Curse

Slasher of Darkness · Dec 17, 2008, 12:20 PM // 12:20

Hey all, so my question is that should i get caster modded sword and shield, a staff, or a wand and offhand, i can finally get them all..but what would be like..teh best ^^ Also, i gonna go EotN with earth build, coz yeah..fire = destroyer food..what kind of earth build should i use?

Thanks ahead!

realtalk916 · Dec 17, 2008, 01:00 PM // 13:00

what exacrtly r u? an ele? i see caster sword + shield mostly on monks

Slasher of Darkness · Dec 17, 2008, 01:31 PM // 13:31

ah yes..sorry forgot to make that more understandable, yeah, i's an ele

and what earth build is good?

Pleikki · Dec 17, 2008, 01:47 PM // 13:47

id take Caster spear + offhand on ele.

Slasher of Darkness · Dec 17, 2008, 01:51 PM // 13:51

hmm..okie..thanks ^^

BrettM · Dec 17, 2008, 02:41 PM // 14:41

I agree with Pleikki: caster-modded spear > sword. The advantage is that the spear is a ranged weapon, so there is no risk of accidentally running into the front likes by pressing ctrl-space. You can also throw it to trigger Mark of Pain, if one of your necro heroes has that skill.

My weapon sets are the following:

1. Insightful earth staff of Enchanting with Aptitude Not Attitude inscription (HCT 20%). Some would recommend a 40/20/20 staff instead, using an Adept head instead of Insightful.

2. Spear of Enchanting with an I Have the Power (+5 e) inscription and a 20/20 earth scroll.

3. Earth wand of Memory with a Seize the Day (+15 e, -1 regen) inscription and an earth scroll with a Live for Today inscription. This makes a +42 energy set that I can switch to in an emergency.

4. Longbow for pulling. This can have any stats, since you won't be using it to cause damage. A bow grip of Fortitude and/or an I Have the Power inscription is optional, since you normally won't be holding the bow for very long.

HTH.

Tyla · Dec 17, 2008, 02:57 PM // 14:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pleikki

id take Caster spear + offhand on ele.

Camping a staff is better than camping a spear, unless you suck at managing energy which you shouldn't especially on an Ele.

I'd take a 40/20/20 staff, a shield set, and maybe a 40/40 set too. If you don't want to weaponswap just camp the 40/40 set.

[churning earth][unsteady ground][stoning][eruption][glowstone][enfeebling blood][earth attunement][resurrection signet]

Slasher of Darkness · Dec 17, 2008, 03:09 PM // 15:09

ooh thank u all for these kind answers ^^

BrettM · Dec 17, 2008, 04:12 PM // 16:12

Just to clarify: the purpose of carrying a caster-modded spear/sword/axe and an offhand is not to provide a significant energy boost. (In my case, my spear/offhand has 17e and my staff has 15e. A trivial difference.)

In PvE, the AI reacts to you primarily based on your health and the type of weapon you're carrying. If you're carrying a physical weapon, then the foes are more likely to hit you with "melee hate" than "caster hate". This is good, because melee hate (such as blindness) often has little or no effect on a caster. For example, if an enemy wastes a blind spell on you, it will do you no harm and it helps protect your melee teammates (hero, henchie, or player) since the spell will have to recharge before it can be used on them. I also set monk heroes to avoid combat and give them caster spears and offhands for the same reason -- it keeps them a bit safer.

This does not apply to PvP, of course, because human players will be able to identify your profession correctly.

Mayda · Dec 17, 2008, 04:35 PM // 16:35

well, played PvE ele alot, used mostly staff with 20% HCT, +5 ene and 20% ench, or +5 ene 20% ench spear + 20/20 focus - which one depends on build and enemies you re encountering - especially mesmers tend to behave to casters more favorably when they arent wielding staff or wand

Tommy's · Dec 17, 2008, 04:39 PM // 16:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrettM

Just to clarify: the purpose of carrying a caster-modded spear/sword/axe and an offhand is not to provide a significant energy boost. (In my case, my spear/offhand has 17e and my staff has 15e. A trivial difference.)

