Hammer Spike?

Hengist Meldanash

Hengist Meldanash

Academy Page

Join Date: Mar 2006

UNI

W/E

Here is a build I've tested lately in AvA:
[build prof=W/A name="Hammerfall" box hammer=12+2+1 str=11+1 shadow=6][Rage of the Ntouka][Death's Charge][Burst of Aggression][Staggering Blow][Heavy Blow][Crushing Blow][Shadow Refuge][Rush][/build]

How it works is quite simple, load adrenaline with [Rage of the Ntouka], wait for reload of this skill, then pick a target, teleport in, activate [Burst of Aggression], then [Staggering Blow]- [Heavy Blow] - [Crushing Blow] - [Rage of the Ntouka] - [Heavy Blow]

2 KD + DW, in 8s on an unprepared target, is often resulting as a dead target.

As I'm generally in some PUG in AvA, I keep some healing [Shadow Refuge] and safe IAS [Burst of Aggression]. If you are brave or in an organised party you can swap [Burst of Aggression] for [Frenzy]/[Flail] and [Shadow Refuge] for [Fierce Blow] to add more damage.

I'm still working on it, if you have some constructive comments, and some idea to make this build viable in RA/TA or elsewhere, please share your point of view.

Cheers.
Hengist

Tab

Tab

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Oct 2006

Under a bridge

Team Quitter [QQ]

Mo/

Enraging Charge is much better than RotN, as it allows you to take Devastating Hammer / Earth Shaker / Magehunter's Smash / Backbreaker.
[flail][no skill][crushing blow][no skill][bull's strike][enraging charge][no skill][no skill]
First optional is one of the elites I mentioned, depending on preference and area of use.
Second is almost always Hammer Bash. Heavy Blow can replace it on a Dev Hammer bar if you want more damage but less target swapping. Mighty Blow can replace it for more damage if you feel Bull's->Elite KD is enough of a KD chain.
Third is either Rush, Distracting Strike, or a secondary profession skill. Purely down to preference.
Final optional is a resurrection skill or self heal.

Attack Chain is (Bull's -> normal attack -> ) Elite KD -> Crushing Blow -> Second KD or Mighty Blow.
You'll want to use a stonefist insignia, and time your KDs to land just as the target gets up so they can't defend themselves.

This pretty much does that same as the bar you posted, but in fewer skills and with more versitility.

Shadowfox1125

Shadowfox1125

Forge Runner

Join Date: Mar 2005

PST

W/

I don't understand why you couldn't go with something like this instead:
[devastating hammer][crushing blow][heavy blow][bull's strike][enraging charge][flail][death's charge][shadow refuge]

The time you spend waiting to recharge Ntouka could be spent attacking/building adrenaline. Just choose another target to build adrenaline with while keeping an eye on your main target. When [devastating hammer] is up, teleport and proceed to KD. If you time your KDs right, there's no harm with Flail since your target won't be moving anywhere but towards the ground. Plus, this has a possibility of a 3 KD chain.

I don't like the Major Hammer rune, but that's just me.

Jam Jar

Jam Jar

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Apr 2007

[Disc]

W/

Personally, I think [Shadow Refuge] is hard to manage. If you aren't attacking, that 4 seconds of 7 regeneration is not very helpful. I'd prefer [Lion's Comfort] over Shadow Refuge.

Also, I think a minor rune suits this more. That 35 hp can save your life. Alot.

howlinghobo

Academy Page

Join Date: Mar 2007

Sydney

One Man Clan

W/Mo

keep in mind enraging charge and mokele smash already gives 7 adren, enough to fully charge a whole bar and the combo is only on a 20 second recharge, though this does slow your spike as you cant use an ias for that first hit

Sbljsoda

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Apr 2008

None

A/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hengist Meldanash
*build* Looks really nice. To be honest here, almost all my hammer builds are based around Rage of the Ntooka. Wanna know why? If you charge up at someone, they're more likely to throw up a guardian or something. But, if you have adrenaline ready, and shadow step they may not be able to throw on that guardian which = dead monk/whatever.

Magikarp

Magikarp

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Nov 2007

[HAWK]

i rarely see RotN, and for that same reason, i love to see when someone thinks outside of the box and uses it.

i use something like..

