Whats up with the Major Runes? - Guild Wars Forums

Bouldershoulder · Jul 25, 2007, 09:42 AM // 09:42

You know, this has always been bugging me every time I go to the Insignia/Rune merchant. Why are the Major Runes hardly ever bought? I don't see many reasons not to buy it...I mean, I'm fine with them.

Is it because the points added are not enough for the health subtracted? People buy Superior runes...but thats for farming and high-end builds...

Thats probably the only explanation I have...anyone care to fill me in on whats the deal?

Mr. G · Jul 25, 2007, 10:04 AM // 10:04

its more of a midway, especially back in the days when runes cost something

problem is if your going to boost your att may as well go all out

Lafayette · Jul 25, 2007, 10:07 AM // 10:07

In PvE, people generally go for superior runes because that's the only way to get 16 points in an attribute. If all those copycat SF eles started only running 15 in Fire instead of 16, they'd be noobs of course.

In theory, a bit of coordination in PvE teams can allow the 'nukers' to avoid being targeted, and so it's worthwhile them increasing their damage output at a cost of health. For 'tanks', it's better to go for minor runes, to sacrifice damage for health - because the latter is more important. A lack of minors being used may be a consequence of there being little middle ground. If people are going to sacrifice some health, may as well go full bore.

If you're not planning on running 16 in an attribute, two major runes are better than one superior - the health cost is five less. From my personal experience, though, I always ran either a 14 att and full health build, or 16 att and reduced health build. I didn't feel it particularly necessary to go inbetween.

It may also be a consequence of when major runes used to cost 50 health, not 35. Then it certainly was not worth that expenditure just for one attribute point. To gain a second point, you only needed to sacrifice an extra 25 health, which was more reasonable overall: an average of 37.5 health per point, not 50.

Henchman · Jul 25, 2007, 10:38 AM // 10:38

The way I see it, is that either you are willing to take a health penalty to increase your max attribute, or you are not.
If you aren't then you take the +1, but if you can take the health penalty, you then there isn't too much of a diffenence between 35 and 75, so you might as well go all the way.

Avarre · Jul 25, 2007, 11:57 AM // 11:57

Majors are useful for characters with dual high stats, such as rangers and paragons, which can run dual majors without risk of dying as much.

Pkest · Jul 25, 2007, 12:49 PM // 12:49

I use 2 majors on most of my heroes and that seems to work fine for me. Cheap too.

My actual characters usually run 1 superior or all minors depending on the situation.

Diddy bow · Jul 25, 2007, 11:40 PM // 23:40

Newer players will automaticly see superior as the "best" and take it without thought. But you will find more higher end players, espically pvp'ers will always go for minor to avoid hp loss. So majors are just in the middle of a boat, i think pre buff they are worth using but the fact that they used to be kinda silly at -50 could have had somthing to do with it too.

HawkofStorms · Jul 26, 2007, 01:10 AM // 01:10

Also, Major runes used to be -50 health instead of -35. Thus, for a long while they were GREATLY inferior to superior runes. Thus, people got really used to only buying minor and superior runes. It just got stuck in people's heads. Habbits are hard to break.

Commander Ryker · Jul 26, 2007, 03:01 PM // 15:01

Runes are not only for farmers and - health can always be made up with fortitude upgrades.

Jul 25, 2007, 09:42 AM // 09:42	#1
Bouldershoulder Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Jun 2007	Whats up with the Major Runes? You know, this has always been bugging me every time I go to the Insignia/Rune merchant. Why are the Major Runes hardly ever bought? I don't see many reasons not to buy it...I mean, I'm fine with them. Is it because the points added are not enough for the health subtracted? People buy Superior runes...but thats for farming and high-end builds... Thats probably the only explanation I have...anyone care to fill me in on whats the deal?

Jul 25, 2007, 11:57 AM // 11:57	#5
Avarre Bubblegum Patrol Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Singapore Armed Forces	Majors are useful for characters with dual high stats, such as rangers and paragons, which can run dual majors without risk of dying as much. __________________ And the heavens shall tremble.

Jul 25, 2007, 10:04 AM // 10:04	#2
Mr. G Desert Nomad Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: S. Wales Profession: Mo/Me	its more of a midway, especially back in the days when runes cost something problem is if your going to boost your att may as well go all out

Jul 25, 2007, 10:07 AM // 10:07	#3
Lafayette Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Dec 2005	In PvE, people generally go for superior runes because that's the only way to get 16 points in an attribute. If all those copycat SF eles started only running 15 in Fire instead of 16, they'd be noobs of course. In theory, a bit of coordination in PvE teams can allow the 'nukers' to avoid being targeted, and so it's worthwhile them increasing their damage output at a cost of health. For 'tanks', it's better to go for minor runes, to sacrifice damage for health - because the latter is more important. A lack of minors being used may be a consequence of there being little middle ground. If people are going to sacrifice some health, may as well go full bore. If you're not planning on running 16 in an attribute, two major runes are better than one superior - the health cost is five less. From my personal experience, though, I always ran either a 14 att and full health build, or 16 att and reduced health build. I didn't feel it particularly necessary to go inbetween. It may also be a consequence of when major runes used to cost 50 health, not 35. Then it certainly was not worth that expenditure just for one attribute point. To gain a second point, you only needed to sacrifice an extra 25 health, which was more reasonable overall: an average of 37.5 health per point, not 50.

Jul 25, 2007, 10:38 AM // 10:38	#4
Henchman Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: A cave in the Shiverpeaks Profession: Mo/	The way I see it, is that either you are willing to take a health penalty to increase your max attribute, or you are not. If you aren't then you take the +1, but if you can take the health penalty, you then there isn't too much of a diffenence between 35 and 75, so you might as well go all the way.

Jul 25, 2007, 12:49 PM // 12:49	#6
Pkest Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: May 2006 Guild: Hooded Reavers of Eternal Life(Ankh) Profession: R/	I use 2 majors on most of my heroes and that seems to work fine for me. Cheap too. My actual characters usually run 1 superior or all minors depending on the situation.

Jul 25, 2007, 11:40 PM // 23:40	#7
Diddy bow Furnace Stoker Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Jawsome!!!!!!!!!!! Guild: looking for one :p Profession: A/D	Newer players will automaticly see superior as the "best" and take it without thought. But you will find more higher end players, espically pvp'ers will always go for minor to avoid hp loss. So majors are just in the middle of a boat, i think pre buff they are worth using but the fact that they used to be kinda silly at -50 could have had somthing to do with it too.

Jul 26, 2007, 01:10 AM // 01:10	#8
HawkofStorms Hall Hero Join Date: Aug 2005 Profession: E/	Also, Major runes used to be -50 health instead of -35. Thus, for a long while they were GREATLY inferior to superior runes. Thus, people got really used to only buying minor and superior runes. It just got stuck in people's heads. Habbits are hard to break.

Jul 26, 2007, 03:01 PM // 15:01	#9
Commander Ryker Site Contributor Join Date: Jun 2005 Profession: R/	Runes are not only for farmers and - health can always be made up with fortitude upgrades.