Ultimate Vitality Build Venomancer Guide

Flamingchill - Heavens Tear
Flamingchill - Heavens Tear Posts: 38 Arc User
edited June 2009 in Venomancer
Welcome to
FlamingChill's one and only Vitality Build Guide for Venomancers!

Pros and Cons
Pros- Decent HP, Decent Phys Def, HIGH mag def if you use arcane armor, PROVEN 25% chance of surviving more then a Magic Pure veno
Cons- Lower damage at higher lvls(Around 60+), Must switch build when you hit lv70(aka GrindFest USA) to the normal Pure Magic Veno(This is optional but it will speed up the grind process) *Edit* Once you hit Lv70, Go for the Leather Rifle build(see below) if you chose pistol. If you chose lather rifle, stay or change to pure magic (+5 mag - +4 mag +1 str(You know the drill))

Stat Distribution
FIRST of all, You can go for the Leather Rifle
Alternate between +4 mag +1 str and +4 mag +1 vit
Get +Magic and +Vitality Gear and ESPECIALLY Get +Phys def gear
The +Magic and + Phys Def more important then Vitality
OR You can go for the Metal Pistol Build
+3 mag +2 vit, +3 mag +1 str +1 vit. A lot less damage, a lot more uhhhh survivalbility. Also when you have sockets, use them ASAP. Even if you can't afford Average Shards. I, personally, like to put in common phys def shards, and HP shards. For the magic weapons, put magic atk shards obviously, to make up for our low attack. Im sorta dissapointed about what my chracter menu says:
Magic Damage = 2534 - 2860 And Im Lv64 T.T I've Seen Lower lvl(Like Lv60) wizards with 2700-3100 magic damage... Also, don't forget to refine your gear for that HP add up
Like a poster said; Robe build with vit isnt going to cut it. This is 80% TRUE; If you play this build right, you can take 3x more hits a robe only build can take. Its called the 100 vit 100 str 300 mag build; I have no actual evidence, but I can tell you 100 vit = the survival; 100 str = the fox power; and 300 mag = the magic nukes


Why would I do Vitality Build?
Well being a vitality build venomancer is*edit* ALMOST perfect. With all my phys def and equally good mag def, I get a 30% damage reducement from phys atk(Turns into 45%+ in foxform) and Still manage to get 55%+ damage reducement from magic atk
Vitality Build Venomancers do extremely well in the higher lvls 60+, Since, even though damage output is lower, You can take a LOT of hits if you lose arrgo. And you don't get arrgo from your pet at all!Vitality build gives more damage then light armor build, because You only focus on Magic, Str, and Vit, while Light armor requires a lot of dex str. And vitality build veno doesnt need a lot of str like light armor does, and doesnt need any dex at all, giving all those dex/str pts a chance to be in magic, to intensify your damage!b:angry And by the way, Heavy Armor, I will slaughter you if i ever meet you only if your in 10 lvls of range in me lol. A lv10 cant beat a Lv80 >.> Or can they?*Grabs Ancient Arbor*

What about Skills?
Well......*Takes Deep Breath*
Venomous Scarab- No matter what build, max it out ASAP; Its your grind/spam skill
Ironwood Scarab- Same goes for above, max it out ASAP, the phys def reducer makes your pet kill faster; also a grind/spam skill
Blazing Scarab- Keep it Lv1, Mine is lv3 though because I tend to do bosses a lot and DoTs are nice; save for dmg spacing out or boss fights
Frost Scarab- Keep it Lv1, It costs 1 spark for BARELY a chance of freezing. Don't buy it at all if you want. Nearly worthless
Noxious Gas- Its a decent AoE, pulls arrgo too many times though. I'd say max it when you have the money and spirit. Use IF u can ever go on a zhen party lol. Also use to gather chi in dungeons
Lucky Scarab- Really nice stun with HIGH chance of stunning. I'd say max it when you have money and spirit. Grind/spam skill
Parasitic Nova- Make it stay at Lv1. For a veno's ulti skill, It sorta sucks. 2 spark cost and only a chance of choatic effect. The damage is high, but requires to much to cast. Really good to use during bosses if your solo-ing. Zen party use or boss fight
Wood Mastery- Max ASAP, more dmg = faster kill = faster lvl

Foxform- Max it to Lv3. A vitality build veno plays a lot with this skill. The +120% of max phys def is NICE, its 'Perfect' for escapes
Foxform Attacks- Keep all of them lv1-3 except for 1 of the following 2: Befuddling Mist or leech. Leech is highly recomended since its like an HP potion. Mist is OK(edit by Yourmom) I kept mine at Lv3. According to one of the posters, try getting both, lower accuracy will cause you to use Leech less often, saving MP. Stunning blow should be something to invest in; 3.5 second stun at Lv1
Foxform Debuffs- Amplify damage max it when you have money. The other ones....well vitality build venos.....we sorta just need amplify damage. Uh Purge is nice too. If you go sage it becomes an AoE i think. Pretty cool stuff. Max before you hit 60....or ASAP.
Melee Mastery- Get it, if you plan on playing with Foxform A LOT. I personally only keep it at Lv5...I might lvl it on later. Doesnt know if it makes much difference *edit* thanks to Rei, Max out this ONLY if u have some sort of STR build with it(hard to manage with vit but...If you go like +3 mag +1 vit +1 str every lvl; it may work i guess. Might restat later on)

Summer Sprint- Max it ASAP. Nice speed, perfect for a stylish get away. Not that the Vitality Build Venos are scared though b:surrender
Metalic Boost and Nature's Grace- Max when you can. They work just like 5 minute cooldown charms lol. Great chain with Soul Transfusion
Lending Hand- Get it as soon as your lv46. Perfect to help barbarians tank bosses. Pretty much why venos are liked by barbs, and to keep arrgo. Even if barb loses it, Vitality will save your ****. Lending hand will also help give chi to clerics in TTs so they can use BB
Bramble Guard and Bramble Hood- MAX ASAP! No matter if PvE or PvP this is your best support buff possible! Hood is KILLER KILLER KILLER during PvP
Soul Transfusion-Get it once u hit Lv29. Makes a great combo with Metalic Boost and Nature's Grace.
Spark Eruption- Of course you should get this. More Dmg= Faster Kill = Faster Lvl = Less grind time = happy you = BOOMSTIX!
Swimming Mastery- Get it. Faster swimming, low cost. Water speed helps in those higher lvl with Water Mob quests. *Edit* Seriously, GET IT NOWWW! >.<

Vitality Build Venomancer Perfect Pets
Now theres a debate on this, so I'll say one sentence. "Vitality Build Venomancers only require what normal PvE venomancers need but with a few exceptions."

