Mandragor Synergy.

2 pages • Page 1
T
Tyla
Emo Goth Italics
• #1
Okeh, so [fevered dreams] popped into my head.
I've heard this name in a previous thread, and thought it would be devilish and evil to steal it for myself! ()

It's ran on heavy variables, though. It depends on your character's profession to determine the heroes.

The skillsets are:

[build prof=Me/E name="Mandragor Mes" box Illusion=12+1+1 fastcast=8+1 dom=10+1][Fevered Dreams][hypochondria][fragility][frustration][accumulated pain][cry of frustration][guilt][glyph of lesser energy][/build]

This is the heart of the build. Soothing Images can be put in when you're against high-adrenaline based enemy areas, if you're concerned about not being able to permablind stuff.
You can also run a Necro for Soul Reaping working as energy management, but I personally like Mesmers. (My preference!!)

Edit: Fragility will now be more energy intensive after the revert. It would be extremely smart to choose Necro over Mes in this situation.

With this, your conditions reach max strength on the field, witness the death of legions of enemies!

[build prof=E/N name="Condition Elementalist" box air=12+1+1 est=10+1 cur=8][air attunement][elemental attunement][Maelstrom][enfeebling blood][blinding flash][lightning hammer][lightning orb][resurrection signet][/build]

The aim of this one is to spam LO & LH and the 3 conditions. The build can be set appropriately depending on the situation. (If there's heavy enchant removal ect.)


[build prof=R/Mo name="Spellcasting shutdown" box mar=9+1 exp=12+1+1 wil=9+1 pro=3][broad head arrow][distracting shot][savage shot][volley][screaming shot][mending touch][natural stride][resurrection signet][/build]

The aim here is to use BHA on spellcasters and use Volley for a more AoE-ey feeling of interrupt, and DPS.

It also offers strong conditional removal via Mending Touch and Bleeding via Screaming Shot.

[build prof=W name="Melee" box axe=12+1+1 str=12+1][eviscerate][body blow][executioner's strike][disrupting chop][flail]["for great justice!"][enraging charge][resurrection signet][/build]
The aim here -- Kill stuff.
This one is NOT advisable in the hands of the AI.

You can also switch out Eviscerate and Executioner's for Sever Artery and Gash as a Sword variant, with Disrupting Chop changed to Savage Slash.

If you're running the Ranger, remove Screaming Shot for Sloth Hunter's Shot or Body Shot if going with the Sword. Or even Pin Down if you're worried about enemies thinking "Noes, melee, run awaaaaay!!".

For Hammers, go for Earth Shaker, by switching Evis for Earth Shaker, Executioner's for Crushing Blow and Disrupting Chop for Crude Swing.

[build prof=P name="Cruel Spear" box spe=12+1+1 lea=11+1 com=6+1][cruel spear][spear of lightning][aggressive refrain][anthem of flame]["go for the eyes!"][optional][optional][signet of return][/build]

The aim here -- Kill stuff again!
The optional slots could be filled with things like Cry of Frustration.

If you're the player, you can always go Imbagon (Rac's build for instance) and lose EBSoH for GftE and Swift Javelin for Vicious Attack.

[build prof=N/Rt name="Toxic Corpse" box dea=12+1+1 res=10 sou=8+1][toxic chill][deathly chill][putrid bile][death nova][protective was kaolai][rotting flesh][animate bone minions][death pact signet][/build]
Again, kill things!!
You also have Bone Minions serving as: Bodyblockers and a battery for your own personal use.

[build prof=D/W name="Wounding Strike" box scy=12+1+1 mys=12+1][wounding strike][mystic sweep][eremite's attack][distracting strike][wild blow][heart of holy flame][heart of fury][resurrection signet][/build]

For the last time, kill thing!
You have an elite Severgash on a brokenstrong weapon.
Not advisable on heroes.

HoHF is also switchable, since it's quite bad, I just used it as an enchantment to fuel Wounding Strike.
Aura of Holy Might is a good candidate if you're the player.
(Will ya shut up NOW Blur?!)

