Shadowblade Tips [Request] - Phoenix Freeshard

I'm going to start up my shadowblade, and I'm looking for some tips on stats/race/spec. I'm torn between Kobold (15str, 10con) and Norse (15qui, 10str).

I fully expect to go shadowzerk while leveling, since it's the most DPS effective, and I may keep it for a few RR's before the crit specs really start to kick in.

Any additional info/tips are greatly appreciated. I'm open to all suggestions and discussions.

Do I touch envenom while leveling? Keep LA at level and pump rest into sword?

Thu 19 Jul 2018 12:17 PM by heardstheword

So currently I'm keeping

LA (at level)
Axe (1-2 levels below current level)
Envenom (left over points)

I can't tell if speccing into poisons is helping any. The low level procs don't seem to do too much, and I don't have multiple weapons to swap for all of the debuffs.

Thu 19 Jul 2018 3:57 PM by Seigmoraig

heardstheword wrote: ↑
Thu 19 Jul 2018 12:17 PM
So currently I'm keeping

LA (at level)
Axe (1-2 levels below current level)
Envenom (left over points)

I can't tell if speccing into poisons is helping any. The low level procs don't seem to do too much, and I don't have multiple weapons to swap for all of the debuffs.

Might as well keep Axe at level too since envenom is so low anyway

Thu 19 Jul 2018 4:14 PM by heardstheword

Seigmoraig wrote: ↑
Thu 19 Jul 2018 3:57 PM
heardstheword wrote: ↑
Thu 19 Jul 2018 12:17 PM
So currently I'm keeping

LA (at level)
Axe (1-2 levels below current level)
Envenom (left over points)

I can't tell if speccing into poisons is helping any. The low level procs don't seem to do too much, and I don't have multiple weapons to swap for all of the debuffs.

Might as well keep Axe at level too since envenom is so low anyway

I feel like as I level, keeping axe 2 levels below my level and rest in Envenom will eventually pay off. The added DPS from the DoT and the disease poison outweighs the small amount of DPS I gain from axe getting 2 levels.

Thu 19 Jul 2018 6:13 PM by Seigmoraig

heardstheword wrote: ↑
Thu 19 Jul 2018 4:14 PM
Seigmoraig wrote: ↑
Thu 19 Jul 2018 3:57 PM
heardstheword wrote: ↑
Thu 19 Jul 2018 12:17 PM
So currently I'm keeping

LA (at level)
Axe (1-2 levels below current level)
Envenom (left over points)

I can't tell if speccing into poisons is helping any. The low level procs don't seem to do too much, and I don't have multiple weapons to swap for all of the debuffs.

Might as well keep Axe at level too since envenom is so low anyway

I feel like as I level, keeping axe 2 levels below my level and rest in Envenom will eventually pay off. The added DPS from the DoT and the disease poison outweighs the small amount of DPS I gain from axe getting 2 levels.

It sure will, but you can just respec at 40 to get your desired envenom level (once this goes live and we dont have unlimited respecs!).

Fri 20 Jul 2018 4:11 PM by heardstheword

Oh for sure, that's the goal. Up until level 50, I expect to be:

0-1 level behind my level in LA
1-2 levels behind my level in Axe
Rest into envenom (roughly half of my level at level 23 right now)

The tiny benefit from envenom does seem to help a ton. Disease/dot is great for soloing. Luckily the low level poisons are super cheap. I do plan to go into Alchemy for live, but I'm not sure I'll waste the time for beta.

My first level 50 spec will most likely be shadowzerk for the time being. At least until I can get a little higher RR then I'll go for the 5-spec.

Mon 23 Jul 2018 1:49 PM by Joc

Perfzerks are fun too. Very much the same as a SZ, but with 21cs for 2h perfs. At 21CS a 2h perf still chunks casters and many other classes nicely.

Tue 24 Jul 2018 11:23 AM by heardstheword

I'm about 3 bubbles away from hitting 50 on my shadowblade. I need to sit down and figure what spec I want to play at first.

