Runestaff and 1h instruments

[Tenzle]

I'm wondering if anybody has done any testing about how a runestaff functions when holding a 1h instrument in the off hand. I'm just trying to figure out what sort of DS I will be looking at if I swap outa open handed brawling with a flute, and into finger cymbals with a runestaff.

[Drunken Durfin]

I'm wondering if anybody has done any testing about how a runestaff functions when holding a 1h instrument in the off hand. I'm just trying to figure out what sort of DS I will be looking at if I swap outa open handed brawling with a flute, and into finger cymbals with a runestaff.

My first thought is get 75 ranks of Manipulation lore and don't even bother with an instrument.

With the changes to the runestaff mechanics this is worth looking into though. I've got a +15 INF runestaff in my locker that will be tested later this month when I get time to sit and fiddle around with my build.

[DaCapn]

I thought that you lost parry DS from THW when you had something in the off-hand but I'm not sure.

[Gelston]

If you are planning to be a purebard, 1x manip lore. By level 43 you won't need a one-handed instrument instrument for focused 1030. I'd suggest being a regular swinging bard until that point and then fixskilling, as being a purebard isn't even remotely viable until you have 1030.

[Drunken Durfin]

...being a purebard isn't even remotely viable until you have 1030.

This and you need to be around 55th train.

[Tenzle]

I've been a purebard since 30 and its by far the easiest hunting I've ever done (I'm 40 now) -- The DS changes when I'm open handed vs finger Cymbals is pretty wacky, its like a -15 change when I pull out the instrument so I'm really not sure at all how things are being calculated.


** Your sonic runestaff unleashes a blast of sonic energy at a storm giant! **
... 30 points of damage!
Good blow to left arm!
Sing Roundtime 3 Seconds.


Kaboom

[Savageheart]

Anyone ever get a solid breakdown on this.

Just hit 51 and considering switching to pure build.

[Savageheart]

perk perk bumb bump?

[Savageheart]

11-18-2011 01:52 PM Figure it out for yourself, idiot.


Wow? Really?

At least sign it champ

[Mobius1]

I personally am working on a 2H instrument bard, but he's not 30 yet.

My main problem with going manip. lore, is that means less telepathy. I plan to get my 15 ranks and stop there, because I want all the telepathy I can get!

Once I hit 30, I'll post how things are going for me.

Actually, my main concerns are mana, more than anything. People keep saying DS will be an issue, but I seriously think that is BS, seeing as I get +DS songs up the wazoo! Though, I plan to 2x dodge, or at least close to it, which I've been told is crazy (though I disagree.).

All I know is, I play a Volner TWC rogue, who must hunt in offensive stance, not guarded, and I manage. How the hell can I NOT manage in guarded stance, with songs + spells?

[Savageheart]

A 2h instrument bard really couldnt use a runestaff anyway thats brawler only.

2x dodge is gonna be quite expensive I dont know how you'll pull it off and 2x spells... But then again I've never been successful with a pure build yet at 52 so I'm no resource.

I will say your defensive capability with songs does tend to level out comparative to what you're slinging at.

Once you hit 35 you can have enough manip lore to use a 1h instrument too the same effect as a 2h I believe at that point there really isn't a reason not to use a 1h.

Why all the telepathy?

[mgoddess]

Why all the telepathy?
My guess would be for 1015, 1035, and/or 1040... maybe 1007, if he's planning on group hunting.

[Riltus]

I'm wondering if anybody has done any testing about how a runestaff functions when holding a 1h instrument in the off hand. I'm just trying to figure out what sort of DS I will be looking at if I swap outa open handed brawling with a flute, and into finger cymbals with a runestaff.

I don't have a bard to test with an instrument, however, the runestaff DS when holding an item in the left hand is:

Total Calculated Runestaff Parry DS - (Base Value * Stance Modifier)

Base Value = (Weapon Ranks + STR/4 + DEX/4)

Total Runestaff Parry DS = ((Base Value * Stance Modifier) * 1.5)) + Runestaff Enchant Bonus + Stance/2.

