by Leigh » Mon Oct 15, 2012 12:05 pm
Wonderful, I enjoy a good lively discussion.
I am level 73, now with 500AAs. The above post is my intention until level 80, after which the game drastically changes. A lot of focus is required in defensive abilities, and you won't have as much time to put into offense anymore. The way I figure, the 1000 AAs for any new player will come from level 51 to 75. In fact anyone level 70+ w/o AAs will get creamed. Here are my thoughts, and keep in mind players at my level reap AAs like they're going out of style. Most casual swarming sessions (45 mins, LotD included) yield 25 AAs. If you look carefully, my post is not trying to say "max this ability before you go on." It digs deaper and says, "you will get a good benefit if you get a few levels of this ability, at a relatively cheap price in AAs." 1 swarm round of approx 11 mobs (all I can handle right now) usually gives me 5 AAs with LotD. (I know, awesome to be a slacker and get the AAxp bonus).
For me, an extra Eyes Wide Open slot opens up easier targeting during swarming for those pesky healer mobs. An extra potion slot save me the annoying search through my bags for a DS potion mid swarm. I currently use haste, clarity, HoT, DS. If I need it mid swarm I want it in my pot-slot.
RE: "If you're not max level I wouldn't bother with Weapon Affinity, immobile bash (still haven't bought this at nearly 6000aa), or spell crits. I would also suggest skipping Quickdraw, Eyes Wide Open (raiding AA predominantely) and knights return strike past rk-1 is pointless unless you swarm."
I can’t agree with WA not being worth the investment. Weapons knights wield usually proc heals or stuns for aggro. Immobile bash isn’t that expensive, you should’ve bought it by now cheapskate! You’re probably right on spell crits - probably not needed as they don’t up our dps much, but they are cheap! Knight’s return strike 2 is also cheap.
re: “Healing boon is terrible return verse investment at lower level. Radiant cure also become less relevant as you level up from personal experience.”
How can you say this?! Healing boon at level 6 crits are a live saver in my experience, and quite cheap! But I guess I can’t contest your words as that what experience has shown you. I don’t know, I get a lot out of it. RC2 is handy to have. I rated it as “not used often” but when you need it you’ll be glad you had it. If nothing more than to save you having to mem a cure spell post battle. And it’s cheap.
Yes I was missing the below in my list for various reasons:
Physical enhancement – Agreed, already bought it, thank you for mentioning.
Spell casting mastery – Not Avail to my level yet (80 I think?) But I agree that this is one of most important.
Spell casting Reinforcement – Agree. Have maxed it so forgot to post it. Thanks again.
Mnemonic Retention - Agree. Have maxed it for level so forgot to post it. Thanks again.
Healing Light - Not avail at my level. But I will get this when avail now that you describe it. Ty
Cloak of light - Not avail at my level. But I will get this when avail now that you describe it. Ty
Divine Aura – Agree, thought it was a no brainer! (got it)
“Skip Healing boon and go with more adept - this increases the base of procs and such”
I disagree. Healing Gift/Adept at level 7, Boon at level 6 is the investment I’m suggesting. Cheap AA vs. percentage reward. Healing G/A/B starts to get a lot more expensive after these levels, and the player won’t get as much % increase in effect. 80% of my heals are the over time versions. Nice to have the base and crit increase too, but the Boon is what the solo’er needs.
Skip - Speed of the knight - favor a 1her and shield, you bought shield block now make use of it.
I disagree. This should make good discussion as I personally think shield block needs to have it’s effect increased for the amount of AA they are asking to put into it. IIrc level 3 of shield block increases full block chance by 5%. Beyond level 3 it gets very expensive for 0.5-1.0% increase per level. Now, since most young knights might be swarming for fast AA gains, they should be using 2handers for the riposte dmg. That is if their AC and avoidance/mitigation can handle the pummelling of the swarm. I personally only use 1hers on raids or tanking for group situations where my dps isn’t needed. After level 80 though, I expect SB to be crucial, worry about it then.
Skip - quick draw - you can now click things from your inventory, every bag slot you have is a potion belt slot.
Are you saying I can click the potion while it’s inside my bag? If so then QD is obsolete! If I need to put it into my root inventory slot to click it, then I still say QD is is needed. As I said above, An extra potion slot saves me the annoying search through my bags for a DS potion mid swarm. I currently use haste, clarity, HoT, DS. If I need it mid swarm I want it in my pot-slot. On silver membership my slots are fuller than full. Even if I buy more slots they'll fill up quick.
Skip - Immobilizing bash - bash stuns are mostly irrelevant.
Can you please clarify? I have found bash to be a timely stunner to prevent runners and gaters. 1.0 seconds to get a stun off is too long sometimes.
Skip - Vet Wrath - your crit rate is going to be fairly low at lower levels, as this only mods your crits you will get more return out of passive swings via Burst of power and Flurry.
Burst of power not avail yet. Again, first 1000AA will be earned in the level 50s to 70s. I dislike Flurry, it’s too much AA for very little return. Already getting alot out of VetWrath, I think it's valuable at any level.
Skip - Metabolism ... really? Unless you bought this a long time ago before the change and just included it b/c you made the choice eons ago. You no longer have to spend points in general, archetype to unlock class. You can go straight for the class AA.
It’s only 3 AAs cheapskate! It keeps our horse from devouring our iron rations… it also makes the stat food last much longer, for 3 AAs! That’s like 6 kills!
Your suggestions post level 81 (shackles AA, Balefire Burst, Leap of Faith, BoFaithful, Valorous Rage, Shield specialist, 1st spire) will be adhered to diligently. Appreciate the input!