RotN, Hammer Bash, Crushing Blow, Burst of A, and a series of steps.

while i dont use it often, its a fun change of pace. i wouldnt recommend it past that though.

thor hammerbane

thor hammerbane

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jun 2005

Dark Side of the Moon

Fat Kids Are Hard To Kid[nap]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tab
Enraging Charge is much better than RotN, as it allows you to take Devastating Hammer / Earth Shaker / Magehunter's Smash / Backbreaker.
[flail][no skill][crushing blow][no skill][bull's strike][enraging charge][no skill][no skill]
First optional is one of the elites I mentioned, depending on preference and area of use.
Second is almost always Hammer Bash. Heavy Blow can replace it on a Dev Hammer bar if you want more damage but less target swapping. Mighty Blow can replace it for more damage if you feel Bull's->Elite KD is enough of a KD chain.
Third is either Rush, Distracting Strike, or a secondary profession skill. Purely down to preference.
Final optional is a resurrection skill or self heal.

Attack Chain is (Bull's -> normal attack -> ) Elite KD -> Crushing Blow -> Second KD or Mighty Blow.
You'll want to use a stonefist insignia, and time your KDs to land just as the target gets up so they can't defend themselves.

This pretty much does that same as the bar you posted, but in fewer skills and with more versitility. QFT

Every hammer bar I run has these skills.
My final two skills are always rush and rez sig, and I run two main deviants
Dev Hammer->Heavy blow for the two options or Backbreaker->Mighty Blow

Both pwn all.

Koross

Koross

Academy Page

Join Date: Jul 2005

Celestial Order

R/E

I always hear that for hammer warriors, it is better to use flail. Or should I say, if you want to consider flail for warriors, it is usually advised for a hammer build. Is it (flail) not viable anymore?

Dr Strangelove

Dr Strangelove

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Dec 2005

Wasting away again in Margaritaville

[HOTR]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Koross
I always hear that for hammer warriors, it is better to use flail. Or should I say, if you want to consider flail for warriors, it is usually advised for a hammer build. Is it (flail) not viable anymore? There's a few reasons for that.

First, flail is perfectly viable in any build with a snare. This usually means hammer bars, but it works in a pinch for cripslash bars as well.

Second, hammer bars are very energy-intensive, thanks to crushing blow/bull's strike/enraging charge, etc.

Third, you can't use rush as a cancel stance for frenzy on a hammer bar, since notable knockdowns drain your adrenaline. You could use sprint, but that means no enraging charge.

Lastly, hammer bars almost always have crushing blow as the second skill. Since it uses energy, you can activate flail immediately after hitting your first knockdown.

itsvictor

itsvictor

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jan 2008

Flail is generally used in hammer bars because when you knockdown someone they cannot move, therefore the drawback of flail's speed reduction is not taken into effect. It's also used in PvE cause monsters barely kite, when they do they move like half an inch. The ones that run all over the map, well we have snares for that too...

Age

Age

Hall Hero

Join Date: Jul 2005

California Canada/BC

STG Administrator

Mo/

I would use [protectors strike] over [bulls strike] as I have seen one fine build with it on.It used [frenzy] as well.Here is the template code.

[template]ABMRMncNlxCskajSr+pAQAA[/template]

Here it translated. http://www.pvxwiki.com/wiki/?title=S...o=Submit+Query

RotteN

RotteN

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jun 2005

W/

a hammerbar with only one KD is a very poor hammerbar.

while you do miss out on a bit of damage, [[bull's strike] still is an awesome attack starter. Catch up on someone with a speedboost, [[bull's strike] them, and go wild. Just use another KD when they're on their feet again. 6 seconds on the floor should leave any single monk dead

Marty Silverblade

Marty Silverblade

Administrator

Join Date: Jun 2006

No Bull's Strike is usually a one-way ticket to a bad build. You can keep a monk on his butt (i.e, unresponsive to your mauling) for 3 seconds, in which time you can hit him/her at least 3-4 times. Follow that with another KD and you have a dead monk.

