Curse

Crazyvietguy · Feb 16, 2007, 03:53 AM // 03:53

To be honest the most success ive had with a paragon are complete hybrid builds. Like the ToF tank and Now the Quivering Blade Paragon (courtesy of enchanted, i did a little research and im mapping out a build).

Paragons are sufficient as Motivators/ToF Commanders. However I dont think they bring as much to the table as any other profession. Now to the contrary, there was a post in the Paragon forums not too long ago regarding an "energy-gon" I was quite interested at the time but i was too busy for GW. I might give that a shot.

Noisy Ninj4 · Feb 16, 2007, 02:41 PM // 14:41

My build still does its magic, regardless of all the nerfs to paragons. This thing got me through nearly all of Nightfall, as well as most other places.

14 Leadership
12 Tactics
9 Spear Mastery

Spear of Lightning
"Watch Yourself!"
Anthem of Flame
"They're on Fire!"
"Shields Up!" or Healing Signet
Defensive Anthem
Aggressive Refrain
Signet of Return

I know, no motivation healing/e-management, no self-heal in a lot of cases, and not much obvious party-wide damage reduction. Despite this, it all works quite nicely, and is extremely energy efficient.

The other build I use has indeed gotten hit hard by Anet. It used to use Incoming back when it lasted 7 whole seconds, the several nerfs to SyG didn't help either. Still, 40% longer shouts is always good times.
Note that because of no adrenal shouts, e-management is a little trickier here.

10 Restoration Magic
14 Leadership
12 Command

Vocal was Sogolon
Anthem of Flame
"They're on Fire!"
"Stand your Ground!"
Defensive Anthem
Leader's Comfort
"Fall Back!"
Signet of Return

Katari · Feb 16, 2007, 03:49 PM // 15:49

Actually, smashing stuff with spears is as effective and fun as it ever has been. I think neglecting the DPS that a paragon can put out is as crazy as a warrior with 9 weapon mastery. Is a paragon a replacement for a monk? If not, that brings up another question, what is wrong with your monks that they really need a fully dedicated support character?

Enchanted Warrior · Feb 16, 2007, 06:00 PM // 18:00

I think they (GW) have PVP on the brain, and want to promote it more. Assassins were mainly designed for pvp, and I have a feeling so were Paragons.

Crazyvietguy · Feb 16, 2007, 08:38 PM // 20:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enchanted Warrior

I think they (GW) have PVP on the brain, and want to promote it more. Assassins were mainly designed for pvp, and I have a feeling so were Paragons.

You hit that one on the head. Basically IMO
Ritualist > Paragon : PvE
Ritualist < Paragon : PvP

The Paragon and Ritualist are very similar in that both are potentially defensive (for the party) and offensive at the same time. In factions Assassins were meant to be completely offensive (If you disagree then you've never played one). Ritualists were primaryed at Defensive because of their incredible restoration/communing.

In Nightfall, Anet was trying to get 2 Offensive+Defensive professions. Seeing that Dervishes act as good healers and melee attackers. Paragons are also fairly good at ranged attack but lack some buffage in their defense skills.

Its pretty obvious Anet cares about this game like... 90% PvP 10% PvE

Enchanted Warrior · Feb 16, 2007, 10:38 PM // 22:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazyvietguy

Its pretty obvious Anet cares about this game like... 90% PvP 10% PvE

Agreed, PVP is easier for the (Gw). Why? no content, no loot, no chests, just people being rude, er umm fighting each other. All they have to do is create areas once in a while and listen to people whine when they lose.

PVE, requires, storyline, loot, new proffesions etc... If all they had was pvp, they would only need a few people on hand.

Trouble is, PVP is fun for about 30 mins then it's boring to me. And judging from people in game, others agree. How many times can you derive fun from chasing people, all over the jade sea, only to be cursed out for killing them? I forced myself to pvp only long enough to get enough kurzick faction to get my armor. Then laters .. haven't been back since. (which I dumped for Elonian when nightfall hit..LOL)

soupnazi · Feb 17, 2007, 01:04 AM // 01:04

I had fun with this build:
Hammer Mastery: 12
Command:8
Leadership:8(i think..)

1.Devastating hammer {E}
2.Irresistable Blow
3.Heavy Blow
4."Stand Your Ground!"
5."Go For the Eyes!"
6.Leaders Comfort
7."Fall Back"
8. Signet of Return

Or this one:
Axe Mastery:12
command-leadership: same as above

1.Cleave{E} (dont have eviscerate(sp?) yet)
2.Critical Chop
3.Executioners Strike
4-8 same as above

and this one once i got to LA:
Spear Mastery:13
Beast Mastery:12
1.Cruel Spear {E}
2.Mighty Throw
3.Wild Throw
4.Charm Animal
5.Scavenger's Strike
6.Brutal Strike(i think thats what it was...)
7.Comfort Animal
8. Sig of return

ThisIsNi · Feb 18, 2007, 03:45 AM // 03:45

guys check out this elite...its amazing...
[skill]Soldier's Fury[/skill]

now...can anyone say return of thump?

clawofcrimson · Feb 19, 2007, 06:27 PM // 18:27

@enchanted warrior..... you sound as if pvp is the same as Alliance Battles...its not really... the competitive atmosphere is more intense in troll caves... the develpoers are definitely NOT looking to AB or RA for making there skill balance decisions.... do yourself a favour and use the 'observe' mode... GVG HA ...etc... high end pvp is what gets anets attention....(and high end pvpers are who are the most likely to buy the next chapter)

...my guild for instance...all started as a pve only guild.... we had a pretty large group.....after a few months... I was the only one left.....(and the only one interested in PVP)

Milan-V · Feb 19, 2007, 07:40 PM // 19:40

I hate waiting for partys in HA so I pretty much always am to be found in PvE or simple PvP (it's enjoyable :P)

I found Paragon actually very competable in both conditions. In PvP you have the Paragod or as I prefer to call it Pamper: pretty much a Wammo. If you don't want that you are best of using a spear build as Motivation/commad takes to many time to have effect (long recharges, short effects).
In PvE I use simpel half spear half shout/chant. Works, it's a good last spot party filler so why not?

lorinton · Mar 01, 2007, 05:56 AM // 05:56

I've decided I love ToF. Not because its an awesome skill but because its moderately useful and keeps Aggresive Refrain up without stopping for a chant. The reduction in recharge turns out to be a godsend for a command and spear build. I had been using [skill=card]"Stand Your Ground!"[/skill] but have dropped it for ToF. I don't think it provides as much benefit but not needing to worry about keeping AR up makes it worthwhile to me.

I haven't gone back to the motivation line although I will if I find myself in a group that will benefit more from it. For PvE though I'm enjoying this build. Some day I'll unlock skills to try out all those thumper style builds.

Spear: 12+1+3
Command: 9+1
Leadership: 9+1

[skill=card]Slayer's Spear[/skill][skill=card]Spear of Lightning[/skill][skill=card]Vicious Attack[/skill][skill=card]"Go for the Eyes!"[/skill][skill=card]Focused Anger[/skill][skill=card]Aggressive Refrain[/skill][skill=card]"They're on Fire!"[/skill][skill=card]Bladeturn Refrain[/skill]

Slayer's Spear is great in PvE as there are a lot of opportunities to get the first hit on a high level creature. I replace Bladeturn Refrain with a skill to address unique needs of an area as needed.

To use put up Aggressive Refrain immediately and fire off ToF 7 seconds later. When not in combat, continue firing off ToF 7 seconds after AR refreshes. Energy loss from ToF will recharge before you need to use it again. Put Bladeturn Refrain on each member of the party as able. ToF will keep it refreshed.