Pets-
Crystalline Magmite(Lv17) - Awesome pet overall, good tank, if you got cash your willing to throw in, put flesh ream for more pet damage or put in howl for more magic damage.

Soulchaser Antelope(Lv54) - The reason why I recomend this pet is because of 3 reasons, First of all, Its a nice magic tank, Second, It has Lv3 Howl, perfect for dealing more magic damage that us Vit-no's(Vitality venos) lack. Finally, it also is a cheap alternative to frog.

Cactopod(Lv4-13 ones only) - These guys are nice, especially when you get arrgo from your pet. The slow on some of them keeps the mob at bay, while you can nuke all the damage you please. The toxic mist also keeps arrgo and Inferior Cactopods actually KITE mobs. ^^

Molten Ant Soldier(Lv22) - This tamable mob from Human FB19 is really good. Lv2 pierce and Lv2 bash, nice starting skills for sure. This little bugger is like the magmite of the insect world. It's high accuracy and evasion is really good in PvP and its small size doesnt crowd screen.

Sower of Flame(Lv63(?)) - Chicken from FB59. The ground-oriented cousin of the legendary Phoenix, this guy is an awesome lure pet for vitality venos. Its 9.2m/sec and high attack make it the Kowlin of birds. Phoenix must be proud.

Pinnaer Foxwing(Lv34) - REALLY good air PvE based pet. Good HP, decent atk, ok def, high speed. Has howl, which is REALLY important in air because it makes up for the damage penality.

Shallowhirl Turtle(Lv5) - This turtle is nice in its higher levels. Really one of the only worth leveling water pet. Pretty much the magmite of the seas, I bet his legendary dad, the Celestial Plumpfish is pleased.

Kowlin - Personal favorite, high speed(10.2m/sec I think), high atk, but low def, Lv4 flesh ream saves a load of money and it makes a nice PvE/PvP pet. Really good. I named mine Scooby ^^

Frogling - A good overall pet. It has phys def, something that other mag tanks lack. Even though it has less m. def, it has more p .def. The low attack may be a bummer but this guy is UNDERrated. For 300k per, this guy is worth every penny.

I'm not going to mentionany others, but feel free to share your opinions

End NotesConclusion
Vitality Build Venomancers are overall the 2nd best combination of Physical and Magical Defense(edit lol). Decent Damage Output, makes you more then a glass cannon, it makes you a leather rifle! b:shocked Anyways, I know this isn Ultimate or Perfect, but its a general overview. I will make edits later on, please make this a sticky!(PLEASE!)

Different Build Ratings
This is unbiased. I'm basing this off what Ive read and what my friends think. Some of it is done by caculations, anyways Lets get to it.

Pure Magic Venomancer - 5/5 in damage - 1.5/5 in defence
Leather Rifle Build - 4/5 in damage - 3/5 in defence
Metal Pistol Build - 3.5/5 in damage - 3.5/5 in defence
Light Armor Build Venomancer - 3/5 in damage 3/5 in defence(in PvP)
Heavy Armor Build Venomancer - 2.75/5 in damage 4.5/5 in defence
Heavy Armor Build WITH Arcane robes - 2.75/5 in damage 4.75/5 in defence


Thanks for viewing, please post some feedback! Thank you! Trolling shall be punished by back talk >=D
I curse you and my curse is that you be what you already are..!


[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Post edited by Flamingchill - Heavens Tear on
«1

Comments

  • Yourmom - Lost City
    Yourmom - Lost City Posts: 1,655 Arc User
    edited March 2009
    Some things to add:

    LA build does not use all 4 stats, you ignore vit.

    Leveling befuddling mist should not really be a priority. There's not a whole lot of reason to try and use that as a main attack against mobs. As a robe, you want to do everything you can to avoid aggro.

    You didn't mention purge at all, which is the veno's best pvp skill, and is quite useful against a few bosses later in the game. It should be maxed asap.

    Also you didn't mention wood mastery, that should be maxed too in order to deal more damage.



    Anyways, not a bad guide, this build does pretty well in pvp, since you have a crazy amount of hp at higher levels.
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
  • Obsessed - Heavens Tear
    Obsessed - Heavens Tear Posts: 670 Arc User
    edited March 2009
    I wouldnt call this an "ultimate" vitality build, considering you only get one vit every 2 levels, you are still a glass cannon like this, espicially in the 90+. You really could go 6mag/1str/3vit and would probably be more survivable.
    Vitality Build Venomancers are overall the best combination of Physical and Magical Defense.

    I lol'd, End game Heavy armor build says hi.

    You just listed an average pve arcane veno with -some- vit build. Overall not a horrible guide, but far from ultimate.
  • Zoe - Heavens Tear
    Zoe - Heavens Tear Posts: 3,814 Arc User
    edited March 2009
    I have 60 base vit so in a way, I followed this guide long before you wrote it.b:laugh
    Main characters
    Celestial Sage Venomancer Zoe - 100
    Sage Barbarian Malego - 91
  • Flamingchill - Heavens Tear
    Flamingchill - Heavens Tear Posts: 38 Arc User
    edited March 2009
    I wouldnt call this an "ultimate" vitality build, considering you only get one vit every 2 levels, you are still a glass cannon like this, espicially in the 90+. You really could go 6mag/1str/3vit and would probably be more survivable.



