Curse

NightOwl · Sep 13, 2005, 03:16 AM // 03:16

Eviscerate
Executioners
Swift Chop
Disrupting Chop
Shatter Enchantment
Berserker Stance
Sprint
Rez signet

14 axe (this'll go up when I manage to unlock a sup rune)
11 str
8 dom

Ebon/def axe
shield with bonuses when hexed
2ndary weapon set varies

I use berserker stance to build up my adren, plus dish out a bit of extra damage, then switch to the primary target and Evisc-Exe-Swift, possibly with Shatter or Disrupting as needed. Occasionaly I find myself with Berserk available at the end of a spike, and kick it on to power through the last bit of life on a target. Not concerned with breaking it when the adren level is up high enough.

Shatter has been quite useful to me in removing elementalist armor enchants, as well as the obvious monk enchants. Sometimes it's enough for a killshot on a running target with low life (60 damage at 8 dom) if they get a little distance for whatever reason.

I prefer Berserker over Frenzy due to the undisciplined nature of the arenas, which may cause me to take some hefty damage at odd times. I've tried swapping it out for For Great Justice! but I didn't care for the recharge timer on it (Berserker is 15 seconds quicker on the recharge).

At one point I used Warriors Cunning, which is a great skill imo when fighting people who feel safe when stanced...but it didn't seem to be too useful the rest of the time, and I reassigned the slot. Some days I still use it though, depends on the number of stancers in the arenas.

Thoughts? Feedback?

Arcanis the Omnipotent · Sep 13, 2005, 04:52 PM // 16:52

You might want to try Drain Enchantment instead. With your low energy as a Warrior, it might help you out a bit more. You still get rid of the enchantment, and you get some much needed energy in the process.

mr_boo · Sep 13, 2005, 05:05 PM // 17:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arcanis the Omnipotent

You might want to try Drain Enchantment instead. With your low energy as a Warrior, it might help you out a bit more. You still get rid of the enchantment, and you get some much needed energy in the process.

I thought about that too for the OP, but since he's using Berserker Stance instead of something like Frenzy, he may not run into a energy problem due to Berserker Stance's 30 recharge time...I still prefer Drain as well in the long run cause I just rely on my Ax for the damage anyways.

NightOwl · Sep 13, 2005, 07:15 PM // 19:15

I've considered some other enchantment removal, but not Drain Enchant. I appreciate the suggestion, it's something I'll look into. Might mean some serious revamping to take advantage of the extra energy though. As is, I rarely have energy problems unless denial of some sort is being used on me...in which case, I'd have problems no matter what. Sometimes I run a bit different stats and use a focus item in the off hand for switching to and hitting Shatter, then switching back.

Rend is awesome...but the damage is a bit too hefty of a price to pay for my taste. Inspired Enchantment was an interesting option, but I don't think I'd be able to make adequate use of it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr_boo

I thought about that too for the OP, but since he's using Berserker Stance instead of something like Frenzy, he may not run into a energy problem due to Berserker Stance's 30 recharge time...I still prefer Drain as well in the long run cause I just rely on my Ax for the damage anyways.

While Berserk has a 30 second recharge time, it seems to be up when I need it, generally. Berserk...change targets...spike...run to next target...repeat. Well, more or less. Sometimes things don't work out quite so neatly.

Any suggestions on axe skills I might swap in for better effect on a spike? I've tried swapping out Swift Chop for Penetrating Blow, but the utility of being able to disrupt trapping stanced rangers seems to outweigh the slight damage boost. I'd like to spike harder, but can't figure out what to switch out without losing too much situational utility.

Thanks for the replies.

mr_boo · Sep 13, 2005, 07:44 PM // 19:44

I don't know if you've checked this out already, but you can check out the debate of Cleave vs Evis. You'll find some good arguments here about skills and spiking damage for Ax Warriors. Link: http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=49874

When you unlock the Sup. Ax rune, you'll see you're damage jump quite a bit, so IMO, I would just stick with Evis. and Exec. Strike combo.

The milk shake · Sep 14, 2005, 12:43 AM // 00:43

mm lack of healing if u ask me..

NightOwl · Sep 14, 2005, 06:42 AM // 06:42

Thanks for the link, Mr Boo, a good read.

Milk Shake...I'm a w/*, I'll leave the healing to the mo/*, and /mo with a caster primary (more energy and pips). I just go chop folks up, that's my job when playing a warrior, as I see it.

scytherage · Sep 14, 2005, 12:35 PM // 12:35

I'm also a w/me player and here is my skillset:

1. distracting blow
2. power drain
3. dismember
4. executioners strike
5. hex breaker
6. inspired enchantment
7. drain enchantment
8. resurrection signet.

I havent finished the game yet so i dont have any elite skills yet...im working on that one.

