Curse

Dark Paladin X · Nov 28, 2007, 08:46 PM // 20:46

I first, I thought the way of the master was a joke because I preform well with daggers as an assassin (as well as using virulence). However, after I found sins using scythe in AB, I realize that way of the master is no joke. So, I look all attack skills that each non-dagger martial weapon provide and which gives the best synergy. Combined with [skill]Way of the Assassin[/skill] and [skill]Critical Eye[/skill], dealing critical hits to maintain critical defenses would be no hassle. Here is what I found.

Bows: Most people would combine this with Barrage for spike energy gain. However, I find it better to combine this with [skill]Keen Arrow[/skill] and [skill]Disrupting Accuracy[/skill] to deal spike damage and/or shutdown casters with +60% chance of interrupts (which disrupting accuracy requires critical hits to interrupt). The best for interrupts is obviously the recurve bow.

Sword: This weapon lacks syngery with swords.

Hammers: Also lack syngery. Bunny thumper and warrior primaries tend to do better with the hammer.

Axe: The only skill that requires critical hit for an effect is [skill]Critical Chop[/skill], which results interruption. Combine this with [skill]Eviscerate[/skill]/[skill]Dismember[/skill] and [skill]Agonizing Chop[/skill], and you would be the front line interrupter. [skill]Keen Chop[/skill] is also nice as well.

Scythe: Sadly, the scythe lack skills that require critical hits for an effect. However, take advantage on the fact that scythes hit three people. So when combined with Critical Eye, Zealous Sweep, and a Zealous scythe with 13 Critical Strikes, you would end having a maximum 24 energy gain if you hit 3 foes and all result in a critical hit (3*(3+1+3+1)). Also, Dervishes have self-survival enchantments that would make the assassin more durable.

Spear: Combine with [skill]"Go for the Eyes!"[/skill] for Deep Wound infliction, but it's better if you use [skill]Vicious Attack[/skill] since you would be using a spear. Also, since you attack in range and has a somewhat decent attack speed, combine this with [skill]Dark Apostasy[/skill] and you can shutdown most builds that require enchantments for survival (I find daggers to preform better when it comes to this).

In conclusion, if you are someone who don't like using daggers or like to inflict critical hit, then Way of the Master has lots of syngery in most weapons. Once I get EotN, I might as well take that skill and bring my bow and Disrupting Accuracy to screw the heck over on casters who try and shut me down. So any suggestions on the way of the master stuff?

Jaigoda · Nov 28, 2007, 09:24 PM // 21:24

The best is with a scythe, not only for the 3 hits, but also because it has the highest max damage, which is what critical hits' damage is determined by.

ensoriki · Nov 28, 2007, 10:02 PM // 22:02

Scythe ftw.

It may not have crit affected skills.

BUT, scythes can deal 100 damage.. per hit..TO 3 enemies!
Scythe skills just augment that damage giving you damage of about 130+ damage.... to 3 foes.

Although a sin is using it so the crit damage isn't as high as a dervish using it.
So the crit damage is about 90.
to 3 enemies..with attack skills so about +120 damage...even more with Chilling Victory.

You underestimate the scythe.

zwei2stein · Nov 29, 2007, 07:50 AM // 07:50

Using adrenaline skills with crit strikes is kinda pointless. Greatest benefit of crit strikes is super energy management that allows you to spam energy skills more than primary class.

Go with scythe, its the only one that is about equal to primary use.

Saphatorael · Nov 29, 2007, 09:20 AM // 09:20

Haven't tried scythes yet, but I've tried spears in PvE. Way of the Master, Crit Agility, Barbed Spear, Spear of Fury, and the rest can be filled in accordingly to your own wishes. Could bring Critical Defenses for some damage mitigation (though you're in the backline already with +20AL, I don't really see the use of this one), Way of the Assassin if you're planning on bringing non-adrenal spear attacks, etc.

Great for survivor chars, actually, too bad I never bothered going for it and it can't be reset >.>

odly · Nov 29, 2007, 10:56 AM // 10:56

You should add Way of the Master if you're not using daggers.
And use Critical Agility for an ias.

