Curse

scamPOR · Sep 30, 2006, 09:07 AM // 09:07

le sigh -.-

Symbol · Sep 30, 2006, 09:46 AM // 09:46

I can't believe you called "You're All Alone!" "decent". Maybe you meant to say, WTFPWN awesome instead?

I also wouldn't rate hidden caltrops so highly. The only things it offers over the non-elite siphon speed is damage and the fact that it's in shadow arts. Siphon speed is completely superior otherwise. If it had a 1/4 sec cast time maybe it'd see some use.

Dragannia · Sep 30, 2006, 10:02 AM // 10:02

Yes. "You're All Alone!" is wtfomgpwning rigged. Rigged.

scamPOR · Sep 30, 2006, 10:06 AM // 10:06

I heard it was bugged. If not then it is definately awesome. Can't run it on a hammer or an axe tho >.<

Wasteland Squidget · Sep 30, 2006, 10:49 AM // 10:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by scamPOR

I heard it was bugged. If not then it is definately awesome. Can't run it on a hammer or an axe tho >.<

It was bugged to have double the normal duration, which made it all the more wtfpwnawesome. Not that the original skill isn't powerful enough, mind.

DieInBasra · Sep 30, 2006, 03:29 PM // 15:29

Quote:

Magehunter Strike (Elite)
- Soso skill, prot strike but cant be evaded if enchanted + elite. {1/5}

I like the 1/2 cast time, ok on swords, with prot strike. Plus amazing graphic. Impaling midgits ftw!

Quote:

• Sandy Grip (Elite)
- blind bot power for the cost of an elite! I think its decent. {3/5}

Try it with Unseen Fury.

Anyway, I don't agree with most of your stuff, but good writeup none the less.

Khift · Sep 30, 2006, 03:58 PM // 15:58

I disagree with a couple of your evaluations, so hey, I'll go through and list 'em again.

Corrupt Enchantment - The nice part here is that Corrupt applies the degen regardless of whether it removes an enchantment or not. That, plus spammable enchantment stripping, plus large amounts of degen with only one hex, earns it a (3/5).

Jagged Bones - The nice part about this skill is that you can target any Jagged Horrors already up meaning you can have a potentially endless supply of minions. Additionally the bleeding spread is pretty nice when it gets rolling. Probably takes alot of micro to make it work, but it has potential. (3/5)

Blinding Surge - Imagine this on a Me/E and not on a E/x. It doesn't require huge amounts of spec into air magic to work and Mesmers can actually function without elite energy management unlike Eles. With that in mind it's a very good skill. (4/5)

Ether Prism - If you've played with this you'll notice that with good micro it approaches Ether Prodigy levels of energy management without any of EProds downsides - no vulnerability to enchantment hate, no damage, no exhaustion, etc. It just requires good micro. With that in mind it earns a (5/5) in my book.

Mind Blast - This skill is downright horrible. An elite flare? Please. (1/5)

Savannah Heat - You underestimate the amount of damage this skill puts out and the AoE is pretty big too. If you sit and take it or just don't notice the skill you'll take over 300 damage. (3/5)

Searing Flames - The big problem with this skill is, how are you going to pay for it? It's designed to be a 15 energy spammable skill... but you've got no EProd. (2/5)

Revitalize - It's excellent vs pressure and has built in energy management, but does tend to overheal like boon healers used to. Still, it's better than you give it credit for. (3/5)

Glimmer of Light - It's fun to play with, but in the end is it really better than a prot monk? Not really. It's still reactive instead of proactive and it still is hamstrung by Healing Prayer's lack of utility. It's a good skill, but not anywhere near the 'zomgawesome' needed for a 5 imo. (4/5)

Prepared Shot - If a Ranger wanted more energy he would just put more into Expertise and if he actually honestly wanted elite energy management he would take Melandru's Shot, which is 100x better than this at energy and damage. (1/5)

Headbutt - If I wanted Dazed I'd sooner bring Skull Crack. (1/5)

Soldier's Stance - If I wanted IAS I'd just bring Frenzy. Elite IAS has to be stinking amazing to make it worth using -- this isn't. (2/5)

"You're All Alone!" - The new gold standard for sword warrior elites. (5/5)

Mark of Insecurity - The effect is far too small to be deserving of your elite slot. (1/5)

Hidden Caltrops - The cast time kills this skill. It's obviously designed to help chase down a kiting target, but stopping for 1.75 seconds to put a snare hex on them that doesn't kick in until you've caught up to them again is just bad news. (2/5)

Shadow Prison - Has potential to be comboed with Black Spider Strike or Black Lotus Strike. For that reason I'd give it a (3/5).

