mazey vorstagg · May 22, 2008, 06:25 AM // 06:25

I've seen, both in screenshot exposition and in game, casters using swords and shields, or swords and foci instead of the usual wand/staff. I know my friend, who monked in high end GVG, used a sword and shield. So there must be a reason.

I understand meeting the rq is not important for the sword, as you're not going to be up close. But is it actually possible to get better stats (in some way) on a sword and offhand rather than using a staff?

The only advantage I can think of is that a sword can have an enchanting mod whereas a wand can't. So you could have a focus and a +20% enchanting.

Can you give me an example of a viable set of caster weapons?

Thankyou

Mazey

NuclearDope · May 22, 2008, 06:55 AM // 06:55

For a shield, even if you dont meet the requirement, you still get half the armour, plus the inscription, so say you see a warrior running up to you, you can switch to +10 vs Slashing shield etc..

And sword's generally for a +5 20% ench/+30 oh and crippling too, on say a return monk.

MagmaRed · May 22, 2008, 08:37 AM // 08:37

Wand offers +5 energy, but onlu while health is above 50% or while enchanted. Sword/Axe/Spear offers +5 energy with no requirement. You also get +20% enchantments, +30 health, and +5 armor (or +7 vs Physical/Elemental) for a sword.

Shields are purely for a defensive set. Good players take a variety of them and switch to the one that will be most useful. Extra health is always good, but the damage reduction from them is better. +10 armor versus various forms of damage makes a big difference. So taking one for Fire, Earth, Air, Water, Slashing, Blunt, Piercing, etc. will allow you to reduce damage from a given source significantly. Foci can have a +armor mod, but it maxes at +5 armor, while a shield gives +8 even without meeting the requirement. Some builds, however, will allow a character to hit 7 or 8 attributes in a shield for the requirement, and shields with 14-16 armor can be found with requirements that low.

mazey vorstagg · May 22, 2008, 10:09 AM // 10:09

So, I could have a:

Sword:
20% enchanting
+5 energy inscription
HRT 10%

Focus:
+12 Energy
HCT 20%
+5 armor while enchanted

which would be quite a good swap for my current hale destroyer staff of enchanting.

Have I missed any possible mod slots on the above weapons?

thanks

Luminarus · May 22, 2008, 10:21 AM // 10:21

With the sword its EITHER HRT or +5 energy, not both.

Also, casters usually run a sword/shield set, a 40/40 set, a high energy set and a low energy set.

Set 1:
Sword (+5e, +30hp)
Shield (+10vs X, +30hp)

Set 2:
Wand (HSR 20%, HCT 20%)
Offhand (HSR 20%, HCT 20%)

Set 3:
Wand (+15e, -1 regen, HCT 20%)
Offhand (+15e -1 Regen, HCT 20%)

Set 4:
Sword (15,-5e +30hp)
Shield (+10vs X, +30hp)

and then they switch depending on the situation, eg:

When not actively casting Set 1 for HP & Damage Reduction
When casting set 2 for HCT/HSR
When under e-denial set 4 to "hide" ur energy
When out of energy and needing to cast Set 3 for bonus 30 energy (dont stay in this set or the regen loss will outdo the gain. Swap in cast, swap out.)

Tommy's · May 22, 2008, 10:26 AM // 10:26

I think I don't get set 4 Luminaris.. Or is it so that mesmers or something like that can't drain your energy?

A Urrang · May 22, 2008, 10:35 AM // 10:35

Correct. The 4th set is for draining mesmers. A mesmer comes up to you and try to drain all your energy, boom you switch from -5en to +5en sword/axe/spear and get that 10 energy you needed

mazey vorstagg · May 22, 2008, 10:44 AM // 10:44

I've done another comparison.

Hale Destroyer Earth Staff of Enchanting: (current weapon)
+10 energy
HRT 20%
HCT 20%
+30 health
+20% enchanting

New set (perhaps)
Sword:
inscription +5 energy
suffix: enchanting +20%
Prefix: ebon or fiery

Focus:
HCT 20%
HRT 20%
+12 Energy

So, in comparison, the new set means:
+7 energy
-30 health
+ elemental damage

Thanks for the help. I'm pretty sure I can take it from here now

Stormlord Alex · May 22, 2008, 10:47 AM // 10:47

Generally that 4th set is a wildcard. Mass e-denial isn't common enough anymore to have a 'must-have' low energy set - you're better off with a more useful weapon on switch and a -en sword in your bag just in case.

