Curse

Maugrim · Aug 25, 2005, 05:43 PM // 17:43

Over the past few days, I've been working on my hammer warrior, and I think I've found one that actually works. I'd like some feed back on it and maybe some suggestions to make it better. I'd like to be using it for Tombs, GvGs and probably Team Arenas.

Attributes:
Hammer Mastery- 16
Strength- 13

Skills:
Backbreaker
Crushing Blow
Mighty Blow
Frenzy
Hammer Bash
Irresistable Blow
Sprint
Resurrection Signet

Strategy
I build up adrenaline and wait for the opportunity to start my chain.
It looks like this
Backbreaker -> Crushing Blow -> *Frenzy* Mighty Blow -> Hammer Bash -> Irresistable Blow

I use Frenzy right before I swing Mighty Blow, so there is very little time before the get up and get Hammer Bashed to the ground again. A lot of times (like in team arenas) I don't even have to use the entire thing, I just end up using Hammer Bash to interrupt a Rez Signet. Other times, however, it can barely scratch a monk if there are 1-2 other monks there. Then I have to wait another 12 or so seconds (assuming there aren't any Faintheartedness or Soothing Images being tossed around) to build my adrenaline back up and attemp another kill.

Problems I see with my build
1: I only use the warrior class, 0 secondary profession skills.
2: I don't have hex or condition removal.
3: I put EVERYTHING into my hammer chain and they may still survive.

Any suggestions? I need some help...

Lumanis · Aug 25, 2005, 06:48 PM // 18:48

Looks ok.

I like berserk stance over frenzy.
To be honestly, I havn't really ever used frenzy much.

Eonwe · Aug 25, 2005, 07:07 PM // 19:07

Looks ok. Berserker Stance is trash because you can't spike with it and the cooldown is utterly terrible.

anti_z3r0 · Aug 25, 2005, 07:37 PM // 19:37

I know I'll get flak from this, but try these changes:

Crushing <-> Staggering Blow
Hammer Bash <-> Heavy Blow

If you feel like your combo doesn't do enough damage, then Heavy blow will give you more damage. Only downside is that it isn't an unconditional knockdown like hammer bash is.

Elythor · Aug 25, 2005, 09:17 PM // 21:17

Crushing blow does more damage than Heavy Blow and also cause a nice condition. So what the OP had is fine.

For the OP, you better have a Matyr/Mend Ail monk on your team or you'll get disabled quick. If you can, take out Mighty Blow and put in Aftershock. Irresistable Blow does the same amount of dmg as Mighty Blow...but having points in earth and putting in Aftershock will give you a decent spike at the end of your Hammer Bash.

*Frenzy* Backbreaker -> Crushing Blow -> Irresistable Blow -> Hammer Bash -> Aftershock.

Maugrim · Aug 25, 2005, 10:05 PM // 22:05

Thanks for all the replies

I like the Aftershock comment, and I had thought about using it and somehow forgot all about it.

Quote:

*Frenzy* Backbreaker -> Crushing Blow -> Irresistable Blow -> Hammer Bash -> Aftershock.

As for that, I can't use Frenzy at the start of my combo, otherwise the knockdowns will overlap (meaning that Hammer Bash would hit them before they got up and it won't put them on the floor again), so I rather use it when my 3rd attack starts. I'll try AS though

Thanks again.

(edit) Aftershock is too much mana for my pool of 25. Even swapping Irresistable Blow for Mighty Blow (since they did the same and MB was adrenal) didn't work too well.

Eonwe · Aug 25, 2005, 11:05 PM // 23:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by anti_z3r0

I know I'll get flak from this, but try these changes:

Crushing <-> Staggering Blow
Hammer Bash <-> Heavy Blow

If you feel like your combo doesn't do enough damage, then Heavy blow will give you more damage. Only downside is that it isn't an unconditional knockdown like hammer bash is.

Suggesting to use staggering blow at all is umm... bad. And with Heavy Blow. Oh god the horror.

Zeru · Aug 25, 2005, 11:48 PM // 23:48

Heavy blow works fine in arena cause people don't use guardian/aegis/wam much but in 8v8 hammer bash>heavy blow even with devastating hammer (low chance to block 2 kds and hammer bash will always kd even if weakness is removed or devastating hammer misses).

Aftershock is not that great right now with QZ being up so much. Its okay in non-qz environments but even with zealous the energy loss is far too much as AS is a critical part of your combo if you choose it and you definitely will not be able to use it every combo if you're frenzying/sprinting and using crushing/irres at all.

Lumanis · Aug 26, 2005, 03:37 PM // 15:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eonwe

Looks ok. Berserker Stance is trash because you can't spike with it and the cooldown is utterly terrible.

My hammer builds have plenty of spike; not sure what your saying.
This is to increase DPS and decrease the amount of time between spikes.

10 adren takes too long without it.