    I lol'd, End game Heavy armor build says hi.

    You just listed an average pve arcane veno with -some- vit build. Overall not a horrible guide, but far from ultimate.

    Heavy Armor has less magic defense for sure, unless you mix it with arcane pieces of armor and have +elemental defense gear. And the attack is lower, not by much, but lower for sure. (I made 3 venos, The Vitality One(My main), a Pure Mage One(Deleted) and a Melee One(Deleted)
    I curse you and my curse is that you be what you already are..!


    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
  • Obsessed - Heavens Tear
    Obsessed - Heavens Tear Posts: 670 Arc User
    edited March 2009
    Heavy Armor has less magic defense for sure, unless you mix it with arcane pieces of armor and have +elemental defense gear. And the attack is lower, not by much, but lower for sure. (I made 3 venos, The Vitality One(My main), a Pure Mage One(Deleted) and a Melee One(Deleted)
    You said best "combination" of magic and physical not just magical. Obviously it will have less then pure robes, but it can mix robes if need be, hence my disagreement.

    Attack lower, to this build yes, to majority of pvp builds (light + full vit arcane), no. Also its not substantially lower to make any signifigant impact.

    Didnt intend to sound flamy, but the build is pretty much your average pve veno and is pretty much already stated as such in the stickied thread.
  • Reikara - Heavens Tear
    Reikara - Heavens Tear Posts: 1,321 Arc User
    edited March 2009
    For any serious fox form users, melee mastery should be maxed. It adds on 120% weapon damage to physical attack in fox form only. Don't recommend maxing unless you have some sort of str build though.

    Purge only has an aoe effect as sage. (Remember that you dont instantly gain those attributes to your skills when you become sage or demon, you must first either farm or buy the skill books +then buy the skill at your trainer)
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
  • Reikara - Heavens Tear
    Reikara - Heavens Tear Posts: 1,321 Arc User
    edited March 2009
    b:angry And by the way, Heavy Armor, I will slaughter you if i ever meet you. *Grabs Ancient Arbor*

    Bringeth it, pve.
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
  • Yourmom - Lost City
    Yourmom - Lost City Posts: 1,655 Arc User
    edited March 2009
    Heavy Armor has less magic defense for sure, unless you mix it with arcane pieces of armor and have +elemental defense gear. And the attack is lower, not by much, but lower for sure. (I made 3 venos, The Vitality One(My main), a Pure Mage One(Deleted) and a Melee One(Deleted)

    Obsessed was talking about endgame heavy armor, meaning hh90 gear. If you compare the % damage reduction from magic when you're wearing that to when you're wearing light or robes, its really not that far off, especially compared to the huge reduction you get from physical damage.
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
  • Sabai - Heavens Tear
    Sabai - Heavens Tear Posts: 22 Arc User
    edited March 2009
    I liked the use of colors in the guide that made it easy to read.

    I don't think you have to sell it so much, people will want to make this build or not. (glances at Zoe) Words like Ultimate this early in the work might be premature. (I see you did put that at the bottom).

    It was also disheartening that you didn't follow your own build in game, I would probably leave that part out.

    From my perspective me being a "glass Cannon". This build only being 60 VIT is a little light, it appears your not adding HP to armor as much as INT? You don't get a choice of INT when you refine arcane. It's purely HP. My gear is only +2 and I have 2700 HP's. If you are adding HP by gear, you should add that, and what your actual HP is with/without gear but you'd need to then use this build to show that.

    hope any of this helps with the guide, good idea!
  • Isala - Sanctuary
    Isala - Sanctuary Posts: 1,607 Arc User
    edited March 2009
    I have 60 base vit so in a way, I followed this guide long before you wrote it.b:laugh

    Same here. 60 is a nice round number for leaving Vit at. Enough to get some HP regen, with some decent numbers to your actual HP. As an LA/Robe Hybrid build, I do disagree with one thing. Your assessment of the fox skills is a bit off. You want to maximize BOTH Befuddling mist and Leech. Leech, obviously, for free HP, and mist, for the accuracy break. Don't lose as much HP if the mob can't hit you. Also, you forgot to mention Consume Spirit. This is my Godsend duel skill.

    Here's the scene. You're dueling in foxform, and Oh no! You're almost out of HP! BUT. You have a nice stash of MP. What do you do??? Soul Tranfusion, of course. But now.... You're almost out of MP! Solution: Use Consume Spirit. It may cost you a bit of HP, but you get the MP back to use Leech and Mist again. Leech, having been properly raised, gives you back the HP you just used, allowing you to keep bringing the fight to your foe.

    And, no, it's just not for duels. I'm actually to the point where I can solo bosses using those skills. FB19, I can do without pet entirely. And I can become an impromptu tank in emergencies.

    While I like your idea, you ignored the simple fact that for sheer survivability, a robe veno just isn't going to cut it. It is impressive, but one melee mob you never saw coming up your backside, and you're a dead veno. All it takes is a few shots. Less, if it's an FB mob.

    I will say one thing though. It is a good build to keep up with the equipment. You can have the highest gear with Vit, and that is nothing to sneeze at.

    Decent guide, yes. Ultimate? No. There is no "Ultimate Build". And like Sabai said. You didn't even follow your guide.
  • fuzzles
    fuzzles Posts: 628 Arc User
    edited March 2009
    Ehhh.. sorry, but this guide is ****.

    Vit veno builds have their place, but they're not as godly as you try to make them out to be.

    You're spreading a bunch of misinformation around. I would suggest that anyone who's interested in a vit veno build take anything written in this guide with a grain of salt. It's not entirely accurate.
    Everyone here is ridiculously oversensitive.
  • Flamingchill - Heavens Tear
    Flamingchill - Heavens Tear Posts: 38 Arc User
    edited March 2009
    fuzzles wrote: »
    Ehhh.. sorry, but this guide is ****.

    Vit veno builds have their place, but they're not as godly as you try to make them out to be.

