Curse

Wretchman Drake · Jul 30, 2006, 04:27 PM // 16:27

I noticed that Dervishes in Halls and possible other 8v8 have been ruining the weekend, which was suprising to me because I just did Team and Random Arenas to practice the Paragon first, and I haven't seen one Dervish know what he's doing, and even in TA they were easily brushed off.

Do people not see how good Paragons are or are they too ignorant with the Dervish? I must have been in over 6 matches last nite that lasted over 10 mintues because I was healing my party by myself. They are better than the Boon Prot Monk IMO with the right build, and being teamed up with one is even better. I NEVER lose energy thanks to their primary attribute, Motivation at 16 healing my party has never been easier, and with just a little bit in Spear Mastery just to do some decent dmg as I gain adrenaline for Watch Yourself is nice. Some other Paragons I see were also keeping Mending Refrain on their party while doing more spear attacks but without any heal other skills, but both versions are good.

I think people don't understand how good this class is. At least for 4v4, haven't tried it in HA or anything yet since I prefer not to do that type of PvP with PUGS since my Guild seems to be a PvE guild

But for 4v4 Paragons are definetaly good. I can tank and heal my party real well, all Dervish I've faced 1v1 couldn't take me down and my team eventually mopped 'em up.

Today I'll try the Dervish and see how that is because most people are random noobs that unlock the Avatar and run out and die, it's annoying.

I hope you people READ the premades on HOW they are supposed to be USED. I did that, then practiced with henchies on the training isle, then moved on to a few matches in the Zaishen Challenge until I thought I was ready, then get some experience in the RA/TA grounds.

Paragons are definetaly unappreciated for what they do. It's the same thing as keeping mending with a +4 regen on your whole party without energy hassle and with their chants that provide global healing, man I love this class.

Derrick the Nomad · Jul 30, 2006, 04:45 PM // 16:45

glad to see someone else gets it.

Although in order to be viable in PvP and AB they will have to keep earshot range expanded to the whole aggro range (at least for the paragon).

MalVeauX · Jul 30, 2006, 05:01 PM // 17:01

Yeap,

I already posted about this about 2 days ago. But I totally agree. Paragons are an awesome support character. My first fling with them, was to make a fireball man. Just run around, keeping yourself alive, while just lighting people on fire--not to be effective, but for fun. In the process, the Echos showed how very powerful they are. I started unlocking and playing with things. Then I started taking Watch Yourself and Charge!. Non-stop healing, regen and condition removal. It was beautiful. Throw the echos on people, use adrenal based chants. Watch the magic.

You can still get spiked to death, rather easily, since the Echo triggers are only once every 5 seconds, depending on your build. But, in a grind fight, you are very tough. Spike builds drop you though and it's game over after your Echos and Shouts wear off.

Then again, that's why we have that anti-spike skill that triggers healing after a certain rate of damage is acheived. Unfortunately it's a huge recharge and isn't reliable in actual play.

Paragons are great. Awesome support character.

Cheers!

TGgold · Jul 30, 2006, 05:08 PM // 17:08

I feel like I'm the only Para that focuses on Spears. They make great caster-killers, since applying conditions and deep wound is so easy.

I used:
Barbed Spear,
Apply Poison,
er..the elite that dazes
Cruel Spear
the spear that interrupts (since it's condition heavy)
Troll Ungent...(yes, I need a better selfheal)
Tiger's Fury (to build up adr. and to make sure casters don't get to cast while dazes...)
Res Sig

It just makes taking down casters too easy o.o Even a boon-prot has trouble...the sheer amoutn of conditions...Worst Case: They're too busy healing themselves to heal the rest of the team.

THE only thing I feel wrong is that I don't utilize the leadership :/ It makes me feel like something's missing. If Leadership got an IAS, I'd be all over it o.o;

Look Alive · Jul 30, 2006, 05:18 PM // 17:18

If you dont use leadership, make the same character as a R/p for expertice. Thats what everyone else is doing, and since the damage isnt enough for spiking anyway, you get much higher dps with expertice. Lightning strike has a low recharge and good damage, take advantage of it

Anyways, i agree with the rest of you, and I feel the paragon would be able to do an even greater role in 8vs8 than in 4vs4, since most skills apply to all allies. I wouldn't be surpriced to see the WoH or the RC-prot being switched out for a buff-paragon in balanced builds in the future

TGgold · Jul 30, 2006, 05:24 PM // 17:24

I prefer having a 16 in spear though :/
I get where you're going, but I really don't have energy problems. O.o;
I used to use lightnign spear, but I prefer Cruel for the Deep Wound.
I think that that skill alone makes it possible to spike...

NinjaKai · Jul 30, 2006, 05:59 PM // 17:59

I don't hate paragons. I'm just playing around with mine to figure how best I can use it to suit my play style.

twicky_kid · Jul 30, 2006, 06:32 PM // 18:32

Echo skills are going to be abused heavily. There is 1 that makes all shouts and chants last for 50% longer. That will increase the paragon to 15 duration on most chants with a 20 recharge.

