Do you use Strider's Defense? Why? Why not?
Not in the least I unlocked it and played around with it a bit, but I find it is too unreliable for the investment of points.
We’d have been better off with a X second long reflection one weapon swap.
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Occasionally, I’ll use it on fights like the flame shaman (elemental form) in Fractals. I’ve also used it occasionally in PVP if my build has enough points left for me to snag it.
The traits pretty strong post buff, and it now works as long as you’re swinging your weapon instead of actually hitting with it (so flailing your GS or sword wildly as you run at people will mitigate projectiles).
Also, it seems to destroy ranged projectiles (at least that’s how it was pre buff I haven’t checked in a while) so if an engi through Nades and it proced it’d destroy all of the Nades near you, denying the AoE damage.
That being said, is MUCH rather the trait become “reflect projectiles when you evade.” With no ICD.
They sing dark, delicious notes about power and family.
As their mother, I have to grant them their wish. – Forever Fyonna
As their mother, I have to grant them their wish. – Forever Fyonna
Do you use the grandmaster skirmishing trait called Strider’s Defense?
No.
Why or why not?
It looks underwhelming considered the investment. In most cases melee builds (or any build with a GS really) benefit more from Moment of Clarity. That is if you even go six points in skirmishing in a melee build. I prefer 4/4/6/0/0.
Have you tried it in real fights?
No. And I doubt trying it would change my mind.
I do however like the concept of it and it definitely fits the ranger thematically.
(edited by Lazze.9870)
Its still really weak IMO.
20% damage reduction from projectiles, whilst attacking, for 6 trait points in a bad line.
Why wouldnt i just trait for protection in NM?
John Snowman [GLTY]
Space Marine Z [GLTY]
Space Marine Z [GLTY]
I gave it a bit of a go after the buff in wvw roaming using 0/6/2/6/0 and x/6/6/x/0 zerker melee builds and the only times i felt a positive from it was flipping camps getting less hits from the scouts and in fights against bad players who don’t weapon swap.
But in those type of builds i would rather take MoC for the hilt bash buff or even something for a different trait line such as signet CD or protection on dodge
Do you use the grandmaster skirmishing trait called Strider’s Defense?
No.
Why or why not?
No.wouldn’t consider using it. 20% is very low, and it only works vs projectiles while swinging a melee weapon. Too narrowly defined to be useful I think. Not sure i would choose it if it were a skirmishing adept trait.
Eg the 3pt trait in the toughness tree that gives protection on dodge is much stronger than this GM trait.
downed state is bad for PVP
Doing some tests lately. Right now I’m trying to find where this thing best fits, notwithstanding it’s bad reputation currently.
The idea is based around evades from gs (means you’re evading half the time just auto-attacking), pair it with the gs4 block, and an extra 20% chance of destroying projectile would make you a boring thing to fight with when you’re up against someone who’s primarily ranged. I’m testing this using two sets, Superior Rune of the Defender with full clerics, and the same runes with combination of Knights/Berserkers/Valk-Serker trinkets and tested them with multiple food. The heals are great but then we will obviously be faced with the question, then go full melee or combination of melee/range? Until more people go around playing/testing it, this will still take a lot of time…
HoT = Grind Wars 2
HoT = WvW players forced to PVE
HoT = WvW players forced to PVE
Maybe it could work with my former try of full melee Ranger build.
…
I’ll give it some proper testing once my exams are over. Which will be in one week.
If you can keep on hold till that – I’ll do that =)
Or I can throw the build I used for someone else to try it out.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
It would be awesome for dueling if they changed it to something like, “Next melee attack destroys projectiles” with like a 5 second ICD. Would still get around 20% projectile destruction in a 1v1 but would also allow you to proc it only when you really need it, like pin down, knockback shot, mesmer Gs 2.
The only real problem with this would be its complete lack of scaling vs. multiple opponents. I’d still take this over the passive chance, just for the added control though.
As Kolisch says its a trait for GS.
But the problem with GS is not survivability, its damage. It has to be the weakest GS in the game.
The damage modifiers are ok, but cast times are all too slow and telegraphed. You can’t hit #### with it, and when you do its an auto attack which hits like a wet noodle, and only every couple of seconds…
Not only is striders defense weak, it is totally unnecessary. Its not like people neglect GS because 20% of projectiles are getting them killed…its because you can’t kill people with it in a competitive environment.
John Snowman [GLTY]
Space Marine Z [GLTY]
Space Marine Z [GLTY]
A lot of people don’t seem to realize this it seems, but the trait works on main hand sword too… not just GS…
They sing dark, delicious notes about power and family.
As their mother, I have to grant them their wish. – Forever Fyonna
As their mother, I have to grant them their wish. – Forever Fyonna
A lot of people don’t seem to realize this it seems, but the trait works on main hand sword too… not just GS…
I think everyone realises that…but the fact that it stacks with GS #1 Evade would arguably make it better suited to the GS.
