GW:EN PvE-Only Skills

Zinger314

Debbie Downer

Join Date: May 2006

N/Me

06 Sep 2007 at 02:12 - 1

Oddly enough, there hasn't been much discussion about them. (Of course, I haven't played the game in order to observe any potential elitism...)

The Official Wiki has all the GW:EN PvE Only skills up w/ scaling.

I'm a Magic: the Gathering Johnny; I like theoetical comboing.

(albeit I haven't played MtG in 2 years. How ironic.)

What's disappointing is that most of the skills...suck. Most of them are way, way too situational, and are rarely worth bringing over a normal skill.

However, there are two skills, IMO, which stand out:

Pain Inverter and http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Techn...e]Technobabble

Pain Inverter is an Empathy and Backfire combined, and an instant-kill on Elementalists. Technobabble is a portable BHA + Epidemic combo in one skill!

I'm so tempted to make a Mesmer, buy GW:EN, and enjoy GW Easy Mode with those two skills + Mantra of Recovery, hehe.

The only other PvE Only skill which really sticks out for me is Ebon Battle Standard of Wisdom, because near 50% HSR is pretty damn valuable for a caster.

Any ideas?

AnnaCloud9

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Aug 2005

Minnesota

Well if you're bored, then you're boring!

06 Sep 2007 at 02:24 - 2

I am actually stunned to be posting alongside you Zinger. This has to be the first post I've seen you make where suicidal tendencies toward GW isn't prominent! I tease, no ill-intent on my part.

But I'd agree to an extent about some of the skills, however they're no different than many of the other skills that never find their way to skill bars. The situationals are the killers, in that you're better off bringing a skill that will benefit you 75% of the time throughout a mission/quest, rather than a skill that might give you an edge on a single enemy 25% of the time. I actually like the Vanguard Assassin skill, for Charr chopping of course. But then again, riding a mechanized devourer is so much more redeeming...

GaladrielMoloch

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Aug 2007

Australia

Oh No Tinkerbell Died

06 Sep 2007 at 02:25 - 3

Having only used a few so far, they are very nice for Vanquishing and dungeons. As OP said, they are situation specific, which IMO is not bad. People who use a set build (usually Wiki-based), and never modify it are often hard-pressed to do things. These PvE only skills I have found are basically adding a bit more specific situation spells (for example Dwarven armor and stance enchantments make a Ranger stance tank much more viable with more damage output, etc).

The whole +drunk bonus is a kick I think, particularly for those who play drunk anyways ^^. Overall I don't mind them really, though I was never fond of the separation of skill sets (i.e. PvE only).

Kakumei

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jul 2005

Grind is subjective

learn this please

06 Sep 2007 at 02:28 - 4

I haven't seen any worth taking as a Monk (save for Pain Inverter vs the Great Destroyer, but that's pretty situational). I'm pretty underwhelmed in general, but I'm not all that concerned about it--I wasn't really looking forward to them anyway.

Malice Black

Site Legend

Join Date: Oct 2005

06 Sep 2007 at 02:43 - 5

YMLaD is ok, KD and cripple...what more could you ask for?

AlienFromBeyond

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Dec 2005

Heros of Titans Realm [HotR]

06 Sep 2007 at 02:59 - 6

Low Blow and Brawling Headbutt are ridiculously good skills for Warriors, especially when you pack Dragon Slash. Snow Storm has potential, if only because it's a high COLD damage AoE (a large one too) with low recharge. Great Dwarf Weapon still seems like it would be awesome on a rit with some Barragers. Of course, Light of Deldrimor is excellent if you're going into a dungeon, especially ones with undead. Air of Superiority is awesome if only for the sayings.

nw0

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Sep 2007

06 Sep 2007 at 03:07 - 7

I agree, some of the PvE skills are severely underpowered. Take Ear Bite for example - completely useless in PvE, and a complete waste of your skill slot. I hate to sound rude... but what were they thinking? Any of the classes that benefit from bleeding have far more useful methods of inflicting it. That, and bleeding doesn't seem to be very useful for PvE. I just can't understand the point.

Some have promise though, like "Don't Trip!" and the cool combo of Brawling Headbutt and Low Blow. They could be pretty useful... but for the most point they seem too weak to warrant a skill slot. Really, I think the issue is that many of our own skills are far more powerful, even with the respective skill titles at high levels.

The Great Al

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jun 2005

ALOA

E/Me

06 Sep 2007 at 03:10 - 8

mindbender seems pretty awesome.

sindex

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Aug 2006

California

Swords of Night & Day [SWRD]

06 Sep 2007 at 03:12 - 9

I say some of the monster skills I have encountered, are much better then some of these PvE skills that have enter the fray.

Diablo???

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jun 2005

Seattle

SPQR

N/R

06 Sep 2007 at 03:14 - 10

These PvE skills are off the hook!

