Curse

Laraja · Dec 28, 2007, 06:34 PM // 18:34

My E/Me character is nearly a level 10, and I feel that I missing out on some basic strategy moves and ideas and I hoping I can get some help.

I'm playing Prophecies. I'm familiar with mage-type characters since that's what I've played in other MMORPGs so I'm used to the attack from a distance (aka Farcasting) method. (In fact, I'm so used to it, that melee style up close and personal makes me nervous

).

One issue is that darned energy bar. That is something I've never dealt with before. I have to say that the whole energy bar thing is uh... dumb? I mean, when an elementalist is out of energy, they're just a standing target with zero defence. Anyway, I'm sure that's another contentious issue.
Anyway...

I'm used to just blasting away while only watching my health and because of this I'm out of energy in the middle of a battle. I'm doing better about keeping an eye on it, but I feel I still don't have a good handle on management. Do most players just memorize energy requirements of spells and keep a tally or line up spells in a way that they know the energy cost before hand? Sorry if these are stupid questions. Like I said, this energy thing is completely new to me. I feel that I can't go out with other players or join a guild who would rely on me to know that the $&# I'm doing, so at this point I've been using only the henchmen.

In the other game I played, you could go watch duels, and I picked up a lot of ideas and stategies that way, is there something similar in Guild Wars?

Any other tips or tricks? What would a team expect from their Ele?

Tatile · Dec 28, 2007, 06:46 PM // 18:46

I'm not much of an Elementalist player, I deleted my old one and have now made a new one, but I found the Attunement enchanments to be very helpful (I am, you must understand a PvE'er, not a PvP'er), as they can restore energy. The elementalist skill line should have glyphs which use little energy, but allow for less-to-no energy be used for X amount of spells during X amount of time, or so.

General expectations of an Ele are simple: Nuking. This mean lots of hard hitting fire-damage spells. In PvP I hear Air is popular, and is rather fun to play around with in PvE, but I have had responses of 'Why you no Nuke Ele?' when I've PuG'ed with Air.

There's observation mode for PvP battles, but as I don't really care for PvP I don't know much of them. Most build-sharing is done in community forums, such as here (Guild Wars Guru), build sites, and perhaps Guild and Alliance chats.

Hope this helps somewhat.

Alex the Great · Dec 28, 2007, 06:47 PM // 18:47

well, u should know what your skills cost, but emanagment is nessesary
whatever element you use, you should have the attunment for it

[skill]elemental attunment[/skill] is good for any element
[skill]mind blast[/skill] is also good but needs nf, and is only fire
[skill]glyph of lesser energy[/skill] helps also

Laraja · Dec 28, 2007, 06:59 PM // 18:59

Tatile and Alex, that little bit does help. And this character is PvE only.

Right at the moment of a fight I'll cast the Glyph of Lesser Energy and somewhere in the middle of battle I'll cast Aura of Restoration.

I'll let the warrior henchmen dive into battle and when the enemy are closely grouped I'll use Lava Font or Fire Storm. I've also been using the Mesmer spells Backfire and Conjure Fantasm. At this point in the game, I don't have tons of spells. I'm trying my best to find and unlock more. I don't want to spend my skill points on spells. Flare seems to be my best overall one-on-one spell since it's fast recharge time and small energy usage.

Laraja · Dec 28, 2007, 07:01 PM // 19:01

Oh, and I'll look up Mind Blast and see what I need to do to get it. Thanks on that.

Cyan Rhae · Dec 28, 2007, 07:14 PM // 19:14

Your almost lv 10 huh ?

There arent a lot of options for you at this point other then Gole
and a Attunement.... you wanna cover that Attunement with an enchant like Aura of Restoration.
You could check Wilderness,Inspiration and Tactics or Smiting.

So you better go for the cheaper spells atm and later you can cap a few elites like Elemental attunement, Glyph of energy and Glyph of Renewal.
Or simply borrow some of these elites with Arcane Mimycry and copy with Arcane Echo/Echo

Dont forget that the blood necro can support you with Blood Ritual or later on with Blood is Power/Well of Power also.
My Personal favourite is Auspicious Incantation with Rodgorts invocation but thats Inspiration from Factions i think.

Anyway when your lv 20 for a while i think it will all come to you lol ... gl

Dr Strangelove · Dec 28, 2007, 07:32 PM // 19:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falynn Firestorm

My E/Me character is nearly a level 10, and I feel that I missing out on some basic strategy moves and ideas and I hoping I can get some help.

I'm playing Prophecies. I'm familiar with mage-type characters since that's what I've played in other MMORPGs so I'm used to the attack from a distance (aka Farcasting) method. (In fact, I'm so used to it, that melee style up close and personal makes me nervous

).

One issue is that darned energy bar. That is something I've never dealt with before. I have to say that the whole energy bar thing is uh... dumb? I mean, when an elementalist is out of energy, they're just a standing target with zero defence. Anyway, I'm sure that's another contentious issue.
Anyway...

