Curse

Mr Joshua Strange · Jul 13, 2008, 02:47 AM // 02:47

I've used this in both RA and TA and it seems to be fairly effective. If I have a monk to heal me at all, it works very well. I think it's main weakness is the lack of self-healing, but here goes:

I end up (with mods I don't care to go check) with the following attributes:
13 Scythe Mastery
9 Earth Prayers
13 Mysticism

[Vital Boon][Conviction][Crippling Sweep][Reap Impurities][Whirling Defense][Resurrection Signet][Avatar of Balthazar][Mystic Vigor]

I'm using a Crippling PvP Scythe of Enchanting with a Dance with Death inscription.

I keep Vital Boon and Conviction up as much as possible, and using Whirling Defense when a Sin or a Warrior attack, or when the whole team starts to attack me. Cast Mystic Vigor, and start attacking. When they run, or even if they don't, toss in Crippling Sweep and then Reap Impurities. Rez with Rez signet.

Alex the Great · Jul 13, 2008, 02:55 AM // 02:55

your weakness is that you only have 2 attacks that both suck and you are using a ranger defensive stance when you can't have expertise.

so you have 5 skills for heal and defense? Why? and convictions armour dosent stack with avatar of balth's.

in conclusion. learn2play

edit- i figure i should suggest some improvments.

www.pvxwiki.com
the builds there arn't always teh best, but the provide a springboard.

use at least 3 attacks. maybe try to get[whirling charge] in for an ias.
only 2 defensive skills at most.

[wounding strike][avatar of melandru][avatar of lyssa][reaper's sweep] are all elites i would recomend

obsidian ectoplasm · Jul 13, 2008, 02:59 AM // 02:59

Hey

To be honest your build looks like a brick ( Very boring and meh you get the point. no life in it)

AoB is pretty pointless in PvP

Only 1 scythe attack that does +dmg = fail

there is no point using conviction because balth armour and convition dont stack

and balth is nearly kept up 100%

I would suggest you use The builds from PVX wiki

http://www.pvxwiki.com/wiki/Build

/E_Wounding_Strike

http://www.pvxwiki.com/wiki/Build

/W_AoM_Dervish

Wounding strike is the best derv build out imo

I have just created a new wounding strike build.

for my self ill share with with you.

I dont know how to do the skill things so ill just type it

Wounding strike [E]
Victorious sweep
Attackers insight
Chilling victory
reap impurities
Natural healing
Faithful intervention
rez sig

Put as much points in scythe as you can
have about 9 in wind and rest in mystcum
It works quite nicely

Hope this helps

obsidian ectoplasm · Jul 13, 2008, 03:08 AM // 03:08

[wounding strike][avatar of melandru][avatar of lyssa][reaper's sweep] are all elites i would recomend[/QUOTE]

I would agree but i thinkk Dwaynas is ok...but thats just My opinion

Edit -- stuffed the quote up cant be screed to fix it

Gift3d · Jul 13, 2008, 03:08 AM // 03:08

<begin non-elitiest newbie friendly reply>

Since you have quite a bit of defense from AoB + conviction, i'd drop real impurities for maybe [chilling victory] for more damage.

Whirling Defense can be useful for block and an IAS, but with it's short duration and long recharge it's not too useful as a secondary profession skill. If it's the IAS you're looking for i'd go with [Tiger Stance] or another warrior IAS, at least those have less of a recharge time although not too long of a duration. Maybe even [whirling charge] if you want to drop a few points into Wind Prayers.

</end non-elitiest newbie friendly reply>

Alex the Great · Jul 13, 2008, 03:15 AM // 03:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gift3d

<begin non-elitiest newbie friendly reply>

Since you have quite a bit of defense from AoB + conviction, i'd drop real impurities for maybe [chilling victory] for more damage.

Whirling Defense can be useful for block and an IAS, but with it's short duration and long recharge it's not too useful as a secondary profession skill. If it's the IAS you're looking for i'd go with [Tiger Stance] or another warrior IAS, at least those have less of a recharge time although not too long of a duration. Maybe even [whirling charge] if you want to drop a few points into Wind Prayers.

</end non-elitiest newbie friendly reply>

<begin reply to bad advice>

whirling defense has no ias
tiger stance has a short recharge and ussualy ends early
dont encourage AoB, it sucks, and you failed to mention it DOSEN'T STACK with conviction.

this is pvp, chilling victory is in wind prayers now.

<end reply to bad advice>

elitist and not-terrible are different things

Mesmer in Need · Jul 13, 2008, 04:02 AM // 04:02

Most of the time, you'll bypass earth payers- a lot of the time it's a waste of skill slots and attribute points. Healing should be done by a support character, leaving you to do damage.

As for an elite, your most viable choices are either an elite attack or a form. As a derv, you should be doing damage. Balthazar gives little bonus in battle, aside from making it harder for foes to kite. However, non elites will do this too, something like [storm djinn's haste] or [signet of mystic speed]. Lyssa will add a lot of damage, Melandru will give you immunity to conditions like blind, and Dwayna will get rid of annoying hexes. For elite attacks, [wounding strike] provides spammable bleeding and deep wound, and [reaper's sweep] will do big damage with deep wound.

