Bards in warcamps...

[spraggeth]

What do you think is the most viable option for a bard in a warcamp solo? I am currently ranged and that doesn't work for shit. Casters aren't that big of a deal (unless one gets through my 1017) but I get wrecked by stupid cmans. Help please.

Does cunning defense essentially just take 15 off their roll at rank 5? I would show you my skills but I am currently waiting on the camp to reset as I get just got cman'd to near death and had to quit out.

[Jeril]

What do you think is the most viable option for a bard in a warcamp solo? I am currently ranged and that doesn't work for shit. Casters aren't that big of a deal (unless one gets through my 1017) but I get wrecked by stupid cmans. Help please.

Does cunning defense essentially just take 15 off their roll at rank 5? I would show you my skills but I am currently waiting on the camp to reset as I get just got cman'd to near death and had to quit out.

Yes it does, better to train a couple ranks in the combat maneuver itself that they are using on you first then augment that with ranks of cunning defense. Are you hunting self spelled or not? Outside spells make it easier but at some point you have to learn when to just cut and run as well and sometimes you just get fucked. How well does your aiming work? You can always leg anything that might maneuver you if you can't kill them straight away. You likely should post your training, it helps instead of us having to guess. If you don't have any I suggest you get some ranks of MoC, around 25 to start with as I am sure that Force on Force is also not helping you either.

[gs4-PauperSid]

What do you think is the most viable option for a bard in a warcamp solo? I am currently ranged and that doesn't work for shit. Casters aren't that big of a deal (unless one gets through my 1017) but I get wrecked by stupid cmans. Help please.

Does cunning defense essentially just take 15 off their roll at rank 5? I would show you my skills but I am currently waiting on the camp to reset as I get just got cman'd to near death and had to quit out.

Bitch move, slammin

(says the man with no lnet to whine on for rescues. . .le sigh. .)

PS. Pure bards dont just wreck camps? Is the shroud thing with mass disruption the problem? I'd think focused would kill them fast enough with well timed mass sonic disruptions when it gets hairy. . . .then just shout 1040 and get the hell out when it all goes downhill . . .

-J

[Tumbadoo]

I used to solo camps with Disruption. You could burn through a good size camp (2-300) in about 30-40 minutes. Unfortunately they made changes in the warcamps and I've found disruption to be pretty weak now. I think knowing when to retreat and when you use an AOE spell is key. Also, if your wielding a weapon try and get the most out of Tonis. Target your casters first, melee second. You should be able to generate enough DS so that you can let them swing away without having much impact on you.

[kcostell]

The strategy I used when I needed my camps for rank 15 in Sunfist (level 30-35 or so OHE bard at the time, so this might not work at higher levels).

-Sing song of noise before entering. If there's 90 seconds or less left until renewal and no casters in the room, stop singing it, renew all, and restart it.
-When I walk in the camp, immediately run to the mess tent. Fight the pairs of Grim that walk in, hopefully killing at least 6 or so.
-Once I start falling behind (4+ standing Grim in the room), run to the Prisoner's hut.
-Once I start falling behind there, run to the treasure hut.
-Once I start falling behind there, either exit the camp, or (if I'm feeling lucky and the camp's not too full) try the mess hut again.
-Wait 10-15 minutes for things to clear up, then repeat the process.

Ideally I'd get through 20-25 Grim each trip through this.

My only maneuver at the time was shield bash, which worked pretty well against casters. The most dangerous parts of this for me actually came from running through the center of camp, which tended to swarm up while I was fighting the Grim off two at a time in the mess tent. Hamstring + FoF was their preferred means of getting me.

[Tumbadoo]

Moving between rooms like this works well. Try setting up in a couple rooms north of the entrance. Make a stand there. When overwhelmed move one room south. Rinse, repeat. Also, and this may have changed but, the shroud resets in each room. So you can AOE in one room then move to the next room and AOE. again if needed. Also, use your highlights to highlight the line indicating a caster is casting and hit them with 417 (I think this is the elemental dispel).

