Superior Runes

I know this should be up to each player, but I wanted some opinions. I just added my first Superior Rune to my armor, but after I saw the HP drain, I second guessed this decision. I know it's awesome to get the +3 attributes, but after thinking back on all the times I came close to death, this 75 hp would have made the difference. Guess I'm just not sure if it's worth it... Do you use them

I typically use one superior rune to boost whatever attribute I'm relying most on at the time, and a vigor rune to partially offset the -75 hp.

my warrior doesnt i try to keep my life up high besides for a warrior it isnt as bad but say for a mesmer or an ele or somthing like that id becareful on your planning + use a sup vigor if u can that helps =)

yea use a vig rune, thats what i use for pvp

Just depends on what area/mission your doing. PvP is bad to have alot of super runes. If you are doing low level missions HP isn't that big of a deal( fun to pwn low level monsters with high attribute points). If you are in a high level area you will get pwned with low HP. I usually carry multiple armors, some with super runes some with minor runes. It is a good idea to carry multiple armors so you can change your armor and HP to your environment.

+3 to your main attribute is worth the -75 health. This is assuming you are not using it on a level 4 toon! I only ever use 1 sup rune, but there are builds that use more (ranger with 2, 55 hp solos).

If you are really concerned about the health loss then offset it with a vigor rune and +health mod(s) on your weapon.

Genreally I keep two superior runes on my characters at all times. 1 for their class specific attribute and one for the build I am going for. I also put on a superior vigor to help offset. With the weapons you get later on that give health bonuses it usually keeps you pretty healthy.

The only case I don't currently do this is with my warrior. I only have superior strength and tactics helms to swap out. Might get some others to be able to switch between axe, sword and hammer mastery though.

I buy mutiple pieces of the same armor. I apply a sup to each and depending on my build that I want to use I switch them out. This way I can be flexable enough to meet any situtation.
Example: 3 sets of Knights gloves, each with a different Sup weapon rune Axe, Sword, Hammer. As well I have a set of Plate without a sup.

My general rule of thumb is:

1) In PvP, you should always use one superior rune for your maxed out line (IMO, you should always have one attribute at level 16) and use minors for the rest (other than vigor and absorption, of course).

2) In PvE, only use a superior rune if you are working with a group.

3) If you solo in PvE, that 75 health is too valuable to sacrifice on a better attack skill, since your #1 priority is to survive.

I have 1 sup and 2 majors for my drok runner. Sup Tact, Maj Abs, and Maj Vigor, its really effiecient even withlow health

I use superior runes (I put them on head pieces) for all of my characters except the warrior.

As others I like to keep the warrior's health as high as possible even with having a superior vigor added.

Other than that, having it is great for the +3 and keep in mind that casters are kinda back in the like and should be face to face with mobs.

Thanks for all the tips - this gives me some more to consider. I currently have the superior on my headpiece (necro scar), so maybe I'll buy a few more to swap out with different runes.

My own opinion is that -75 Health is a very minor price to pay for +3 to an attribute.

All my PvE chars use one, along with a minor vigor. So they have about 435 hp. I dunno if i'd use on in pvp or not.

Thing is, most chars have some form of self-heal (Ranger has Troll/Healing Spring, Monk (duh), Necro has vampiric skills, Warrior has Healing sig, Mesmer has Ether spells, Ele has Aura), which though they might not be amazing, when backed up by a monk it shouldn't make much difference. The +3 attibutes will normally add enough damage/degen/protection/whatever to offset that 75 hp anyway coz everything dies much faster

and although Jetdoc doesn't recommend it if soloing, my ranger does solo with this sup rune on her.

The superior is worthwhile for your primary skill. I use superiors for vigor and absorption and then one for my primary attribute. I don't think there will be much argument that if you use - say - axes it's worthwhile to have 16there.

I am assuming you are talking PVE where it is merely optional


in PVP its required...

Yeah, that's how I do it, too. One Superior Rune of Death/Blood/Curses (-75 health) and one Rune of Major Vigor (+41 health) and a +30 health bonus on my offhand. It brings my max health to 476, which isn't at all bad .

(I wish I could afford a Rune of Sup Vigor, but alas, I am poor. But if you can afford it, a Sup Vigor is a good way to off-set the health loss.)