Curse

Divineshadows · Jun 02, 2006, 11:25 PM // 23:25

I feel that the health change from -50 to -35 for major runes was a logical change made by Anet to try and at least tempt players to give some thought as to which rune to use. In the past, when I have designed builds the only characters that I thought could potentially make use of a major rune were typically rangers to hit a new breakpoint on expertise. The previous health cost made this difficult to justify without going with a superior rune instead.

What are the opinions of the players? Are you going to consider using major runes now? If so, in which builds? Would it be reasonable to have a PvE character with different armor pieces able to freely rune swap minor <-> major <-> superior to gain a competitive advantage in obscure situations? Furthermore, are there situations where a build (again thinking along the ranger line) would be viable for PvP with two major runes instead of a single superior rune?

Isileth · Jun 03, 2006, 12:30 AM // 00:30

Well they now grant a better gain:health ratio then sup runes so im pretty sure they will start to sneak into some builds. In the end though sup and minor will always really be the main ones.

JR · Jun 03, 2006, 01:17 AM // 01:17

It is actually more profitable attribute/health wise to take two Majors now, as opposed to one Superior; both combinations giving you the same number of extra attribute levels.

However, there will always be builds that simply have a primary strong attribute; Warrior weapon attribute, Divine Favor for a Boon Prot.. etc. These character builds will probably continue to be quite simply a case of a Superior, or Minor for those who don't like the health loss. Character builds which are a bit more flexible with attribute spreads (like offensive casters for example) may get some mileage out of Major runes though.

Ensign · Jun 03, 2006, 07:45 AM // 07:45

On characters where you have one attribute that you really want as high as possible you're just going to use superiors, no question. On characters where you have two high attributes, the use of two majors might save you 5 health at no cost.

I think majors are going to see the most use in one-major setups on characters that need to hit a critical break point. For example, a domination mesmer can use a major rune to get the key 14 domination for his build without spending 20 attribute points, and an air/water hybrid can get 14 air/10 water for the maxed blinding flash and windborne at a reasonable cost.

It's not going to revolutionize builds, since those were always skills first, attributes second. But it will affect how builds are optimised, no question. The change is going to have a significant impact on a largely invisible part of the game.

Peace,
-CxE

shardfenix · Jun 03, 2006, 12:03 PM // 12:03

I have already started using 1 sup + 1 major in most of my builds
I also think that for non-spike groups, people will fit 2 or 3 major runes in a character.

TheOneMephisto · Jun 03, 2006, 01:40 PM // 13:40

Yea, mostly for ranger builds for hitting expertise breakpoints I cna really see this coming into play.

Makkert · Jun 04, 2006, 10:53 AM // 10:53

I think the ranger rejoices with this change, as breakpoints 13 and 14 are quite doable with a major rune (maybe in combination with headset, depending on most profitable attributedistribution). Not only that, but a ranger usually has a second high attribute. I.e. a trapper with high wilderness survival.

old:
14 Exp. (12+1+1 )
15 WS (12 +3)

new:
14 Exp (12+2)
15 WS. (12+2+1)

same stats, 5hp saved.

Another type of char that might profit from this is a Dom mesmer, who also has some breakpoints at 14 (e-denial).