Curse

Effigy · Jan 08, 2007, 06:04 AM // 06:04

Ok, let me begin by saying that I have weapon swap for a "basic" set, negative energy, high energy, and wanding. What I'm wondering is what inscription would be best for the "basic" set, which includes Crippling +5 energy weapon of Fortitude and a focus of Fortitude. In the past I just used a 10% half skill recharge on all spells, but I've been eyeing some of these other inscriptions and wondering if there's a better option out there. Most of my skills have short recharges anyway so I don't think I'll miss the HSR mod that much. This discussion is geared toward PvP and especially GvG, although I will be using it in PvE as well.

I have damage-specific shield swaps for my negative set to fit various situations, i.e. vs slashing, piercing, blunt, fire, hexed, etc. However, I don't really want to bother with another 4-5 focus swaps for my basic set since I don't use it as much as the negative set. Not to mention that storage gets to be an issue when you have 20 different gear swaps. So what would be the best all-around inscription for my focus? Here's a few I had in mind:

"Nothing to Fear" (-3 physical dmg while hexed)
This is what I currently have on it, simply because it was already on the focus when I got it and I haven't decided to replace it yet. Not a bad mod as hexes are fairly common. Pretty nice against Shadow Prison as well. However, I'm thinking this might be a little too narrow for a "basic" set.

"Be Just and Fear Not" (+10 armor while hexed)
Similar to the previous inscription, although I think the +10 AL might be better since it affects all damage types. What do you guys think? Anyone know what packet size you would need for +10 armor to prevent more damage than -3 dmg (assuming physical)?

"Hail to the King" (+5 armor above 50% hp)
I'm strongly considering this one. Should be useful most of the time.

"Survival of the Fittest" (+5 armor vs physical)
This is another strong contender. Physical damage is very common, although I don't know if this would be better than +5^50%.

"Man of All Seasons" (+5 armor vs elemental)
Elemental damage is pretty common, although this one might be too limited for a general-purpose focus. Honorable mention, but I'd probably choose one of the other inscriptions.

So, what's the concensus? Any other suggestions, or should I go with one of the above?

Ensign · Jan 08, 2007, 07:58 AM // 07:58

20% skill recharge (specific) and +5 armor while health above 50% are the only mods I seriously consider for focii.

Peace,
-CxE

Effigy · Jan 08, 2007, 10:01 AM // 10:01

Thanks, I'll probably go with the 5^50 unless I hear some compelling argument for another inscription.

mighty xxl · Jan 09, 2007, 11:16 AM // 11:16

In my opinion +5 armor above 50% is the worst mode. And i am sure others may think the same.
Usually on a spike ur health will drop below 50% so the armor bonus is useless.

I think is better to use +30 health and +10 armor vs. XXX
In game, just switch to whatever type of damage u are taking. Ex: if you encounter SF ele's, get a +10 armor vs. fire, etc.

Flashy · Jan 09, 2007, 01:38 PM // 13:38

Agree with Mighty... u can have like the basic swaps but just get a hell load full of inventory cause its nearly almost a surprise what you are going to face

If u get 2 thumpers on you with +10 armor against Fire damage then ure fooked... just open your inventory and get a +10 Blunt damage out but you still keep the ' main' weapon swaps

only you will get the different items to swap

Lord Zado · Jan 09, 2007, 04:48 PM // 16:48

And if the thumpers have elemental hammers that they would be using vs warriors? 5^50 is the best catch all. Besides, usually you're taking damage from so many different sources at one time, that going with +5^50 is better than any specific damage type.

Effigy · Jan 09, 2007, 07:38 PM // 19:38

Yeah, Lord Zado hit the nail on the head. Even if you're fighting thumpers, they could be using any kind of elemental hammers, or they could be doing blunt. Their pets will be doing slashing, or piercing if they have a lizard or spider. There are just too many damage types for one armor type to be suitable for overall coverage.

I do have shield swaps for specific armor types, but on my focus I want something that will be useful for all intents and purposes. The +5^50 won't help too much against spikes, but then again a large portion of spike damage is armor-ignoring anyway. "Hail to the King" is more of an anti-pressure upgrade, since you'll be above 50% hp most of the time unless you're being spiked.

Ensign · Jan 09, 2007, 10:32 PM // 22:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Effigy

The +5^50 won't help too much against spikes, but then again a large portion of spike damage is armor-ignoring anyway. "Hail to the King" is more of an anti-pressure upgrade, since you'll be above 50% hp most of the time unless you're being spiked.

Exactly. Spikes reduce your health through Deep Wound, mesmer nukes, and +damage attack skills, all of which ignore armor. You do take a percentage of armor respecting damage, but it's well under half of the total incoming damage in most cases.

Against pressure, 5>50 and 5 armor period are basically identical. Unless your team is about to break, people that drop below 50% fly back up within a second or two.

Compared with +5 vs physical (which isn't even reliable against physicals - not only do they break out elemental weapons, but Melandru Dervishes deal Earth damage while Grenth Dervishes deal Cold when in god mode), 5>50 is much more reliable armor in the situations where you want that armor.

Peace,
-CxE

mighty xxl · Jan 10, 2007, 12:06 PM // 12:06

In the end it's all down to the personal choice of everyone.