Curse

sean520 · Jan 11, 2011, 12:54 PM // 12:54

Hey guys. I started VQing on my dervish, with my friends rit. I've always just liked the idea of a dervish, rather than a warrior (and they look cooler...soo yea).
Anyways, I've been making some random builds, and noticed Zealous Vow is almost essential to good energy management, it does nice damage, and you can use SY! What do you guys think is better for HM, Soldiers Stance or Zealous Vow?
Avatars just dont cut it in HM. They are useable, i guess, in NM, but eh. Theyre more fun than good. I've tried so hard to make them work though..
I've kinda just been waiting on that update, but that doesnt look like its coming anytime soon, unfortunately. So does anyone have any different strategies for HM on a derv? Should i bring another frontliner as well, or is just me and some minions alright? Seems alright, but I am taking a lot of damage which is never fun.
Any suggestions would be great. Thanks guys!

aspi · Jan 11, 2011, 01:06 PM // 13:06

I have the same problem/issue. Also use a zealous vow build because you can spam attack skills like a nutter with that. I bring a E/Mo for protting because even with conviction my derv is taking a lot of damage and HM enemies are damn good in enchantment removal.( I hate mesmers).

I'm sure there are dervs here that know a lot more than us about this profession

Spiritz · Jan 11, 2011, 01:36 PM // 13:36

Not sure how much of a responce you`ll get as im guessing many dervs are awaiting the derv changes that are on the horizon.Personally from my own small usage of derv i like avatar of bal strictly for its speed and extra ar - but also consider that each zone may be different like one has heavy hex or conditions so a diff avatar would be used.
I did see several times d/w sword users but ive no idea of their builds and the one i had in my mqvq seemed to cope with no problems ( wish i did get the build now )

joseph Mckennie · Jan 11, 2011, 01:49 PM // 13:49

I've felt for the longest time that my dervish has hit a low ceiling also, but if youre worried about taking damage, armor of sanctity has saved me more times than I can imagine. It makes mellee useless, and dampens the damage considerably against casters, if you can cast AoS it while youre adjacent. It really shines if you have a condition heavy group with you though. Try bringing something with epidemic maybe? o.O

chullster · Jan 11, 2011, 02:31 PM // 14:31

I use Soldiers Stance, IAS + 75% block is too good.

As you're speccing into Tactics, add Fear Me to boost damage and To the Limit to make sure the elite is active.

For attack skills I use Zealous and Lysaas only, with high chance crits plus the usual melee buffs dps is nice and high, no energy problems, and no casting of any spells/enchants to slow down the combat.

Very similar to a warrior, but with more in SM so higher chance of crit hits.

reaper with no name · Jan 11, 2011, 03:49 PM // 15:49

I played around with Soldier's Stance for a little while after it was buffed, until I realized just how unnecessary it was. A standard zealous vow build with Conviction instead of an IAS will provide as much defense (or more), while having a higher damage output.

Quote:

Originally Posted by joseph Mckennie

I've felt for the longest time that my dervish has hit a low ceiling also, but if youre worried about taking damage, armor of sanctity has saved me more times than I can imagine. It makes mellee useless, and dampens the damage considerably against casters, if you can cast AoS it while youre adjacent. It really shines if you have a condition heavy group with you though. Try bringing something with epidemic maybe? o.O

If you're referring to damage, the issue isn't the dervish, but the assassin and warrior. Technically, the dervish is overpowered (as all melee is in PvE), but it's competition is just that much more overpowered; to the point that there is no mechanical incentive to ever pick up a dervish.

Verene · Jan 11, 2011, 04:06 PM // 16:06

Zealous Vow has been stapled to my bar for...a long time. At least a year now. It's a great skill, and works perfectly well in HM. My standard bar has served me well through vanquishing all of Elona and half of Cantha (I haven't bothered starting Tyria yet, cos...yeah. Vanquishing that will kill my soul).

I love ZV, it's a great skill

Captain Bulldozer · Jan 11, 2011, 04:21 PM // 16:21

When I run my derv in HM, I go with an ER-protter... that takes care of my energy problems so long as I invest enough in mysticism. I usually run Avatar of Dwyna for some increased survivability. It's always worked quite well for me, though it may not be the fastest setup.

