Curse

Targren · May 28, 2008, 04:03 PM // 16:03

For most of my recent PvE career, [[Splinter Weapon] + [[Barrage] has been aaaaaaaawesome for when I spec for damage.

Now, alas, I have decided to finally finish Nightfall, and I find that it is not generally a good idea since having FIVE demons call using CttT at once is really really bad. Like, "Crossing the streams" bad.

Since my H/H seem to always have pathing, body blocking, or just general petulance issues, it appears it falls to me to finish the job when that monster-equivalent-of-ursan pops up. Anyone recommend some good spike damage? If it's expensive or has drawbacks, I can probably deal with it as long as I can take the bugger down, and pay for it while my AI mates work on the next one.

the ruloes · May 28, 2008, 05:14 PM // 17:14

If you're looking for a pure spike, perhaps the forked-arrow spike is something to consider?

[forked arrow] [dual shot] [savage shot] [glass arrows] is the backbone of the spike, with [brutal weapon] from a ritualist, perhaps [favorable winds] and/or [lightning reflexes] for more damage.

Using forked arrow and dual shot right after each other will generate a pretty hefty punch, and savage shot is used to follow up, especially when shooting monks, to not only disrupt any potential countermeasure, but also to have a quick 5. shot.

Perhaps, since you're in PvE, you could consider [triple shot] ?

Also, if you're running a necro curses hero, microing [mark of pain] will result in not only a hefty single-target spike, but a large AoE bomb.

Adja1005 · May 28, 2008, 05:17 PM // 17:17

I assume you're wanting a good damage dealing bow build then? well this is what i tend to use, switch and swap skills accordingly.

[glass arrows][triple shot (luxon)][dual shot][keen arrow][i am the strongest][lightning reflexes][troll unguent][mending touch]

Expertise: 14 (12 +2)
Marksmanship: 14 (12+1+1)
Wilderness Survival: 3

Variations:

Swap Keen Arrow for [savage shot] or [distracting shot] to give yourself an interupt. Or [sloth hunters shot] and [screaming shot] for some heavy damage and bonus conditional damage. I personally choose Keen Arrow due to its low energy cost and the large amount of damage it can deal.

Take out IATS and replace it with [finish him] to literally finish a target off after you've spiked it. You could swap out IATS for [Ebon Battle Standard of Honor] however i much prefer IATS due to its untimed duration and the fact it costs only 5 energy and can be used long before a fight.

Equipment:

I personally use a vampiric recurve bow with the usual 15^50 and +30 mods along with a perfect vampiric mod. Using triple and dual shot with a vamp bow will grant you +25 health gain when you use these two skills.

Just remember that like any build this isn't 100% perfect but it does the job of dealing sufficently deadly spike damage to an enemy.

Targren · May 28, 2008, 05:27 PM // 17:27

Looks like the core of both suggestions is glass + dual (I only have sunspear ranks and 2 LB, no Kurz/Lux or Norn) and general +dmg attacks.

Thanks, I'll try that out.

Adja1005 · May 28, 2008, 05:35 PM // 17:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Targren

Looks like the core of both suggestions is glass + dual (I only have sunspear ranks and 2 LB, no Kurz/Lux or Norn) and general +dmg attacks.

Thanks, I'll try that out.

If you have Factions then i suggest you strongly think about obtaining Triple Shot from the Luxon/Kurzick faction rewards NPC. Triple Shot at the very lowest rank in the Luxon/Kurzick title track deals more damage on average than dual shot will. And obviously as you progress in the title the damage it deals increases.

Rift · May 28, 2008, 05:47 PM // 17:47

Keep your [splinter weapon][barrage] build, but add [nightmare weapon][triple shot] for a great spike potential, no matter your lux/kurz rank. You should already be speccing heavily in Channeling since it is your main source of armor-ignoring damage (in a splinter-barrage build, I believe it best to have 12 Channeling, and only enough Marks to wield your bow)

If you have EotN, then [nightmare weapon][triple shot][finish him] becomes a very effective spike due to the automatic deep wound.

An SS necro hero with [barbs] and a bunch of minions swarming the target will melt their hp away.

Targren · May 28, 2008, 06:43 PM // 18:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adja1005

If you have Factions then i suggest you strongly think about obtaining Triple Shot from the Luxon/Kurzick faction rewards NPC. Triple Shot at the very lowest rank in the Luxon/Kurzick title track deals more damage on average than dual shot will. And obviously as you progress in the title the damage it deals increases.

Unfortunately, the path to those upgrades is long and arduous. :P I'll see what happens though, since I've got to take the ranger to Echovald anyway to get GA.

Taisayacho · May 28, 2008, 07:26 PM // 19:26

One thing I like to run is [skill]glass arrows[/skill] + [skill]point blank shot[/skill] + [zojun's shot]. At 15 expertise you're hitting for 20 + 40 + base damage.
Because of 3 second recharge on both of those, you hit about 80 each hit on casters, and if you add a weapon spell like brutal or nightmare weapon, then it can easily be over 100 damage or give you some life stealing.
Downside- close range.

Targren · May 28, 2008, 07:47 PM // 19:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taisayacho

Downside- close range.