    You're spreading a bunch of misinformation around. I would suggest that anyone who's interested in a vit veno build take anything written in this guide with a grain of salt. It's not entirely accurate.

    Be specific. Stop trolling. I want details. Dont just go around saying things, u can't point out. quote me. b:angry
    I curse you and my curse is that you be what you already are..!


    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
  • visciousdeath
    visciousdeath Posts: 1 Arc User
    edited June 2009
    I like the colors... my favorite pet till i can get up to some more powerful ones is the Beetle King you find near the starting point in the game. It is lvl 5 so you can tame it as soon as you get the tame skill.

    This beetle starts out with Tough and Bash lvl 1. When I reached level 17 I bought a Crystalline Magmite and compared it to my beetle king. The beetle king has a higher mage def, evasion, attk rate, and movement speed than the Magmite at the cost of a little less dmg. I sold the Magmite. The beetle is tough to both physical and magic alike, and I find it requires little maintenance or assistance. So I can kill one mob while my beetle works on another one.
  • Lolite - Heavens Tear
    Lolite - Heavens Tear Posts: 215 Arc User
    edited June 2009
    Really like the pet suggestion part b:cute

    I'm turning lvl60 soon and looking for a high damage pet (My shaodu's attack is b:surrender). I'm very interested in the lvl61 fire bird you mentioned that could be caught in fb59. Could you provide more details on it? b:thanks
    Moved to WoW b:bye
  • tweakz
    tweakz Posts: 0 Arc User
    edited June 2009
    Wood Mastery- Max ASAP, more dmg = faster kill = faster lvl

    2% increase per level is not likely to save you any hits per kill. It takes coin to make coin, and a legendary pet should be a priority. Not saying don't upgrade this, but I would refrain from maxing it ASAP.
    Metalic Boost and Nature's Grace- Max when you can. They work just like 5 minute cooldown charms lol. Great chain with Soul Transfusion

    I've left Metabolic Boost at 7. If you're playing with an HP charm, you soul transfuse before your mp reaches 50% so you never need a full 50% heal.
    Lending Hand- Get it as soon as your lv46. Perfect to help barbarians tank bosses. Pretty much why venos are liked by barbs, and to keep arrgo.

    I've rarely used this, never found it necessary, and and find barbs hate us.
    Lending hand will also help give chi to clerics in TTs so they can use BB

    So will dueling, attacking, or healing.
    Soul Transfusion-Get it once u hit Lv29. Makes a great combo with Metalic Boost and Nature's Grace.

    ..and leech
    Swimming Mastery- Get it. Faster swimming, low cost. Water speed helps in those higher lvl with Water Mob quests. *Edit* Seriously, GET IT NOWWW! >.<

    -And the description on this is "No Effect"! It's for barbs: not venos.
    Crystalline Magmite(Lv17) - Awesome pet overall, good tank, if you got cash your willing to throw in, put flesh ream for more pet damage or put in howl for more magic damage.

    Magmites are disposable pets. You shouldn't waste coin on their skills, just replace them.
    Soulchaser Antelope(Lv54) - The reason why I recomend this pet is because of 3 reasons, First of all, Its a nice magic tank, Second, It has Lv3 Howl, perfect for dealing more magic damage that us Vit-no's(Vitality venos) lack. Finally, it also is a cheap alternative to frog.

    What's a magic tank needed for besides Trioc in FB39? 54 is a bit high for farming 39, and an Eldergoth Marksman (starts at 41) is almost as good for tanking Trioc.
    Sower of Flame(Lv63(?)) - Chicken from FB59. The ground-oriented cousin of the legendary Phoenix, this guy is an awesome lure pet for vitality venos. Its 9.2m/sec and high attack make it the Kowlin of birds. Phoenix must be proud.

    Eldergoth Marksman is available at lvl 41, and makes for a better lurer and overall pet.
    Shallowhirl Turtle(Lv5) - This turtle is nice in its higher levels. Really one of the only worth leveling water pet. Pretty much the magmite of the seas, I bet his legendary dad, the Celestial Plumpfish is pleased.

    Is there a single reason this should be leveled? The Plumpfish at lvl 80 will be faster, have comparable stats, and better skills. You lose rep farming ability by leveling water pets.
    Kowlin - Personal favorite, high speed(10.2m/sec I think), high atk, but low def, Lv4 flesh ream saves a load of money and it makes a nice PvE/PvP pet. Really good. I named mine Scooby ^^

    Over priced at 1.2m-1.5m as a rare pet, inferior to a free Marksman in luring, tanking, and atk. It looks good though.
    Frogling - A good overall pet. It has phys def, something that other mag tanks lack. Even though it has less m. def, it has more p .def. The low attack may be a bummer but this guy is UNDERrated. For 300k per, this guy is worth every penny.

    Horrible atk, and an almost worthless high mag def. Making it a viable pet cost more than a 1/10 of a Herc which is far superior. However if you have a Herc and Nix already, and can obtain the Herc's rare pet skills: It *might* have a use in much higher levels.
    Be kind: Help the GMs to depopulate the servers.
  • parbobeats12345
    parbobeats12345 Posts: 8 Arc User
    edited June 2009
    btw... doenst get HA build 1-2 shot by wizzies, archers and clerics (magic atks) ?
  • Alnnestasia - Dreamweaver
    Alnnestasia - Dreamweaver Posts: 20 Arc User
    edited June 2009
    @tweakz: Wood mastery is a 2% increase er level on ALL wood damage your character uses. It acts exactly the same as metal mastery for a Cleric. It is very useful for venomous scarab and noxious gas (which both deal wood damage and are useful all the time). Frost Scarab also deals wood damage. Read its effect. 2% of 1000 is only 20 damage per level of the skill, true. However it is meant for dealing damage when damage is necessary. Mobs shouldn't ever be an issue for a lone veno (and even less for a party veno, unless you have serious build issues), which is inferred from the class description of best solo class. Go on an FB for drops. That extra 20 per level of Wood mastery helps against a boss. Fox form, amplify damage (depending on your level and the bosses' level it might be resisted), soul degeneration, then return to humanoid form and use venomous, ironwood, and frost scarabs. you just helped the tank without ever drawing aggro. Wood mastery increases the damage your scarabs do to help kill and FB boss. At level ten it is 20%. Hrm... That becomes a good amount of extra wood damage. 20% of 1000 is 200 instead of 20. A increase of over 1000% in terms of added damage. I deal 1000 as a level 33 dex-vit hybrid. A pure mage at my level should hit harder. All you are focusing on is that 2% is not a lot. It is proportionately. And it stacks to become 4%, 6%, 8%, 10%, 12%, 14%, 16%, 18%, and finally 20%.