Daesu · Jan 11, 2011, 05:08 PM // 17:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Bulldozer

When I run my derv in HM, I go with an ER-protter... that takes care of my energy problems so long as I invest enough in mysticism.

That is what I do too because my dervish benefits from enchantments and I have Strength of Honor from my ER. You can also bring a necro with OOV and blood bond for greater survivability. If you happen to bring a minion bomber in your party, you can also bring dwayna's sorrow for a cheap aoe enchant cover and even more survivability.

scratchdude · Jan 11, 2011, 05:23 PM // 17:23

I've been using a ZV build on my derv for a long time. With very strong attack spamming (asuran scan + AoHM), you can kill most casters alone (like a monk right at the start). True, wars and sins are better than a ZV build, but a derv will still be able to dish out huge damage, (sometimes 3 attacks of more than 150 in row).

As for survivability, use a mix of survivor and windwalker insignias, with a +30 hp scythe mod. It should be enough to get you more than 600 hp, and a good amount of armor. This way, you can charge in battle (with H/H that is, be careful when playing with humans) without dying.

Problem is, I found out very few other builds worked good enough, and I can't wait for the derv update to finally get more flexibility for my bar.

Someone talked about a derv with a sword set, I did see some too. They were using a snow storm build, with PvE AoE skills and PBAoE derv enchants too kill balled up foes. Sword is just to look cool i guess...

I even saw a UA derv healer... and it worked wonder in a HM dungeon!

NerfHerder · Jan 11, 2011, 05:38 PM // 17:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by reaper with no name

I played around with Soldier's Stance for a little while after it was buffed, until I realized just how unnecessary it was. A standard zealous vow build with Conviction instead of an IAS will provide as much defense (or more), while having a higher damage output.

^^This is pretty much my experience as well. Maybe it was just me, but I had more energy issues fighting different mobs with Soldier's Stance than ZV.
With only 6 Earth Prayers, Conviction is maintainable. 50% block and +24 AR > 75% block imo.

If your concerned about taking damage consider an ER Prot hero. Micro Prot Spirit and Spirit Bond on yourself right before you enter battle. If your concerned about dealing more damage, bring Strength of Honor and/or Judges Insight on another hero. If your friend is a Rt, I highly recommend he spam Splinter Weapon you. He's most likely to be an SoS Rt and will have plenty of free time to do just that

I wouldnt suggest bringing another frontliner, at least not a hero, minions are fine. If you are the frontline, youll have a better chance of your heros protecting just you. The minions should be enough to soak up the extra damage.

EDIT:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daesu

You can also bring a necro with OOV and blood bond for greater survivability.

If your a PvE Dervish you should have Aura of Holy Might, which converts your damage to Holy damage. OoV, or any orders for that matter, requires physical damage to trigger. And AoHM deals more than 15 extra damage per hit, making an orders counter productive. Judge's Insight, Blood Bond, Dark Fury, and Mark of Fury are still usable.

Daesu · Jan 11, 2011, 07:37 PM // 19:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by NerfHerder

If your a PvE Dervish you should have Aura of Holy Might, which converts your damage to Holy damage. OoV, or any orders for that matter, requires physical damage to trigger. And AoHM deals more than 15 extra damage per hit, making an orders counter productive. Judge's Insight, Blood Bond, Dark Fury, and Mark of Fury are still usable.

Sure, but OOV applies to all other physical damage sources in your party.

maxxfury · Jan 12, 2011, 12:54 AM // 00:54

If i was in a phys heavy team as a derv id likely drop AOHM for EBSOH, the damage difference is THAT much of a hit, and if your the only one who can afford to bring it, then your boosting your TEAMS damage output way, way more than if you took AOHM.. It can be a little too taxing on most phys bars to run, assuming they are rocking the usual setups..and pumping Ascans ect on recharge

Ofc this assumes you have the orders bot, mop nuker ect physway setup... Otherwise if there are no more phys/frontliner's, stick to the more 'selfish' AOHM and let your team support you with more appropriate builds than an orders bot for one phys..