Jayad

As people here probably know, I'm not a fan of the Bleeding line, and not really the final ability either. I've been using Frontload for about 2 months now, and have really tried to maximize using it. However, I just don't feel it's adding much. I don't notice it popping a lot of hemos when I use on the two AOEs on a group. It's rare to see 2 or more, even though I'm pretty diligent about using it always when I can on groups. Frankly, I'm just not that impressed.

Unfortunately, I don't really like the other options, either.

When I switched from Bleeding to Poisons for Frontline, I didn't really lose much dps at all. Hardly noticable. So do I switch back? If I didn't notice the loss, hard to argue it's a good choice to go back to.

It's kind of bizarre but the tricks line has actually been more useful simply because I've had to solo some lately. So our worst line actually provides the most tangible benefit lately.

I love Repeated Stabbing though and you'll never take that away from me!

Guess I'm looking for some opinions, or if people have had similar choices. Maybe they can share their thoughts on it.

My current thinking on the subject is that I'll lose a slight amount from missing frontload, both on multiple and single targets, but I'll get it back with bleeding skills. (Since that's also slight increase) I'd prefer the "automatic" DPS with the final ability and not having to deal with trying to get frontload to work properly.

Anybody agree? Disagree?

Jayad

p.s. I usually have both a dirge and a templar in my group, so I should be proccing like mad with frontload, right?

Raina

you might be capped on proc rate with that grp idk

Ive noticed DD type procs and short duration procs seem more affected by frontload, but it is pretty random. I use Poisoned Seeds a lot and often get quite a few procs out of frontload with them, had the robe of battle proc 4 times in a row with frontload up and usually get at least one for sure.

I personally dont think it really matters which combination you go with since the actual DPS benefits are going to be fairly small from line to line. The poison and tricks lines fit my playstyle more so I like them a lot better then I did the other combinations.

Tried Tricks and Physicality combo? I know a few people who really like that setup.

Jayad

Well, Getaway is useful but not more so than actual dps, even if it's small, to my thinking. I have the Exacting enhancement even with the current setup. The addition physicality that would be useful is more haste (honed reflexes). defensive stance and sprint speed isn't all that big of a deal. On the other hand, in the bleeding line only the Cloaked Assault enhancement is really that useful, so I don't know

Vaanir

Mix them up then, as you can

I've tried countless combinations, the one i decided most beneficial to me is the one below..

Repeated Stabbing
Cloaked Assault 5/5
Exacting 5/5
Deadly Focus 5/5
Honed Reflexes 4/5
Hemotoxin 5/5
Emnesh 5/5



Much better imo than Bleeding, Getaway and Frontload, although depends highly on your playstyle and your raids (E.g. Hemotoxin and Exacting good for encounters with lots of adds... like theres many of them heh... )

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Vaanir

timmeh

Not to derail the topic, but has anyone that's used frontload tested the apply poison update? I've seen our berserkers hit huge zonewide numbers (easily 10%) with this proc, and my apply is only adpt3. How big do the numbers get with 5 points in apply?

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Jayad

Dunno. I usually can't use apply poison because I'm with a cleric in the group.

Raina

I didnt put any points in it

Satinah

Zerk dps went down by quite a bit since the proc and aa changes last LU. Dont think they can top parses like they used to now.

About the apply poison AA. . . as you know its a double edged sword with dot poisons since they overwrite, but yes it should help. . . more so on aoe fights or on tanks in def stance that cant proc much.

Vaanir

Update notes currently on test, so might wanna re-think about Frontload, heh.

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Vaanir