Curse

Ventius Hozza · Jul 02, 2006, 04:56 PM // 16:56

Quote:

There are, however, those who pursue more unusual configurations and create abstract strategies in battle. While designing one's own plan of attack is difficult, it certainly has advantages, for opponents generally go into battle expecting to see common strategies, and thus are unprepared for novel concepts of war.

On my way from Maatu Keep to Tanglewood Copse, I observed one of the more creative abstract strategies I have seen. I was in a party with a Warrior/Elementalist using a hammer and Earth Magic skills. To add a bit of spice to his already somewhat rare plan of attack, he also used a single skill from the Air Magic line—Ride the Lightning. It is uncommon for Elementalists to take skills from two different Elemental lines—especially when Warrior is their primary profession—but the strategy did prove quite effective.

The Warrior kept things simple: he attacked his opponent in melee combat until enough adrenaline had built to deal Hammer Bash, knocking his opponent to the ground. When the enemy hit the dirt, the Warrior tapped into his Elementalist Earth Magic with the quick yet devastating Aftershock. As you might imagine, the foe was nearing his demise at this point, and tried to flee. This is when Ride the Lightning came into play.

With his opponent brutally injured from the hammer beating and well-timed Aftershock, the Warrior "rode the lightning bolt" to the fleeing enemy's location and dealt a bit of lightning damage. Far more important, however, was the fact that the Warrior had put himself back in melee range. As a finishing touch, the Warrior used Sprint to keep up with his enemy and ensured the enemy's death in a matter of seconds.

This Warrior/Elementalist proved that unique strategies can be extremely rewarding. Thanks to the Warrior's creative thinking, we were able to reach our destination with no real danger to our party members. The point is to be creative and try diverse strategies in combat. Different trials call for different skills, and there is no one tactic that is right for all situations. So while the pursuit of certain professions and the use of specific tactics can be popular, the novel approach is almost always the most effective.

How useful is the scribe? No really.
Did the scribe never hear about this so called "KD/AS"? Hmmm, maybe the scribe ought to be someone whos actually been playing the game for a little longer than factions...

oljomo · Jul 02, 2006, 05:04 PM // 17:04

Hi

So part of the build is common, what about the interesting other bit?

Jus tbecause one bit of a build is well known, dont be so harsh on the rest of the build.

Look at it this way, if someone used a comon build lik eboon prot, but in a completely nonstandard way, woudl you still be saying "yeah its a boon prot build, nothing new".

oljomo

Ineffiable · Jul 02, 2006, 05:13 PM // 17:13

The scribe reports what he sees anyway. Is he supposed to tell us about the new FOTM?

No he is just a reporter, reporting what he sees in the battles.

The lesson is saying, try different builds.

Malchior Devenholm · Jul 02, 2006, 05:16 PM // 17:16

The scribe is an experienced GW journalist I can assure you...

He has to find some content to fill the Scribe

Alias_X · Jul 02, 2006, 05:34 PM // 17:34

The Scribe is probably a bunch of people reporting stuff, then someone compiles it, and there ya go.

I really don't think there is "A" Scribe. Anyway, the Scribe is just there for us to get sidetracked and not realise how bored we are of Factions. It is definitely a conspiracey.

Divinus Stella · Jul 02, 2006, 05:40 PM // 17:40

Sounds like a stupid combo anyway, the warrior bangs all his points in earth and air magic, does the ole KD/AS on a target then warps well out of healing range leaving the aggro to the casters and leeroys off to get himself killed.

sgtclarity · Jul 02, 2006, 05:59 PM // 17:59

How is it interesting? That build isn't even novel really
Just plain retarded....
If you have SPRINT, why do you have Ride the Lightning as well?
Sorry buddy, but mobs don't run THAT fast.

Bale_Shadowscar · Jul 02, 2006, 06:22 PM // 18:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ventius Hozza

How useful is the scribe? No really.
Did the scribe never hear about this so called "KD/AS"? Hmmm, maybe the scribe ought to be someone whos actually been playing the game for a little longer than factions...

So your saying the scribe shouldn't have anyhting for people who ahve factions only? There are NEW people who read the scribe as well, who don't know about KD/AS.

Ventius Hozza · Jul 02, 2006, 08:35 PM // 20:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bale_Shadowscar

So your saying the scribe shouldn't have anyhting for people who ahve factions only? There are NEW people who read the scribe as well, who don't know about KD/AS.

KD/AS went out of fashion for a reason... because it was... well, rubbish. I'm sure there were many other more interesting skill combos to find than that. And, as other people said, why give a horrible build as an example of skill twisting? If anything made the mobs run away from him it was the AoE damage from Aftershock that caused it, not the mobs' "intelligence".