But its still crap regardless.
John Snowman [GLTY]
Space Marine Z [GLTY]
Space Marine Z [GLTY]
A lot of people don’t seem to realize this it seems, but the trait works on main hand sword too… not just GS…
I think everyone realises that…but the fact that it stacks with GS #1 Evade would arguably make it better suited to the GS.
But its still crap regardless.
Wouldn’t say crap, but it’d be nice if it were less total RNG (seems like it)
They sing dark, delicious notes about power and family.
As their mother, I have to grant them their wish. – Forever Fyonna
As their mother, I have to grant them their wish. – Forever Fyonna
Come on man, for 6 points it’s crap.
To use this trait you have to go x/6/6/x/x or 0/6/2/6/0…
You’ve arguably got enough defense in either of those to not need 20% defense against projectiles…while spamming 1…
Hell, rune of resistance with a signet build is more useful than this…
John Snowman [GLTY]
Space Marine Z [GLTY]
Space Marine Z [GLTY]
Come on man, for 6 points it’s crap.
To use this trait you have to go x/6/6/x/x or 0/6/2/6/0…
You’ve arguably got enough defense in either of those to not need 20% defense against projectiles…while spamming 1…
Hell, rune of resistance with a signet build is more useful than this…
whoops, I had deleted too much of my post, it was supposed to say, “It’s not crap, but for a grandmaster it’s crap.” and then continue on with the rest of it lol
I personally would much rather see Striders Defense become “You reflect projectiles while evading while a sword, greatsword, or spear is equipped.” it’d be unique, it’d be interesting, and it would fulfill the role of “punish the ranged while you’re melee.”
They sing dark, delicious notes about power and family.
As their mother, I have to grant them their wish. – Forever Fyonna
As their mother, I have to grant them their wish. – Forever Fyonna
Come on man, for 6 points it’s crap.
To use this trait you have to go x/6/6/x/x or 0/6/2/6/0…
You’ve arguably got enough defense in either of those to not need 20% defense against projectiles…while spamming 1…
Hell, rune of resistance with a signet build is more useful than this…
whoops, I had deleted too much of my post, it was supposed to say, “It’s not crap, but for a grandmaster it’s crap.” and then continue on with the rest of it lol
I personally would much rather see Striders Defense become “You reflect projectiles while evading while a sword, greatsword, or spear is equipped.” it’d be unique, it’d be interesting, and it would fulfill the role of “punish the ranged while you’re melee.”
Still would be crap as a grandmaster trait the whole trait system needs an over haul though as the started as a free form choose any three from the intial design and then were arbitrarily tiered (I highly doubt it was because of any of the rangers trait, but those of other profession) and tinkered around with a bit here and there after.
Pets have been hidden due to rising Player complaints.
Come on man, for 6 points it’s crap.
To use this trait you have to go x/6/6/x/x or 0/6/2/6/0…
You’ve arguably got enough defense in either of those to not need 20% defense against projectiles…while spamming 1…
Hell, rune of resistance with a signet build is more useful than this…
whoops, I had deleted too much of my post, it was supposed to say, “It’s not crap, but for a grandmaster it’s crap.” and then continue on with the rest of it lol
I personally would much rather see Striders Defense become “You reflect projectiles while evading while a sword, greatsword, or spear is equipped.” it’d be unique, it’d be interesting, and it would fulfill the role of “punish the ranged while you’re melee.”
That would actually be cool. A s/d ranger would be a lb ranger’s worst nightmare :p
John Snowman [GLTY]
Space Marine Z [GLTY]
Space Marine Z [GLTY]
Never use it. Like others have said it’s an interesting trait but ultimately not very good, especially since full melee rangers are not that common. Almost everyone using one melee and one ranged weapon, and the melee weapon is commonly used for mobility / survivability more than fighting anyway, so the whole trait is a little redundant.
Even on a full melee build I wouldn’t use it though. Many other traits I’d rather have.
Cufufalating – Ranger / Part-Time Mesmer
Gunnar’s Hold
Gunnar’s Hold
…
but the fact that it stacks with GS #1 Evade would arguably make it better suited to the GS.But its still crap regardless.
How does it stack, if may I ask? It overlaps each other, I’m afraid. If you evade an attack – you evade the attack. Yet you can destroy a projectile that has already been evaded.
The thing is that it has synergy with it. It doesn’t “stack” with it.
The trait is actually less useful on GS than on sword.
“Observe, learn and counter.”
I think a change to “Destroy a projectile when you swing a melee weapon” with a 3 seconds internal cooldown would be good enough for it to be a grandmaster trait.
That way, the RNG is eliminated and the trait becomes controllable.
Come on man, for 6 points it’s crap.