I know for sure most monks prefer a 20/20/20 prot staff with +20% enchants over a -en sword - if the enemy mesmer's seriously into e-denial, you can switch the sword on the defensive set and keep a more useful set on 4th.

On an ele/rit/mes/whatever who might be running multiple attributes - for instance, a BSurge with wards - their 4th set will often be a second dual 20/20 for their other attribute.

Anyho @ OP - basically, a sword/shield set allows a caster to greatly improve his survivability (+60hp, +8/18 AL) with little drawback. Switch to 20/20s when casting, switch to sword/shield when stuff's killing you. Simple.

(and for what it's worth - outside of 55 builds, there isn't really any point to having +enchants on a martial weapon. A staff with casting mods is far superior for actually casting enchants, basically.)

Raku Clayman · May 22, 2008, 10:56 AM // 10:56

I have a question about Luminarus set 1:

Is it better to have the +30 health or a 20% enchant mod on the sword or Spear? Or, is it a matter of preference.

JR · May 22, 2008, 11:27 AM // 11:27

This is the more efficient weapon set for Monks, with the last weapon set being a wildcard for other casters where enchantment duration may not matter as much.

Set 1:
Spear (+5e, +30hp) (With a -5e sword in your inventory, if needed)
Shield (+10vs X, +30hp)

Set 2:
Wand (HSR 20%, HCT 20%)
Offhand (HSR 20%, HCT 20%)

Set 3:
Wand (+15e, -1 regen, HCT 20%)
Offhand (+15e -1 Regen, HCT 20%)

Set 4:
Staff (Combinations of HCT/HSR, +20% Enchant duration).

Pyro maniac · May 22, 2008, 11:29 AM // 11:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raku Clayman

I have a question about Luminarus set 1:

Is it better to have the +30 health or a 20% enchant mod on the sword or Spear? Or, is it a matter of preference.

whatever skin you like most
also with a spear it's easier to trigger RoF's for 2 damage, however that shouldn't be a reason ..

makosi · May 22, 2008, 11:43 AM // 11:43

The health and armour are effective when you're being pressured or ganked and can make the difference between life or death. I only switch to these defensive sets in those situations.

You're more effecient in combat using your 20/20/20/20 staff or a 20/20 wand + offhand set when you're face isn't being smashed in. There's too much interrupt spamming these days for you too risk casting slowly all of the time.

However, some monks are just way too arrogant to swich off their Voltaic Spear + Tormented Shield copycat set.

Raku Clayman · May 22, 2008, 05:22 PM // 17:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pyro maniac

whatever skin you like most
also with a spear it's easier to trigger RoF's for 2 damage, however that shouldn't be a reason ..

I was actually asking which is better: H +30 or a 20% Enchant? In the examples, you all put the +30 Health mod, but, earlier someone hinted at using the 20% enchant. Is the extra health better than extending the time of an Enchantment spell?

Mithie · May 22, 2008, 06:37 PM // 18:37

+30 mod beats 20% longer enchant in 99% of the cases.

If you're the sort who likes to get that extra two seconds on aegis casts, then swap to a 20% ench staff when you cast aegis.

Pyro maniac · May 22, 2008, 09:41 PM // 21:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raku Clayman

I was actually asking which is better: H +30 or a 20% Enchant? In the examples, you all put the +30 Health mod, but, earlier someone hinted at using the 20% enchant. Is the extra health better than extending the time of an Enchantment spell?

oh sorry,
pretty much always +30 hp. shield + sword are your defensive set, thus +30 should be in that set.
+20% enchantment is also possible in an other set, however a 40/20/20% staff is better for that purpose.

Takuna · Jun 05, 2008, 03:19 AM // 03:19

I also heard that, in some high-level areas, casters have to wield swords, since there are monsters there that will target and annihilate anyone wielding a caster weapon... so the sword is kinda like a disguise...