Navaros · Jul 02, 2006, 08:42 PM // 20:42

You guys are just realizing this now?

The Scribe has always followed players using very poor builds.

Wanna use a very ineffective and laughable Touch Ranger build? Just set your bar to the Touch Build listed in the Scribe a few weeks back.

The Scribe listing poor builds = old news.

killer toast · Jul 02, 2006, 08:50 PM // 20:50

lol but come on ride the lighting? lol you must be kidding me exhaustion is ftl he could atleast try to find a decent build lol XD oh and i forgot to that guys build sounds like it would run out of steam after like the 3rd mob fight :x

Gaile Gray · Jul 02, 2006, 09:16 PM // 21:16

I'm really surprised by the negativity in this thread. Players begged us for website content related to PvE. We gave it. Players asked for articles on builds. We provided it. Most members of the community are enjoying the feature immensely, although, like any "newspaper" there are sure to be articles that any individual likes more than others. For some, Random Acts of Kindness is the greatest thing since sliced cheese. For others, it's "meh." The outreach is to players of all levels and to owners of either or both games. The goal is a few interesting articles a week, some of which will be more appealing than others to any given player. And really, that's ok!

So when I see petulent, "I don't liiiike it!" comments, I'm disappointed. The members here usually express themselves better than this, and usually have something worthwhile to offer. This isn't the PvP arena and you don't need to engage that mistaken belief that you can "prove your worth" by trashtalking. Honest.

Guys, it's like television. If you don't enjoy the program, turn the channel. If you are not a reader of X magazine or Y newspaper, no problem, don't read it. If you're not a fan of the presentation or the content of The Scribe, please, don't feel compelled to follow the link and then diss the content. How silly can that be? (And after all, the article was reportage, not advocacy, as someone wisely pointed out here. Just a "here's something interesting.")

And I cannot help but be amused by the whole "I'm more veteran than the writer" thing? I'm smiling here, because The Scribe has been playing the game, daily, longer than anyone on these boards. Anyone. The Scribe has been involved in the game since well before it was announced, since before E3 for Everyone. And that's PvP, PvE, solo play, quirky builds, guild interaction, and a lot more. So let's get a few things straight, and I intend this in the most positive way possible: Feedback of value is more than welcome. For a possible factual error, "I think I've spotted a possible error, I'll drop The Scribe a note." For suggestions, such comments as "I've seen some other novel builds, such as (this) and (that) and think it would make an interesting idea to cover those." Or how about "There's an email address for The Scribe, I'll send some general suggestions for future topics."

Not to be too harsh here, but if what most of you posted in this thread were sent to that mail address, I'd hope that The Scribe would give it the careful and courteous attention that it deserves: The .04 nanoseconds that it takes to hit "Delete."

Anarion Silverhand · Jul 02, 2006, 09:22 PM // 21:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaile Gray

Players begged us for content related to PvE. [b]We gave it[b].

I'm sorry, what?!

Have I been missing something?

killer toast · Jul 02, 2006, 09:29 PM // 21:29

Im all for the scribe and i love the things he or she writes but that w/e build is going to be like if a warrior gets invited to a group and they ask what hes running and he says "oh im running the kd/as warrior with ride the lighting build from the scribe" some people would just call them a noob and kick them out of the group and the warrior would just wonder why. Im all for new builds but no offense it doesnt sound like it would work that great :x

Gaile Gray · Jul 02, 2006, 09:36 PM // 21:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anarion Silverhand

I'm sorry, what?! Have I been missing something?

Thank you for pointing out that I may not have been clear in my statement. The proper insert is "website content" and the reference was to the fact that this news is told with in-game voice and is more tailored to roleplaying, which is most likely to be part of PvE play. You see, we have a full section on Competitive Play, and since that was started a few months ago, I've seen many, many threads asking for website content related to Roleplaying and PvE play. But this article could to said to relate to more to PvP play, I guess (although I see PvE applications of the build). Anyway, sorry that I was a bit confusing there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by killer toast

Im all for the scribe and i love the things he or she writes but that w/e build is going to be like if a warrior gets invited to a group and they ask what hes running and he says "oh im running the kd/as warrior with ride the lighting build from the scribe" some people would just call them a noob and kick them out of the group and the warrior would just wonder why. Im all for new builds but no offense it doesnt sound like it would work that great :x

I dunno, killer toast. I'm not the writer of the article, but I do know the player who was using the build was observed over the course of several hours, and he was doing extraordinarily well. I don't think that it's necessary to focus on only the FotM, or the Top 2% of "acceptable builds" in a given period. I personally found the article interesting, and rather than being a recommendation of "try this," I considered it an example of the novel ideas that players have with the combination of hundreds and hundreds of skills, attributes, and weapons. I respect your opinion, but hope you can see where there isn't a bar and an approval committee for the features as far as "high level relevance to today's gaming."