[Buckwheet]

Rapid fire, 1030, unravel, works amazingly well.

[Methais]

Rapid fire, 1030, unravel, works amazingly well.

When did Rapid Fire start working with bard songs?

[Buckwheet]

When did Rapid Fire start working with bard songs?

Sorry, I tried typing that on my phone a bunch of times and it just wasn't working.

413, rapid fire, 1030, unravel. It allows them to have a more effective 1030. I just made a lich script that would 413 the room. That reminds me, does this stack with song of depression? Maybe I am wasting mana with 413 hah!

[Methais]

Sorry, I tried typing that on my phone a bunch of times and it just wasn't working.

413, rapid fire, 1030, unravel. It allows them to have a more effective 1030. I just made a lich script that would 413 the room. That reminds me, does this stack with song of depression? Maybe I am wasting mana with 413 hah!

I'm guessing you meant rapid fire first and then 413 the room. Otherwise I'm still lost. :P

[Buckwheet]

I'm guessing you meant rapid fire first and then 413 the room. Otherwise I'm still lost. :P

Yes. You rapid fire the room to reduce their TD. Then you 1030 and refresh mana to fill yourself back up. You can reverse the leech 1030 depending on what is in the room. The TD pushdown should help with the unravel and the 1030.

[Methais]

Yes. You rapid fire the room to reduce their TD. Then you 1030 and refresh mana to fill yourself back up. You can reverse the leech 1030 depending on what is in the room. The TD pushdown should help with the unravel and the 1030.

How does unraveling actually work? I always thought it was only good for sucking mana out of items like wands and shit.

[Androidpk]

It dispels.

[Danical]

How does unraveling actually work? I always thought it was only good for sucking mana out of items like wands and shit.

To receive mana from the creature, you must remove all the spells first. Then you can drain mana. You must have 24 ranks (102 skill) of Mental Mana Control to gain maximum benefit. On successful cast of 1013 on a spell-less creature, you will return mana based on enroll (somewhat, the r^2 value isn't strong, there is a degree of randomness on the mana returned), the creature level, and the creature type. 1013 is specifically designed to return, at maximum, one half the mana as Mana Leech. Square type creatures will have a mana pool equal to their level. Thus, the most you can get from a level 98 combatant is 49 mana. You might get more or less depending on the +/- 3 levels that a BCS creature can spawn. I forget if it truncates. Hybrid creatures have, I think, 150% their level, and Pure creatures have, again I think, 200% their level. The latter two types tend not to matter because you have to expend quite a bit of mana to remove the spells to even get to the point that you can see mana returns.

1013 can be a very valuable resource.

[Danical]

Rapid fire, 1030, unravel, works amazingly well.

In my experience, I wouldn't bother with saturation or song of depression. If you can successfully overcome the TD of a creature with 1015, you're better off just casting 1030 for only 5 more mana provided 1030 is in your cycle already. Even if you don't have 60/75 ranks of manipulation lore, a subroutine to stow items/get instrument/cast 1030/stow instrument/get items, would provide you the maximum benefit. Also assuming the bard is adept with the instrument in question, you'll increase the effective outcome of 1030 by 60.

Song of depression can also trigger the shroud effect, which obviously leads to issues casting 1030.

[Buckwheet]

In my experience, I wouldn't bother with saturation or song of depression. If you can successfully overcome the TD of a creature with 1015, you're better off just casting 1030 for only 5 more mana provided 1030 is in your cycle already. Even if you don't have 60/75 ranks of manipulation lore, a subroutine to stow items/get instrument/cast 1030/stow instrument/get items, would provide you the maximum benefit. Also assuming the bard is adept with the instrument in question, you'll increase the effective outcome of 1030 by 60.

Song of depression can also trigger the shroud effect, which obviously leads to issues casting 1030.

Interesting. I do have all the required ranks(post cap), and it is probably purely anecdotal that with the nerf to 1030 in grims that I "feels" it hits harder after the TD reduction.

