Curse

_Nihilist_ · Mar 12, 2009, 01:35 AM // 01:35

So I did a Search on the Warrior Forum and didn't find a Thread that asked whether people preferred to take Exec Strike or Body Blow. I'll make a few comparisons and leave it up to the masses to discuss...

Since most people would agree that taking Major/Superior runes for your Weapon Mastery would be inefficient (+dmg vs. -hp) I'll sit this at a 14 attribute cap.

Compared @ 14 Axe / 13 Strength split (general split):
[Executioner's [email protected]] vs. [Body [email protected]]

Compared @ 14 Strength / 13 Axe split (using WE or Strength-favored Split):
[Executioner's [email protected]] vs. [Body [email protected]]

So... given the fact that you probably aren't going to carry a Major Strength or Axe rune to get a 14/14 split, which skill do you favor at which attribute split and why?

My personal viewpoint is that I generally have a Necro Hero toting around [Weaken [email protected]], so I sacrifice 2dmg and save 1A and get a non-Elite [Eviscerate] for my trouble. :P

Discuss.

gunster · Mar 12, 2009, 01:39 AM // 01:39

IMO....body blow, cause there just might be sum person that runs around inflicting cracked armor (yeah i know...being a bit hopeful there :P)

But rly...1 more adren for only 2 extra dmg is not worth it in my book :/

moriz · Mar 12, 2009, 01:53 AM // 01:53

if you can have a 14/13 axe/str setup, use bodyblow for the 1 less adrenaline. the damage difference is pretty minuscule.

if you can't do that kind of attribute setup, use executioner's strike.

the rule of thumb is purely go for whichever one will give you the most damage. the conditional deepwound on bodyblow is so obscure that you should never count on it.

_Nihilist_ · Mar 12, 2009, 01:59 AM // 01:59

Don't forget, Moriz, one of my Heroes carries [[Weaken [email protected]], which I can micro if need be to insure that Cracked Armor is on my target.

jiggles · Mar 12, 2009, 02:09 AM // 02:09

Whereas in the (lets say you see Bblow charge, and then you have to click on weaken knees, then have it cast) 2, maybe 3 (for people who arent used to microing heroes that much) seconds, you couldve used execuitoners and then have it a third of the way filled back up again.

Bobby2 · Mar 12, 2009, 02:37 AM // 02:37

14Axe/13Str [body blow]

or

14Axe/10Str/9sthingelse [executioner's strike]

But in PvE, the choice hardly ever comes up.

Rhamia Darigaz · Mar 12, 2009, 02:50 AM // 02:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyrael_Eveningsong

Compared @ 14 Strength / 13 Axe split (using WE or Strength-favored Split):
[Executioner's [email protected]] vs. [Body [email protected]]

how is that even debatable?
at 14str/13axe body blow is strictly superior to executioner's strike

Winterclaw · Mar 12, 2009, 03:24 AM // 03:24

Seeing as how not everyone has GWEN, I would think that Exe would be the better choice overall since you are assured to have it. However if you do have GWEN, BB is better because it doesn't require you to use axes to use it and it needs one fewer strike of ade, meaning you can use it faster and more often.

iVendetta · Mar 12, 2009, 03:26 AM // 03:26

Deep Wound > LOL I HEET T00 MOAR DOMOGE DEN JOO

Luminarus · Mar 12, 2009, 04:25 AM // 04:25

If there is no source of cracked armor on your team (so you are basically relying on them having a paragon with AR) then I would go with executioners. (Assuming you are bringing eviscerate). If you are using it as your highest adrenaline based skill then I think it actually matters, and would run body blow to run a 14-8-10/14-9-9 split or watever.

ac1inferno · Mar 12, 2009, 04:25 AM // 04:25

[[Body [email protected]] over [[Executioner's [email protected]] even without Cracked Armor because it's 1 less adrenaline for only 2 less damage, which means you can spam it a tiny bit more.