Instead, there is a desire for inclusiveness and observation of the different aspects of the game world and gameplay choices.

Master Ikram · Jul 02, 2006, 10:14 PM // 22:14

Well i love the scribe.My alliance is in it (oOo).On the scribe #4 it shows us under random acts of kindness.
This is exactly what it said.
Later still, I traveled south to House Zu Heltzer where I witnessed King Llanowar Elf providing a free ferrying service to Urgoz's Warren. Later, I saw Hex Monk do the same. It appears that many members of the Komalis Protector Alliance [oOo] are providing this free service, so I express thanks to all of them for their honorable and kind acts

Ventius Hozza · Jul 02, 2006, 10:18 PM // 22:18

I'm sorry if I sounded negative in my post(s), but I think it's 'cause of my gripes with builds... that really don't sound like they'd work, let's say for argument's sake, an Oath Shot, Otyugh's Cry interrupt ranger with throw dirt. (OTT, but it gets my point). Now, I didn't see that particular W/E, but in my mind, I really can't see it working. Maybe this is other people's problem with that part of the scribe too (don't get me wrong, I love the other parts and articles and I think the "name and shame - reversed" thing is great as it really gets the community involved and for people makes them try harder to be a nicer person in GW, as the incentive is there, but maybe in order to get more people to offer their opinions and great, working builds for the "builds" section, you need to get the word out more, (I, for one, didn't know it existed before I went on the website today) even a daily message or a small extract on the login screen would really get the community going with suggestions and such.

sorry

IMMORTAlMITCH · Jul 02, 2006, 10:26 PM // 22:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaile Gray

I do know the player who was using the build was observed over the course of several hours, and he was doing extraordinarily well. I personally found the article interesting, and rather than being a recommendation of "try this," I considered it an example of the novel ideas that players have with the combination of hundreds and hundreds of skills, attributes, and weapons.

I understand how 'variety'and/or 'originality' is promoted, but I dont understand how such an obviously poor build can be commended on.

Don't even start about how "well" whoever used this abomination of a build was doing with it, certain builds work well, certain builds work not so well, the described build is horrendous.

Although I guess if he likes to make things more challenging by handicapping himself this would be the way to go!

Malice Black · Jul 02, 2006, 10:39 PM // 22:39

the lynch mob is out already...surprise suprise

the scribe should report on everything...from the ridiculous to the sublime, remember not all of us PVP so not all of us know what a KD/AS w/e build is..

nice little feature imo...the frog still owns tho

Gaile Gray · Jul 02, 2006, 10:52 PM // 22:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ventius Hozza

I'm sorry if I sounded negative in my post(s), but I think it's 'cause of my gripes with builds... that really don't sound like they'd work, let's say for argument's sake, an Oath Shot, Otyugh's Cry interrupt ranger with throw dirt. (OTT, but it gets my point). Now, I didn't see that particular W/E, but in my mind, I really can't see it working. Maybe this is other people's problem with that part of the scribe too (don't get me wrong, I love the other parts and articles and I think the "name and shame - reversed" thing is great as it really gets the community involved and for people makes them try harder to be a nicer person in GW, as the incentive is there, but maybe in order to get more people to offer their opinions and great, working builds for the "builds" section, you need to get the word out more, (I, for one, didn't know it existed before I went on the website today) even a daily message or a small extract on the login screen would really get the community going with suggestions and such.

sorry

Well, thank you kindly for your thoughts here! I was sort of sad about the situation, but I understand what you've said and appreciate your comments! I agree -- it would be marvelous to have more builds, and I'm happy that Esoteric Warriors has opened up their opportunity to make a pre-made (template) or two. I would like us to have many new and improved builds, and discussion is the start, I agree. And thanks again for being so nice in your further explanation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malice Black

the lynch mob is out already...surprise suprise

the scribe should report on everything...from the ridiculous to the sublime, remember not all of us PVP so not all of us know what a KD/AS w/e build is..

nice little feature imo...the frog still owns tho

Thanks. I know The Scribe enjoys the challenge of bringing fresh stories about Cantha and Tyria, and the "citizens" therein, very much. I am confident he will keep on keepin' on, and with good feedback and suggestions, this feature is something we can offer -- to those who enjoy it and care to partake of it -- for some time to come.

(And I have to admit, The Frog quite possibly pwns all.

)