Curse

Sab · Feb 14, 2006, 09:51 PM // 21:51

After some twiddling and tweaking, I've managed to find a use for this overlooked skill. By combining Flourish with three attack skills, it allows me to do a massive amount of damage to a single target. Because of its non-AOE nature, this build is geared towards soloing small groups of enemies which don't bunch up, such as Avicara and Imps/Pinesouls. Also, because of the reliance on attack skills, the build is useful against armored foes against which your normal, unaided attacks hit for single digits.

Using the build is quite simple, hit Dolyak Signet to begin, and execute a "round" of Flourish:

Pure Strike
Desperation Blow
Power Attack
Flourish
Pure Strike
Desperation Blow
Power Attack

That's two unevadeable/unblockable hits, one or two conditions applied to the target and around 180 damage in attack bonuses alone. After the round of Flourish, There's a few seconds before Flourish is recharged so this is the perfect time for Healing Signet. Watch Yourself should be applied liberally, as that's the only adrenal skill in the build.

Energy is no problem, as the energy requirements are nicely balanced out by the energy gain with Flourish and a Zealous hilt. The maths is shown at the bottom if you're interested.

W/X

Pure Strike
If Pure Strike hits, you strike for +1...24 damage. If you are not using a Stance, Pure Strike cannot be "blocked" or "evaded."

Desperation Blow
If this attack hits, you strike for +10...34 damage, and your target suffers from one of the following conditions: Deep Wound (for 20 seconds), Weakness (for 20 seconds), Bleeding (for 25 seconds), or Crippled (for 15 seconds). After making a Desperation Blow, you are knocked down.

Power Attack
If this attack hits, you strike for +10...26 damage.

Flourish
All of your attack skills become recharged. You gain 1...6 Energy for each skill recharged by Flourish. This is an elite skill.

Watch Yourself!
Party members near you gain +20 armor for 5...10 seconds.

Healing Signet
You gain 40...130 Health. You have -40 armor while using this skill.

Dolyak Signet
For 8...18 seconds, you have +10...34 armor and cannot be knocked down, but your movement is slowed by 75%.

Sprint
For 8...13 seconds, you move 25% faster.

Against different types of enemies, Pure Strike and/or Sprint can be swapped with whatever counters you want to bring (e.g. an alternative heal against Ice Golems, condition/hex removal, additional armor etc.).

The attribute point spread is something I'm still fiddling around with, but the general idea is:

(with HoD helm)
Strength: 12 + 3
Swordsmanship: 9 + 1
Tactics: 9 + 3

(without HoD helm)
Strength: 11 + 4
Swordsmanship: 10 + 1
Tactics: 10 + 3

I'd recommend Lornar's Pass as a place to start, as there's a nice range of enemies which can be soloed with this build.

Comments? Questions?

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[maths]

First, with a Zealous hilt, each attack skill only costs 4 energy as 1 energy is gained per hit.

Each round of Flourish requires 17 energy to start (4e per attack, 5e for Flourish).

Let's imagine we have 17 energy, and we begin the series of attacks:
Attack 1 - 13e
Attack 2 - 9e
Attack 3 - 5e
Flourish - 21e (returns 7e per attack at 14+ strength, note the 5e cost of Flourish)
Attack 4 - 17e
Attack 5 - 13e
Attack 6 - 9e

Each round of Flourish lasts ~10 seconds, which means, with one pip of energy regen (Zealous mod gives -1 energy regen), ~3 energy is naturally regained at Attack 6, bringing the energy bar up to 12e at that point.

There's 6 seconds between Attack 6 and when Flourish is recharged, so another 2 energy is naturally regained, bringing the energy bar up to 14e.

All that's needed is three slashes with a Zealous after Attack 6 to bring us back to our starting point - 17e, where we can execute another round of Flourish.

[/maths]

4runner · Feb 15, 2006, 11:25 PM // 23:25

cool, ill try it with a sword warrior!

SnipiousMax · Feb 16, 2006, 06:19 AM // 06:19

I'd switch Desperation Blow for something else. Maybe seeking blade, or Wild blow (which results in a critical everytime you use it.)

ElderAtronach · Feb 16, 2006, 07:06 AM // 07:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnipiousMax

I'd switch Desperation Blow for something else. Maybe seeking blade, or Wild blow (which results in a critical everytime you use it.)

Why? He's got Dolyak Signet to prevent knockdown, which is the *only* downside of Desperation Blow. Seeking Blade is too conditional and Wild Blow negates any adrenaline built up for Watch Yourself. This is one build where Desperation Blow fits in really nicely.