I guess the real decision is between Shadowzerk (or Perfzerk as mentioned) and the classic 5 spec. My only fear is having such low composite stealth if I go 5-spec right away. It's that or I gimp my poison level to have 50comp stealth

Tue 24 Jul 2018 3:54 PM by Seigmoraig

50 composite stealth spec isn't even a question. You need it. If you can't get it with the spec you want to play, you need to put off playing that spec until you get higher RR

Tue 24 Jul 2018 4:08 PM by heardstheword

Seigmoraig wrote: ↑
Tue 24 Jul 2018 3:54 PM
50 composite stealth spec isn't even a question. You need it. If you can't get it with the spec you want to play, you need to put off playing that spec until you get higher RR

For sure. I guess it's what stat do I gimp.

39stealth
34CS
34? sword
34? LA
rest envenom

Tue 24 Jul 2018 5:15 PM by Numatic

Well you have three options

1. SZ. You lose the crit line for strong sustained damage. Very useful in straight melee 1v1 but lose the burst from crit line and stun from CD.

2. Critblade. Personally I like this choice over SZ. Now don't take my word for it but I believe at this patch, LA only affects main hand damage on LA styles, and overall damage with your left handed weapon (no matter the spec). Meaning it does not effect damage using your CS line except with your left handed weapon (which is negligible imo). The devs would have to confirm this though.

3. 5 spec. At low RR I don't suggest this as you will need to gimp yourself somewhere. It gives you a jack of all trades but you don't excel in any specific line. Your overall damage output will be lower for the trade off of utility.

Tue 24 Jul 2018 5:22 PM by heardstheword

Numatic wrote: ↑
Tue 24 Jul 2018 5:15 PM
2. Critblade.

What is the spec for this?

44CS
3x sword (50? comp)
3x stealth (50 comp)
3x envenom (50 comp)
leftover LA

I went as 2h CritBlade back in the day on the Classic servers when they first dropped. It's been a very very long time, though.

Tue 24 Jul 2018 5:30 PM by Numatic

heardstheword wrote: ↑
Tue 24 Jul 2018 5:22 PM
Numatic wrote: ↑
Tue 24 Jul 2018 5:15 PM
2. Critblade.

What is the spec for this?

44CS
3x sword (50? comp)
3x stealth (50 comp)
3x envenom (50 comp)
leftover LA

I went as 2h CritBlade back in the day on the Classic servers when they first dropped. It's been a very very long time, though.

Yep. You open with 2h perf and switch to duel wield. Use garrotte for anytime in CS line. It's a bit more endurance intensive though if you aren't getting your evade styles off since garrotte has a high end cost

Wed 25 Jul 2018 12:23 PM by heardstheword

Numatic wrote: ↑
Tue 24 Jul 2018 5:30 PM
heardstheword wrote: ↑
Tue 24 Jul 2018 5:22 PM
Numatic wrote: ↑
Tue 24 Jul 2018 5:15 PM
2. Critblade.

What is the spec for this?

44CS
3x sword (50? comp)
3x stealth (50 comp)
3x envenom (50 comp)
leftover LA

I went as 2h CritBlade back in the day on the Classic servers when they first dropped. It's been a very very long time, though.

Yep. You open with 2h perf and switch to duel wield. Use garrotte for anytime in CS line. It's a bit more endurance intensive though if you aren't getting your evade styles off since garrotte has a high end cost

So I asked in "Ask the Team", and everyone says LA affects mainhand damage on every weapon style that uses dual wielding. So I'm thinking I'll go full critblade at first. Just 2h heavy, 0 LA (maybe use it to apply poisons for a single hit).

