SirAmoel

So Sta, wtg, right? But why would I take a dinner plate over a tower shield, even if it is for some more dps? I might be wrong, but maybe if I go Int, get the haste, some crit from Str, and get a tower shield, I might be better off?

I'll asume the 5% avoidance you're referring to is the change between shields. If it is that low, I'll shut it now and go get a dinner plate.

Chumann

The avoidance lost with the STA line becomes minimize when you max the 4th ability in the STA line (the one that increases riposte %). Increasing your % chance to riposte also increases your % chance to parry. By taking the "dinner plate" line as you call it, you do lose the avoidance of a tower shield but you gain 8% more avoidance through parry. It is likely that you'll have better overall avoidance with the STA line if you have a good buckler over an average tower shield.

Even if you don't have more avoidance, the guardian is easily capable of sustaining any kind of damage from any group zone in game with a buckler if you have decent gear and halfway competent healers.

You can justify not taking the STA line, but you should at least try it out. It may take some time to get used to, but eventually aggro issues become a thing of the past. Not to mention you'll kill things much faster.

STA 4-4-8-8 ftw.

Fouk

Since the WIS line is FUBAR, I don't see any reason not to include the STA line in both MT and DPS specs.

I roll with STR, STA, AGI and INT (INT4,1) for MTing, getting Defense, aoe and reflexes from AGI, avoid and dps with STA (swapping towershield for ToS only) and 4,1 in INT for the added haste.

If you feel pwned with your dinnerplate of choice, then go for STR, AGI, INT with Towershield instead - maxing all defensive and then go for 2hander / dualwield for dps

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Sciomar

I roll with stamina and intelligence lines on my guard alt and and can solo like a champ, even a few triple up nameds...been that spec up to lvl 57 now not sure how it is in tier 8 or with mythical. Power is the only big issue, seems like I blow thru the power rather quickly but not as bad as my shadow knight does. Aggro is a non-issue when grouping and raiding thus far.

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Aralas

sta is a beast just bc the power reduction imo i switch around for soloing on my alt, sta/wis(so i can hit the yellow and orange i solo) and int

Falken

"I recon there won't be a hard and fast rule, but if someone could say what was useful pre-70 for him, that would be nice. I'm primarily looking into improving my hate gain while not sacrificing that much defense."


lvl <70 you wont find a decent buckler to make STA worth while, so i really wouldn't bother with it.

when you get to to 70 and get a nice buckler, (new MC or festering flesh are nice) then start thinking about a respec into STA because it will help with the slog of solo quests lvling 70-78 and then eventually for raid tanking.

WAR-DUDE

While grinding thru the POK solo quests.

I found I had to drop the STA line, some reason i was just dropping too fast.

Switched to this current set up.

STR 4,4,8
WIS 4,4,8,8,2
INT 4,5,8,8,2

Current level is 77 and the DPS is acceptable, as is the ability to withstand damage.

Anap KaSplat

WIS is a waste of points.

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WAR-DUDE

Perhaps for you.

For the leveling player that is not Ubar, with phat lewts.

It seems to be a sound investment.

Anap KaSplat

Tell me why you are down the WIS line and I'm sure I can provide a solid argument as to why any other line would be better for you.

Have you tried dropping WIS and putting those points into AGI?

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