[Danical]

Interesting. I do have all the required ranks(post cap), and it is probably purely anecdotal that with the nerf to 1030 in grims that I "feels" it hits harder after the TD reduction.

What is this nerf to 1030 you speak of and when was it implemented?

[Danical]

Interesting. I do have all the required ranks(post cap), and it is probably purely anecdotal that with the nerf to 1030 in grims that I "feels" it hits harder after the TD reduction.

RE: "Feels"

It is quantifiable. Assuming 26 ranks of ML:Telepathy (given 75 ranks of ML:Manipulation) will result in a -30 TD reduction on all creatures successfully overcome by 1015. That results in 18 (30 * .6) more raw damage on successive casts of 1030.

[Buckwheet]

What is this nerf to 1030 you speak of and when was it implemented?

They reduced the critical ranking on 1030 to grims around the time they made 717 impact the shroud.

[Danical]

They reduced the critical ranking on 1030 to grims around the time they made 717 impact the shroud.

I'm willing to bet the above statement is false.

This is the original quote:


Yes, the mass version of Evil Eye was recently updated to disrupt the Grimswarm shroud, like all mass attack spells. It was an oversight from the original implementation.

GameMaster Estild (http://forums.play.net/forums/GemStone%20IV/Sorcerers/Sorcerer%20Spells/view/2397)

The above is the only place I can see where 717 was ever mentioned being changed with respect to Grimswarm. There is no mention of Sonic Disruption. We aren't presented any evidence that would encourage us to believe 1030 was changed. It would make more sense to assume 1030 was not changed along with 717 than it would be to assume a ninja nerf to 1030 went in with the 717 and then failed to be mentioned. I also can't find any information pertaining to a reduction in the effectiveness of 1030 with respect to Sonic Disruption and Grimswarm, independent of 717.

I don't mean to imply that you're lying or anything of the sort, but that your source is inaccurate.

[Androidpk]

What danical means to say is

http://www.veteransnewsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/joe-wilson-ulie.jpg

[droit]

Naw, he's right Dan. They nerfed 1030 in warcamps a couple months ago. I'm on mobile or I'd find the source. Not that I have any sympathy for bards, since rangers' spells have been nerfed in camps since release (flat 2 crit rank reduction on 616 and 635).

[Danical]

Naw, he's right Dan. They nerfed 1030 in warcamps a couple months ago. I'm on mobile or I'd find the source. Not that I have any sympathy for bards, since rangers' spells have been nerfed in camps since release (flat 2 crit rank reduction on 616 and 635).

Found it. Apologies Buckwheet.


>Was 1030 damage changed against Grimswarm?

One of the changes was to increase the level of damage mitigation that the Grimswarm have against some particularly devastating mass spells. 1030 is particularly problematic, because its damage grows into nearly guaranteed rank 9+ crits, such that I was observing that the grand hunting of strategy of many bards in warcamps was essentially enter, sing 1030, renew, and leave fried in under 30 seconds. I had considered increasing TDs or making the shroud more oppressive, but either of those have ripple effects beyond the problematic spells themselves.

>Is dirtkick realm specific with its messaging?

Its terrain specific.

>I thought that was pretty mean giving trolls spiked helmets until I realized it was his full plate spike that flared, seemed a bit odd to me.

Headbutt (both creature and player versions) grant the chance for head-slot armor flares. Full plate has full body coverage (which includes the head).

>What profession base are the raiders?

The Grimswarm division in the martial classes is more mushy than the spellcaster classes. It is less warrior/rogue than it is heavy/light fighters, with heavy fighters gaining the more berserker-ish abilities and the light fighters gaining the more finesse-like abilities.

Coase (http://forums.play.net/forums/GemStone%20IV/Organizations%20and%20Societies/The%20Guardians%20of%20Sunfist/view/602)

[Danical]

I'd just like to add that I think their implementation is an objectively bad design choice.

[spraggeth]

I'm asking what builds would be the best as pures don't hit for shit in there now.

[droit]

Anyone able to post some before and after shots of 1030 in a camp? I'm curious if they just tacked on the same -2 crit rank penalty as ranger spells had.