Looks like I can go:
ShadowZerk:
50 LA
36 stealth
36 sword
36 envenom
10 CS (backstab2)

CritBlade:
44 CS
39 stealth
39 sword
39 Envenom

5-spec:
39 LA
35 stealth
35 sword
35 envenom
34 or 39CS

Tue 31 Jul 2018 11:04 PM by Moondragon

I want to test a few different specs using a 2H weapon for critblade when I hit 50 to test damage. Only 38 atm, so perhaps you could run a test and let us know:

50 Sword
39 CS
0 LA
or
44 Sword
44 CS
0 LA
or
50 CS
39 Sword
0 LA

Wed 1 Aug 2018 12:14 PM by heardstheword

Moondragon wrote: ↑
Tue 31 Jul 2018 11:04 PM
I want to test a few different specs using a 2H weapon for critblade when I hit 50 to test damage. Only 38 atm, so perhaps you could run a test and let us know:

50 Sword
39 CS
0 LA
or
44 Sword
44 CS
0 LA
or
50 CS
39 Sword
0 LA

I can try that later. I think there are test dummies somewhere.... Jord maybe?

I'll throw in my current spec as well which is:

44CS
34sword

Wed 1 Aug 2018 9:23 PM by relvinian

You can basically put 36 points in everything.

Stealth/poison/left axe,/weapon/critical strike.

Thu 2 Aug 2018 11:22 AM by heardstheword

relvinian wrote: ↑
Wed 1 Aug 2018 9:23 PM
You can basically put 36 points in everything.

Stealth/poison/left axe,/weapon/critical strike.

Which is good, once you hit RR4.

Until then you're gimping yourself not having composite 51weapon/50stealth/50envenom. To reach that, it means something won't be 36

Fri 3 Aug 2018 3:13 PM by heardstheword

Moondragon wrote: ↑
Tue 31 Jul 2018 11:04 PM
I want to test a few different specs using a 2H weapon for critblade when I hit 50 to test damage. Only 38 atm, so perhaps you could run a test and let us know:

So I did a test for several specs using 2handed sword (not for Shadowzerk spec). I took the damage from 20 attacks (ignoring crits/procs/etc) for each PA and Garrote and averaged them out. To be honest the variance was kinda high for some of them, and I should've done ~30 per, but eh...

44CS / 34Sword
44CS / 39Sword
44CS / 44Sword
50CS / 39Sword
39CS / 50Sword
21CS / 50LA (for fun to test dual wield PA and doublefrost)

Unfortunately, my character is not templated, so my +specs are not where they should be, but at least I got values relative to eachother. I went outside of Jord and hit the level 50 dummy for each of these. I can update with my stat values if anyone cares, but it's probably not important as its constant between each of the tests. I will preface this with the fact that I do not have the max +12 to my critical strike or sword, so that will affect damage for the lower values (i.e 39sword vs 50sword may be closer if I have +12). But we'll take what we can get I suppose. I do plan on redoing this test when I am templated, or if I can get my hands on some +sword/+CS items.

I got these values with no buffs applied to my character. (kobold)

So, time for the Perforate Artery averages:
347.95 - 50CS / 39Sword
333.65 - 44CS / 44 Sword
317.75 - 44CS / 39Sword
299.75 - 44CS / 34Sword
294.4 - 39CS / 50Sword
137.5 - 21CS / 50LA (dual wielded, so double it, I guess? 275..)

Garrote:
124.6 - 39CS / 50Sword
119.1 - 44CS / 44Sword
118.95 - 50CS / 39Sword
112.75 - 44CS / 34Sword
112.9 - 44CS / 39Sword
105.3 - 21CS / 50LA (dual wielded, double frost, just for fun)

TL;DR higher CS produces a higher spike in the opening styles, but the bonus isn't as apparent for your every time style, Garrote.

Sat 4 Aug 2018 1:32 PM by Moondragon

So I finally hit 50 and ran a test on two different specs. I too am not templated or have great gear, but I wanted to do the test ASAP to get an idea of what to expect. I ran my test differently than you. I assumed a full PA->CD->SS chain and then followed up with a Garote-->Achilles Heel Chain. I tested this on the level 50 dummy (26% resists) and I ignored any critical strike or proc damage. This is using a 2-Handed sword. Lastly, I ran the test 7 times.

