Curse

Ben-A-BoO · Apr 23, 2008, 12:36 PM // 12:36

You are tired of spamming [[Barrage]?
You like pets but can't find a purpose for them in HM?
Then this might be something for you.

A PvE Thumper
[build prof=R/W name="PvE Thumper" hammer=11 expertise=10+2 Beast=10+1+1][Hammer Bash][Crushing Blow][Ferocious Strike][I Am The Strongest][Great Dwarf Weapon][Never Rampage Alone][Comfort Animal][Charm Animal][/build]

Usage
Take a Hammer and go go go. Use damage buffs as available. Cast Great Dwarf Weapon on your Pet (before you get aggro, especially if there are interrupters in the group). [[Never Rampage Alone] is like the l33t ranger mending

(okay, okay I know you love [[Troll Unguent] but just forget that for a moment).

Other PvE-Only skills to consider
[a touch of guile] for [[I Am The Strongest]
[club of a thousand bears]
[Brawling Headbutt] for [[Hammer Bash] & one of the other pve-only skills

... and anything really that you like to fiddle around with ... watch your e-management though.

Word of warning

- This is by no means a cookie cutter build, but it works and I had great fun with it. DPS is still respectable. Knock Down is superior shut down.
- This is mainly for you and your Hero / Henchmen (Sab's Hero builds work great with this, especially the [[Weapon of Fury] N/Rt healer. Turns PvE into the old HA Heroway Meta lol.).
- It contains PvE-only skills from three different Title Tracks, which makes it less attractive for newcomers and grind haters.

Have fun with the game.

ajc2123 · Apr 23, 2008, 01:16 PM // 13:16

Never thought of putting that weapon spell on a pet O_o good idea

KZaske · Apr 23, 2008, 01:57 PM // 13:57

Interesting possibliities.

zling · Apr 23, 2008, 02:57 PM // 14:57

a very nice thumper adjustment for PvE. for people not comfortable with the 0 self healing perhaps switch Ferocious Strike with a non elite attack and switch out Comfort Animal for Heal as One.

too bad I cant test this build as I dont have EotN :\

ajc2123 · Apr 23, 2008, 03:00 PM // 15:00

Quick note though. KD doesn't always pwn Shutdown, since in PvE there are a good amount of mobs who can't be knocked down.

Taisayacho · Apr 23, 2008, 03:01 PM // 15:01

looks good, I'll have to give this a shot. I have considered using GDW on my pet before but never got around to it

jiggles · Apr 23, 2008, 03:47 PM // 15:47

have a guildie whos been running this for a while, it works

Ben-A-BoO · Apr 23, 2008, 03:54 PM // 15:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajc2123

Quick note though. KD doesn't always pwn Shutdown, since in PvE there are a good amount of mobs who can't be knocked down.

Hahaha, yeah thats true but they aren't that many. I also had a nice encounter with corsair Monks using [[Balthazar's Pendulum]

But even a Thumper unfriendly environment like Issnur Isles HM ([[Balthazar's Pendulum], [[Soothing Images] & [[Crippling Anguish]) wasn't a put off or disturbing. After all Sab's Heroes do an awesome job in HM and I am just happy that I finally found a build that works with a pet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jiggles

have a guildie whos been running this for a while, it works

Sweet! Good to know I am not the only one who thinks a real build needs a pet and a hammer

And remember:
Tekk: "If it isn't yellow, hit it until it stops moving... then hit it again to be sure."

shru · Apr 23, 2008, 04:35 PM // 16:35

R/W stance hammer > R/W bunny thumper in PvE
[earth shaker][crude swing][whirlwind attack][you move like a dwarf][on your knees][lightning reflexes][dwarven stability][resurrection signet]
AoE damage is too usefull, and LR+"OYK" makes for stellar defense and offense. "YMLaD" and whirlwind attack are realy optional slots, so you could fit in alot of other skills there.
But if you're truely bent on bringing a pet, this could work.

AshenX · Apr 23, 2008, 05:44 PM // 17:44

Great Dwarf Weapon on your pet!!! I feel like an idiot for not doing it before. Thanks!

Adja1005 · Apr 23, 2008, 06:30 PM // 18:30

A full Beast Master group of Rangers can be highly effective in HM. Especially if running 2 R/P, 2 R/Rt with Barrage and 2 R/W one going thumper and the other going chopper (using an axe) aswell as 2 hero monks. Everyone brings a pet as either a tank or meat shield and casting GDW on your pet is a brilliant way to utilise this skill and buff your pet even more. Infact i'd say if your having trouble deciding on which pet attacks to take then just ignore them and utilise GDW instead.

[skill]Never Rampage Alone[/skill] is a great skill to use if you have it available to you. The combination of an IAS + Self/Pet Heal all in the one slot makes it a must have for any beast master in my opinion. It's also easily kept up if you utilise adrenaline for your attacks and save energy for pet skills.