Because you are a front liner, you should have some defense. If you have a good monk or other support char, they should be able to keep you alive. Some good skills such as [faithful intervention] or [victorious sweep] will fit nicely on a derv bar, the first one being a non ending enchant that can be used to meet the requirement for skills like wounding.

The rest of the bar should include different attacks, such as [mystic sweep], more utility such as [attacker's insight] and damage boosting skills and/or and ias such as [conjure lightning] and [heart of fury].

Gift3d · Jul 13, 2008, 04:12 AM // 04:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex the Great

<begin reply to bad advice>

whirling defense has no ias
tiger stance has a short recharge and ussualy ends early
dont encourage AoB, it sucks, and you failed to mention it DOSEN'T STACK with conviction.

this is pvp, chilling victory is in wind prayers now.

<end reply to bad advice>

elitist and not-terrible are different things

That's a lot of unnecessary rage and typical elitism for mistaking one skill for another ([whirling defense][lightning reflexes]. Relax, kiddo!

Tearz1993 · Jul 13, 2008, 04:13 AM // 04:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex the Great

your weakness is that you only have 2 attacks that both suck and you are using a ranger defensive stance when you can't have expertise.

so you have 5 skills for heal and defense? Why? and convictions armour dosent stack with avatar of balth's.

in conclusion. learn2play

Owow stop trolling people who are asking for advice dude.

Anyways OT, if you want to run a Dervish, you probably want to run an elite like Wounding Strike to start out since it's the most newplayer-friendly elite. Then, bring two more attack skills like Mystic Sweep or Eremite's Attack. Then your other 4 skills (since you NEED res sig) should have an IAS, at least one enchant, then whatever you like

After you get used to that bar, it should be pretty easy to figure out what skills would work and what skills won't so you can make your own bar.

joshuarodger · Jul 13, 2008, 04:21 AM // 04:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gift3d

<begin non-elitiest newbie friendly reply>

Since you have quite a bit of defense from AoB + conviction, i'd drop real impurities for maybe [chilling victory] for more damage.

Whirling Defense can be useful for block and an IAS, but with it's short duration and long recharge it's not too useful as a secondary profession skill. If it's the IAS you're looking for i'd go with [Tiger Stance] or another warrior IAS, at least those have less of a recharge time although not too long of a duration. Maybe even [whirling charge] if you want to drop a few points into Wind Prayers.

</end non-elitiest newbie friendly reply>

you're advising against a skill from one class' primary attribute and suggesting a skill from another class' primary attribute. being unable to spec in strength, he will have a 4 second IAS with a 20 second recharge if he uses [[tiger stance]. that doesn't make much sense at all. using [[whirling charge] is a decent option though, as it's both an IAS and IMS.

@OP. a dervish's weapon has the highest potential damage output of any weapon in the game and as an added bonus can hit multiple targets. your mission as a dervish is to kill stuff so put as many att points as you can in scythe but don't use a sup rune. leave healing for monks and rits. keep mysticism att points at a multiple of 3 (3's are the breakpoints for energy and health return from myst). use attacks which do extra damage or cause conditions, an IMS or snare, an IAS, a damage enhancer, and a res. you can never go wrong with these combos.

skill bar should be something like
[ attack][ attack][ attack][IAS][IMS/snare][damage enh.][option][res]

scythe: 12+1+1
myst: 8+1 or 11+1
option: the rest

damage enhancers can be something like [[conjure flame], [[conjure frost], [[conjure lig], [[avatar of lyss], [[strength of hon] etc..

if you want to use a self healing skill, only use one and put it in the optional slot. generally though this should still be something to help you kill quicker or easier. something like [[attack] would work well there.

DarkNecrid · Jul 13, 2008, 04:51 AM // 04:51

Quote:

you're advising against a skill from one class' primary attribute and suggesting a skill from another class' primary attribute.

moot point. It can work sometimes.

See: [Flail]

To OP:
Vital Boon: bad.
Conviction: baaaad.
Crippling Sweep: okay.
Reap Impurities: baaaad.
Whirling Defense: verrrry bad.
Rez Sig: very good ^^;
AoB: shit elite. Probably worst elite Dervs have next to [Vow of Strength] [Pious Renewal]
Mystic Vigor: okay.

2 choices if you want to be semi good:
[Conjure Lightning][Attackers Insight][Heart of Fury][Signet of Mystic Speed][Wounding Strike][Eremites Attack][Chilling Victory][Resurrection Signet]

or

[Avatar of Melandru][Conjure Lightning][Attackers Insight][Heart of Fury][Wearying Strike][Eremites Attack][Chilling Victory][Resurrection Signet]

Do not try to tank in PvP.

joshuarodger · Jul 13, 2008, 05:21 AM // 05:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkNecrid

moot point. It can work sometimes.

