Been away from the game for a while and hit A grade on my PS today.
I'm wondering what gear setup is best for the class now, should I stick with my BW light set and duals. or should I go for DC robe set with maybe an SoM for cast speed?
Anyone have a different setup they can suggest?
Been away from the game for a while and hit A grade on my PS today.
I'm wondering what gear setup is best for the class now, should I stick with my BW light set and duals. or should I go for DC robe set with maybe an SoM for cast speed?
Anyone have a different setup they can suggest?
Skip the duals. When u get into a grade the pet starts using more shots per hit, and ur patk compared to the pet becomes laughable. I would switch to a robe set and acumen weapon.
Many areas in the higher lvls has stunner mobs. Maybe try majestic robes/light armor and a flaming dragon skull with acumen?
LOL, I remember this same light vs robe dilema 5 levels ago
I couldn't make up my mind sooo I got 2 sets and skimped on my weapon.
Light
I decided on Majestic Light because I wanted the PDef of light and liked the stun resist boost. The weight limit bonus is also VERY nice. That set lets me carry my b-grade duals, c-grade blunt with bless the body, and my homu accu with BSS, BBSPS, CBSPS, and Beast spirit/soulshots. I used this mainly for catacombs where I was getting stunned every other mob and with using BSS on my +4 TSU/SLS I did OK damage. Also, I personally think Maj Light looks great on female DE's.
Robes
I decided on Tallum robes. I figured if what I wanted was cast speed out of my robes the choice had to be between DC or Tallum. I can't stand the way DC looks on DE females so I rolled with Tallum and sucked up the -INT modifier that the set gives me. I simply do not carry my B-Grade Duals or the associated BSS/BBSPS when I go out in this set, weight limit is not an issue. And boy oh boy is the cast speed nice with an Accu weapon. (Makes me laugh after casting heals with Maj Light and B-Grade Duals.)
Now at 65, if I had to do it over again, I think I would just grab my Tallum Robes. I love the look and right now I am grinding in Forest of the Dead and the bleed resist is nice. I stopped using the B-Grade Duals because as Smittie said the damage isn't great and the cast speed just rocks with Tallum/Accu set-up. If you grind field mobs, you really don't even get a chance to do any damage before Soulless finishes them off.
In the end for PvE, I'm not convinced that one way is better than the other, it all comes down to playstyle. I'm guessing if you had some really nice OE'd duals, the Majestic Light might be nice in the Cats/Necros because of your ability to carry shots. But since I got my 64 skills, not really worth it with my +4's.
For PvP, I have no tips for you. No experience there. I might play with the light again there, but I don't know....
Thanks for the reply's. I think I will craft a SoM and go with Tallum or DC robes. I'm curious, which set bonus will benefit me more for field grinding at this point? Am I going to run into more bleed/poison mobs or paralysis at the higher levels?
Am I going to run into more bleed/poison mobs or paralysis at the higher levels?
Neither really. I guess there are a couple mobs you might fight that poison, nothing you'll be hunting without a healer will para. I wouldn't use that as the basis for making your choice though, it's a really minor bonus either way.
I personally prefer the +7 Run Speed on DC Robes. Just a preference. If you need some MEN, then just take off the +INT Tat and add a +DEX Tat. You'll get 4 MEN back.
I just stuck with BW light on my PS. and got a Weapon with acumen. I use a wolf and not my summons so beast shots is not a problem and wolf attack Speed and P attack puts all my summons to shame. I can't use transfer pain (that's why I'm still in Light) it's the only Summon skill that don't work on Wolfs everything else does.
Also I have a SE with VR4 so robes are not needed the most thing I do is summon cubics and cast haste on my wolf and wind shackle on the Mobs the wolf does the rest with ease.
