keeping track of your spirits

I find that in the heat of the action I'm having a hard time keeping track of which spirit is active and which one needs to be recast. They are not visually distinct in most cases. Is there a better way than hover the mouse over the spirit? (and clicking their name in they were cast in a "pile")

When I play GW, I usually tape my ctrl key down, so that items, allies, and chests are always visible.

Quote: Originally Posted by The Drunkard

When I play GW, I usually tape my ctrl key down, so that items, allies, and chests are always visible. lol that is funny, never thought about doing that

For me, I usually just press ALT down if I ever think I'm missing a spirit. It usually helps to cast summon spirits first, so all your current spirits line up in a row. If I don't see Hate, Anger, or Suffering, I recast SoS, since those three usually vanish at about the same time anyway, due to their same timer, health and armour. If I'm missing pain, vamp or blood, I cast the ones that are missing. Any others that I bring along, like shadowsong, usually only last their recharge (if that), so if I see that the skill is recharged I cast it if needed, and usually don't bother checking if the spirit is still active, since most of the time it won't be.

As for defensive spirits, I usually don't use those, but in my brief experience with them they usually don't last much longer than their recharge anyway.

Other than taping down keys (it'd probably be better to set the show everything to a different key, one thats more out of the way like page up though, unless thats not possible), there isn't much you can do. Perhaps get used to putting specific spirits in a certain order (i.e, Bloodsong on the left, Pain in the middle, then Vampirism on the right) so that you can tell which is down without having to mouse over. Recharge is also useful, depending on what spirits you're using.

I always cast spirits on recharge, that way I always have fresh meat shields to exploit. Balled spirits with Summon Spirits = very bad. I spread them around the area.

Quote: Originally Posted by Zodiac Meteor

Same rule applies with AI target priorities: lowest ar first, so unless they all get AoE'd at the same time, it's usually going to be your lowest level spirit.

I tape the key down as well..lol. But another way to do it is just remember where you put them.

I usually put 2 tank spirits, then back up a bit, then SoS, then back up a bit more and put my blind/interrupt/etc in the back. Once you get used to placing them in somewhat of an order, its easy to remember which is which without the tape.

Spreading them all over the place usually isn't the best idea since they "spray dps" rather than focusing. Usually I try to keep them close together, but not on top of each other.

As for the guy that said he just recasts each time the cooldown is up, that can lead to a mess in some situations and I wouldn't suggest that. If you recast your tanking spirit while it is tanking, the mob AI might decide you look like the next best target

the pic might make more sense. (Pain and Bloodsong being the frontline, me standing in the back with the weaker ones) ->

Quote: Originally Posted by The Drunkard

Quote: Originally Posted by The Drunkard

When I play GW, I usually tape my ctrl key down, so that items, allies, and chests are always visible. I lol'd irl when I read that.

How much effort is it to hold Ctrl and Alt ever so often? I'm quite fidgety when I play so I hold/press different buttons alot and for no reason.

Whenever in Combat hold down Ctrl if you're supposed to be a damage dealer, and Alt if you're support. And atleast one of you are supposed to call All_The_Time!!!11eleven!1

In general I run pain, vampirism / bloodsong, sig of spirits, and shadowsong. I know which spirits are active or not by the time that passes. Pain, vampirism, and bloodsong are all like 2 minute spirits... if spirits are missing and they weren't beasted, I know its not them. Most of the time its sos that disappear on me, they have a 1 minute recharge. Shadowsong lasts 30 secs with a 30 sec recharge, so its my time keeper, every 2 (estimate) shadowsongs its time for more siggie-o-spirits, if things are confusing (like they are all getting attacked at once) and I lose track, i just reshit the spirits, its like 25e anyways. I play with only mouse... the alt button is soooooooooooo far away and I have to use my other hand... I just burn some energy, if I'm not spamming painful bond on recharge its okay.

Quote: Originally Posted by HigherMinion

I lol'd irl when I read that.

How much effort is it to hold Ctrl and Alt ever so often? I'm quite fidgety when I play so I hold/press different buttons alot and for no reason. It doesn't take any effort, but after an hour of chest running it starts to irratate me. I also like to do other things with my left hand when playing GW such as a sudoku or a book,and i use my right hand to point and click (heroes do the work for me). Laziness ftw.