Curse

404notfound · Aug 12, 2007, 05:35 AM // 05:35

I honestly don't know how well this will work in the long run. It's gotten me through part of Factions, but it may or may not peter out by the time I hit endgame content; possibly even before then.

Fencer
Warrior/any

Swordsmanship 12 + 1 + 1
Tactics 12 + 1
Strength 3 + 1

Auspicious Parry [e]
Riposte
Deadly Riposte
Gash
Galrath Slash
Final Thrust
Healing Signet
Res

Some things I've been wondering: Is three too many blocking skills? Is the bleeding from Deadly Riposte too conditional to keep Gash on the bar? Being able to use Galrath Slash and Final Thrust frequently enough to achieve decent DPS seems to be contingent on Auspicious Parry activating fairly often--could this pose a potential problem?

Arkantos · Aug 12, 2007, 05:51 AM // 05:51

Auspicious Parry, Deadly Riposte and Riposte aren't really great skills for PvE. Since the monster AI usually targets players with lower armor/health, theres less of a chance of you being attacked, which makes those skills less useful. On top of that, they are only useful for when a warrior/assassin attack you.

Deadly Riposte's bleeding is much too conditional for Gash, seeing how only melee enemies will be effected with bleeding.

Overall, the 3 skills are great for soloing, but for team play, they aren't really worth bringing.

404notfound · Aug 13, 2007, 08:41 AM // 08:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arkantos

Auspicious Parry, Deadly Riposte and Riposte aren't really great skills for PvE. Since the monster AI usually targets players with lower armor/health, theres less of a chance of you being attacked, which makes those skills less useful. On top of that, they are only useful for when a warrior/assassin attack you.

Yeah, I've noticed while monking that monsters will just zip right past the warrior, so I never really understood how tanking worked unless the warrior loaded up on superior runes to make himself a more desirable target. Since the general concept of tanking is so prevalent in PvE, though, I hoped to capitalize on it with counter-attacking skills. At worst, I imagine it would at least be comparable to warriors who take blocking stances instead of prioritizing DPS; but I guess I could do better.

**Marty Silverblade** · Aug 13, 2007, 09:27 AM // 09:27

This concept can work in the right circumstances, but it's a bit too conditional to be too useful. Being in Cantha, you have access to [skill=text]Dragon Slash[/skill], and possibly [skill=text]"For Great Justice!"[/skill], which is now so broken I can't wait until I can get on GW to DSlash some Kurzicks in half... Anyway, to make this concept work better, try and go in and get aggro first, before any other party members come near you. This way you should have aggro and can use your Ripostes and stuff well. It's still not too effective in PvE though, as previously mentioned.

Arkantos · Aug 13, 2007, 10:24 AM // 10:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by 404notfound

Yeah, I've noticed while monking that monsters will just zip right past the warrior, so I never really understood how tanking worked unless the warrior loaded up on superior runes to make himself a more desirable target. Since the general concept of tanking is so prevalent in PvE, though, I hoped to capitalize on it with counter-attacking skills. At worst, I imagine it would at least be comparable to warriors who take blocking stances instead of prioritizing DPS; but I guess I could do better.

Well, "tanks" are usually used in areas with large mobs, like Deep and DoA. They are not used in general PvE because they are not needed.

The way a tank works is they run in and aggro first. Once all the enemies are focused on him, the casters come and start casting.

Also, tanks are useless. It's much better to bring a normal warrior with a defensive skill or 2 to hold aggro, pre-protted. That way the warrior can hold aggro like a tank, and still do damage.

Mr Pink57 · Aug 13, 2007, 02:24 PM // 14:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by 404notfound

Yeah, I've noticed while monking that monsters will just zip right past the warrior, so I never really understood how tanking worked unless the warrior loaded up on superior runes to make himself a more desirable target. Since the general concept of tanking is so prevalent in PvE, though, I hoped to capitalize on it with counter-attacking skills. At worst, I imagine it would at least be comparable to warriors who take blocking stances instead of prioritizing DPS; but I guess I could do better.

Reason this probably happens to you is a sup rune. I run all minor runes as a monk and if arggo is broken the monsters run right past me to the ele's or another monk. I am usually last to be attacked with my health around 551 or so.

pink

MBP · Aug 13, 2007, 10:35 PM // 22:35

I'd only take 1 riposte skill If any when using a sword build. They're good to have if a tank gets on you but other than that...those slots will probably be better off with another attack skill.

The ripostes are much better suited for farming areas with melee enemies than anything else IMO. Hulking Stone Elementals on HM anyone?

Darkpower Alchemist · Aug 15, 2007, 09:38 PM // 21:38

The concept of blocking and causing damage is just lost in general PvE. The already mentioned reasons are what naturally come to mind. Even in places where the stance tank is desired, it usually isn't in the group dynamic.

Auspicious Parry is a great elite to power high adrenaline skills and to get a blocking skill involved, but then you would want a heavy attack setup to push the envelope with. Since most of those also come in the shape of elites as well, it is normally overlooked.

Also, the skill of the warrior sometimes hampers the idea of "Tanking" since they can't maintain aggro if they aren't a threat that needs killing. Tanking usually lacks mobility and versatility, so apply such builds sparingly. Quick killing warriors FTW!