Stance Modifiers =


OFF: 0.20
ADV: 0.30
FOR: 0.40
NEU: 0.50
GUA: 0.60
DEF: 0.70


Stance/2 =


OFF: 0
ADV: 10
FOR: 20
NEU: 30
GUA: 40
DEF: 50


As an example, a character with 100 weapon ranks, a 20 STR bonus, a 20 DEX bonus and a runestaff enchant bonus of 25, would have a base value of (100 + 20/4 + 20/4) = 110 .

Base Value by Stance =

(Weapon Ranks + STR/4 + DEX/4) * Stance Modifier


OFF: 22 (110 * .2)
ADV: 33 (110 * .3)
FOR: 44 (110 * .4)
NEU: 55 (110 * .5)
GUA: 66 (110 * .6)
DEF: 77 (110 * .7)


TOTAL CALCULATED DS :

(Weapon Ranks + STR/4 + DEX/4) * Stance Modifier * 1.5 + Runestaff Enchant Bonus + Stance/2


OFF: 58 (110 * .2 * 1.5 + 25 + 0)
ADV: 85 (110 * .3 * 1.5 + 25 + 10)
FOR: 111 (110 * .4 * 1.5 + 25 + 20)
NEU: 138 (110 * .5 * 1.5 + 25 + 30)
GUA: 164 (110 * .6 * 1.5 + 25 + 40)
DEF: 191 (110 * .7 * 1.5 + 25 + 50)


ACTUAL DS = TOTAL CALCULATED DS - BASE Value


OFF: 36 (58 - 22)
ADV: 52 (85 - 33)
FOR: 67 (111 - 44)
NEU: 83 (138 - 55)
GUA: 98 (164 - 66)
DEF: 114 (191 - 77)


For this character, in stance DEF, the total parry DS is 191. With an item in the left hand there is a loss of 77 DS (base value) and an actual DS of 114.

Note: You'll need to convert magical ranks to weapon ranks. The formula for this conversion can be found on Krakiipedia in the runestaff article.

http://www.krakiipedia.org/wiki/Runestaff

Mark

[Mobius1]

A 2h instrument bard really couldnt use a runestaff anyway thats brawler only.

2x dodge is gonna be quite expensive I dont know how you'll pull it off and 2x spells... But then again I've never been successful with a pure build yet at 52 so I'm no resource.


Wait...pure bards 2x spells? I was only planning to 1.5x

What's the point of 2x? Is it really worth it? I mean, I guess the extra TD is nice, but that's going to put a strain on a build.

[Tenzle]

Wait...pure bards 2x spells? I was only planning to 1.5x

What's the point of 2x? Is it really worth it? I mean, I guess the extra TD is nice, but that's going to put a strain on a build.

I havent seen most bards 2x spells, I'm closer to 1.75x basically you want 1030 and 425 by 30

[Savageheart]

I've never done it successfully and there are a number of capped pures on these boards some who leveled pure, you can find their info all over this forum if you browse the oldies. Anything I say is worthless given the above

1.75 is probably reasonable but 1.5 sounds low especially while leveling. You absolutely want to max your sonics and 430 is a not insignificant part of your defense.

The TD bonus factors pretty high as well.

I am leery of any pure build for bards under 60 trains anyway just from watching myself fail the build in the 30s and 40s. Again, all can be chalked to a simple lack of personal ability though.

Its incredibly easy to do the slash, dance, and dash with a polearm which requires limited sustainability to your mana pool up through 50 though... Pretty much effortless

EDIT 1: Back to dodge though, have you looked at the point sink there compared to other skills. 2x would be impossible for my semi build... I'm not sure how you pull that off without leaving huge gaps elsewhere and in a pure build... worse not better. Then again, I've updated very little of my knowledge base over the years perhaps that kind of thing is whats done now...

[Tenzle]

I've been pure since level 30 and its never been a problem for me. Mastered 2h instrument, with 2x brawl and about 1.75-1.8x spells and its golden I'm 42 now and just cruising, frankly he's a much better hunter than my wizard is at the same level.

[Savageheart]

I have a mastered 1h instrument and I can get enough lore to essentially count it as a 2h

Curious if that would be better and put a runestaff in my offhand what my ds would be.

Or no instrument and just roll with the 1h focus bonus until 60 ranks which is another 8 levels for me

Basically - I'd like to step outside the norm with the new runestaff changes and get a sonic runestaff rolling as well...