Curse

Beat_Go_Stick · May 03, 2006, 08:10 PM // 20:10

Any advise on ways to make thise a more effective melee build would be appreciated. Here are my thoughts on it:

1. Barbed trap is mainly for the cripple. I thought about using the new skill Snare instead but decided that the 5 energy I'd save every 20 seconds or more wasn't worth losing the DPS i would gain for the bleed and damage of Barbed Trap. There needs to be some form of slow down though since this build runs Lightning defense and therefor has no speed buff.

2. I used the elite Devastating Hammer because it seemed to be the best for the build but I am in no way attached to it if anyone can think of a better one while still providing the build with a KD attack that doesn't make me lose all adrenaline.

3. This build is for both PvP and PvE but I made it with PvP in mind (Not GvG). Thanks for any help you can provide

Ranger/Warrior

Expertise: 14 (10+4)
Wilderness Survival: 9 (8+1)
Hammer Mastery: 12

I've been switching between a zealous and furious hammer +15% while in a stance.

- Barbed Trap (Wilderness Survival)
When Barbed Trap is triggered, all nearby foes take 47 piercing damage, become Crippled, and begin Bleeding for 17 seconds. Barbed Trap ends after 90 seconds. While activating this skill, you are easily interrupted.
Energy:6.6 (7) Cast:2 Recharge:20

- Irresistible Blow (Hammer Mastery)
If this attack hits you strike for +24 damage. If Irresistible Blow is "blocked," your target is knocked down and takes 24 damage. Irresistible Blow cannot be "evaded."
Energy:2.2 (2) Cast:0 Recharge:4

- Devastating Hammer [Elite] (Hammer Mastery)
If Devastating Hammer hits, your target is knocked down and suffers from Weakness for 17 seconds.
Adrenaline:7

- Crushing Blow (Hammer Mastery)
If this attack hits, you strike for +16 damage. If you hit a knocked-down foe you inflict a Deep Wound, lowering your target's maximum Health by 20% for 17 seconds.
Energy:2.2 (2) Cast:0 Recharge:10

- Lightning Reflexes (Expertise)
For 11 seconds, you have a 75% chance to "evade" melee and projectile attacks, and you attack 33% faster.
Energy:4.4 (4) Cast:0 Recharge:45

- "On Your Knees!" (Warrior other)
Lose all adrenaline. If any adjacent foes are knocked down, all of your Stances are recharged.
Adrenaline:6

- Troll Unguent (Wilderness Survival)
For 10 seconds, you gain Health regeneration +7.
Energy:2.2 (2) Cast:3 Recharge:10

- Resurrection Signet ()
Resurrect target party member. That party member is returned to life with 100% Health and 25% Energy. You may use this Signet only once per mission.
Energy:0 Cast:3 Recharge:0

Lady Lorwinia · May 03, 2006, 08:13 PM // 20:13

don't put in points in WS just for troll and barbed. Put the points in bm and use a crippling pet attack.

It's alright.

Beat_Go_Stick · May 03, 2006, 08:28 PM // 20:28

The only problem I have with that is the lack of a heal. I guess it would be fine for Team Arena but then it would run into trouble in CA and PvE (I always hated PvE builds that depended entirely on my Monk to live).

Wouldn't I also be in deep trouble against Warriors with Wild Blow if I removed all forms of defense? It would feel a little naked to me.....

denshuu · May 03, 2006, 09:21 PM // 21:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beat_Go_Stick

The only problem I have with that is the lack of a heal. I guess it would be fine for Team Arena but then it would run into trouble in CA and PvE (I always hated PvE builds that depended entirely on my Monk to live).

Wouldn't I also be in deep trouble against Warriors with Wild Blow if I removed all forms of defense? It would feel a little naked to me.....

No matter what your skill setup is, there's going to be some way (eg, Wild Blow) to land a hit on you. IOW, no build is going to be 'invincible.' The best thing to do in this case would be to focus on dealing damage (take a defensive stance to deal with the warriors that don't take Wild Blow) and let the healers play their role.

Putting points into Beast Mastery works wonders here, since it provides both the extra damage and skills from your pet, as well as a speed buff to get rid of the annoyingly infrequent hits your hammer makes. I personally like to use a hammer knockdown skill, followed by Bestial Mauling, followed by Irresistable Blow and Crushing Blow to interrupt any and all spells with a casting time greater than half a second.