I'm used to just blasting away while only watching my health and because of this I'm out of energy in the middle of a battle. I'm doing better about keeping an eye on it, but I feel I still don't have a good handle on management. Do most players just memorize energy requirements of spells and keep a tally or line up spells in a way that they know the energy cost before hand? Sorry if these are stupid questions. Like I said, this energy thing is completely new to me. I feel that I can't go out with other players or join a guild who would rely on me to know that the $&# I'm doing, so at this point I've been using only the henchmen.

In the other game I played, you could go watch duels, and I picked up a lot of ideas and stategies that way, is there something similar in Guild Wars?

Any other tips or tricks? What would a team expect from their Ele?

Energy management kinda comes with the territory for almost every class. Elementalists tend to have a pretty easy time of things between attunements and glyph of lesser energy. You should almost always have an attunement. You should also almost always have glyph of lesser energy if you don't have elite energy management.

Most players generally know how much their stuff costs, there's really not that much to memorize. You'll get the hang of it quickly enough.

You can watch matches in observer mode using the "b" key, but that might now be the most helpful thing in the world, as PvP eles run very, very different bars than PvE eles.

Finally, if you post which campaigns you have and your current skillbar, I'm sure we can help you out a bit more.

EmptySkull · Dec 28, 2007, 08:26 PM // 20:26

I play an ele most of the time. Here's my advice. First spec only 2 attributes lines. This will be tough early on due to skill limitations. If you have to take some skills from the no attribute line to help. Being only level 10 I can't recommend taking any mesmer enery mangement skills, as you would have to spec points into the line for it to give you any meaningful return. I guess [skill]leech signet[/skill]could work throwing in any points left over into inspiration magic.

The 2 attributes are Energy Storage and whichever other element you want to use. Fire or Water or Earth or Air.
Second whatever element you take always bring the attunement for it.
[skill]Water Attunement[/skill] [skill]Fire Attunement[/skill] [skill]Air Attunement[/skill] [skill]Earth Attunement[/skill]

Another good skill is:
[skill]Elemental Attunement[/skill] But this skill is late in game. And takes your elite spot.
Other elites that help with energy:
[skill]ether prodigy[/skill] [skill]ether renewal[/skill] [skill]glyph of energy[/skill]
And you know about [skill]Glyph of lesser energy[/skill] Which is a good staple to alot of builds. All these previous skills are core. So I know you have acces to those. But there are many more skills that can help with energy management and have some offense too.

Indeed let's us know what chapters you have besides Prophecies, if any. There are other skills that can chain together to get some energy back.
Not alot you can do early on though. Try to spec your Energy Storage as high as you can whatever you do.

Laraja · Dec 28, 2007, 08:50 PM // 20:50

Actually, what everyone is saying is making a ton of sense. And the advice on energy management is awesome.

I thought at my character's level (not that 9 is high, I'm not saying that it is) that I should be more clued in with a better arsenal of spells, but it appears I'm expecting more than is appropriate for my character's level. I kept asking myself where are all the spells, why am I still using Flare as my main one-on-one attack spell? I'm looking on Guild Wiki and still scratching my head.

So bottom line: Good things are coming, I just have to be patient. That's what I needed to hear. I really thought I was missing something, and I'm busy running around trying to find the quests that give spells as rewards and so on. I just hate feeling clueless. I've been spending almost as much time reading forums and perusing Guild Wiki as I do playing so I don't seem like the total clueless noob.

Edit: Oh, and I only have Prophesies right now. I plan to get others later. I did buy the skill add-on pack since it was only 5$.

Dr Strangelove · Dec 28, 2007, 10:22 PM // 22:22

Flare is kinda meh, as you get more skills you should try to shove it off your bar. It's a time filler, not something insanely useful. For prophecies, look at these skills, combined with attunement, glyph, a rez, and whatever other toys you might want to throw on (aura of restoration isn't great, but it'll do in a pinch) for a simple build:

[skill]fireball[/skill]
[skill]rodgort's invocation[/skill]
[skill]incendiary bonds[/skill]
[skill]immolate[/skill]

and to a lesser extent

[skill]meteor[/skill]
[skill]meteor shower[/skill]
[skill]searing heat[/skill]

Everything else tends to be a little too specialized or terrible for a general build. For elites, [skill]glyph of energy[/skill], [skill]elemental attunement[/skill] are your best options. Good luck!

EDIT: I assumed you wanted to play a fire guy, since you mentioned flare. Earth is also quite strong with prophecies only, and air isn't bad if you have [skill]elemental attunement[/skill].

Winterclaw · Dec 28, 2007, 10:34 PM // 22:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falynn Firestorm

One issue is that darned energy bar. That is something I've never dealt with before. I have to say that the whole energy bar thing is uh... dumb? I mean, when an elementalist is out of energy, they're just a standing target with zero defence.

I've seen mana bars in some form or another in all the MMORPGs I've played. This isn't a new conspect and in video gaming has been around since before DQI.

Quote:

In the other game I played, you could go watch duels, and I picked up a lot of ideas and stategies that way, is there something similar in Guild Wars?