Hengist Meldanash

Hengist Meldanash

Academy Page

Join Date: Mar 2006

UNI

W/E

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sbljsoda
Looks really nice. To be honest here, almost all my hammer builds are based around Rage of the Ntooka. Wanna know why? If you charge up at someone, they're more likely to throw up a guardian or something. But, if you have adrenaline ready, and shadow step they may not be able to throw on that guardian which = dead monk/whatever. QFT and emphasis!

That's exactly my feeling about this build.

If you charge someone to build up adrenaline, there's a huge possibility that a guardian will come right there making it hard to build it up, and it may be even worst if you charge the monk...

With this kind of build using RotN, your adrenaline is full and the spike ready which is a huge surprise factor for the monk you teleport to.

Concerning [Shadow Refuge], I agree this is a poor self heal, but [Lion's Comfort] is hard to use when usually you finish the combo with no adrenaline at all (when you need to heal, usually after a fight not during...), I should try to find something else to fill this spot...

[Bull's Strike] is a great skill, but if you are chasing a good monk, he will know how to avoid it, and 20s recharge is quite as long as the one from RotN.

Anyway with my build, nothing retains you from building adrenaline the old way, then teleport in, chain combo, use RotN and reapply the combo!

Another cool stuff for Alliance Battles is the combo [Rage of the Ntouka] + [Rush], infinite speed boost is very cool!

Kale Ironfist

Kale Ironfist

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jul 2006

Australia

Venatio Illuminata [VEIL]

W/

Quote:
If you charge someone to build up adrenaline, there's a huge possibility that a guardian will come right there making it hard to build it up, and it may be even worst if you charge the monk... You bypass that with Death's Charge, which you already have. Build adrenaline on any character, swapping them if prots come their way, then charge the character you're going to spike. The only thing going for this build is the fact that it is almost impossible to deny this character of adrenaline, allowing for a spike roughly every 15 seconds.

zling

zling

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2006

using a spear with flail to auto attack any target without block is a good way to get adrenaline. than just use Death's Charge and spike. no real need for RotN for that.

Tyla

Emo Goth Italics

Join Date: Sep 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by Age
I would use [protectors strike] over [bulls strike] as I have seen one fine build with it on.It used [frenzy] as well.Here is the template code. In PvP, Bull's Strike is far superior because of the fact you get a KD on a moving enemy, and 3 seconds on the ground is very nice.

But that spike is extremely bad.
Dev Hammer or Magehunter is by far better.

Age

Age

Hall Hero

Join Date: Jul 2005

California Canada/BC

STG Administrator

Mo/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tyla
In PvP, Bull's Strike is far superior because of the fact you get a KD on a moving enemy, and 3 seconds on the ground is very nice.

But that spike is extremely bad.
Dev Hammer or Magehunter is by far better. Not on a Hammer Warrior it isn't as that isn't my build and if the person who's build this is was in JR's guild Save the Doylaks.I would use protectors strike over bulls strike.Bulls Strike is more for a conjure sword warrior.

The thread in question and those who know more about PvP than anyone on this board comes from here.Hammer build

Tyla

Emo Goth Italics

Join Date: Sep 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by Age
Not on a Hammer Warrior it isn't as that isn't my build and if the person who's build this is was in JR's guild Save the Doylaks.I would use protectors strike over bulls strike.Bulls Strike is more for a conjure sword warrior.

The thread in question and those who know more about PvP than anyone on this board comes from here.
Hammer build That thread is around a year old, and can you please give me a reason as of why Protector's Strike is better than Bull's Strike?

Protector's Strike only deals around 10 more damage.
Bull's Strike offers a 3 second "Get down on the floor and STFU!".

Sure Protector's Strike has an integrated IAS, but you get more damage out of Bull's Strike because they're lying on the ground and you hit them more, and that goes for the entire damagebase of your party.
Not to mention you can use it offensively and defensively.

Orange Milk

Orange Milk

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Mar 2006

Ganking, USA

Retired

R/

yeah, that build is old.

Bull's > Protector's

I guess it fits on that OLD bar, you just kinda play chase with your target and spam Protecrtor's to charge up your spike then pray they stop sometime so you can spike.

WAIT, nevermind, your on a Warrior, you can't spam Energy based skills.

Bull's is a fantastic skill to start a chain with while Protector's is good for playing tag. You want your opponent dead, not occasionally poked.