Help Me! is going to be so nice. Spells cast on you by allies casting time is reduced by 50%. Am I missing something here or was balth aura's casting changed to 2 seconds for a reason?

The chants go great with barrage rangers. They can use 1 attack to hit mulitple foes. They are also great for dervishes. I can see smite pressure builds with dervishs and paragon chants for huge pressure.

D/R with apply poison, Paragon with Burning Finally, AoE smiter, and Tainted necro. Throw in a Mel's arrow ranger......you get the point?

Its just a flesh wound is the most powerful elite they have. 5e shout 4 recharge. Because its a shout it will never interrupt any action you are doing. The target does not have to be within range for it to remove the conditions. Plague sending will be sending the that deep wound straight to the other party from a ranged distance. Oh ya.....sending will also give it to all Adjacent foes to your target....gg. I don't even want to think about what Fevered Dreams is to interact with all of this.

Paragon is going to be the sleeper class. It seems underrated right now but people will catch on as more organized play testing goes on.

The Last Preacher · Jul 30, 2006, 06:53 PM // 18:53

Paragon will get more popular and I can see one or two in all Good PVP guild builds.

Quid Pro Quo · Jul 30, 2006, 07:15 PM // 19:15

Like I've said before I think overall Paragons have more power then Dervish.

Nevin · Jul 30, 2006, 07:23 PM // 19:23

The build I'm using right now...

Paragon/Ranger
Wilderness Survival: 12
Spear Mastery: 14 (1+3)
Command: 9 (+1)

Lightning Spear, Barbed Spear, Blazing Spear, Stunning Strike, Apply Poison, Dyraders Defense, Troll Ungeunt, Res Signet

Its so easy to kill with this build... Charge up adreline unload on a monk and they're dead in seconds. Mind you this is only really good for RA, this build is very easy to survive with. I've taken down Warriors, Dervishes, Casters... Everything with this.

Mr. G · Jul 30, 2006, 09:02 PM // 21:02

a paragon is a good char in the rigth hands, dervish is just kinda tanking - But a good dervish still takes skill - its like shoving a warrior in the hands of a newb (as in new player) and watching them take on mantids, its easy but still takes some sorting out.

I agree the paragon needs to have his ranger increased, currently their more like a "you over there" commander than a "battlefield" commander

mega_jamie · Jul 31, 2006, 12:03 AM // 00:03

Discussion has been put before for runes for classes free of health loss, such as warrior absorption...perhaps a Rune of Shouting can be introduced for range increase.

I liked playing both Dervish and Para. I think the Derv got over played simply because people noticed the exploitability and ran with it. Once everything balances out I think Paras will get alot more use.

Shadowfox1125 · Jul 31, 2006, 12:08 AM // 00:08

Yay, more people who like Paragon more than Dervs..

Terra Xin · Jul 31, 2006, 12:17 AM // 00:17

I was surprised to notice how good the Paragons are at playing a major support role for the party. I especially like their skill... forgot the name, gives you energy regeneration until you cast your next spell? thats a good one to have.

I'm in love with their heals and shouts... Some good potential in that class

I'm even geting used to their attire^^

TeeGee · Jul 31, 2006, 01:05 AM // 01:05

Paragons are sure very powerfull character class. After dervish will get nerfed and that 8 de/mos panic will end then i guess ppl will apreciate the support that paragons can give to the team. Actually I think that paragons are also overpowered but in more subtle way than dervishes. Also I think that implementing them will change metagame a lot.

kvndoom · Jul 31, 2006, 01:13 AM // 01:13

I regret that Dervishes didn't get fully adjusted before the weekend ended. Too many people went after the cheap and fast fame/rank/glad points to ever see how useful the Paragon is. I see the Rit being put out to pasture by the Paragon come Chapter 3.

quickmonty · Jul 31, 2006, 01:30 AM // 01:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by kvndoom

I regret that Dervishes didn't get fully adjusted before the weekend ended. Too many people went after the cheap and fast fame/rank/glad points to ever see how useful the Paragon is. I see the Rit being put out to pasture by the Paragon come Chapter 3.

Hopefully they will nerf the Paragon instead, seeing as everyone thinks they are so powerful,

Sli Ander · Jul 31, 2006, 03:18 AM // 03:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. G

I agree the paragon needs to have his ranger increased, currently their more like a "you over there" commander than a "battlefield" commander

I've not tried out the new builds but i'd have to agree based on what i've read. It's like Anet is trying to design a character that can go full tank, but which is more designed to lead the group(be it from the front or rear). If used properly paragons will definitely start becoming heavily used as generals during battles, as well as just tanking.

DeathShadowX · Jul 31, 2006, 03:19 AM // 03:19

paragon imo is like mesmer...

they are good 2nd profession but as a 1st not so much..

imo again..