[X] My Assistant

Hey again,

So I am curious as to what I ought to use. I currently have this gear [puu.sh] http://puu.sh/mZ6j1.png

Not entirely sure if I should use heavy armor, or what kind of shield that I should purchase. Or what kind of heavy armor for that matter.

I do apologize for the screenshot being in a link instead of the lines that you post that can be clicked on then viewed. I do not know how to post those.

My set was mainly 3+2 for hellfest and that was fine. I couldnt clear all 1000 rounds, but it was fast. Thats why its ok to start mage around 300 for low diff or sg arenas. Pf arenas is possibly, but in long distance i used sp elixirs.

I think there are one or two people that don't permit COD but they're very strange.

only reason i can find for it is the seller doesn't own the Postage Paid perk. but with the current economy one should actually buy it at first, if he plans to sell something (heck, it's only 50k or so! when i bought it it was closer to the double). either way, the same people usually are willing to send a COD anyways provided you pay ghe fee for them, even if not clearly stated. just in case, asking is always fine (IMG:[invalid] style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Hey again,

So I am curious as to what I ought to use. I currently have this gear

(IMG:[puu.sh] http://puu.sh/mZ6j1.png)

Not entirely sure if I should use heavy armor, or what kind of shield that I should purchase. Or what kind of heavy armor for that matter.

shade of fleet isn't exactly the best choice when it comes to 1H style, since Evade procs before either Block and Parry - thus making you miss a certain amount of Counters. but at your level should be fine anyways, at least you will have a good Resist. even better if you don't use Shadow Veil too much.
you can go on this way for another 30~50 levels or so. then you may want to consider a Force Shield and Power armors.
also, a prefixed rapier - whatever prefix

This post has been edited by Scremaz: Feb 7 2016, 15:41

shade of fleet isn't exactly the best choice when it comes to 1H style, since Evade procs before either Block and Parry - thus making you miss a certain amount of Counters. but at your level should be fine anyways, at least you will have a good Resist. even better if you don't use Shadow Veil too much.
you can go on this way for another 30~50 levels or so. then you may want to consider a Force Shield and Power armors.
also, a prefixed rapier - whatever prefix

How shall I set a prefix on my rapier?
Also, if having high evade along with a shield is bad, what would be better to use?

I am going through the WTS threads, but can not figure out what it is that I need to purchase.

How shall I set a prefix on my rapier?
Also, if having high evade along with a shield is bad, what would be better to use?

I am going through the WTS threads, but can not figure out what it is that I need to purchase.

you cann't (IMG:[invalid] style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

prefix come random from our drop ~ superior+ (IMG:[invalid] style_emoticons/default/heh.gif)

How shall I set a prefix on my rapier?
Also, if having high evade along with a shield is bad, what would be better to use?

I am going through the WTS threads, but can not figure out what it is that I need to purchase.

Surviving > clear speed below 250 or so, so IMO evade is fine for low level 1h. The problem is when higher level players who don't need evade's defense have a lot.

Any prefix is fine. Look for "Exquisite+ * Rapier of something" where * is anything but a blank space. Slaughter > Nimble > Balance other at your level.

How shall I set a prefix on my rapier?
Also, if having high evade along with a shield is bad, what would be better to use?

I am going through the WTS threads, but can not figure out what it is that I need to purchase.

You can also check my contest thread (see my sig) for a full set of gear including exquisite rapiers of slaughter. (IMG:[invalid] style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

"Possible to do", yes, but also very likely worse in terms of credits/turn and XP/turn. High difficulty SG arenas are junky except for those with great gear.

I think the pertinent question is, on the standard arenas, "low tier mage on ~Hell" vs "low tier 1h on ~PF". I'm curious what the numbers would be. With high level and high-tier stats, mage > 1h, but it would be interesting to figure out at exactly which level the balance tips.