But be forewarned, the game does not allow you to equip more than 3 PvE skills on your skillbar at one time. Can't make a build entirely out of them.

Racthoh

Did I hear 7 heroes?

Join Date: May 2005

Scars Meadows [SMS], Guild Leader (Not Recruiting)

06 Sep 2007 at 03:33 - 11

You Move Like A Dwarf! singlehandedly shuts down Murakai (sp?) and turns that entire fight into a joke. I like Great Dwarf Armour a lot, the 24 armour and 60 health really helps those balling henchmen. Air of Superiority is good for a laugh, but the effect you want never activates.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlienFromBeyond

Great Dwarf Weapon still seems like it would be awesome on a rit with some Barragers. The problem is Splinter Weapon is so much better.

GloryFox

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jan 2006

Good ol' USA, where everyone else wants to be

Now Plays World of Warcraft on Whisperwind

06 Sep 2007 at 03:46 - 12

"Finnish Him" is so dang powerful it stuns the mind.

Raven Form is fantastic for melee types, since it turns a melee character into a ranged AOE armored spell caster. The true advantage is that you can have useful skills outside of raven form for running or whatever, then go Raven form for AOE spikes that might be needed.

Do not undervalue the Raven Form Warrior, Paragon, or Assassin for AoE based teams.

arcanemacabre

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Feb 2006

North Kryta Province

Angel Sharks [As]

06 Sep 2007 at 04:02 - 13

I am all about that Pain Inverter. Just freakin sweet. "You move like a Dwarf!" is pretty neat, too. Haven't tried Air of Superiority, yet - just got it tonight, but I love the idea of it.

Bryant Again

Hall Hero

Join Date: Feb 2006

06 Sep 2007 at 04:33 - 14

YMlaD is the only PvE skill from GWEN that's gone onto my skillbar.

AlienFromBeyond

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Dec 2005

Heros of Titans Realm [HotR]

06 Sep 2007 at 06:15 - 15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racthoh

The problem is Splinter Weapon is so much better.

Ain't that the truth, but it would be amusing to see cheap AoE KD like that.

Vilaptca

Pre-Searing Vanquisher

Join Date: Jun 2005

Fifteen Over Fifty [Rare]

06 Sep 2007 at 07:55 - 16

"Finish Him!" will not be leaving my bar for a long time. And it works quite well with things like Final Thrust.

I was using "Finish Him!" to take out Necromancers with Death Nova using a sort of ranged Deep Wound to take their life away enough to kill them but be far enough away to not be hit by Death Nova.

It works great on bosses too.

malko050987

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jan 2007

Arad, Romania

The Arctic Marauders [TAM] - now recruiting!

06 Sep 2007 at 08:24 - 17

I use "I Am The Greatest!" from time to time, and I always pack "I am Unstoppable!" when going into Jotun/Wurm areas.

I find the Sunspear PvE skills to be much better than those in GWEN, but there is only one per profession there. ^^

Cebe

The 5th Celestial Boss

Join Date: Jul 2006

Inverness, Scotland

The Cult of Scaro [WHO]

06 Sep 2007 at 08:42 - 18

Some of the PvE Skills seem ok. I'm thinking of "Finish Him!" mainly, I find myself shouting that at the screen from time to time before a partywipe situation...you know, when there's one foe at about 5HP and he just will not die, and you know if you get wiped he'll heal back up again. Most of the PvE Only skills seem very physical damage dealer-based...I have so far had no desire to use any on my Casters who are so far the only characters i've taken through EotN. Mesmer is up next, however, I'm actually looking forward to Pain Inverter.

Melody Cross

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Dec 2006

Alliance of Anguish [aOa]

Mo/

06 Sep 2007 at 09:19 - 19

I wouldn't saw they're all useless for monks. Breath of the Great Dwarf is a nice alternative for extinguish. Cheaper and more reliable against cover conditions when fighting SF mobs...and everyone gets the heal. "I am Unstoppable!" or Great Dwarf Armor too; 84 AL, no KD and cripple or a health boost is GG for a backline with all these sins teleports and AoE spammers.

GGs

Redfeather1975

Forge Runner

Join Date: Sep 2006

Apartment#306

Rhedd Asylum

Me/

06 Sep 2007 at 10:01 - 20

Zinger, EotN easy mode does seem to be for mesmers so far.

Yeah, I lucked out that my main is a illusion spec'd mes.
I would say the two most interesting are Ebon Vanguard Assassin and Asuran Scan.
Because they combo into delicious dps.
Sometimes I use Signet of Illusions, Arcane Echo, Ebon Vanguard Assassin Report and Asuran Scan. If I'm fighting a boss. Although most of the time I use my super secret herbs and spices of the necromancer SoI build. lol

Omnidragon42

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Oct 2005

Pantheon of Shadows [dei]

W/A

06 Sep 2007 at 10:14 - 21

Drunken Master, Club of 1000 Bears, and Finish Him are all on my bar right now, and I love it.

