Definition of "Attack" - Guild Wars Forums

Xelorz · Jun 14, 2005, 10:51 PM // 22:51

When a skill talks about an "attack" what exactly does that mean? For example in guardian you have a certain percentage chance of blocking an attack or projectile. Also in empathy when an enemy "attacks" they take damage.

dargon · Jun 14, 2005, 10:54 PM // 22:54

Strikes at you with a weapon would be the definition I would use. Using a wand/staff/truncheon/etc would also count.

IceD'Bear · Jun 14, 2005, 10:55 PM // 22:55

Attacks are basic attacks (like swinging your sword, shooting with the bow etc) and all skills that have Attack in their type (like Power Attack, Sewer Artery etc).
Projectiles are mentioned extra in the description of Guardian, as it blocks magical projectiles too (like Lightning Orb etc).

Skrilling · Jun 15, 2005, 01:21 AM // 01:21

Yeah i have a few skills that say "attack or use skill" so that means that weapons and "skills" are separate. Skill of course being spells, but maybe things like final thrust, executioners strike and so on as well, not that it mattered with my particular skill.

Xelorz · Jun 15, 2005, 11:17 PM // 23:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by IceD'Bear

Projectiles are mentioned extra in the description of Guardian, as it blocks magical projectiles too (like Lightning Orb etc).

In the same respect would it block chain lightning or obsidian flame? (Those are just 2 random elementalist skills)

Dazzler · Jun 16, 2005, 12:47 AM // 00:47

Those 2 are not projectiles. They just magically cause damage, whereas lightning orb produces a projectile that flies and does damage if it hits (hint: you can actually sidestep it if you see it coming). That's one reason I prefer the chain lightning to the orb, even when I will only dmg one foe with it.

Zenny · Jun 16, 2005, 01:22 AM // 01:22

Ya, I like to think a projectile as just something that travels over time between yourself and the target.

So nothing instant, no firestorm, etc.

Bingley Joe · Jun 16, 2005, 01:45 AM // 01:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zenny

Ya, I like to think a projectile as just something that travels over time between yourself and the target.

So nothing instant, no firestorm, etc.

Ok, I can see that. But doesn't it also seem logical that some spells would also qualify as attacks?

Take Conjure Phantasm, for example -- as far as I can tell, there's no other reason to cast this spell unless you want to attack your foe. Sure, it does direct damage ignoring armour, etc. and is not a projectile, but all it does is attack (vs., for example, an attack that drains health but also returns energy to the caster).

As another example, I'm a R/Me, so I've got Lightning Reflexes and Distortion as defensive skills. LR states clearly that it helps you get away from [evade/block, I'm not sure what the difference is; the outcome appears to be the same] melee and projectile attacks, while Distortion merely says "attacks".

There's no question about whether LR can help you get away from spell attacks - it can't - but my impression from playing with the skill is that Distortion can. I think I can "evade" better with Distortion than with Lightning Reflexes. This would seem to indicate that at least some spells do qualify as attacks.

Anyone know for sure?

Jun 14, 2005, 10:51 PM // 22:51	#1
Xelorz Ascalonian Squire Join Date: May 2005	Definition of "Attack" When a skill talks about an "attack" what exactly does that mean? For example in guardian you have a certain percentage chance of blocking an attack or projectile. Also in empathy when an enemy "attacks" they take damage.

Jun 14, 2005, 10:54 PM // 22:54	#2
dargon Furnace Stoker Join Date: May 2005 Guild: The Seraphim Knights [TSK] Profession: R/	Strikes at you with a weapon would be the definition I would use. Using a wand/staff/truncheon/etc would also count.

Jun 14, 2005, 10:55 PM // 22:55	#3
IceD'Bear Krytan Explorer Join Date: Feb 2005 Guild: Awoken Myth [MYTH] Profession: Mo/	Attacks are basic attacks (like swinging your sword, shooting with the bow etc) and all skills that have Attack in their type (like Power Attack, Sewer Artery etc). Projectiles are mentioned extra in the description of Guardian, as it blocks magical projectiles too (like Lightning Orb etc).

Jun 15, 2005, 01:21 AM // 01:21	#4
Skrilling Ascalonian Squire Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA	Yeah i have a few skills that say "attack or use skill" so that means that weapons and "skills" are separate. Skill of course being spells, but maybe things like final thrust, executioners strike and so on as well, not that it mattered with my particular skill.

Jun 16, 2005, 12:47 AM // 00:47	#6
Dazzler Krytan Explorer Join Date: May 2005 Profession: E/Me	Those 2 are not projectiles. They just magically cause damage, whereas lightning orb produces a projectile that flies and does damage if it hits (hint: you can actually sidestep it if you see it coming). That's one reason I prefer the chain lightning to the orb, even when I will only dmg one foe with it.

Jun 16, 2005, 01:22 AM // 01:22	#7
Zenny Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Apr 2005 Guild: Moa Birds [MB] Profession: Mo/N	Ya, I like to think a projectile as just something that travels over time between yourself and the target. So nothing instant, no firestorm, etc.