First 8 Mob room in witches I don't even use beast shots it's not even needed. ;)
I just stuck with BW light on my PS. and got a Weapon with acumen. I use a wolf and not my summons so beast shots is not a problem and wolf attack Speed and P attack puts all my summons to shame. I can't use transfer pain (that's why I'm still in Light) it's the only Summon skill that don't work on Wolfs everything else does.
Also I have a SE with VR4 so robes are not needed the most thing I do is summon cubics and cast haste on my wolf and wind shackle on the Mobs the wolf does the rest with ease.
First 8 Mob room in witches I don't even use beast shots it's not even needed. ;)
Knight is 74??
and I'm very glad they fixed it in gracia pt 1 where you couldn't TP with a pet. I think a GM was watching you on that one PTS outside of Giran ;)
I just stuck with BW light on my PS. and got a Weapon with acumen. I use a wolf and not my summons so beast shots is not a problem and wolf attack Speed and P attack puts all my summons to shame. I can't use transfer pain (that's why I'm still in Light) it's the only Summon skill that don't work on Wolfs everything else does.
Also I have a SE with VR4 so robes are not needed the most thing I do is summon cubics and cast haste on my wolf and wind shackle on the Mobs the wolf does the rest with ease.
First 8 Mob room in witches I don't even use beast shots it's not even needed. ;)
A Wolf is not a Servitor. When was the last time you compared their stats. Wolves have double the crit rate and More P.Atk than a Servitor. they get more HP Back. Wolves also have more Attack Speed than Servitors, as well as More HP.
VR4 is only 1% more than VR3 and 3% more than VR1 so the level of VR isn't all that much of an issue. It's prolly 20'ish HP more a hit than VR1 anyways.
Gratz on usin BW Light "for the P.Def". Transfer Pain > Light Armor. Now go do it with 10% or 5% servitor. One of the most boggling things about some summoners is that they rather use 30-40% XP Drain Wolves over a 5/10% servitor which can get the job done just as well if they'd learn how to play.
Light Armor is not that useful past B Grade, and with a real summon in challenging places (which the first room of Witches is not) you will need both the casting speed and the MP.
Witches isn't the best XP Spot, but I guess you gotta do what you gotta do. Catas always good for AA though, and that's usually why people "say" they're leveling there.
A skilled player behind a summoner can XP pretty much anywhere in no-grade armor.
Blue wolf light isn't the worst thing you could be wearing, but DC robes is highly recommended. Majestic robes or Tallum robes also work...
Sadly, there is no useful caster light armor available past blue wolf. (tallum light needs a boost IMHO)
I do recommend a melee weapon all the way to S grade as an extra 15-20% damage is quite useful. (yeah you have 25% of the patk, but 3x the crit rate with a focus weapon!)
For a PS with phantom cubic, taunt/hex, and buffs from nightshade, you'd be surprised how much output you can have even self-buffed.
Any summoner with clanhall buffs is being kinda silly if they don't melee. All that buff goodness and you are going to stand back? What?
(I don't care if they stun, if you die in PvE as a summoner, you made a serious player error.)
In S grade, unless you are rich the Arcana mace with an element is your only real choice and then melee starts to fall by the wayside. (I still whack things with the AM out of principle.) Up until then, any B weapon with focus is actually highly recommended.
As mentioned earlier a weapon with Acumen is higly recommended.
Do not be too enamoured with the PS's death spike. I am told it is useful in your VoS days if you choose to go there, but more useful as a pulling tool than damage beyond that.
MOBs die too fast, you don't need to melee mobs. Any damage is helpful, even if you hit for 1 on every hit. Doesn't make it the most practical thing to do. You are going to melee mobs with no shots, too? Cause carrying thousands of soulshots is going to limit how many beast shots, blessed spiritshots, potions, etc. you can carry factorably.
15%-20% is 15-20%... if you want it fine... if you want to play that much under your potential, then go right ahead. As a summoner you can play passive if you prefer.
I tend to push limits just to see if I can...
Damage output = XP. You don't get XP for surviving and playing it safe.
