Curse

Skazi · Nov 09, 2010, 12:54 PM // 12:54

Hey. Just recently got back to guildwars after a major break, a couple of years or so.
I'm setting up my ritualist to solo UW and i'll be using these skills;

blood song - pain - signet of spirits - shadow song - armor of unfeeling - summon spirits - painful bond.

Been reading a couple of threads and apparently this is the way to go.
My only concern is that this build should also consist of the skill called "Vampirism". Thing is i only own prophecies and factions, thus making it impossible for me to acquire this skill.

Is there any other skill i could use instead of this Vampirism one?

Thanks!

The New Bp · Nov 09, 2010, 02:00 PM // 14:00

The only one I can suggest would be Disenchantment, Unless u want to bring a self heal because Vampirism is your only form of heal.

Loki Seiguro · Nov 09, 2010, 02:03 PM // 14:03

Vamp spirit is only for dmg and healing..you could always find another spirit to sub in.

bsoltan · Nov 09, 2010, 02:03 PM // 14:03

Vampirism provides damage and healing so you'll miss out on both of those things.

You might want to take a self heal.

For damange: Unfortunately Anguish is NF and Agony is EotN, there is Dissonance, but it is very high energy.

Otherwise experiment with what you've got as some support skills may work better than others.

SpyderArachnid · Nov 09, 2010, 05:37 PM // 17:37

I'd suggest removing Summon Spirits as you will be pulling mobs with Painful Bond and then running behind your spirit wall that you make.

That would give you an extra spot for either Mend Body & Soul (self heals & condition removal all in one), or maybe another spirit if you can find it.

Edit: nvm realized you only had seven up there, my mistake. If any case, bring Mend Body & Soul, and replace Summon Spirits with a hex removal. Just incase of Ignorance.

Not sure how far you'll go without Spiritleech Aura though. Not having a spirit heal kinda weakens the build tremendously.

belladonna shylock · Nov 09, 2010, 11:01 PM // 23:01

you'll find most everyone will have a different skill for 8th slot. I myself use vamp in place of shadowsong and restful breeze in #8. I run the build differently at times. Sometimes i use you move like a dwarf instead of painful bond, since some things in the UW have an anti-hex skill.

following spirit · Nov 10, 2010, 09:57 AM // 09:57

i use Vampirism as a holding spirit, it seems to hold aatax's etc quite well so the other spirits can do damage, none of the other spirits except pain seems to hold up quite aswell, i use the same build as you with vamp and have cleared most of the areas, with carefull pulling and positioning of spirits (its not fast but i enjoy it

).
Just experiment.
Have u tried Boon of creation, by using this your energy should never get low and it can be used for a heal of 87 and 12e(spawning 8) just by using signet of spirits.

Necromas · Nov 10, 2010, 05:09 PM // 17:09

Vampirism (and bloodsong) also does NOT have it's damage reduced by spiritleech aura since it's technically not damage but life stealing. So if you have spiritleech aura up it will do more damage than normal spirits (bloodsong and anguish can beat it though). Note spiritleech aura is an EotN skill.

Like bloodsong, it tanks well, since it heals itself whenever it hits and if you have a high sunspear rank it will be your highest level spirit and thus have the most HP/Armor.

It's not necessary to farm UW, but if you can take it, do. For the OP I'd suggest disenchantment just because all the better options require nightfall/EotN.

Xx Citrus Spike Xx · Nov 10, 2010, 05:37 PM // 17:37

Don`t worry about self heal for yourself, you shouldn`t be in the postion of selfhealing if you are your doing it wrong also @ following spirit no spirits can actually hold aatax`s it`s shadowsong that keeps them blind that stops your spirits from getting wiped in a few hits, but alot of peeps make the mistake in uw of sputting up spirits then pulling enemies , thats a bad move because if for some reason your spirits get wiped maybe cos they too close together ( need to spread them ) then your left with a bar full of still recharging spirits, a good tip is too set up spirits then hang 10-20 secs drop shadowsong just before pulling then when they start dying which they will you have fresh ones to pop up, don`t drop sos for anything , sos with spirit leech can tank the grasps easy, as for disenchantment thats not a bad choice. Make use of consumable sweets also if you have any from halloween they can make it so much easier , sweet title too then.

