Curse

Wizards and Demons · Sep 15, 2005, 02:02 PM // 14:02

I've been working on an E/Me comp arena build for a short bit now, and I'm fairly happy with it, but I've yet to decide on an Elite skill for it, and I still have some gripes. If someone more talented with building could help out, that'd be awesome.

12 + 3 Air
9 Earth
6 Inspiration
Rest in Energy Storage...

Right now I mostly run with...

Spirit of Failure
Blinding Flash
Lightning Orb
Lightning Strike/Chain Lightning
Armor of Earth
Energy Tap
Aura of Restoration/Ether Feast
Resurrection Signet

First thing I try to do in the opening part of a fight is get at least one warrior under control with Spirit and Blind. This works most of the time, I have had a few people Plague Touch the Blind back and remove conditions every so often, but this is Competition Arena, and most people don't pack stuff like that, so more often than not, the Spirt + Blind works. Obviously, it creates a good energy regen combo.

Next thing is find who my team is beating on, *hopefully a Monk* and proceed to throw some lightning to finish them off.

Then we have Armor of Earth for times when the tanks/rangers decide I'm the prime target of the day so I toss that on and try to blind them or otherwise survive. With Aura of Restoration, when I take it, I can throw some Lightning Orbs to stay alive for a bit, and casting Blinding Flash (15 energy) a lot helps pump my health a little. Other times I try out Ether Feast and tap a little energy for health if I need it. Energy Tap is also there to get some energy back if I need a little more to cast Spirit of Failure again or whatnot.

Ok, there's a basic explanation of the build and how I play it, so here's what I like / don't like and need help with

Spirit of Failure + Blinding Flash is a great combo, for Comp. Arena anyway, but its not super reliable. Probably 80% of the time, it works just fine, but I'm open to any suggestions as to something better for damage control. Comp Arena has an incredible amount of Warriors so keeping them from beating me/my team to death is fairly important.

The Earth Magic is good so far, I like armor of earth, but I haven't really looked around for anything better for control/damage reduction, could use some help here.

Energy Tap seems to be a good fit for a quick boost of energy, I'm fairly happy with it, but if somebody thinks something else would work better, I'm open.

I usually don't have problems with energy management, believe it or not. I run about 90 or so energy so I can cast for a while, and the spirit/blind combo helps keep me going a little, but in longer fights I start to run dry and its slow going.

The damage from my Lightning is good, but it could probably be better. Any suggestions?

Thats about it, I'll be around, thanks for looking.

Lynnrose · Sep 15, 2005, 03:17 PM // 15:17

Quick thoughts:

Where's your elite? Energy Drain >>> Energy Tap or, better yet, how about using the broken Ether Renewal in conjunction with Armor of Earth + Aura of Restoration/Air Attunement + the enchant you get from ER + a quicker-casting spell like Lightning Strike for energy and healing combined?

Are you trying to be a pain in the ass? If so, more mesmer skills are needed. If you want to deal damage, this build doesn't do it. This is a half/half build that might be kind of fun to play but that doesn't contribute as much as it should.

mamluk · Sep 15, 2005, 03:25 PM // 15:25

Ryun has good suggestions. Also consider if you are using air and earth to try enervating charge and stoning. Nice knockdown combo.

Wizards and Demons · Sep 15, 2005, 03:54 PM // 15:54

Thanks Ryun. I was looking for an Elite to put in there, since I haven't decided on one yet. I haven't been doing PvP or Guild Wars for that matter very much and don't have a whole lot of stuff unlocked, so I don't have any elites to toy with yet. Ether Renewal sounds tough.

Basically, I'm trying to survive long enough to deal some damage. A Lightning Orb and Lightning Strike to one person at half or so health usually finishes them off, so thats where my damage comes in. I don't think I'm going to be able to drop one person by myself and still live long enough to cast on someone else.

Comp arena is wierd, so much random stuff, so I'm looking for a build that can deal decent damage, not a spiker by any means, but with enough power to hurt someone bad or finish somebody quickly. Also try to pack a few things to stay alive in the meantime.

I'll try out Ether Renewal today, thanks.