Curse

Rieselle · Jun 11, 2005, 09:26 PM // 21:26

Hi, this is my pve character, with many many trips to the random pvp arenas. I've noticed sometimes I do really well, and sometimes I do really badly. Wouldn't mind some comments or suggestions. I really like the concept of a E/W, but it's very tricky to make the W part useful - I think I've succeeded, but only just. I've played around with all 3 weapon types, in pve and pvp, trying to make it work. (I like swords, but sadly I can't find a way to make it useful for this character). I haven't played any GvG or organised teams - I'm thinking I can become much more effective with a team that's built to suit me.

Name: Rieselle Riesling, E/W

Earth:10+2
Energy Storage:7+1
Hammer:10
Tactics:9

Weapon: Best hammer of fortitude I can find (I'm using a gold Shocking Hammer of Fortitude atm). If I could have a decent vampiric mod I'd probably try it.
Armor: Doesn't really matter, chosen for looks. (Going with the Elementalist's set from collectors in desert, with Hydromancer chest piece.)
Head piece is Earth + 1, Minor Earth Rune, Best Health Rune, Minor Energy S. rune.

Skills:

Shock
Devastating Hammer (elite)
Stoning
Ward Against Melee
Earth Armor
Obsidian Flame
Healing Signet
Aftershock

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Variations:
Any of Shock, Healing Signet, Ward against Melee replaced by any of:
Whirlwind, Aura of Restoration, Obsidian Flesh, Frenzy, Flurry, Crystal Wave, Rez Signet, Earth Shaker.

Usage:

Basically using knockdown a lot. Shock provides the initial/emergency knockdown, with Dev.Hammer and Stoning giving lots of knockdown when I get enough adrenaline. (basically I knock down whenever I can aftershock) W.A.Melee and Earth Armour makes me at least able to take a little bit of damage.

Generally I need monk support - Healing Signet is just for when I'm out in the open and noone is attacking me, I can heal and get back into the battle. (also for pve). I dont cast enough to make Aura of Restoration useful.

In Pve: Usually replace Dev. Hammer with Earth Shaker and Shock with Whirlwind, to get the most out of my Aftershock against groups. Stoning gets replaced with Frenzy/Flurry.

VS. Warriors : I'm best when supporting a Warrior primary. I'm tough enough so that when the opposing warrior decides to attack me instead, I can handle it, whilst the other warrior goes all out. I dont have Strength to do armour piercing, so my hammer does neglible damage. However, my knockdowns, Aftershock, and Obsidian Flame to finish them off can often kill injured people before they know what hit them. Especially W/Mo's who are expecting to be able to heal themselves - knock them down, aftershock, and go all out with obsidian flame. Ward against Melee helps everyone nearby, and sometimes warriors after my ass dont pay enough attention to get out of the circle.

VS. Casters : I'm very good at taking out other casters who try to melee, possibly except monks. Against light armor, my hammer can actually do decent damage, and aftershock becomes frightening. Also non-warriors tend to have less health, and obsidian flame does 100 unaffected by armor - possibly a quarter of their health bar if they are using major/superior runes. If they try to run around whilst still participating in the fight, I can usually knock them down long enough to kill them, provided they're not being heavily supported by a monk. If they just flat out run, then I might have problems, with earth armor on. But if they run whilst low on health - Obsidian Flame has killed many such cowards :P

Weaknesses:
Being a spike-damage character, and relying on exhaustion spells - I do pretty badly against teams with good healing and protection, and in long battles. I do badly when not supported by a monk - I have poor self healing, and I can't run around and avoid warriors like some elems, monks and rangers can. Oh, and anti-caster players like Mesmers and Rangers totally shut me down, especially energy denial. But that's expected.

I sometimes overextend myself and become exhausted without much effect on the enemy team - then I have poor mana and become much less effective. This is especially a problem against teams that rez all the time - I'm thinking in 8 vs 8 I will face more problems with this, as taking down someone quickly isn't as useful as vs. 4 (especially in random where rezzing is rare.)

Gee, that was pretty long. Any thoughts?