Curse

Zinger314 · Dec 23, 2006, 12:45 AM // 00:45

People have strongly underestimated both the offensive capabilities and defensive capabilities of Paragons. Paragons can do massive burning, and they can do massive protection through skills like "They're on Fire." Therefore, why don't people combine them?

Therefore, here's what I call the "ToF Tank," which is much better than any W/Mo or any random build for Koss.

P/W

12 Axe Mastery (12)
14 Leadership (10 + 4)
9 Command (8 + 1)

[skill=icon]Triple Chop[/skill][skill=icon]Cyclone Axe[/skill][skill=icon]"They're on Fire!"[/skill][skill=icon]Aggressive Refrain[/skill][skill=icon]Anthem of Flame[/skill][skill=icon]Blazing Finale[/skill][skill=icon]"Go for the Eyes!"[/skill][skill=icon]Resurrection Signet[/skill]

This build causes massive burning through Anthem of Flame (which affects everyone in your party!) and the synergy between Triple Chop/Cyclone Axe (more adrenaline) + "Go for the Eyes!" (quick casting, quick ending shout) + Blazing Finale, and also massive protection through "They're on Fire!" (which has a 47% reduction at 14 Leadership)

It causes more DPS than Warriors when you factor in the constant IAS from Aggressive Refrain, the unconditional damage from the Burning, and the overall party-wide critical increase from "Go for the Eyes!". Obviously, it has better protection than Warriors due to "They're on Fire!" (even more protection if there is a Searing Flames Elementalist in the party!)

General Morgahn, the Paragon Hero, uses this build very effectively. He'll only use Triple Chop/Cyclone Axe when there are multiple enemies surrounding him. He'll only use "They're on Fire" if the enemy he's attacking is Burning (i.e. appropriately). He'll use Aggresive Refrain when he doesn't have it on. He'll cast Anthem of Flame as soon as he can. Sadly, he'll only cast Blazing Finale on himself (you'll have to manually make him cast it on other melee characters), but since Morgahn himself is melee, it's minor. And obviously, he'll use "Go for the Eyes!" whenever he has enough Adrenaline.

I hope people realize the significance of Paragons over the overestimated Warriors.

clawofcrimson · Dec 23, 2006, 09:09 AM // 09:09

have you tested whether or not cyclone triggers anthem of flame on all effected? it now requires a target to use correct? so if its like barrage...than it would only trigger on target...

but I hope your right...and blazing finale/ gfte may just give you all you need anyway.

(by the way...could you direct me to the thread that teaches how to use those skill icons?...thanks

)

Darkpower Alchemist · Dec 23, 2006, 09:21 AM // 09:21

Overestimated warrior? hmmm...interesting choice of words.

You do realize that even though you have built a better burner, solid for team efforts, he isn't really a tank, since he can't hold major aggro alone?

He is a solid attacker,and does have a constant IAS with a renewable degen skill, but not a tank. Very solid for a hero build. Gj. Also, I noticed that even though you call the warrior "Overestimated", you're not using a spear...

carbajac · Dec 23, 2006, 11:05 AM // 11:05

Sounds fun, I'll just go and make a funky hero group of a thumper, your ToF tank, and a shouting Warrior.

@ clawofcrimson, the post is here:

Forum Skill Tags

Edit: Ok, I tried your build on General Morgahn while I did Searing Flames and it was awesome. I did the Nahpui Quarter Mission (the one with the celestial bosses) and we totally rocked it. This PUG had 4 melee characters: Morgahn, 2 warriors, and an assassin. No one took anywhere near enough damage to come even close to dying...even the assassin. The two monks were overkill and one of them was lvl 15.

Zinger314 · Dec 23, 2006, 03:22 PM // 15:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by clawofcrimson

have you tested whether or not cyclone triggers anthem of flame on all effected? it now requires a target to use correct? so if its like barrage...than it would only trigger on target...

but I hope your right...and blazing finale/ gfte may just give you all you need anyway.

(by the way...could you direct me to the thread that teaches how to use those skill icons?...thanks

)

Makes no difference, Anthem of Flame would be exhausted and trigger Blazing Finale, thus causing anything within attack range to burn anyways.

wilebill · Dec 24, 2006, 07:03 PM // 19:03

Tried this build, and so far it works just great! Might be inferior to ordinary warrior where Vocal Minority gets cast, haven't tried that yet.

Skuld · Dec 24, 2006, 07:10 PM // 19:10

Dervs are better, no?

They have most of earth prayers built around tanking

Zinger314 · Dec 24, 2006, 08:12 PM // 20:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skuld

Dervs are better, no?

They have most of earth prayers built around tanking

Dervish have 70 AL. Paragons have 96 AL. (Armor + Shield). Thus, Paragons have an innate advantage when you don't factor skills. When you factor in "They're on Fire!' Paragons have a huge advantage over any kind of tank.

