[SM] New changes in patch (19th aug)

[Karl]

Thx for all the constructive feedback! Gonna try some new things out tonite

Kind regards
K

[ashton007]

Interestingly enough hes right! Its still functioning as a heal and not a morale debuff.

[MedV]

Insta rez AM paired with WW SM who goes up a tree whose 11pt tactic used to be a gimmicky low heal tactic. Now you can morale drain with WoH and high rr SMs can get Raking Talons as well and go snb, providing a ton of utility for warband (aoe damage decreaser, aoe interrupt, WW, morale drain + HtL, Wings of Heaven for chasing gobbos...) If you appreciated it so much maybe it could be brought back in place of Calming Winds? I feel all the blade enchants are getting reworked at some point, so you'll have even more utility through those instead of only having Nature's Blade be viable.

Do you know if the enchantments are in the works now and will be out soon or is that a far ways away. Just wondering if it’s like ready for the next couple patches or not.

[dansari]

Insta rez AM paired with WW SM who goes up a tree whose 11pt tactic used to be a gimmicky low heal tactic. Now you can morale drain with WoH and high rr SMs can get Raking Talons as well and go snb, providing a ton of utility for warband (aoe damage decreaser, aoe interrupt, WW, morale drain + HtL, Wings of Heaven for chasing gobbos...) If you appreciated it so much maybe it could be brought back in place of Calming Winds? I feel all the blade enchants are getting reworked at some point, so you'll have even more utility through those instead of only having Nature's Blade be viable.

Do you know if the enchantments are in the works now and will be out soon or is that a far ways away. Just wondering if it’s like ready for the next couple patches or not.

Not completely sure. If I had to guess, other stuff in the works first and blade enchants will come later.

[MedV]

Also with the new changes. Any difference in gear for Khaine SM? Right now I run Dom boots, gloves and belt. Along with 6 peice BL. Not sure if there’s a better way to increase dmg as 6 peice Dom I feel is not as good as 6 BL

[Tolfhic]

No, changes haven't effected gear, but Mix & Match sets is better than full BL. 3pc Dom, 2pc Merc, 4pc BL.

[MedV]

No, changes haven't effected gear, but Mix & Match sets is better than full BL. 3pc Dom, 2pc Merc, 4pc BL.

Yea I always thought about doing that. But I feel like the + 60 Str from 2 pc Merc, is not worth giving up the resists you get from BL. I think the BL armor peices resist bonus is a really under looked thing. I feel it gives you a lot of defense while being an offensive set. I cld be wrong bec I can’t do calculations or anything but more resists more armor and the 5 and 6 bonus to me is better than 60 str. Any Thoughts ?

[Ugle]

Full BL + 3p domi is good for group play with the armor debuff. Slot winds impervious and you don't instamelt to casters. Calming winds also help for that. Semi defensive tactic build; rugged, gwm, ba and calming winds. Full parry, 3 fs, as high as you can get with deft defender and leftovers in impetous.

4p rare fortune, 2p domi also works. Great stats on rare fortune for SM tbh. 3/4 bubbles with 2h depending on spec for 2h build.

[Tolfhic]

No, changes haven't effected gear, but Mix & Match sets is better than full BL. 3pc Dom, 2pc Merc, 4pc BL.

Yea I always thought about doing that. But I feel like the + 60 Str from 2 pc Merc, is not worth giving up the resists you get from BL. I think the BL armor peices resist bonus is a really under looked thing. I feel it gives you a lot of defense while being an offensive set. I cld be wrong bec I can’t do calculations or anything but more resists more armor and the 5 and 6 bonus to me is better than 60 str. Any Thoughts ?

I'm of the opinion that if you are trying to squeeze out the most damage it's going to be at the cost of defenses, and +60 STR is worth it if you are trying to maximize damage output. But the trade off is you are relying more on your group and smart positioning so you don't crumble.

Ugle's recommendations are good balance of defensive and offensive. You will still do good damage, that's one of the nice things of 2H SM dealing spirit dmg. If you want more group utility you can also look into Hoeth/Khaine spec for Whispering Winds. It's not as much burst as ED but you can still apply consistent damage.

The trade off for more damage though is giving up some of those defenses. Both ways are viable, just depends on how you want to play.

[Martok]

As someone who has always played 2H spec I approve of the changes, primarily from the base-line position it makes logical sense for a Khaine spec Swordmaster to have access to a knock-down. This change has been far too long in coming.