Guild Wars Forums - GW Guru
 
 

Go Back   Guild Wars Forums - GW Guru > The Hall of Knowledge > The Campfire > Dervish

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old Sep 20, 2010, 12:55 AM // 00:55   #1
Wilds Pathfinder
 
Absolute Destiny's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Oklahoma City
Guild: Forgotten Realms [FR]
Profession: W/
Advertisement

Disable Ads
Default Non-Scythe derv advantages?

Been using a scythe since I started my derv, but I keep seeing others use a staff, or sword/axe and shield combo.

What are some uses/advantages to these alternate weapon setups?
Absolute Destiny is offline   Reply With Quote
Old Sep 20, 2010, 01:56 AM // 01:56   #2
Lion's Arch Merchant
 
Bandwagon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Profession: D/
Default

Staves are used by some PvP dervishes for:
-The inherent 20% Half Spell Recharge Rate
-The Inscrip 10% Half Spell Recharge Rate
-20% enchant lengthening mod

Some Enchants in PvP are very handy / cannot be maintained so having them recharge more quickly is an advantage, since your not attacking anyone before you engage, you might as well switch to a staff and "buff up" before engaging.

Any character (especially high level PvPers) switch to a one hand and shield when pressured in PvE/PvP since there are more defensive mods between a 1 handed martial weapon + shield then there is in an offensive modded scythe.

A player will never be a potent spell caster as a primary dervish with a secondary caster class (they can try, but it won't measure up).

Warriors are much better at fighting with sword/axe then a dervish can ever be, those "others" your referring to may either be deluded or simply trying a funny build (though some may be using the 100b + whirlwind attack combo for farming, since it can be replicated on any profession).

The Scythe is the most powerful martial weapon in the game (other profs choose /D as a secondary because of this), as a dervish primary, deviating from the scythe flat out gimps you.
Bandwagon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old Sep 20, 2010, 02:12 AM // 02:12   #3
Lion's Arch Merchant
 
Join Date: May 2009
Guild: TGB
Profession: W/
Default

Basically what Bandwagon said.

In PvE, runners will also prefer a staff or weapon/shield to a scythe for the same reasons.
Haggis of Doom is offline   Reply With Quote
Old Sep 20, 2010, 02:16 AM // 02:16   #4
Furnace Stoker
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Guild: Amazon Basin [AB]
Profession: Mo/Me
Default

Alot of Lyssa's avatar dagger jokers running around RA as well.
FoxBat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old Sep 20, 2010, 04:05 AM // 04:05   #5
Desert Nomad
 
reaper with no name's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Guild: FaZ
Profession: D/
Default

I've got a couple of fun builds that use alternative weapons (one of which is actually a wanding-based build), but in the end these (like everything else the dervish does) is inferior to other options.

The dervish just isn't suited to any particular playstyle. It's primary attribute is only useful for Orders (and in that role it is still outperformed by Necromancers and Elementalists), it's IAS options are limited, it has few synergies with most weapons, and most of it's good skills are better utilized by other professions.
reaper with no name is offline   Reply With Quote
Old Sep 20, 2010, 04:47 AM // 04:47   #6
Lion's Arch Merchant
 
Bandwagon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Profession: D/
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by FoxBat View Post
Alot of Lyssa's avatar dagger jokers running around RA as well.
I forgot about that build haha, there is also a build like it that uses spear attacks instead of daggers (honestly though in my humble opinion both are rubbish since once the avatar expires/ is interrupted your dead in the water)
Bandwagon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old Sep 21, 2010, 08:01 AM // 08:01   #7
Wilds Pathfinder
 
WhiteAsIce's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Profession: R/
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by FoxBat View Post
Alot of Lyssa's avatar dagger jokers running around RA as well.
I found a PvE version of that build.
WhiteAsIce is offline   Reply With Quote
Old Sep 23, 2010, 11:36 PM // 23:36   #8
Grotto Attendant
 
LifeInfusion's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: in the midline
Profession: E/Mo
Default

I've seen D/N Orders. There's not much else that is fueled by mysticism since most useful enchantments are single target and not party wide. You won't see Aegis on a Dervish very often also, since it is not spam-capable which means mysticism isn't that useful there either. Something like Guardian would work, but that is only if it ends on you so no.

You could do gimmicky things like Avatar of Lyssa with a bow or spear too, not just daggers. I just don't see how it is that useful.

Last edited by LifeInfusion; Sep 24, 2010 at 12:22 AM // 00:22..
LifeInfusion is offline   Reply With Quote
Old Sep 24, 2010, 01:30 AM // 01:30   #9
Frost Gate Guardian
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Profession: D/Mo
Default

One of the things I enjoy as a Dervish healer is the relative anonymity. Some are quick to figure it out - the majority aren't and I can do whatever I want for a while. I can't count the number of times I've been healing, obviously, but get hexed with Empathy.

When someone does notice, I can take care of myself pretty well. Armor of Sanctity, Shield of Force, and Vital Boon fuel Signet of Pious Light while keeping me happy. Along with Mysticism, my heals are essentially free. The cast speed of Signet of Pious Light and Vital Boon can cause problems and I'm not robust against caster hate, but in low level PvP I can heal forever and simply ignore the majority of melee characters.