Asrai · Nov 11, 2010, 10:40 PM // 22:40

Vamp is for dmg and healing like everyone already said. I also only have factions and prof, so I had to make the same decision. My sec is monk so I put healing breeze in the last slot. If you get tapped once or twice or get an AOE cast on your little spirit party, the heal will pull your health back to normal...but if the mob really likes you, nothing is going to save you except out running them and being lucky enough to get off SoS to get their attention off of you while you go hide

Even if your spirits are still alive, cast new ones as soon as the skill refreshes while in a fight so they dont expire... and try to keep yourself hidden inside the spirits and avoid aggro if you can help it. I've solo'ed the lower portion and first quest so far. Have not tried anything beyond that yet.

Kranas · Nov 12, 2010, 09:32 AM // 09:32

If you're gimping yourself abit by not having EOTN or Nightfall you can still farm underworld as you have what are pretty much the core requirements...It might just be alittle bit slower. Also you can mix it up even with all campaigns more then you think and still be effective...For example replacing shadowsong with black powder mine (noting that black powder mine is an EOTN skill).

Also Vamp is more for a solid spirit and damage rather than healing you. If you're doing it right the only damage you should be taking is from skeles splinter shower and the occasional grasping that wont stop attacking you (using your spirits as a bodyblock usually gets them to give up) and unless you're lazy these won't kill you.

FyrFytr998 · Nov 14, 2010, 08:03 PM // 20:03

Why gimp yourself at all? If you shop around you can find both expansions for relatively cheap. You would get all the skills, heroes, and content. Christmas is just an month away you know?

Skazi · Nov 19, 2010, 12:24 AM // 00:24

thanks everyone, i managed to find a build which im settled with and works just fine.
smites are still a pain in the ass though

guess patience is the key there

Asrai · Nov 22, 2010, 08:52 PM // 20:52

I've run exclusively with a signet of spirits build and I can clear the chamber, but the smiting crawlers remain a real problem for me. I have read that a Rt/Me running a Vengeful Was Khanhei / Arcane echo build can handle them pretty easily, but I have yet to switch to a Me secondary to try it.... what build are you running against the smites ?

zacharias · Nov 22, 2010, 09:04 PM // 21:04

Disenchantment makes the smites much easier, but obviously you would need to give up something, which for me would be a heal skill.

**Marty Silverblade** · Nov 22, 2010, 09:43 PM // 21:43

You don't need to change your build for Smites, you just need to think when using the build. Smites have Zealot's Fire. Thus, don't ball up your spirits or they'll all be killed at once. Spread them out so when one of them dies you can recast it. It takes a little more effort but it's possible (mobs of 5+ smites probably isn't worth it though).

Ghull Ka · Nov 22, 2010, 10:04 PM // 22:04

Spirit Boon Strike can keep your spirits healed and give you a way to help kill a target. Otherwise, I say just bring a self heal for times when something hits you in the face.

And because I like suggesting that people send ANet money, I'd also say: Just go buy Nightfall and Eye of the North, man... they're cheeeeap these days and it's good content. And you'll be able to participate in all the different facets of the game if you do. Think about it!

Asrai · Nov 23, 2010, 03:36 PM // 15:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marty Silverblade

You don't need to change your build for Smites, you just need to think when using the build. Smites have Zealot's Fire. Thus, don't ball up your spirits or they'll all be killed at once. Spread them out so when one of them dies you can recast it. It takes a little more effort but it's possible (mobs of 5+ smites probably isn't worth it though).

I do, but they are still difficult in large groups, which is the only way I have encountered them so far. The only way I have been able to kill them is to finally get them spread out a bit by being on their aggro margin (one step up they come after me, one step back they retreat) Spread out my spirits and get lucky enough to have the majority of spirits target the same crawler. Singles or small numbers are not a problem, but 5 of them is tricky business.

Delete HB Already · Nov 27, 2010, 10:45 PM // 22:45

I run SoS, vampirism, blood song, shadow song, pain, spiritleech aura, armor of unfeeling, and spirit boon strike when soloing uw in nm. I used to use painful bond cause it helped for aatxe and behemoths but it doesn't work in chaos planes which I feel is the best area to farm. This build I believe cannot do smites but I still believe thy chaos planes is more effective.

The Only Warrior · Apr 09, 2011, 11:40 PM // 23:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsoltan

Vampirism provides damage and healing so you'll miss out on both of those things.

You might want to take a self heal.

For damange: Unfortunately Anguish is NF and Agony is EotN, there is Dissonance, but it is very high energy.

Otherwise experiment with what you've got as some support skills may work better than others.

listen to this man, without a self heal you're walking into a slaughter, or a 50min run playing like a chicken. you could just bring Boon of Creation, your spirit wall will be a little weak is all.