Pro/Cons Seeker vs BM

jervajen · February 2012

Hi all!

I played some time ago (like 1-2 years ago) and I wanted to be back to this game and as I lost my previous account I have to start again and I was thinking on picking a Seeker or a BM (what I had before) but I'm still not sure.

I've been researching a bit about this new class but I'm still not sure on what to pick because besides I found lots of opinions I havent found what I wanted that is a kind of more objective list of pros and cons of each class compared with the other one in PVP and PVE (more interested on this one because I will play PVE server) like which class tanks better, which class has more dmg, utility...

I already know things like seeker having magical and range attacks while BM having more crowd control and stuns and they seem paired on aoe but still dont know how much this reflects on role, playstyle and usefullness of both classes.

At the moment Im sightly for Seeker because its new and seem a bit more balanced and fitting more what I want but I still dont know enough details about this class to be sure and I was quite happy as BM in the past too.

Thanks to all in advance and sorry if I made any english mistake.

Sympathi - Archosaur · February 2012

My opinions on Seekers vs Blademaster in PvE and PvP.

Seeker Pros
- Cheaper to endgame, and have much stronger single burst damage output.
- More rounded defenses vs other class without switching between marrows.
- Vortex is needed in pretty much any instance, granted dragon is too but vortex can keep going.
- Much much easier and quicker leveling a Seeker
- Has a nice balance of magical and physical damage.

Seeker Cons
- Extremely easy to shut down with CC such at stuns or paralyzes.
- Little to None CC at all, one long cooldown stun, one 1/ 3 second seal with long cooldown, one % paralyze.
- Hard to make money on, cant be a farm APS class.
- Blademasters can get Nirvana squads much easier then Seekers.
- Blademasters can be unkillable in 1 v 1s with Marrows.
- Seekers move slow with one long cooldown dash skill.
- Hard to build chi on Seekers.

Maelael - Heavens Tear · February 2012

Two entirely different styles.

Seeker: Debuff, Good AOEs, Constant AOE. Excellent Defense Levels. New Angels skill for Crits is practically an Amp. Can pull, but not reliably tank vs APS & Barb. Not as great in TW/PvP, but hard to put down due to defense levels. Can Solo FF later on, but not as efficient as an APS Toon.

BM: APS, Amp, Good AOEs, AOE Stun, Multiple Weapon and Skill options depending on situations. Can pull, and can reliably tank depending on refine/aps of Sin or high enough APS to outdo Barbs. Great in TW/PvP. Can solo FF later on.

Both are wanted in FF squads - some even feel they need both. BMs are sought after for Nirvana as opposed to Seekers, however smarter Caster squads will look for Seekers as they can nuke and debuff.

Of note, I really, really like Seekers in non R9/Super-Pro level RB squads. They can take a beating way better than Archers or Wizzies.

Biggest Factor imho: You wont be able to Farm Nirvana or Sell Heads as well as a BM as a Seeker.

So its really a style thing, I don't think you can go wrong either way as both are fun to play.

Hexalot - Dreamweaver · February 2012

Bottom line... both are fun to play but you're destined to make way more money on your BM (and be wanted more in squads over all) than on your Seeker.

As a side note... that's all I use my BM for nowadays... to farm. Rest of the time (90%) I'm on my Seeker.

jervajen · February 2012

Thanks for the two fast answers, that seems what I wanted to but Im still waiting for more people (no offense only more opinions, for me the more opinions the better but Im seeing how they work).
Only 2 facts.
If they have more single target damage why seekers have more problems to sustain aggro than bm? (I mean of course vs a boss not multiple mobs).
If they get less money but they have cheaper endgame, 1 thing doesnt balances the other one?

Thanks again. Im think Im going on seeker at the end because was my original idea and I dont like going in the most people path (and apsers where bm are included now, for what I've been reading on forums, seem to be in that path).

Ahh sweet old times when we loved barbs and magic chars in our parties.

Btw I dont think Im gonna make any alt at least in several time because I cant play that much (studying university) and I prefer to focus my time in improving one only

Thanks to all again. Feel free to continue to post your opinions..

ReMakaBo - Archosaur · February 2012

Only input I can put in as ive played both to endgame is-

BMs co-exist with what's already said- But imo, they are stuck to one playstyle, even with a plethora of weapon abilities, their most efficient in APS focus builds, which is what can add up on the wallet to achieve the best- And since they fixed CC, there really is no challenge to that build anymore (to me anyway, challenge was triple glitching while in one stun lock session) This pretty much goes hand in hand with PvP/PvE- In TW they are still expected to be suicide bombers, which for me got old after 2+ years playing one-

Seekers can be versatile in game play, and the challenge is observation and focus, its more circumstantial rather then cookie cutter tactics when executing a plan of attack- What you do next is determined on what's available, and what is on cooldown, and what buffs/debuffs are present, and alot of understanding of the target (as in class, strengths and weaknesses)- As a seeker you can adjust your build, and maneuver yourself according to playstyle, either a conservative DD-support, or a brute in their face head on- or even a mix of the two. In tws, there is no set expectation of how one must play their role, so you are not bound to one set standard forced on you- And ultimately stay in the fight as long as you have survivability, rather it be in gear, or in playstyle-

tl,dr?

BM = Gear centric, and more efficient in a single focused playstyle.
Seeker = Not gear centric and more veristile in playstyle.

