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1

Shadow Knight / AE Aggro spell sets

« on: July 16, 2016, 11:55:06 PM »

AE Aggro spell sets

SKs should be doing better at picking up adds and in general being able to AE aggro adds when needed.

Far too many times it is a few SKs (or warriors/pallies) with WAY TOO MANY adds on them. Since the heelerz are not sure who will get most of the adds this can lead to a death and then thing spiral quickly. Following a general ETW based on the order your name appears in the list should mean it is unlikely one or two tanks have all the adds.

LOTS hotkey

Every tank should have a LOTS hotkey. Hit this hotkey when you have multiple adds on you. The other tanks can go through the ETW and if they see your name on an add they can work to pull it off you. Bitching after you died that you had too many on you and NOT hitting your LOTS hotkey is your problem.

A LOTS hotkey should look something like this: (Brenlaven example)

NOTE: /3 is the FLTanks channel in this example

Line 1: /3 Lots on me...someone grab one!!! My target is << %t >>
Line 2: /gsay Lots on me...my target is << %t >>

Other channels (shout/ooc) can be added for when channels drop on the server. There is no need to spam FLRaids or rsay with this since it is a tank problem and thus should go to the tank channel.

BTW, you can 'comment out' a line in a social hotkey by using /# at the start...for example:

/# /shout Lots on me...someone grab one!!! My target is << %t >>

That line will not work because of the /# at the front. Removing the /# will let you spam the /shout channel.  Leave the line commented out unless channels dropped seems a good plan. Less spam is good.

The %t was added to this hotkey so others will know which mob the tank is focused on for holding aggro. The goal is to get the OTHER mobs off the tank rather than fight over the one mob.



Single target "snap" aggro

Getting a mob off another toon is a part of being an add tank on raids. Understand that sometimes the mob simply will not leave the other toon...when it is stun locked. Otherwise, the mob will always...eventually...turn to the add tank trying to get aggro. There are other reasons a mob won't leave another toon...besides being stunned. When another toon is producing more aggro than the add tank...the mob won't leave the other toon. Warriors can generate a large amount of aggro currently in the game. DPS toons generate far too much aggro when burning. Both of these examples makes the job of an add tank more demanding. Not impossible...just more demanding.

Pulling a mob off another toon requires the use of many of the tools of an SK.  Terror single target aggro spells help...AE aggro spells help...but won't get the mob off other toons alone in many cases. The use of AAs can help...Explosion of Hatred and Explosing of Spite (both AE aggro AAs) and Steam of Hatred (frontal AE aggro AA).

Mindless Hatred - single target level 108 or lower 6 second aggro lock
Ageless Enmity - Taunts and adds 6000 aggro. "Real" aggro for raid mechanics.

Unflinching Acrimony - Disc locks aggro for 18 seconds. NOT "real" aggro for raid mechanics for some reason.

Projection of Doom - AA aggro pet won't give you aggro instantly but helps you keep it or will help you pull it off another toon eventually.

Hate's Attraction - A fling on mobs lower than 105 level but also an aggro producing AA. Use it even on mobs that cannot be flung to you to help build / keep aggro.

Taunt - Puts you 1 aggro point over the top aggro when it works. If you are top aggro it will not help or hurt...giving a message "You already have your target's attention." if you are top aggro...(based on Xdevlx and Gimamam's posts in this thread).

In case any of you missed the key point earlier:
When another toon is producing more aggro than the add tank...the mob won't leave the other toon.

It is your job to out aggro the other toon. When you are tanking a single mob and Brenlaven pulls it off you...he isn't doing anything magical or using "snap" aggro tricks...he is simply out producing you on aggro. Work on producing more aggro...the DPS will thank you in the end.

AE Aggro Spell Sets

Gimamam listed a spell setup after raids.  His list included 13 spells but that has been adjusted to 12 and Brenlaven's spell setup is further down as well.

