Curse

Lishy · Jun 30, 2009, 07:24 AM // 07:24

Lately I've been very interested and decided to make one.
However, after I got my max armor, a problem occurred to me:
What all-purpose insignias should I use?

So far I've created a spawning power 1+1 headpiece.
But I'm not sure what to do for the other armor pieces.
I've been thinking of using both +2 for communing and +2 for channeling with +1 for restoration and a +41 hp rune.

Now, for all-purpose PvE, it will make the ghost forge (+15 armor if under weapon spell) insignia useless because I won't always be playing spirit's strength.
And while survivor is tempting, the total HP it adds in the end doesn't make a huge difference.
Radient is also tempting, but I don't need the extra energy since I can manage mine very well.
Stalwart on the other hand actually looks very good for a variety of roles and gives me defense from most of the damage I would be taking, especially useful paired with my caster's set for defense against slashing dmg. But I'd like other's opinion on it.

Those are the inisgnias I've considered.

Cama_Camina · Jun 30, 2009, 08:50 AM // 08:50

Survivor is usually the best option with a Superior Vigor, or at least as high as you can afford. 40 more HP, plus 50 from Vigor can sometimes make a difference. It's really annoying for monks to have someone with low HP in their team.
I would suggest minor runes for a Rit. For a resto-based build it would be:
1+1 resto
1 channeling
1 spawning power
For a channeling build:
1+1 channeling
1 resto
1 spawning power

If using communing, take a 1+1 communing headpiece. Although I haven't figured the great use of communing yet.

Killamus · Jun 30, 2009, 09:01 AM // 09:01

Survivor. The AI goes after things with the least health. Which is why on my Warrior I run at 480 health, and all of her heroes run at 600+. As a rit, you don't want to be a primary target. Armor is nice, but as a rit you shouldn't be taking damage.

Wbrkr · Jun 30, 2009, 12:14 PM // 12:14

Ive never ever not used a sup rune in pve and see no reason to not. Even if you were the target(which is almost never) healing yourself for 10-15 more just seems more beneficial than the extra HP, most of the time you are standing at the back so doing more damage or healing more is much more useful.
Im not too keen on survivor insigs either for PVE i would go extra energy(again because you are at the back) or if you must damage mitigation(armor). All the extra hp helps with is to prevent you getting spiked before your monks can react, in pve enemys dont really spike and the frontliners are the ones getting attacked 99% of the time anyway.
Although i think the insigs dont make much of a difference as compared to the +3 rune.

Lyphen · Jun 30, 2009, 12:26 PM // 12:26

Radiant for high-energy communing spirit spamming builds, Survivor for anything else.

AngeliqueSynner · Jun 30, 2009, 12:36 PM // 12:36

I find often times in PvE that insignias don't really matter too much.
>__o¿
But I use stalwarts on my rit too.
So go with whatever tickles your fancy.
:]

Voodoo Rage · Jun 30, 2009, 03:13 PM // 15:13

It seems like Shaman's insignias are a no-brainer for me. I pretty much ALWAYS have 4-5 spirits up during a battle.

False Maria · Jul 07, 2009, 05:19 PM // 17:19

I usually use:

+1 on Headwrap with a Shaman sig
Survivor + Sup Vigor on Chest
Blessed + Vitae on Hands
Survivor + Vitae on Legs
Ghostforge + Vitae on Shoes

I never have problems with energy management (on a Rit? Ha!) so I don't even bother with Attunement and Radiant.

I understand that some folks like to use the same profession sigs on all pieces that would use them (i.e. all Shaman's) but I don't because it would not let me use different builds with that same armor.

Lyphen · Jul 07, 2009, 06:57 PM // 18:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by False Maria

I usually use:

+1 on Headwrap with a Shaman sig
Survivor + Sup Vigor on Chest
Blessed + Vitae on Hands
Survivor + Vitae on Legs
Ghostforge + Vitae on Shoes

I never have problems with energy management (on a Rit? Ha!) so I don't even bother with Attunement and Radiant.

I understand that some folks like to use the same profession sigs on all pieces that would use them (i.e. all Shaman's) but I don't because it would not let me use different builds with that same armor.

You do know that insignia's are local, correct? So you aren't getting +40 by being near a 3 spirit, affected by a weapon spell and enchanted.

So if you're more consistently using a great number of spirits, use Shaman's. Or if you're running Spirit's Strength, I suppose you could go with Ghost Forge.

But running with various insignia's is detrimental to your character's survivability and effectiveness. If you aren't using any weapon spells, and are instead using a "shaman-specific" build, you're only getting the armor benefit on your head, chest and legs.

http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Armor_rating

False Maria · Jul 07, 2009, 07:21 PM // 19:21

However, if I run a build that uses no spirits whatsoever, Shaman's is useless to me, but Ghostforge isn't. If I run a build that uses an enchantment and spirits, then Blessed and Shaman's are both useful.

Having only Shaman's or only Ghostforge or only Blessed seems the most detrimental to me.

Also, with so many Survivor and Vitae runes and a Sup Vigor rune, do you really think my survivability is in question? I'm always the last to die in a wipe, if I ever do. The Shaman's and Blessed runes are really there just for flavor.

Lyphen · Jul 07, 2009, 07:27 PM // 19:27

Well, I suppose if flavour is part of the equation, anything is viable.