Epic Monkey Battle · Mar 12, 2009, 04:55 AM // 04:55

body blow has a cooler animation and therefore is the obvious choice

obsidian ectoplasm · Mar 12, 2009, 06:31 AM // 06:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Epic Monkey Battle

body blow has a cooler animation and therefore is the obvious choice

lol that is also how I pick my skills :P

Arkantos · Mar 12, 2009, 06:38 AM // 06:38

1 less adrenaline for 2 less damage. In the long run, body blow is going to do slightly more damage. Not to mention it offers deep wound if you have cracked armor in your party.

Necromas · Mar 12, 2009, 08:10 AM // 08:10

[[Body Blow] is more efficient per adrenaline strike with either spread, can be used more frequently, and obviously deep wound is very powerful if you happen to have a cracked armor source.

The most obvious advantage [[Executioner's Strike] has is that with the axe favored spread it's a little more spikey in the occasion you even need a spike in PvE, by a whopping 2 damage.

Certain skill setups could leave you mostly using [[Body Blow] when [[Executioner's Strike] would have had enough adrenaline to charge anyways, but really, 2 damage isn't going to be a big deal anyways.

turbo234 · Mar 12, 2009, 08:53 AM // 08:53

well considering i typically have 14 strength(sentinal's insignias with the 1 extra in case of weakness) definately body blow. plus it looks cooler and is one less adren so why not.

MaaKotka · Mar 12, 2009, 08:55 AM // 08:55

With attribute split 14 strength, 13 axe body blow is better in every possible way.

With attribute split 14 axe, 13 strength it comes to wether 2 damage is better that 1 adrenaline less.

In pvp, if you are running something with higher adrenaline cost than body blow, someone said you should take executioners, because you are unloading all your adrenaline skills at same time so adrenaline cost wouldn't be issue here and +2 damage would win. I disagree. I think that +2 damage is so insignificant, that having +damage skill available more often is better. That's because kills in pvp is all about windows of opportunity and you can have low hp target near you when you have 7 adrenaline and you have the ability to use that opportunity to go for a kill with body blow when with executioners you need to still get some more adrenaline. In terms of time that window where 1 adrenaline matters isn't big but it is noticeable. Under ias and with a successful hit it is bit less than 1 second, but with all melee hate around you don't have guaranteed hits and that time window gets bigger and that is when it starts to matter. That is a bit complicate to explain, but that is how I think about it. Anyway difference in this situation between body blow and executioners is very small and I just think body blow has slight advantage over executioners.

When body blow is highest adrenaline cost skill in your bar difference is bigger. You are able to unload your adrenaline faster and more often. So body blow wins here. Still not too big of a difference but it is noticeable and will be decicive factor between someone killed or saved.

When thinking simply numbers in a pressure kind of way, body blow deals a bit more damage in a long run if you are using it on recharge. Pretty insignificant but still this favors body blow.

When you have cracked armor in your build I think there isn't even a debate between these skills. But this isn't the case often.

Conclusion: Body blow's advantages outweight Executioners strike's +2 damage difference. Difference between these skills isn't big so, if you don't have Body blow, you aren't losing much, but you are still losing some efficiency.

In pve difference between these skills is so small that if you aren't bringing cracked armor you won't even notice the difference in efficiency here. Anyway body blow still has a slight advantage over executioners, if you are after best possible build and comparing these skills.

**Marty Silverblade** · Mar 12, 2009, 09:09 AM // 09:09

Cbf with working out the numbers, but in the long run the 1 adr BB saves you will produce a bit more DPS. I'd say the battles would have to drag on a long time (a really really long time) before it mattered. DW is just a bonus, really.

[Morkai] · Mar 12, 2009, 01:18 PM // 13:18

A question quite frequently brought up actually.

Personally at the 14Axe/13Strength split, I prefer [Body Blow] because over 7 uses of [Body Blow] you get one free, whereas sure, if it were [Executioners Strike] you'd have hit for 14 more damage, but split up over 7 skill uses.

Overall I'd rather spike more frequently (in pvp obviously), than output 2 more damage and have to wait to land that last attack.

Kenzo Skunk · Mar 12, 2009, 01:43 PM // 13:43

[[email protected]] [Body [email protected]] [Keen [email protected]]

Keep `em spamming.