Curse

-Makai- · Feb 26, 2010, 10:13 AM // 10:13

We just got some new toys. Let's cook up some templates.

Here's a nasty spike build I've been messing around with. It deals a substantial AoE spike if executed correctly:

12 + 1 + 1 Channeling
12 + 1 Spawning Power

Usage is fairly straightforward. Use GoLE followed by DwG, position Destruction (best behind a minion wall or allied spirits) and wait 5-6 seconds. Then start the combo with A-Rage on Destruction, followed by Rupture Soul. Party support or dropping DwG should finish stragglers. Obviously you'll want to be in a position with as little interruption as possible.

Spirit Rift is in there to mix things up by adding more damage + Cracked Armor. However, Weaken Armor from a friendly Necro would also work. Suggested optional skills are Splinter/GDW, Spirit Boon Strike to heal Destruction if need be, or better yet, Summon Spirits to safely transport Destruction into the fray. Swap GoLE for Spirit Siphon and throw in another spirit, such as Vampirism, for another way to manage energy.

A point of interest in DwG: it will not trigger additional damage from Destruction or A-Rage, but will work nicely with Rupture Soul.

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The new Ritual Lord allows us to maintain defensive spirits for a long time. I haven't fully tested this yet, but this seems a very efficient way to mitigate damage:

12 + 1 + 1 Communing
12 + 1 Spawning Power

Pretty straightforward here. Dulled Weapon is added to give the spirits a tiny bit of breathing room.

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So, any other fun combinations to mess with?

Lhim · Feb 26, 2010, 11:32 AM // 11:32

Too bad I can't log in for now to try some new stuff, but maybe it would be nice to fit Earthbind in the Ritual Lord build for all the hammer warriors probably running around. And maybe add Armor of the Unfeeling to extend the lifespan of those defensive spirits.

Luminarus · Feb 26, 2010, 11:54 AM // 11:54

I havent tried it yet, but my first opinion was that Soul Twisting was stronger than ritual lord... instant recharge and cheap... yet only 3 (or was it 4) per 15 seconds...

Possibly use with QZ to spam the hell out of like shelter/union/shadowsong/displacement.

Downside is QZ kills teams energy...

Pirate Felix · Feb 26, 2010, 11:57 AM // 11:57

Second bar: AoU

Lhim · Feb 26, 2010, 12:03 PM // 12:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luminarus

I havent tried it yet, but my first opinion was that Soul Twisting was stronger than ritual lord... instant recharge and cheap... yet only 3 (or was it 4) per 15 seconds...

The instant recharge is for 3 spirits. The other good thing about Soul Twisting is that is reduces the energy cost. However, Ritual Lord will add 4 attribute points (@ 12+ SP) and so your spirits will have higher levels. But I'm not sure which elite would be better; Ritual Lord with higher level spirits so they won't die as fast as those from Soul Twisting. Or Soul Twisting with instant recharge and some form of built in "energy management".

Silicon Based · Feb 26, 2010, 12:20 PM // 12:20

Spirit spam still quite possible for Rt/any UW solo farm using this:

template: OACjAuiLJSBTfTlTnNRb+gVTMTA

spawning 8+3+1 (or for shorter spirit recharge 11+3+1)
channeling 11 (or 10+1)
communing 11 (or 10+1)

ritual lord {e}
pain
bloodsong
shadowsong
anguish
vampirism
painfull bond
spirit siphon (or boon of creation)

usage: rit lord > spirit > rit lord > spirit etc

spirit level jumps 3 levels and about +5 damage per spirit (except vampirism) spirit HP and armor also increase, no need for armor of unfeeling.
No need for summon spirit either just replace your spirit.

Build can probably be improved, suggestions welcome, but Rt ecto farming is still very much doable.

On second though, after trying this build and comparing to the post-nerf sos build, the SoS build works actually better

Arctica · Feb 26, 2010, 12:24 PM // 12:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lhim

The instant recharge is for 3 spirits. The other good thing about Soul Twisting is that is reduces the energy cost. However, Ritual Lord will add 4 attribute points (@ 12+ SP) and so your spirits will have higher levels. But I'm not sure which elite would be better; Ritual Lord with higher level spirits so they won't die as fast as those from Soul Twisting. Or Soul Twisting with instant recharge and some form of built in "energy management".

