Curse

resmer · Mar 31, 2011, 08:35 AM // 08:35

Hello. I put this build together after the 7 hero update came out but I'm not that sure if all the skills synergize well together. I'm using it mainly for Vanquishing and probably faction farm later on.

My main is an Ele so my HM build choices are rather limited. I usually run SoS because I enjoy it and feel more useful with it than with Fire.

I'd rather not use a SoGM Rit because the long recharge on his spirits means that I'll have to wait for his cooldowns before every battle.

I tried changing the Monk with a ST Prot Rit but the lack of direct heals made degen and constant damage devastating to my party.

I'm also not sure if the Ranger is doing enough damage but I don't know what to replace her with.

**Marty Silverblade** · Mar 31, 2011, 08:57 AM // 08:57

Ok,

*If you want to deal damage using Elementalist skills you'd be better off with an Assassin's Promise Air build. You'd be getting most of your damage out of PvE skills so it isn't really a proper Ele build but it's something to consider if you don't want to run SoS.
*Offensive Communing spirits do not always need to be used with SoGM. If you're concerned about recharge and/or energy, Soul Twisting is also a good option (I've never run it though, so I don't know how much difference it makes).
*Is that Withered Aura of the MB? It would be redundant with Enfeebling Blood and your build doesn't rely on it so I'd replace it. A rez would fit in here.
*There are much better skills for a Healing Burst Monk. I'm not a Monk expert so I can't give any recommendations (not any that I'd be confident in, anyway) but Orison is never worth running. Swap it for a different spot heal. Signet of Devotion is also not particularly worthwhile (especially with a 2 second casting time) and you don't need 4 spot heals. I'd find something else to put in that slot. Some energy management perhaps. Putting a rez on a Monk is generally not a good idea (it's better to have a skill that would have helped that person not die in the first place) and you've got a space for a rez on the Necro so you won't be losing out on any rezzes.
*I'd expect Soldier's Fury to do much more for your Para than Focused Anger. -20 armor may or may not be an issue for you.
*As you mention, your Ranger is questionable.
*You look light on heals. Futhermore, the only character with heals is the Monk, which will be problematic if something happens to it. You'll want a secondary source of heals. Perhaps ditch the Ranger for an offensive command ST rit with 3 spirits and some resto heals. Then again, if you're not finding that you need the extra heals it won't matter.

resmer · Mar 31, 2011, 10:38 AM // 10:38

Thanks for the fast reply:]
I like running SoS so I'd rather stick to that.
Ok,I tweaked Tahlkora's skills, she should be a bit more effective now.
Livia has a rez now.
The para got a new elite.
And I replaced Margrid with a ST prot/resto/dmg rit to compensate for the loss in damage.

Jeydra · Mar 31, 2011, 12:24 PM // 12:24

So ...

I strongly, strongly, strongly recommend you not to use a SoS Rit build on a primary Elementalist. A primary Ritualist will do it better, and besides since you have PvE skills your damage output is not low (relative to heroes). Go with the AP Air build Marty mentioned, and move the SoS to a hero. The SoS Ritualist template is one of the best hero bars around, make use of it!

Aura of the Lich is generally better than Jagged Bones on the MM.

The Panic Mesmer will probably run out of energy with only 6 Inspiration, with a cohort of costly skills to go along with it. I'd suggest a higher Inspiration spec (at least 9), and removing either Overload or Wastrel's Demise for Shatter Hex. 2 energy management skills still might not suffice, however.

The Curses Necro is largely wasted with only a Paragon to trigger off it. I'd drop it entirely. What to replace it with is up to you (I'd use Air Eles myself).

6 Restoration on the ST Rit? Why not just go fully with spirits (especially if you use the SoS hero, above)?

Monk bar isn't ideal, it's using quite a bit of subpar skills even, and Mend Condition with 0 Protection Prayers. One problem is there really aren't that many Monk heals worth bringing. I'd recommend Dwayna's Kiss and Dwayna's Sorrow over Ethereal light and Signet of Devotion, and then switch out Mend Condition for Leech Signet. Use the SoS Rit and you'll still have Mend Body And Soul for condition removal, as well as a secondary source of healing.

Paragon bar has no Spear attacks. Why not? At the very least, take out Anthem of Flame and put in Blazing Spear or something.

