Curse

Heelz · Mar 04, 2006, 08:39 AM // 08:39

After reading that Protector's Strike was changed to 1/2 swing time rather than whatever your weapon's attack rate was, I immediately thought of this build. I present to you, the Triple-hitter Hammer Warrior for Random Arenas! This is mainly for kicks, an interesting build to smash really fast with a hammer.

W/Me

Attributes:

Strength: 8 + 1
Hammer Mastery: 12 + 1 + 3
Tactics: 8 + 1
Inspiration Magic: 6

Skills:

Echo [E] - To copy Protector's Strike.
Protector's Strike - Gives practically an instant melee attack, no matter what weapon you're weilding, which means this skill is best used with a hammer. The +28 damage to moving targets is a bonus, but not what makes this skill great. 9% armor penetration is pretty good too!
Power Drain - 13 energy on a spell interrupt, this gives you 3 more uses of Protector's Strike.
Mighty Blow - +32 damage!
Hammer Bash - Use after Mighty Blow for a knockdown and follow up with Crushing Blow for Deep Wound.
Crushing Blow - +21 damage and 21 seconds of Deep Wound!
Healing Signet - 100 HP heal, just in case.
Resurrection Signet - You know what this is for.

Equipment:

Dwarven Helm
Gladiator's Hauberk and Leggings - for 25 total energy
Stonefist Gauntlets - for longer knockdown
Knight's Boots - for damage reduction

Also put on your best Vigor and Absorption runes. Not being an avid Warrior player, I only have minors for those.

Main weapon: Zealous Hammer of (whatever you want, I prefer Fortitude)
Secondary weapon: Non-zealous Hammer of (see above)
I prefer the 15>50 damage mod.

Strategy:

The basic strategy is to cast Echo before battle, but not until you see the enemy team. Once the fighting begins, run up to a weak target you don't think is paying much attention, my preferred targets are Elementalists and Necromancers.

Let your first normal blow hit, then immediately hit PS, and follow it up with the Echoed copy. This will give you a three hit combo with a hammer, delivered in roughly 2 seconds, and 3 strikes of adrenaline. Each hit also gives you back one energy, so every five hits you get another PS!

Continue with this tactic until you have enough adrenaline to use Mighty Blow, you may have to do a lone standard hit without PS to get the 7th strike, and follow that up with a PS. Try to get the most out of the Echoed copy before it runs out of time. Next, use Hammer Bash, followed by Crushing Blow, followed by yet another PS. By now, your target should be dead, near death, or severely damaged, unless a monk got to him. You may run out of energy to spam PS, but if you have good enough reflexes, you can use Power Drain in a pinch.

This build is by no means final. It lacks defense and it's weak to most anti-Warrior tactics. It is, however, pretty fun to play, and most players won't expect to be hit with a hammer so quickly and will be taken off guard.

Comments and suggestions are welcome.

The Real Roy Keane · Mar 04, 2006, 05:10 PM // 17:10

I wouldn't run a hammer build without a hammer elite usually..and echoing Protector's Strike sounds a bit cumbersome. Still, I wouldn't knock it til I've tried it, and it's certainly an inventive idea.

Lambentviper · Mar 04, 2006, 05:57 PM // 17:57

This is like my Random Arenas water ele build..great fun!

Just echo ice spear, then spam it....a constant flow of 65 dmg, and ice prison so they cant run well...is great!!

I also like to echo wastrel's worry on an etheral burdened warrior and just watch his health drop...heheh echo should be nerfed

Murder In China · Mar 04, 2006, 08:39 PM // 20:39

Mana trouble with spamming Protector's strike.

AlienFromBeyond · Mar 05, 2006, 08:51 AM // 08:51

What about ditching Echo and instead using Warrior's Endurance? That reduces Protector's Strike to 2 energy per swing. You won't be throwing it around as often, but you'll last a bit longer in a fight.

thugsline · Mar 05, 2006, 09:57 AM // 09:57

Good build, good quick 2 hits too. But as said, warrior's endurance might help for a real good hammer combo chain.