May 22, 2008, 06:25 AM // 06:25	#1
mazey vorstagg Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nodnol Guild: Meeting of Lost Minds Profession: E/Mo	Swords and shields on casters I've seen, both in screenshot exposition and in game, casters using swords and shields, or swords and foci instead of the usual wand/staff. I know my friend, who monked in high end GVG, used a sword and shield. So there must be a reason. I understand meeting the rq is not important for the sword, as you're not going to be up close. But is it actually possible to get better stats (in some way) on a sword and offhand rather than using a staff? The only advantage I can think of is that a sword can have an enchanting mod whereas a wand can't. So you could have a focus and a +20% enchanting. Can you give me an example of a viable set of caster weapons? Thankyou Mazey

May 22, 2008, 06:55 AM // 06:55	#2
NuclearDope Krytan Explorer Join Date: Jan 2006	For a shield, even if you dont meet the requirement, you still get half the armour, plus the inscription, so say you see a warrior running up to you, you can switch to +10 vs Slashing shield etc.. And sword's generally for a +5 20% ench/+30 oh and crippling too, on say a return monk. Last edited by NuclearDope; May 22, 2008 at 06:58 AM // 06:58..

May 22, 2008, 10:35 AM // 10:35	#7
A Urrang Academy Page Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Norway Guild: The imperial guards [tigg] Profession: Rt/A	yes Correct. The 4th set is for draining mesmers. A mesmer comes up to you and try to drain all your energy, boom you switch from -5en to +5en sword/axe/spear and get that 10 energy you needed

May 22, 2008, 08:37 AM // 08:37	#3
MagmaRed Furnace Stoker Join Date: Mar 2007 Guild: Our Crabs Know True [LOVE] Profession: R/	Wand offers +5 energy, but onlu while health is above 50% or while enchanted. Sword/Axe/Spear offers +5 energy with no requirement. You also get +20% enchantments, +30 health, and +5 armor (or +7 vs Physical/Elemental) for a sword. Shields are purely for a defensive set. Good players take a variety of them and switch to the one that will be most useful. Extra health is always good, but the damage reduction from them is better. +10 armor versus various forms of damage makes a big difference. So taking one for Fire, Earth, Air, Water, Slashing, Blunt, Piercing, etc. will allow you to reduce damage from a given source significantly. Foci can have a +armor mod, but it maxes at +5 armor, while a shield gives +8 even without meeting the requirement. Some builds, however, will allow a character to hit 7 or 8 attributes in a shield for the requirement, and shields with 14-16 armor can be found with requirements that low.

May 22, 2008, 10:09 AM // 10:09	#4
mazey vorstagg Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nodnol Guild: Meeting of Lost Minds Profession: E/Mo	So, I could have a: Sword: 20% enchanting +5 energy inscription HRT 10% Focus: +12 Energy HCT 20% +5 armor while enchanted which would be quite a good swap for my current hale destroyer staff of enchanting. Have I missed any possible mod slots on the above weapons? thanks

May 22, 2008, 10:21 AM // 10:21	#5
Luminarus Furnace Stoker Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Guild: Haze of Light [pure] Profession: R/	With the sword its EITHER HRT or +5 energy, not both. Also, casters usually run a sword/shield set, a 40/40 set, a high energy set and a low energy set. Set 1: Sword (+5e, +30hp) Shield (+10vs X, +30hp) Set 2: Wand (HSR 20%, HCT 20%) Offhand (HSR 20%, HCT 20%) Set 3: Wand (+15e, -1 regen, HCT 20%) Offhand (+15e -1 Regen, HCT 20%) Set 4: Sword (15,-5e +30hp) Shield (+10vs X, +30hp) and then they switch depending on the situation, eg: When not actively casting Set 1 for HP & Damage Reduction When casting set 2 for HCT/HSR When under e-denial set 4 to "hide" ur energy When out of energy and needing to cast Set 3 for bonus 30 energy (dont stay in this set or the regen loss will outdo the gain. Swap in cast, swap out.)

May 22, 2008, 10:26 AM // 10:26	#6
Tommy's Furnace Stoker Join Date: Dec 2006 Guild: [Bone] Profession: Mo/	I think I don't get set 4 Luminaris.. Or is it so that mesmers or something like that can't drain your energy?

