Valewalker focus?

[hiban]

I started a valewalker a few days ago, and i just love the class. Strange that not more ppl play them really. So far i have just soloed with him from lvl 20-29. And what i noticed is the powercost on my spells. So what im wondering is: Will arborial focus help us with the powercost of our spells? It should really, as we are seen as caster classes with cloth, who can use the intell spec buff from droods, etc etc.

Need some thoughts and help here. Anyone actually tried with focus on their gear? Also, feel free to post some specs here. have a few lvls to decide on my final spec. Seems like most are going for the 50 scythe, 38 arb one... i was thinking about 44 scythe, 43 arb. Will damage output be that much worse? And how is damage on LT with such a spec, etc etc.

I will post this one on the Excal/hib discuss as well.

cheers

/Cailiann Whalewalker - lvl 29 WV of HDS hib/pryd

 

[Sharma]

Well the main general reason for speccing in the arb line for a VW is generally to reactive proc/Offensive proc, you will not find yourself lifetapping a lot with a VW i can tell you

 

[Shrye]

That wasn't really his question.

You see, given that focus actually does help reduce their mana consumption, there's a cut in downtime by swapping weapon/staff or possibly adding a focus gem to a crafted scythe (if that's possibly or not, I have no idea).

It's easily tested yourself btw. Just get hold of a focus staff and see how many times you can lifetap in a duel with someone else, contra not using focus at all.

 

[old.Gromnir]

ooo a fun topic for once, and i'd like the know the answer to it.

One if the reasons im a tad stuck with my VW is that I can solo easy enough but the power downtime is hugh. (okay gives time to swap to windows and browse a little).


Dont know how many of our high level VW's that drop by here, so i'll just promot www.prydwen.net like I always do ^^


About your specs they are both valid specs, the one with have a slightly less damage out put on the scythe but you'll make of for that with your spells. Ofcause you wont be lifetapping much in rvr unless you are running solo and sees someone far away.

 

[cogs]

Pretty sure Mythic have said the focus doesnt affect Valewalkers, as the arent pure casters, though I cant remember where I read it and could quite possibly be wrong

 

[old.Dimitris]

i had parked my lvl50 VW into the shelves and just 2 days ago i logged back in to see how its on 1.62.

the recent fixes made the class a bit better, but not that much.

The major advantage of the class is the massive frontload damage and the evade/parry reac styles which are tho very tough to execute fully in rvr. The back of target annilhiation-like (sp) style is very nice indeed, but backarc has been nerfed lately.

The usual task of a VW is to /assist a main tank with side/back chain styles, or to interrupt/kill healers/mages with the Dot/DD LT and also insta snare running away enemies.

Depending on the situation it can also be DD LT till ooe, then tank mode.

Its a very versatile class with good utility, but the low AF hurts us quite a bit. yeah right the 33% absorb spell is nice.. but needs to be recast every 15mins and that can be tricky.

Lack of Determination and intercept abilities hurts this class also alot.

As for speccing, 50 scythe is a must and 38 arbo 20 parry leftover points sounds like a good template.

If you keep your Arboreal spec near your level with base+items+rr then you will be LTing w/o variation. So 50 arbo (including bonuses) is enough for the LT dmg.

SC templates can be found all over the net, and its not that tough to cap most stats/resists/stats much like a LW champ would do.

Now to the armor. a VW even w/o his absorb 33% spell isnt really a tank in cloth armor cuz evade/parry can kick in and save you (in pve... in rvr forget it )

Cloth is neutral to all dmg types.. yeah ok. The degrade rate of the armor tho is sooo fast it hurts even to think about it (got a SC /Tailor friend around? you might be needing new suits every 2 months).

As for the focus. It is not intended to work for VW's altho i ve heard that a current bug allows VW's to take advantage from arboreal focus.. but then again you cant imbue focus on scythes can you? so its useless.

The VW mana pool doesnt have the <50% mana regen penalty either.


Just some random thoughts on the Valewalker. Nice class i cant say.. but i still preffer my Ranger x10 more

 

[madcarper]

I would suggest that you try and get the 125 RP needed for R1L3 so you can get MCL. This RA was added to VW's last patch and really makes a difference to downtime.

 

[hiban]

Cant i add focus to any other part than the weap? if not, ill just get a staff and LT with and swap when mobs go melee? (yeah, im a real bug abuser )

I planned getting mcl at bg1, but the albzerg made it impossible to even enter there. So im gonna give it a shot at 35 instead, when i get more for killing ppl. So should go a bit faster i hope.

And thanks for all the replies and the tips. keep em coming.

 

[Graknak]

just a small one: base cost of spells delve for 120% if you have the same lvl focus as the spell level it casts for 80% however this is only the fact when using 100% Condition staffs, soon as condition drops the spell costs more.

 

[hiban]

Thanks Cuth, i will try it

Is there any chance a lvl (preferably) 50 valewalker could post some screenies here, showing their stats. Like hps buffed/unbuffed weap skill, str/dex/con/intell etc. Spellcrafted equip or with epic, doesent matter. Also, feel free to show your quickbar. And tell what styles u use, with follow ups and all. Pics from fights are also welcome ofc

right now im LTing until mobs goes into melee, draw weap with F6 and wait for evade/parry to kick in, and then use those styles... Are there any other, more effective ways?

Any help appreciated

 

[Laston]

lvl 32 vw when farming greens i usually

lt once wait for mob to meele. meele till i get parry/evade

with yellows it´s morel like lt till it meeles then smack it with everythin ya got (im using 89% qual wep but 3.8 spd!)
soon i get some new sc cloth il be able to chain yellows imho
(cloth is relatively cheap im using green con armor atm tho)

 

[dakeyras]

Anyone know which mobs drop cloth/scyths suitable for 26-31 VW (till the quest scythe)? I am a new, totally broke /level so buying crafted at this stage isn't really an option.

 

[Harm]

A player crafted staff with focus helps on power consumption. Rumors says this is a bug, so don't expect it to last for long.