[X] My Assistant

@Leoros

I think I like the two-handed skill for its domino-effect, but should I use a mace for the stun, or a long sword for the bleed? I just bought a mace for testing purposes.

Mace is the way to go since it provides a damage advantage (+50% on stunned targets) as well as protection from incoming hits (stun). As Varst suggests in the few posts above, one of the greatest challenges for new/low level players is "landing" the hit (ie, accuracy) and unfortunately, maces are weak in that department. I'd suggest looking for a Mace of balance with 28%+ chance of stunning (3+ turns at your level if possible, 2 at least) along with 7%+ chance of critical hit (critical hits = guaranteed stun so they're important too!). Some players may suggest Mace of slaughter because the damage is just amazing. You can try that as well, see which you like better.

Another thing that I'm rather uncertain of, is whether or not the mitigation of the heavy armor offsets the heavy penalty to my load, or if I should switch over to light armor?

Heavy armor is a viable route. In fact there are even high levels that use heavy armor but it's a very rare strategy at high levels. If you plan on staying with heavy armor, I'd recommend looking for "of protection" plate gear or "of slaughter/protection" power gear (plate gear if you want more mitigation, power gear if you want some +damage).

Heavy armor is what I would say, the most "boring" play style because it places the most limitations on you via interference/burden. On the flip side, it's the most "simple". This is a good starting point if you want to learn the game since it's the least demanding in terms of actions and most secure in terms of survivability.

Or is it folly to think that melee can win the day, leaving magic to be my next course of action?

The population* is in favor of melees at low levels, split half half at mid levels, and in favor of mages at high levels (although I think a lot of those mid level melees are becoming high level now)

I'm working on the bazaar trainer, but as I said, several years old character, and I used my credits for, hum, other things (IMG:[invalid] style_emoticons/default/happy.gif)

Varst's advice for
"Adept learner: train until around 140/300
Ability boost: train until around 40/100
Pact rat and refined aura: you'll need one for each of them before lv.100
Those increasing your drop chance: train when you have spare credits"

Applies to almost any new player (regardless of their playing strategy) if they plan on leveling and progressing in this game so invest any extra credits into training if you're in it for the long haul (IMG:[invalid] style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Also, should I just hit grind fest to gain credits and experience, both of which I feel I'm sorely lacking, or is there a better way? (I do the arena whenever possible). And if so, should I play on hell (the highest difficulty I am comfortable at), instead of hard, or does that eat into my stamina just as much?'

Easiest way to gain credits at your level is arena. In order to access more arenas you need to level. I would personally prioritize arena over grind fest because
a) it consumes less stamina than grind fest http://ehwiki.org/wiki/Stamina#Stamina_Usage
(IMG:[invalid] style_emoticons/default/cool.gif) it has token bonuses upon completion sometimes (healing tokens are useful at your level)
c) it has arena clear drops that are usually better than if you were just grinding away

Difficulty does not affect your stamina consumption. Hence, the higher difficulty you fight - the more credits/exp you get for your stamina. But beware, the increase difficulty of mobs may lead you to spending more items than you normally would. Find a balance that suits you (IMG:[invalid] style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Edit: Another question if I may, which protective spells should I use, and how does the auto-cast work? Not that the latter really matters, as I've yet to accrue a single hath point (IMG:[invalid] style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

I'd suggest protection at most. Most of your mana should be used for curing. Haste is too high cost and low duration for it to be viable with your heavy gear. This question is better answered by a heavy melee character (although I believe some heavy users opt for "scrolls of shielding/swiftness" since those aren't penalized by interference)

Auto-Cast slots http://ehwiki.org/wiki/HentaiVerse_Settings#Auto-cast_Slots
Basically it'll keep the support spell running from the get-go and consume mana from you *every turn* (turn upkeep = cost of spell if you were to cast/duration of spell if you were to cast)
Once your mana drops below 10%, it'll disappear. But it'll come back if your mana goes higher than a certain value (25% I think? I forget... I actually haven't gotten Innate Arcana myself yet but I remember it was within that ballpark)

If you're lucky those artifacts can drop you some nice hath

PS. You don't need all that much intelligence since you're a melee. I'd put it so that your intelligence exp cost is roughly one third that of your wisdom (if your WIS exp cost is ~2.1k, your INT exp cost is ~700)

Your auras look fine although if you get any more aura slots I'd recommend getting the +WIS

Your abilities look ok for now although personally I'd say HP/MP tanks are king. I'd prioritize them over almost anything else. They may not seem that good now, but once you start leveling up more you'll see just how amazing they are.