I like the idea, I'm going to try this on my assassin one of these days.

Sythes have bigger critical damage. But If I'm going melee I'm using daggers not scythes. This build might be interesting if for one or another reason I don't want to go melee.

> to 80% critical's with this Way of the master + way of the assassin + critical eye and a fast attack rate with critical agility.

You'll do some decent interupting. Pity Keen arrow doesn't recharge faster though. You'd have the enegry to spam it. Maybe add a couple other fast recharging bow attacks. Zojun's, Needling,

Sir Pandra Pierva · Nov 29, 2007, 07:41 PM // 19:41

Its always interesting how one of the most popular skills to use in making builds is [skill]Way of the Master[/skill].

For dmg use scythes
for interupt use a bow and the critical thingie and a shortbow with some ias.

Malaguard · Nov 29, 2007, 08:35 PM // 20:35

Hands down, best critical weapon set is dual wielded vampiric wand set. You nay-sayers laugh all you want, but this is something you can only knock until you try it, and then... never again. You will be converted.

Another nice combo is a wand/shield set. I find a nice synergy with shield bash, shield of force, and burning shield. All using max critical strikes ofc.

Enjoy. I hope this will be helpful to you in your quest for the largest critical number ever known to GW.

I wonder what the highst achievable critical number could be. Probably a 16 scythe dervish with holy damage, Vow of Strength, Aura of Holy Might maxed, +20% versus undead, customized, versus a low-level undead on a critical hit. Probably 800+? Hmm... I'll have to crunch the numbers on that sometime. It could be fun to do some Min-Maxing and get a screenie.

Shuuda · Nov 29, 2007, 11:30 PM // 23:30

Well.

Dark Apostasy
Way of the Master
Critical Eye
Disrupting Accuracy
Called Shot
Keen arrow

Can have some rather nice effects.

-Enchantment removal
-Interrupting
-Can go past stances and guardian (called shot)
-some damage (Keen arrow)

LaserLight · Nov 30, 2007, 01:25 PM // 13:25

Apostasy? If you must. Shattering Assault/Assault Enchantments are much better options for removal, though. yes, I said Assault was better than Apostasy. IT IS, DANGIT!!

Anyways. Master builds are best as Scythers for reasons about fourteen people have stated already, but I thought I'd mention that adrenal spear attacks could also help if you insist on an Apostasy build. Gives you something to use if the dang thing runs away with your Energy - though any Apostasy user who isn't at 14CS with Critical Eye on needs to be taken over a large man's knee anyways.

I STILL say Assault or Shattering are much better choices for mass Enchant removal on Assassins...Assault after an unblockable/sufficiently swift-recharging combo chain can be yummy...hm hm, completely remove all enchant-protting every two seconds...*Rubs hands together gleefully*

Wait, what? Nevamind, I said nothing. Go back to Shattering Assault now...

Mist Walker Skarloc · Dec 01, 2007, 05:54 PM // 17:54

Another vote for scythes. I'd much rather use daggers, though.

Shuuda · Dec 01, 2007, 09:26 PM // 21:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaserLight

Apostasy? If you must. Shattering Assault/Assault Enchantments are much better options for removal, though. yes, I said Assault was better than Apostasy. IT IS, DANGIT!!

Anyways. Master builds are best as Scythers for reasons about fourteen people have stated already, but I thought I'd mention that adrenal spear attacks could also help if you insist on an Apostasy build. Gives you something to use if the dang thing runs away with your Energy - though any Apostasy user who isn't at 14CS with Critical Eye on needs to be taken over a large man's knee anyways.

I STILL say Assault or Shattering are much better choices for mass Enchant removal on Assassins...Assault after an unblockable/sufficiently swift-recharging combo chain can be yummy...hm hm, completely remove all enchant-protting every two seconds...*Rubs hands together gleefully*

Wait, what? Nevamind, I said nothing. Go back to Shattering Assault now...

Well, them two can only be used with daggers and cause you to go frontline a bit. Dark Apostasy by default is better on a bow.

Spears can work nicely because of vicious throw for decent deep wound.