Earth Magic - Guild Wars Guru archive powered by Guild Wars Legacy

Dr Strangelove

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Dec 2005

Wasting away again in Margaritaville

[HOTR]

27 Jan 2008 at 05:03 - 41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kendar Muert

Well, my normal setup is Churning earth, earthquake, Sandstorm, Dragons stomp, and obsidian flame to take out whoever is left standing. Normally everyone is dead :P

That setup takes some doing. But ya, I was referring to obsidian flame and earthquake/ds. Obsidian flame rocks...

That is probably a little heavy on exhaustion stuff without [wiki]glyph of energy[/wiki]. Even with it, that seems excessive. May I humbly suggest a build idea stolen from Celestial Beaver that works really well?

[skill]enfeebling blood[/skill][skill]stoning[/skill][skill]earthquake[/skill][skill]unsteady ground[/skill][skill]earth attunement[/skill][skill]glyph of lesser energy[/skill][skill]ward against melee[/skill]variable

with the variable slot being either a rez, [skill]glowstone[/skill], or another ward.

Obsidian flame is a spike skill. Since spikes are irrelevant in PvE, it's kinda pointless IMO.

EDIT: Sweet Jesus, I forgot eruption. Sub out earthquake or something for it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex The Great

hopefully your a better ele than a speaker of english

how2spaek english?????

Kendar Muert

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Aug 2006

Texas

E/

27 Jan 2008 at 05:56 - 42

I have a build like the one you just posted- I like it alot, but there is something about knocking someone down, keeping them there, and nuking em that I like too much to give up. Thanks though :P

System_Crush

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Oct 2006

Tripping in Holland

My guild died :`(

N/

27 Jan 2008 at 09:44 - 43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex the Great

sorry for double post

There's a delete button u know...

I like earth ele's, their utility makes me prefer them over fire, but their damage totals are generally lower than that of a fire ele, sacrificing your effectiveness for utility is generally considered a gimped build.

LightningHell

(????????????)???

Join Date: Aug 2005

Hong Kong

Guildless

Mo/

27 Jan 2008 at 11:23 - 44

Quote:

Originally Posted by System_Crush

There's a delete button u know...

I like earth ele's, their utility makes me prefer them over fire, but their damage totals are generally lower than that of a fire ele, sacrificing your effectiveness for utility is generally considered a gimped build.

People rarely consider characters with utility "gimped". It all depends on how good the utility is, and the damage that would be sacrificed.

However, contrary to possibly popular opinion, Fire Magic elementalists can very much so carry utility. Quite a bit of it too.

angmar_nite

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Feb 2007

[SNOW] of [YUM]

E/

27 Jan 2008 at 13:43 - 45

Mind blast in other words. But tbh asides from knockdown I don't find Earth very good utility compared to fire or air.

Kendar Muert

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Aug 2006

Texas

E/

27 Jan 2008 at 16:25 - 46

If you have a fire bar, you can't really do jack else but damage things. At least the others have SOME shutdown or defense. That's why I prefer other ones than fire the majority of the time, but if I need pure damage, fire is the way to go. That, or an air spike.

Pyro maniac

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2006

27 Jan 2008 at 16:27 - 47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kendar Muert

If you have a fire bar, you can't really do jack else but damage things. At least the others have SOME shutdown or defense. That's why I prefer other ones than fire the majority of the time, but if I need pure damage, fire is the way to go. That, or an air spike.

fire is support. Unless running Searing Flames, a fire ele always carries aegis/breath of great dwarf/heal party/convert hexes/weapon spells/etc
Air isn't meant to do damage, fast cast air spike has been nerfed since 2005. Air is also utility, blinding > some crap 100 dmg spell.

Stormlord Alex

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Dec 2005

Beyond the Forest of Doom, past the Cavern of Agony... on Kitten & Puppy Island

Soul of Melandru [sOm]

W/E

27 Jan 2008 at 16:45 - 48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kendar Muert

If you have a fire bar, you can't really do jack else but damage things. At least the others have SOME shutdown or defense. That's why I prefer other ones than fire the majority of the time, but if I need pure damage, fire is the way to go. That, or an air spike.

Mind Blast disagrees with you. A Fire ele needs MB + rodgort's and, voila! He kills things.