To use this trait you have to go x/6/6/x/x or 0/6/2/6/0…
You’ve arguably got enough defense in either of those to not need 20% defense against projectiles…while spamming 1…
Hell, rune of resistance with a signet build is more useful than this…
whoops, I had deleted too much of my post, it was supposed to say, “It’s not crap, but for a grandmaster it’s crap.” and then continue on with the rest of it lol
I personally would much rather see Striders Defense become “You reflect projectiles while evading while a sword, greatsword, or spear is equipped.” it’d be unique, it’d be interesting, and it would fulfill the role of “punish the ranged while you’re melee.”
Still would be crap as a grandmaster trait the whole trait system needs an over haul though as the started as a free form choose any three from the intial design and then were arbitrarily tiered (I highly doubt it was because of any of the rangers trait, but those of other profession) and tinkered around with a bit here and there after.
the original system was stupidly unbalanced, i’m more than happy they implemented the tiering. Now you can’t get builds that use EB + Barkskin + Old Evasive Purity (2 condis from you AND nearby allies on dodge roll, no CD), and still have 40 points left to spend wherever the hell you kitten well pleased.
It was kinda fun because people who used a stupidly strong build were more then capable of 1v8ing in sPvP and coming out kitten near unscathed, but it gets boring after a while, and there’s only an illusion of choice, because there will always be a build that’s superior to others in EVERY way because there’s nothing stopping people from just taking the best of the traits.
They sing dark, delicious notes about power and family.
As their mother, I have to grant them their wish. – Forever Fyonna
As their mother, I have to grant them their wish. – Forever Fyonna
I think a change to “Destroy a projectile when you swing a melee weapon” with a 3 seconds internal cooldown would be good enough for it to be a grandmaster trait.
That way, the RNG is eliminated and the trait becomes controllable.
I would like this, however they need to have a buff or something displaying when it’s “up” imo, it’d also make for some clutch (and awesome) blocks and intercepts.
EDIT: I’d personally make it so it destroys projectiles in your swords cleave range, so there’s a potential of destroying more than one, but it’s not likely.
They sing dark, delicious notes about power and family.
As their mother, I have to grant them their wish. – Forever Fyonna
As their mother, I have to grant them their wish. – Forever Fyonna
6 points in skirmishing is a pretty big investment, imo.
For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards,
for there you have been and there you will long to return.
for there you have been and there you will long to return.
I have tested this and found that Quickness dramatically affects how this skill works. If you pop QZ then spam 1 with no target and another ranger does RF at you Also with QZ then you will block 90% of the arrows IF NOT all. As far as i can tell the 20% has more to do with how often your swinging sword is in a position to block an arrow and less to do with passive proc. For instance all the times I blocked an arrow the Sword hit it directly in front of me so the more you can maximize attack rate the better this skill gets. Related to that if someone is shooting you in melee then your chances of blocking his arrows/projectiles drastically reduces, to the point where I hardly got a proc.
This skill is interesting however as has been said above it’s niche is very small and not good enough for a 6 pt investment.
Do projectiles include treb shots? I’m thinking battle of kylo :P
John Snowman [GLTY]
Space Marine Z [GLTY]
Space Marine Z [GLTY]
Personally, I think it’s too unreliable. 1/5 chance isn’t enough, and you have to be attacking to top it off.
As suggested above, reflecting projectiles while evading could see some use from me if it were ever implemented, but as the trait stands, I wouldn’t wager using it.
Stormbluff Isle
The best thing i could recommend as an improvement to SD would be to add a straight 20% chance to avoid AOE on top of the 20% projectile immunity. That might make it worth the investment.
downed state is bad for PVP
Well what if you have 5 rangers with this trait stacked on top of each other? Lol what happens then?
they get absolutely one shotted by a hambow warrior…..
No I never even tried it out cause it looks like kitten on paper and I never go that far into skirmishing on any of my builds.
I would rather this trait be changed to reduce weapon swap cooldown times to fit with the theme that the 1 and 3 point traits have. I feel like if it was around 2-3 seconds less on swap CD, it would compete with moment of clarity
I would rather this trait be changed to reduce weapon swap cooldown times to fit with the theme that the 1 and 3 point traits have. I feel like if it was around 2-3 seconds less on swap CD, it would compete with moment of clarity
Woah, but warriors already get 5 seconds off their cooldown , and it isn’t even a grandmaster trait.
I don’t know what this trait needs to be changed to, but judging from the nature of the responses, it needs to be changed. So do something already a-net, kitten it.
Stormbluff Isle
I would increase it to 25% chance to make it viable. It wouldn’t be as OP as increasing it to 30/33%, but a little more powerful than 20%
Ranger: My Main Man Ray
Increasing the % wouldn’t do anything.
I like the suggestion to make it proc on weapon swap to a melee weapon instead of randomly.
“Reflect the next 3 projectiles when swapping to a melee weapon while in combat.” Should have the visual effect of whirling defense. (propably smaller but something like that)