Maelael - Heavens Tear · February 2012

Thanks for the two fast answers, that seems what I wanted to but Im still waiting for more people (no offense only more opinions, for me the more opinions the better but Im seeing how they work).

Actually thats the smart approach. But unless its one of the trolls (Gallax comes to mind), you probably wont find too much variance.

If they have more single target damage why seekers have more problems to sustain aggro than bm? (I mean of course vs a boss not multiple mobs).

Eh...actually BMs can hit just as hard, or just barely less with some single target skills.

Boss wise:

Lets say you hit for a damage factor of 5 with your skill. Add in 2 more for your stats. And it takes 2 seconds to cast & channel. Damage factor 7 in 2 seconds.

Lets say the BM hits for a damage factor of 2 with his claws. He's 4 aps, so hits 4 times a second. Damage factor 16 over 2 seconds.

Even if you cut him down to 2 aps, he's still doing more damage and thereby, generating more aggro.

Sins do the same thing. It's a matter of damage over time. DPH seekers aren't bad, but BMs are just as good with DPH, sometimes less, sometimes better depending on the skill, level, refines, attack levels, etc.

Seeker Vortex is what really makes the Seeker class match the BMs in terms of AOE awesome.

If they get less money but they have cheaper endgame, 1 thing doesnt balances the other one?

Well here's the thing, endgame you're gonna be aiming at:

Seeker: R9, R8 Recast, or 2nd Stage Nirvana with R8 Recast

(Side note: Sym, I dunno why you don't factor the 2nd Stage Nirvana Def Build into your calcs, and even bother with full non recast R8? R8 non recast sword ain't bad but the Rank armor is terrible).

BM: Axe Build & APS Build. This means at least two +10-+12 weapons with APS Build at the very minimum. The APS gear gets pricey as hell depending on which build you go for.

Thanks again. Im think Im going on seeker at the end because was my original idea and I dont like going in the most people path (and apsers where bm are included now, for what I've been reading on forums, seem to be in that path).

As said you really can't go wrong either way. I started my BM years ago when it was the "Axe Only" thing, and I still prefer axe/aoe, but...APS is fun. I switch between Axe Gear, APS Gear, and Pole throughout instances to meet the needs, its kinda fun being busy as hell doing your thing as efficiently as possible.

To be honest, I got bored with my Seeker. The class just isn't as busy as a BM is and I got bored. But I watch what my wife does with her seeker, and a few other friends...and its an amazing support class.

QuakeX - Lost City · February 2012

r u kidding me bm get 1 shot by any class. reroll if ur stil a bm. b:bye

Maelael - Heavens Tear · February 2012

QuakeX - Lost City wrote: »

r u kidding me bm get 1 shot by any class. reroll if ur stil a bm. b:bye

Hmmm lets see here.

Achievements:

Mar 2, 2011: Level a Seeker to 10
Mar 2, 2011: Level a Seeker to 30
Mar 3, 2011: Level a Seeker to 60
Mar 15, 2011: Level a Seeker to 90
Sep 3, 2011: Level a Seeker to 105

I'm gonna go with FF/Gooner Noob.

After reading your other responses, thank you for your wonderful, meaningful and well said contributions to the forum QuakeX! Your in depth experience and hard work obviously brings a wealth of assistance to all of us.

Ebrithalia - Dreamweaver · February 2012

Maelael - Heavens Tear wrote: »

Hmmm lets see here.

Achievements:

Mar 2, 2011: Level a Seeker to 10
Mar 2, 2011: Level a Seeker to 30
Mar 3, 2011: Level a Seeker to 60
Mar 15, 2011: Level a Seeker to 90
Sep 3, 2011: Level a Seeker to 105

I'm gonna go with FF/Gooner Noob.

After reading your other responses, thank you for your wonderful, meaningful and well said contributions to the forum QuakeX! Your in depth experience and hard work obviously brings a wealth of assistance to all of us.

those date are before dragoon nerf right? meh, guess we got someone new on the forum to keep up with gallax to entertain us b:surrender

GallaxXIII - Sanctuary · February 2012

Sympathi

I can double triple spark or triple double spark.
I can also Speed up my runs 3 times in a row.

the only thing i lack is tankability.

Might wanna reconsider what build your talking about,

cause not every seeker HAS to go some random *** tank build.

Wanna know pros and cons of seeker vs bm?
go fist? get r4p3d.
go sword? with honor!, or axe. either way works

Sympathi - Archosaur · February 2012

GallaxXIII - Sanctuary wrote: »

Sympathi

I can double triple spark or triple double spark.
I can also Speed up my runs 3 times in a row.

the only thing i lack is tankability.

Might wanna reconsider what build your talking about,

cause not every seeker HAS to go some random *** tank build.

Wanna know pros and cons of seeker vs bm?
go fist? get r4p3d.
go sword? with honor!, or axe. either way works

I know exactly what im talking about, every class can triple spark twice in a row or use 3 2 spark skills, genies and apothecary pills i didn't include in my sum up of the two classes as both classes get them.

Also its easy to say something like "Herp Derp i can 3 spark chi pot use genie fuel summon pet Ion Spike one-shot you Herp Derp" and then its even easier to say ok... anti stun Ironguard, now you got nothing.

OIdpop - Heavens Tear · February 2012

QuakeX - Lost City wrote: »

r u kidding me bm get 1 shot by any class. reroll if ur stil a bm. b:bye

reroll if your 105b:bye

Pro/Cons Seeker vs BM

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