I see a lot of caster classes having melee+shield or wand+shield equipped in screenshots or when I watch PvP. Is there some advantage to using these vs. spell casting weapons? Is there something about losing 20% HSR and energy that makes it worth it?
Or... is this limited to making screenshots look cool and hiding energy.
Just curious.
-Ryq
Caster Classes with Melee Gear, why?
Ryquevin
Murmel
1. Shield give half their AL even if you don't meet the req.
2. Melee weps have an +5 energy that isn't dependant on anything really (i.e it does'nt require health above 50%)
2. Melee weps have an +5 energy that isn't dependant on anything really (i.e it does'nt require health above 50%)
Masseur
just for looks, it doesn't help and in fact hurts casters. Specific builds might need such things, but for normal PvE play you're better with staff or wand and offhand by a longshot
Unreal Havoc
I might be quite wrong here, but I think NPCs dont target you with caster hate as much either.
Ryquevin
I guess at that point... it is okay to feel the loss of a potential 38% HSR from a 40/40 set? I guess as a follow-up, in what situations do you commonly see this happen? I figure a SS Rt/P would be a big one.
My further assumption is that these casters are frequent weapon swappers?
Thanks in advance
-Ryq
My further assumption is that these casters are frequent weapon swappers?
Thanks in advance
-Ryq
seandom
melee weapons also allow you to have a +30 mod on your weapon while you're casting
shield + sword = +60 hp
40/40 cast set = +0 hp
edit: in response to Ryquevin - decent casters will switch their weapons according to their situation ie. - if they need energy they'll switch to a high energy set, if they need more health they'll switch to sword/shield, if you're casting an enchantment you'll switch to a +20% weapon, etc etc
shield + sword = +60 hp
40/40 cast set = +0 hp
edit: in response to Ryquevin - decent casters will switch their weapons according to their situation ie. - if they need energy they'll switch to a high energy set, if they need more health they'll switch to sword/shield, if you're casting an enchantment you'll switch to a +20% weapon, etc etc
Murmel
true, although most people I see usually only use the shield for escaping or while being attacked... But using the melee/spear weapon for the +5 energy and 20% enchant all the time.
Edit: Post above got a good point
^
Edit: Post above got a good point
^
Ryquevin
Very interesting...
I was hoping there was some awesome reason, because I have been looking for a good looking Channeling Focus, and they all look meh... some of the shields on the other hand are down right sexy.
Thanks for the info.
-Ryq
I was hoping there was some awesome reason, because I have been looking for a good looking Channeling Focus, and they all look meh... some of the shields on the other hand are down right sexy.
Thanks for the info.
-Ryq
MagmaRed
PvE, you use what you want.
PvP, you use what helps you stay alive. This means MULTIPLE weapon sets, and swapping during battle depending on what you face.
PvP, you use what helps you stay alive. This means MULTIPLE weapon sets, and swapping during battle depending on what you face.
toastgodsupreme
If I go around energy burning/surging you, you'll be glad to have that shield on instead of the focus. then once i burn/surge you and see that i did 0 damage because you have no energy, that's when you switch to your caster off hand and start casting stuff again. then back to shield to protect your energy pool.
Alex the Great
when i play pvp casters i bring my spear/shield set and a 40/40 set.
weapon switching is ftw
weapon switching is ftw
Ryquevin
Ah, I see... so it is mainly a PvP thign then, and probably/possibly more of a hinderence in PvE.
I'll keep that in mind.
-Ryq
I'll keep that in mind.
-Ryq
Savio
It's still beneficial in PvE, but many people can't be bothered to weapon swap in PvE.
Miss Eisei
Anyone that has been a caster in The Deep
Knows why not to have a wand/staff equiped
Enemies treat u different depening on what u weild
Knows why not to have a wand/staff equiped
Enemies treat u different depening on what u weild
Arduin
[[Healer's Boon] monks in FoW/UW Ursan runs rarely get below 50% of their energy pool. The combinations of HB and Consumables makes you cast in a split second, and you can use your spells on recharge if you want.
So no need for 40/40, just take a shield if you like the looks, and bring a staff/wand in case the situation goes south fast and you do need a tad more energy.
Hmmm, might try HB-ing without any weapons next time, should be possible.
So no need for 40/40, just take a shield if you like the looks, and bring a staff/wand in case the situation goes south fast and you do need a tad more energy.
Hmmm, might try HB-ing without any weapons next time, should be possible.
obsidian ectoplasm
also sex appeal it looks way cooler lol
Elena
hmm i never thought about enemy AI reacting different depending on what weapon i wield might try going for sword + shield combo on my necro
A Leprechaun
I personally would still use a focus because of all the extra energy it grants, wands on the other hand don't have such an advantage over a melee weapon/spear.
Spear + Focus ftw! Just as a general setup
~A Leprechaun~
Spear + Focus ftw! Just as a general setup
~A Leprechaun~
Axis
Many monks in pvp also use -5energy weapons for hiding energy. There are some nasty mesmer skills that drain your energy. People in pvp use multiple weapon sets. If your main weapon gives you +15e and you change it during battle to -5e weapon you wil actualy "hide" +20e that mesmers cant drain. Buy swaping it back from -5e to +15 you wil get "free" +20e that you can use.
then emaris says
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Miss Eisei
Anyone that has been a caster in The Deep
Knows why not to have a wand/staff equiped Enemies treat u different depening on what u weild |
Enemies everywhere and anytime will cast the appropriate spells depending on what you're wielding. So if you're the type to micromanage down to that level in pve then it's a good thing to know ... among a lot of other things the AI is predisposed to do.
Red Sand
The armor of a shield having a 16 AL, +10 vs fire, without points to meet the shield requirement, is 18 AL vs fire. For an AL 60 character that's a 27 percent decrease in damage when hit by a fire nuke, and a 12 percent decrease in damage from all other physical attacks.
That's why some casters use shields and swap weapons, although weapon swapping is also an energy management tool.
That's why some casters use shields and swap weapons, although weapon swapping is also an energy management tool.