[SM] returning player, some questions?

[Niemosin7]

Haven't done solo SM for a long time since I switch to main heal for group play, but I guess it should not change that much. My SM character was Vaeroth, not really a good SM player but might be able to help for a bit since I solo with this class all the time.

I always got Toughness at 600+, 700+ is noice but you lost more offensive stat, 500 is okay but never less than that or it feels so squishy(you won't be tank anymore, just paper with a big sword). STR is 800+, 9xx + stat from nature blade is juicy, but 700 or less is okay if you have patience and know what you are doing, I even solo with 650str for a long time before BiS gears and it work fine, just choose your target well.

And for BiS gears, well actually, SM is one of the classes I found that has so many gear combinations that could work, even mixed with SnB gear like Triump/Steelheart and still doing find if you understand those builds, I almost have all the gears and switch for fun all the time, but standard build for all-round probably would be 4 off-sov + vic + war, or just off-sov and vic. (and yes you can go 5 sov, but honestly after sapping strike buffed you really don't need that +crit now, unless your current build need it).

Weapon = Fortress, Crimsonwind, and your sharp mind. (Draugnir's End is also okay tho)

Speaking of regen for SM, it is also good, almost perfect, as it was brainless. You barely ever go wrong when doing regen build with SM since we do spirit damage, and almost every solo SM I saw nowadays does regen build everywhere I go. I honestly only played with regen build when I was a newbie, for solo it is very good at start and easy, but you really don't need it later on tbh, even for solo, and none of the good solo SM players I recognized rarely use it anyway.

Also, for solo, It is less fun when less players want to fight you, and no one wants to fight a regen build. Whatever class that is.

At the end, I always said to anyone I gave advice that don't trust my word completely, or anyone else. Solo is good to understand your class, and it best to discovered the thing that work for you the most by yourself. I have always received and listened to many advice when I first started a new class, but at the end found a perfect build that is like an ultimate for me which different from everyone all the time, so it best to find your own. If people say don't but it work for you, then just go for it.

Anyway, enjoy your journey, and good luck my fellow SM.

[Farrul]

Speaking of regen for SM, it is also good, almost perfect, as it was brainless. You barely ever go wrong when doing regen build with SM since we do spirit damage, and almost every solo SM I saw nowadays does regen build everywhere I go. I honestly only played with regen build when I was a newbie, for solo it is very good at start and easy, but you really don't need it later on tbh, even for solo, and none of the good solo SM players I recognized rarely use it anyway.

Also, for solo, It is less fun when less players want to fight you, and no one wants to fight a regen build. Whatever class that is.

Fighting ''honorably'' without regen sounds nice in theory but doesn't work outside of the strict 1vs1 duel or vs undergeared/incompetent players.

2h tanks need some regen for solo roaming if they want to endure 1vsxx or not be manipulated by ranged dots. Solo roaming on a tank class means the enemy will be grouping up on the tank 1vsxx , this is not a duel in the arena against a single foe.

The reason 2H IB was top solo roaming tank in the past was much thanks to Grumble n Mutter, once that got removed he was easily surpassed by Chosen and SM more powerful magic itemization as the top roaming 2H tanks. Nowdays you will struggle to see an IB 2H solo roaming but the lake is full of solo Chosens and SM's solo are observed from time to time.

I've used all kinds of builds on tank classes, no regen, low regen, average regen, a lot of regen. My conclusion is that a number of about 3xx is all that is needed to stay competetive, this number is achhieved mostly with just Sov/wl gear, maybe a fleshrender ring( mostly for the % phys reduction, not so much regen). I would only recommend grimmer shimmer to someone still gearing up or using the Crit build (5 sov/3 victor) since that armor suits the build the best.