The order of the spells is not important in the spell bar. Casting order can make a difference but this is just talking about what spells to cast...not which order to cast spells. Also, this isn't about how to weave spells and AA/disc to maximize aggro. Just spell sets. Also, get RK III spells...

[Fri Jul 15 23:16:09 2016] Gimamam tells fltanks:3, 'spell line up for those sk's who would like to try it out next time we are here for better dps and aggro on the add waves - impose, terror 101, terror 96, dire tap, touch 105, touch 100, dicho, bond, disgust (can trade this out, just ae aggro), deceitful deflection, spear, skin, stance.'

Gimamam Spell set #1

• Spell 01 - Impose for Power
• Spell 02 - Terror of Narus
• Spell 03 - Terror of Poira
• Spell 04 - Dire Declaration
• Spell 05 - Touch of Lutzen
• Spell 06 - Touch of Falsin
• Spell 07 - Dichotomic Fang
• Spell 08 - Bond of Bonemaw
• Spell 09 - Deceitful Deflection
• Spell 10 - Spear of Vizat
• Spell 11 - Vizat's Skin
• Spell 12 - Staunch Stance

Gimamam Spell set #2 (using Disgust instead of Bond of Bonemaw)

• Spell 01 - Impose for Power
• Spell 02 - Terror of Narus
• Spell 03 - Terror of Poira
• Spell 04 - Dire Declaration
• Spell 05 - Touch of Lutzen
• Spell 06 - Touch of Falsin
• Spell 07 - Dichotomic Fang
• Spell 08 - Disgust
• Spell 09 - Deceitful Deflection
• Spell 10 - Spear of Vizat
• Spell 11 - Vizat's Skin
• Spell 12 - Staunch Stance

Both of these spell sets will help you build and hold aggro on at least one mob. The terrors should help you hold aggro on your targeted mob and pick up loose adds.

Some SKs think pulling multiple adds means certain death...and there is a limit on the number of mobs to have at once. One of the most important parts of having multiple adds is to keep heeled! Lifetaps are huge for this as well as talking to your group heeler about the fact you will have multiple adds on you...and hitting your LOTS hotkey so your group knows you have multiple mobs. But Sks have tools to help stay alive with multiple mobs hitting them...so use them!

Sitting in group getting beat on by a number of mobs expecting your group to just realize you have lots of adds is your fault! Talk to your group! Talk in the tank channel! Communicate what you will and are doing to stay alive.

Brenlaven has a similar spell set as Gimamam...

Brenlaven Spell set #1 - AE Aggro

• Spell 01 - Impose for Power
• Spell 02 - Terror of Narus
• Spell 03 - Blood of Bonemaw (poison dot) NOT in Gima's
• Spell 04 - Dire Declaration
• Spell 05 - Touch of Lutzen
• Spell 06 - Blood of Ralstok (poison dot) NOT in Gima's
• Spell 07 - Dichotomic Fang
• Spell 08 - Bond of Bonemaw
• Spell 09 - Deceitful Deflection
• Spell 10 - Spear of Vizat
• Spell 11 - Vizat's Skin
• Spell 12 - Staunch Stance

Brenlaven Spell set #2 - AE Aggro (with assigned debuffs for raid)

• Spell 01 - Impose for Power
• Spell 02 - Terror of Narus
• Spell 03 - Blood of Bonemaw (poison dot) NOT in Gima's
• Spell 04 - Dire Declaration
• Spell 05 - Touch of Lutzen
• Spell 06 - Dire Strangulation (or Torrent of Misery) NOT in Gima's
• Spell 07 - Dichotomic Fang
• Spell 08 - Bond of Bonemaw
• Spell 09 - Deceitful Deflection
• Spell 10 - Spear of Vizat
• Spell 11 - Vizat's Skin
• Spell 12 - Staunch Stance