Howling Wind · Aug 26, 2005, 03:53 PM // 15:53

If raising adren seems too much of a problem then you could always try FGJ, the cool down sucks bad but hey, if its urgent and you need the adren then thats your thing.

I'd switch Hammer Bash for something else, loosing adrenaline is a bad thing for hammer users. You can try switching that for a quick adren boost skill like FGJ or a knockdown skill like bulls strike, goes well with sprint and crushing blow.

RandomEngy · Aug 26, 2005, 04:37 PM // 16:37

I've played hammer warriors a lot, and I'd never use anything but Devastating Hammer->Crushing Blow->Heavy Blow. It only takes up three slots but the damage on it is amazing, and it chains perfectly, only allowing 1/4 second cast times spells inbetween. For the rest of my skills I take Plauge Touch, Sprint, Healing Signet (Mighty Blow in non-random arena), Ressurect Signet and Bezerker's Stance.

And no, Bezerker's Stance is not trash. It gives you 10+ seconds of ASI and the added benefit of getting lots of adrenaline in the process. The cooldown isn't that bad (Better than For Great Justice) if you use it wisely between knockdown chains. Also, you don't take double damage like in Frenzy (which gets lower adrenaline anyway) and you don't have to spam it and get lower damage (and adrenaline), like Flurry.

Eonwe · Aug 26, 2005, 04:55 PM // 16:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lumanis

My hammer builds have plenty of spike; not sure what your saying.
This is to increase DPS and decrease the amount of time between spikes.

10 adren takes too long without it.

What I was saying was that Frenzy > Berserker Stance in just about every single possible way if you want to do damage. Who cares about increasing your DPS *in between* spikes, you should be worrying about how much damage you're doing *during* your spike, so you can kill your target. Berserker Stance doesn't allow you to do that.

Maugrim · Aug 26, 2005, 06:21 PM // 18:21

I'll agree with Eonwe that Berserker's is trash. If it lasts 11 seconds, thats only like what? 9 attacks? That totals up to be 1.8 extra adrenaline. Woo hoo! I get to start my chain 1 attack earlier, and thats if they stand still.

I'm not sure about switching Hammer Bash for Bulls Strike just because it makes you lose all your adrenaline, since I'd only use it at the end of my chain or if I don't have any adrenalin. I'll probably try out FGJ.

Thanks for all the responses.

anti_z3r0 · Aug 26, 2005, 08:39 PM // 20:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elythor

Crushing blow does more damage than Heavy Blow

I'd like to see how that works.

Quote:

Originally Posted by anti_z3r0

I know I'll get flak from this, but try these changes:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eonwe

Suggesting to use staggering blow at all is umm... bad. And with Heavy Blow. Oh god the horror.

With my experience, heavy blow >>>> hammer bash 95% of the time. I don't know why people think of it as hepatitus and something that should be avoided at all costs.

Foppe · Aug 26, 2005, 08:49 PM // 20:49

Bull's ... (not the elite) is nice against fleeing monks (most monks will flee). Then use aftershock and/or some other nice hammer skills to finish. Works with me. Backbreaker is nice, u can release a whole chain of skills that take advantage of knocked down foes.

Meimei · Aug 27, 2005, 04:02 AM // 04:02

Hammer Bash
Crushing Blow
Irresistable Blow
Battle Rage
Sprint

This build is very fun and quite effective, You get to use Hammer Bash so much, every 3 hits you get to use 1 KD if you know how to use battle rage effective. 1st you sprint and hit with Irresistable Blow, after you get to use battle rage, here comes the KD fun

Maugrim · Aug 27, 2005, 04:52 AM // 04:52

I'm not understanding how your using Hammer Bash every 3rd turn when Berserkers only adds 20% more adrenaline. I think it'd be more like every 5 hits. Well, unless you used FGJ. What I'm really looking for is 1 big hammer spike, not multiple little ones. You did spark an idea though, thanks

.

Meimei · Aug 27, 2005, 05:09 AM // 05:09

Battle Rage {Elite} - Stance, 4 hits of adrenaline
For 5-17 seconds, you move 25% faster and gain double adrenaline from attacks. Battle Rage ends if you use any non-attack skills. When Battle Rage ends, you lose all adrenaline.

Did i say berserker stance??????

For 1 Big spike i got two which you can kill rangers and caster even at 100% of health, and can ignore evasion+block, can remove 5 enchancements at once, and can remove neg condition. I've explan this build 2 times on topic but nobody gives a shit and treating me like trolling around so i wont explan it unless you are interested on it

Maugrim · Aug 27, 2005, 06:48 AM // 06:48

Sorry, had a memory lapse. I'd be interested in your spike, and I think I have an idea of what it is already

Foppe · Aug 27, 2005, 08:50 AM // 08:50

Battle rage wouldnt help cause whenever it ends u lose all ur adrenaline and thats NOT what u want! Berserker stance would be lots better.