    Soul Transmute is more useful than you make it out to be for any type of veno. A pure mage veno can use it when they need MP badly, and are in a safe situation. Any veno would rather switch HP and MP rather than trigger a charm, since charms are 400K at least. And rather than trigger a charm when I have metabolic boost (mine is only 26%, and I can still do this), I take the 5 minute cooldown. Not utilizing skills that generate health and mana is not utilizing everything you have. Of course I don't hide behind my pet like most venos, so I guess I take more damage than others. Still, using soul transmutation, then using a regen percentage skill depending on what I switched for is better than blowing potions or part of a charm. Considering the skill cost you an initial and an upgrade, then never costs you again. The charm you have to keep buying more and more of as they break with use.

    Lending Hand is helpful, but I'll admit it isn't the best support a veno can be. bramble guard on the tank is much more useful. Especially when the tank is a barb, because it aids in keeping aggro. However the fact that barbs hate venos is untrue. I don't know how you act towards them, but I always find that barbs and BMs are willing to team with me happily because of my ability to hold my own. And my bramble guard buff helps them a lot more than any magic class. In fact, I don't meet a lot of people who hate venos because venos can help any class. I can act as a third tank (I can, not counting my pet. Hooray for fox form build...) for archers, clerics, and wizards. With other venos we can just kill areas of mobs easily without zhenning because we can heal each other's pets; two venos can attack four targets and win (possibly more depending on the pets).

    Yes. In a TT let us have a spike damage character attack. Oh, wait... It is our HEALER too. Nice idea. Spam healing also will draw aggro, and you waste a good amount of mana (arguably clerics have tons, but save it for when it is needed and don't blow that 400K charm because you needed chi, m'kay?).

    Leech is a percent chance to steal life... Not as useful as an assured switch amount and a assured percentage gain. Leech is also un-usable with Metabolic boost and Nature's Grace. Leech is a fox form skill, making it a combo with those two would be pointless because you would never cast them.

    Swimming Mastery is fail. Pure fail. At least for Venos. Summer Spirit is way better (abeit, at a higher level and not a passive buff).

    Magmites... Just... Die... I can kill a magmite of my level one on one. Oh, wait... Togrins too. My Crackpot Lynxus or a Scout Lynxus, or even just any Lynxus is better because of its physical resist and evade. They take 56s from mobs their level. An archer that is a good ten levels higher than me has to actually kite them, or at least spam winged pledge and winged shield, to beat them (when used as a pet). The damage output on a Togrin or Magmite? Laughable. They have good HP, yes, but if I wanted a HP tank I'd go find a barb and ask him to help. Also, unless you have a REALLY good pet, like a Foxwing Supreme or something... Don't waste the coins on teaching it skills. Maybe get a tame book every so often if you want to keep it for awhile, but 300-900K for a level one skill is rather... Stupid... unless you plan to never get rid of the pet.

    Magic Tank pets are fairly useless as well. Aren't you, as the veno, a magic user? Or did I miss something... A magic tank? Why not get a real tank and do your job yourself? Give a pet that is a true tank icicle if you REALLY want ranged attacks for your pet. That way it attacks from a range and you can pelt the mob with spells as the mob fights your pet, whole stole aggro with the ranged attack. A true tank (i.e. physical damage pet) is meant to be a... Tank... A magic using pet is meant to be a... Crappy version of a veno/wizard/cleric. Range isn't great since most mobs are melee physical anyway, and those that aren't normally switch to a melee attack (which is weaker) when you or your pet use melee; or they try to kite you, which is normally even better.

    Note on Trioc; Archer (or two) and two clerics. **** going out of your way to find a pet SPECIFICALLY for one boss. Players are better, smarter, and generally more effective than pets.

    Water pets are generally just as horrible as water mobs. Why? They are water mobs. They have no practical application, even in water. Even a pure mage veno is capable of dealing enough damage to beat a water based mob before dying. And if you aren't a pure mage veno, you can take more then four hits from something your level that does physical or magical damage so it won't be a problem. Water pets sap time. Water mobs are horrible at lower levels for EXP as well (good luck leveling that level five piece of seafood), so you are wasting grind time if you don't HAVE to kill those mobs.

    @parbobeats12345; HA build should not have a one shot issue. They are still an inherently magic class, and a smart HA will use sapphire shards on their armor to compensate for not wearing robes or LA. Maybe around level 15-20 when the Wizard gets some good spells you might have this issue, but at my level it won't be a problem. If you have armor without sockets past level 25, you need new armor.
  • Mint_sage - Heavens Tear
    Mint_sage - Heavens Tear Posts: 64 Arc User
    edited June 2009
    ppl...she's talking about non legendary pets.

    I just skimmed through your long posts, their too long.

