Non-Scythe derv advantages?

Absolute Destiny

Absolute Destiny

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Sep 2006

Oklahoma City

Forgotten Realms [FR]

W/

Been using a scythe since I started my derv, but I keep seeing others use a staff, or sword/axe and shield combo.

What are some uses/advantages to these alternate weapon setups?

Bandwagon

Bandwagon

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jan 2010

D/

Staves are used by some PvP dervishes for:
-The inherent 20% Half Spell Recharge Rate
-The Inscrip 10% Half Spell Recharge Rate
-20% enchant lengthening mod

Some Enchants in PvP are very handy / cannot be maintained so having them recharge more quickly is an advantage, since your not attacking anyone before you engage, you might as well switch to a staff and "buff up" before engaging.

Any character (especially high level PvPers) switch to a one hand and shield when pressured in PvE/PvP since there are more defensive mods between a 1 handed martial weapon + shield then there is in an offensive modded scythe.

A player will never be a potent spell caster as a primary dervish with a secondary caster class (they can try, but it won't measure up).

Warriors are much better at fighting with sword/axe then a dervish can ever be, those "others" your referring to may either be deluded or simply trying a funny build (though some may be using the 100b + whirlwind attack combo for farming, since it can be replicated on any profession).

The Scythe is the most powerful martial weapon in the game (other profs choose /D as a secondary because of this), as a dervish primary, deviating from the scythe flat out gimps you.

Haggis of Doom

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: May 2009

TGB

W/

Basically what Bandwagon said.

In PvE, runners will also prefer a staff or weapon/shield to a scythe for the same reasons.

FoxBat

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Apr 2006

Amazon Basin [AB]

Mo/Me

Alot of Lyssa's avatar dagger jokers running around RA as well.

reaper with no name

reaper with no name

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2009

FaZ

D/

I've got a couple of fun builds that use alternative weapons (one of which is actually a wanding-based build), but in the end these (like everything else the dervish does) is inferior to other options.

The dervish just isn't suited to any particular playstyle. It's primary attribute is only useful for Orders (and in that role it is still outperformed by Necromancers and Elementalists), it's IAS options are limited, it has few synergies with most weapons, and most of it's good skills are better utilized by other professions.

LifeInfusion

LifeInfusion

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: May 2005

in the midline

E/Mo

I've seen D/N Orders. There's not much else that is fueled by mysticism since most useful enchantments are single target and not party wide. You won't see Aegis on a Dervish very often also, since it is not spam-capable which means mysticism isn't that useful there either. Something like Guardian would work, but that is only if it ends on you so no.

You could do gimmicky things like Avatar of Lyssa with a bow or spear too, not just daggers. I just don't see how it is that useful.

fr.aodhan

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Aug 2010

D/Mo

One of the things I enjoy as a Dervish healer is the relative anonymity. Some are quick to figure it out - the majority aren't and I can do whatever I want for a while. I can't count the number of times I've been healing, obviously, but get hexed with Empathy.

When someone does notice, I can take care of myself pretty well. Armor of Sanctity, Shield of Force, and Vital Boon fuel Signet of Pious Light while keeping me happy. Along with Mysticism, my heals are essentially free. The cast speed of Signet of Pious Light and Vital Boon can cause problems and I'm not robust against caster hate, but in low level PvP I can heal forever and simply ignore the majority of melee characters.

None of this is possible without a staff and I've enjoyed 20/10/10 with +20% enchant. The main heal, SoPL, doesn't benefit, but the short recharges and cast times do help.

byteme!

byteme!

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jan 2006

On Earth

W/P

Non-Scythe derv advantages?
This is an oxymoron...............................at least until the next Derv update.

Cuilan

Cuilan

Forge Runner

Join Date: Mar 2008

Me/

Quote:
Originally Posted by LifeInfusion View Post
I've seen D/N Orders Necromancers would be better at it and so would elementalists.

Bloody Dominator

Bloody Dominator

Academy Page

Join Date: Jun 2009

Belgium

Sent Fromhell [SFH]

D/

Quote:
Originally Posted by reaper with no name View Post
I've got a couple of fun builds that use alternative weapons (one of which is actually a wanding-based build) Care to share some details on that Wand-based build? I'm interested

distilledwill

distilledwill

Forge Runner

Join Date: Sep 2006

Blighty

The Legion of the Blue Blade

R/Mo

Just my 2c but heres a hammer Dervish for AB/Competative Missions:

D/W - Sandy Thumper

Myst: 9+1
Earth: 9+1+1
Hammer: 12
Scythe: 3

Earthshaker [E]
Twin Moon Sweep
Yeti Smash
Crushing Blow
Sand Shards
Aura of Thorns
Flurry
Sprint/Res sig (for anywhere that needs it)

I've used this build a number of times in AB and its such good fun. Its also pretty good in FA due to the bunching that usually occurs inside the base.
Maintain Sand Shards and cover it with AoT, build up adrenaline with your hammer or spear, using flurry. Then when ES is charged, hit flurry>ES (ending Sand Shards)>Twin Moon (ending AoT)>Yeti>Crushing. This whole combo should knocklock the opponent for most of Sand Shard's duration, cause them bleeding and deep wound. It kills most opponents in one combo, and will damage all around you, leaving you free to wail them to death.

Energy is no problem as you are using Adrenaline skills, ending enchantments and all of the skills cost 5e.

Have fun!

Daris

Daris

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Oct 2010

the Tyrians [TT]

E/

i've been working on a dervish elementalist base obviously it wont have the damage of a nuker because i cant use ele runes ( though its pretty close ). the dervish class armor boost, and significant healing from mystic regen. and with windwakers insigs, i get an extra 15 armor, bringing my armor pool to 95 before using conviction.

by using fire/earth/water/air attunements in addition to arcane zeal, i can keep a healthy energy pool and cast high damage spells at an impressive rate.

basically i made a nonsquishy caster, how is that not an advantage?

reaper with no name

reaper with no name

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2009

FaZ

D/

Because elementalist damage is horrible against any enemy with a decent AL.

jojoballz

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Jul 2010

I messed around with a D/R build using a bow.

Used avatar of Gren, with a vamp bow mod...it was fun did some descent damage. But i would never use it in PvP. It was a build i used when i needed to pull a lot and go slow.

By far scythe for the win

Sotek

Academy Page

Join Date: Dec 2005

I've been messing around with a staff build using stuff like Sand Shards, Pious Renewal, Mirage Cloak, Eternal Aura and Mystic Sandstorm. Works well vs foes that are bunched together, but then, what doesn't...