Curse

the drizzle · Sep 28, 2005, 08:42 PM // 20:42

Could we have a thread which details the flavor of the month builds? You may ask why I do not do it; simply because I do not know enough about them. Although not a necessity, I think it would be interesting to see strategies through the months. If anyone would like, post a fotm build here.

I searched for one and was unable to find one. If there is one, just point me in that direction, and sorry for your time.

Guizzy · Sep 28, 2005, 08:47 PM // 20:47

Great idea, but bear in mind FotM is not always an exact build, but variations on a same build. For instance, you might see a dissagreement on how many necros are needed in a IWAY team.

And if we ask for each variation, well, this thread is going to become so crowded that it'd be faster just to wade through many threads detailing many variations.

I'd say the best compromise would be to open one post for each kind of FotM with variations on it inside.

So what FotM do we have right now? Ranger teams seem to be popular. IWAY and Smite groups are still very popular too. Spiking groups and Spirit groups were once FotM, but they are hardly used anymore. Any other ideas come to mind?

RicanKing · Sep 28, 2005, 10:51 PM // 22:51

I belive the current FOTM is now the ranger spike build.

Lord Tekster · Sep 29, 2005, 03:58 PM // 15:58

mmm ive been seeing a lot of ranger spike builds, mesmers would be an obvious way to counter them but a group of 6-8 mesmers wont last long

Guizzy · Sep 29, 2005, 04:19 PM // 16:19

Exactly, that's the main problem; the only good known counter to the Ranger Spike is weak against most other groups (and extra weak to IWAY). To fight it, we need to devise a group that can keep them in check with at most 3 mesmers (preferably 2).

But just talking about it ain't gonna help. Anyone care to post a typical ranger spike build (never ran one myself) so we can work on finding its weak points? :P

beginners_luck · Sep 29, 2005, 06:16 PM // 18:16

3 Mesmers can put Spirit Shackles on 6 Rangers. That'd slow them down to a crawl without hex removal. Then again, Marksman's Wager kills that idea for a while.

gimpysonofgroin · Sep 29, 2005, 06:43 PM // 18:43

My 2 cents on shutting down rangers.

Ele-glimmering mark/lightning damage or blurred vision.
Tactics warrior spamming 'shields up'. Or even just any class with warrior secondary.

All theory of course.

John Waffletord · Sep 29, 2005, 06:54 PM // 18:54

Dust trap, throw dirt, ward against harm & ward against elements would do well against IWAY and Ranger Spikes. Very weak against smiting though.

clonmac · Sep 30, 2005, 03:24 AM // 03:24

Pacifism and Ineptitude. Two of the best hexes to use against ranger groups.

twicky_kid · Sep 30, 2005, 03:32 AM // 03:32

hate to break it to ya but ranger won't be the next fotm. shields up and its gg.

much better builds out there right now that are going to beat it and the current builds.

heist23 · Sep 30, 2005, 03:37 AM // 03:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Waffletord

Dust trap, throw dirt, ward against harm & ward against elements would do well against IWAY and Ranger Spikes. Very weak against smiting though.

smiting will slowly die due to the nerfs dealt to ether renewal and balthazar's aura.

ranger spike and IWAY will probably be prominent now, i imagine. i haven't done a real GvG or gotten past the unworthy round in forever, so i have no idea what it's like at the moment.

Gustav Gloomp · Sep 30, 2005, 03:40 AM // 03:40

i think that necros will be the next fotm.

Divine Elemental · Sep 30, 2005, 03:45 AM // 03:45

u do know they have hex breaka 24/7 but since nerfage it might work also

Shields Up kills all ranger spike... thats what i see that always lacks of something
also Guardian + Shield of Defelection + Aegis + Shields Up = Cough Death
but they do have a necro with Rend Enchants but shield sup should make u stay alive

spikers that do atleast 70dmg per arrow + a caster is shuted down
but with shields up u have 40% i think if im right to dodge those arrows with
guardian 52% aegis 50% Shield of Deflection 70%
thats

212% To Dodge Em Stupid arrows?if aegis doesnt count at arrows u atleast have... over 150?
also the fotm atm are it came to this

SoJ Spike -> Smiting w Wars -> IWAY -> Ranger Spike / FoC Spike / Energy Surge Spikers ( Growing... )
so im taking a guess of well a Good Dual Smite / Balanced

twicky_kid · Sep 30, 2005, 04:01 AM // 04:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Divine Elemental

212% To Dodge Em Stupid arrows?if aegis doesnt count at arrows u atleast have... over 150?
also the fotm atm are it came to this

wish it worked like that but each "evade" and 'block" is a check to evade or block not a total. still that chance.

2_fingers · Sep 30, 2005, 04:36 AM // 04:36

Ranger spike should be laughable because of the delay in those skills.

[EW]Elendar · Sep 30, 2005, 11:38 AM // 11:38

Dustway is going to be the next hoh fotm

Vusak · Sep 30, 2005, 11:46 AM // 11:46

yup, dust trap currently does double damage for some weird reason.

ie. not just 20x5 but 40x5.

so 8 trappers running dust and healing spring pwn

they suck at relic runs, but maybe a small tweak could work it.

echo dust trap ftw folks - itll be popular until the bug is fixed i bet

Patrograd · Sep 30, 2005, 12:09 PM // 12:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2_fingers

Ranger spike should be laughable because of the delay in those skills.

Although you would think so at first glance, I had a quick Random arena test of the standard ranger interrupt/spike build and couldnt detect any noticeable change. Punishing, let next arrow go, distracting, let next arrow go, savage, let next arrow go etc etc, exactly as before. couldnt tell the difference, except to say that with the new foe skillbar its much easier to interrupt specific skills

*shrug*

yes, i understand this isnt the classic kindle spike, but it still works pretty effectively even with the pauses if co-ordianted properly on ts using a dummy target initially.

Guizzy · Oct 01, 2005, 03:34 AM // 03:34

I've been seeing a relatively new phenomenon; Fast Flare groups.

Now, I simply don't understand. They want Me/Es with Ele Attune, Fire Attune, Flare and Lava Font.

As I see it; it's somewhere between Ranger spikes and Air Ele spikes; not as easily dealt with by Protect as Air Ele, but not yet nerfed. And nowhere in this concept do I see anything that was not intended by the devs.

Exar · Oct 01, 2005, 05:32 PM // 17:32

shields up + watch yourself = bye bye rangers