Does anyone have any good ideas for MELONI?

RitualEros

RitualEros

Academy Page

Join Date: Aug 2006

Maine...for now

Guild Warsaholics Anonymous

I was wondering if anyone had feasible builds for Meloni. I believe she has great potential... obviously I am just unable to tap into it. She dies so fast.

Francis Crawford

Forge Runner

Join Date: Dec 2005

I've been wondering the same thing. For now, I've made her D/W and given her tactics skills.

One possibility in some team builds -- makes no sense for me, as I'm caster-heavy -- is to make an Orders necro out of her. I can't convince myself she'd do it quite as well as a true necro, however.

I also imagine it would be to her advantage to have a Boon/Protection monk in the party. (RoF for the energy recharge.)

Indeed, with Extend Enchantments/Aegis, she might be an OK Protection monk herself, boonlessness notwithstanding.

RitualEros

RitualEros

Academy Page

Join Date: Aug 2006

Maine...for now

Guild Warsaholics Anonymous

Dervish have great skills, the problem is that most of them require precise chaining in order for them to be effective. So, I guess what I am looking for is an AI friendly build for her.

ZennZero

ZennZero

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Apr 2005

R/

This is pretty simplistic, but I made her a D/E with points in water magic. Conjure Frost is a nice damage buff and some of the enchant-heavy water spells complement mysticism pretty nicely.

gilgameshx

gilgameshx

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Apr 2006

Since I couldn't afford much skills, I made her a D/ME. Gave her Sand Shards, Signet of Midnight (E), and Epidemic. She does it fine, just don't know how much damage she is doing. It's good against melee attackers because they end up getting blinded and she will still continue to do damage to nearby foes.

[skill]Sand Shards[/skill] [skill]Signet of Midnight[/skill] [skill]Epidemic[/skill]

My Sweet Revenga

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Nov 2005

R/

When in doubt, give the hero power drain and build something from there ^^

Guildmaster Cain

Guildmaster Cain

Desert Nomad

Join Date: May 2006

Guildmistress Eve [Me], Guildmistress Azura [N], Guildmistress Azumi [A], Guildmistress Jaina [D]

Guildmaster Aeron [Rt], Arthas Ironfist [W], Guild: The Tyrian Templars [TTT]

I posted the Blinded Justice Dervish before, for farming purposes. Its the same as above, Signet of Midnight combined with Sand Shards. Only problem is that your healers will remove the blind probably. Since I figured that, I never bothered testing it on Heroes.

FrogDevourer

FrogDevourer

on a GW break until C4

Join Date: Feb 2005

In your shadow

Servants of Fortuna

Quote:
Originally Posted by RitualEros
Dervish have great skills, the problem is that most of them require precise chaining in order for them to be effective. So, I guess what I am looking for is an AI friendly build for her. Don't try to be subtle with the hero AI. Use a D/W with unlinked stuff skills Wild Blow, Distracting Blow, or You're all Alone, and Watch Yourself (be sure to abuse paragon echoes). Add scythe attacks with no drawback (read: no attack based on enchant removal), one IAS stance, and one energy management skill (ex: Zealous Renewal). Self-sufficient, lots of damage, takes care of a lot of annoying things (Battle Scars, Kiters) and will do AoE damage and interrupts... The dervish is not my favourite hero, but this build sure gets his part of the job done.

strcpy

strcpy

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jul 2005

One of Many [ONE]

Though some of these skills are end game you can unlock them with faction. This is the Melonni I use with my necro.

I use the bonus icy scythe for a weapon

scythe: 15 (sup scythe mastery + hood)
mysticism: 11
earth prayers: 8
water: 7

skills:

reaper's sweep[e]
Mystic regeneration
Vital boon
Heart of Fury
Conjure Frost
Conviction
Faithful Intervention
rez sig

She will not cast Faithful intervention on her own, I just cast it when I walk out of a building. She rarely goes below 50% health so it is nomrally up. I check every once and a while though.

Conjure Frost isn't really needed, could swap for a different scythe attack. If you have an ebon scythe replace Reapers sweep with Ebon Dust Aura (my ele has Melonni set up that way) and conjure frost with a scythe attack and you get blinding in there also. I can not make up my mind which AI build I like better. I have a few others I use from time to time too, a /w and replace conjure frost with wild blow - who cares about loosing adrenaline when you do not use it and at 41 damage the crits add up.

She doesn't cast the self heals as often as I would like but she still normally outlives Koss and has a good damage output - especially if enemies clump up (conjure frost adds quite a bit of damage output when hitting multiple enemies).

I do not see chaining as a requisite here and it tends to work much better than trying to force a warrior build on a low armor front line melee.

FoxBat

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Apr 2006

Amazon Basin [AB]

Mo/Me

I just give her Balth's avatar, 4 scythe attacks including the cripple one, whatever enchants seem appropriate, and I monk with AoE zfire smite. The constant enchant spam keeps her healthy and plenty of mana to power scythe spam. Cripple and speedy balth form is enough to keep enemies from running far from the AoE, but I put glyph of lesser energy and 2 ice snares on Sousuke's otherwise SF build. I bring mostly AoE damagers (cynn, ghenz, olias as minion nuker) so I don't need to worry about focusing fire, and everything's snared so crippled runners don't get far and also aren't attacking your party.