Quote:
Attack Chain is (Bull's -> normal attack -> ) Elite KD -> Crushing Blow -> Second KD or Mighty Blow. That's a good chain there, cept you sneek in Flail either right after Bull's or during Crushing. At the end Fierce blow is good too, but yet another KD is always nice.

The OP says 2 KD's + DW in 8 secs, this is 3 KD's + DW in 8 sec's

Age

Age

Hall Hero

Join Date: Jul 2005

California Canada/BC

STG Administrator

Mo/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tyla
That thread is around a year old, and can you please give me a reason as of why Protector's Strike is better than Bull's Strike?

Protector's Strike only deals around 10 more damage.
Bull's Strike offers a 3 second "Get down on the floor and STFU!".

Sure Protector's Strike has an integrated IAS, but you get more damage out of Bull's Strike because they're lying on the ground and you hit them more, and that goes for the entire damagebase of your party.
Not to mention you can use it offensively and defensively. That build is not mine don't forgot and it maybe a year old but I imagine it would still be usefull.I would think the reason why protectors strike is to protect ones self as the use of a hammer.I have used bulls strike and have never noticed a knock down and btw Griffon Sweep can do the same thing knock those target down although it doesn't.You want me to get the person who put together that build I will don't forget she was in JR's guild.I can not explain how you would use it.

The way I would but together a build is similar but drop protectors and but in grasping earth for a snare.I prefer Devastating Hammer overmost other elites even have it on my Thumper build.

Tyla

Emo Goth Italics

Join Date: Sep 2006

Bull's Strike needs to hit a moving enemy, and Protector's Strike doesn't protect anything.

Bull's Strike also does a critical aswell, like Protector's, but KD's aswell (If you hit the conditional), which is a strong spike startup and anti-kite.

Griffon's Sweep is bad because it requires you to be blocked, and that's not going to be good if you're about to pound on them.

Plus Shock is an unconditional second KD on most Axe and Sword bars, just as Hammer bars have 2 unconditional KD's and Bull's Strike.

Dr Strangelove

Dr Strangelove

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Dec 2005

Wasting away again in Margaritaville

[HOTR]

Protector's increases your DPS, bull's strike kills thing.

Age

Age

Hall Hero

Join Date: Jul 2005

California Canada/BC

STG Administrator

Mo/

Well I guess that is the reason why.Yes I know all about shock on an Axe or Sword Warrior.I use a shock frenzy build in PvE even works wonders agianst the searing flames dijinn(sp).

zling

zling

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tyla
Bull's Strike needs to hit a moving enemy, and Protector's Strike doesn't protect anything.

Bull's Strike also does a critical aswell, like Protector's, but KD's aswell (If you hit the conditional), which is a strong spike startup and anti-kite.
both attacks dont automatically crit, they crit if they hit a moving foe as all attacks vs moving foes are crits...

Quote: Griffon's Sweep is bad because it requires you to be blocked, and that's not going to be good if you're about to pound on them. agreed

Quote: Actually, both of them do.


Quote:
Plus Shock is an unconditional second KD on most Axe and Sword bars, just as Hammer bars have 2 unconditional KD's and Bull's Strike. actually only shock axe has shock. most other sword/axe builds dont have it.
and Hammer bars dont usually carry bull's, 2 unconditional KDs are enough...

Tyla

Emo Goth Italics

Join Date: Sep 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by zling
both attacks dont automatically crit, they crit if they hit a moving foe as all attacks vs moving foes are crits...
actually only shock axe has shock. most other sword/axe builds dont have it.
and Hammer bars dont usually carry bull's, 2 unconditional KDs are enough... I like running Shock on my Sword builds....QQ

And yeah, I usually use Bull's Strike on my Hammer bars aswell. 3 KD's is better than 2, and Bull's Strike is simply put the second best skill in the game next to D-Shot.

deluxe

deluxe

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Feb 2006

Monkeyball Z

S.K.A.T. [Ban]

Mo/

Quote:
Originally Posted by zling
actually only shock axe has shock. most other sword/axe builds dont have it.
and Hammer bars dont usually carry bull's, 2 unconditional KDs are enough... Oh I get it, you only play PvE? Because every single build I run, I would gimp myself by not taking bull's strike. And shock is fine on sword/hammer too.