Wanted to write up something for this in the next couple of days, but might as well do it now (IMG:[invalid] style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
// Having written the post now, i must say i think i missed the point (IMG:[invalid] style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) But gonna leave it here anyway, just for reference and feedback and stuff (IMG:[invalid] style_emoticons/default/duck.gif)

So i started my mage switch at about 360, now i'm at 370, but first things first.
My starting point is pretty crappy, but survivability oriented, 1H and wanted to switch to elemental mage. I started with about 100 prof in elemental, 100 cloth prof and 160 prof in deprecating.

Step 1: The long boring grind
Get Hoverplay and set it up to spam T3/2/1 on Hover. Equip some exq+ phase of element and cotton of elementalist, set difficulty to hell and just spam elemental spells to gain proficiency.
This is boring as hell, as you don't really do any damage at all, especially without Imperil, but prof gain is the goal so grind away.
This took me a week or two of just spamming spells in Arena. Also buy plenty of Health Draughts/Potions and Mana Draughts/Potions on WTS. About 2-5k each should do it for a while.

Step 2: Gearing up
While you're spamming away for proficiency, go on the lookout for decent (not top grade just yet) Leg Phase of your element and either a Leg your elements Redwood or Willow Staff of Destruction on the auctions. As the market is right now, you should be able to get a base set going for around 1m credits.
Once you get an armor piece, switch back to 1H and IW it to get Jug (5 is best of course, but if you don't have enough Amnesia Shards like i do, 3 or 4 may work as well for now). Once the piece is IWed go back to step 1 (IMG:[invalid] style_emoticons/default/happy.gif)
This is also the step where you should decide if you want to go with 4+1 or 3+2, as we're still grinding away i picked 4+1 for now.

Step 3: We're getting somewhere
Once your effective elemental proficiency goes above your player level it's time to actually do something with it. By now you should have some stuff from Step2, so ramp up the difficulty a bit and include Imperil as you'll have to get up that prof as well to be effective (seriously, the difference is ridonculous).
So start each round with imperiling the mobs then cast T3 if everything is still alive, otherwise finish off with T2/1. Your MP consumption will steeply ramp up at this point (you're actually spending more mana on Imperil than damage spells), so check that you have enough potions. You'll likely gain more (almost double) prof in deprecating than elemental per battle at this point.

Step 4: Looking forward
By now you should have your base set bought and IW'ed with somewhere between 140-150% HP Bonus. Monsters no longer resist every little spell you cast so go ahead and try what you can do (IMG:[invalid] style_emoticons/default/happy.gif)
This is the point where it gets horribly expensive, aka where you actually start forging. As prices are now, you'll spend upwards of 1mil per piece just to forge it to 5 (phasons are kinda expensive).


---

My take away so far ...
- I'm now able to do everything on IWBTH just fine, PFUDOR only really works on RE, page 1 arenas and, oddly enough, SG arenas (IMG:[invalid] style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)
- On normal rounds i went down from 3.5t/s to about 2t/s due to imperil, but each round only lasts 7-10 turns now instead of 50-60 as before with 1H.
- In comparison it's way faster to the extent that i keep rapidly losing stamina (IMG:[invalid] style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
- SG arenas are annoying as get out but don't take any longer than before.
- Being used to 1H i was surprised at the amount of potions you have to drink and cures you need to cast.
- The main problem seems to be ordinary melee attacks as far as damage taken goes. I hardly ever get hit by a spell or something else that triggers spirit shell.
- If you're using numpad to imperil and mouse to hover attack, it's way more comfortable to move your keyboard in a way, that you don't have to reach about your body to reach the numpad (as in less chance for carpal tunnel comfortable), at least if you use your mouse with the right hand (IMG:[invalid] style_emoticons/default/happy.gif)
- I went with fire even if it's the "crappy element", but on the other hand it's cheap

And just to show i'm not cheating too much in regards to what i'm saying, here's a gear/stat screen

Leg Leggings of Negation on bazaar
http://hentaiverse.org/pages/showequip.php...;key=2ed37ec6a8

Is it just me, or are Aether Shards and Voidseeker Shards extremely rare? (IMG:[invalid] style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)
I have found more Amnesia Shards than those 2 types...