I came up with this build because half the time most players will be really aggressive with their skill use, so interrupting their attacks as well as removing enchantments is very important. Hex breaker also lessens micromanagement problems. I used to use shatter hex/inspired hex but i lose focus since i have to explicitly cast it or use whatever hex i get out of it (in the case of inspired hex). Shatter hex is better in a PvE type of game, i think.

I guess the problems I usually have are:

1. Not enough damage being done -- but this is a problem even if i put lots of adrenal skills. Can't damage a guy who's enchanted....and about 75% of the time they will be.
2. Resistance to hexes -- even with hex breaker a player with a lot of hexes can take me out quickly.
3. Players that run -- sometimes i have sprint in my skillset but i lose damage capability if i do that. But if i take out sprint, and the opponent runs, it becomes a bit difficult.

Right now I just need something to make my attacks a bit stronger...not really a weapon, but a skill, a really really strong skill. And something to reduce damage from hexes/magic.

How does one increase warrior damage? Points in mastery, strength or tactics? Currently i have:

Strength 9
Axe 13
Tactics 8
Illusion 1
Domination 7
Inspiration 5

Tips from fellow war/mes build users appreciated.

NightOwl · Sep 14, 2005, 02:55 PM // 14:55

I'd suggest saving up some faction and unlocking Eviscerate. It'll hit as hard as Executioners strike while also adding a deep wound, allowing you to drop Dismember. I'd offer more advice, but I'm looking for improvements myself.

Yukito Kunisaki · Sep 14, 2005, 03:31 PM // 15:31

Berserker's Stance vs. Frenzy.

I'd say GO frenzy. The problem with Berserker's is that it's not a true spike and what's worse, you will not get the adrenaline you need or be able to chase runners with said adrenaline dmg...

If you don't WANT an in your face spike, don't use Berserker's, you must use Battle Rage {E}. This is THE SKILL to use in situations where your foes just keep running, running running. It has no recharge, which means if you have adrenaline leftover before it wears off, just recast and your speed buff is eternal. [a warrior that's 125% faster than everyone else forever is GOOD to be...] The double adrenaline intake is also eternal. Sure you lose it all when you recast it but remember, every hit you do is double the intake, which means you'll always be doing your adrenaline attacks in half the recharge time and Battle Rage is recharged in two hits.

If you need a spike, you HAVE to deliver as much damage as you can in as small a time as possible. At 16 axe mastery, under Frenzy and any possible teammate/self-buffs, Eviscerate {E} + Executioner's Strike + Swift Chop = Massive Burst damage. I've seen dmg totals reach into the 400s with this. [fear my WEAKEN ARMOR].

Of course, with Frenzy, you bring sprint to save your butt when Empathy or other stuff hits you. However, if you don't want double damage intake or energy used in running, Battle Rage {E} is for you! (couple it with I Will Avenge You!! before hand and you'll be doing crazy rapid DPS)

As a caster half, you MUST avoid any skills that cost you over 5 energy at all costs. An Inspiration Warrior is probably one of the most efficient warriors since the Domination and Illusion lines need far too much energy for a warrior to utilize properly. The key 'skill engine' for an Inspired Axe Warrior would be to steal energy using things like Ether Feast, Energy Tap, and Energy Drain {E}. Use that energy to feed your hp, Swift Chop and other energy based skills like Frenzy or Drain Enchantment. I'd go sword though instead of axe since Eviscerate > Energy Drain in most situations and sword attacks that need energy are plenty enough that stealing said energy would be a viable option.

scytherage · Sep 15, 2005, 12:50 AM // 00:50

I've been conducting an experiment with the mesmer skill, Illusion of Haste. Apparently, you can combine this with Sprint to make an extremely fast warrior. The effects will stack -- you get 25% out of sprint plus 33% out of illusion of haste to get a whopping 58%...i've seen this in motion and my warrior moves FAST. The question is, i'm not sure if it is improving my attack rate/speed. Also, since this skill results in crippled, i bring 'I Will Survive' to get some kind of benefit out of the crippled status (health boost). I wonder if there is a skill that the mesmer or the warrior has that can further offset the crippled status. I've tried Arcane echo, then illusion of haste, then sprint, then illusion of haste again but this strategy (to take out crippled) results in energy loss.

I guess the question i have is, do those 'speed' skills really help attack rate? Flurry damage is too weak, while Frenzy, while highly recommended, is risky because of double damage (though Im willing to try making a build with Frenzy and see how far i can go).

master skorm · Sep 16, 2005, 06:30 PM // 18:30

flury+illusionary weponry=sweet

JYX · Sep 16, 2005, 06:36 PM // 18:36

On a secondary mesmer?...esp. warrior primary with little energy?

r.ight.