In PvE, the AI reacts to you primarily based on your health and the type of weapon you're carrying. If you're carrying a physical weapon, then the foes are more likely to hit you with "melee hate" than "caster hate". This is good, because melee hate (such as blindness) often has little or no effect on a caster. For example, if an enemy wastes a blind spell on you, it will do you no harm and it helps protect your melee teammates (hero, henchie, or player) since the spell will have to recharge before it can be used on them. I also set monk heroes to avoid combat and give them caster spears and offhands for the same reason -- it keeps them a bit safer.

This does not apply to PvP, of course, because human players will be able to identify your profession correctly.

Finaly someone who gets it

I would go spear + with 20/20 offhand aswell.

Slasher of Darkness · Dec 17, 2008, 05:17 PM // 17:17

hmmm..thanks for the other inputs..

now im worried about builds..shud i use any earth in normal mode, or is nuking more efficient, same for HM? And what are good builds..im kinda beginner on ele tbh.. ^^

Slasher of Darkness · Dec 17, 2008, 05:22 PM // 17:22

double post

theonetheonlybruce · Dec 17, 2008, 05:41 PM // 17:41

i say whatever floots your boat its pve set dont matter so much tbo they help but like i said its pve so u cna get away with mostly anything

BrettM · Dec 17, 2008, 06:29 PM // 18:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slasher of Darkness

now im worried about builds..shud i use any earth in normal mode, or is nuking more efficient, same for HM? And what are good builds..im kinda beginner on ele tbh.. ^^

More efficient for what? An earth ele can't usually do the kind of damage a fire ele can do, but is generally far more flexible in being able to shut down opponents (blind, knockdowns, weakness) as well as support the team (wards) and protect him/herself (armor spells). Almost all HM solo farming builds for elementalists are earth-based, and skills such as Churning Earth and Eruption are extremely useful in HM missions or vanquishing.

I love playing earth, if you couldn't guess.

But, in the end, it comes down to what you think you would enjoy the most. If you would be happier toasting foes, freezing foes, or electrocuting foes then go for it. All lines of magic have a use.

I suggest taking a look at this recent thread for a discussion on making an earth build and some comparisons with fire.

Slasher of Darkness · Dec 17, 2008, 06:32 PM // 18:32

mmm...okie..guess ill be nuker in NM and earth build in HM..coz i see ppl saying fire and nukers doesnt do rly good in HM..

Rhamia Darigaz · Dec 17, 2008, 07:52 PM // 19:52

why do people insist on putting +5 energy inscriptions on their spear/shield sets?
don't you think it'd be better to hide energy with a 15%/-5 spear since you won't be casting in that set anyway?
and 20% enchanting mods. wtf, that's what your staff is for. spear/shield should both have +30 health.
this thread reminds me of how much i RAAAGE when i see people calling +5e/20% enchanting weapons caster weapons. FFFFUUUUUU-

BrettM · Dec 17, 2008, 08:51 PM // 20:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhamia Darigaz

why do people insist on putting +5 energy inscriptions on their spear/shield sets?
don't you think it'd be better to hide energy with a 15%/-5 spear since you won't be casting in that set anyway?

I carry a spear/focus set, and I do cast in that set. E-denial is not a very common thing in PvE, so using up a slot for an energy-hiding set is kind of pointless when there are more important sets to have on hand. Staff, wand/focus (high energy or 40/40), spear/focus, and longbow are the sets a caster really needs in PvE, IMO, and I can't see giving any of those up for an energy-hiding set that will almost never be used.

Tyla · Dec 17, 2008, 09:03 PM // 21:03

If you've got your 40/40 and 40/20/20 what do you have the spear/focus set for?

Rhamia Darigaz · Dec 17, 2008, 09:55 PM // 21:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrettM

I carry a spear/focus set, and I do cast in that set. E-denial is not a very common thing in PvE, so using up a slot for an energy-hiding set is kind of pointless when there are more important sets to have on hand. Staff, wand/focus (high energy or 40/40), spear/focus, and longbow are the sets a caster really needs in PvE, IMO, and I can't see giving any of those up for an energy-hiding set that will almost never be used.

it's not like you're giving up a set to make room for the energy hiding one. if you're willing to go all out and buy 40/40 and 40/20/20 sets, you shouldn't have any reason to cast in the spear/shield set. it would best be used to sit in while not casting so you soak up melee hate in pve and give yourself more armor and health. since you shouldn't be casting there's no reason to expose more energy than you have to.