Since I don't die AND do 15-20% more damage, I am getting 15-20% more XP.
The mobs are also doing less damage to the pet since they are dying faster.
Swinging a weapon costs ZERO mana.
Why don't we let the readers decide? Take the advice of an S-grade summoner main or a necro with a 5x alt summoner.
Sure you can swing along in a cata if you are seeding or something, but its really pointless.
Bring your S-grade summoner to IOP, find mobs that look blue and have swirling water around them, and go melee crazy. Enjoy their aoe-skills :D
Being able to meleeing along side pet is highly optional and very situational. Pretty much, if you are fighthing 4x or higher hp mobs that dont do aoe skills u can melee along side your pet, but it really doesnt do much for your dps.
My 78 Kai the cat can kill the mobs in IOP in 6 hits or less, so meleeing with the summoner would be pointless, but go ahead.
My Warlock is 6x, not 5x. I don't care much for updating Forum Signatures.
And what Smittie said. lolsummonermelee is not that useful, and isn't really a factor especially when you are leveling in fields. You're better off just pulling "faster" (as opposed to clicking on mobs and sending pet to them when they die, that's not "pulling"). That's how people level in most other MMOs. When a mob is dying, a "puller" goes out to get another one so they don't waste time/xp running from mob to mob like a bot group. You're a summoner, pull more mobs...
You didn't understand it after the second go. I hope you understand now.
I see exping summoner like this:
What gear to use depends on 2 things
- where do you exp
- how do you exp
1. if you like challenging locations on the edge, pulling mobtrains, fast spawn places with little space between mobs, nX red mobs, aoe mobs ... you will need to heal the summon and therefor your only "choice" is an acumen weapon with + cast speed armor with most mana add (means robe).
meelee weapon is of no use, there is no time to hit.
also why to get hit, when your summon has much higher pdef - no use for light armor, just get robe and turn on transfer pain if you get aggro (personaly I think you shouldn't get agrro if you do it right).
2. if you prefer 1-2x green mobs, low risk locations, or low risk with hig pdef/lot of hp, not dangerous nX ... you can either chat with friends and let the summon do it's job, or make you xp gain faster by assisting it with meelee weapon.
the more OE the wepon is the better, the faster you hit the better, the beter buffs you have ...
my personal (not exactly calculated) guess is that you can do 5-25% of dmg depending on the things above. and that can be definitely worth it. but only in case you exp on place where it's possible. personaly i feel stupid when summon kills everythig aroud and my char don't even move, i want to see her in action so i hit mobs.
regarding armor here - you can be naked or in s80 robe, it will be the same. just put on whatever you like.
now i really don't have a clue what is more effective, neither think I that the most effective exp is always fun. so go figure.
Witches isn't the best XP Spot, but I guess you gotta do what you gotta do. Catas always good for AA though, and that's usually why people "say" they're leveling there.
I know it's better XP spots but I don't care and never did I got to 77 in the catts's and it's the only place I like to hunt period. Plus I love the AA.
Light Armor is not that useful past B Grade, and with a real summon in challenging places (which the first room of Witches is not) you will need both the casting speed and the MP.
Nope you don't I still wear the +6 Light armor at 75+ at Dark Omens everything else is A grade. and I have a no acumen weapon and do just fine.
Gratz on usin BW Light "for the P.Def". Transfer Pain > Light Armor. Now go do it with 10% or 5% servitor. One of the most boggling things about some summoners is that they rather use 30-40% XP Drain Wolves over a 5/10% servitor which can get the job done just as well if they'd learn how to play.
MY BW light is +6 so really doubt I'm missing much with Transfer Pain. also I know how 2 play with summons and yes is has less XP drain then wolf but I want to level the wolf any way not just for my PS but my WC and my Dwarf. I can level just as fast with no beast shots and the wolf hits just as hard with no shots as summons with shots. the wolf has much faster attack speed , better critt rate and it must have a critt power passive if not it hits dam hard when it critts and it can use different pots that summons can't and the wolf can hold extra beast shots for when I do hunt ruff areas for different quests and for Higher lvl catts like Dark Omens.