Test 1: Sword 44+9 and CS 39+4
Averages (mean):
PA (278) CD (143) SS (155) GAR (137) AH (141) Total chain damage on average: 855
Std Deviation (only 7 observations...so don't get too obsessed with these):
PA (22) CD (12) SS (22) GAR (9) AH (13)

Test 2: Sword 39+9 and CS 50+4
Averages (mean):
PA (362) CD (154) SS (170) GAR (129) AH (147) Total chain damage on average: 962
Std Deviation (only 7 observations...so don't get too obsessed with these):
PA (46) CD (14) SS (18) GAR (17) AH (13)

So, based upon this data, it's clear that the 3 style opening chain and the standard anytime 2-style chain outperforms on AVERAGE by about 13% going full CS, but the variability is certainly higher, especially on PA and Garrote. I suppose that makes sense. If I ever get decent gear I can re-run the test.

Early on, you really can't go 50 CS because of stealth/envenom requirements, but 44 CS, 39 Sword might be the best option. At higher RR, lowering Stealth/Envenom you should be able to boost CS to 50. Furthermore, you get the long evade chain styles (Hamstring, Leaper, Rib Sep, Ripper--at 50CS).

Wed 10 Oct 2018 7:46 PM by Moondragon

With the i50 gear, I decided to rerun the test with CS44+11 and Sword 39+11. I used a 2-handed sword for my test.

Without buffs, here's my average damage: PA: 554 Creep Death: 283 Stun Stab: 298. That's a 3-PA chain damage total of 1135. Garrotte was 285 and Achilles Heel was 320.

Using potion i50 STR and STR/Con buffs, the damage was as follows: PA: 643 Creep Death: 327 and Stun Stab: 350. The 3-PA chain is 1320 (a 16% increase from the unbuffed version). That should do most non-tanks if you add some damage from poison.

Using the potion i50 STR and the STR/Con charge item, the damage maxed to: PA:697 Creep Death: 356 and Stun Stab: 378, for a total of 1431 (a 25% increase from the unbuffed version).

Sat 27 Oct 2018 7:35 AM by Ninefingers

so.. what about RA progression?

Sat 3 Nov 2018 12:15 AM by Falken

heardstheword wrote: ↑
Fri 3 Aug 2018 3:13 PM
Moondragon wrote: ↑
Tue 31 Jul 2018 11:04 PM
I want to test a few different specs using a 2H weapon for critblade when I hit 50 to test damage. Only 38 atm, so perhaps you could run a test and let us know:

So I did a test for several specs using 2handed sword (not for Shadowzerk spec). I took the damage from 20 attacks (ignoring crits/procs/etc) for each PA and Garrote and averaged them out. To be honest the variance was kinda high for some of them, and I should've done ~30 per, but eh...

44CS / 34Sword
44CS / 39Sword
44CS / 44Sword
50CS / 39Sword
39CS / 50Sword
21CS / 50LA (for fun to test dual wield PA and doublefrost)

Unfortunately, my character is not templated, so my +specs are not where they should be, but at least I got values relative to eachother. I went outside of Jord and hit the level 50 dummy for each of these. I can update with my stat values if anyone cares, but it's probably not important as its constant between each of the tests. I will preface this with the fact that I do not have the max +12 to my critical strike or sword, so that will affect damage for the lower values (i.e 39sword vs 50sword may be closer if I have +12). But we'll take what we can get I suppose. I do plan on redoing this test when I am templated, or if I can get my hands on some +sword/+CS items.

I got these values with no buffs applied to my character. (kobold)

So, time for the Perforate Artery averages:
347.95 - 50CS / 39Sword
333.65 - 44CS / 44 Sword
317.75 - 44CS / 39Sword
299.75 - 44CS / 34Sword
294.4 - 39CS / 50Sword
137.5 - 21CS / 50LA (dual wielded, so double it, I guess? 275..)

Garrote:
124.6 - 39CS / 50Sword
119.1 - 44CS / 44Sword
118.95 - 50CS / 39Sword
112.75 - 44CS / 34Sword
112.9 - 44CS / 39Sword
105.3 - 21CS / 50LA (dual wielded, double frost, just for fun)

TL;DR higher CS produces a higher spike in the opening styles, but the bonus isn't as apparent for your every time style, Garrote.

Do any i50 testing on your specs or RA progression for stealther?