[Danical]

[Warcamp, Entrance]
The entrance to the warcamp consists of nothing more than a large gap in a wall built of broken trees and shrubs haphazardly stacked upon the other. In the turned up earth by the entryway, a bloody child-sized hand reaches up toward the sky, a forgotten or discarded prize of the Grimswarm. Inside the entrance, the path separates into three directions, wrapping around several poorly constructed huts. To the south, a path leads to a small rise in land, blanketed in a haze of campfire smoke. You also see a Grimswarm orc guard.
Obvious paths: north, south

>cman focus

You feel your mind and body gird themselves against magical interference.

You sharpen your focus on combat and fortify yourself against distractions.

A Grimswarm orc guard lets loose a roar of alarm at the top of his lungs, no doubt rousing the entire warcamp!
A Grimswarm orc ranger rushes in!
A Grimswarm orc ranger rushes in!

>prep 1030

You change your tune slightly, adding the element for Song of Sonic Disruption to your song...
Your spellsong is ready.

>cast

You weave another verse into your harmony.
CS: +522 - TD: +334 + CvA: +8 + d100: +84 == +280
Warding failed!
A Grimswarm orc ranger reels under the force of the sonic vibrations!
Sound waves disrupt for 144 damage!
... 130 points of damage!
The orc ranger's hand explodes in a shower of blood and bone.
The ranger's short bow falls to the ground.
The orc ranger is stunned!

CS: +522 - TD: +349 + CvA: +8 + d100: +3 == +184
Warding failed!
A Grimswarm orc ranger reels under the force of the sonic vibrations!
Sound waves disrupt for 86 damage!
... 75 points of damage!
Heart explodes rupturing the orc ranger's chest.
[You have earned 60 prestige points.]
The orc ranger falls to the ground and dies.
The wall of force disappears from around a Grimswarm orc ranger.
A Grimswarm orc ranger seems to lose some dexterity.
The deep blue glow leaves a Grimswarm orc ranger.
The air calms down around a Grimswarm orc ranger.

CS: +522 - TD: +366 + CvA: +11 + d100: +92 == +259
Warding failed!
A Grimswarm orc guard reels under the force of the sonic vibrations!
Sound waves disrupt for 131 damage!
... 115 points of damage!
The orc guard's eye explodes shattering the skull into a thousand pieces.
[You have earned 50 prestige points.]
The orc guard falls to the ground and dies.
A shadow seems to detach itself from a Grimswarm orc guard, swiftly dissipating into the air.
The light blue glow leaves a Grimswarm orc guard.
The very powerful look leaves a Grimswarm orc guard.
The white light leaves a Grimswarm orc guard.
The bright luminescence fades from around a Grimswarm orc guard.

Sing Roundtime 3 Seconds.

>loot

>loot

Your disk arrives, following you dutifully.
You search the orc ranger.
You discard the ranger's useless equipment.
He had 299 silvers on him.
You gather the remaining 299 coins.
He had nothing else of value.
A Grimswarm orc ranger decays into compost.
You search the orc guard.
You discard the guard's useless equipment.
He had 468 silvers on him.
You gather the remaining 468 coins.
He had nothing else of value.
A Grimswarm orc guard decays into compost.

>tap my backpack

You stash your silver in your backpack.

>sigil of power

As you concentrate on your sigil, you feel exceptionally tired as your physical energy rapidly transforms into magical energy.

>sigil of power

As you concentrate on your sigil, you feel exceptionally tired as your physical energy rapidly transforms into magical energy.