This post has been edited by dcherry: Nov 27 2011, 23:48

Yeah, I want to be melee, Dual Wield spec.

Few questions,
For abilities:
1) Should I bother putting points into Magic tank when I'm going melee?

Yes especially since you're light armor. More cure = more survivability

Attributes:
1) Should I remove the points from my Int and put it into my End and Wis?

Yes, like the ratio I mentioned to keeping the exp cost of WIS vs INT at a 3:1 ratio is good. Because WIS gives you about 0.75 mana while INT gives you 0.25 mana. Both are more or less there just for the +mana
http://ehwiki.org/wiki/Character_Stats#Primary_Attributes
Whether you pump END or WIS is up to you. I'd suggest looking in the https://forums.e-hentai.org/index.php?showtopic=42717 attribute thread for ideas on stat importance - make sure it's a melee user first (they usually list their gear in their sig)

Equipment:
1) Should I use club with my rapier?

That depends what you want our of your weapons, club is the highest damage 1handed weapon I believe. But it was pretty high burden/interference if I remember right.

2) What should the club's suffix be?

You can choose between of balance/slaughter since you're using 2 weapons (rapier *might* provide enough +accuracy to cover for the club). Just make sure your attack accuracy is high enough where you're happy with how often you land a hit.

Playstyle:
1) When should I use Weakened, Shadow Veil and Haste

Weakened is for any monster that's hitting you hard (usually this means bosses/uncommons like manbearpig/manthra/mithra/canuck/mind raper etc)

Shadow Veil - "as often as possible"

Haste - Use it if monsters are consistently double tapping you, or if you're able to take 2 turns to their 1 while hasted. Use haste only if it provides you an advantage you can't experience normally while un-hasted. For example, I used to use haste a lot when I was low level because if often meant I had enough time to cure + attack the enemy. If I were un-hasted the cure often gave the monsters 1 round of attacks on me. Imo, that's makes haste worth it.

2) Whats the 1 point in poison for?

It's for vs Bosses like manbearpig etc (slows their SP/MP regeneration down) http://ehwiki.org/wiki/Poison#Deprecating_Magic

Thanks for helping me out =)

Double post bah. But I felt it was needed, otherwise you wouldn't have noticed I was replying to you as *well* as Leoros

This post has been edited by dcherry: Nov 27 2011, 22:30

I've been pondering swapping to light armor a bit now, and your post helped me make up my mind. So, I'll look for a decent set of shade as soon as I have the extra credit.

I'll also train my ability boost whenever I have any credits to spare, so that I can fill the mana tanks.

I'll reduce my int as well. I guess the loss in healing can be gained back by getting less interference as I switch to a lighter set of armor.

The mace I have is one of slaughter:

Fine Mace of Slaughter
Weapon Damage 212.55 Crushing
Attack Accuracy Bonus + 8.73 %
Attack Critical Bonus + 3.51 %
Burden + 20.30
Interference + 11.33
Primary Attribute Bonuses
Strength + 5.31 Dexterity + 0.62
26% Stunned for 3 turns

I have a 81.4% hit chance as it stands now. Should I swap that mace for one of balance?

Also, thanks for the in-depth answer. It helps a lot (IMG:[invalid] style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

This question is better answered by a heavy melee character (although I believe some heavy users opt for "scrolls of shielding/swiftness" since those aren't penalized by interference)

I myself use haste, regen and spark(once i got it) i've never used scrolls. I'm not exactly high-end though. I don't cast them just to have them on either, i cast them when cure procs channeling so that they're free. Usually haste or regen first, or spark if i'm having a problem in a particular fight (lots of giants spawned with half their mp already filled, for example.) followed by the others if it procs again while they're still on.

