need advice

i have a warrior/monk i am lvl 20. fully infused, (yadda yadda).

under my attribute pts, i have my hammer mastery and tactics both set above the norm (they in blue) does this mean they are above average or does this mean is just a waste since it says (normally set at 11 and you have it modified to 13)?? another words wonder if the stats are better spent somewhere else..

A few points that may help you.

1) Having Tactics of 5? Is this for a shield with 5 tactics? If so then it's the unmodified value that counts. So you actually only have tactics of 4 for a shields AL. (After some testing I am quite sure this is correct but I may be wrong).

2) You have Smiting 4 and Protections 2 but are using none of those skills on your skill bar. The only monk skills you have listed are healing. So maybe I would shift all those points into healing.

3) Damage and To-hit from hammer and most skills related to that skill will continue to climb after 12 skill. So 13 skill is still valid. However if you find that more healing would make a difference then the 16 points you will gain from dropping 1 hammer may be enough to make an impact.

Only suggestions mind.

Blue numbers simply means that you have bonus points in that attribute added from your armor. Helmets and runes add these points making the number blue.

1) I believe bonuses do count for requirements. See below.

2) Agree

3) From what I've read, seems values above 12 DO still improve the attribute, but to a much lower degree. Might get more benefit leaving it at 12 and cranking something else up.




From this pic you can see that my Warrior has a sword that requires 8 swordsmanship, of which I have 6+2. Now this is just hearsay as I've never tried it, but from what I've read if you don't meet the requirement you will be doing base damage of like 2-4. But this guy is hitting mobs with that sword so hard that I almost feel sorry for them. So if what I've read is to be believed (and tactics works the same way as swordsmanshit) he should be getting full use out of the shield if that is his reason for having the tactics.

The way I tested it was easier than worrying about the damage calculation.
Just grab an item that says +5 energy (requires x skill).
If you have the +5 energy then you know its working.
I will test again tonight but I was sure that the Blue value did not count!

Blue value does count toward requirements. But I believe he was just asking what the blue numbers meant - why they are in blue.

ok few things:

1. i was thinking of making his sword guy also, is this waste of time?

2. 5 on tactics was because i did not think it was just for a shield, and since hammer is 2 handded i dont use a shield, so is tactics a waste? if not what should i put it at??

3. as far as the level i have smitting and protection at was because i was going to add some other skills. i have unlocked alot of skills and was unsure what to use. the ones i got at bottom are the ones i usually use. not sure if i should just add them pts to healing and go that way only... ideas?


4. should i just dump all pts in strength, hammer, and healing?

5. should i dump hammer and go sword?. i like fact sword faster but hammer packs a wallup..


any input is appreciated/...

Tactics affects more than shields. It also affects some stances and the healing signet. Whether or not it's worth it to you depends on how you want to play and set up your build. Some say it's worthless, but then there will always be poeple who believe that anything but they're own build sucks. Play how you want.

i basically want my character to be strong and be able to heal myself and party. having hammer mastery makes me use skills alot so i use them. wonders if any of the 2ndary monk skills are good for offense? if not then i guess i can remove the smitting and protection prayers along with axe and hammer mastery. was hammer a bad move? my hammer i have is a 19-35 or close to that. should i go sword instead? and if not what deals more damage a melee attack or hammer attack, (basically i dont understand the differance in the 2).

1. whats best 2ndary monk professsion for offense?
2. should i remove my smitting and protective prayers since i mainlyu warrior?>
3. is the way i wanting to go good? ie.. hammer warrior who can heal self and party? if so what would be the best skills to use for this..??

That is 100% opinion. If you like doing it, then it is good. In my opinion, you should test out what skills you have and find what works for you best. While one person may hate hammers, you might like them. The best thing about Guild Wars is the everything is viable if you play it right. And since everything is viable, there's a style of play that is unique for most people.

ok so if your weapon says requires 9 and you got 12 the extra 3 are wasted??

Blue does count.

*tested* (many times)
Have a 11 marks req bow
10 points in marks = 4-5 damage per hit
11 points in marks = 24-32

No, the extra points will still add to your damage, they are not wasted. The minimum requirements are simply to help avoid having a bunch of level 3 warriors running around with 15-22 firey dragon swords.

Since boosting your attributes increases the amount of damage you deal with your skills. Then they should allow you to use a weapon that has requirements that are meet by boosting your attributes.

C-Tzar, you happen to remember where (link?) you read this? I recall reading something similar when first starting the game but cannot find it now.. Why would it be that raising any attribute to high levels (i.e. 13, 14, 15, etc) would stop having a positive effect?

Law of Diminishing Return

link? would like to read something on the matter.

FYI http://www.bartleby.com/65/di/diminish.html

Of course this law has nothing to do with gaming... but the effect you talked about fits into this law.

yeah i am curious also if your att is in blue then is it a waste? hmmm interesting question. we need some good proof not just opinions..lol

attr in blue means it's bumped by an item you're carrying... i don't see it has anything to do with not having enough attr to use an item. cos I got +1 Axe Mastery from my helm, and it raises the mastery from a white 5 to a blue 6. Just like in Diablo II you have blue attr from items... and if you can get a free raise to a skill to save you a bunch of attr points... why not