    And you seem to be hating on venos with vit...b:angry
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
    by Forsaken :D
  • Ladydeadlock - Heavens Tear
    Ladydeadlock - Heavens Tear Posts: 366 Arc User
    edited June 2009
    tweakz wrote: »
    I've left Metabolic Boost at 7. If you're playing with an HP charm, you soul transfuse before your mp reaches 50% so you never need a full 50% heal.
    A veno should not be using charms... With the abilities veno get from their skills buying charms is just... wrong. Now with Tree of Protection you have even less reasons to buy a charm. If you use charms because your metabolic boost isnt maxed (or the other way around), you will end up saving more money by maxing meta boost. I havent bought any charms since first day I started this game and never felt like I needed to.
    So will dueling, attacking, or healing.
    I hope you not gonna start dueling in the middle of a TT boss ;) Point is it's a quick solution when the emergency strikes. It's not like it costs much anyway. But other then that I agree, I have only used it very few times.
    ..and leech
    Yes and no.. Turning fox form cutting your MP to 80%, using leech several times to fill your health and count with a few misses, switching back to human, is gonna be a hell of a mana drainer.. Oh yeah, sometimes I was stupid enough to use nature's grace right before..b:chuckle
    *Semi retired*
  • tweakz
    tweakz Posts: 0 Arc User
    edited June 2009
    @tweakz: Wood mastery is a 2% increase er level on ALL wood damage your character uses. It acts exactly the same as metal mastery for a Cleric. It is very useful for venomous scarab and noxious gas (which both deal wood damage and are useful all the time). Frost Scarab also deals wood damage. Read its effect. 2% of 1000 is only 20 damage per level of the skill, true. However it is meant for dealing damage when damage is necessary. Mobs shouldn't ever be an issue for a lone veno (and even less for a party veno, unless you have serious build issues), which is inferred from the class description of best solo class. Go on an FB for drops. That extra 20 per level of Wood mastery helps against a boss. Fox form, amplify damage (depending on your level and the bosses' level it might be resisted), soul degeneration, then return to humanoid form and use venomous, ironwood, and frost scarabs. you just helped the tank without ever drawing aggro. Wood mastery increases the damage your scarabs do to help kill and FB boss. At level ten it is 20%. Hrm... That becomes a good amount of extra wood damage. 20% of 1000 is 200 instead of 20. A increase of over 1000% in terms of added damage. I deal 1000 as a level 33 dex-vit hybrid. A pure mage at my level should hit harder. All you are focusing on is that 2% is not a lot. It is proportionately. And it stacks to become 4%, 6%, 8%, 10%, 12%, 14%, 16%, 18%, and finally 20%
    .

    When you're in a full squad, you're only doing 1/6 of the attacking, and your pet is doing a portion of that. In tt, your attack is reduced while your pet's isn't. If the target is wood based, it's even less of an effect. For a 15 minute fight with a full squad, it's going to save you exactly how much time now? The skill becomes very expensive before it reaches lvl 10, and I maintain that there are better investments at the levels this becomes available. I have it at lvl 20 myself, but pets came first as they and our ability to keep them alive is what limits us most.
    Soul Transmute is more useful than you make it out to be for any type of veno. A pure mage veno can use it when they need MP badly, and are in a safe situation.

    Don't know what this is even about? You're replying to me?
    Leech is a percent chance to steal life... Not as useful as an assured switch amount and a assured percentage gain. Leech is also un-usable with Metabolic boost and Nature's Grace. Leech is a fox form skill, making it a combo with those two would be pointless because you would never cast them.

    You know how to switch back and forth from fox to human and back? How about trying it again if it doesn't work the first time?
    Give a pet that is a true tank icicle if you REALLY want ranged attacks for your pet.

    Last I checked, none of the elemental attacks were ranged.
    Be kind: Help the GMs to depopulate the servers.
  • tweakz
    tweakz Posts: 0 Arc User
    edited June 2009
    Yes and no.. Turning fox form cutting your MP to 80%, using leech several times to fill your health and count with a few misses, switching back to human, is gonna be a hell of a mana drainer.. Oh yeah, sometimes I was stupid enough to use nature's grace right before..b:chuckle

    This is mostly a time filler as by the time you're done, you're likely to have cycled through the cool down on your replenishing spells.
    Be kind: Help the GMs to depopulate the servers.
  • tweakz
    tweakz Posts: 0 Arc User
    edited June 2009
    ppl...she's talking about non legendary pets.

    I just skimmed through your long posts. not even gonna read them. especially when i have special eye condition for staring at screens for too long.

    And you seem to be hating on venos with vit...b:angry

    Most of this horrible advice that's being carelessly parroted comes from a time before we had legendary pets available. Now these starter pets or free pets are most often a waste to invest in or keep leveled.

    Didn't notice any hating on venos with vit.
    Be kind: Help the GMs to depopulate the servers.
  • tweakz
    tweakz Posts: 0 Arc User
    edited June 2009
    A veno should not be using charms...

    That was the point of me suggesting not to max Metabolic Boost.
    With the abilities veno get from their skills buying charms is just... wrong.

    Charms are a requisite in all TW factions I've been in, and they can save on Guardian Angels. -What's wrong with saving?
    Now with Tree of Protection you have even less reasons to buy a charm.

    I have yet to use a genie, because they cost per use don't they?
    If you use charms because your metabolic boost isnt maxed (or the other way around), you will end up saving more money by maxing meta boost.

    Nope, never need it maxed. 41% of maximum hp is plenty to refill after a Soul Transfusion. I rarely use pots either (only during boss fights where I must spam heal, where we wouldn't have time for these spells anyway). Is that extra 9% worth 1m+ or whatever it cost before you get your legendary pets? If people need it, they'll feel they need it and get it then won't they? Do they really need someone who just decided to write a colorful guide to tell them to max this?
    I havent bought any charms since first day I started this game and never felt like I needed to.

    You sure don't, but they are generally regarded as a requisite for TW or PK which I don't agree with, but that's another story.

    I hope you not gonna start dueling in the middle of a TT boss ;)

    Let's not be silly. I suggested 3 alternative methods to gaining chi.
    Point is it's a quick solution when the emergency strikes.

    Not for me, I have enough skills cluttering the bars that I don't have space for that one that's used infrequently. I have to call up the bulky skills panel for it.
    Be kind: Help the GMs to depopulate the servers.
  • Byno - Sanctuary
    Byno - Sanctuary Posts: 155 Arc User
    edited June 2009
    tweakz wrote: »
    I've rarely used this, never found it necessary, and and find barbs hate us.