This not only does more damage than other elements, it also leaves half a bar and a good deal of attribute points left to run support and utility. Ohh, and it has infinite energy with which to power that support

Of course, if you were to run a bar of 7 Fire spells and res, you couldn't do much else apart from damage, but that's a really crap build. MB = ftw.

horseradish

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Sep 2007

In a donut hole

Rt/A

27 Jan 2008 at 19:02 - 49

Earth damage is overshadowed by the damage from Fire Eles, warriors, instagib sins, etc. etc.

Earth Utility is overshadowed by the utility from Air Eles, Water Eles, hybrid Rits, monks, paragons, rangers, etc. etc.

Beastlyman

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Jan 2008

27 Jan 2008 at 19:37 - 50

earth magic tanks are incredibly durable if the build is used correctly. Obsidian flesh, stoneflesh aura, and mantra of earth alone could stop nearly any assault. Add in kinetic armor, sliver armor, and some attacks and you could wipe out practically any group

Pyro maniac

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2006

27 Jan 2008 at 20:12 - 51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beastlyman

earth magic tanks are incredibly durable if the build is used correctly. Obsidian flesh, stoneflesh aura, and mantra of earth alone could stop nearly any assault. Add in kinetic armor, sliver armor, and some attacks and you are unable to do any damage

fixed
1234567

Akolo

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jul 2006

V??xj??, Sweden

Stop Stealing [agro]

Mo/

27 Jan 2008 at 20:12 - 52

as i favor passive defense more than the tank/fire ele/monk trinity, i find earth eles extremily useful.
The ability to have great party support wards and very nice damage dealing spells (including AoE) is ace.
This is if you dont have many other party members providing defense.If you do, i would say leave dmg to dual attunement (or MB) Rodgort spammers

BAM

Beastlyman

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Jan 2008

27 Jan 2008 at 20:31 - 53

pyro, look a couple words before you "fixed" it. and add some attacks with the remaining 2 spots. I had already taken into account the low damage, skills like aftershock and earthquake are good alternatives, plus stone daggers for keeping kinetic armor

Pyro maniac

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2006

27 Jan 2008 at 20:36 - 54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beastlyman

pyro, look a couple words before you "fixed" it. and add some attacks with the remaining 2 spots. I had already taken into account the low damage, skills like aftershock and earthquake are good alternatives, plus stone daggers for keeping kinetic armor

stone daggers doesn't do damage (well hardly), aftershock is poor damage and requires you to stand in frontline, earthquake costs too much, especially on such bar crowded with high energy spells. also it isn't that good

Kendar Muert

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Aug 2006

Texas

E/

28 Jan 2008 at 00:09 - 55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stormlord Alex

Mind Blast disagrees with you. A Fire ele needs MB + rodgort's and, voila! He kills things.

This not only does more damage than other elements, it also leaves half a bar and a good deal of attribute points left to run support and utility. Ohh, and it has infinite energy with which to power that support

Of course, if you were to run a bar of 7 Fire spells and res, you couldn't do much else apart from damage, but that's a really crap build. MB = ftw.

Mind Blast doesn't support. Actually read what I said. If you are using something else than fire in addition to fire, you arent using just fire, now are you?

Dr Strangelove

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Dec 2005

Wasting away again in Margaritaville

[HOTR]

28 Jan 2008 at 00:17 - 56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beastlyman

pyro, look a couple words before you "fixed" it. and add some attacks with the remaining 2 spots. I had already taken into account the low damage, skills like aftershock and earthquake are good alternatives, plus stone daggers for keeping kinetic armor

You're not going to kill a thing with those skills. While you're playing glorified yet impotent tank, the rest of your team will be dying. All the armors buffs and whatnot are only good for solo play, they're a complete waste of space in a group.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kendar Muert

Midn Blast doesn't support. Actually read what I said. If you are using something else than fire in addition to fire, you arent using just fire, now are you?

That's like saying glyph of lesser energy is bad because there's no expensive stuff you want to spam in energy storage. You're allowed to run multiple attributes, you know.

Kendar Muert

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Aug 2006

Texas

E/

28 Jan 2008 at 00:51 - 57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Strangelove

You're not going to kill a thing with those skills. While you're playing glorified yet impotent tank, the rest of your team will be dying. All the armors buffs and whatnot are only good for solo play, they're a complete waste of space in a group.

That's like saying glyph of lesser energy is bad because there's no expensive stuff you want to spam in energy storage. You're allowed to run multiple attributes, you know.

