Curse

Zen1331 · Nov 06, 2008, 01:56 AM // 01:56

I love my rit. And this is a build that I use with my discord team:

[splinter weapon][painful bond][vampirism][Bloodsong][parasitic bond][toxic chill][necrosis][summon spirits]

I'm able to provide a condition and a hex and use Necrosis to help deal damage. If I can only provide a hex and or a condition separately

I don't spirit spam too much but it's fun and I only carry 1 or 2 spirits in my build the main one being Bloodsong. I like playing more aggresively and let my N/Rt play the role of healer.

Before I meet up with the enemy. I raise my spirits about an aggro bubble and a half away. Once the spirits are raised I aggro the enemy/mob and cast painful bond. That will take care of the hex and will then cast Toxic Chill to cause the poisoning condition, the the discord groups takes care of the rest.

Since the re-charge times are short on Parasitic Bond, Toxic Chill and Necrosis I can spam these skills easily when I bring along Eve as she provides me w/ Blood ritual.

But I'm confused with the purpose of the skill painful bonding. Especially when the wiki states: "Very powerful AoE-hex when used correctly."

How do you use it correctly?

I guess I'm asking, what is the most efficient way to use the skill as the wiki states but doesn't really give me any hint.

the savage nornbear · Nov 06, 2008, 02:25 AM // 02:25

Wow I didn't even realize that it was AoE. just wait for the mobs to bunch and then cast it, or bunch them up yourself.

TheOrangeFalcon · Nov 06, 2008, 02:57 AM // 02:57

Didn't know it was AoE either. But it can be strong on a spirit spammer build because it ups your damage considerably. Especially if you bring Anguish which deals double damage to hexed foes.

Zen1331 · Nov 06, 2008, 03:23 AM // 03:23

I guess what I'm wondering is when I cast painful bond in mob and they are still bunched up, my spirits will attack and Vampirism does 18 health stealing and Bloodsong does 25. What I'm wondering is since I've casted it on 1 enemy of the mob and my spirits start attacking and 18/25 health steal, does that cover the AOE? Like will it start taking down 18/25 health of everyone around?

I guess I should test and take a screen shot. It's kind of hard to time though but I'll try to take one with a mob involved.

TheOrangeFalcon · Nov 06, 2008, 03:42 AM // 03:42

Nope. Spirits only attack a single target. Painful bond does additional damage whenever the hexed foe takes damage from a spirit.

Meaning: Whenever a foe takes damage from a spirit, he'll take more damage if hexed with painful bond. The fact that it is an AoE hex just means you don't have to re-apply it on every target.

Zen1331 · Nov 06, 2008, 04:10 AM // 04:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheOrangeFalcon

Nope. Spirits only attack a single target. Painful bond does additional damage whenever the hexed foe takes damage from a spirit.

Meaning: Whenever a foe takes damage from a spirit, he'll take more damage if hexed with painful bond. The fact that it is an AoE hex just means you don't have to re-apply it on every target.

Thanks for clarifying that for me.

But I have to say, using this build for with discordway really packs a punch!

Luminarus · Nov 06, 2008, 05:58 AM // 05:58

It does damage whenever a spirit attacks it, coz technically bloodsong deals 0 damage, but it triggers painful iirc

TheOrangeFalcon · Nov 06, 2008, 06:04 AM // 06:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luminarus

It does damage whenever a spirit attacks it, coz technically bloodsong deals 0 damage, but it triggers painful iirc

True. I've been kinda off tonight. But ya, whenever a spirit attacks. Therefore, shadowsong or whatever gets damage too. Woo.

upier · Nov 06, 2008, 07:30 AM // 07:30

Personally TC looks like a waste. You pretty much use it just to apply the condition - for which you might as well grab Enfeebling Blood/Enfeeble.
If you insist on using a death elite - use Discord. Since you are already using Necrosis, you could just as easily use something like OoS.
You can use use Curses - so I'd look into a better hex instead of PB. Shadow of Fear is sweet so I'd try to squeeze that in.
And then you need to ask yourself if you find SS/PB really worth it when you only have 2 spirits which recharge quite fast. Even if you do stick with spirits - dropping one of these skills can give you the option of using something like Essence Strike which can then free up the elite slot if you changed to OoS.

On topic of PB:
You need to check whom the spirits are attacking BEFORE casting it. Those guys have a mind of their own - so you need to follow their lead.

Zen1331 · Nov 06, 2008, 03:11 PM // 15:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by upier

Personally TC looks like a waste. You pretty much use it just to apply the condition - for which you might as well grab Enfeebling Blood/Enfeeble.
If you insist on using a death elite - use Discord. Since you are already using Necrosis, you could just as easily use something like OoS.
You can use use Curses - so I'd look into a better hex instead of PB. Shadow of Fear is sweet so I'd try to squeeze that in.
And then you need to ask yourself if you find SS/PB really worth it when you only have 2 spirits which recharge quite fast. Even if you do stick with spirits - dropping one of these skills can give you the option of using something like Essence Strike which can then free up the elite slot if you changed to OoS.

Thanks for the input! I'm going to try the skills you suggest and see how that goes. It took awhile to understand the Ritualist, since my main char is a Dervish and melee is fun (come on...everyone loves to jump in and slice!). I read a lot of topics on the Ritualist and it's role as a utility character and I actually really enjoy playing him. I found that the profession really synergizes well with the Necro. I haven't capped OoS yet since he's not that deep into NF and I like my chars jumping from one campaign to another on whims (keeps it fun for me). Although I did make it a priority to finish Factions and EoTN and I did the Sanctum Cay > Crystal Desert > Southern Shiverpeak missions and now find myself out in the Ring of Fire. But I like the suggestion of using Enfeebling Blood/Enfeeble and save myself an elite.

Quote:

On topic of PB:
You need to check whom the spirits are attacking BEFORE casting it. Those guys have a mind of their own - so you need to follow their lead.

I thought if I call target then cast PB that the spirits would auto target and start slinging. I'll keep that in mind.