Curse

vampireX · Aug 29, 2006, 11:39 PM // 23:39

I still see ppl using firestorm and wonder why. Is there any real reason they should be using it? And im not talking about low level areas, im talkin about like FoW and areas where ppl are expected to be lvl20.

Terra Xin · Aug 29, 2006, 11:43 PM // 23:43

I always try to promote the fact that scatter AoE is a good defensive tactic. But i'd never take it in FoW, it's not the place for Firestorm.

I mean if you stand in it, it works like a repelling ward, so I'll bring it just for that.

Amok Affinity · Aug 30, 2006, 01:47 AM // 01:47

nope, not really... lava front's a lot nicer for scattering purposes, imo

Shred Dread · Aug 30, 2006, 02:45 AM // 02:45

I agreed with Amok, lava font is the only scatter worth bringing. Early on in the game (like really early on) firestorm's ok, but once you get to the parts of the game where the character is xpcted to be lvl 20, or skilled, drop it.

I've had groups on ring of fire missions where some n00b borught firestorm and screwed everything up...grr

Seriously, if you're having trouble letting go of firestorm, then just replace it with Meteor Shower, a skill that is definitely worth having for the average pyromancer.

Luciora · Aug 30, 2006, 06:54 AM // 06:54

As stated above, Firestorm is fine for scatter purposes (though there are better spells to use for the same purpose that inflict more damage before they scatter). Personally I don't use anything that can cause scatter on a single cast. If I need the enemy to scatter, just exploit it 3 second rule on AoE damage to cause them to turn about and give you the chance to run.

My advice on ANY scatter causing spells - Inform the group that you are using said skill. It can be nice in emergencies but please DO NOT use it as a damage skill since it will dissolve the aggro pattern and cause enemy warriors to target the squishies

Don Zardeone · Aug 30, 2006, 08:46 AM // 08:46

If you're getting hit by stuff, stopping to cast a 2 second spell is a bad idea. You're better off kiting the darned thing and getting it to attack your warrior or ranger.

By making things scatter you're just bringing the danger to other partymembers, your warriors can't do their damage efficiently and ranger end up with "dodge, dodge, stray, miss"

I've been looking at monster targetting behaviour and it seems that if a monster is snared (not by ward vs foes but actually snared with something like cripple) then it will go for the closest target.
So if you can mass snare stuff then your firestorm scatter won't be that bad (have to test first).

Eh

anyone say hamstorm?

Hephaestus Ram · Aug 30, 2006, 11:42 AM // 11:42

My elementalist always carries an AoE.
Not only is running not always an option, but they're great
for when you see a team mate getting overwhelmed. A few
seconds and a small gap to get through can be a lifesaver.

Firestorm my not be the best choice, but it's ok.

Insert Cool Name Here · Aug 30, 2006, 01:09 PM // 13:09

Firestorm is great for killing NPCs in Aspenwood when you are taking mines or command points.

Luciora · Aug 30, 2006, 01:37 PM // 13:37

ICNH - Good point, Firestorm works very well in Aspenwood on NPCs, well also works on a few warriors and rangers who don't quite get that they should be moving

daky · Aug 31, 2006, 05:08 AM // 05:08

I usually take two or three heavy nukes then a scatter aoe and i just chill by the monks and help keep them safe. the rest of my bar is energy managment/echo skills.

Carth` · Aug 31, 2006, 09:13 AM // 09:13

I've seen the same - some people bring it to FoW. I asked one why, and he said he uses it after meteor shower, because when a foe is in meteor shower, he won't run. I don't think he was right, because he was making them run like crazy.

Fluffyx · Sep 03, 2006, 12:42 AM // 00:42

Firestorm isn't a very practical spell right now. It can be useful for spreading out agro. But there are not many times when this can be useful. If you're brining this skill to FoW with an experienced group they will probably tell you not to use it. Since it will make them run out of MS or SS and just waste time.

Saraphim · Sep 03, 2006, 12:56 AM // 00:56

Haven't used Firestorm once since I picked up Meteor Shower. For scattering warrior AI that's kicking the crap out of me I generally use Flameburst, insta-cast (more or less) and fast recharge if they don't bugger off quick enough. Actually, that one works pretty well with Vermin. I just let them all pile onto me, use Kinetic Armour and stand there setting off Flameburst.

But then I do take healer henchies, never have managed to solo my ele anywhere yet.