Longasc

Forge Runner

Join Date: May 2005

06 Sep 2007 at 10:36 - 22

There are definitely some really good PvE skills.

The Ebon Standards make the super easy Charr (we do not run away, just nuke us) laughable e.g.. Firestorm doing 4 damage, one wonders if you should bother moving out of it at all.

But with so many melee skills I do not really need them, the blessings do not transform you into a beast, which would have been nice.

IMO they are all pretty fail or imba crap like Pain Inverter to make things too easy.

The Sunspear and Kurzick skills are 100x better designed than this rushed job.

Say NO to PvE skills. Except the imba ones they just clutter your skill window, and the imbalanced ones are bad, too.

Cebe

The 5th Celestial Boss

Join Date: Jul 2006

Inverness, Scotland

The Cult of Scaro [WHO]

06 Sep 2007 at 10:48 - 23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longasc

The Ebon Standards make the super easy Charr (we do not run away, just nuke us) laughable e.g.. Firestorm doing 4 damage, one wonders if you should bother moving out of it at all. I've been using Wars Against Harm against Charr. As with the Ebon Standard, when they cast Firestorm, you can just stand there and laugh.

Spellforge

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Mar 2006

Guildless

06 Sep 2007 at 10:50 - 24

Do the summoning skills - Vanguard Assassin Support , Asura summoning skills leave exploitable corpses ? - might be a good way for a MM to get up and running

(I left the game for about 6 months an have loved coming back to see the PvE skills from NF - the extra storage slots - Skill Tombs - lock picks etc)

SotiCoto

Banned

Join Date: Jan 2007

Drazach Thicket

Temple of Zhen Xianren [Sifu]

06 Sep 2007 at 10:54 - 25

I don't much like the EotN skills.
I can honestly say I haven't used any of them yet. While I love the profession-specific ones on the Sunspear and Kurzick/Luxon tracks... the new EotN ones somehow feel dirty..... like I'm abandoning my class in favour of using some lame-arse generic skills.

However I'd like to note that Drunken Master, with high Dwarf rank and a bit of booze handy.... is pure sex. "I am Unstoppable!" is pretty cool too. Plus of course Pain Inverter...

BUT... I still don't feel the inclination to use them generally. "Finish Him!" might be a staple for some, but given that I can do more raw damage with one Death Blossom (minus the conditions) and the <50% health is more useful for Moebius Strike to recharge Golden Phoenix for the next enemy... it just isn't worth wasting a skill slot on it.

Furthermore... the Monster Skills totally outclass the usable PvE skills... What I wouldn't give to have Soulrending Shriek... or maybe Wurm Bile... not to mention that lethal 120 point health-steal that the dinosaurs have.

Matfei

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Apr 2006

Australia

None. Being a loner X-Fire: matfei1

W/Mo

06 Sep 2007 at 10:54 - 26

First topic/post by Zinger I've ever seen that actually puts an aspect of GW in a somewhat good light...

Seems you're getting there... Slowly.

TideSwayer

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2005

We Farm Your [?????????s]

06 Sep 2007 at 11:47 - 27

I like the Raven's Blessing skill. If you aren't using an elite that is crucial to your build, it's good against the Destroyers and those hard-hitting Jotuns. You can cripple them to keep them from getting too close to the casters, and blind them if they do get too close. It's also good for spamming adjacent-AoE damage from a distance.

I just got the Great Dwarf Weapon tonight. At my current Dwarf rank, I think it was giving my Koss +15 damage and +29% chance of knockdown for 20 seconds, with 5-second recharge. Was pretty good, especially since I gave Koss a Cyclone Axe-Triple Chop build.

And yes, another vote for Pain Inverter and Ebon Vanguard Assassin Support. Haven't tried the Asura summons yet or most of the other PvE skills, but I mean to in the coming days. The one that lowers recharge times on spellcasters will be nice to mess around with.

SotiCoto

Banned

Join Date: Jan 2007

Drazach Thicket

Temple of Zhen Xianren [Sifu]

06 Sep 2007 at 13:21 - 28

Halving spell recharge on spellcasters is all well and good.... but too much of it will likely hinder energy management; especially if it relies on signets.

tyche7

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jul 2006

Nebraska

The Killer Panda Bears

W/Mo

06 Sep 2007 at 13:35 - 29

I love the new skills - some of them take a while before they're really useful as you need to level up in that respective title (grinding) but overall I'm quite pleased. I've only had a chance to try them with my warrior but I have every profession under my belt all at level 20 just waiting to see what can benefit them as well (-: