Curse

coldplay · Mar 14, 2006, 03:09 AM // 03:09

I have seen increase of using Hod swords in pvp lately via observer mode?

It brings an interesting question if we should use a hod sword on our caster characters in pvp.

lets assume money(cost) isnt an issue.

hod compare to a pvp staff---this is the closet the 2 items comparing, dont want to compare hod with wand/offhand set since latter has too many mods combo only make things difficulty

hod+20/20 off hands vs PVP staff with mod

hod has 2 net energy win but lose the ability of wanding.

does 2 energy win over wanding power?

would like to get some opinions on this thing.

twicky_kid · Mar 14, 2006, 05:28 AM // 05:28

Only thing I'll use a HoD sword for is my mes. That's because i use a rockmolder and need the offhand.

Staff and 15/1 wand and off hand combo for other slots. I'd rather have the wand power.

wheel · Mar 14, 2006, 06:45 AM // 06:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by coldplay

hod has 2 net energy win but lose the ability of wanding.

does 2 energy win over wanding power?

Yes. The damage you're going to be sustaining is very marginal, especially since it's going to be on a caster who has other things to worry about than doing damage with your wand attacks. If you're a monk stopping to wand targets, you should be spending your time in other ways. On the other hand, in the situations where you DO need to wand that target on 2 hp, you can always focus swap if you need that ability.

Rustjive · Mar 14, 2006, 06:29 PM // 18:29

The main thing about having a HoD sword is that it allows for quite a bit of flexibility. There are times when you would like to have the 20% enchanting mod and carry the +5/+45 while enchanted focus, or some other focus, and the HoD sword allows for that. It also allows you to have +20% enchanting on your focus swap up, while that's strictly impossible without it.

TomD22 · Mar 14, 2006, 06:35 PM // 18:35

People underestimate wanding. If you have, say, 4 casters on your team all wanding an enemy mesmer that would be 4x20=80 damage every couple of seconds. Now of course they're not going to be free to keep wanding all the time, but even so, it adds up and it's all more damage foe the enemy monks to worry about. You can keep wanding a target even as you're busy tabbing through/pressing T to find your next one.

Rustjive · Mar 14, 2006, 07:04 PM // 19:04

The primary use of the HoD sword is for monks - other casters don't benefit as much from the enchanting piece (Mesmers/Necros) or don't need 2 more energy (Elementalists). Most monks, if not all monks, cannot afford to spend their time wanding in 8v8 battles.

wheel · Mar 14, 2006, 07:12 PM // 19:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomD22

People underestimate wanding. If you have, say, 4 casters on your team all wanding an enemy mesmer that would be 4x20=80 damage every couple of seconds. Now of course they're not going to be free to keep wanding all the time, but even so, it adds up and it's all more damage foe the enemy monks to worry about. You can keep wanding a target even as you're busy tabbing through/pressing T to find your next one.

You overestimate wanding. Wands do roughly 13.32 DPS. Wand damage, in a normal, non spike build, unless it's on a target with low health, will mostly get mopped up with Heal Party. In the cases where you need to wand a target on low health, you can focus swap.

coldplay · Mar 14, 2006, 07:26 PM // 19:26

I have never seen hod useage in GWWC thou. there are gotta be some of those guys can afford hod sword but they dont use it in pvp. So, I guess hod sword cant win over staves/wands in PVP.

wheel · Mar 14, 2006, 07:32 PM // 19:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by coldplay

I have never seen hod useage in GWWC thou. there are gotta be some of those guys can afford hod sword but they dont use it in pvp. So, I guess hod sword cant win over staves/wands in PVP.

What you really want to get a hold of is an HoD axe (Which, I know for a fact was used in the GWWC). +25 extra HP is definitely better than +2 energy

coldplay · Mar 14, 2006, 08:14 PM // 20:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheel

What you really want to get a hold of is an HoD axe (Which, I know for a fact was used in the GWWC). +25 extra HP is definitely better than +2 energy

if using hod axe then you have to comparing it with an hod sword for fairness which is 25 hp vs 5 energy. I think 5 energy wins a lot more in this case.

wheel · Mar 14, 2006, 09:03 PM // 21:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by coldplay

if using hod axe then you have to comparing it with an hod sword for fairness which is 25 hp vs 5 energy. I think 5 energy wins a lot more in this case.

No. For fairness, the HoD Axe gets you +25 more HP unconditionally. You can't get that in any other way. On the other hand, the HoD Sword only gives you +2 energy compared to alternatives.

HoD Sword +5e, +30hp/+20% Ench Length/+5 AL
+12e 20/20 offhand
Total, +17e

Staff 20/20 +10e
+5e, +30hp/+20% Ench Length/+5 AL
Total, +15e

The total benefit of the HoD Sword is +2e, not +5e. Plus, in the current metagame, the extra health buffer is worth much more than an extra energy buffer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by xcutioner

In PVP I never use it, other weapon sets are clearly better.