Anyway you can't go too wrong with Balth's form, not hard to use. Just skip all the uberwammotank builds filling the Dervish forum, go with some modest brainless defense and scythe attacks. And bring a prot monk in some form (hint: Khim is actually prot once you arrive in Kourna, even though it says "healer")

Francis Crawford

Forge Runner

Join Date: Dec 2005

Which henchie monks are enchant-heavy? Those would be the ones you'd want to take when you have Melonni.

Similarly -- do hero monks use RoF well?

Ensign

Ensign

Just Plain Fluffy

Join Date: Dec 2004

Berkeley, CA

Idiot Savants

Reaper's Sweep, Chilling Victory, Wild Blow, Distracting Blow, Vital Boon, Mystic Regeneration, Heart of Holy Flame, Ressig is the most robust bar I have for Melonni ATM. Simple skills that the AI uses well and beats down with.

Peace,
-CxE

Darkpower Alchemist

Darkpower Alchemist

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jan 2006

NYC

The Circle Of Nine[NINE]

E/N

Actually,melonni does well with an avatar on her bar. Used her to get to ToA. It was a massacre all the way there with us running Avatar of Melandru.

Poison what? Poison who? not with us using melandru

RitualEros

RitualEros

Academy Page

Join Date: Aug 2006

Maine...for now

Guild Warsaholics Anonymous

Quote:
Originally Posted by Poison
what? Poison who? not with us using melandru That has a catchy ring to it

Thank you all for your help.

Evilsod

Evilsod

Banned

Join Date: Mar 2006

England

Lievs Death Squad [LDS]

How about giving the useless paper armour tank Vow of Silence? At least that way she invunerable to spells, then its just onto keeping her alive against physical attacks.

I'm really not finding much use for the Dervish hero though. Even the Paragon hero has actually got a use in the form of They're on Fire assist with 3 Searing Flames eles.

ogami_ito

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Mar 2006

If in general world PVE, I almost alsways take Meloni. My character is also a Derv. I also take a MM Necro with Order of Pain, and sometimes a healing prot monk with Healing Light, Dwana's Kiss, and Aegis.

Melani is almost always D/P, equipped with 2 scythe attacks, 1 Avatar, "go for the Eyes" (5 command gives about 50% to crit for the minions and otehr non-spell casters) Mystic Regen, Vital Boom, Sig of Pious Light, res sig. He never dies.

Basically, if fighting multiple mobs, Melani's powers "Go for the Eyes" every-other attack. Meloni, my own Derv, and the Derv Hench are doing a lot of scythe crits. The Minions are doing lots of crits. And the healer hero is adding enchants and efficient heals. Monk enchants Melani (and my own Derv) with say Reversal of Fortuen, its 3 free energy (4 for my character because my myst is higher). Aegis and Order also add usefull enchants that affect all 3 Dervs at the same time.

Moa Bird Cultist

Moa Bird Cultist

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jan 2006

Hastings (UK) / Latham (USA)

Freedom Fanatical Scots [FFS]

E/W

Most all of my builds for her have been D/Mo with an equal spread of mysticism, earth prayers and smiting prayers. Given her a +energy+enchants sword and a smiting focus. Then just spec her with holy damage enchantments, vital boon and signet of pious light. I use soj as the elite and sometimes throw in symbol of wrath for good measure. Not the most efficient build, but it works.

Cebe

Cebe

The 5th Celestial Boss

Join Date: Jul 2006

Inverness, Scotland

The Cult of Scaro [WHO]

E/

Although I only use her when I have to I make her D/N and give her Mark of Pain, Plague Tough and Grenth's Balance. I'm using Grenth's Balance as I currently have no dervish and have capped no derish elites yet.

lundis

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jun 2006

Ingame

The Monstrous Fangs [fang]

Me/

i give her the same build as i use with my dervish:

vow of strength [elite]
mirage cloak
mystic regeneration
vital boon
heart of fury
and the rest= optional

i think the attributes are:
13-15 scythe mastery
14 earth prayers
and the rest in mysticism (10 or something like that)

melonni is very good at using this build BUT DO NOT give her any enchant removing skills.

ump

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Nov 2005

Melonni was dying a lot until I gave her Conviction (+24AL), Vital Boon (self-heal, but also ensures I get the AL instead of health regen because the enchantment is always on), and Victorious Sweep (healing scythe attack). I don't remember the rest of the skill bar at the moment but I would guess Reaper's Sweep, Chilling Victory, Zealous Renewal, Imbue Health, and Rez Signet.

Francis Crawford

Forge Runner

Join Date: Dec 2005

If I'm running an MM primary or hero and also a physical damage hero, at least one of the latter is /P for Go For the Eyes. W/ or /W for Watch Yourself is also a big part of the plan.