I posted the build on GuildWiki if anyone wants to comment there.

Skuld · Dec 24, 2006, 08:17 PM // 20:17

[skill]Conviction[/skill]

[skill]Armor of sanctity[/skill] + [skill]veil of thorns[/skill]

[skill]mirage cloak[/skill]

[skill]avatar of balthazar[/skill]

or surely it would be better to reduce 90% of the damage?

[skill]ebon dust aura[/skill] + [skill]cyclone axe[/skill]

Zinger314 · Dec 24, 2006, 08:24 PM // 20:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skuld

[skill]Conviction[/wiki]

[skill]Armor of sanctity[/skill] + [skill]veil of thorns[/skill]

[skill]mirage cloak[/skill]

[skill]avatar of balthazar[/skill]

Convinction puts the Dervish on par with the Paragon. Armor of Sanctity, Mirage Cloak, and Avatar of Balthazar only affect the Dervish. The point of the ToF Paragon (and Paragons in general) is party-wide protection. You can't just expect the enemy to focus on one player in PvE, especially with the new AI. Even moreso in PvP.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skuld

or surely it would be better to reduce 90% of the damage?

[skill]ebon dust aura[/skill] + [skill]cyclone axe[/skill]

Yeah, if you are fighting all Melee enemies. And how often does that happen outside of Tyria?

Skuld · Dec 24, 2006, 08:35 PM // 20:35

aren't you in melee range for burning thingy to work? :s

Zinger314 · Dec 24, 2006, 08:38 PM // 20:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skuld

aren't you in melee range for burning thingy to work? :s

You are allowed to attack casters.

ToF affects melee and magic damage. So I still don't know where the heck you get your 90% number from.

Skuld · Dec 24, 2006, 09:00 PM // 21:00

blind is a 90% chance to miss

Hand of Ruin · Dec 24, 2006, 09:05 PM // 21:05

TOF + sf nuker = synergy

Zinger314 · Dec 24, 2006, 09:10 PM // 21:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skuld

blind is a 90% chance to miss

Did you miss my entire point?!

EDA + Cyclone only affects Melee and Rangers. ToF affects Melee, Rangers, and every other profession.

How can you still bash ToF?!

Mental note: never post helpful builds again if people will slam them immediately without testing.

Skuld · Dec 24, 2006, 10:10 PM // 22:10

lol, calm down, i don't slam anything ;p

gobla · Dec 25, 2006, 11:40 AM // 11:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skuld

[skill]Conviction[/skill]

[skill]Armor of sanctity[/skill] + [skill]veil of thorns[/skill]

[skill]mirage cloak[/skill]

[skill]avatar of balthazar[/skill]

or surely it would be better to reduce 90% of the damage?

[skill]ebon dust aura[/skill] + [skill]cyclone axe[/skill]

If only we lived in the perfect world where everything attacked the tank....

God DoA would be easy!

Diffirence between this build and your build =

You make yourself near invincible. This build makes your party invincible.

Your second variant only makes physical attacks hurt less. And with most physical enemies being quite spread out ( 1 attacking you, 1 attacking the monk etc. ) your cyclone axe doesnt do a whole lot. This build not only causes burning in short range but also causes burning from other physical attacks.

This combined with the current ele being mostly SF gives this build a massive advantage over yours.

And if physical attacks are such a problem get throw dirt on one of your rangers. In PvE most enemies will be dead before it expires leaving only the poor warrior around with 8 people bashing him.

Or an SS necro with reckless haste also takes excellent care of all physical attacks.

rick1027 · Dec 25, 2006, 06:25 PM // 18:25

i actually like this build but only one comment i use the paragon skill of signet of return instead of the normal res sig. this is so close to the build i use for my paragon after i got morgahn as a hero.

gogoblender · Dec 25, 2006, 07:47 PM // 19:47

Kudos to Zinger
I play warrior and had really liked having Koss in parties as another axer. I've been playing with your paragon build for six hours now and am so impressed with the results that I've retired Koss, given his vamp axe to the General and am very thrilled with the new setup. The kill speed has improved and opponents are melting away.
Interested readers should give the build a go and see if it suits your setup and/or style, it's an impressive new build, at least for me.
Just a few questions to the OP
What kind of insignia are you using.
And what kind of axe would you suggest
very nice work Zinger
ty

+++

gogo

p.s. I also switched in signet of return as the above poster did and found it to be pretty useful as well.

gobla · Dec 25, 2006, 10:13 PM // 22:13

Guys please vote on the build in Guildwiki,

due to several people voting unfavored ( reason: use war. )

This build is almost falling into the unfavored category. Wich would really be a shame. Especially since the argument against it is: use war.