See: [Flail]

are you seriously comparing the drawbacks of [[tiger sta], [[whirli], or [[lightning re] with [[flail] and calling my point a moot point, as it regards a secondary warrior. the skills are completely different as far as implementation goes. you don't need any spec for [[flail] to be semi effective. as a derv, though, there are still far better options for an IAS.

DarkNecrid · Jul 13, 2008, 05:23 AM // 05:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshuarodger

are you seriously comparing the drawbacks of [[tiger sta], [[whirli], or [[lightning re] with [[flail] and calling my point a moot point, as it regards a secondary warrior. the skills are completely different as far as implementation goes. you don't need any spec for [[flail] to be semi effective. as a derv, though, there are still far better options for an IAS.

I wasn't comparing anything at all, I was just saying that sometimes there is nothing wrong with pulling a skill that is in your primary attribute out for one in another classes primary.

Sirius-NZ · Jul 13, 2008, 06:37 AM // 06:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Joshua Strange

If I have a monk to heal me at all, it works very well. I think it's main weakness is the lack of self-healing

Incidentally, that's its only strength. Methinks this might be a joke?

joshuarodger · Jul 13, 2008, 06:52 PM // 18:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkNecrid

I wasn't comparing anything at all, I was just saying that sometimes there is nothing wrong with pulling a skill that is in your primary attribute out for one in another classes primary.

i guess there are exceptions to every rule. simply because it's adrenaline based, doesn't require cast time, and has no recharge other than building adrenaline, flail could be worked into a dervish build.

Bowstring Badass · Jul 13, 2008, 07:14 PM // 19:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshuarodger

i guess there are exceptions to every rule. simply because it's adrenaline based, doesn't require cast time, and has no recharge other than building adrenaline, flail could be worked into a dervish build.

Could be but why? [heart of fury] says hi and with any good dervish build you should be specced into mysticism anyway. The 30 second recharge is about the only bad thing about it.

Or you could be a cool kid and use [whirling charge] with [insert conjure here] and [attackers insight]. [chilling victory] is kind of meh now for PvP but that is just my opinion why make a scythe attack outside of scythe mastery (seriously how much sense does this make...).

Sirius-NZ · Jul 14, 2008, 10:42 AM // 10:42

Yeah, wind prayers has been getting a little more love lately in combination with wounding strike etc. If you're going to spec it, I suppose you might as well take chilling victory to round out the spike.

Bowstring Badass · Jul 14, 2008, 06:41 PM // 18:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirius-NZ

Yeah, wind prayers has been getting a little more love lately in combination with wounding strike etc. If you're going to spec it, I suppose you might as well take chilling victory to round out the spike.

I was messing around with equipment and builds and if you spec 12+1+1 scythe 10+2 (major I know...) wind and 8+1 mysticism chilling victory is alright but no conjure. I threw in [faithful intervention] (I know its bad) to have an enchant that basically never ends in replace of the conjure. The wounding strike bar is still viable. I also replaced [heart of fury] with [whirling charge] it worked alright.

Shu_ · Jul 19, 2008, 08:13 AM // 08:13

can anyone help me to improve my skill bar? (i don't have a lot of experience in GW,be nice plz)

Scythe Mastery :12 (11+1)
mysticism : 13 (12+1)
Earth Prayers : 6

[Resurrection Signet][Heart of Fury][Wild blow][Veil of thorns][Reap Impurities][Crippling Sweep][victorious sweep][Reaper's Sweep]

I only have NF btw

Sirius-NZ · Jul 19, 2008, 03:35 PM // 15:35

Earth prayers is kind of going to waste there. You already have a cripple skill.

Incidentally, I think wounding strike is probably a better attack for your situation because it's easier to get deep wound to land, and it also inflicts bleeding, which makes for quite a few conditions you'll be laying down.

Victorious Sweep isn't a bad skill, but I'm not sure it's the best here either. You've already got Wild Blow for a high-damage attack (and Reaper's Sweep or WS if you choose to go with that), so perhaps you should swap it for, say, Mystic Sweep so you can build a bit of a spike. (This generally works by activating a big hitter like Wild Blow, then immediately following it up with Mystic Sweep; the 3/4 second activation time means you'll effectively hit twice in a row very quickly.)

OK, so veil of thorns. Not really the greatest one to be using here; I'd look at something like Heart of Holy Flame. Holy damage is quite helpful because very few things have extra resistance to it; you generally end up dealing damage against 60-80 or so armor instead of sometimes 100+. There's the additional boon that if you're attacking undead, you'll deal double damage (which makes 200 damage hits quite easy to get). (P.S. Most people run Aura of Holy Might, but that comes from Factions. HoHF is a reasonable substitute except it doesn't give you an attack rating boost as well.)

Really, your skill bar isn't all THAT bad... if you're having trouble with energy you might want to try a zealous scythe, but that's about all I could recommend. If you still don't find it very effective... I dunno, there's a stickied thread in this forum with some avatar builds listed. Generally, you should find the Melandru and Lyssa ones quite powerful for PvE.