Why do casters (mainly monks) use swords? - Guild Wars Forums

Tyrok Tokul · Aug 01, 2009, 01:10 AM // 01:10

Title pretty much says it. I don't see any benefit over wands except for hiding energy, which doesn't seem very necessary in pve.

Braxus Warmonger · Aug 01, 2009, 01:15 AM // 01:15

enchantments last longer

snaek · Aug 01, 2009, 01:24 AM // 01:24

actually they can provide more energy than wands with an unconditional energy+5 inscription, vs the conditional energy+5 (hp above 50%) you find on wands.

ShadowsRequiem · Aug 01, 2009, 01:29 AM // 01:29

Swords, axes, and spears all have the constant +5e you are also able to add more health +30 and an enchant mod vs the wands 5e over 50% and 20% hsr.

You'll mainly see people using them as high health sets +60health and armor while getting spiked helps a lot. Hiding energy works good with -5e as when you die you are able to swap to a higher set and get more energy back(technically).

Smarty · Aug 01, 2009, 01:46 AM // 01:46

In addition to the above, if you are carrying non-caster weapons an AI mesmer won't stick backfire on you. Useful in ABs at the mesmer shrine, and I assume in PvE too.

Tyrok Tokul · Aug 01, 2009, 02:08 AM // 02:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShadowsRequiem

You'll mainly see people using them as high health sets +60health and armor while getting spiked helps a lot(technically).

So this would be using a shield too, right? What would be optimal mods for a shield? +30 health and...?

And so for a sword "caster" mods would be +5e and 20% enchanting vs a wand with +5e^50 and 20%HSR?

FengShuiDove · Aug 01, 2009, 02:13 AM // 02:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyrok Tokul

So this would be using a shield too, right? What would be optimal mods for a shield? +30 health and...?

And so for a sword "caster" mods would be +5e and 20% enchanting vs a wand with +5e^50 and 20%HSR?

In serious PvP, you'll take a shield with +30 health and +10 armor vs. (insert damage type here) for as many damage types as you imagine you'll come up against. This is far more effective than -5 physical damage 20% of the time or really any of the other mods. I typically run a -2^enchanted inscription for casual PvP since if I'm taking pressure I'll be putting up prots.

And yes, the definition of a "caster" item is a one-handed martial weapon with +5e and +20% enchanting.

glacialphoenix · Aug 01, 2009, 05:45 AM // 05:45

Quote:

In addition to the above, if you are carrying non-caster weapons an AI mesmer won't stick backfire on you. Useful in ABs at the mesmer shrine, and I assume in PvE too.

This. Especially in HM. I think one of the things they won't stick on you if you're carrying a martial weapon are things like Energy Burn. It won't prevent them interrupting you, of course, but when you're playing in HM, one Energy Burn can really, really hurt. (According to wiki, Charr Chaots have 16 Domination Magic in HM. That's 11e from one energy burn. If you're from one of the classes with less inherent energy management - monk, rit, mesmer - that's really going to hurt.)

i farm baddies · Aug 01, 2009, 06:51 AM // 06:51

showing off shield sets in pve is quite fun and the main reason i use one. the mesmer ai not putting backfire on someone without a wand or someshit is negated by stupid heros who MUST put splinter weapon on me and make me have to micro it

Elephantaliste · Aug 01, 2009, 07:00 AM // 07:00

nothing prevent you to hit with your sword or preferably your spear to trigger splinter, even if your a caster.

englitdaudelin · Aug 01, 2009, 01:33 PM // 13:33

They look pretty. I said it. In PvE, it's nice to avoid the Energy Burn and the Backfire and so on.... but some of the selection of caster weapons has to do with the desire, and the ability, to look good.

I Farm Baddies, above, says that showing off the sets in PvE is "quite fun," and he's not alone in thinking that.

Darth The Xx · Aug 01, 2009, 09:29 PM // 21:29

I'm not so sure 20% enchanting is the best way to go for a shield set, if you need the longer enchants, change to ur staff instead. I personally use the defensive mod (+5 armour) as I feel stacking armour is more important (the more dmg u reduce, the less you have to heal). when you think about it, +30hp mods dont actually come into effect until you have, you know less than 30hp whereas +5ar ones are always helping.

HawkofStorms · Aug 02, 2009, 01:39 PM // 13:39

http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...php?t=10388503

This thread should explain it best.

Dante the Warlord · Aug 03, 2009, 02:58 PM // 14:58

Its kinda annoying sometimes when you use swords/axes when you are a caster. If I accidentally press the space bar I end up going up to the enemy for melee combat.. I prefer spears since they are made for mid-range combat so I may be able to fight if I choose (no matter how little damage) while healing as a monk, spiking as an ele... etc.

AngeliqueSynner · Aug 03, 2009, 03:16 PM // 15:16

Monster AI doesn't use caster-hate spells on casters using melee/ranged non-caster weapons.
:]

JR · Aug 04, 2009, 01:03 PM // 13:03

To show off their leet PvE equipment.

95% of the time you don't need the +5 energy, but the faster recharge/cast you get from a staff sure might help. A lot of the time you wont need the +20% enchantment duration either, in which case you should be in wand and focus set.

Targren · Aug 04, 2009, 01:59 PM // 13:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by glacialphoenix

This. Especially in HM. I think one of the things they won't stick on you if you're carrying a martial weapon are things like Energy Burn. It won't prevent them interrupting you, of course, but when you're playing in HM, one Energy Burn can really, really hurt. (According to wiki, Charr Chaots have 16 Domination Magic in HM. That's 11e from one energy burn. If you're from one of the classes with less inherent energy management - monk, rit, mesmer - that's really going to hurt.)

