Hey how ya doin'? Just have a couple of quick questions about the Bishop ...from 20 +.
First off, would this make a decent first character? I enjoy healing, but I don't want the fact that my character is unskilled and unfunded be a downfall on a group that is requiring the services of a healer... Maybe I'm being a little crazy :).
As far as equipment, should I focus on robes first and weapon second? Are groups abundant enough where I can forego my offense for pure mana gain? Or are heals effected by the quality of your weapon? That also bring up... are groups abundant here? I'm on Hindemith server if that makes a difference.
Along those lines, how is a Bishop at soloing? Horrible? What's the best way? Get a high P. Atk. weapon... attack and chain cast heals? :) Or again... are groups abundant enough where I don't have to worry about this?
Also... Soul Shots (An item I'm still confused about... I am new and as such, I could be just complaining, but th SS's seem like a waste... Most people just chain use these, but new players like me have trouble coughing up 6k adena for 300 of these suckers, and if everyone chains it ... except for new people... it seems like a slap to new chars. Why not just double damage ... increase cast speeds ... etc... but anyway) Do SS's help heals in any way? Do they improve the heal and the cast speed or just the cast speed? If I'm in a group where I'm doing nothing but healing... would it make sense to equip a no grade weapon and use that to save money on SS's? Or are higher grade SS's better?
Any other useful advice would be highly appreciated as well!
THANKS!
P.S. Are there mana regenerating potions in the game?
As far as equipment, should I focus on robes first and weapon second? Are groups abundant enough where I can forego my offense for pure mana gain? Or are heals effected by the quality of your weapon? That also bring up... are groups abundant here? I'm on Hindemith server if that makes a difference.
I'm pretty sure you'd wanna get robes first. It takes like 1000 m.atk to get about a 20 hp gain on your heals. And I'm not sure about groups on Hindemith.
Along those lines, how is a Bishop at soloing? Horrible? What's the best way? Get a high P. Atk. weapon... attack and chain cast heals? Or again... are groups abundant enough where I don't have to worry about this?
To the best of my knowledge. You'll be hoooooorrrrriiiibbblleee at soloing. But, I've never played a Bishop >.>
Also, Soul shots do nothing for you. However, Spirit Shots (SpS) increase your heals and your cast speed by a lot. Most groups will probably expect you to use them. Also, using a lower level weapon for cheaper SpS cost is a good idea. I've had lots of friends that did this. Once you get into C grade you'll want a C grade weapon for the Special Abilities (SA's), though.
EDIT: Lots of spelling errors. I need sleep >.>
Well, as long as you can find undead mobs you'll be able to solo by nuking them I belive but it would definitely be better to have a party.
Also, definitly go with the robes first. Ones with high mp bonus are the best for you. Later you should get a weapon that has mana up as a spcial ability.
Bishops are the best healers but we specialize so much you'll need help from a clan or friends to get anywhere. We aren't needed really in mage parties (no empower, no recharge) or melee (no VR, might3, shield 3, focus 3 , dw) or archers (no guidance, no recharge, no focus 3, no DW). We JUST heal and that's no good in small parties, where you don't need JUST heals. You can solo up to 30 easily, and thanks to c4 you can get into raid groups from 20-40 as a cleric and level pretty fast though.
Unless you plan on soloing a lot, it's robes first weapon second. Your weapon does almost nothing for heals, the only possible use for a good matk is for sleep and nukes. Root stops at 9 so you won't be using that much after a while.
Soloing is painful on a bishop IMO after 40. Might of heaven has extremely short range (400) so you aggro things before you can even attack. It casts very fast but it's much weaker than a real nukers nukes and of course only hits undead. And a lot of undead is also mixed in with aggro living things :P You have zero mana regen skills so you burn up mp fast, then sit A LOT. People say it's doable but I've tried it with a nuker set up but it's stupid painful but you're welcome to try.
Sps, not SS effects heals, and Bsps effects heals even more. Both are more expensive than SS but you should never be spamming that unless it's in pvp or sieges, raids.
In raids we're the best (greater heal, greater group heal, restore life, best rez, mass rez, purify) or in areas that are very dangerous where VR just doesn't cut it for classes that don't benefit from it (mages, archers). I couldn't be the sole healer on my SE like I can my bishop. I don't regret it at my level but it takes a lot of work to get there.
I've personally stalled very hard on my bishop. They are a pain to solo. Small parties (which anyone grinding for xp prefers) don't really need a bishop. The best way to get into parties is to befriend people or have a clan (and better yet, an alliance).
Don't get me wrong, I like my bishop, but I also like a fair amount of 'alone' time...and that makes playing frustrating. And with C5 coming with nerfs to things like dual-wielders with no masteries, I'll be interested to see what the support classes turn to as a viable solo weapon.
Yep definitely a clan or ally that loves you big time. I would have quit long ago if it weren't for mine. Or at least rerolled. I'm already half rerolled as it is.
And with C5 coming with nerfs to things like dual-wielders with no masteries, I'll be interested to see what the support classes turn to as a viable solo weapon.
I would just like to point out that this is probably not true and was probably a mistranslation or taken out before Korean live.