    I found this particularly amusing. Barbs need chi constantly throughout tanking to keep aggro from the dds. Building up two sparks before the fight isn't going to get them too far. Sure, a barb can keep aggro on their own chi, but if you want them to keep it off of archers, pets, or do added duties like interrupt aoes, why wouldn't you give them a spark?

    Even then, that's not counting when something goes wrong and the cleric needs a spark asap to throw up bb and save the party. Or throwing sparks to tanks in TW. Venos aren't a dd, venos debuff and assist the party. One of those assists is to, you know, give sparks to those who need it.
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
  • Sigr - Heavens Tear
    Sigr - Heavens Tear Posts: 280 Arc User
    edited June 2009
    btw... doenst get HA build 1-2 shot by wizzies, archers and clerics (magic atks) ?

    We can wear arcane robes, as well.




    @tweakz :: you made me b:laugh. b:thanks


    Yes, 2% per rank of Wood Mastery doesn't seem like much, but at rank 5 of the skill, that is an additional 10% damage. Are you trying to say that isn't worth the spirit spent? Seriously? That means if my base damage is 3k, that with the addon from Wood Mastery that my damage is going to be 3300, or an additional 300 damage, 600 on a crit, OR 6600 damage on a crit.

    I honestly don't believe you know what you are talking about.
    Lament of a Hybrid Veno: Where oh where did my spirit go? b:sad

    I hate ranged mobs. b:angry

    I <3 my cactopod. b:pleased
  • tweakz
    tweakz Posts: 0 Arc User
    edited June 2009
    I found this particularly amusing. Barbs need chi constantly throughout tanking to keep aggro from the dds.

    Some builds probably yes, but I run into them rarely. Like one that was 15 levels above me that lost aggro to my Herc with no skills, while one 5 lvls below me kept aggro when I went all out with my Marksman. Can't confuse need with want either. Don't know what level you're playing at, but it appears most barbs are tanking with macros lately to me.
    why wouldn't you give them a spark?

    If they don't need it, you can use it for more dd and easier mp management.
    Or throwing sparks to tanks in TW. Venos aren't a dd, venos debuff and assist the party. One of those assists is to, you know, give sparks to those who need it.

    The factions I've been in would prefer people use consumables like chi pots rather than waste time transferring chi.
    Be kind: Help the GMs to depopulate the servers.
  • Sigr - Heavens Tear
    Sigr - Heavens Tear Posts: 280 Arc User
    edited June 2009
    tweakz wrote: »
    The factions I've been in would prefer people use consumables like chi pots rather than waste time transferring chi.


    That's their choice to waste mats for chi pots when Lending Hand is free.
    Lament of a Hybrid Veno: Where oh where did my spirit go? b:sad

    I hate ranged mobs. b:angry

    I <3 my cactopod. b:pleased
  • Nethare - Dreamweaver
    Nethare - Dreamweaver Posts: 47 Arc User
    edited June 2009
    Barbs need chi constantly throughout tanking to keep aggro from the dds.

    not really its nice if they have alot of chi but its not needed.

    <<----archer that has never had problems not getting aggro with a barb in the party within 5lvls of me. when it comes to holding aggro barbs really do their job very well they dont need a veno's help, most of the time they dont need help at all, it's nice of you though.
    Building up two sparks before the fight isn't going to get them too far. Sure, a barb can keep aggro on their own chi,
    Don't these staements contridict. A barb can keep aggro with its own chi and having 2 sparks before the fight should be fine.
    if you want them to keep it off of archers

    I'm sorry what? Now in FB/TT situations dds are responsivle for controlling their aggro, even more true on bosses. Again i point out <---archer that loves barbs in parties because aggro control is almost a non-issue. If the dds are getting aggro from a barb blame the dd. Aggro in these situations is a dd concern and any dd that has not figured out how to control their aggro needs to learn to fast. What are these archers doing that they get aggro from barbs near their lvl, i might if i skill spam but I am not interested in getting killed. If you ever see an archer skill spamming on a boss or fb and they get aggro pk them, it's their fault.

    I do admit that the giving chi to ppl ability is nice in zhen if you are a puller and you give chi to a wizard so it can change positions and reset itself mid zhen without disrupting pulling at all but maybe thats just for the pro venos i know.

    so yes getting that skill lvl 1 is great but unless it sends more chi at higher lvls or somthing i dont see a reason to lvl it much but i am not a veno because they are just not fun for me. *runs if pet dies for pure mage venos* or *rages when they can't damage compete with anything because they have vit so they don't die right after their pet dies* both of these sound very boring and annoying so now back to the pewpew less qq.
  • Alnnestasia - Dreamweaver
    Alnnestasia - Dreamweaver Posts: 20 Arc User
    edited June 2009
    And you seem to be hating on venos with vit...

    I don't recall reading anything to that effect. I recall the opposite in some posts. Maybe you should read before you make assumptions, and if you can't read you ought not to make assumptions.
    When you're in a full squad, you're only doing 1/6 of the attacking, and your pet is doing a portion of that. In tt, your attack is reduced while your pet's isn't. If the target is wood based, it's even less of an effect. For a 15 minute fight with a full squad, it's going to save you exactly how much time now? The skill becomes very expensive before it reaches lvl 10, and I maintain that there are better investments at the levels this becomes available.

    I'm sorry, what? A wood mob... Yeah, reduces wood damage. That is surprising. Guess what? You use blazing scarab and ironwood scarab on those. Regular wood mobs aren't strong enough to survive a veno using Venomous Scarab anyway. I don't see why there is an issue over this skill. It is a passive buff that increases damage against every thing you use a wood attack on. Even wood element mobs, which reduce and not negate damage. All you do by neglecting this skill is make your attacks weaker. If you run out of spirit or coins you should try getting to 90% then dumping it in your genie and doing it all over. You get spirit at increased levels and it gives you time to finish all those quests before getting new ones.
    ...pets came first, as our ability to keep them alive is what limits us most.

