Curse

Hippocheesebarn · Jun 01, 2006, 01:56 PM // 13:56

I brought it out this spirit to fill a hole in my skill bar early on, but for kicks and giggles, and I noticed something rather magnificent, that has been reason enough for me to keep packing the little guy.
I cannot confirm this 100%, but I am fairly certain (90%+) that Melee characters (Warrior and Assassin types) will flee from the area of destruction, due to being hit by its AoE dmg. This makes protecting NPCs and even your own spirits exceptionally easy. Rangers and casters skill have the range on destruction, but it hold off Melee types for long enough for you to really put out some nasty damage.
I would call destruction a Ward against Melee. It won't stop melee types, but it will deter them. I successfully protected Menhlo and Togo throughout all of the Vizunah Square mission by simply placing it next to them.

My personal proof has been through excessive use with it, now, and through one particular incident that I tried after I discovered it's PvE abilities... Talon was engaged in combat with 2 melee types (a war and assassin if I remember correctly) there were no other spirits, or AoE attacks being used. I ran up to Talon and the 2 fighting him. They did not disengage him, so I dropped destruction. The second that destruction was dropped they turned tail and ran. We were in a narrow corridor, so they ran directly from the spirit into a wall. Only then did they turn around, immediately attack destruction, and THEN resume battle with Talon.

At the very least, it makes them reconsider their target.

ubermancer · Jun 07, 2006, 12:40 AM // 00:40

One place where I like to use Spirit of Destruction is in Urgoz's Warren, in the unavoidable warden-filled room. Drop the spirit, whittle everyone down, and then a few seconds (5-10) before the 30 second mark, call a spike. Meteor Shower + Fireball on the eles, for example. As this room is full of monks, you can easily decimate large groups of the wardens at once, significantly speed up the slowest room in the warren.