Shameful Waste - You said it yourself, highly conditional. (1/5)

Avatar of X - Outclassed by other Dervish elites, all of them are. Especially with the nerf to Melandru's. (2/5)

Vow of Silence - Hmm, lets see, my opponent's can't cast on me... but neither can my monks. (1/5)

Wounding Strike - Spammable AoE deep wound = ridiculous pressure. Dervish staple elite. (4/5)

Grenth's Grasp - Imagine this with a ranger. (4/5)

Anthem of Guidance - Ehh, decent in spikes but very lackluster everywhere else. (2/5)

Angelic Bond - Doesn't actually do anything about the damage being dealt, though, just makes it easier to respond to vs spike. And if I wanted a Paragon anti-spike elite I'd take Incoming over this every day. (2/5)

Anthem of Fury - Awful. The effect is very small for the price of your elite slot. (1/5)

Soldier's Fury - Same as with Soldier's Stance. Elite IAS has to be stinking amazing to be playable. This isn't. (2/5)

"The Power Is Yours!" - Ridiculously bad. Given the choice between this, an elite, and Aria of Zeal, a non-elite, I would choose Aria of Zeal in every situation. The drawback kills all use this skill could possibly see. (1/5)

Neo-LD · Sep 30, 2006, 03:58 PM // 15:58

Didnt get a chance to look at absolutely all of them, but most of them look at least approxamately accurate. Some of them I disagreed with:

Too High:

Glimmer of Light - Not that amazing, people need to stop ogling at its cast and recharge and realize that basically the only healing spell that its more efficient than is orison. 3/5 at best.

Smoke Trap - Terrible skill. No damage, almost never will set off on a caster so 90% of the time this is just a dumb elite dust trap that only blinds once. 2/5 at best.

Charging Strike - Speed Boost cancels as soon as you land your first hit. Extra damage isnt that amazing. 1/5.

Stunning Spear - Cant see how its much better than trash like Broad Head Arrow. 2/5.

Too Low:

Your All Alone - Anyone who saw this skill used knows.... 6/5. Best elite ever. Nerf impending.

Blinding Surge - A truly great elite. Will see pvp play, if not on an ele primary, on a Me/E. 5/5 .

Incoming - You thought it was good, I think its wtfpwn-awesome. In the hands of a player with excellent awareness, it will singlehandedly stop all forms of adreno-spike, and partly stop pure spikes, which can spike more often than it's recharge. This will be true, of course, until some bunch of idiots gets the idea to use 5 W/D swords and chain Incoming back to back. Then it will be nerfed into oblivion. As is, tho, 5/5.

Siphon - This is like, the same skill as Mind Blast, which you gave a 4/5. Personally I think both deserve 3/5.

Corrupt Enchantment - I like it better than Reapers Mark. 3/5 at least.

Magehunter Strike - Less conditional prot strike. Increases DPS alot, but I agree not awesome. Not 1/5 tho, more like 2.5/5.

romO · Sep 30, 2006, 06:30 PM // 18:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by scamPOR

Glimmer of Light (Elite)
- Amazing skill. Hand's down kick ass. {5/5}

Elite reversal of fortune (at 6 spec, mind you) in a worthless spell line. 1/5.

Quote:

Originally Posted by scamPOR

Zealous Benediction (Elite)
- Allows a prot to be a healer with a good conditional bonus. Again hard to replace RC. {3/5}

The only time that RC is ever run in GvG is on a third monk. Other than that, it's pretty worthless. Huge heal, bigger than BL, plus it's free if target (including self) is under 50, and allows a higher prot spec than divine. 5/5.

TheOneMephisto · Sep 30, 2006, 06:41 PM // 18:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neo-LD

Charging Strike - Speed Boost cancels as soon as you land your first hit. Extra damage isnt that amazing. 1/5.

I disagree with this. It's basically +30ish damage against moving foes every 5 sec with a speed boost taked in. It's like rush + prot strike rolled in one. I can see this getting a bit of usage in pressure builds, it forces the targed to either stand still and get frenzy bashed on, or move and get smacked every 5 sec by +30 damage.

Rancour · Sep 30, 2006, 06:51 PM // 18:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Khift

Wounding Strike - Spammable AoE deep wound = ridiculous pressure. Dervish staple elite. (4/5)

Are you guys absolutely CERTAIN this skill doesn't only add the Deep Wound to your TARGET? Because that's what it says in the description...

It says the Bleeding will be added to every hit, making it AoE Bleed... But I highly doubt it's AoE Deep Wound, given that the description says "your target suffers a Deep Wound" - or something along those lines, the point is, it says TARGET.

Neo-LD · Sep 30, 2006, 07:05 PM // 19:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheOneMephisto

I disagree with this. It's basically +30ish damage against moving foes every 5 sec with a speed boost taked in. It's like rush + prot strike rolled in one. I can see this getting a bit of usage in pressure builds, it forces the targed to either stand still and get frenzy bashed on, or move and get smacked every 5 sec by +30 damage.

Sprint and Rush are both superior for giving chase because they dont end when you land a single hit and dont prevent you from using things like Bulls Strike. Enraged Charge does something similar but has a more useful effect imo and isnt elite.

Wasteland Squidget · Sep 30, 2006, 07:10 PM // 19:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by romO

The only time that RC is ever run in GvG is on a third monk.