I know that...

He said my statement was wrong, which it wasn't. Fire HAS NO SUPPORT. Crossing attributes is fine, but the fire line itself has no support! It can give you the ability to utilize other attributes better, true, but the fire line in and of itself has no support. That was all I said.

"If you have a fire bar.."
That implies fire only. Not fire and other stuff.

blue.rellik

Forge Runner

Join Date: Feb 2007

Melbourne, Australia

None

W/

28 Jan 2008 at 03:24 - 58

Well it supports in killing things.....

Kendar Muert

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Aug 2006

Texas

E/

28 Jan 2008 at 04:10 - 59

That doesn't count..
Support is defending/healing/benefiting your party in some way other than damage.

Dr Strangelove

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Dec 2005

Wasting away again in Margaritaville

[HOTR]

28 Jan 2008 at 04:36 - 60

It provides the energy to to other stuff. I really don't know what the argument is about here, there shouldn't be any contention over whether mind blast allows you to run useful utility. This is a fact. No, the one skill by itself does not blind enemies, give your party block, or remove conditions, but it is the framework required to do that.

Framework skills are a part of your build's function. By your logic, earth attunement is a terrible spell because it doesn't directly do damage or provide utility.

Kendar Muert

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Aug 2006

Texas

E/

28 Jan 2008 at 04:52 - 61

Huh? No it isnt... All I said was that the fire line doesn't have any direct support spells. I know you can use it to power other stuff... that wasn't what my point was though. So now this arguement is really going nowhere... we're arguing the same side from two different perspectives.

Dr Dimento

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Oct 2007

E/Me

28 Jan 2008 at 05:27 - 62

I stopped when some idiot says we shouldn't bring any farming aspects into this thread since its not in the farming forum.

It's earth magic, and it just so happens earth magic pretty much owns when it comes to solo farming. Just because you don't want to talk about it doesn't make it any less true.

Pyro maniac

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2006

28 Jan 2008 at 10:47 - 63

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Dimento

I stopped when some idiot says we shouldn't bring any farming aspects into this thread since its not in the farming forum.

It's earth magic, and it just so happens earth magic pretty much owns when it comes to solo farming. Just because you don't want to talk about it doesn't make it any less true.

farming makes low hp, mending and healing breeze good?
Should I bring that in normal PvE as well?
but ok, stop reading please

Saying Mind Blast doesn't provide the utility, because you have to spec in another attribute is plain dumb, sorry.
E-drain on a monk allows me to do more healing. Mind Blast on a ele allows me to do more healing.

Is there a difference?

Stormlord Alex

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Dec 2005

Beyond the Forest of Doom, past the Cavern of Agony... on Kitten & Puppy Island

Soul of Melandru [sOm]

W/E

28 Jan 2008 at 11:00 - 64

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Dimento

I stopped when some idiot says we shouldn't bring any farming aspects into this thread since its not in the farming forum.

Then please, stop reading.
There's enough stupidity in this thread already without you adding to it.

LightningHell

(????????????)???

Join Date: Aug 2005

Hong Kong

Guildless

Mo/

28 Jan 2008 at 11:02 - 65

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Dimento

I stopped when some idiot says we shouldn't bring any farming aspects into this thread since its not in the farming forum.

Whatever your viewpoint is, this subforum is for normal PvE discussion. We specificially created a Farming subforum to accomodate such aspects of the game.

Quote:

Huh? No it isnt... All I said was that the fire line doesn't have any direct support spells. I know you can use it to power other stuff... that wasn't what my point was though. So now this arguement is really going nowhere... we're arguing the same side from two different perspectives.

A "Mind Blast" ele is going to be called a Fire ele because the framework skills are of the Fire attribute.

It's also an option to split attributes, even when you're playing, say, Earth, to a secondary profession and get something out of there (like Aegis from monk). Doesn't stop people from calling it an Earth ele; the infrastructure skills are Earth.

RhanoctJocosa

Legendary Korean

Join Date: Aug 2006

The Benecia Renovatio [RenO]

W/

28 Jan 2008 at 11:14 - 66

Quote:

Originally Posted by StormDragonZ

Maybe it's just me, but I hardly ever see Earth Magic Elementalists at all. Am I just that blind that I don't see any, or is Earth Magic really that much unloved?