Luciora · Sep 04, 2006, 07:08 AM // 07:08

Flameburst followed by Phoenix

Great for breaking aggro off of you. Works well in the lower level areas of Prophecies. You also manage to do a lot of damage then. I used it mostly in the Jungle area while exploring.

Southern shiver peaks is not quite as good, more ranged combat and those darn summit guys have WAY too much armour!

Zakarr · Sep 04, 2006, 07:18 AM // 07:18

AoE scattering is nice when too many AI enemies are beating someone. The problem is that not that many realize it but keep chasing them and same time luring away from AoE even the player is low health. Some skills just need more brains from rest of the party or they are completely useless.

ubermancer · Sep 04, 2006, 08:12 AM // 08:12

Meteor Shower + Deep Freeze + Fire Storm.

Granted, Bed of Coals would likely do a bit more.... but Fire Storm is also a scarecrow.

And funny in PvP. People ignore it - a Meteor Shower they scatter from, but Fire Storm seems to ATTRACT people, if anything.

LiamR · Sep 04, 2006, 08:16 AM // 08:16

Its great in AB< The 'tards don't move out the way. Well, most 'tards.

Carth` · Sep 04, 2006, 09:26 AM // 09:26

That's true, use it on the NPCs in ABs. And players aren't as likely to run either. If they see a meteor shower they are out of it before it even begins the first knockdown, but a fire storm they will stand in it for a while, move out, run back in. lol

Don Zardeone · Sep 04, 2006, 12:35 PM // 12:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hephaestus Ram

My elementalist always carries an AoE.
Not only is running not always an option, but they're great
for when you see a team mate getting overwhelmed. A few
seconds and a small gap to get through can be a lifesaver.

Firestorm my not be the best choice, but it's ok.

Hmm, not saying you do this but it happened before:

Had a good team together and we take a few pugs. One of them is an ele.
I, on my warrior, run in to aggro stuff. Then all of a sudden, everything runs away as a lot of little red blobs come falling down from the sky.

We tell the guy to stop firestorming but he's like "I just saved the warrior, he was getting killed!"

The thing about using aoe scatter in pve is that there's no real point in using it. If you see red dots coming your way, you should already be running away yourself. An ele or any other type of caster that gets surrounded is, simply put, a VERY bad player. (unless he uses some kind of defense with stuff like star burst or shockwaves or things like that and gets surrounded on purpose)

edit: in fact, if said bad player does that, get surrounded I mean, I wouldn't res him anymore

Hephaestus Ram · Sep 04, 2006, 03:09 PM // 15:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Zardeone

Hmm, not saying you do this but it happened before:

Had a good team together and we take a few pugs. One of them is an ele.
I, on my warrior, run in to aggro stuff. Then all of a sudden, everything runs away as a lot of little red blobs come falling down from the sky.

We tell the guy to stop firestorming but he's like "I just saved the warrior, he was getting killed!"

The thing about using aoe scatter in pve is that there's no real point in using it. If you see red dots coming your way, you should already be running away yourself. An ele or any other type of caster that gets surrounded is, simply put, a VERY bad player. (unless he uses some kind of defense with stuff like star burst or shockwaves or things like that and gets surrounded on purpose)

edit: in fact, if said bad player does that, get surrounded I mean, I wouldn't res him anymore

It's true that you have to know where and when to use your skills.
The dynamics of Pugging is that the people in them don't always
use good judgement, but you still have to try to salvage the
situation if you can.
I was doing Abaddon's Mouth the other day, we got past the first
two gates and someone wanted to stop to cap one of the spiders.
We got to the area where you have to cross a lava pool. There are
four Flesh Golems crossing from the other side. The warrior decides
to run across to the other side of the lava before engaging them
(bad judgement #1).
Just as he gets across, three Hydras come sprinting up like bats
outta hell. The warriors starts to head back, and the monks run
forward to try to heal him (bad judgement #2), of course the Flesh
Golems immediately switch from targeting the warrior targeting the
closest monk. A quick Seering Heat is enough to give the monks a
chance to retreat and bring the Golems with them so the rest of the
party can deal with them while the hydras snack on the warrior.
If we haden't had the AoE the warrior would have pulled the hydras
back into aggro range of the monks before they could back out, and
a bad situation would have gotten a lot worse.

I don't know how many times I've cast a Meteor Shower just to a
Firestorm start coming down a second before it starts and scatter
everything that it was targeting. So yeah... they can be APITA too.

Your example really cracked me up though, if a monk can't keep
one warrior alive through just about anything, the team is doomed
anyway.