Yeah, it is not easy to decide as both are promising.

I think it would be better to use Soul Twisting with defensive spirits, as they would die fast anyway, and use Ritual Lord for offensive spirits to boost their firepower.

Anyway, I guess I need to check out both and decide which one I like better.

Which I will do, when i get home.

Xion Air · Feb 26, 2010, 12:31 PM // 12:31

This is just an epic win. Finally spawning power is something I'll use XD just trying it out now, it's fun. The spirits are HUGE too! Created a Life spirit then destroyed it with spirit to flesh with 16 spawning power, healed allies for more than 300+ I think it's possible to do 420 or something total, and the faster the spirits recharge, the more you can spam heal your party. Use in combination with Boon of creation to cancel out the health cost (even though it's hardly anything) of Rit Lord, and gain +6 energy per spirit you make. Byebye channeling, it's spawning power for me from now on :O

Edit: Just healed my heroes for 481 HP! Used:

Boon of Creation
Protective Was Kaolai
Ritual Lord
Life
Spirit to Flesh

I waited till the 18th or 19th second to destroy Life and drop ashes at the same time, it was epic XD also works in Fort Aspenwood - though spirits take longer to cast and Protective Was Kaolai only lasts 18 seconds (25 second recharge) but it could sync well I guess. Need some offensive spells though for killing the luxons at the amber mines.

Sethellington · Feb 26, 2010, 01:40 PM // 13:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luminarus

I havent tried it yet, but my first opinion was that Soul Twisting was stronger than ritual lord... instant recharge and cheap... yet only 3 (or was it 4) per 15 seconds...

Possibly use with QZ to spam the hell out of like shelter/union/shadowsong/displacement.

Downside is QZ kills teams energy...

Could go /R and take Serpent's quickness? Or stay Rt and take Ghostly Haste?

asb · Feb 26, 2010, 02:59 PM // 14:59

After hanging out in Doomlore yesterday for some laughs, I got into a CoF HM pug.

I was rolling ST communing spirit spammer, and we breezed through that sad excuse for a dungeon like nothing. I found that chaining spirits is more effective than precasting them all(duh :P). I had a fun time with that build. I'd recommend some changes to it for slavers or... frostmaws maybe, but otherwise, the damage migration is pretty awesome. For energy management, I brought boon of creation and spirit [email protected] I had no probs at all, except for the occasional interrupt.

I packed GDW for some additional KD, but it turned out I was too busy casting most of the time. Murakai went down in about 40 secs. I really want to vanquish some eotn charr areas soon, as I find them to be the most difficult enemies, apart from slavers dwarfs.

Vengeful Spirit · Feb 26, 2010, 03:36 PM // 15:36

I'm real excited to get on and test a few new builds the defensive one looks pretty fun to mess around with from a support angle

Revolutionen · Feb 26, 2010, 03:54 PM // 15:54

the seeping wound build everyones running in ra is so overpowered .. impossible to monk ;/ even with armor of sanctity

MasterSasori · Feb 26, 2010, 05:19 PM // 17:19

A build to try out:

Communing 12+1+3
Spawning Power 11+1
Something for 6 or go Spawning Power 12+1

Soul Twisting
AoU
Shelter
Union
Displacement
Spirit to Flesh or Emanagement, preferably Emanagement
Summon Spirits
Great Dwarf Weapon

Soul Twisting and AoU with Shelter, Union, and Displacement is just sick - High spawning, 1/2 damage, 100 hp heal and movement, immune to crits, and in the chance it does die, you have another instantly. This build is win; I thought AP was awesome with Communing prot spirits, but this looks much better.

You could try Siphon Spirit and raise channel a bit to lower spawning. Soul Twisting is so fast that 2 won't matter and AoU, spirits ain't dying soon. SS is probably the most broken energy mechanic next to Soul Reaping. I'm very surprised that this skill was not nerfed by Anet.

