How do you get behind ++hardtargetlock?

rustlord

So for a while now, I've had my version of the Courage Breaker build with enough piercing damage that I can kill anyone, well anyone except one, to be more precise -- except a few handful of people playing one class -- the GF. I know we all get a lot of grief from those holy-mother-of-tin-cans and I shouldn't be complaining, but what struck me as obvious was that I dispatch a good number of GFs too regardless of gear. The other day I just locked a 4k to death.

I only figured out today that the ones I'm having trouble with are the ones using ++hardtargetlock. They're always facing you no matter how you reposition, and just can't daze or damage them behind that shield. So if it wasn't for this st*pid bind... #rage

What this is really about is; Does anyone know how to get around a hardtargetlocking opponent? I'd really love to know.

demonmonger

Shadow clad breaks hard target on stealth of enchantment

trgluestickz

rustlord said:

So for a while now, I've had my version of the Courage Breaker build with enough piercing damage that I can kill anyone, well anyone except one, to be more precise -- except a few handful of people playing one class -- the GF. I know we all get a lot of grief from those holy-mother-of-tin-cans and I shouldn't be complaining, but what struck me as obvious was that I dispatch a good number of GFs too regardless of gear. The other day I just locked a 4k to death.

I only figured out today that the ones I'm having trouble with are the ones using ++hardtargetlock. They're always facing you no matter how you reposition, and just can't daze or damage them behind that shield. So if it wasn't for this st*pid bind... #rage

What this is really about is; Does anyone know how to get around a hardtargetlocking opponent? I'd really love to know.

Smokebomb despite being an aoe appears to work against a gf if you trigger it behind their 180 degree sheild. Knowing this, its possible to take advantage of the fact that gfs are always facing you. Put the smokebomb in front of them like normal then quickly spring over their head or walk around to get on other side. this will make the gf turn and should put the gf's back to your smokebomb causing them to take the daze. If that does not work, gang up on him with a teammate and attack from oposite ends(something that 2 people fighting a gf should always do), they will be forced to either focus on only one of you or toggle off their target lock. If the Gf's choice of key they bound target lock to is perhaps not the best choice or if they are slow to toggle it off, you may end up with a short window of the gf being a little distracted and possibly even more vulnerable.

Once you manage to get the gf stunned, make use of powers like dazing strike and try to keep him stunned and cbed as long as you can.

Another thing that can help is putting your smokebomb down after they have been holding their sheild up for an extended amount of time. If you are lucky, they will run down their stamina or simply screw up and let go of it momentairly.

Another useful thing to know is that smokebomb unlike other TR stuns has a short delay before its daze kicks in. That can help you better use it as well as figure out how long you've got to dodge out of it if you are caught in one youself. You can even still hit someone from inside a smokebomb with a fast power like dazing strike before the daze kicks in.

rustlord

Wow, thanks both of you! I didn't know Shadowclad could counter that! I might be able to adjust my build in the future to use Shadowclad instead of Negation. In the meantime, I think I could make the best use of Smoke Bomb the way @trgluestickz explained. I only knew that if get them caught in Smoke Bomb they're finished, so I was trying to land Dazing from behind them first. I've never tried to turn them around on purpose! It would be like using their own target lock against them, so this is really incredible news!

Thanks again

trgluestickz

Another thing you can try is going total bucking bronco mode and moving/jumping around a lot right on top of them and around them while they have you target locked. Their point of view on hard target lock is always going to be on the target so you can try your luck at making them confused, disoriented, and dizzy. The more movement speed and stamina you have, the more likely this is to be effective.

Just for the hell of it, one time, I tried hard target locking Demonmonger while we were sitting in PE and he was just running around me in circles at 170% speed. With my screen practically on light speed marry go round mode, I don't need to imagine how disorienting that would be in pvp. Add in jumping and other erratic movement and you can now make choosing to leave on that hard target lock of theirs a very punishing experience.

Have fun.

demonmonger

(Evil grin)

trgluestickz

demonmonger said:

(Evil grin)

I had a feeling you'd like this realization of mine Demonmonger I don't believe I ever told you this concept when it first occurred to me. Perhaps I was too dizzy at the time...