Brenlaven Spell set #3 - NON-AE Aggro

• Spell 01 - Impose for Power
• Spell 02 - Terror of Narus
• Spell 03 - Blood of Bonemaw (poison dot) NOT in Gima's
• Spell 04 - Dire Declaration
• Spell 05 - Touch of Lutzen
• Spell 06 - Blood of Ralstok (poison dot) NOT in Gima's
• Spell 07 - Dichotomic Fang
• Spell 08 - Bond of Bonemaw
• Spell 09 - Touch of Falsin (replaces Deceitful Deflection)
• Spell 10 - Spear of Vizat
• Spell 11 - Vizat's Skin
• Spell 12 - Staunch Stance

Hope this helps everyone with what spells Gimamam and Brenlaven use for AE aggro fights. Mixing these spell sets and AAs to build AE Aggro will help you too die just like Gimamam and Brenlaven do!!!

Brenlaven
AKA
FD until the chest spawns

2

Raider Essentials / Tank assignments

« on: July 03, 2016, 07:56:50 AM »

Can't find a tank-centric topic and didn't feel it belonged in the FL Tank Communications 101 thread...so putting it in a new topic. Furro can move it as appropriate.

Tank Assignments - General Overview

Freelance gets very detailed tanking assignments. Furro will list the tanks and the mobs they are to tank. The order tanks are listed is the expected order they will step up to tank the boss.  Add tanks are also listed in the expected order to tank adds.

The MTO is pretty basic...the list of tanks on the boss.  Add tanks can be different for each event and thus a bit more complicated. But there is a common theme in the tank orders....Tanks go IN ORDER LISTED.

In general, there are three ways that adds are handled for tanking...

Option 1 - by number (cleansing_steam00, cleansing_steam01, etc.)
Option 2 - by ETW (Bren - ETW1, Endo, - ETW2, etc.)
Option 3 - AE aggro (with implied ETW order)

Option 1 - Sometimes it is possible to have a hotkey with a name of the mob to tank.  The cleansing_steam00 example. This does not always work because mobs spawn during the event or waves with random name can spawn, etc. therefore we use Option 2.

Option 2 - Sometimes it is necessary to simply assign a tank to an ETW slot because the names are random or spawn during the event.  Stem of Tides is a recent example of ETW assignments. It is important to understand that if the assignment lists a tank as ETW1 that simply means the FIRST add in the ETW window...so in Stem of Tides the tanks could have the boss in ETW 1 so the "first" mob is really in ETW2.  If this is confusing to you please ask someone to help explain it BEFORE the event.

Option 3 - AE aggro simply means the adds spawn in waves and the names are random and it is just easier to AE aggro them and tanks pick up adds.  This is the hardest way of handling adds and should only be done where necessary.  Even with AE aggroing it is possible for tanks to have ETW targeting assignments to help pick up adds and make sure a tank does not have too many on them.  The TBM raid Enslaver is an example of this for the first stage adds.  Tanks could work out ETW slots but the adds need to be picked up ASAP so AE aggro is used to keep them off DPS.  The tanks just have to aggro the ETW slot they are responsible for to help keep the other tanks alive.

Single Boss MTO

The list can look like this in tank channel or rsay:

Furro tells the raid,  '-[ Emollious MTO: Brenlaven, Owmy, Endotron  RT Riprobin ]- Brenlaven (+mt), Owmy (+mt), Endotron, (+mt), Riprobin (+rt)'

This is a normal MTO line. The tanks are listed in order of tanking. Tanks go IN ORDER LISTED.  Everyone seems to have this down clearly.

Single Boss MTO and multiple Mini tanks

On other events there are more assignments...possibly mini tanks or a MTO order for two mobs...like Grummus has mini tanks...