Is it just me, or are Aether Shards and Voidseeker Shards extremely rare? (IMG:[invalid] style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)
I have found more Amnesia Shards than those 2 types...

you should be happy. amnesia shard worth more.

Wanted to write up something for this in the next couple of days, but might as well do it now (IMG:[invalid] style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
// Having written the post now, i must say i think i missed the point (IMG:[invalid] style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) But gonna leave it here anyway, just for reference and feedback and stuff (IMG:[invalid] style_emoticons/default/duck.gif)

So i started my mage switch at about 360, now i'm at 370, but first things first.
My starting point is pretty crappy, but survivability oriented, 1H and wanted to switch to elemental mage. I started with about 100 prof in elemental, 100 cloth prof and 160 prof in deprecating.

Step 1: The long boring grind
Get Hoverplay and set it up to spam T3/2/1 on Hover. Equip some exq+ phase of element and cotton of elementalist, set difficulty to hell and just spam elemental spells to gain proficiency.
This is boring as hell, as you don't really do any damage at all, especially without Imperil, but prof gain is the goal so grind away.
This took me a week or two of just spamming spells in Arena. Also buy plenty of Health Draughts/Potions and Mana Draughts/Potions on WTS. About 2-5k each should do it for a while.

Step 2: Gearing up
While you're spamming away for proficiency, go on the lookout for decent (not top grade just yet) Leg Phase of your element and either a Leg your elements Redwood or Willow Staff of Destruction on the auctions. As the market is right now, you should be able to get a base set going for around 1m credits.
Once you get an armor piece, switch back to 1H and IW it to get Jug (5 is best of course, but if you don't have enough Amnesia Shards like i do, 3 or 4 may work as well for now). Once the piece is IWed go back to step 1 (IMG:[invalid] style_emoticons/default/happy.gif)
This is also the step where you should decide if you want to go with 4+1 or 3+2, as we're still grinding away i picked 4+1 for now.

Step 3: We're getting somewhere
Once your effective elemental proficiency goes above your player level it's time to actually do something with it. By now you should have some stuff from Step2, so ramp up the difficulty a bit and include Imperil as you'll have to get up that prof as well to be effective (seriously, the difference is ridonculous).
So start each round with imperiling the mobs then cast T3 if everything is still alive, otherwise finish off with T2/1. Your MP consumption will steeply ramp up at this point (you're actually spending more mana on Imperil than damage spells), so check that you have enough potions. You'll likely gain more (almost double) prof in deprecating than elemental per battle at this point.

Step 4: Looking forward
By now you should have your base set bought and IW'ed with somewhere between 140-150% HP Bonus. Monsters no longer resist every little spell you cast so go ahead and try what you can do (IMG:[invalid] style_emoticons/default/happy.gif)
This is the point where it gets horribly expensive, aka where you actually start forging. As prices are now, you'll spend upwards of 1mil per piece just to forge it to 5 (phasons are kinda expensive).
---

My take away so far ...
- I'm now able to do everything on IWBTH just fine, PFUDOR only really works on RE, page 1 arenas and, oddly enough, SG arenas (IMG:[invalid] style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)
- On normal rounds i went down from 3.5t/s to about 2t/s due to imperil, but each round only lasts 7-10 turns now instead of 50-60 as before with 1H.
- In comparison it's way faster to the extent that i keep rapidly losing stamina (IMG:[invalid] style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
- SG arenas are annoying as get out but don't take any longer than before.
- Being used to 1H i was surprised at the amount of potions you have to drink and cures you need to cast.
- The main problem seems to be ordinary melee attacks as far as damage taken goes. I hardly ever get hit by a spell or something else that triggers spirit shell.
- If you're using numpad to imperil and mouse to hover attack, it's way more comfortable to move your keyboard in a way, that you don't have to reach about your body to reach the numpad (as in less chance for carpal tunnel comfortable), at least if you use your mouse with the right hand (IMG:[invalid] style_emoticons/default/happy.gif)
- I went with fire even if it's the "crappy element", but on the other hand it's cheap

