Curse

Themis · Aug 30, 2006, 04:19 PM // 16:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valkyries

is Epidemic really worthwhile with only having one condition to spread? Its almost like you must use Ineptitude + Epidemic right away to make it worthwhile.

Exactly. In PvE, since Factions, enemies' AI has been modified. They'll try more-or-less to spike.

So, often you find yourself with 2-3 warriors or assasins after you (or another soft-target of your team, whoever is nearer). So Epidemic is (very)often a solution : it gives time to the rest of your team to finish-up soft targets.
Best example are Onis. With Epidemic they're not even a threat.

Another case : when there are 2-3 Rangers they're often near enough, when you cast Ineptitude+Epidemic on the one of the middle, they all get blinded. Same scenario.

That's why i ended up taking Ward against Melee : enemies are always packed up ! I NEVER felt the need of WaM before Factions...

Why Complicate instead of the Leech ? Well, i came to the conclusion that the recharge time was more an issue than energy management in PvE. But i have to admit that this conclusion depends a lot on my playing style : i rarely interrupt in PvE, but when i need interruption, then i'll probably need it more often than the Leech's recharge time...

EDIT: If you prefer MoP+IoP combo, then perhaps you should consider IoR as a cover hex : it has a fixed damage bundled in it, it's probably worthwhile considering. Main problem in this case, is that you become more of an hex-spammer, so Epidemic becomes contradictory with the build's philosophy. Try both and choose what fits better with your playing style.
In my case, i prefer preventing damage than inflicting (sometimes you can achieve both) : probably my first GW profession (prot monk) has influenced me a lot

Valkyries · Aug 30, 2006, 06:50 PM // 18:50

Ya thats very true. In factions they do tend to try and spike. I remember the first time I played it I Was shocked I went down to 3 warriors so fast. I was using a Caster based class (Ritualist actually) and they actually spiked me. I was seriously shocked!!

So I see the value in Epidemic... very good and you weren't the first person to suggest it either. Ill have to give it a try and see how it goes.

Ward Against Melee is also a nice addon for such cases. I think Ill also give that a shot and see how it goes.

I still think Leech > Than complicate... but its personal choice. I like to interupt and I hate the fact power drain can't interupt healing Sig or TU.

So Leech is a nice spell that does.

I also did think about IoR as a cover hex. The biggest problem I see is the length of the hex. It runs off pretty fast but if you time it right I think you could make it perfectly. Again Ill have to try it out. I just like the idea of IoP+MoP. Seems very nifty!

Thanks for the nice comments everyone... I think Ill be running what I had at the end of page 1. Something to that effect. Hope it works out great! Wish me luck! LOL

Lady Lozza · Sep 10, 2006, 12:55 AM // 00:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Themis

I find that Spirit of failure is a bit useless in PvE, due to its high casting time and the fact that enemies don't last long enough. So it rarely provides you more energy than what it costs, anyway. Except for blinded targets.
IoP is too dangerous in PvE, CP+IoR costs 5 more than IoP but they deal more damage and their damage is there and can't be removed. I don't see any advantage of MantraofP+IoP versus CP+IoR. Really, not a single one. Do you ?
Moreover, in Pve, teams often have a break (Monks/Eles need breaks), so energy is not a problem : inspiration is not really needed, imo.

I disagree. The idea of SoF is that you cast it on a target that is NOT going to go down quickly ie the one you AREN'T attacking. Since my mesmer played most of Cantha with henchies, this spell was fantastic for energy management, and it helped keep the henchies safe

HolyHawk · Sep 11, 2006, 05:01 AM // 05:01

I use this most of the time:

FC10, Illusion 16, Inspiration 10

Ineptitude [e]
Spirit of Failure
Images of Remorse
Conjure Phantasm
Phantom Pain
Distortion
Ether Feast
Ress / Optional skill for boss farm

Put failure in a melee fighter and ineptude him, he will be you energy powerhouse (assassins over warriors). As soon as failure recharges keep applying around and use distortion to avoid being hit while getting energy back (lose 1, gain 4). Use the degens keeping phantom pain last, so if it gets stripped, target is gifted with a deep wound. I like phantom pain over accumulated pain because it is also a degen spell and has a nice recharge. However, accumulated pain goes well with conjure nightmare.

Evilsod · Sep 11, 2006, 09:15 AM // 09:15

Not to mention that enemies are slightly too stupid to stop attacking you through walls. You can gain 15 energy in 2 seconds sometimes with 3 enemies attacking walls to try and hit you.

Extreme Measures · Sep 12, 2006, 04:03 AM // 04:03

Well I thought I would throw my 2 cents in. I have done every area of prophecies, including farming, and the only areas I have not been is to the UW, because after spending a week trying to get a group, spamming over chat LFG, I finally gave up. It was quite ridiculous to be honest. Other than that, Ive been everywhere, and the only place I had the problem was sorrows furnace with henchmen. My Illusion Mesmer is as follows.

Fast Casting = 10+1=11
Illusion 11+3 = 14 (Superior Rune of Illusion)
Inspiration 9+1 = 10
Also equipt with a Major Vigor Rune...

Why I dont have any further attributes is beyond me. Ive completed every quest in the game except sorrows, and sorrows does not give attrib points.

Im using Gorrels Staff, for +60 Health, +10 Energy, 11-20 Chaos Damage

I have almost 600 total Health, and 47 Energy.. Dont know how to get any more energy than I already have.. I could use more

I have 2 sets of skills that I use, depending what area I am in.

Energy Tap
Energy Drain (Elite)
Etherfeast
Inspired Hex (must have)
Imagined Burdon
Conjure Phantasm
Clumsiness
Phantom Pain

Set 2

Matra Of Recovery (Elite)
Energy Tap
Etherfeast
Inspired Hex
Conjure Phantasm
Clumsiness
Phantom Pain
Conjure Nightmare

With these 2 setups, you can farm several good areas, but the best part is when you are running quests or missions with groups. You can absolutly degenerate all the health out of the enemies.
This works well with me, either when farming, or working with groups or henchies.... And with my health up around 600, I rarely die.
And as I said, the only problem I am having is trying to do Sorrows quest Orozars Noble Intentions. Very difficult with hencihes... as you have to carry Orozars brother, and the gear, both at the same time which you cannot do unless you are in a group. Hencies dont work...
Other than that, this is a very nice setup. I only wish I knew where to get my last attribute points.... There is supposed to be some other quest, but Ive done them all up to factions.

Hope this helps..... Im working on an interchangable Monk right now, healing and a 55hp farming one that can change back and forth.... also, an Elementist starting at the beginning of factions... After those, I will be making an Assasian/Ranger character...

Extreme Measures · Sep 12, 2006, 04:06 AM // 04:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robin_Anadri

I like Mantra of Persistence + Illusion of Pain. Laying -10 degen on with one cast is nifty. Sure, they get health back if they survive the duration... so make sure they don't survive the duration.

Where can I find Illusion of Pain ???

Cherno · Sep 18, 2006, 05:23 PM // 17:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Extreme Measures

Why I dont have any further attributes is beyond me. Ive completed every quest in the game except sorrows, and sorrows does not give attrib points.

Did you do both 15 attribute quests?

A note on SoF. While not optimal, I find it is effective on casters as well, especially warden casters as they will not cast spam as much as the jade mages do. They wouldn't be my first target, but not bad to put on them so it works on both types. That's why I stopped bringing Backfire, as Empathy worked well against the casters as well if needed and opened me up for another skill.