Yes I can solo the catta with a Summons but it's more work and less fun. The game is about having fun so the hell with the way other people play....I play my way to have fun after all it's my $14.95 a month ;)
I only use the summon for PVP which I only do in the Arena :)
That's fine. We can all do what we want :P If you like catas and haven't tried much else there isn't much for you to argue with :) Just know that there are better places.
Robes > Light.
You can play how you want. I didn't say not to do it. I just said it was an inefficient way to level that class.
Seeing as how you don't like to "work", that explains why you have spent all your levels in a catacomb. They are boting, trivial, mundane XP dungeons. You should "get out" more :P
I agree with licrydis, nice post.
Chain pulling is more effective, from my experiences. It also maximizes cubic effectiveness - lots of triggers because you're almost always in combat and the Cubic always has a target to fire on. On a Warlock the Binding Cubic CCs a lot of MOBs.
I'm strictly PVE. Since PVP is not happening I'm sporting the following:
Mysterious Sword(Acumen)
Karmian Robe Set
Common C Jewelry
+4 Con/-5 Str
+4 Wit/-5 Int
+4 Men/- 5 Int
I don't even bother using shots(pointless) and I can solo large rooms in Catas(white/yellow mobs) as much as I please. My point? Many classes are very gear dependent...this is definitely not one of them. The amount of vitriol in this thread is way too high especially considering the class that is being discussed.
thats not a good choice .. a PS has several debuffs (windshakle etc) and a nuke (deathspike), and a pre 40 overhit nuke. Even if DS is only a half-power nuke, its pretty nice against angle-class Mobs. I would recomend to go +4Int/-4wit, DC Set and Som/Acu - as a classic Nuker-Setup.
thats not a good choice .. a PS has several debuffs (windshakle etc) and a nuke (deathspike), and a pre 40 overhit nuke. Even if DS is only a half-power nuke, its pretty nice against angle-class Mobs. I would recomend to go +4Int/-4wit, DC Set and Som/Acu - as a classic Nuker-Setup.
you mean +4int/+4wit/+4con -8men/-4str thats the classic nuker setup
thats not a good choice .. a PS has several debuffs (windshakle etc) and a nuke (deathspike), and a pre 40 overhit nuke.
As I said, I am PVE.
I've talked it over with a 70+ PS in my clan and neither one of us see any gigantic use for Int in PVE. Wind Shackle? I have a cubic for that and honestly if I really need it I cast it knowing that it lands about 70% of the time on white mobs even with -10 Int. Curse: Poison? Uh, no. Death Spike? Right, I'm going to significantly slow down my cast speed(heals, pet heals, buffing, summoning...stuff I actually use), take up inventory with Cursed Bones, take up even more precious inventory with Blessed Spiritshots, and then on top of that I will drain MP nuking in the hopes that it adds tangible DPS.
If I had any idea that I would be PVP'ing with regularity then of course I would go +Int. Hell, I went +Int when I hit 40 so that I could nuke and I could land debuffs...but that was before I got the buffs and pets to truly play the class as a summoner. For Catacomb farming(95% of what I do on my PS) I see nothing but upside for Men and Wit even though I am not a fan of Men. Int? The only thing I miss is a bit more punch on my pet heals, other than that I don't even notice it in the slightest. I absolutely see what you are trying to say but you're talking nukes to someone who is playing this class as a pure summoner.
To recap:
Wind Shackle - I like it, but I use the Phantom Cubic and save on MP.
Curse: Poison - Tried it, not worth the MP
Death Spike - Maybe later on. Absolutely no use for it now.
Betray - I never find myself in a situation where I can either use it or that it even makes that much of a difference.
Servitor Heal - It's the only spell that I even mildly sweat losing the Int and even then it seems like a negligible difference.
