05:48 PM // 17:48

Thanks Faer.

Added Dervish Running Build

I got sick of people posting just to request running builds. Now, if anyone else does, they can be directed to this thread. The build added does not require Eye of the North, or any PvE skills, and is tried and tested.

Winterclaw · Apr 14, 2008, 11:20 PM // 23:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Celestial Beaver

My reasoning for using it, is that it deals a high amount of damage and has a short recharge

Thanks for the reply. The short recharge and decent damage was also an attraction for me. At first, I used it for the healing though, because I often had vital boon on me.

joshuarodger · Jul 09, 2008, 12:24 AM // 00:24

i think it's time to add the conjure strike build to the list

[build prof=D/E name="Conjure Strike" scythe=12+1+1 windprayers=8+1 mysticism=8+1 airmagic=7][wounding strike][mystic sweep][chilling][signet of mystic sp][conjure ligh][attackers in][heart of fury][resurrection sig][/build]

of course you need to use a shocking scythe for this particular build. you could also use [conjure frost] or [conjure flame] and use the appropriate elemental scythe. if using [conjure frost], you can use [grenth's fin] to get the desired damage conversion without an icy scythe.

if using it in AB, you can take out res and use [faithful int] or another utility.

most people already know about this build and it's so popular right now i just thought it might be a good idea to add it.

Cebe · Jul 14, 2008, 10:37 AM // 10:37

Thank you joshuarodger. I've added that to the main guide, and tweaked it a little.

MegaVolti · Aug 26, 2008, 04:19 PM // 16:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirius-NZ

Ok, let me run the numbers here.

Fortitude mod gives you 30 hp, no questions asked.
5 armor defensive mod reduces damage to 2^(-5/40), giving you an effective HP multiplier of 2^0.125 = 1.091. (9.1% boost).
So, if you have 500 HP, you will take as much damage (compared to before) as if you had 500 * 1.091 = 545 HP... so that's a 45 HP boost.

OK, I can see where that would come from. It's not a huge boost, and it doesn't work against armor-ignoring damage, but it is something (and scales with your HP).

P.S. With further thought, in the end it also depends whether the armor boost is enough to actually reduce the damage you're taking. If 8.2% reduction won't affect the numbers - i.e. if you're taking damage in small packets - you will get little benefit from the armor boost. If you're taking more than 10 damage a hit, there will be a difference - and in spots where the damage reduction is close to 8.2% (more likely to happen for 20 damage hits and over) you'll start to benefit from +5 armor more than you would from +30 hp.

So, fortitude is better if, uh, you're getting wanded to death. Or for armor-ignoring damage. Apart from that, defense, shelter or warding should do slightly better.

One more thing to add:
The +armor has another nice side-effect. It indirectly increases the health you gain from healing spells.
Since damage you receive is reduced, the monk has to heal ~10% less for the damage you took. In the long run this helps the monks.
A simple +health mod will of cause never have that effect.

Drizzitdude · Sep 17, 2008, 10:33 PM // 22:33

This is a great guide. It seems when PVE Lyssa is definatly the way to go. Sorry if i sound like a nub but I dont have a dervish. But i will soon My nightfall pack will get here soon.

Hanuka · Oct 05, 2008, 01:18 PM // 13:18

Gr8 guide! thx xD

aww, btw, how come I can't view the Card and Build thingys visually here? I only see the forum code..
I.E. "[build prof=D name=..."

Cebe · Oct 10, 2008, 08:47 AM // 08:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hanuka

Gr8 guide! thx xD

aww, btw, how come I can't view the Card and Build thingys visually here? I only see the forum code..
I.E. "[build prof=D name=..."

The code is not working at the moment - hopefully they will be working again soon.

_Nihilist_ · Dec 19, 2008, 10:28 PM // 22:28

Code is working now (has been for a month or more, yay); just wanted to stop by and say TY for a great guide, Beaver. My main is a Warrior, but I've got a Derv (playing mule @ the moment) who has been wanting to see some action. This helps me get him ready so the first skills I use with him don't tally up to EPIC FAIL.

Thanks again!

Picuso · Dec 19, 2008, 10:44 PM // 22:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpphantom

While true, you then get dinged by the Ranger's +30 vs Ele which puts you in the same boat as you were.

Quote:

# Weapons causing Holy damage do not ignore armor.
# Holy damage is neither physical nor elemental damage.
# Nothing protects specifically against Holy damage.

Stupid question: Holy Damage does or doesn't ignore Ranger's Bonus armor?

Tyla · Dec 19, 2008, 10:54 PM // 22:54

No, it doesn't.

The Meth · Dec 19, 2008, 11:23 PM // 23:23

Yes, it does. Of course it does. Ranger armor works against elemental. Holy is not elemental. Why would you think otherwise?

Picuso · Dec 20, 2008, 09:50 AM // 09:50

I thought it does, but I'm not sure after reading bpphantom's post...

I will test it asap...

papaschtroumpf · Mar 18, 2009, 05:53 PM // 17:53

You mention runes but not insignias, any of them worth using?

Field · Oct 20, 2009, 04:05 PM // 16:05

Hi.

I just wanted to say thanks for the guide, it helped me chose my class.
(just bought Factions, Nightfall and Eye of the North today)

Im a bit confused about what secondary to pick though.
Im thinking about Ritualist. It was mainly the ability to Ressurect that pulled me in that direction.
Plus, its a new class (for me anyways) that i havent tried yet from the expansion.
I think ill pick that unless its going to gimp me alot.
(If anyone got tips on a good PvE secondary, please tell me)

Alot of people say its not the strongest class as a primary.
But lets be honest, Dervish looks really cool and that makes up for it, sorta.
A class so cool it even gets to take on the avatars of gods =)

Plus, being one of the less popular classes means we are "special" i guess.
I hate having 1/3 of everyone you see the same class as you.