------------------------------------------

All of these can be ran as a player, and infact, as a player you can take PvE skills.

And Fevered Dreams is more of a skill you use once and ask a mob if they like conditions, in an extremely wide radius, and that's why I like it more than Epidemic.

I'm not really sure if Fragility and Hypochondria turn the conditions reapplied to the enemy into a nice damage output, though, must get on my Mesmer soon and try it out.

I'm also finishing off on the other professions, if there are any mistakes or whatever please notify me and I'll fix it.
Suggestions welcome.

Please read: If anyone can test Hypochondria + Fragility, with conditions already applied to the enemy and nearby enemies for any source of damage, I would be more than happy, especially if you provide screenshots!

Edit: I've modified some of the builds for more reliability on your conditions and the survivability of the Necro.

Edit 2: Editted the Ele for the revert. Noting down something on the Mesmer.
Sora267
Sora267
Krytan Explorer
• #2
Great work, Tyla! I'll definitely consider using this. Also, in some cases you won't need the AoE interrupt from Volley. Maybe you could take Apply Poison instead for that extra degen condition, and replace Toxic Chill on the Necro for Virulence?
T
Tyla
Emo Goth Italics
• #3
You'll already have Weakness covered, and with the Toxic Chill build I provided, it gives out Poison and Disease aswell.
Antithesis
Antithesis
Desert Nomad
• #4
Looks good for a change of pace Tyla.

I've tooled around with Fevered Dreams + Air Conditioner + BHA / Volley myself...AoE Blind + Dazed wins PvE.

Given we can only take 3 Heroes we're pretty much limited to the E/N and the R/Mo to apply the two most effective PvE conditions in the current setup, which leaves one slot open for a damage dealer.

I use the same Ele bar (got the Enfeebling Blood idea from you, thx) at different atts (less Curse, more Storage) and it's bloody strong for anti-melee. As you pointed out enchant stripping kills the build but it's fun while it's up. I ended up just dumping [[shadowsong] onto a N/Rt Communing/Resto hybrid for team compression and ran Enfeebling Blood and Weaken Armor on a Nec.

You might want to add a Stunning Strike Paragon variant into the mix. [[blazing spear], [[chest thumper] and [[spear swipe] are options for the Cruel Spear bar.

Maybe a [[headbutt] + [[plague touch] variant for the Warrior.

[[ebon dust aura] variant for the Derv. There should be room for Deep Wound on another player / hero if taking EDA.

Like the Nec bar, i'll give that a run. [[foul feast] (gwcode description is wrong), [[contagion], [[plague sending], [[shadow sanctuary], [[plague signet], [[death nova], [[jagged bones] are all alternatives to consider.

If taking Contagion, consider [[extend condition] and [[epidemic] on the Mez. [[ineptitude] could work.

Heroes won't run all of these bars, so as long as you've got condition application and ideally Blind and Dazed somewhere it'll be a fun team to run.
Mr Pink57
Mr Pink57
Krytan Explorer
• #5
Crazy idea but go R/N and take Plauge Sending for even more hate vs Mending Touch.

And Flail isnt a bad idea on the derv in PvE.

pink
T
Tyla
Emo Goth Italics
• #6
The reason the Ranger has Mending Touch is because it acts as a condition removal to not only yourself, but to the party if you need it to be used on people in the party.

It's also a free heal if you count 2 energy as free.

I'll note Flail aswell, Pink.

@Antithesis -- The entire thing depends on what you are, really. You CAN always go /Rt on your Ranger for Splinter Volley, but I've always thought of Splinter on your Rangers as a waste of attributes.

And the Headbutt -> Plague Touch combo can get a bit energy hungry, especially when you've got some other conditions flying around occasionally and the Warrior's just wasting all it's energy on PTouch. I suppose you got the Headbutt idea from [apr]'s condiway?