Moonlit Azure · Feb 26, 2010, 05:30 PM // 17:30

I got a lot of nice wins in RA with this build:

Ritual Lord
Agony
Bloodsong
Pain
Renewing Surge
Binding Chains
Gaze From Beyond
Res

If done right, I can constantly maintain agony. Also, Gaze From Beyond is a HUGE help to the team, along with binding chains.

I prefer Soul Twisting for spirits with a 45+ recharge and those that die easily.

masterjer1 · Feb 26, 2010, 06:07 PM // 18:07

AoU? Please clarify.

Painbringer · Feb 26, 2010, 06:46 PM // 18:46

Lets put it this way Splinter Weapon at level 20 on a PVE ranger OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUCH

I ran some nasty Rit Lord Channeling combos Cruel Was Daoshen was a nice one the length of it out lasts the recharge of Rit lord so you can prime the pump for a PVP and be ready to do it again

Lamentation verdict still but out I do like being able to degenerate

Study needed = Channeled Strike with rit lord +4 max, head runes, and Cons

How high can you get damage wise? (wiki goes to 21)

spirit of defeat · Feb 26, 2010, 07:47 PM // 19:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sante_Kelm

The new Ritual Lord allows us to maintain defensive spirits for a long time. I haven't fully tested this yet, but this seems a very efficient way to mitigate damage:

12 + 1 + 1 Communing
12 + 1 Spawning Power

Pretty straightforward here. Dulled Weapon is added to give the spirits a tiny bit of breathing room.

Why not use Armor of unfeeling?
and isn't soul twisting a better idea?

Axel Zinfandel · Feb 26, 2010, 09:36 PM // 21:36

The biggest downside of Soul Twisting seems to be it's recharge, and since it's a skill, it can't be modified very easily (no Ghostly Haste, sorry). I can imagine there would be times where Soul Twisting is still recharging, and Displacement and Shelter are dead. Overall though, seems a bit more effective then Ritual Lord for defensive spirits.

Doing the math though Ritual Lord does make spirits have a hell of a lot more health, but it only adds up to a few more hits for defensive spirits. It's probably better off used with offensive spirits.

-Makai- · Feb 26, 2010, 10:21 PM // 22:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pirate Felix

Second bar: AoU

Quote:

Originally Posted by spirit of defeat

Why not use Armor of unfeeling?
and isn't soul twisting a better idea?

D'oh! In all my excitement to try out new combos, I totally neglected our dear friend AoU. Yeah, Dulled Weapon is a poor substitute for it (especially in terms of cost and MwV canceling out hct/hsr).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axel Zinfandel

The biggest downside of Soul Twisting seems to be it's recharge, and since it's a skill, it can't be modified very easily (no Ghostly Haste, sorry). I can imagine there would be times where Soul Twisting is still recharging, and Displacement and Shelter are dead. Overall though, seems a bit more effective then Ritual Lord for defensive spirits.

Doing the math though Ritual Lord does make spirits have a hell of a lot more health, but it only adds up to a few more hits for defensive spirits. It's probably better off used with offensive spirits.

After reading a few posts on Soul Twisting > Ritual Lord and doing some testing, I completely agree, at least for a defensive build. Also, just for kicks, I'm wondering how 16 Channeling + Ritual Lord + Candy Corn + Splinter Weapon would fare.

*calls forth the "It's just PvE argument"*

Quote:

Originally Posted by Painbringer

Lets put it this way Splinter Weapon at level 20 on a PVE ranger OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUCH

I need to start waiting at least an hour after waking up to reply.

AndroBubbles · Feb 26, 2010, 11:14 PM // 23:14

I just use 12+1+1 communing and 12+1 spawning.

Shelter, Union, Displacement, AoU, Draw Spirits, Signet of Creation, Boon of Creation and ST.

You can pop the spirits and prot them with AoU before a fight, then have them ready to cast again when they die. Also, Signet of Creation allows for constant spam. With that bar I never run out of energy.