Because their damage is mediocre at best.
Because the useful stuff (wards) can be run on other characters.
Because water eles have better snares and have running skills.
Because air eles have blind and spike assist skills.
Because fire eles blow shit up.
Because you touch yourself at night :<

blue.rellik

Forge Runner

Join Date: Feb 2007

Melbourne, Australia

None

W/

28 Jan 2008 at 11:17 - 67

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Dimento

I stopped when some idiot says we shouldn't bring any farming aspects into this thread since its not in the farming forum.

It's earth magic, and it just so happens earth magic pretty much owns when it comes to solo farming. Just because you don't want to talk about it doesn't make it any less true.

You're logic is so flawed it is laughable. Yes solo farming is a aspect of Guild Wars but it's only a small part of the game, there's more to PvE to soloing a place. Are you telling me Bonetti's defense is one of the best warrior skills because it's used it loads of Warrior farming? Is Healing Breeze one of the best skills in the game because just about every M/* or /Mo farm uses it?

Please think for a bit before throwing around insults, as it turns out you're the one who's being laughed at here.

Kendar Muert

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Aug 2006

Texas

E/

28 Jan 2008 at 15:24 - 68

Quote:

Originally Posted by LightningHell

Whatever your viewpoint is, this subforum is for normal PvE discussion. We specificially created a Farming subforum to accomodate such aspects of the game.

A "Mind Blast" ele is going to be called a Fire ele because the framework skills are of the Fire attribute.

It's also an option to split attributes, even when you're playing, say, Earth, to a secondary profession and get something out of there (like Aegis from monk). Doesn't stop people from calling it an Earth ele; the infrastructure skills are Earth.

Hadn't thought of it that way- I was splitting hairs on a technicality.

hurdlebeast

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jan 2007

W/Mo-Smashing Beast; Mo-Monk Beast

E/Me

28 Jan 2008 at 16:04 - 69

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stormlord Alex

Mind Blast disagrees with you. A Fire ele needs MB + rodgort's and, voila! He kills things.

This not only does more damage than other elements, it also leaves half a bar and a good deal of attribute points left to run support and utility. Ohh, and it has infinite energy with which to power that support

Of course, if you were to run a bar of 7 Fire spells and res, you couldn't do much else apart from damage, but that's a really crap build. MB = ftw.

totally agree. the mind blast combo has really opened up things for ele's you can basically run two different elements without a problem (even without rodgort's MB by itself is reason enough to invest a little into the fire attribute, then spread out the rest of the points into the element of your choice)

LightningHell

(????????????)???

Join Date: Aug 2005

Hong Kong

Guildless

Mo/

28 Jan 2008 at 16:15 - 70

Quote:

Originally Posted by hurdlebeast

totally agree. the mind blast combo has really opened up things for ele's you can basically run two different elements without a problem (even without rodgort's MB by itself is reason enough to invest a little into the fire attribute, then spread out the rest of the points into the element of your choice)

There were actually a lot of builds before that "ran" two elements without any problems in terms of usability in relation to role. Mind Blast probably was the first skill to encourage such in PvE though.

michelle mal

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Oct 2006

ToA

R/E

29 Jan 2008 at 20:04 - 71

Probably everyone here knows more about skills than I do, but I run an Earth ele build that works for me in PvE and PvP. I know others use it, I have played with ppl that use the exact same build.
Attunement, Armor of Earth, Mystic Regen, Ebon Hawk/Stoning combo, Glyph Lesser E.,Sandstorm, Eruption.
Not as much damage as a fire build, but has weakness, knockdowns, mass blindness, and good AoE damage. It can also take a lot of hits, and its not bad on energy. And the animations and sound effects are cool also. It's fun to play, keeps me alive most of the time, and its something differant to do.

NinjaKai

Forge Runner

Join Date: Feb 2006

UK

Duality Of The Dragon

29 Jan 2008 at 20:16 - 72

Earth is good if you want to balance defence and offence. Obviously such builds act in a supporting role rather than pure damage or defensive support.