Like what?

Robster Lobster · Mar 14, 2006, 09:12 PM // 21:12

4 casters wanding a trapper while putting down a trap is about 24 energy. Thta's pretty strong energy denial. There are other benefits to wanding than just damage.

wheel · Mar 14, 2006, 09:15 PM // 21:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robster Lobster

4 casters wanding a trapper while putting down a trap is about 24 energy. Thta's pretty strong energy denial. There are other benefits to wanding than just damage.

Yes, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't take the HoD sword given the chance, because you can always swap weapons if you need to wand.

coldplay · Mar 14, 2006, 09:34 PM // 21:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheel

No. For fairness, the HoD Axe gets you +25 more HP unconditionally. You can't get that in any other way. On the other hand, the HoD Sword only gives you +2 energy compared to alternatives.

HoD Sword +5e, +30hp/+20% Ench Length/+5 AL
+12e 20/20 offhand
Total, +17e

Staff 20/20 +10e
+5e, +30hp/+20% Ench Length/+5 AL
Total, +15e

The total benefit of the HoD Sword is +2e, not +5e. Plus, in the current metagame, the extra health buffer is worth much more than an extra energy buffer.

Like what?

its not "25 more HP unconditionally".

conditions are:

vs staff with energy+5 head---- condition is -3 energy
vs staff with hp+30 head-------condition is + 2energy and -5 health

I still think hod axe should comparing with hod sword. You can't compare hod axe with an already compared hod sword (+2 energy in total benefit)

comparison should be:

+2 energy benefit vs 25 health -3 energy in total.

It is still energy+5 vs 25health in another way.

anyway, they both lose wanding power to staves.

Moreover, staves will do armor ignore damage if they got dark damage or chaos damage.

3lite · Mar 15, 2006, 12:14 AM // 00:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheel

Yes, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't take the HoD sword given the chance, because you can always swap weapons if you need to wand.

Exactly...the hod sword is always better than a staff...and even if u want to wand say a npc...u can always swap weapons...ecspecially if u where a smart monk u would have all four wpns slots filled with different wpns/caster items for each specific situation...ex. hod/caster item, -5e wpn/-2e scroll, brohns staff(infusing), wand/caster item with a total of 30% faster recahrge for insperation magic...well ne ways that is my 2 cents...

SaintGreg · Mar 15, 2006, 12:20 AM // 00:20

All of the popular swords and axes offer an advantage if you have them:

-5en sword: -5 energy
HoD sword: +5 energy
HoD axe: +25 hp
"charr at the gate" sword: +5 AL (While Enchanted)
flame spitter: 10/15% recharge

In the right situation all of these win over just a staff.

Ensign · Mar 15, 2006, 01:07 AM // 01:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheel

What you really want to get a hold of is an HoD axe (Which, I know for a fact was used in the GWWC). +25 extra HP is definitely better than +2 energy

I had a HoD sword on my first focus swap. I think that's the best place for it, it gives you a fat energy jump (+20 from your base set, 22 if you're using a staff) for only -1 pip, and you keep the enchanting part. I did have a HoD axe in my inventory, but it was never used because we never faced spike while we were there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alicia of IGE

I disagree with that accessment and here is why: How exactly do PVP players amass the requisit 300k+ plat to pay for these swords since most of them are unlikely to be PVE grinders?

However we can. If there are characters or equipment that'll make us better in PvP we'll find a way to have it in important matches. In my guild's case, we had a lot of leftover money from the Arid Sea and the Celestial Sigil market at the beginning of the game. That went straight into uberloot.

Peace,
-CxE

The_Janitor · Mar 15, 2006, 11:02 PM // 23:02

I've seen a few healers using HoD swords.

Ow wow..+5 energy. That gives exactly one heal.

wheel · Mar 15, 2006, 11:31 PM // 23:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Janitor

I've seen a few healers using HoD swords.

Ow wow..+5 energy. That gives exactly one heal.

It's a 2 energy advantage. That doesn't mean that it isn't imbalanced and overpowered. 48 energy vs 50 energy will make or break a battle eventually.

stickyballs · Mar 15, 2006, 11:52 PM // 23:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Janitor

I've seen a few healers using HoD swords.

Ow wow..+5 energy. That gives exactly one heal.

Not the first time someone has voiced that opinion. But, one heal could save a person from dying, which could in turn save a Rez signet. In this respect, if you're running around and regenerating your energy, you again have one extra heal when your bar is full. Is it totally imbalanced? Probably not, but people use it as a scapegoat. "OMGZ, NOOB HAD HOD SORD, NO WAY I CUD HAVE WON!!!". Most of the time it just gave them a little help.