None of this is possible without a staff and I've enjoyed 20/10/10 with +20% enchant. The main heal, SoPL, doesn't benefit, but the short recharges and cast times do help.
fr.aodhan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old Sep 24, 2010, 01:39 AM // 01:39   #10
Forge Runner
 
byteme!'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: On Earth
Profession: W/P
Default

Non-Scythe derv advantages?
This is an oxymoron...............................at least until the next Derv update.
byteme! is offline   Reply With Quote
Old Sep 27, 2010, 06:35 AM // 06:35   #11
Forge Runner
 
Cuilan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Profession: Me/
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by LifeInfusion View Post
I've seen D/N Orders
Necromancers would be better at it and so would elementalists.
Cuilan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old Sep 29, 2010, 08:45 AM // 08:45   #12
Academy Page
 
Bloody Dominator's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Belgium
Guild: Sent Fromhell [SFH]
Profession: D/
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by reaper with no name View Post
I've got a couple of fun builds that use alternative weapons (one of which is actually a wanding-based build)
Care to share some details on that Wand-based build? I'm interested
Bloody Dominator is offline   Reply With Quote
Old Sep 29, 2010, 11:12 AM // 11:12   #13
Forge Runner
 
distilledwill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Blighty
Guild: The Legion of the Blue Blade
Profession: R/Mo
Default

Just my 2c but heres a hammer Dervish for AB/Competative Missions:

D/W - Sandy Thumper

Myst: 9+1
Earth: 9+1+1
Hammer: 12
Scythe: 3

Earthshaker [E]
Twin Moon Sweep
Yeti Smash
Crushing Blow
Sand Shards
Aura of Thorns
Flurry
Sprint/Res sig (for anywhere that needs it)

I've used this build a number of times in AB and its such good fun. Its also pretty good in FA due to the bunching that usually occurs inside the base.
Maintain Sand Shards and cover it with AoT, build up adrenaline with your hammer or spear, using flurry. Then when ES is charged, hit flurry>ES (ending Sand Shards)>Twin Moon (ending AoT)>Yeti>Crushing. This whole combo should knocklock the opponent for most of Sand Shard's duration, cause them bleeding and deep wound. It kills most opponents in one combo, and will damage all around you, leaving you free to wail them to death.

Energy is no problem as you are using Adrenaline skills, ending enchantments and all of the skills cost 5e.

Have fun!
distilledwill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old Sep 30, 2010, 11:40 AM // 11:40   #14
Desert Nomad
 
reaper with no name's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Guild: FaZ
Profession: D/
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bloody Dominator View Post
Care to share some details on that Wand-based build? I'm interested
It's not that special. Mainly just lots of buffs.

Vow of Strength
Conjure X
Asuran Scan
EBSoH
"I Am The Strongest!"
And whatever else you want.

Wand away.
reaper with no name is offline   Reply With Quote
Old Oct 19, 2010, 02:46 PM // 14:46   #15
Ascalonian Squire
 
Daris's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Guild: the Tyrians [TT]
Profession: E/
Default

i've been working on a dervish elementalist base obviously it wont have the damage of a nuker because i cant use ele runes ( though its pretty close ). the dervish class armor boost, and significant healing from mystic regen. and with windwakers insigs, i get an extra 15 armor, bringing my armor pool to 95 before using conviction.

by using fire/earth/water/air attunements in addition to arcane zeal, i can keep a healthy energy pool and cast high damage spells at an impressive rate.

basically i made a nonsquishy caster, how is that not an advantage?
Daris is offline   Reply With Quote
Old Oct 20, 2010, 01:22 AM // 01:22   #16
Desert Nomad
 
reaper with no name's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Guild: FaZ
Profession: D/
Default

Because elementalist damage is horrible against any enemy with a decent AL.
reaper with no name is offline   Reply With Quote
Old Oct 20, 2010, 03:40 AM // 03:40   #17
Forge Runner
 
Cuilan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Profession: Me/
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by LifeInfusion View Post
You could do gimmicky things like Avatar of Lyssa with a bow or spear too, not just daggers. I just don't see how it is that useful.
What advantage would those type of builds have over a dagger version?
Cuilan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old Oct 20, 2010, 06:37 PM // 18:37   #18
Academy Page
 
Grim Lich's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Profession: N/
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cuilan View Post
What advantage would those type of builds have over a dagger version?
Range? Less chance of being blinded or weakend?
Grim Lich is offline   Reply With Quote
Old Oct 22, 2010, 08:19 PM // 20:19   #19
Pre-Searing Cadet
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Default

I messed around with a D/R build using a bow.

Used avatar of Gren, with a vamp bow mod...it was fun did some descent damage. But i would never use it in PvP. It was a build i used when i needed to pull a lot and go slow.

By far scythe for the win
jojoballz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old Oct 23, 2010, 03:03 PM // 15:03   #20
Lion's Arch Merchant
 
Bandwagon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Profession: D/
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cuilan View Post
What advantage would those type of builds have over a dagger version?
Dagger chain = more damage packets which = more effective damage coming in from the Avatar of Lyssa. Same thing with a spear, but without the 1/2 cast activations.
Bandwagon is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Share This Forum!  
 
 
           

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 04:40 PM // 16:40.


Powered by: vBulletin
Copyright ©2000 - 2016, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
jQuery(document).ready(checkAds()); function checkAds(){if (document.getElementById('adsense')!=undefined){document.write("_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'Adblock', 'Unblocked', 'false',,true]);");}else{document.write("