    I did say I don't hide behind a pet in my post. Why should I, when it costs money and time to train a pet? I have a good crit rate, fair MP, and fair HP for a veno. Pets are cheap excuses to keep a fairly good magic class from realizing its true potential. You have more health and phys def than a wizard, but you deem it necessary to hide behind a portable tank that you can't steal aggro from and probably kills more things than you can. At least the ratio of my kills to my pet's is over one. My pet can take care of itself, I don't need to spam heal it. Nor do I feel it necessary to babysit it when it is totally possible to kill two or more mobs at once because a pet is better than a regular mob of equal level (excluding elite and boss mobs). By no means is any worthwhile pet a liability. If yours is, then you need a better pet. And you would suck in PvP with a pet like that.
    Don't know what this is even about? You're replying to me?

    Yes, you did post about Soul Transmutation, Metabolic Boost, and Nature's Grace being pointless after a point. I explained why you are wrong.
    You know how to switch back and forth from fox to human and back? How about trying it again if it doesn't work the first time?

    Why would I do such a stupid thing? Switching back and forth wastes time and the initial **** to fox wastes mana. More mana than is really worth it to initiate a move. A SINGLE attack is not worth the shift to fox form unless I had a reason to use more than just leech. In fact a combo of any fox form skills and non fox form skills would have to be long enough r strong enough to kill its target, otherwise you are wasting pretty much the whole thing. Not to mention that you neglect that leech is a percent chance, which makes it iffy. I don't want to take chances on an attack that might not work how I hope. Especially since the issue was healing. Attacking while that injured would be pathetic with a non maxed Metabolic Boost. Oh, and since your pet is a liability according to your "A pet's survivability is it downside" line, chances are a mob ran up and KO'd your pet (because either you or your pet messed up) and is attacking you now. Because rather than invest in a charm and a genie, as well as free healing skills you got... Well, nothing.

    I can be condescending too! I just know what I'm talking about.
    Last I checked, none of the elemental attacks were ranged.

    Antelope Pup (level 30) features Icicle level 1. It is a ranged with a slow effect. therefore Icicle is a ranged attack with a slow effect even if you get it from a scroll. Check again.
    A veno should not be using charms... With the abilities veno get from their skills buying charms is just... wrong.

    You have a five minute recharge on the skills. If you are a pet reliant veno, you obviously only need a charm for PvP because players are intelligent enough to actually attack you. In PvE your pet will ALWAYS aggro steal what ever it is attacking. If you are a pure mage veno you might want a HP charm simply because Metabolic Boost has a five minute cooldown and your HP is low. Allows longer grinding (EXP is more important than coins, hence why people zhen), and increases survivability.

    As a non pet veno you want an MP charm because you do the leg work and not your pet. Potions work fine for my HP. Life powder is nice, but I out place even the fifty MP regen from chaos powder FAR to quickly if I am seriously grinding or on longer mob kill/drop quests. Like DQs.
    Now with Tree of Protection you have even less reasons to buy a charm.

    One of the best genie skills, if not the best. Twice full heal is the big part of it, not the max HP increase. But it does not replace a charm for MP if you aren't a magic heavy veno.
    I have yet to use a genie, because they cost per use don't they?

    They cost per use technically, but the bigger cost is to level them. Though if you want to farm low grade mats with an alt, the alt can pour EXP into the genie ad stay low enough to get good drop rates. Tree of Protection is worth the cost however, as you can get it very easily, and without much effort. Plus you don't have to level the skill to get its main benefit.
    Some builds probably yes, but I run into them rarely. Like one that was 15 levels above me that lost aggro to my Herc with no skills, while one 5 lvls below me kept aggro when I went all out with my Marksman.

    I would like to call attention to how mobs do aggro... It is damage over period of time. You stated on a previous thread that the Marksman hits slower. It apparently hits slower to get less aggro than the Herc. This means that the Herc's main purpose (to tank for you) was achieved, and the Marksman's purpose (to damage deal from a range and get no aggro) was achieved. You can't compare two situations with two different pets. the barb's loss of aggro would be in the case of the Herc your fault.
    If they don't need it, you can use it for more dd and easier mp management.

    Veno=/=DD

    MP management? I'm sorry, I have a nice, neat blue bar... It tells me when to use MP potions and a charm auto activates to fill it...
    The factions I've been in would prefer people use consumables like chi pots rather than waste time transferring chi.

    I'm sorry, using an item makes little sense in TW. Transferring chi isn't a waste of time because in PvP, venos aren't DDs. A BM sending someone chi would be stupid, but a assist class ASSISTING someone is kind of the point. That is like saying 'We don't like clerics using Blue ball because people should use potions and powders".
    *runs if pet dies for pure mage venos* or *rages when they can't damage compete with anything because they have vit so they don't die right after their pet dies* both of these sound very boring and annoying so now back to the pewpew less qq.

    Sums it up pretty well. If you can't kill a damaged mob or mobs then you aren't a useful or good fighter. I can say this with all confidence because I can kill things with a myriad of weapons, not just using my pet.
  • Kittennice - Heavens Tear
    Kittennice - Heavens Tear Posts: 2,744 Arc User
    edited June 2009
    Alternate between +4 mag +1 str and +4 mag +1 vit

    Shouldn't you put more in vit to be pure vit? This looks like an Arcane build.
    b:angry And by the way, Heavy Armor, I will slaughter you if i ever meet you only if your in 10 lvls of range in me lol. A lv10 cant beat a Lv80 >.> Or can they?*Grabs Ancient Arbor*

    Do I see a challenge?b:chuckle

    I do agree vit is good for surviving. I myself put things into vit which helps nicely.
    The VenoX: Heavy Pure Melee (Axe User with a hint of magic) Venomancer and Proud
    Having fun since lv1
    5 more levels baby!
    ^_____^
    {=^.^=} < I'll never give up. Never give in. )

    I'm for The Cursed!
    pwi-forum.perfectworld.com/showthread.php?t=656132