Looking for balanced build

sociopathia · May 2014

Thanks to the double XP weekend, I finally got my CW to 60. I can't even remember when I created him, and he hasn't been touched more than once in a week or so (only when I had nothing to do with my TR). So needless to say, my powers and feats are all over the place and the whole build is a mess.

Time for a re-spec.

I've been looking at tons of different builds, but can't decide on which one to use. So I was hoping that you guys could help me out and recommend one that fits my playstyle and plans.

What I want / don't want:

PVE focused
at least somewhat stable (e.g. Smitty's Renegade sounds really interesting, but just too unpredictable)
not a glass cannon that gets 1-hitted if I make one wrong move
nice damage output (no need to top the paingiver chart every single time, but not too far behind either)
but also not completely forgetting the whole 'control' aspect
basically, a nice mix of DPS, survivability, and some control (in that order of priority)

Edit: Since I have zero experience with CWs, I should probably also ask if balanced builds are even viable (because it seems like most people just go for glass cannons).

pointsman · May 2014

Well, pretty much any PVE CW will get one-shotted with a wrong move because our defense stats generally are so poor. But that is okay because CWs are supposed to be frail, scholars instead of fighters. We have to rely on our intellects instead of our gear in order to survive.

Basically all of the popular builds out there are rather glass-cannon-y. Stox's build is definitely a glass cannon, and Grimah's build is not that far behind. I think the basic reason behind this is that CWs defend themselves not with gear, but with dodging. So to be a good CW, you really have to be a pro at dodging. With that in mind, making a build that substitutes defense for offense isn't really worth it, because you are giving up offensive capabilities for a marginal increase in defensive capabilities, which isn't all that useful because you're supposed to dodge anyway, and even if you don't dodge, your (marginally more defensive) gear and build won't save you in any event. At least in places where it really matters, like the Draco fight in CN.

The tankiest PVE builds that I have seen have been based on the Shadow Weaver set in one way or another, which is more defensive than the more popular High Vizier set. If you are going to go with Shadow Weaver though you might as well go Renegade. There aren't really a lot of Renegades out there anymore though.

ripyourlipsoff · May 2014

You're only defense its your Dodge and your Control, that's really all you have. You can pad defensive stats all day but you will be hurting yourself in DPS. High Regeneration / Life Steel will greatly help you, but in the end you must get out of the red spots and dodge, and if you aggro a big baddie control it with one power and move position maybe alert your team, usually the tank or another will see you and help you out.

sociopathia · May 2014

Okay, so apparently dodging really is our only true defense mechanism. Ugh. I was hoping for a more tanky build that doesn't make me completely useless compared to pure DPS builds. Oh well...

Seems like Stox's and Grimah's (Thaum) builds are the most popular/common ones. Any preferences there? And what about Grimah's Renegade?

ripyourlipsoff · May 2014

I play a Spell Storm Thaum build, I do 80% pvp 20% pve so thats my style.

You should play what suits you, and stop worrying about the cookie cutter builds unless you are not meeting DPS / Control requirements. I hated when WOW dumbed down each class to auto pick talents for you all but a few... It ruined the diversity of the game.

Play what YOU like, and change things only if its not gear related.

Looking for balanced build

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