Merc 50 weapon spec - Phoenix Freeshard

Hello!
I’m only a few levels off now getting my 50 merc. I’ve leveled him crush spec during the levelling process but now was curious of what weapon spec to go at 50?

I was thinking of my end game spec 50 dw 42 shield 39 weapon and any left overs parry. I think this spec will be mainly rvr but help with pve feather farming and raids.

If any one has any advice and reasons for weapon spec or even changes to my end game spec I would be greatful!

Thanks

Tue 26 Feb 2019 8:51 AM by Crimpsta

I might also add I am tempted to ignore shield and do 50 dw 50 weapon rest parry. As I level up rr lower weapon but keep it 51 composite.

Just not sure on losing the shield slam...

Tue 26 Feb 2019 9:21 AM by provokaz

i'm going 50 dw 39 crush 44 parry myself, if i rvr chances are i'll have an arms to slam, if i solo 44 parry is nuts and crush has a 6second stun on it (i'm also a highlander)

Tue 26 Feb 2019 9:25 AM by Crimpsta

Thanks for the response! Interesting take on the spec. I agree with slam I think it’s best suited with armsman so I might rule out shield spec.

I really enjoyed crush whilst levelling the stun was brilliant. Part of me is tempted to spec slash also...

Tue 26 Feb 2019 9:39 AM by dudis

Slam is just too good to give up both for solo, smallman and group really, even with other slam-tanks around.

Parry wont help you much in group fights.

Tue 26 Feb 2019 9:48 AM by Cami

The assumption, that an Armsman will always be on your side for 100% of all time in any fights is completely wrong. It is probably the opposite - the Armsman will never reach your target, because you were unable to stun it. And you remove your peeling utility as a Merc which may not be your main job, but we are not talking PvE where the situation is always the same and you can brainlessly click one button for 5 hours. I had this discussion for years and most Mercs hate not having Slam after a couple of 8v8 fights. Not to say, speccing for less utility makes a character usually boring as hell.

I do not see how Realm Abilities can suite Group needs and Solo capacity at the same time. Unless you are at a very high realm rank, you will either go Det or IP/MoParry. Nobody needs Det in 1v1 and nobody needs MoParry in groups. So planning your Spec for all situations does not work, you have to choose.

That being said, 50 dw 42 shield 39 weapon is totally fine and the way to go for group RvR. I strongly recommend going Slash as Bonus damage versus Berserkers and Savages is most important.
With RR8+ you can begin to consider split specs like 50 dw 42 shield 29 slash 29 thrust and switch your weapon depending on your targets class.

Tue 26 Feb 2019 10:08 AM by provokaz

i completely agree with your post spec and weapon choice, unfortunately i'm planning to solo or duo with a cleric super late into the night and generally plan to pick on solo/duo's. while slam is cool i feel like in most duo/solo's its gonna get purged so i'd just rather have a shitload of extra parry , worse case scenario i buy a respec for a plat

Tue 26 Feb 2019 10:27 AM by Crimpsta

Cami thank you for your input I appreciate it and you raise some very good points.

If I go slash what would you recommend for speed wise on my weapons for main and off hand?

I think starting out I need to be aiming for pve to help with gearing/feathers/rogs with part rvr here and there to get use to spec/class and rvr again been a long time!

Tue 26 Feb 2019 11:43 AM by Cami

@provokaz Indeed, solo is a complete different story. It is possible to switch in your shield between each style, but this is very hard to do and I guess even the best players will lose at least some dps when doing it. That being said, full parry is stronger in 1v1 situations against assassins.

@Crimpsta To be honest, I do not know the best weapon speed with Dual Wield. In Midgard it was slowest main and fastest offhand, but Left Axe and Dual Wield mechanics are not identical. Slowest main should be best with Dual Wield, but I do not know about the best offhand speed.

Thu 28 Feb 2019 10:56 PM by boom-mug

Slam is super useful... but I don't have it on my merc. If I want to use a shield I play the paladin (slightly less hp, and one table lower in damage, but you get so many more things with chants like resists that stack fully yellow and 20% with red resists etc + a range taunt / interrupt).

Its sort of odd that mercs can spec shield, but it can be useful if you're one of those people who enjoy switching weapons back and forth and only want to play that one character.

I went crush and use almost all DW styles, except for the followup anytime stun on crush.

Honestly I think you should try out the 50 / 50 weapon spec for a while, respecs aren't that expensive, and the damage you do will be good.

Tue 5 Mar 2019 5:37 PM by Amp_Phetamine

boom-mug wrote: ↑
Thu 28 Feb 2019 10:56 PM
Slam is super useful... but I don't have it on my merc. If I want to use a shield I play the paladin (slightly less hp, and one table lower in damage, but you get so many more things with chants like resists that stack fully yellow and 20% with red resists etc + a range taunt / interrupt).

Its sort of odd that mercs can spec shield, but it can be useful if you're one of those people who enjoy switching weapons back and forth and only want to play that one character.

I went crush and use almost all DW styles, except for the followup anytime stun on crush.

Honestly I think you should try out the 50 / 50 weapon spec for a while, respecs aren't that expensive, and the damage you do will be good.

Agree'd I went 50/50/parry on my Merc, immediately went for RA 5 and for the most part the dps output is beautiful. Especially solo, even if I get stunned by an assassin they'll generally almost kill themselves attacking me.