Mystics now only get accurancy and cast speed nerfs on bows and polearms, probably due to root + range being apparently overpowered (lvl 9 root ftw -.-).
Bishops are getting lots of love in C5 that will make them very desirable in PvP. If you want to play a healer as your first character, I suggest taking one of the hybrid healer/buffers. Shillien Elders and Elven Elders are both great and are very group-friendly. Going this route will also help you to learn group and game mechanics before you decide whether or not you want to play a "full" healer. Later on, you can always start a Bishop if you'd like.
Dont forget the C5 changes as Johis has noted =) SE's are becoming more of a buffer while Bishops and EE's are grabbing 'Major Heal' or whatever it is. EE is becoming more of a healer.
for C grade, usely th emost desired robes for healer is "devine", but I'd say go with karmain.
when you get the money get a homu W/ Acumen (+3 is fine).
And use only Bsps ever, sps is a waste of money.
When you get to 52 don't worry you don't have to get a new weapon that homu that you got will last a very long time(forever sound good?). you can if you have the money get avadon or blue wolf robe set.(BW is typically for healers)
But you don't need to up grade right away to a new set. by the time you hit 56 tho you'd want to have one of them sets, BW would probably best. Cause you will need more MP, and BW adds some MP regen.
Tattoos, I hear that healers want and need them, but IDK, I think with a good robe set and homu, you will be fine with out it. but +4 wit -4 men is most perfered.
Elle, is that tat setup a grouping set up? I'm just curious. I'm not sure which would be better for a person who solos alot - dex or str. I'd be interested to hear. Sorry for the partial hijack, but since this thread concerns bishops, I think it applies.
Bishops should be set up for grouping only. You can't +int to help your only crappy nuke which is might of heaven, and trying to melee is laughable. And -DEX omg we're slow enough.
Wish I could of seen this port earlier but here is my opinion:
First off, would this make a decent first character?
Yes. Relatively cheap to equip, and you dont have to use Spirit shots if you dont have the money... Ill elaborate latter
As far as equipment, should I focus on robes first and weapon second?
Focus on your robes, you will need the mana
Or are heals effected by the quality of your weapon?
As mentioned before, the increased m.atck effect on heals is a joke. The only reason to get a "better" weapon is if you want to duo with a fighter from lvl 25-40 ish and want to add a bit of damage. Or once you hit C grade there is the "Crystal Staff with mana up" that increases your base mana by 30% I think... Or the Homu sword with Acumen. I stayed with the Crystal staff until I could get BW robes then converterd to Homu
That also bring up... are groups abundant here? I'm on Hindemith server if that makes a difference.
Im on Hind server, but I think the situation is the same for all servers... Bishops have a HARD time finding groups. If you find a good clan that will level you up, then your fine.
Along those lines, how is a Bishop at soloing? Horrible? What's the best way? Get a high P. Atk. weapon... attack and chain cast heals? :)
Ive tried like EllieBelly to have a nuker setup (high m.ack weapon and robes that boost INT).... soloing sux. Fine you can take down undeads fast, but the mana goes down fast too. Not worth soloing.
Do SS's help heals in any way? Do they improve the heal and the cast speed or just the cast speed? If I'm in a group where I'm doing nothing but healing... would it make sense to equip a no grade weapon and use that to save money on SS's? Or are higher grade SS's better?
SS = soulshots (fighters - increases weapon damage)
SPS = Spirit shots (mages)
Spirit shots increase your heals significantly. If use before you cast heal, you will cast faster and you will be able to cast heal again faster. IMO the garde of spiritshot doesnt really matter. You could probably pull off using a NG weapon and using No Grade SPS. However, Ill have to check... but I wouldnt think they are available to buy at grocery shop in higher level towns. That said, if you cant find them in higher level towns, you will run out of NG Sps and have to run back to get some each time you run out.... very inconvinient. Probably spend more on porting that what the D grade sps would cost extra
P.S. Are there mana regenerating potions in the game?
In C5 there will be instant mana pots that "drop" from mobs in solo areas and will be instantly used. Depending on how often these drop Illl have to retry the hole bishop solo thing in Dragon Valley/Cemetary
Well, as long as you can find undead mobs you'll be able to solo by nuking them I belive but it would definitely be better to have a party.
I tried this, and burned through my mana very fast. Better to duo with a DD and just heal.
If some Bishop out there can solo without any downtime with decent XP, post a guide cause all the bishops Ive talked to NEVER managed to solo decent ( and lets forget about a 2box high level SE.. just soloing with Bishop)
The best XP Ive gotten so far is a duo with a Blade Dancer or Gladiator in Catacombs or Enchanted Valley. Bishops "buffs" you get from when you a cleric are still semi-decent till around level 50. They are better than nothing. Bishop with a pair of duals, attacking mobs with fighter, healing when needed.
Ive also tried to Duo with a SH and a high level SE out of party. Got 50% in 2-3 hours at level 56. SH had Empower from SE but my Acumen and Zerk made all the difference. SH used body to mind, I healed him so his mp could last longer till next recharge session. I ran around picking up drops, SH was a real killin machine with no downtime.