I usually go R/P when going as a beast master just because i prefer to stay out of the front lines and let my pet take the aggro. However i may just try out this thumper build and see how i like it.

KIDGOOCH · Apr 23, 2008, 06:42 PM // 18:42

This looks like so much fun I can't wait to get home!!!

the ruloes · Apr 23, 2008, 07:15 PM // 19:15

I can't see why you're not packing [bestial mauling]. Last time I played against a thumper, the [hammer bash] + [bestial mauling] was a killer combo, that got me dazed before I even knew I was knocked down.

Daze is one of the most powerful conditions in the game (even more so when you're guaranteed to have a hammer + pet thumping), and not bringing a skill that lets you easily supply that is just... well, silly!

I'd swap [ferocious strike] with [bestial mauling], then replace [comfort animal] with [heal as one]

Ben-A-BoO · Apr 24, 2008, 03:13 AM // 03:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by shru

But if you're truely bent on bringing a pet, this could work.

Hey, thanks for sharing that build. Looks great and I love [[lightning reflexes] and [[dwarven stability], though as you said ... It's all about the pet lovers out there ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by the ruloes

I can't see why you're not packing [bestial mauling].

The problem with [[bestial mauling] is that it is still very conditional. You have to sync it with your pet attack cycle. The multiple knock downs have supplied me up to now with enough shut down. Remember this is not PvP.

Quote:

Originally Posted by the ruloes

I'd swap [ferocious strike] with [bestial mauling], then replace [comfort animal] with [heal as one]

Yeah great, feel free to play around with the build. It is by no means "finished' if you find something working better for you do so and let us now if it cuts the cookie

However, I don't see the need for a strong self heal like [[heal as one] in pve. Thats what I have my heroes for, and they do a good job on healing the pet as well.
The second thing is that [[ferocious strike] fuels [[great dwarf weapon] since it is not affected by expertise and therefore a energy burden on your bar.

FoxBat · Apr 24, 2008, 03:29 AM // 03:29

Thumping/scything/even daggering is how I did most of my PvE. Mostly because I hate Barrage. You'd think this was a new idea the way people are responding... maybe if they could see that a non-elite [skill]Rampage As One[/skill] for half the price is, in fact, good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shru

AoE damage is too usefull

It's not like you can't stick AoE attacks on a thumper bar. Basically you trade ~10 pet DPS (and maybe some pet attack/ability) for 75% blocking. Depends greatly on where you are going.

shru · Apr 24, 2008, 03:51 AM // 03:51

I'm not sure why everyone feels the need to "barrage or nothing" when it comes to bow rangers. You don't have to look to outside profession's weapons for alternatives to barrage, take a look around and you'll find hundreds of viable replacements. IDK, but it's just the way people are talking in this thread, you'd think barrage was the only elite bow attack in the game.

Orange Milk · Apr 24, 2008, 12:52 PM // 12:52

I must agree with the above posters who smacked themselves in the forehead for not thinking about GDW on their pet, I think I did it like 6 times reading this thread.

I had great fun messing around with variations of this build last night.

I don't PvE much but when I do I refuse to Ursan, But I think this build bacially turns your pet into the same thing, minus the roar. He has spamable Bonus Damage and KD abilities (thru GDW) all on his own.

Too bad Pet Controls suck.

I may drop the hammer and just stand back D-Shoting stuff and let Fur Ball do all the work.

lennymon · Apr 25, 2008, 09:11 PM // 21:11

If you all are finding Never rampage alone to be not enough, just swap it for predatory bond... there's no reason heal as one should EVER be on a thumper bar in my opinion. Personally I've always had a lot of fun with Earthshaker and Crude swing as attack skills as well. Something else to play with ;P

Orange Milk · Apr 28, 2008, 02:35 PM // 14:35

had a blast this weekend funning around with variations of this build

Did some vanquishing with some folks who all wanted to Ursan, I don't but like I said before, Your Pet is like a mini Ursan with GDW.

I ran this, plus a Hammer for fun:

[skill]Never Rampage Alone[/skill][skill]Great Dwarf Weapon[/skill][skill]Ferocious Strike[/skill][skill]Predator's Pounce[/skill][skill]Brutal Strike[/skill][skill]Charm Animal[/skill][skill]Comfort Animal[/skill][skill]Resurrection Signet[/skill]

I found it easier to target with my pet while in melee over useing a bow that's why I had a hammer. Pet controls are bad though, if you don't keep your pet locked on a target sometimes he justs stands there next to you.

Age · Apr 29, 2008, 09:33 PM // 21:33

I don't have Bunny Thumper I have Thumper no pet.

My bar R/W

[counter blow][irresistible blow][devastating hammer][troll urgent][apply poison][lighting reflexes][resurrection signet] I could swap lighting reflexes for frenzy.