May 22, 2008, 10:44 AM // 10:44	#8
mazey vorstagg Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nodnol Guild: Meeting of Lost Minds Profession: E/Mo	I've done another comparison. Hale Destroyer Earth Staff of Enchanting: (current weapon) +10 energy HRT 20% HCT 20% +30 health +20% enchanting New set (perhaps) Sword: inscription +5 energy suffix: enchanting +20% Prefix: ebon or fiery Focus: HCT 20% HRT 20% +12 Energy So, in comparison, the new set means: +7 energy -30 health + elemental damage Thanks for the help. I'm pretty sure I can take it from here now

May 22, 2008, 10:47 AM // 10:47	#9
Stormlord Alex Grotto Attendant Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Beyond the Forest of Doom, past the Cavern of Agony... on Kitten & Puppy Island Guild: Soul of Melandru [sOm] Profession: W/E	Generally that 4th set is a wildcard. Mass e-denial isn't common enough anymore to have a 'must-have' low energy set - you're better off with a more useful weapon on switch and a -en sword in your bag just in case. I know for sure most monks prefer a 20/20/20 prot staff with +20% enchants over a -en sword - if the enemy mesmer's seriously into e-denial, you can switch the sword on the defensive set and keep a more useful set on 4th. On an ele/rit/mes/whatever who might be running multiple attributes - for instance, a BSurge with wards - their 4th set will often be a second dual 20/20 for their other attribute. Anyho @ OP - basically, a sword/shield set allows a caster to greatly improve his survivability (+60hp, +8/18 AL) with little drawback. Switch to 20/20s when casting, switch to sword/shield when stuff's killing you. Simple. (and for what it's worth - outside of 55 builds, there isn't really any point to having +enchants on a martial weapon. A staff with casting mods is far superior for actually casting enchants, basically.)

May 22, 2008, 10:56 AM // 10:56	#10
Raku Clayman Krytan Explorer Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Marquette MI Guild: Elite Lan Gamer Profession: E/Me	I have a question about Luminarus set 1: Is it better to have the +30 health or a 20% enchant mod on the sword or Spear? Or, is it a matter of preference.

May 22, 2008, 11:27 AM // 11:27	#11
JR Re:tired Join Date: Nov 2005 Profession: W/	This is the more efficient weapon set for Monks, with the last weapon set being a wildcard for other casters where enchantment duration may not matter as much. Set 1: Spear (+5e, +30hp) (With a -5e sword in your inventory, if needed) Shield (+10vs X, +30hp) Set 2: Wand (HSR 20%, HCT 20%) Offhand (HSR 20%, HCT 20%) Set 3: Wand (+15e, -1 regen, HCT 20%) Offhand (+15e -1 Regen, HCT 20%) Set 4: Staff (Combinations of HCT/HSR, +20% Enchant duration).

May 22, 2008, 11:43 AM // 11:43	#13
makosi Grotto Attendant Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: "Pre-nerf" is incorrect. It's pre-buff. Guild: Requirement Begins With R [notQ] Profession: Me/	The health and armour are effective when you're being pressured or ganked and can make the difference between life or death. I only switch to these defensive sets in those situations. You're more effecient in combat using your 20/20/20/20 staff or a 20/20 wand + offhand set when you're face isn't being smashed in. There's too much interrupt spamming these days for you too risk casting slowly all of the time. However, some monks are just way too arrogant to swich off their Voltaic Spear + Tormented Shield copycat set.

May 22, 2008, 06:37 PM // 18:37	#15
Mithie Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Jul 2005 Guild: Rest En Pieces [RIP] Profession: Me/W	+30 mod beats 20% longer enchant in 99% of the cases. If you're the sort who likes to get that extra two seconds on aegis casts, then swap to a 20% ench staff when you cast aegis.

Jun 05, 2008, 03:19 AM // 03:19	#17
Takuna Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Jan 2007 Guild: Lievs Death Squad [LDS]	I also heard that, in some high-level areas, casters have to wield swords, since there are monsters there that will target and annihilate anyone wielding a caster weapon... so the sword is kinda like a disguise...