That's what I was thinking when I saw the skills. If I get too much eeeeevil demon loving, that means pulling my A"I"s off of their target to take the aggro back, which means more risk of them pulling of CttT.

It wouldn't be so bad if they didn't block the LB gain on the dupes. :P

Calamity's Advocate · May 28, 2008, 07:51 PM // 19:51

If you're iffy about spike builds, you can always try mass degen on the baddies.

My ranger used mass degen through almost all of NF and had no problems.

Tyla · May 28, 2008, 07:53 PM // 19:53

Degen is pressure, not spike.

Nightmare Weapon + Triple Shot, with Barrage / Volley + Splinter should be enough for a strong spike, and also gives you a bit of splash damage.

Just keep D-Shot in your bar.

Targren · May 28, 2008, 07:57 PM // 19:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calamity's Advocate

If you're iffy about spike builds, you can always try mass degen on the baddies.

My ranger used mass degen through almost all of NF and had no problems.

Hmm... There's a thought. I'll have to check if they are fleshy... maybe [Apply Poison] + [Screaming Shot] + [Toxicity]...

Though the Screamer puts me in the white zone anyway, and the spirit means more attrib spread...

Something to think on, though. Thanks for the idea.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyla

Just keep D-Shot in your bar

You mean for general interrupting, and not specifically dealing with CttF right? I tried a dozen+ times to interrupt it before looking it up and realizing it wasn't interruptible. *facepalm*

Calamity's Advocate · May 29, 2008, 01:07 AM // 01:07

You don't need screamin shot. Though I like to have
Burning Arrow (E)
Screaming Shot/ Hunter's Shot
Apply Poison

when I'm going for degen.

Epidemic (Mes) also works wonders with a degen build

ALF71BE · May 29, 2008, 04:19 AM // 04:19

On the post that made Adja, I also reccommend using a zealous bow, as Triple + Dual is 8 energy. Get a Recurve Bow and if you have EotN, use [Lightning Reflexes] in combination with [Dwarven stability]. Keen Arrow is just fine for the low cost and quick recharge, especially when using a Paragon with GftE!, although an interrupt is always very useful (AKA D-shot is teh best skill evar!).

Bad thing about mobs is that usually you're only mostly hiting for the "+damage" and your auto attack is kinda patethic for their high level, so I prefer shutting them down.

horseradish · May 29, 2008, 05:04 AM // 05:04

[Drunken Master] > [Lightning Reflexes] + [Dwarven Stability] if you can spare some ales.

In terms of mass degen, trapping is the way to go.

Adja1005 · May 29, 2008, 10:14 AM // 10:14

[dwarven stability]+[drunken master] = constant IAS of 15% with a maxed Deldrimore title. The only downside to DM is the need for alcohol to keep up that constant 33% IAS. But even if you dont use alcohol an IAS of 15% is still beneficial when it can be kept up almost constantly.

The only reason i find [lightning reflexes] + [dwarven stability] usefull is for the 75% block that LR provides. Very handy if you find yourself the target of a melee enemy or if you use a shortbow.

malko050987 · May 29, 2008, 12:44 PM // 12:44

When I want to feel all powerful and such, I use a build with [prepared shot] + [expert focus] and [sloth hunter's shot]

You hit pretty hard with those. Having [triple shot] and [nightmare weapon] makes for a nice addition, too.

Obviously, you can use another elite or another preparation, but when running at 9 expertise or less, you run out of energy pretty fast if you use Sloth too many times. With this combo, if you have Expert Focus up at all times, you won't run out of energy.

The only downside is the rather long time you need to wait between attacks. But this is a spike-ey build...

Tyla · May 29, 2008, 01:57 PM // 13:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adja1005

The only reason i find [lightning reflexes] + [dwarven stability] usefull is for the 75% block that LR provides. Very handy if you find yourself the target of a melee enemy or if you use a shortbow.

I found that EXTREMELY useful in DoA. As an ES Ranger anyway, because my Warrior isn't there and I need a Mallyx statue, and I didn't feel like BHA'ing the place up.

Orange Milk · May 29, 2008, 03:09 PM // 15:09

@ Adja1005, DM lasts longer than its recharge with Dwarf rank 1, and exactly as long as it's recharge with no rank, so DS is not needed in combo with it at all, use that spot for something more usefull.

And yes, DS + LR is EXTREAMLY USEFULL, 20+ seconds of 33% IAS AND 75% block thats some leet stuff there, most of my solo farm builds revolve around that combo plus Whirlin D.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Targren
Now, alas, I have decided to finally finish Nightfall, and I find that it is not generally a good idea since having FIVE demons call using CttT at once is really really bad

To maximise your damage try to get ahold of a Bow grip of Deamon Slaying, 20% more damage is more gooder/

@ Tyla, so I'm not the only person who ever killed Maylix with a Ranger and NOT useing Ursan, good to know, I was trapping though.

Tyla · May 29, 2008, 03:13 PM // 15:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orange Milk

@ Tyla, so I'm not the only person who ever killed Maylix with a Ranger and NOT useing Ursan, good to know, I was trapping though.

Infuriating Heat and blow him up with physicals is the way to go!

Oh, and D-Shotting his spirit skill.