>incant 1030

You change your tune slightly, adding the element for Song of Sonic Disruption to your song...
Your spellsong is ready.
You weave another verse into your harmony, directing the sound of your voice at a Grimswarm orc ranger.
CS: +522 - TD: +334 + CvA: +8 + d100: +75 == +271
Warding failed!
A Grimswarm orc ranger reels under the force of the sonic vibrations!
Sound waves disrupt for 138 damage!
[You have earned 55 prestige points.]
The orc ranger falls to the ground and dies.
A Grimswarm orc ranger loses a thorny barrier.
The wall of force disappears from around a Grimswarm orc ranger.
The very powerful look leaves a Grimswarm orc ranger.
The white light leaves a Grimswarm orc ranger.
A Grimswarm orc ranger seems to lose an aura of confidence.
The deep blue glow leaves a Grimswarm orc ranger.
Sing Roundtime 3 Seconds.

>loot

You search the orc ranger.
You discard the ranger's useless equipment.
She had 94 silvers on her.
You gather the remaining 94 coins.
She had nothing else of value.
A Grimswarm orc ranger decays into compost.

>tap my backpack


You stash your silver in your backpack.
A Grimswarm orc ranger rushes in!
A Grimswarm orc warlock strides in, glowering upon the scene.

>prep 1030

You change your tune slightly, adding the element for Song of Sonic Disruption to your song...
Your spellsong is ready.

>cast

You weave another verse into your harmony.
The dull golden nimbus surrounding a Grimswarm orc warlock suddenly begins to glow brightly.
CS: +522 - TD: +389 + CvA: +11 + d100: +3 == +147
Warding failed!
A Grimswarm orc warlock reels under the force of the sonic vibrations!
Sound waves disrupt for 64 damage!
... 60 points of damage!
You send a blood clot to the orc warlock's heart, causing massive damage.
The orc warlock is stunned!

CS: +522 - TD: +354 + CvA: +8 + d100: +70 == +246
Warding failed!
A Grimswarm orc ranger reels under the force of the sonic vibrations!
Sound waves disrupt for 123 damage!
... 105 points of damage!
Spine ripped from the orc ranger's body and thrown to the ground.
[You have earned 65 prestige points.]
The orc ranger falls to the ground and dies.
The powerful look leaves a Grimswarm orc ranger.
A Grimswarm orc ranger seems to lose some dexterity.
The wall of force disappears from around a Grimswarm orc ranger.
A Grimswarm orc ranger returns to normal color.
The light blue glow leaves a Grimswarm orc ranger.
The air calms down around a Grimswarm orc ranger.
The air about a Grimswarm orc ranger stops shimmering.

Sing Roundtime 3 Seconds.

>loot

You search the orc ranger.
You discard the ranger's useless equipment.
He had 246 silvers on him.
You gather the remaining 246 coins.
He had nothing else of value.
A Grimswarm orc ranger decays into compost.

>tap my backpack

You stash your silver in your backpack.

>incant 1030

You change your tune slightly, adding the element for Song of Sonic Disruption to your song...
Your spellsong is ready.
You weave another verse into your harmony, directing the sound of your voice at a Grimswarm orc warlock.
CS: +522 - TD: +389 + CvA: +11 + d100: +59 == +203
Warding failed!
A Grimswarm orc warlock reels under the force of the sonic vibrations!
Sound waves disrupt for 97 damage!
... 90 points of damage!
The orc warlock's shoulder joint explodes, severing shield arm.
[You have earned 40 prestige points.]
The orc warlock falls to the ground and dies.
A Grimswarm orc warlock glances around, looking a bit less confident.
The wall of force disappears from around a Grimswarm orc warlock.
The tingling sensation and sense of security leaves a Grimswarm orc warlock.
The bright luminescence fades from around a Grimswarm orc warlock.
The brilliant luminescence fades from around a Grimswarm orc warlock.
The dull golden nimbus fades from around a Grimswarm orc warlock.
The very powerful look leaves a Grimswarm orc warlock.
The white light leaves a Grimswarm orc warlock.
The silvery luminescence fades from around a Grimswarm orc warlock.

Sing Roundtime 3 Seconds.

>loot

You search the orc warlock.
You discard the warlock's useless equipment.
He didn't carry any silver.
He had nothing of interest.
A Grimswarm orc warlock decays into compost.

A Grimswarm orc elementalist strides in, glowering upon the scene.
A weathered Grimswarm orc ranger rushes in!
A Grimswarm orc ranger rushes in!