Fortunately i'm not in range of all of those super-fast humanoid pets, so even in full power armor i'm still getting occasional additional turns without haste, with it i get an extra turn almost every turn.

I'll reduce my int as well. I guess the loss in healing can be gained back by getting less interference as I switch to a lighter set of armor.

INT does not affect healing spells.
http://ehwiki.org/wiki/Spells#Curative_Magic

I've been pondering swapping to light armor a bit now, and your post helped me make up my mind. So, I'll look for a decent set of shade as soon as I have the extra credit.

I'll also train my ability boost whenever I have any credits to spare, so that I can fill the mana tanks.

I'll reduce my int as well. I guess the loss in healing can be gained back by getting less interference as I switch to a lighter set of armor.

The mace I have is one of slaughter:

Fine Mace of Slaughter
Weapon Damage 212.55 Crushing
Attack Accuracy Bonus + 8.73 %
Attack Critical Bonus + 3.51 %
Burden + 20.30
Interference + 11.33
Primary Attribute Bonuses
Strength + 5.31 Dexterity + 0.62
26% Stunned for 3 turns

I have a 81.4% hit chance as it stands now. Should I swap that mace for one of balance?

Also, thanks for the in-depth answer. It helps a lot (IMG:[invalid] style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Honestly I think it's ok for you to stick with heavy armor for now. Once you get to level ~100 or so you can make the decision of sticking with heavy armor or swapping to light armor. Key is to familiarize yourself with things like how dangerous the monsters are, what monsters should be targeted first, what monsters require you to heal against, where you should be targeting with your first mace hit, etc. I'm not saying you need to micro-manage everything (most players don't) but heavy armor is *the* armor for testing the waters.

Shade is nice but you lose a lot of tanking ability. Be aware that shade is a very "glass cannon" suit. Essentially increasing your damage out ability (+dex) and evasion/speed (+agi). Kevlar provides you much more protection but lacks the speed/damage benefits (it's essentially the "light armor" version of plate gear).

Yes the ability boost will help a lot during your early levels since you get so many new spells introduced so frequently. Once you reach level 200, you'll start getting more spare ability points to invest in previously ignored abilities.

The reason why I mentioned to you + Kish about dropping Int is because it doesn't actually affect cure
http://ehwiki.org/wiki/Spells#Curative_Magic

You can have 1 int or 100 int, the cure amount will be the same (assuming everything else is equal) (IMG:[invalid] style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) (damn ninja-ed by tiap)

If I recall correctly your hit chance starts at 80% so it's up to you. I'd personally keep an eye on ohmightycat's shop. He has a lot of cheap gear for beginners https://forums.e-hentai.org/index.php?showtopic=37522

You might also want to try searching for "mace" in the WTS thread. If that fails you can make a WTB thread in the WTB section and specify what stats you're looking for.

Honestly I don't know which would be better for you since it's been a while from when I last played melee and there've been a lot of changes for melee (or so it seems to me, anyway). If you buy a few maces at ohmightycat's prices you'll be able to find what suits you best without denting your wallet by much (your arena first clear bonuses should cover your expenses pretty easily)

How does one distinguish the effects of Haste from that of Domino Strikes (using 2H equip as example)?

Will we be able to see it in the action reports? (example below)
9 10 Action Bastard is agitated!
9 9 Zombie Cow hits you for 32 slashing damage.
9 8 Bleeding Wound hits Action Bastard for 429 damage.
9 7 You evade the attack from Action Bastard.
9 6 Bainsha crits you for 155 slashing damage.
9 5 Bleeding Wound hits Manthra for 429 damage.
9 4 Manthra crits you for 95 slashing damage.
9 3 Manthra gains the effect Bleeding Wound.
9 2 You crit Manthra for 1136 slashing damage.
9 1 You hit Zombie Cow for 1046 slashing damage.
8 2 You hit Zombie Cow for 775 slashing damage.
8 1 You hit Bainsha for 1489 slashing damage.

How does one distinguish the effects of Haste from that of Domino Strikes (using 2H equip as example)?

