Subdual Strike

[rushblitz]

Ran across this cman and I've noticed its effectiveness of adding RT to me when I'm doing bandits. What I'm thinking - I don't use disarm cman at all and I could pick this up and max it in short time because it is cheap even for semis. I use a morning star so crushing weapon requirement is covered. Could this be a worthy addition to deal with creatures? Pious Trial, subdue they are in RT for a long time. Would add outstanding defense against bandits. Question is is it more effective than pious, max feint? That could be the catch, its too similar to feint without the added stance benefit.

So what do you all think?

Creatures I'm thinking of would be quadrupeds and other animals. They are hard to hit with shield bash and spending 15 mana to set them up might be spendy all the time. Use this to stun them to get past a lot of evade, then leg them or head.

[lordsmo]

The stun from Sstrike does keep them out of action for longer than the RT induced by Feint, but all in all, the stancedown effect makes Feint one of the most useful CMANs in the game. Personally, I'd spend my precious CMAN points on maxing out Feint before anything else.

You're right that Disarm is not useful as an offensive CMAN against NPC critters. They don't lose any DS from dropping their weapon, and pound and stomp have higher DFs against plate than most weapons. Disarm's usefulness is primarily defensive. As a Paladin, however, your need for this is somewhat diminished by a full weapon bond.

1615 as a disabler will probably seem a lot less expensive as you get to higher levels. Even so, I use it all the time and I'm the same level as you, with an extremely similar training plan. Also, if you're in Sunfist, 15 mana for 1615 and 30 stamina for shield bash are exactly interchangeable, since sigil of power gives 25 mana for 50 stamina.

For bandits/crowd control, 1630 will be more effective than anything else in a Paladin's aresenal.

All in all, between Feint, Shield Bash, 1615, and 1630, you have a good array of disabling maneuvers and spells. I feel like Sstrike isn't adding that much value. I would use my extra cman points for things like Wspec, Cunning Defense, etc... Maybe Precision if you use a morning star and plan to hunt any puncture resistant critters.

[Lord Orbstar]

When I encounter Bandits, I pronounce Judgment upon them before carrying out their sentence of death. I found that to be the most satisfying and effective use of our authority. They kneel in penance and acceptance of their Just execution. Paladins do not deal in vagaries, brother. A feint is nothing more than toying with the guilty. Let them feel, unequivocably, your full and righteous judgment in hopes their last moments are filled with repentence to save their (otherwise) damned souls.

Burn the heretic.

[lordsmo]

Bandits spawn in offensive stance, so definitely no need to feint them.

1630, followed by headshots if you swing a one-handed weapon, or open mstrike if you swing a two-handed weapon.

[Androidpk]

When I encounter Bandits, I pronounce Judgment upon them before carrying out their sentence of death. I found that to be the most satisfying and effective use of our authority. They kneel in penance and acceptance of their Just execution. Paladins do not deal in vagaries, brother. A feint is nothing more than toying with the guilty. Let them feel, unequivocably, your full and righteous judgment in hopes their last moments are filled with repentence to save their (otherwise) damned souls.

Burn the heretic.


Win.

Of course I really comment, my paladin worshipped Marlu. The Emperor would not be pleased with me.