>prep 1030

You change your tune slightly, adding the element for Song of Sonic Disruption to your song...
Your spellsong is ready.

>cast

You weave another verse into your harmony.
CS: +522 - TD: +330 + CvA: +8 + d100: +91 == +291
Warding failed!
A Grimswarm orc ranger reels under the force of the sonic vibrations!
Sound waves disrupt for 150 damage!
... 125 points of damage!
The orc ranger's shoulder joint explodes, severing weapon arm.
The orc ranger is stunned!

The dull golden nimbus surrounding a weathered Grimswarm orc ranger suddenly begins to glow brightly.
CS: +522 - TD: +393 + CvA: +8 + d100: +39 == +176
Warding failed!
A weathered Grimswarm orc ranger reels under the force of the sonic vibrations!
Sound waves disrupt for 81 damage!
... 70 points of damage!
You disintegrate the orc ranger's left leg from the knee down.
A weathered Grimswarm orc ranger falls to the ground grasping her mangled left leg!

CS: +522 - TD: +408 + CvA: +17 + d100: +47 == +178
Warding failed!
A Grimswarm orc elementalist reels under the force of the sonic vibrations!
Sound waves disrupt for 82 damage!
... 75 points of damage!
Spine ripped from the orc elementalist's body and thrown to the ground.
[You have earned 35 prestige points.]
The orc elementalist falls to the ground and dies.
The translucent sphere fades from around a Grimswarm orc elementalist.
The brilliant luminescence fades from around a Grimswarm orc elementalist.
A luminescent aura fades from around a Grimswarm orc elementalist.
A Grimswarm orc elementalist glances around, looking a bit less confident.


Distorted ripples begin to appear across the mystical shroud surrounding this area!
Sing Roundtime 3 Seconds.

>loot

You search the orc elementalist.
You discard the elementalist's useless equipment.
She had 42 silvers on her.
You gather the remaining 42 coins.
She had nothing else of value.
A Grimswarm orc elementalist decays into compost.

>tap my backpack

You stash your silver in your backpack.

>n

[Warcamp, Outside]
Three beaten paths break off in a northerly direction, curving around a number of poorly built huts and tents. A pile of broken bones and rotting flesh compete with a pile of steaming offal for the most nauseating odor available. Over the top of the tents, a tall wooden flagpole marks the center of the warcamp just ahead, while a broad dirt path leads south to the sole entrance and exit of the encampment.
Obvious paths: north, northeast, south, northwest
You notice ominous ripples undulating across the mystical shroud surrounding this area.

>ne

[Warcamp, Outside]
A campfire burns in the center of a small nexus of paths surrounded by several makeshift tents. Spits of meat, some with fur and hoof still attached, cook over the fire, casting a contrasting aroma to the foul air of the encampment. A flagpole rises over the tops of the huts and tents to the west, marking the center of camp. The beaten earth of the warcamp is littered with ragged bits of cloth. You also see a Grimswarm orc guard.
Obvious paths: east, southwest, west, northwest

>incant 1030

You change your tune slightly, adding the element for Song of Sonic Disruption to your song...
Your spellsong is ready.
You weave another verse into your harmony, directing the sound of your voice at a Grimswarm orc guard.
The dull golden nimbus surrounding a Grimswarm orc guard suddenly begins to glow brightly.
CS: +522 - TD: +335 + CvA: +17 + d100: +12 == +216
Warding failed!
A Grimswarm orc guard reels under the force of the sonic vibrations!
Sound waves disrupt for 105 damage!
... 100 points of damage!
Heart explodes rupturing the orc guard's chest.
[You have earned 55 prestige points.]
The orc guard falls to the ground and dies.
The guiding force leaves a Grimswarm orc guard.
The dull golden nimbus fades from around a Grimswarm orc guard.
The brilliant aura fades away from a Grimswarm orc guard.
The deep blue glow leaves a Grimswarm orc guard.
The powerful look leaves a Grimswarm orc guard.
The dim aura fades from around a Grimswarm orc guard.
The wall of force disappears from around a Grimswarm orc guard.