To be able to effectively cast spells I don't use(other than Servitor Heal which is fine) I would give up: casting speed, resistance to Hold, resistance to curses (such as HP degeneration, decreased HP recovery rate, increased skill re-use time, and decreased effect of heals), increased magic defense, maximum MP, MP recovery speed, poison resistance, curse resistance, and a decreased probability of magic interruption.
I see the use of Int...just not for the way I play.
Been away from the game for a while and hit A grade on my PS today.
I'm wondering what gear setup is best for the class now, should I stick with my BW light set and duals. or should I go for DC robe set with maybe an SoM for cast speed?
Anyone have a different setup they can suggest?
my 56 ps is in bw light w/ +6 homu and common sls*sls duals if I feel like meleeing...no tats as it's just an alt. I however plan on subbing ps on my main, since my main is SE (or SS rather) I have maj +3/+4 and +11 sov accu, so I'll just use that for a grade. PS is basically healer buffer for your summon, so it would make sense to gear it as such, unless you go the more dd route with light armor and a melee weapon..which i'd do if I had a +6 bw light set. I find I can take a full cata room of white mobs w/ my shadow & self buffs. I do find poison is useful, especially if u use surrender to poison it lands much better, I find mp to be ok so long as you don't have to heal much. As with being a se you have to balance your heals and buff mp consumption with debuffs, and if mp is tight gotta sacrafice one (debuffs). I also like to use death spike on weak to dark mobs as it does good damage. as for tats on my sub...probably go same as main and +5wit-5men +4con-4str.
you mean +4int/+4wit/+4con -8men/-4str thats the classic nuker setup
yes .. sorry, i mean +4int/-4wit/-8men ..
if you hunt alot in cata/Necros .. the angel-type-mobs are mostly "high pdef" or "very high pdef" .. but normal or weak mdef .. so some death-spikes can speed up hunting. I like Death-Spike and use it alot.
OK, as wacky as the "I like watching my pet and killing slower" people are...
(I don't have problems with IoP... I am not quite sure how summoners die in PvE without making a major error. Hint, killing in 5 pet hits so your pet can go hit something else = win.)
I am pretty sure not even the inattentive summoners would recommend +MEN.
+MEN is not wise. +MEN is a worthless gain and quite frankly, NO tat or +dex-str makes more sense and gains you more than +4MEN with less loss.
At S-grade you will be augmenting your Arcana mace until you get a nuke.
You will want INT then.
Also, I have no idea how anyone higher than 61 can possibly not consider PvP as quite frankly it comes to you and is part of PvE as well. Want to go to IoP or any of the good PvE spots? you will be PvPing at some point!
Betray is just plain murder on any pet class save 79+ summoners. Want to see a Soul Taker or Hell Knight cry? Betray.
I would suggest +con, -str anyday and twice on sunday. The +int is nice to nuke. And yes nukin is quite good for a ps.
I've seen all the debuff/curse/windshakle spel as a complete waste of sp. I duel even lower lvl clannies and it never lands.
15%-20% is 15-20%... if you want it fine... if you want to play that much under your potential, then go right ahead. As a summoner you can play passive if you prefer.
I tend to push limits just to see if I can...
the only problem w/ this is... as you lvl the your dps vs. summon dps gap grows and after 62 or 64 its a waste of time and mana to melee less you have ++++weapon...
you made a comment that fighting along side your summon doesnt use mp... technically true, but while running around swating mobs your regen rate is slower than standing still or sitting so though your not "using" mp your are gaining mp slower.
if your are properly set up and buffed and in a suitable xp spot the best use of your time is to pull more mobs while your summon fights and keep it healed. if your having no trouble keeping your summon healed i dont call that pushing the limits. i was clearing pytan room in a duo w/ a 64 BD at lvl 62 and to me that was pushing the limits... if the threat or occurrence of instant death isnt there your not pushing the limits.