I dunno about that one. Those buggers really love smacking my ranger in the gob with E-surge lately. >_>

Avarre · Aug 04, 2009, 02:14 PM // 14:14

It's for the +60hp.

Staves are better for 20% ench, because you can get 20% fsr /40% fcr.

Unholy Tank V · Aug 04, 2009, 02:14 PM // 14:14

As it has been stated many times above, I take one for the +60 health and Damage -2 While Enchant on my monk.

glacialphoenix · Aug 04, 2009, 05:04 PM // 17:04

Quote:

I dunno about that one. Those buggers really love smacking my ranger in the gob with E-surge lately. >_>

It's been a while, actually - but I do remember mesmers laying the smackdown that much harder when I'm using my 40/40 set than my martial weapon set. I use the latter mostly for the +armour and the +hp because I'm paranoid and my (old) computer lagged so much I've been running on the motto 'dead monks don't heal' ever since.

Aug 01, 2009, 01:10 AM // 01:10	#1
Tyrok Tokul Pre-Searing Cadet Join Date: Apr 2006 Profession: W/	Why do casters (mainly monks) use swords? Title pretty much says it. I don't see any benefit over wands except for hiding energy, which doesn't seem very necessary in pve.

Aug 04, 2009, 02:14 PM // 14:14	#18
Avarre Bubblegum Patrol Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Singapore Armed Forces	It's for the +60hp. Staves are better for 20% ench, because you can get 20% fsr /40% fcr. __________________ And the heavens shall tremble.

Aug 01, 2009, 01:15 AM // 01:15	#2
Braxus Warmonger Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Los Angeles Profession: W/	enchantments last longer

Aug 01, 2009, 01:24 AM // 01:24	#3
snaek Forge Runner Join Date: Mar 2006 Profession: N/	actually they can provide more energy than wands with an unconditional energy+5 inscription, vs the conditional energy+5 (hp above 50%) you find on wands.

Aug 01, 2009, 01:29 AM // 01:29	#4
ShadowsRequiem Furnace Stoker Join Date: Oct 2005 Guild: Inde is Smoking [Hawt] ToA Profession: W/E	Swords, axes, and spears all have the constant +5e you are also able to add more health +30 and an enchant mod vs the wands 5e over 50% and 20% hsr. You'll mainly see people using them as high health sets +60health and armor while getting spiked helps a lot. Hiding energy works good with -5e as when you die you are able to swap to a higher set and get more energy back(technically).

Aug 01, 2009, 01:46 AM // 01:46	#5
Smarty Krytan Explorer Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: England Profession: Me/	In addition to the above, if you are carrying non-caster weapons an AI mesmer won't stick backfire on you. Useful in ABs at the mesmer shrine, and I assume in PvE too.

Aug 01, 2009, 06:51 AM // 06:51	#9
i farm baddies Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Apr 2009	showing off shield sets in pve is quite fun and the main reason i use one. the mesmer ai not putting backfire on someone without a wand or someshit is negated by stupid heros who MUST put splinter weapon on me and make me have to micro it

Aug 01, 2009, 07:00 AM // 07:00	#10
Elephantaliste Krytan Explorer Join Date: Nov 2008 Guild: adblockplus.or	nothing prevent you to hit with your sword or preferably your spear to trigger splinter, even if your a caster.

Aug 01, 2009, 01:33 PM // 13:33	#11
englitdaudelin Krytan Explorer Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: East Coast Guild: Soldier's Union [SU] Profession: N/Me	They look pretty. I said it. In PvE, it's nice to avoid the Energy Burn and the Backfire and so on.... but some of the selection of caster weapons has to do with the desire, and the ability, to look good. I Farm Baddies, above, says that showing off the sets in PvE is "quite fun," and he's not alone in thinking that.

Aug 01, 2009, 09:29 PM // 21:29	#12
Darth The Xx Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sen'jin Village Guild: The Infamous Cake Bandits [cake] Profession: Mo/W	I'm not so sure 20% enchanting is the best way to go for a shield set, if you need the longer enchants, change to ur staff instead. I personally use the defensive mod (+5 armour) as I feel stacking armour is more important (the more dmg u reduce, the less you have to heal). when you think about it, +30hp mods dont actually come into effect until you have, you know less than 30hp whereas +5ar ones are always helping.

Aug 02, 2009, 01:39 PM // 13:39	#13
HawkofStorms Hall Hero Join Date: Aug 2005 Profession: E/	http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...php?t=10388503 This thread should explain it best.

Aug 03, 2009, 02:58 PM // 14:58	#14
Dante the Warlord Desert Nomad Join Date: Jul 2006 Profession: W/R	Its kinda annoying sometimes when you use swords/axes when you are a caster. If I accidentally press the space bar I end up going up to the enemy for melee combat.. I prefer spears since they are made for mid-range combat so I may be able to fight if I choose (no matter how little damage) while healing as a monk, spiking as an ele... etc.

Aug 03, 2009, 03:16 PM // 15:16	#15
AngeliqueSynner Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Florida, USA Guild: Sacred Storm [Strm] Profession: N/	Monster AI doesn't use caster-hate spells on casters using melee/ranged non-caster weapons. :]

Aug 04, 2009, 01:03 PM // 13:03	#16
JR Re:tired Join Date: Nov 2005 Profession: W/	To show off their leet PvE equipment. 95% of the time you don't need the +5 energy, but the faster recharge/cast you get from a staff sure might help. A lot of the time you wont need the +20% enchantment duration either, in which case you should be in wand and focus set.

Aug 04, 2009, 02:14 PM // 14:14	#19
Unholy Tank V Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Nov 2007 Profession: Mo/	As it has been stated many times above, I take one for the +60 health and Damage -2 While Enchant on my monk.