And you can always use Signet of Malice on an EDA Dervish with Wearying Strike.
Antithesis
Antithesis
Desert Nomad
• #7
Quote: Originally Posted by Tyla
And the Headbutt -> Plague Touch combo can get a bit energy hungry, especially when you've got some other conditions flying around occasionally and the Warrior's just wasting all it's energy on PTouch. I suppose you got the Headbutt idea from [apr]'s condiway? HB+PT has been around for awhile, i don't observe GvG (i should). A zealous weapon should offset the energy cost. There are definitely better options for Dazed, maybe [[skull crack].
cellardweller
cellardweller
Likes naked dance offs
• #8
Been running something similar for a while
[build prof=Me/Rt Illusion=12+1+1 Fastcast=9+1 inspiration 9+1][Fevered Dreams][you move like a dwarf][finish him][cry of pain][drain enchantment][inspired hex][ether signet][death pact signet][/build]
[build prof=E/Mo Air=12+1+1 Energy Storage=9+1 protection=9][Elemental Attunement][blinding flash][shell shock][enervating charge][air attunement][glyph of lesser energy][protective spirit][guardian][/build]
[build prof=N/Mo Death=12+3+1 Soul Reaping=12+1 ][Empathic Removal][Rising Bile][Putrid Bile][Animate Bone Minions][putrid explosion][signet of lost souls][death nova][resurrection chant][/build]
[build prof=R/P Expertise=10+1 Marksmanship=10+1+1 Command=10 Wilderness survival=5+1][Broad Head Arrow][savage shot][distracting shot][screaming shot][never surrender][go for the eyes][poison tip signet][resurrection signet][/build]
In my experience, BHA+volley+hero ai=craptactular failure.. the spend the majority of the time at 0 energy autoattacking. I'd much rather keep a MM around and let the minions take care of triggering daze.
T
Tyla
Emo Goth Italics
• #9
Quote: Originally Posted by Antithesis
HB+PT has been around for awhile, i don't observe GvG (i should). A zealous weapon should offset the energy cost. There are definitely better options for Blind. [apr] used Headbutt accompanied by a Foul Feast -> Plague Signet Necro, and I thought you got the idea from that, but unless it's a human player, I wouldn't consider Plague Touch.

@Cellardwellar -- Yeah, that's why I thought Body Shot was a good idea.
And I don't usually run PvE-only skills, so YMLaD and "Finish Him!" is a big nono for me.
Antithesis
Antithesis
Desert Nomad
• #10
Looks good cellardwellar. Have you tried [[foul feast] + [[contagion] / [[plague signet] / [[plague sending] on the MM? Using conditions against the enemy fits with the build.

I use BHA+Volley+Body Shot+Splinter Weapon, energy is fine. Poison Tip Signet seems to slow the BHA build down.

Quote: Originally Posted by Tyla
[apr] used Headbutt accompanied by a Foul Feast -> Plague Signet Necro, and I thought you got the idea from that, but unless it's a human player, I wouldn't consider Plague Touch. Yep, i wouldn't give a hero Headbutt either.
Dr Strangelove
Dr Strangelove
Furnace Stoker
• #11
I actually run mini-sway with a similar setup on my rit's heroes.

[build prof=R/D Expertise=11+2+1 ScytheMastery=12 WildernessSurvival=6+1 ][pious assault][eremite's attack][chilling victory][apply poison][escape][lightning reflexes][throw dirt][resurrection signet][/build]

[build prof=A/D CriticalStrikes=12+1+1 ScytheMastery=12 ][way of the master][critical eye][critical defenses][wounding strike][mystic sweep][aura slicer][signet of malice][resurrection signet][/build]

My third has been changing more lately, though I'm reasonably happy with this:

[build=OAVDEqp3S3ATAfC2B7OVCJgVVA]

No rez, but eh. I've toyed with bringing epidemic on myself, particulary if I need to bring a BHA ranger instead. My own bar (rit) isn't very static, though I always have ancestor's rage, great dwarf weapon or splinter, and a party heal - PwK or Life.