Will we be able to see it in the action reports? (example below)
9 10 Action Bastard is agitated!
9 9 Zombie Cow hits you for 32 slashing damage.
9 8 Bleeding Wound hits Action Bastard for 429 damage.
9 7 You evade the attack from Action Bastard.
9 6 Bainsha crits you for 155 slashing damage.
9 5 Bleeding Wound hits Manthra for 429 damage.
9 4 Manthra crits you for 95 slashing damage.
9 3 Manthra gains the effect Bleeding Wound.
9 2 You crit Manthra for 1136 slashing damage.
9 1 You hit Zombie Cow for 1046 slashing damage.
8 2 You hit Zombie Cow for 775 slashing damage.
8 1 You hit Bainsha for 1489 slashing damage.

Other questions get answered when I'm asleep. Good.

You can distinguish them easily.
Domino strikes always happen in the same turn.
As from your battle log, you hit zombie cow with Domino strike at turn 8, and crit manthra with DS at turn 9.

Haste means you can act more than once before you receive counter-attack from target monster.
So you'll notice that you hit your target multiple times before they can react.
As from your battle log, you hit zomibe cow at both turn 8 and turn 9 before getting counter-attacked, as shown in 9-9.

(IMG:[serve.mysmiley.net] http://serve.mysmiley.net/sign/sign0092.gif) Ah, another mystery solved...(IMG:[yoursmiles.org] http://yoursmiles.org/msmile/think/m1715.gif)

(IMG:[serve.mysmiley.net] http://serve.mysmiley.net/sign/sign0011.gif)

I've switched to mage and I'd like to know how the different damage spells compare to each other. I know the higher rank spells cost more mana, but which ones are the most cost effective per damage?

Also, how do the better mages get mana back? Ether Theft is difficult to work with.

Er, out of curiosity, has it always been possible for Boss monsters to appear in the Hourly encounters?
Because, well, I just got one now, so...

0 5 Spawned Monster D: MID=19 (Dalek) LV=211 HP=340450
0 4 Spawned Monster C: MID=5785 (Sonshi) LV=210 HP=39410
0 3 Spawned Monster B: MID=8913 (Wretched Egg) LV=214 HP=42340
0 2 Spawned Monster A: MID=12750 (Sakurai Hotaru) LV=214 HP=38040
0 1 Initializing random encounter ...
0 0 Battle Start!

I've switched to mage and I'd like to know how the different damage spells compare to each other. I know the higher rank spells cost more mana, but which ones are the most cost effective per damage?

Also, how do the better mages get mana back? Ether Theft is difficult to work with.

In my opinion, there's no offensive spells which are strictly more cost effective than the others.
Some observations though

1. Elemental spells:
Good to start with, everyone can get it at lower levels. However, as you progress you'll find more monsters
with high elemental resistance, so at high levels its use is limited to going through long IWs, where tier3/tier1 combination of spells is very efficient to kill off monsters in 2 rounds.

2. Dark/Holy spells
You'll get that at higher levels. Very mana-intensive, but it gives way more damage output than elemental spells (because of those opposite-element burst). Good at playing high-difficulty arenas.
They are also essential to go through EOD or higher arenas. Just pick fenrir or heimdall suits and use pestilence or banish exclusively.

3. Soul spells
Not that great for playing through large number of rounds. You need to cast soul fire before bursting everything with 2 rounds of soul burst, which means you're defenseless in 2 rounds.
It's great against Trio though, so it should be picked at lv. 250.

And about manas, most likely replenish MP with Ether theft (ET) isn't a first-choice for mages now.
However, you'll still need to get MP back at EOD or long IWs.
A small tips: if you're going for IWs, instead of ETing at later rounds, try to ET at the first 50 rounds.
The monsters are much weaker and you will have greater chance for survival.

Er, out of curiosity, has it always been possible for Boss monsters to appear in the Hourly encounters?
Because, well, I just got one now, so...

It's even possible for Legendary monsters to appear in Hourly encounters.
The chance really low though, so if you find one you better post that up. (IMG:[invalid] style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

Just for interest, is Niten Ichi-ryū worth trying?