Sing Roundtime 3 Seconds.

>loot

You search the orc guard.
You discard the guard's useless equipment.
He didn't carry any silver.
He had nothing of interest.
A Grimswarm orc guard decays into compost.

Your disk arrives, following you dutifully.
A Grimswarm orc scourge strides in, glowering upon the scene.
A Grimswarm orc archer rushes in!

>prep 1030

You change your tune slightly, adding the element for Song of Sonic Disruption to your song...
Your spellsong is ready.

>cast

You weave another verse into your harmony.
[Spell Hindrance for a swirling sonic barrier is 5% with current Armor Use skill, d100= 5]
Your armor prevents the song from working correctly.

>prep 1030

You change your tune slightly, adding the element for Song of Sonic Disruption to your song...
Your spellsong is ready.

>cast

You weave another verse into your harmony.
CS: +522 - TD: +366 + CvA: +8 + d100: +69 == +233
Warding failed!
A Grimswarm orc archer reels under the force of the sonic vibrations!
Sound waves disrupt for 115 damage!
... 95 points of damage!
The orc archer's midsection swells painfully then bursts, sending the orc archer everywhere.
[You have earned 60 prestige points.]
The orc archer falls to the ground and dies.

CS: +522 - TD: +358 + CvA: +18 + d100: +20 == +202
Warding failed!
A Grimswarm orc scourge reels under the force of the sonic vibrations!
Sound waves disrupt for 97 damage!
... 85 points of damage!
The orc scourge's midsection swells painfully then bursts, sending the orc scourge everywhere.
[You have earned 45 prestige points.]
The orc scourge falls to the ground and dies.
The very powerful look leaves a Grimswarm orc scourge.
The white light leaves a Grimswarm orc scourge.
The opalescent aura fades from around a Grimswarm orc scourge.
The guiding force leaves a Grimswarm orc scourge.
A Grimswarm orc scourge loses its focused look.
The air calms down around a Grimswarm orc scourge.
The light blue glow leaves a Grimswarm orc scourge.

Sing Roundtime 3 Seconds.

>loot

>loot

You search the orc archer.
You discard the archer's useless equipment.
He didn't carry any silver.
Interestingly enough, he carried a crude bone key on him.
He had nothing of interest.
A Grimswarm orc archer decays into compost.
You search the orc scourge.
You discard the scourge's useless equipment.
He didn't carry any silver.
He had nothing of interest.
A Grimswarm orc scourge decays into compost.

[droit]

Well no wonder they fuckin nerfed it.

[spraggeth]

That was pre-nerf right?

[Roblar]

That was pre-nerf right?

Yes. I don't play the class but as was mentioned the bard update was posted not too long ago and I know cman focus below being active rather than passive was awhile back:


>cman focus

You feel your mind and body gird themselves against magical interference.

[Androidpk]

Pretty lame that Focus isn't passive anymore. Didn't even know they changed it. How long does it last and what is the cost?

[Roblar]

No it is now passive.

Originally when cmans came out focus and movement were both active.

[nocturnix]

As a pure bard, I can say based on the swarming nature of warcamps it is fair they nerfed 1030. I'm not maxed in manip yet, but even so, 1030 really shines against groups of critters. I've played wiz, sorc, and now bard to around 50 trains and my Bard still wrecks swarms the hardest. Can't imagine how much that will be once he's got 75 manip. But I dont GOS with him, mainly due to the nerf obviously. I might try it eventually with focused 1030.

Cant really comment on how viable melee bards are in camps.

[Androidpk]

Given that bards are a semi class I'm okay with the nerf. I would have taken it a step further and capped the number of targets it can hit, similar to how 1630 works.

[nocturnix]

Given that bards are a semi class I'm okay with the nerf. I would have taken it a step further and capped the number of targets it can hit, similar to how 1630 works.

