Curse

uby · Dec 09, 2005, 02:14 AM // 02:14

I figured why not try out a W/Mo with Hammer Mastery instead of the same ole.

Here's what I've got:

Hammer (enough for your hammer -- target 7/8 + 1 from rune)
Tactics 11 + 1 from hat + 1 from rune
Smite 12

Armor: usual - Gladiators with a piece of Ascalon for absorb, Stonefist gauntlets

General idea:

Skill 1 - Adren building skill of choice (Flurry, Berserker Stance, For Great Justice)
Skill 2 - Backbreaker {Elite}
Skill 3 - Holy Strike
Skill 4 - Crushing Blow
Skill 5 - Flexible spot. My favorite options: Bane Signet, Holy Wrath, Counter Blow, Belly Smash, another Stance
Skill 6 - Defensive stance of choice (I like Bonetti's for energy regen when I need it)
Skill 7 - Healing Sig
Skill 8 - Balthazar's Spirit

How to use it: build up adren as fast as you can using skill 1. When available, hit with Backbreaker for a ~5 second knockdown. While down, hit them with Holy Strike and Crushing Blow (use crushing blow first for more effect).

This simple combo will do almost 100 holy damage from holy strike and take off 20% health from crushing blow. Keeping them on the ground for nearly 5 seconds also does wonders for your damage taking ability.

It does pretty well in terms of survivability and is a nice blend, imho, of damage and disruption. I haven't extensively tested Holy Wrath in the combo yet due to energy concerns -- i'll be getting zealous upgrade soon enough.

Comments welcomed, especially if you've tried something like this out before.

Ole Man Bourbon · Dec 09, 2005, 03:03 AM // 03:03

I don't really like Backbreaker that much because it requires a lot of adrenaline. I'd go with Devastating Hammer. No extra damage, but it does cause Weakness. Seems to be the better skill, but my experience with Hammer Warriors is limited so take it for what it's worth.

BTW, what are the other skills that cause extra damage while KD? Can't think of any off the top of my head.

Another thing, just in case you forgot. :P Don't forget to use the KD gloves from Drok's for a Hammer W.

Lou · Dec 09, 2005, 03:26 AM // 03:26

First of all stonefist gauntlets only increase the KD of things that arw below 4 seconds so if your using backbreaker dont bother with them. And devastating is really good since it oly takes 7 adrenaline and heavy blow is good for a KD and extra damage.

uby · Dec 09, 2005, 03:36 AM // 03:36

stonefist gauntlets really have no effect on backbreaker? what's up with that -- i thought that was the whole point of backbreaker, but if you can increase knockdown on everything but that it certainly makes backbreaker weaker.

the only other skill i can think of that takes advantage of knockdown is Aftershock. but that's a common build.

will look into devestating hammer more =(

Ole Man Bourbon · Dec 09, 2005, 04:04 AM // 04:04

Didn't know that about the SF Gauntlets, thanks.

The Muffen Man · Dec 09, 2005, 04:41 PM // 16:41

Stone fist gauntlets affect KD skills that don't have a time attached to them
i.e devastating hammer, heavy blow, hammer bash, counter blow, irresistable blow,earth shaker,bulls strike,shock, bane signet, shield of judgement, signet of judgement, lightning surge,mind shock, thunder clap, whirlwind, earthquake, stoning, meteor, meteor shower water trident. All other Kd skill that have a time attached like , gale and back breaker dont benefit from the gauntlets.
Also most of the skills I mentioned a warrior cant use due to lack of energy

uby · Dec 10, 2005, 02:33 AM // 02:33

re-arranging the build after some playtesting I kind of like the following lineup:

Frenzy
Devestating Hammer
Crushing Blow
Holy Strike
Heavy Blow
Bonetti's Defense
Healing Sig
Balthazar's Spirit

you build up about 8 adren using Frenzy in a little over 5 seconds.
then, Devestating Hammer for weakness + 3 second knockdown, Crushing Blow for deep wound, (normal hitting til they get up), Heavy Blow for 3 second knockdown (lose all adren), and Holy Strike while they are down for ~92 holy damage.

Depending on your stat layout with respect to hammer and strength, and of course the armor of the opponent, you have done 6 seconds of knockdown plus roughly 20+(20+0.2*(500-40))+20+(20+32)+92 = 296 damage on average.
Not the biggest spike in the world, but works well enough for me all-in-all.

Now if I could only find a way to fit Distracting Blow in here.