LifeInfusion

LifeInfusion

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: May 2005

in the midline

E/Mo

I made her a D/Me with Sympathetic Visage XD

It actually helps since the melee mobs cannot adrenaline spike after that.

Skye Marin

Skye Marin

Jungle Guide

Join Date: May 2006

The Seraphim Knights [TSK]

E/A

Here's what I've been using to great success:

Signet of Malice
Wearying Sweep
Crippling Sweep
Rending Sweep
Siphon Speed
Res sig
Armor of Sanctity
Ebon Dust Aura

In order, that is:
Deep Wound, Cripple, Disenchantment, Blind, and a good amount of self-defence. No skill is more than 5 energy, so the build is easily sustainable with 9 in Mysticism.

bleh

bleh

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Aug 2005

N.Z.

_

P/

i gave her shockwave + aftershock and they drop like flies

JYX

JYX

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Mar 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ensign
Reaper's Sweep, Chilling Victory, Wild Blow, Distracting Blow, Vital Boon, Mystic Regeneration, Heart of Holy Flame, Ressig is the most robust bar I have for Melonni ATM. Simple skills that the AI uses well and beats down with.

Peace,
-CxE I've tried some of these builds on this thread and I like this one. A couple of things though:
1) Is an IAS worth it?
2) What would you take out for heart of fury?

rezabm

rezabm

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jan 2006

Nightshift Resurrection

R/

I gave her Wild Blow + Skullcrack{e} + bunch of earth prayers defensive skills, I can't complain now, she is charging Skullcrack really fast and interrupting well, cancelling annoying stances a she's a good survivor too.

JYX

JYX

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Mar 2005

yeah I tried it with Vital Boon out for Heart of Fury, it wasn't bad. Problems were obvious though, the hilariously large armor of a lot of these mobs means the extra attacks don't have as much effect as they should. It appears most of the dmg is done with skills. Also you can't keep HoF up all the time, Mystic Regeneration gets to be a bit of pot luck, the difference is quite large.

ez90ing

Academy Page

Join Date: Nov 2006

S'pore

POEA

D/

Personally i'm a dervish player and I have Melonni as one of my key hero's whenever i go out. So anyway would like to share with you my build for Melonni. Might not be the best but it works for me and am very satisfied.

Looking at Melonni Blinds !
[skill]Mystic Sweep[/skill][skill]Victorious Sweep[/skill][skill]Eremite's Attack[/skill][skill]Mystic Regeneration[/skill][skill]Heart of Fury[/skill][skill]Vital Boon[/skill][skill]Ebon Dust Aura[/skill][skill]Resurrection Signet[/skill]

The is what i observe from the AI of melonni. She is generally a very hostile player. She goes upfront to a target uses EBON DUST AURA and spams the first 3 spells. This blinds the target.

Usually players would go for Cleric/Doctor in a group first. So by the time Melonni joins you to fight the same target, you will have 2 blind targets. She uses Mystic Regeneration when she life is low or VItal Boon.

Victorious Sweep is used often so she heals quite alot from this.

Equipment you need is: Ebon Scythe mod.

Servant of Kali

Servant of Kali

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jan 2006

Me/

Quote:
Originally Posted by JYX
2) What would you take out for heart of fury? Eh? Heart of Fury is the best IAS skill in the game.

If you intend to play Dervish without IAS you're betting of playing W/Mo with Mending.

The only exception i can think of is a combo Zealous Vow + Protectors Strike + Eremite + Mystic Sweep.

alarico511

alarico511

Academy Page

Join Date: Jul 2006

Da Dark Dragon

how is she using avatars?

Cebe

Cebe

The 5th Celestial Boss

Join Date: Jul 2006

Inverness, Scotland

The Cult of Scaro [WHO]

E/

Until I made a Dervish myself and unlocked some skills I used her as a Ritualist...since I still have no Razah... 25 base evergy and a staff with +20 energy on and she's fine.

- Tain -

- Tain -

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2006

[SMS]

R/

One great use for her is Gate of Madness - she solos Shiro for me while I cap the shrines. She uses all the skills right 90% of the time, but I keep an eye on her to make sure she prioritizes EDA and Staggering Force. With Melonni running this, the hardest part of Gate of Madness was NOT killing Shiro before I had finished capping all the shrines...

Earth Prayers: 14 (12+1+1)
Scythe Mastery: 9
Mysticism: 10 (9+1)

Wild Blow
Conviction
Ebon Dust Aura [E]
Staggering Force
Heart of Fury
Mystic Vigor
Mystic Regeneration
Resurrection Signet

Zealous Scythe of Enchanting 20% (+15% dmg enchanted)

Pandora's box

Pandora's box

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Apr 2005

Netherlands

Mo/W

She never ever seems to use Ebon dust aura...

- Tain -

- Tain -

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2006

[SMS]

R/

What do you have her set to?

Pandora's box

Pandora's box

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Apr 2005

Netherlands

Mo/W

Like Tain (you hehe), without Wild Blow, with epidemic after heart of fury , agressive mode. Earth 12+1, Scyte 12+1, Myst 3+3