I don't think that's true. I've seen it replacing BL on a lot of observer mode mode matches to counter the condition pressure metagame (which seems to be dying out now.) The biggest heals of the BL monk comes from GoH, and Blessed is more for a secondary heal and removal. Unfortunately, Blessed is one of the only self-heals on that bar, which can weaken you in splits if you swap in RC.

Quote:

Originally Posted by romO

Other than that, it's pretty worthless. Huge heal, bigger than BL, plus it's free if target (including self) is under 50, and allows a higher prot spec than divine. 5/5.

I was reasonably impressed with Zealous Benediction, though I'm not sure I'd give it a 5/5. If someone gets below 50% health in GvG you often want to deliver a quicker heal so they aren't at risk of death. That's not to say I think it's a bad skill, but playing with it it can be hard to get the energy gain at times.

Khift · Sep 30, 2006, 10:20 PM // 22:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rancour

Are you guys absolutely CERTAIN this skill doesn't only add the Deep Wound to your TARGET? Because that's what it says in the description...

It says the Bleeding will be added to every hit, making it AoE Bleed... But I highly doubt it's AoE Deep Wound, given that the description says "your target suffers a Deep Wound" - or something along those lines, the point is, it says TARGET.

When I tested it this past weekend, yes, it applied AoE deep wound.

scamPOR · Sep 30, 2006, 10:25 PM // 22:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by romO

Elite reversal of fortune (at 6 spec, mind you) in a worthless spell line. 1/5.

The only time that RC is ever run in GvG is on a third monk. Other than that, it's pretty worthless. Huge heal, bigger than BL, plus it's free if target (including self) is under 50, and allows a higher prot spec than divine. 5/5.

My bad I think the confusion lies in this trying to encompass gvg and ha. So perhaps this should be taken as a look at them from a mostly HA perspective. I would agree that healers are not exactly the best in gvg, but glimmer saw a lot of play in tombs.

BTW: dervish attack skills are either bugged or intended to apply their effect in an AOE. Wild blow for instance applies in an AOE.

Phades · Oct 01, 2006, 02:09 AM // 02:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by scamPOR

BTW: dervish attack skills are either bugged or intended to apply their effect in an AOE. Wild blow for instance applies in an AOE.

A inherent property of scythes is the AOE attack delivery. I don't know why people are surprised that this also applies to attack skills delivered via a scythe as well.

Riotgear · Oct 01, 2006, 02:26 AM // 02:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Khift

Mind Blast - This skill is downright horrible. An elite flare? Please. (1/5)

At high fire magic levels, it'll return 9 energy, and if you spam it as fast as you can, you'll be gaining 2.67 energy per second, while doing damage. Compare to Ether Prodigy which gives you 3.33 energy per second, not a massive amount more. Cycle that with Immolate and you're actually looking at damage figures which legitimately don't suck, precisely what elementalists are in need of.

Red Locust · Oct 01, 2006, 02:54 AM // 02:54

Cycling jagged bones and taste of death gives a dead minion every ~5seconds, along with all the soul reaping energy associated with it. It's completely self-sufficient once you get a minion up, and the necro is pretty solid with taste of death, allowing him to use health sac skills like OoP, dark fury and such. Might work well in necro-heavy builds.

As for mind blast, it does like 5 more damage than flare, on a longer recharge, and you're spending 1.75 out of every 2s casting it for a maximum of like 5 pips of energy provided you spend almost all your time spamming it. If you decide to stop spamming flare...err mind blast...to actually use those expensive-ass elementalist fire spells, your energy goes down the drain and the only thing that has less energy than you is a warrior, meaning you're spamming flare on an 80AL target. Thanks but I think I'll stick to ether prodigy

Wrath Of Dragons · Oct 01, 2006, 04:23 AM // 04:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by romO

The only time that RC is ever run in GvG is on a third monk. Other than that, it's pretty worthless. Huge heal, bigger than BL, plus it's free if target (including self) is under 50, and allows a higher prot spec than divine. 5/5.

dont like zealus benidiction at all. the 50% is calculated after other things, so its taking effect after DF and anyother heals. the person is way under 50

Wasteland Squidget · Oct 01, 2006, 05:00 AM // 05:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Locust

Cycling jagged bones and taste of death gives a dead minion every ~5seconds, along with all the soul reaping energy associated with it. It's completely self-sufficient once you get a minion up, and the necro is pretty solid with taste of death, allowing him to use health sac skills like OoP, dark fury and such. Might work well in necro-heavy builds.

Jagged Bones is an extremely powerful elite. We ran it in a pressure build over the weekend and got some very impressive results. Jagged Bones + Death Nova + Putrid Flesh on a minion allows you to quickly spread poison, bleeding, AND disease. Once you've got a few minions up, all exploding in different places on the battlefield, you're essentially a 1-man degen build.

The downside to this character is that he's pretty much useless until something dies. I guess he could do something like cast Aegis/Heal Party, spam orders, or run a flag, but he just doesn't contribute much until the corpses start piling up.