Good luck

AndrewSX · Mar 31, 2011, 01:21 PM // 13:21

I'll point out what i think could be improved:
-As said above, do not use sos as not primary rit. Leave the spirit spamming builds to heroes. Then, your bar should be AP for exploit PvE skills/skip recharge of ele stuff or Air ele. Invoke or Bsurge (if lot of physical dmg) are best choices. ER can be considered too, until you rebalance the prots in the team. Other ele stuff is still viable, but in HM these 3 builds are definitely the best choices.
-As said above, consider tweak the e-management for the panic hero. Also, Arcane conudrum > Frustration for the ineptitude. That hero maybe have even too much e-management skills (leech+WNWN+PD?). Remember that fast casting is a quite good reason to give rez to a Mez.
-I prefer to use AotL+bone horror to have more durable minions(not squishy bombs), but is just matter of preference.
-The curse hero seems fine, but if you want to swap something(for some particular need in certain areas) this is the first in line imo. If keeping it anyways, i'd put Ancestor's rage for Barbs.
-First of all, ST should be used @ 12 sp, which is 3 rituals long: if you want to stick using ST, drop 2 spirits and remember to micro shelter+union(even if it isn't that good with minions, expecially if using bomber). Options could be drop protective spirits to have a full dmg spirits build(always max 3 w/ ST) adding utility Rit stuff, or dropping them for damage spirits and use SOGM. In this case, run yourself or a hero ER protter, which hasn't problem to match minions.
-As said above, Monk bar can be improved. UA is one of my favorite options.
-Para could be swapped to something else, minions aren't enough to justify his presence imo.

Finally i'd put somewhere Blood ritual. Even w/o high spec in blood, is a nice utility/support for caster teams.

cataphract · Mar 31, 2011, 01:41 PM // 13:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by resmer

My main is an Ele so my HM build choices are rather limited. I usually run SoS because I enjoy it and feel more useful with it than with Fire.

There are three other schools of magic available to elementalists of Guild Wars: Air, Water and Earth. What's even better is the fact that there are three elementalist heroes. Simple logic: four schools of magic, four elementalists in a team.

You say limitations. Morpheus would say "I do not see coincidence, I see providence. I see purpose."

I had great fun running four eles in HM when my ele was doing gwamm. Which was years before this great new 7-hero update.

resmer · Mar 31, 2011, 03:04 PM // 15:04

Ok, I tweaked the build a bit but now I think I have way too much healing. Should I replace the Monk with one of the new Dervish hero builds or something?
Also,something is wrong with the attributes on the picture, the runes aren't registering for some reason so don't pay attention to them.

cataphract · Mar 31, 2011, 04:35 PM // 16:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by resmer

Ok, I tweaked the build a bit but now I think I have way too much healing.

Player: OgdTgYW6TaBCcYXscAZQuEAIcAA
Sousuke: OghjowMc4Mj1mGZFZ0LMi4iLGA
Zhed: OghjowMc4Mj1mGZFZ0LMi4iLGA
Vekk: OghjowMc4Mj1mGZFZ0LMi4iLGA

Add three Discord necros and a SoS ritu or whatever. Minions will body-block, water hexes will slow down, earth AoE will KD and if by some chance anything manages to reach the casters you should be more than okay inside wards and near spirits. Notice no "finish him!" on gwamm ele bar. She doesn't have it and yet made it through all HM content with no fuss about limitations.

resmer · Mar 31, 2011, 04:48 PM // 16:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by cataphract

Player: OgdTgYW6TaBCcYXscAZQuEAIcAA
Sousuke: OghjowMc4Mj1mGZFZ0LMi4iLGA
Zhed: OghjowMc4Mj1mGZFZ0LMi4iLGA
Vekk: OghjowMc4Mj1mGZFZ0LMi4iLGA

I think you copied the Fire build 3 times.

Mouse at Large · Mar 31, 2011, 04:50 PM // 16:50

I don't claim this is the best, but it works for me with very little to no micro-management.

Occasionally I'll swap out Mes 2 for a curses necro or cast spirits manually if confronting a dangerous AoE boss, but the rest of the time it's pretty much autopilot

For 6 man areas I usually drop Mes 2 and the Monk unless lack of corpses will be a problem.

cataphract · Mar 31, 2011, 05:29 PM // 17:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by resmer

I think you copied the Fire build 3 times.

Damn these Logitech drivers. Ever since I updated them the keyboard seems to have evolved a mind of its own.

Zhed: OgNDsMrPSvDTDIDiNQiQDbaaRAv
Vekk: OghjkwMc4M7Qm2pAZALeFpiLGA

Eles are fun even in HM. Don't let anyone make you feel like a plastic bag. You're a firework.

FoxBat · Mar 31, 2011, 07:20 PM // 19:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by cataphract

I had great fun running four eles in HM when my ele was doing gwamm. Which was years before this great new 7-hero update.

Probably because you like challenge and flashy graphics.

You could fit together an OK part-ele team with 7h now. But H/H with eles taking up your hero slots? Painfully slow.

cataphract · Mar 31, 2011, 07:23 PM // 19:23

How about 4 eles + another human with his 3 heroes?