It works reasonably well, though I get owned pretty hard against mass condition removal like cautery sig.
Koricen
Koricen
Lion's Arch Merchant
• #12
Come May 1st the last set of skill changes will be reverted, therefore Lightning Orb will cause Cracked Armor again, so you could switch out Shell Shock for something stronger. Also, if you are using Fevered Dreams you can use Enervating Charge instead of Enfeebling Blood, letting you boost Energy Storage instead of Curses, so Elemental Attunement can stay up longer. Other than that it looks like a damn fun build.
T
Tyla
Emo Goth Italics
• #13
I don't find Enervating Charge better than Enfeebling Blood for a few reasons:
Enfeebling Blood is automatically applying weakness on a decent range, so if FD isn't up at the time for some odd reason, it still applies.
It is also cheaper, and a much stronger candidate for the skillslot.

Sad but true: Heroes run out of energy running Dual Attune...

(And yeah, I'm more annoyed that the skills are getting reverted, seems quite pointless if you think about it, but my opinion is my opinion.)
C
Chthon
Grotto Attendant
• #14
Quote: Originally Posted by cellardweller
Been running something similar for a while
[build prof=Me/Rt Illusion=12+1+1 Fastcast=9+1 inspiration 9+1][Fevered Dreams][you move like a dwarf][finish him][cry of pain][drain enchantment][inspired hex][ether signet][death pact signet][/build]
[build prof=E/Mo Air=12+1+1 Energy Storage=9+1 protection=9][Elemental Attunement][blinding flash][shell shock][enervating charge][air attunement][glyph of lesser energy][protective spirit][guardian][/build] If you're going to run the Fevered Dreams on a human player, you can compress the ele and mesmer into 1 build:
[fevered dreams][you move like a dwarf][ash blast][finish him] will kick out all of the really "a-list" conditions except dazed, for which you still need the [broad head arrow] hero/Zho. If you really want weakness even though you've already got a long-ass blind, you can either (1) put enfeebling blood on a curse necro (since curse necros are so good you should probably be using one anyway), or (2) bring along [ebon hawk] or (3) bring along [summon mursaat] with a decent rank and let the mursaat kick out [enervating charge].

([Blinding Flash] is really not viable for permanent blind ATM, but it should be once it gets reverted.)
Antithesis
Antithesis
Desert Nomad
• #15
Quote: Originally Posted by Chthon
If you're going to run the Fevered Dreams on a human player, you can compress the ele and mesmer into 1 build:
[fevered dreams][you move like a dwarf][ash blast][finish him] will kick out all of the really "a-list" conditions except dazed... I like it. I hadn't really considered Ash Blast before. Energy might be tight, Inspiration skills take care of that.
cellardweller
cellardweller
Likes naked dance offs
• #16
Quote: Originally Posted by Chthon
If you're going to run the Fevered Dreams on a human player, you can compress the ele and mesmer into 1 build:
[fevered dreams][you move like a dwarf][ash blast][finish him] will kick out all of the really "a-list" conditions except dazed, for which you still need the [broad head arrow] hero/Zho. Neato *steals build*
Richardt
Richardt
Jungle Guide
• #17
I'm liking that Toxic Chill MM. My only question is how are heroes with using Augury of Death?
T
Tyla
Emo Goth Italics
• #18
Not sure about how heroes act with AoD, but I'm sure they'll use it extremely well.
DarkSpirit
DarkSpirit
Desert Nomad
• #19
Quote: Originally Posted by Antithesis
HB+PT has been around for awhile, i don't observe GvG (i should). A zealous weapon should offset the energy cost. There are definitely better options for Dazed, maybe [[skull crack]. Skull crack sucks. HB is the most reliable way for a warrior to apply daze.

If you are using HB+PT, the 33% from silencing weapon would be applied twice. Agree with Tyla on the energy issue for a hero warrior, but depending on the build it may not be that bad with adrenaline skills on the rest of the bar. But a human warrior would be better since he can weapon switch.

This build is not new but seems workable. Can do with more blind though. You only have 1 blind skill and the hero ele would probably be too busy casting other skills to apply any permanent blindness.

Blind (and second weakness) against physicals and Dazed against casters are the most useful in PvE. The rest are just bonuses.

Anyway, good post.
b
blurmedia
Banned
• #20
ohi tyla i heard you're bad at dervish and forgot aohm