Coloneh

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Nov 2006

D/W

30 Jan 2008 at 01:26 - 73

Quote:

Originally Posted by michelle mal

Probably everyone here knows more about skills than I do, but I run an Earth ele build that works for me in PvE and PvP. I know others use it, I have played with ppl that use the exact same build.
Attunement, Armor of Earth, Mystic Regen, Ebon Hawk/Stoning combo, Glyph Lesser E.,Sandstorm, Eruption.
Not as much damage as a fire build, but has weakness, knockdowns, mass blindness, and good AoE damage. It can also take a lot of hits, and its not bad on energy. And the animations and sound effects are cool also. It's fun to play, keeps me alive most of the time, and its something differant to do.

the problem with that build is the insanely long recharges on the skills that actually do something.

hurdlebeast

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jan 2007

W/Mo-Smashing Beast; Mo-Monk Beast

E/Me

30 Jan 2008 at 01:59 - 74

stoneflesh aura in and of itself is great, does direct damage reducing, the only problem is the short amount of time you have between it running itself out and the recharge.

michelle mal

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Oct 2006

ToA

R/E

30 Jan 2008 at 02:52 - 75

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coloneh

the problem with that build is the insanely long recharges on the skills that actually do something.

If I have fired off the big guns properly, the enemy is blind, and taking big damage or running away. Spamming Hawk/Stoning weakens and knocks down anyone still attacking me. Earth Armor and Mystic gives me time to recharge the AoEs.
Clearly a Fire nuker can do a lot more damage, and I love Flame Djinn for the speed, but I like Earth too. If my group wipes, I am usually last man standing.

Sacratus Ignis

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jun 2007

SCAR

E/

30 Jan 2008 at 04:10 - 76

Quote:

Originally Posted by michelle mal

If I have fired off the big guns properly, the enemy is blind, and taking big damage or running away. Spamming Hawk/Stoning weakens and knocks down anyone still attacking me. Earth Armor and Mystic gives me time to recharge the AoEs.
Clearly a Fire nuker can do a lot more damage, and I love Flame Djinn for the speed, but I like Earth too. If my group wipes, I am usually last man standing.

being the last one alive as a soft target isn't exactly your role... meh the build you posted would be better if you added party-wide utility instead of your 3 defensive enchants. no point in buffing your armor up if you're not solo farming, as you shouldn't be taking any hits in the first place. Try adding some wards etc

Coloneh

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Nov 2006

D/W

30 Jan 2008 at 06:26 - 77

Quote:

Originally Posted by michelle mal

If I have fired off the big guns properly, the enemy is blind, and taking big damage or running away. Spamming Hawk/Stoning weakens and knocks down anyone still attacking me. Earth Armor and Mystic gives me time to recharge the AoEs.
Clearly a Fire nuker can do a lot more damage, and I love Flame Djinn for the speed, but I like Earth too. If my group wipes, I am usually last man standing.

this is the type of answer players using this build always give. the hawk/stoning combo really isnt worth the time/energy. it keeps you busy and convinces you that you are helpful. its like spamming flare in-between Mshowers.

horseradish

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Sep 2007

In a donut hole

Rt/A

30 Jan 2008 at 20:40 - 78

Earth Magic would be more useful if the armor buffs could target allies as well as yourself.

...

LightningHell

(????????????)???

Join Date: Aug 2005

Hong Kong

Guildless

Mo/

30 Jan 2008 at 23:30 - 79

Quote:

Originally Posted by michelle mal

If I have fired off the big guns properly, the enemy is blind, and taking big damage or running away. Spamming Hawk/Stoning weakens and knocks down anyone still attacking me. Earth Armor and Mystic gives me time to recharge the AoEs.

Think of it like this: You're trying to kill something. If you're trying to kill something, does it matter if your enemy is blinded or weakened? Absolutely not. Conversely, if you're trying to blind or weaken a foe, why bother paying extra for a spell that adds unnecessary damage? It's about as constructive as putting Blind and Dazed on the same skill and making the cost huge because you're applying two dangerous conditions. You don't want both effects together, especially if you're paying (a lot of) extra for it, be it energy, time, whatever.

Knockdowns are another matter, but I'd choose something else if I just wanted KDs.

System_Crush

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Oct 2006

Tripping in Holland

My guild died :`(

N/

31 Jan 2008 at 14:12 - 80

This seems liek a good thread on the subject to ask this to the pro ele's out there; how good an earth build can you squeeze into 3 skills slots?
I seem to end up always needing a 4th for [skill=text]Glyph of lesser Energy[/skill] which causes me to drop my rez, which I kind of don't want as then only the monk henchie has a rez.