SK Race question + item help (have never played a tank)

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Originally Posted by Jimjam [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Right, so I decided to have some recent first hand experience.

I've popped into the hole on my 52 sk (click for Magelo - is missing many of the later spells).

I'm at zone in, splitting using dooming darkness and the zoneline (perhaps I should be using the free FD from BE greaves instead? Zoneline seems superior cos i can heal a bit out of zone and I don't take hits from add this way).

I start the battle with sword and board, cast siphon strength, shadow vortex and shroud of hate then switch to Reaver, casting Lifedraw between swings. If I remember I precast major shielding and vampiric embrace. Once the mob is at about 40% I cast dooming darkness and then invoke fear, which makes the mob flee on the spot. I'm finishing fights with about 40%hp 20% mana remaining.

Occasionally bashes are interrupting, but these are usually due to the improved knockback/interupt chance rather than stun.

In short, race doesn't seem to matter in this instance against these mobs with this gear. Xp would be faster on a smaller race, but I'm in no hurry. BnB in SolB may be faster, especially if using the bats zoneline and a short duration fear to kite.


Question: in these fights is it worth using heart flutter, etc in addition to the stat taps? The NPC is generally winning on %hp while getting the debuff taps set up. Should I even bother with the stat taps and just spam reaver / life tap for the win?

A lot of things you’re doing wrong here. Don’t split use dooming. Split using BE gauntlets, engulfing is enough to stop the mob. BE gaunts/greaves = nonstop manaless splits. You should never dooming/invoke at 40%. At that point mob is low enough to just BE gaunts + bE boots. Or spook the dead if it’s an undead mob.