Furro tells FLtanks:3, '-[ Grummus MTO: Riprobin, Minasu, Zarake RT Mystery healer ]- Zenyan (+mh), Dimerall (+mh), Baghdaddy (+mh), Rhyslin (+sym/rb), Pikell (+mh), Twoma (+slow&growth/m), Mysteryhealer (+rt), Riprobin (+mt), Minasu (+mt), Zarake (+mt)'

Furro tells FLtanks:3, '-[ Minis - Feroxide: Meedo, Endo: Raddi, Owmy: Qezzin, Bren: Pzo ]- Feroxide (+at), Owmy (+at), Brenlaven (+at), Endotron (+at)'

Again the MTO is pretty clear...but the adds sometimes people get confused on which tank is with which add.  The list has a tank then a ':' then the mob.  So reading this it would be:

Feroxide: Meedo
Endo: Raddi
Owmy: Qezzin
Bren: Pzo

It is very important to ask BEFORE engage if you are not clear as a tank which mob you have...ask in tank channel, your group, via a tell, or in FLRaids.  Guessing is not good for anyone.

Single Boss MTO, multiple Mini tanks, and multiple adds (non-specific)

This is an example from the TBM Enslaver raid...

Furro tells the raid,  '-[ Boss MTO Zarake, Blaqheart, Riprobin ]- Riprobin (+mt), Zarake (+mt), Blaqheart (+mt), Furro (+sym/rb), Windreaper (+mh), Doramurx (+sh)'

Furro tells the raid,  '-[ Adds ]- Brenlaven (+at), Endotron (+at), Slayinsin (+at), Feroxide (+at), Maglor (+at), Doramurx (+at), Luthernhamner (+at), Drexlyn (+at), Exuo (+at)'

Furro tells the raid,  '-[ Haunting miniboss Drexlyn, Brenlaven ]- Drexlyn (+at), Brenlaven (+at), Karric (+mh), Rhyslin (+mh), Luthernhamner (+sh)'

Furro tells the raid,  '-[ Brutal miniboss Endotron, Slayinsin ]- Endotron (+at), Slayinsin (+at), Zenyan (+sym/rb), Toransa (+mh), Raccoo (+mh)'

Furro tells the raid,  '-[ Voracious miniboss Exuo, Minasu ]- Exuo (+at), Minasu (+at), Slayinsin (+sh), Twoma (+growth/m), Pikell (+mh), Feroxide (+sh)'

The Boss MTO is like normal.

The Adds are AE aggro'd with tanks in the list picking up adds. There may not be a specific ETW assignment made by Furro...but there is nothing stopping the add tanks from working out an informal order. "Slayinsin tells FLTanks, I have ETW 3 add" could be an example so the other tanks know that slot is covered. Tanks should pick ETW slots IN ORDER LISTED to avoid confusion. Tanks that have lots of mobs should use the "have lots on me!" hotkey all tanks are suppose to have setup.

The Mini tank order is expected to be like a MTO order. Tanks go IN ORDER LISTED.

Single Boss MTO and multiple adds (specific assignments)

Finally, there are examples where there is a boss MTO and various sets of add tanks. Like on Grannus...

Furro tells the raid,  '-[ Grannus MTO: Zarake, Minasu ]- Zarake (+mt), Minasu (+mt), Zenyan (+sym/rb), Raccoo (+growth&slow/m)'

Furro tells the raid,  '-[ Adds: Golems (a_soother##, put NW corner) Doramurx, Hardaen, Maglor ]- Maglor (+at), Doramurx (+at), Hardaen (+at)'

Furro tells the raid,  '-[ Adds: Steams (cleansing_steam##, put NE corner), Owmy, Bren, Endo ]- Brenlaven (+at), Endotron (+at), Owmy (+at), Feroxide (+mh)'

Furro tells the raid,  '-[ CC - MEZ Oozes SW corner (a_pool_of_radiance) ]- Riprobin (+special), Leazer (+special), Luthernhamner (+special), Pikell (+mh)'

In this case...there are multiple sets of adds.  Each set of adds have a list of add tanks.  The tank names will be assigned IN ORDER LISTED.