[Culexus]

Regen builds are only a "problem" in a 1v1 as it places an immediate stat check on the fight. If you can't do enough damage to get through the regen, there's no amount of effort you can put in to win the fight, so you'll lose before the first blow is even struck. But even then it's only a problem if you get super butthurt over dying, and most of the regular solo-roamers won't fight you if you've already lost a few fights to them and they know you can't win.

As for SMs, from a destro perspective, there's no class I fear more in a 1v1. They hit like absolute trucks with spirit damage, high crit, and strong stacking dots. They do more damage than most dps, and since it's spirit, they are also super defensive. The double-parry tactic is crazy strong in a 1v1.

[jafh123]

Speaking of regen for SM, it is also good, almost perfect, as it was brainless. You barely ever go wrong when doing regen build with SM since we do spirit damage, and almost every solo SM I saw nowadays does regen build everywhere I go. I honestly only played with regen build when I was a newbie, for solo it is very good at start and easy, but you really don't need it later on tbh, even for solo, and none of the good solo SM players I recognized rarely use it anyway.

Also, for solo, It is less fun when less players want to fight you, and no one wants to fight a regen build. Whatever class that is.

Fighting ''honorably'' without regen sounds nice in theory but doesn't work outside of the strict 1vs1 duel or vs undergeared/incompetent players.

2h tanks need some regen for solo roaming if they want to endure 1vsxx or not be manipulated by ranged dots. Solo roaming on a tank class means the enemy will be grouping up on the tank 1vsxx , this is not a duel in the arena against a single foe.

The reason 2H IB was top solo roaming tank in the past was much thanks to Grumble n Mutter, once that got removed he was easily surpassed by Chosen and SM more powerful magic itemization as the top roaming 2H tanks. Nowdays you will struggle to see an IB 2H solo roaming but the lake is full of solo Chosens and SM's solo are observed from time to time.

I've used all kinds of builds on tank classes, no regen, low regen, average regen, a lot of regen. My conclusion is that a number of about 3xx is all that is needed to stay competetive, this number is achhieved mostly with just Sov/wl gear, maybe a fleshrender ring( mostly for the % phys reduction, not so much regen). I would only recommend grimmer shimmer to someone still gearing up or using the Crit build (5 sov/3 victor) since that armor suits the build the best.

Tbh, there aren't many Chosens solo roaming either. In fact, the destro tank I see solo roaming the most is Black Orc.

[Ruuz]

how do you get Draugnir's End ?
<- new SM and returning player, from live ages ago - so I don't know anything

[Farrul]

As for SMs, from a destro perspective, there's no class I fear more in a 1v1. They hit like absolute trucks with spirit damage, high crit, and strong stacking dots. They do more damage than most dps, and since it's spirit, they are also super defensive. The double-parry tactic is crazy strong in a 1v1.

Yes SM is very powerful vs destro melee and only chosens rivals them, maybe a very gpod regen WE.

The most deadly tool of the SM is the morale 3 (bladeshield) which you have to watch out for, if he pops that and unleashes an Ether dance at the same time you could lose hp extremely fast. Put this thing on ability ID add-on and disengage immediately, i've seen so many big angry orcs kill themselves on the reflect but they do not seem to realize it and chop away

Tbh, there aren't many Chosens solo roaming either. In fact, the destro tank I see solo roaming the most is Black Orc.

I haven't played that much recently so maybe this is correct, however Chosens are kinda boring to play so i guess people quit after a while or rerolls a more complex class, it is still by far the most effective destro tank for solo roaming.

how do you get Draugnir's End ?
<- new SM and returning player, from live ages ago - so I don't know anything

You get it through pve crypts ( city lvl 40 dungeon). The lifesteal was nerfed and not worth it imho, get crimson wind instead and save for Fort sword or the defensive sc weapon( those two are your BIS)

[Easysteps2]

The lifesteal was nerfed and not worth it imho, get crimson wind instead and save for Fort sword or the defensive sc weapon( those two are your BIS)

What is an sc weapon and where do you get it? I have crimson wind and know about the fortress sword.