Zythyl
09-14-2008, 12:22 AM
So there's been a lot of talk about people hating twisting (http://www.warhammeralliance.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36111&highlight=Twisting). Hell even I hate twisting and I used to do it compulsively in EQ.
If you're one of those people who cannot stand it I may have a solution. Why twist three auras at the one time when you can twist one depending on your situation? This makes for effecient gameplay and gives the player (you) more time to smash those pathetic Imperial scum.
Here's my solution: use ONE aura for EACH situation.
The Dread Auras
Dreadful Fear (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8316)
Dreadful Terror (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8342)
Dreadful Agony (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8334)
These give you buffed and your enemy debuffed strength to ~30 feet around your Chosen and all group members (within radius). Perfect for 1v1 circumstances as you have the most survivability in a 1v1 anyway (unless you are up against a Warrior Priest, in which case you may want to twist between Discord and Dread auras - I will get to that later); with more strength you gain a higher damage output at the cost of losing potential Wound/Resist buffs - the former of which you will not need if you are carrying a sword/board combo during this 1v1 anyway (unless using DOTs, in which case see The Discord Auras). These auras should also be used in solo PvE to give you the upper edge in PQs and OTing/questing so you can kill things faster.
Off-tanking.
Soloing.
PQ's (to a certain extent, see above).
The Corruption Auras
Corrupting Wrath (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8318)
Corrupting Horror (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8345)
Corrupting Retribution (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8332)
These buffs give you more toughness for an area of ~30 feet around you while taking away the same amount of toughness from enemies in the same area. Like the above auras, these can also applied to your group members within radius. These auras are best used while the Chosen is the main tank. The extra toughness really makes you a steel wall, reducing damage dealt to you; not significantly, but enough to make a difference both in RvR and PvE. You should activate these auras while in the front lines of RvR or when you are the main operating tank in a PQ/lair. Also, while auto-running through a zone to get from point A to point B, it is wise to use these auras to reduce the chance you get aggroed by mobs and consequentially killed. While the buffs don't actually reduce aggro, it does make you less likely to be chopped down by a mob of 5-10 critters. Also, in the event an RvR battle concludes in your side having twice as many people as the other side and you end up chasing them back home, don't be afraid to switch over to your Dread auras or even Discord auras for the DOT boosts - the enemy is fleeing anyway so some more DPS can't hurt.
Main tanking.
RvR front line tanking.
Travelling.
Last resort aura-switch (fleeing from a fight, switch to Corruption as a last resort - it may save your life).
The Discord Auras
Discordant Instability (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8321)
Discordant Fluctuation (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8327)
Discordant Turbulence (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8348)
Gives you (and groupmates) buffed and your enemies debuffed resistance for a ~30 feet radius. Out of the three, these are the auras you might be using the least. If you decide to be an OT and wield a 2H that's a different story - building your resistance up for the expense of survivability and DPS is still a tad foolish however. The only reason a 2H Chosen should use this aura is if he's deciding to flank the enemy lines with a Marauder to take out the casters, with resistance buffed and your DOTs increased damage-wise, it could prove to be a beter tactic than using Dread. Even so, it's not hard for a huge armour wearing hulk to grab the enemy's attention once there. So be careful. For MTs however, you should use these auras when waiting in the front lines for your battle group and the enemy's battle group to engage - for the only thing hitting you then would be spells and arrows. Hence, the higher resistance you have the higher chance you have of being dealt less damage. These auras should be used as a mere defense aura while waiting for combat. While in the fray as an MT, switch to Corruption immediately. While in the fray as an OT, activate Dread when using burst damage abilties and switch to Discord for the DOT bonuses.
Killing off casters.
Extra DOT boosts.
Waiting for RvR melee engagement.
These are just tips on how to manage your auras and if you have any corrections to make or any suggestions/feedback PLEASE post! I'd love to hear from every one of you rolling a Chosen. I'm not telling you how to play your class, I'm suggesting an alternate means to engage your enemies.
