Curse

No Idea · Jul 15, 2010, 11:54 AM // 11:54

Hey, i was wondering what hero set up would fare better in general HM.
SoS/Healer, MB/Prot and SogM Communing spammer.
VS
SoS/Smite support, MB/Curses and ER Prot.

I'd like to hear your opinions on these hero setups. Which one would do better for a melee profession in HM and why? Suggestions on builds appreciated.

Lanier · Jul 15, 2010, 02:06 PM // 14:06

My suggestion would actually be to use the SoS/smite, the Minion master protter, and the ER. Minion masters typically make a good class to put some supportive prots onto due to their abundance of energy and the fact that the AI can easily multitask between applying death nova/jagged bones and applying aegis/prot spirit. Since you are a physical, I would go with the SoS/smite support. While it is true that as a physical, you can benefit from the curses hexes, i have found it more beneficial on a hero to run channeling and smite support instead. Strength and Honor is just too good to pass up and with SoS + spirit siphon, the hero can easily maintain a couple of strength and honors and still support the team with some armor ignoring damage and some splinters. Finally, I would use an ER protter as your final hero. They are just rediculously powerful as heroes because of the hero's natural tendency to spam skills regardless of energy cost. If you use this, then pick a monk henchie, a melee henchie, and any other two henchies, and you should be all set to roll through hm.

ac1inferno · Jul 15, 2010, 06:55 PM // 18:55

I would take the SoS/Smite support, MB/Curses and ER Prot, but switch the smite and curse around so it'll be SoS/Curses, MB/Smite support and ER Prot.

The reason be is so the MB won't waste as much time casting [[Barbs] and can focus more on [[Jagged Bones], [[Death Nova], and [[Animate Bone Minions]. The SoS doesn't need to cast as much so I think the Barbs would be better on it.

I don't put any heals on my heroes because I usually just take Mhenlo and he works well enough.

syphonus · Jul 15, 2010, 07:03 PM // 19:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by upier

IF you decide to run minions on a physical guy (which I don't support because they are just to slow to matter) - Jagged Bones is a complete waste.
Look into Empathic Removal or Signet of Removal instead.
JB really isn't needed because there should be an abundance of corpses in PvE - so you should always be able to raise minions - where as ER or SoR keep you clean so that you can do what you are there for - deal massive damage.

It's not that much of a waste. Probably the most useful thing about it is that it keeps your minion train alive as you move from mob to mob, but on top of that it effectively doubles the staying power of your wall, which is a very good thing. Having more targets for Death Nova isn't too bad, either.

As for Empathic Removal, or Signet of Removal-- Smite Hex is just too good to pass up for a physical toon. Bringing one of those skills would throw a wrench into what is effectively a hex-removing Ancestor's Rage.

syphonus · Jul 16, 2010, 09:13 AM // 09:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by upier

Just imagine the damage you are not doing because SH doesn't remove hexes fast enough.

SH is more of a damage skill than a hex removal skill.
So if you are worried about hexes, you bring a skill where removing hexes is the main idea rather than a bonus.

In what way? What sort of situation do you find yourself unable to deal with hexes? You already know of course that Smite Hex has the same recharge as most hex removal spells. Sure, there are some areas where isn't enough(DoA), but I've done quite a bit in this game with only SH as hex removal, and I'm confident that it takes care of the most troublesome hexes a physical toon can be hit with.

There are really only a few crippling hexes for a physical char-- Blurred Vision and Deep Freeze, along with other DMS hexes and the very occasional Reckless Haste, are the most apparent. Sure, they happen in HM dungeons a lot. Even so, with a prepared team it's almost a joke-- if you've set up you're team properly your melee char is equally important as a damage dealer as it is a proxy for your team's damage dealing. RoJ, Ancestor's Rage, Smite Hex and Splinter Weapon all rely on your melee as a proxy. Essentially it's a synergy that that doesn't even rely on your ability to deal damage-- you'll find yourself obliterating mobs even if you're crawling around, not hitting for any kind of damage yourself! Although, if you do hit it's typically for shit tons of damage.

Life Bringing · Jul 17, 2010, 07:25 AM // 07:25

Spiritway can roll over 99% of the game in HM while you twiddle your thumbs. AotL>JB though. With the second hero setup you'll actually need to do damage for shit to die.

syphonus · Jul 17, 2010, 01:14 PM // 13:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by upier

If you are running a N/Mo - what elite are you going to bring?

Sure, that's the question. It's not like JB is a great elite or anything; it's just that it works. WTB better elites for hero MM's