In warcamps? Fine. But dont touch my 1030 outside of warcamps... :-P

[Drakefang]

Whomever said ranged sucks in a warcamp must not like hunting longer than a couple minutes (as clearing a camp even with a bow can take a bit). I solo warcamps of about 100 grims pretty regularly with a longbow in about 10-15 minutes. I rarely get hit but I do spell tank with the basics from rangers, wizards and a cleric. On top of those, I add a statue/303/310 or 313 and rarely 913/712. I find 303 and 313 on scrolls pretty regularly. The only critical thing is being able to hit eyes and having -3 sec rt from Tonis. So, pretty much post level 74, it can be done easily and fairly safely. I hunt in the first room and if I start to feel overwhelmed I step out of the camp for 30 seconds. Run powersong for the mana recovery. Not sure what else to suggest, as ranged has been the best hunting method I've found other than pure (which I still feel has some downside). Personally, I dislike being a pure bard because I tend to group hunt more than solo, now. I prefer to run Tonis for the group than solo fast fry as a pure.

What level was the OP that had trouble with a bow?

[Jeril]

Whomever said ranged sucks in a warcamp must not like hunting longer than a couple minutes (as clearing a camp even with a bow can take a bit). I solo warcamps of about 100 grims pretty regularly with a longbow in about 10-15 minutes. I rarely get hit but I do spell tank with the basics from rangers, wizards and a cleric. On top of those, I add a statue/303/310 or 313 and rarely 913/712. I find 303 and 313 on scrolls pretty regularly. The only critical thing is being able to hit eyes and having -3 sec rt from Tonis. So, pretty much post level 74, it can be done easily and fairly safely. I hunt in the first room and if I start to feel overwhelmed I step out of the camp for 30 seconds. Run powersong for the mana recovery. Not sure what else to suggest, as ranged has been the best hunting method I've found other than pure (which I still feel has some downside). Personally, I dislike being a pure bard because I tend to group hunt more than solo, now. I prefer to run Tonis for the group than solo fast fry as a pure.

What level was the OP that had trouble with a bow?

Sounds like a low level where you can't aim too reliably to get those eye shots just yet, which does make hunting warcamps with a bow much harder.

[Vagabondbard]

People have suggested you move around but let me add that a good 410 to a room then eye shots until they are dead works very well.

-Precap and for sure pre 73 trainings pole arms would work well. Of course you have to make sure you 1013 sorcerers and rangers, but you can also 1013 all the warrior types for easy mana.

-Haste imbeds would be better for you from 24 (48 if they changed that to need to be doubled) ranks to 75 air lore ranks I would think.

Basically, control any swarms with 410, hasted/Tonis eye shots, move around a bunch to get away from the shroud backfire (you will get messaging if the room you are moving into has the shroud up in arms), suck mana from the warriors, and make sure you either have a dull gold coin or you 1013 cloak of shadows from sorcs.

A lancer would do all that but he would make sure rangers don't have 640 up.

1030 nerf sucked, but I was never a Pure bard anyway.
Between lance and bow post cap the bow is much faster in warcamps.
Buckwheet I didn't see if anyone answered you but back in GS3 1015 and 413 did not stack. My take on it was they just copied 413 made it into a song.

GBB

[spraggeth]

Did they or did they not nerf focused 1030 in camps? I think I am mis reading what people are saying.

[Jeril]

Did they or did they not nerf focused 1030 in camps? I think I am mis reading what people are saying.

1030 was nerfed in warcamps.

[Androidpk]

1030 was nerfed in warcamps.

Simu nerfed it from inside a warcamp or its use inside a warcamp was nerfed?

[spraggeth]

Right I was asking in all forms it was nerfed? Or just open? Someone was making it sound like they still camped with it.

[Jeril]

Probably not just inside warcamps, I imagine all grimswarm were affected by it. And whether you use it open or focused it is still the same. For those heavily trained to use it, it will still do the job just not as well as it had.

[Vagabondbard]

Grimswarm outside of camps still get hit the same with 1030. So for those with warparty tasks you will be see it working as it used to.

GBB