HAVE FUN!
If you're one of those people who cannot stand it I may have a solution. Why twist three auras at the one time when you can twist one depending on your situation? This makes for effecient gameplay and gives the player (you) more time to smash those pathetic Imperial scum.
Here's my solution: use ONE aura for EACH situation.
The Dread Auras
Dreadful Fear (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8316)
Dreadful Terror (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8342)
Dreadful Agony (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8334)
These give you buffed and your enemy debuffed strength to ~30 feet around your Chosen and all group members (within radius). Perfect for 1v1 circumstances as you have the most survivability in a 1v1 anyway (unless you are up against a Warrior Priest, in which case you may want to twist between Discord and Dread auras - I will get to that later); with more strength you gain a higher damage output at the cost of losing potential Wound/Resist buffs - the former of which you will not need if you are carrying a sword/board combo during this 1v1 anyway (unless using DOTs, in which case see The Discord Auras). These auras should also be used in solo PvE to give you the upper edge in PQs and OTing/questing so you can kill things faster.
Off-tanking.
Soloing.
PQ's (to a certain extent, see above).
The Corruption Auras
Corrupting Wrath (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8318)
Corrupting Horror (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8345)
Corrupting Retribution (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8332)
These buffs give you more toughness for an area of ~30 feet around you while taking away the same amount of toughness from enemies in the same area. Like the above auras, these can also applied to your group members within radius. These auras are best used while the Chosen is the main tank. The extra toughness really makes you a steel wall, reducing damage dealt to you; not significantly, but enough to make a difference both in RvR and PvE. You should activate these auras while in the front lines of RvR or when you are the main operating tank in a PQ/lair. Also, while auto-running through a zone to get from point A to point B, it is wise to use these auras to reduce the chance you get aggroed by mobs and consequentially killed. While the buffs don't actually reduce aggro, it does make you less likely to be chopped down by a mob of 5-10 critters. Also, in the event an RvR battle concludes in your side having twice as many people as the other side and you end up chasing them back home, don't be afraid to switch over to your Dread auras or even Discord auras for the DOT boosts - the enemy is fleeing anyway so some more DPS can't hurt.
Main tanking.
RvR front line tanking.
Travelling.
Last resort aura-switch (fleeing from a fight, switch to Corruption as a last resort - it may save your life).
The Discord Auras
Discordant Instability (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8321)
Discordant Fluctuation (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8327)
Discordant Turbulence (http://www.wardb.com/spell.aspx?id=8348)
Gives you (and groupmates) buffed and your enemies debuffed resistance for a ~30 feet radius. Out of the three, these are the auras you might be using the least. If you decide to be an OT and wield a 2H that's a different story - building your resistance up for the expense of survivability and DPS is still a tad foolish however. The only reason a 2H Chosen should use this aura is if he's deciding to flank the enemy lines with a Marauder to take out the casters, with resistance buffed and your DOTs increased damage-wise, it could prove to be a beter tactic than using Dread. Even so, it's not hard for a huge armour wearing hulk to grab the enemy's attention once there. So be careful. For MTs however, you should use these auras when waiting in the front lines for your battle group and the enemy's battle group to engage - for the only thing hitting you then would be spells and arrows. Hence, the higher resistance you have the higher chance you have of being dealt less damage. These auras should be used as a mere defense aura while waiting for combat. While in the fray as an MT, switch to Corruption immediately. While in the fray as an OT, activate Dread when using burst damage abilties and switch to Discord for the DOT bonuses.
Killing off casters.
Extra DOT boosts.
Waiting for RvR melee engagement.
These are just tips on how to manage your auras and if you have any corrections to make or any suggestions/feedback PLEASE post! I'd love to hear from every one of you rolling a Chosen. I'm not telling you how to play your class, I'm suggesting an alternate means to engage your enemies.
HAVE FUN!