Press B to observe top pvp matches. However PvE is a different sort of beast.

Quote:

Any other tips or tricks? What would a team expect from their Ele?

As someone else said, bring an attunement skill for the skill line you are using. GOLE is also a big help. Make sure you have been putting points in energy storage. And you don't need to use all the most expensive spells or spam them wildly.

As for a tip, don't waste energy by casting your spells against a ranger-class foe if you can avoid it. They have a very high defense vs elements. If you have immolate or something else that causes burning, that's fine, but any rangers should be lower on your targeting list.

Quote:

Right at the moment of a fight I'll cast the Glyph of Lesser Energy and somewhere in the middle of battle I'll cast Aura of Restoration.

1. Aura isn't that great of a self heal. At least I'm not sure I'd put it on my skill bar.
2. It lasts for 60 seconds so precast it, wait a few seconds to recharge, then go into battle. Few pve fights should last more than a minute anyways.

Quote:

I thought at my character's level (not that 9 is high, I'm not saying that it is) that I should be more clued in with a better arsenal of spells, but it appears I'm expecting more than is appropriate for my character's level. I kept asking myself where are all the spells, why am I still using Flare as my main one-on-one attack spell?

In proph you'll only get half the spells available to your class while questing (the other games give you even less)and some of them you can only get either later in the game or by defeating certain bosses and capturing their skills. Also flare isn't that great of a skill.

LifeInfusion · Dec 28, 2007, 10:53 PM // 22:53

Aura of Restoration isn't that strong but it is basically one of the only cover enchantments you'll have as a fire elementalist (unless you dip into earth prayers for mystic regen). It is better when you have Mindblast+Rodgort's Invocation or Dual attunement+Lightning Hammer since the heal scales with the energy cost.

horseradish · Dec 29, 2007, 01:44 AM // 01:44

Everyone else pretty much said what I wanted to said, but I'd recommend that you bring a rez. [skill]Resurrection Signet[/skill] is the only one you have, but it really helps.

Limu Tolkki · Dec 29, 2007, 07:47 PM // 19:47

E-management elite skill = waste of elite. Except if you're running some very good nuking combo and you dont need elite for it but e-management.

Stormlord Alex · Dec 29, 2007, 08:13 PM // 20:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limu Tolkki

E-management elite skill = waste of elite.

[skill]mind blast[/skill] disagrees with you.

Limu Tolkki · Dec 29, 2007, 09:00 PM // 21:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stormlord Alex

[skill]mind blast[/skill] disagrees with you.

Lack of(or is it in? what ever) dmg.

Tyla · Dec 29, 2007, 09:09 PM // 21:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limu Tolkki

Lack of(or is it in? what ever) dmg.

wow....you sure dont like good skills...this is damage, and emanagement in one skill, to boot not tackled by enchantment removal.

this + rodgorts = sex

theres a reason why its used in HA, and its incredibly viable in pve

EmptySkull · Dec 29, 2007, 09:10 PM // 21:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limu Tolkki

E-management elite skill = waste of elite. Except if you're running some very good nuking combo and you dont need elite for it but e-management.

I agree with you partly. I wouldn't bring the elemental attunement in many cases. Mostly when I am running fire magic. I willl use [skill]Searing Flames[/skill] + [skill]Glowing gaze[/skill]. But I have access to that elite. But when I run a water magic build I will bring Elemental Attunement.

[skill]Glyph of lesser energy[/skill][skill]deep freeze[/skill][skill]maelstrom[/skill][skill]ice spikes[/skill]Optional skill Optional skill[skill]water attunement[/skill][skill]elemental attunement[/skill]

There are some real pricey skills in that line. And the dual attunement helps with that.

But if you plan to run [skill]Rodgort's Invocation[/skill] then it would be a good combo to bring dual attunement. And that skill is one of the more powerful ones for Fire Eles in a Prophecies only situation.

My general PvE fire build consists of this

[skill]Glyph of lesser energy[/skill][skill]Searing flames[/skill][skill]glowing gaze[/skill][skill]liquid flame[/skill][skill]glyph of sacrifice[/skill][skill]meteor shower[/skill][skill]fire attunement[/skill][skill]resurrection chant[/skill]

A good Core + Prophecies only build with mesmer secondary:
[skill]flare[/skill][skill]fireball[/skill][skill]Glyph of lesser energy[/skill][skill]Rodgort's Invocation[/skill][skill]arcane echo[/skill][skill]meteor shower[/skill][skill]fire attunement[/skill][skill]Elemental Attunement[/skill]

Or you could swap out flare or fireball or both for these:
[skill]Incendiary Bonds[/skill][skill]Searing Heat[/skill]

Sir Pandra Pierva · Dec 30, 2007, 03:29 AM // 03:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winterclaw

However PvE is a different sort of beast.

A much stupider beast. ONce you know the gist of PVE its not hard.

Winterclaw · Dec 30, 2007, 04:05 AM // 04:05

It is with the wrong pug.