Owmy - cleansing_steam00
Bren - cleansing_steam01
Endo - cleansing_steam02

The tanks MUST COMMUNICATE about the assignments. If there is any confusion speak up...BEFORE engage.  Ask in tank channel, group, via tells, even in FLraids if you must...but get clear about the assignments.

Single Boss MTO and multiple adds (non-specific)

Here is an example from TBM High Bokon Boromas with Boss MTO and unassigned adds...

Furro tells the raid,  '-[ Boss MTO Minasu, Blaqheart, Zarake ]- Minasu (+mt), Blaqheart (+mt), Zarake (+mt), Doramurx (+sh), Feroxide (+sh)'

Furro tells the raid,  '-[ Adds ]- Brenlaven (+at), Endotron (+at), Riprobin (+at), Drexlyn (+at), Leazer (+at), Luthernhamner (+at), Maglor (+at), Slayinsin (+at), Deadjester (+at), Exuo (+at)'

The Boss MTO is normal but the adds are AE aggro adds.  Again, there is no reason the add tanks can't work out informal ETW slots since the adds are random names and in waves. AE aggro is used to keep them off DPS. Tanks should pick ETW slots IN ORDER LISTED to avoid confusion. Tanks that have lots of mobs should use the "have lots on me!" hotkey all tanks are suppose to have setup.

Bottom line

The bottom line is that handling the boss and adds is key to winning any raid.  The Boss has to be handled for the raid to kill the boss to win the raid. The adds have to be handled so the raid can kill the boss/adds to win the raid. Normally, handling the boss and adds is the job of the tanks. Do not let the raid down by not communicating (and being clear) about assignments.

• If you are unclear on how the raid works...read the strat page then ask questions.
  
• If you are unclear on your assignment as a tank...read the strat page then ask questions.
  
• Furro will delay the raid to get it clear but he has to know...so MAKE IT KNOWN if you are unclear about your assignment!
  
• Ask in your group, tank channel, via tells, in FLRaids...just ask.
  
• MTO tanks go IN ORDER LISTED.
• In most cases...add tanks go IN ORDER LISTED.

3

Freelance Ramblings / Evolving Eye of Decay and Eye of Life

« on: May 08, 2016, 04:05:39 AM »

For those wanting to know how to evolve the eye's...

https://forums.daybreakgames.com/eq/index.php?threads/evolving-eye-of-decay-and-eye-of-life.232077/

Even tho the Eye of Decay says "The eye awaits the Vanquisher of Vim and Vigor" it is actually wrong per that post.  It seems the Eye of Decay needs Vanquisher of Wither and Decay achievement to evolve.

So, lets focus on the achievements when they are called for....going well so far....

4

Shadow Knight / SK DPS - Brenlaven style

« on: March 27, 2016, 06:38:45 AM »

How Brenlaven does DPS
Some have asked for Brenlaven's spell setup...so here is a general overview of how Brenlaven "tanks" (really does DPS) on raids.

Gimamam normally beats Brenlaven on parses and he has different information all of us could learn from...this is what Brenlaven does...but check out Gimamam's post on SK DPS here...http://forums.eqfreelance.net/index.php?topic=3436.0.

Start with the fact Brenlaven is not a good SK. There are better SKs all across the game...just ask them...they will tell you...so all of this is just Brenlaven's understanding of SK DPS.
Different types of SKs

There seems to be three broad play styles for SKs: The Aggro is King SK, the DoTs Rule SK, and the Lifetaps Rule SK. None of these play styles is necessarily wrong...just different.

• The Aggro is King SK.  These SKs typically use terrors and ae aggro abilities to hold aggro on the boss.  AE aggro can include Deceitful Deflection ae lifetap, Distasteful Bargin ae nuke, or Disgust ae aggro in addition to the ae aggro AA's. They think lifetaps are for patch heeling and thus are used only when needed...leaving it to the heelerz to keep them alive.
• The DoTs Rule SK. These SKs prefer DoTs for DPS. They use DoTs and either lean toward Aggro is King or Lifetaps Rule style. Basically, they use DoTs and either build aggro with terrors or they lifetap as needed between keeping DoTs going.
• The Lifetaps Rule SK.  These SKs believe in lifetaps as DPS.  They may use some DoTs and/or terrors but the main spell usage is lifetaps.