And just to show i'm not cheating too much in regards to what i'm saying, here's a gear/stat screen

Do you not cycle through each element? To get the spell reduction, i.e cold>wind>elec>fire?

Either is fine. Either post and say say "Credits sent" (attach your credits in a MM; "trust trade") or say "COD please" (do nothing). I think there are one or two people that don't permit COD but they're very strange.

ppl who dont permit CoD is just lazy ppl.

they too lazy to monitor their own wts thread.

or they just lazy to open calc.exe
... like me.

Do you not cycle through each element? To get the spell reduction, i.e cold>wind>elec>fire?

the so-called rainbow mage isn't a good strategy anymore since Imperil was introduced. it's better to boost your damage for a single element.
usually to raise your damage you tend to Imperil all mobs, then cast your spells. also, you can synchronize it with your Spike Shield. and forge your gears, obviously (IMG:[invalid] style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

or they just lazy to open calc.exe
... like me.

you can still bound it in your quickbar. or again, do you know that certain keyboards have a shortcut for that? (IMG:[invalid] style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

According to the spike shield, how do you select the type of spike? is this better for melee or mage? Thanks.

A mage class that could carry a shield.

This is already a thing. A few people have made posts about it. It's a decent way to transition from melee to mage while in the 300s.

According to the spike shield, how do you select the type of spike? is this better for melee or mage? Thanks.

Figure out which element reduces mitigation to the element of your extra strikes, and use that element.

Or, use a proc beneficial for your style. (Eg wind spike -> higher monster miss chance -> not good for 1h, which prefers to get hit and block)

According to the spike shield, how do you select the type of spike? is this better for melee or mage? Thanks.

first of all, remember that Spike Shield is an addition to Protection spell, so its activation is subordinated on the activation of said spell. also, every Spike has 20% chance to proc its status.

with this being said, you can choose it based on two criterions:

1. you want to boost the damage of your element: therefore you will have to choose the element that will lower the resistance towards your current strike. for example, you have Cold Strike on your weapon? then you'll pick Fire Spike. no correspective for Holy and Dark, so you'll either pick the element of an eventual infusion or skip to 2.
2. you want to inflict a certain proc on mobs, regardless of boosting your damage (rather, it will increase your survivability). for example, Fire proc lowers the incoming damage, so it's highly suggested for 1H Power style, which relies on Block and mitigations. Cold slowers the speed and Wind lower ACC of certain mobs, so they are both suggested for DW Shade style, which relies on either speed or evade.

it will require a certain amount of luck, but if both criterions lead to the same result then you're good to go.

i don't know so much the effect on mage style, but if it's like melee it's more of a small bonus rather than a game-changer. still free though, so why not? (IMG:[invalid] style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

Thanks. I'll try to upgrade to mage and see how it is. I'll try to figure out which type is better for me and go from there.

This is already a thing. A few people have made posts about it. It's a decent way to transition from melee to mage while in the 300s.Figure out which element reduces mitigation to the element of your extra strikes, and use that element.

Or, use a proc beneficial for your style. (Eg wind spike -> higher monster miss chance -> not good for 1h, which prefers to get hit and block)

Yes but you couldn't use a staff then no?

Yes but you couldn't use a staff then no?

Yeah. It more than halves your damage, but for those wanting to play on high difficulty, it might be nicer than Curing every other turn.

Imperil is necessary. It'll require more attention than 1h but will be significantly faster (though still moderately slower than full mage obviously).