In PvE you could use Predatory Bond to gain health every time your pet attacks, but I don't think it'll be much of a big deal. You can put points into wilderness survival there and be fine, especially if you're playing with a pick-up group.

Beat_Go_Stick · May 03, 2006, 11:19 PM // 23:19

Well, there IS a speed buff on there that has nothing to do with BM and a defensive stance (*chuckle* did you look at the build?

) but I guess I could remove Wilderness Survival and add a pet and a crippling pet attack instead...but with no way to heal my pet, it will likely die and I will be screwed. I'll try it but I've used pet builds without pet heals and the pet ALWAYS ends up dying sooner or later.

I know there is no invincible build (no need to treat this like a newbie tutorial

) but I've always found that a good versatile build will have at least a little safety built in. In a PuG, there's no real guarentee that the healers you get will be any good and in CA, there's no guarentee you will even get a healer. Sure, I often go into TA without a heal but CA? Never.

The main thing to actually notice on this build is that Lightning Reflexes is more or less 100% maintainable

K.Ichigo · May 03, 2006, 11:23 PM // 23:23

So you have 25% IAS 25% of the time. Weak.

audioaxes · May 03, 2006, 11:35 PM // 23:35

i dont think lightning + on your knees is worth doing when tigers fury does just fine

$hade. · May 03, 2006, 11:39 PM // 23:39

I think on your knees should be replaced with something else. It showws in your build you don't have any stances so why the point in losing all your adrenaline for nothing?

swordfisher · May 04, 2006, 01:27 AM // 01:27

Above poster is asleep.

I'd switch in Backbreaker for the painfully long KD. So, starting with BB, it looks like you'd go something like:

BB -> OYK! -> Lightning Reflexes -> crushing -> irresistable

This does have the advantage of spiking with the 33% IAS on, and reliably so. However, don't plan on having Lightning Reflexes up 100% of the time, or even half that- your lack of a runspeed boost will slow your adrenal gain, and barbed trap won't be able to make up for it except rarely. With all this said and done, it's second effect -as a defensive stance- is not so useful, because you'll only have it available after a knockdown.

Beat_Go_Stick · May 04, 2006, 10:20 PM // 22:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by swordfisher

Above poster is asleep.

I'd switch in Backbreaker for the painfully long KD. So, starting with BB, it looks like you'd go something like:

BB -> OYK! -> Lightning Reflexes -> crushing -> irresistable

This does have the advantage of spiking with the 33% IAS on, and reliably so. However, don't plan on having Lightning Reflexes up 100% of the time, or even half that- your lack of a runspeed boost will slow your adrenal gain, and barbed trap won't be able to make up for it except rarely. With all this said and done, it's second effect -as a defensive stance- is not so useful, because you'll only have it available after a knockdown.

I guess I figured 11 seconds of Lightning Reflexes would be enough time to charge up 7 adrenaline for Devastating Hammer...that's why I chose it for my elite. *shrug* Seems like nobody likes this idea...Ah well, either you'll try it or not

I ended up enjoying it quite a bit in Random Arena.

ump · May 24, 2006, 10:57 PM // 22:57

I like the idea and I was working on a very similar build (for PvP but will probably test it in PvE because I think it can be effective there also) that I have yet to test. Don't let other people discourage you from using it especially if they don't know how the build works but you have run it and found it effective (or at least enjoyable).

Expertise: 10+3+1=14
Hammer: 12
Wilderness: 8+1=9

1) Backbreaker
2) Crushing Blow
3) Irresistible Blow
4) Apply Poison
5) Dodge
6) Lightning Reflexes
7) On Your Knees!
8) Resurrection Signet

I plan on spamming Irresistible Blow as much as possible, use Crushing Blow whenever I have someone knocked-down. Backbreaker whenever possible or sink the adrenaline on On Your Knees!. Apply Poison provides additional pressure in the form of poison. On Your Knees! recharges Dodge and Lightning Reflexes, one which is a speed buff, the other is an attack buff, both double as limited protection as well. Alternate between Lightning Reflexes and Dodge similar to how PvP warriors use Frenzy and Sprint.