The Nuts and Bolts
Brenlaven is a Lifetaps Rule SK.  By looking at Furro's parse information it becomes clear Brenlaven is a Lifetaps Rule SK.  Below is an outline of Brenlaven's setup on raids.  For raids where no disease/corruption are allowed some spells change.  Brenlaven rarely uses a 2 hand weapon...and never on a burn...so all of this is with 1 hand/shield.

Here are the spells Brenlaven normally has loaded on raids:



Furro expects specific debuffs to be cast on raids.  The current SK debuffs are Torrent of Hate, Dire Strangulation, and Torrent of Misery.

• Torrent of Misery - is an AC group boost/reduces the mobs AC and is a raid debuff.
• Bond of Bonemaw - is a DoT heel...self heeling FTW!
• Dire Strangulation - is a DoT raid debuff...commonly assigned to Brenlaven.
• Spear of Vizat - is a nuke.
• Dichotomic Fang - is a huge lifetap.
• Impose for Power - is a self AC boost.
• Touch of Falsin - is a lifetap.
• Vizat's Skin - is a buff to absorb damage.
• Terror of Narus - is an aggro spell.
• Staunch Stance - is a self HP boost.
• Dire Declaration - is a big lifetap.
• Touch of Lutzen - is a lifetap.

As you can see there are only two DoTs and one is only loaded because it is a raid requirement.

The key to Brenlaven's DPS is multibind

Pure and simple...multibind is how Brenlaven produces so much DPS.  A multibind comes in two main forms...some people map spell gems to a single key while others map hotbars to a single key. Both work but Brenlaven prefers the hotbar setup because it allows for different setups by simply switching a hotbar page.

To multibind spell gems put the same letter in the Keypress OR Alternate column.



To multibind a hotbar pick a hotbar and put a letter in the Keypress column. Note that ALL pages of the hotbar will use the letter you choose.



Once you have the hotbar multibind setup then pick the spells and anything else you need in the proper button locations.



On this hotbar there is one social then Spear of Vizat, Dichotomic Fang, Dire Declaration, Touch of Luzten, Touch of Falsin, Bond of Bonemaw, Dire Strangulation, and Torrent of Misery.

The order of the spells is important. Lag can impact how effective your multibind too. In the above list it is nearly impossible for Brenlaven to cast Torrent of Misery given the spell refresh times of all the spells before it...so Torrent of Misery is simply in the hotbar to make it easier to click to cast.

The social is a 'mash' key that does these abilities/discs: Repel, Bash, Vicious Bite of Chaos, Banestrike, and Lacerating Blade.



To DPS just mash the key selected over and over and over...the "N" key for Brenlaven.

BURNS

Over time Gimamam and Brenlaven have discussed burns and tried various different setups. Currently Brenlaven's burn hotkey is this...and is different than Gimamam's and other real SKs.



On a burn call Brenlaven will usually use Glyph of the Cataclysm then hit the hotkey above...which will cause him to gain instant aggro on the boss so use Shield Flash (if necessary) to let the MTO time to get the boss back...and if needed FD to drop it back on the MTO.

NOTE: Since you can gain aggro hitting this hotkey never use a 2 hand weapon with this hotkey.

That is basically it for Brenlaven DPS...if you have different setups or different ideas share them.  If you want to claim this is a bad setup then just start beating me on the parses (and share your setup here)...so we can all learn the right way to DPS.

Tanking a mob is only slightly different...usually no burns...more use of defensive disciplines and clickies...but the spells cast are the same...lifetaps. Maybe another post on how Brenlaven tanks will be done in the future

Brenlaven
AKA
Are we raiding PoWarrior tonight?