Just for interest, is Niten Ichi-ryū worth trying?

Short answer:
Not at the current time.

Long answer:
It is very fun to use, you get a lot of damage really quickly, but you gain no profeciency with it at all. You'll never get "better", while using 2-h or dualwield you can gain prof that can boost Niten, niten gains NOTHING when it's being used. Katana and wakizashi are expensive (comparatively), and bleed has gone out of style as well. Stay far far away from niten until something changes for it.

It might be pretty viable once you're level 300 or so, your prof is maxed, and you don't need prof constantly between levels, but at your level, and mine, and beyond, it's only going to stifle your growth by using it.

Short answer:
Not at the current time.

Long answer:
It is very fun to use, you get a lot of damage really quickly, but you gain no profeciency with it at all. You'll never get "better", while using 2-h or dualwield you can gain prof that can boost Niten, niten gains NOTHING when it's being used. Katana and wakizashi are expensive (comparatively), and bleed has gone out of style as well. Stay far far away from niten until something changes for it.

It might be pretty viable once you're level 300 or so, your prof is maxed, and you don't need prof constantly between levels, but at your level, and mine, and beyond, it's only going to stifle your growth by using it.

Actually for Niten to be viable it must either grant DOUBLE the profession gain (1x DW 1x 2H) so it would be used by someone who wants to level up these masteries. Or, if there will be still no prof. gain, some maaaaajor buff must be applied (for example even further increase of Domino strike effectiveness)

Just for interest, is Niten Ichi-ryū worth trying?

I thought so.
So I waited until I got an ethereal katana of slaughter and ethereal wakiwaki of slaughter.
So what do I find ?
The splash range of the 2 hander is limited to such degree that only using the katana was better.
Suxxors don't it.

Do effects like drain health for vampire weapons target others if you get a domino strike? Does Heartseeker increase the chance of getting drain health/etc?

Is power armor worth it at all, compared to shade armor?

Are ethereal weapons really worth it? Yes they do void damage which cannot be resisted, but one swing (if I hit) will kill them while my ethereal longsword may leave with 1hp left.

Is ability confuse worth it?

What is the point of healing tokens if you can just use the recover all?

This post has been edited by DSpooky: Nov 28 2011, 18:43

Do effects like drain health for vampire weapons target others if you get a domino strike? Does Heartseeker increase the chance of getting drain health/etc?

Is power armor worth it at all, compared to shade armor?

Are ethereal weapons really worth it? Yes they do void damage which cannot be resisted, but one swing (if I hit) will kill them while my ethereal longsword may leave with 1hp left.

Is ability confuse worth it?

What is the point of healing tokens if you can just use the recover all?

1. No, domino strikes has no effect on draining effects. All draining effects will only proc on primary target.

2. No, I suppose nothing can change the draining chance for equipments.

3. Power armor of slaughter/balance should work okay. You probably need a melee to answer the comparison part though.

4. Yes they do, though they won't affect monster's resist chance.
It's less observable at lower levels, but when you progress there will be more giants, which is resistant to crushing attacks. Void weapons can bypass this crushing mitigation and deal more damage to giants, which can decrease the average turns required to clear a round.
Also, two of the three legends are resistant to crushing damage, so void maces are also useful when playing EOD arenas.

5. No, confuse is useless right now, you can skip that.

6. Why use those valuable potions to recover yourself when you can use a single healing token? (IMG:[invalid] style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

This post has been edited by varst: Nov 28 2011, 18:58

Abilities like Drain Health do not proc with Domino Strikes, which makes it effectively pointless.

Power armor depends. It gives you more offensive power and mitigation than Shade, but it comes with a lot more Burden, which means you'll be slower in battle, which means you'll get hit more.

Yes, Ethereal weapons are far better than regular weapons.

Confuse I've never used, so I can't really say.

The "Recover All" and other non-Healing Token options use the potions in your inventory.

EDIT: Ninja'd.

This post has been edited by DragonRanger: Nov 28 2011, 19:00

What is the point of healing tokens if you can just use the recover all?

Recover all uses your potions (which you can sell). Tokens cannot be sold.