Curse

Shady Wolf · Mar 29, 2009, 07:54 PM // 19:54

Hello, all,

I'd like to ask a few questions on how degen stacks from various spells, and then get some advice on what an interesting degen moveset might be. First, my initial plan for the moveset:

[Signet of Illusions], [Conjure Nightmare], [Ether Nightmare], [Life Siphon], [Soul Barbs], [Resurrection Signet], [Signet of Lost Souls], [Leech Signet]

The above is my basis, but I need a bit more. What I've been considering: [Phantom Pain], [Suffering], [Conjure Phantasm], [Ether Lord], [Consume Corpse]

I know that there are many more, so any suggestions would be good.

My question is as such: of the degen that I listed, what stacks and what replaces other degen? For example, will both the Conjures give the foe -13 HP degen, or is the best that I can do -11 with both Suffering and Conjure Nightmare?

Also, is using Sig of Illusions going to work the way that I expect (that is, essentially giving me 12 in Necro and Mesmer skills for 2-3 skills)?

beagle warrior · Mar 29, 2009, 08:09 PM // 20:09

all ur degeneration will stack but degeneration caps at 10

and as far as sig of illusions, it only affects SPELLS so it wouldnt change ur attributes for sig of lost souls or leech sig

MagmaRed · Mar 29, 2009, 08:51 PM // 20:51

Degen doesn't kill things unless you are in low level areas or have a lot of time to wait and the monsters don't heal. As mentioned, degen/regen has a cap of +/-10. Make the degen you use provide something useful. In PvE, pressure won't do much, as monsters rarely have energy problems even when spamming skills. Skills that have degen, but provide a utility can work well. For example, you listed Life Siphon. Degen from it isn't huge, but it provides some self healing. Skills like Phantom Pain provide nice degen, but even better is it also provides Deep Wound. Or look at an elite like Migraine. Degen is there, but the nice thing about Migraine is the spell casting effect it has on the target.

I'd consider dropping degen as the focus of your build, and look for utility that various degen skills can provide.

Boneyard Spleeneater · Mar 29, 2009, 10:21 PM // 22:21

I agree with MagmaRed. Degen is icing on the cake. AOE degen is also nice because it puts pressure on the healers; while they are cleaning up minor damage/hexes, you can lay your spike and pick of stragglers.

Overall, the time and energy you have to put into degen just doesn't pay off. At 10 pips, you are doing 20 pts/sec of damage. If they have Either Feast (for example, cos I was having issues with experimental HM Mes farming builds against Vaettirs), they can (assuming 12 in Insp.) recieve 168 Health every 9 seconds from Ether Feast, or about 19 pts/sec of healing. They do that for a cost of 1/2 E per second, which is much less than you could ever spend to put down 10 pips.

So, overall, I think degen can be useful, but should never be relied upon as a primary damage source.

Shady Wolf · Mar 29, 2009, 10:27 PM // 22:27

Thanks for the advice, it's really appreciated.

I think that I would like to use [Signet of Illusions] as the basis of my moveset. That said, what are some more amusing applications of this move in the PVE world? Currently, I'm stuck with Necro secondary, but any profession advice would be appreciated. Thanks again.

Zodiac Meteor · Mar 30, 2009, 02:31 AM // 02:31

Wow, I made a video a few days about this problem.

Regen/degen yes, it is a series.

MagmaRed · Mar 30, 2009, 03:51 AM // 03:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shady Wolf

Thanks for the advice, it's really appreciated.

I think that I would like to use [Signet of Illusions] as the basis of my moveset. That said, what are some more amusing applications of this move in the PVE world? Currently, I'm stuck with Necro secondary, but any profession advice would be appreciated. Thanks again.

Sig of Illusions shines with several options. In PvE, it is increased as there are a lot of PvE only SPELLS. Consider some of these skills:

[arcane thievery][arcane larceny][inspired hex][inspired enchantment][revealed hex][revealed enchantment][arcane mimicry]

[summon ruby djinn][summon mursaat][summon ice imp][summon naga shaman][pain inverter][ebon vanguard assassin support][ebon vanguard sniper support][technobabble][necrosis]

trankle · Mar 30, 2009, 03:51 PM // 15:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zodiac Meteor

Wow, I made a video a few days about this problem.

Regen/degen yes, it is a series.

FYI, Deep Wound will not take 200hp off of a foe with 100hp. It is capped at 100hp.