Only just started playing - a few questions

[Valdamar]

Just started playing DAoC last week and I've read a lot of conflicting info on message boards which will affect my choices of which characters to keep playing and how to spec them:

1) Are envenom poisons used up in one proc like with EQ rogues? If so, are they stackable cos I could see Infiltrators needing to carry a lot of them around.

2) Are envenom poisons really worth using? Could a Briton infiltrator maxed in Critstrike and Slash assassinate casters/stealthers on melee power alone? (thus saving points on envenom to put in stealth/dual-wield)

3) Is it true that Midgard Hunters can get spears that do slash damage as well as thrust?

4) Is it true that Albion Halberds use your highest 1h skill for minimum damage, even though they are slash-type polearm and should probably use polearm+slash skill only? Is this a bug that's likely to be fixed, or already has been?

5) Do archer and assassin classes still have crit-shots/critstrikes that, if done perfectly while stealthed, will not unstealth them?

6) Can you only block bolts/arrows with a shield if you're specced in Shield skill? Or do you still get a base chance to block with a shield, even with only 1 skill point?

Thanks in advance.

 

[old.chesnor]

I can't answer them all, but I'll do the ones I can :-

1/ Yes they stack, you buy them in stacks of 20, and they stack to 40 (although I think they may increase this in a later patch). Room for carrying poisons, and their weight will not be an issue.

2/ Envenom is a great skill imho. You get damage over time, snare, debuff and disease posions. At really high levels, these poisons are truly nasty. I personally would take envenom and my primary melee skill as high as possible, and the rest into crit strike. Your initial damage may not be as devastating, and you may not 1 hit kill much, but your high level poisons and stronger melee will mean you can kill tougher stuff than just archers and casters.

3/ I think all Middy spears are thrust damage.

5/ Not sure about archers, but assassins can still 1 hit kill and remain stealthed in the EU game. This is 'fixed' in 1.50 (I think)

6/ Your base chance to block any attack with an unspecced shield is 5%. Each point in shield spec thereafter adds 0.5%. This is then modified by shield type/stats and char stats such as dex. In reality, you will rarely block an arrow with an unspecced shield. However, there is a shield skill gained at lvl8 called Engage. Use this when under attack from an archer, and you will block almost all of the arrows (although while you are using it, you may not attack). This skill is used to close down on the archer then smack him down real good

I think these are all correct and I hope this helps

 

[old.Krusha]

no idead about the SB stuff but hunter spears is as follow

Its a thrust weapon (50%dex 50%str) but you can have slash OR thrust dmg output depending on what kind of spear you buy.

So even if you buy a Slash spear its stats will be derived from 50% dex and 50%str.

Oh.. if your using Engage in PVE then Engage drops if someone attacks the mob your engaging, and if you engage in a fight it takes 15 sec (iirc) before the bonus from engage kicks in (unless someone hits the mob during that time ).

[Edit: for clarification ]

 

[Roo Stercogburn]

Ches, the Forest Spider venom sac drops I've been getting in Vanern drop in stacks of 10 but only stack to 20. I'm not an SB, don't know anyone that's specced envenom high enough to use this stuff so end up selling it most of the time.

 

[Danya]

Originally posted by Valdamar
4) Is it true that Albion Halberds use your highest 1h skill for minimum damage, even though they are slash-type polearm and should probably use polearm+slash skill only? Is this a bug that's likely to be fixed, or already has been?

No it's not true. Halberds use pole+slash skills. Thrust and crush polearms work similarly with thrust and crush skills.

 

[Valdamar]

Thankee

Cheers guys - thats cleared up a few misconceptions and rumours I read on US message boards

I just posted a few templates I'm considering here - would welcome your opinions.

Thanks again

 

[Kagato.]

4) Speccing in Polearm gives you a completely unique set of Polearm skills and increases the maximum damage you do, speccing in slash, thrust or crush increases the 'minimum' damage you do with that damage type when using the correct type of polearm. You can use slash, thrust or crush polearms as you wish but its best to pick one type of damage and stick with it so you can maximise your minimum and maximum damage by speccing just 2 lines.