Vermilion Okeanos · Dec 10, 2005, 02:53 PM // 14:53

with stonefist gaunlet, you can get both crushing blow and holy strike in at the same knockdown with devastating hammer/hammer bash/etc.

Personally I would use

Devastating hammer -> crushing blow -> holy strike -> heavy blow -> irresitable blow = dead target.

However, I actually do prefer backbreaker for the + dmg

16 hammer
backbreaker -> crushing blow -> holy strike -> hammer bash -> irresistable blow = more garuntee dead target
I would use strength of honor with both build to garuntee death in 1 KD to target.

I had also made more variation related to this combo quite awhile back.

All of them tide to backbreaker -> crushing blow.
E/W or W/E: glyph of elemental power -> backbreaker -> crushing blow -> aftershock -> irresistable blow/hammer bash/mighty blow/obsidian flame
Mo/W or W/Mo: strength of honor, backbreaker -> crushing blow -> holy strike -> irresistable blow/hammer bash/mighty blow/banish

I would rather get the atk in later but garuntee death than getting the attack in earlier and allow the target to live. (considering most of the people in CA aren't that great of a partner anyway) Devastating hammer are probably the better choice when you know another good damager is somewhere in your team.

It is a good idea to build your andrenline on a different target than the one you want to kill. (ex: monk would often run so much that you barely get any andrenline charge, would be better if you charge andrenline on a warrior or something first)

Both E/W and Mo/W hit harder than W/Mo and W/E, however, you pay for being targeted first and softer armor.

Aftershock is much more deadly, but you pay with being less effective against warrior and ranger.

audioaxes · Dec 15, 2005, 06:18 AM // 06:18

holy strike will put a burden on your energy and i dont think its necessary

how about this:
devastating -> crushing -> mighty -> heavy -> irresistable
note that this combo requires an extra hit in between mighty and heavy. With this chain you can spike-kill enemies at full health.

Secret chief · Dec 15, 2005, 06:25 AM // 06:25

without sprint u gonna get kite 2 hell
i prefer devastating to, and i still use hammer bash , even with no dmg bonus, it lets u change target

lyra_song · Dec 15, 2005, 06:58 AM // 06:58

My KD/HS is pretty standard as well:

Sprint
Devastating <--KD
Crushing Blow
Hammer Bash <---Interupt + KD
Holy Strike
Irresistable Blow <--Stance Breaker
Healing Sig
Res Sig

QuixotesGhost · Dec 15, 2005, 07:15 AM // 07:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by audioaxes

holy strike will put a burden on your energy and i dont think its necessary

2 things I like about Holy Strike.

- It gets through Protective Spirit no problem.

- Against a blocking target you can Irresistable --> Holy Strike for a good ~110-120
damage through the offending enchantment/stance.

lasteele · Dec 15, 2005, 03:31 PM // 15:31

This is my build and it works out well so far in gvg.
counter blow
hammer bash
irresitable blow
crushing blow
bonetti's defense
dwarven battle stance
mending
bane signet

advice on changes is appreciated this is my first tank so i am new at front line fighting.l

audioaxes · Dec 15, 2005, 05:13 PM // 17:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by lasteele

This is my build and it works out well so far in gvg.
counter blow
hammer bash
irresitable blow
crushing blow
bonetti's defense
dwarven battle stance
mending
bane signet

advice on changes is appreciated this is my first tank so i am new at front line fighting.l

no thats perfect, keep using it!

lasteele · Dec 15, 2005, 05:26 PM // 17:26

thx i appreciate it

audioaxes · Dec 15, 2005, 06:49 PM // 18:49

uh, i hope you were being sarcasting also ;/

lasteele · Dec 15, 2005, 07:12 PM // 19:12

you know what really pisses me off when you ask a question and all you get is sarcasm.i asked for advice not noob answers.

dont feel no pain · Dec 15, 2005, 07:34 PM // 19:34

*shakes fist at audioaxes* play it straight and dont make games why not give him some advice rather than anoyy him :P

lasteele · Dec 15, 2005, 07:51 PM // 19:51

You know it feels like we are dueling posters on these two forums no one else is awake.hey what is your ign we'll have to get together sometime and kill stuff.

dont feel no pain · Dec 15, 2005, 07:56 PM // 19:56

we are going realy off topic my ign is my name on here i'm not on much for the 2 weeks but i be on like almot all tommorow now lets leave this thread we are not helping it. if u got something to say pm me