Discussion: Started a champion and..

I am now level 15 and WOW do I die alot. I suspect as I learn the class and get better gear and more skills this will slow down a bit. I hope. Please tell me I am right.

But, on to my main question. Should I use 2h weapons or dual wield?

What is the advantage to each one? Wouldnt using a 2h weapon make me miss out on stats from an offhand weapon? I shouldnt use a shield, should I? How much wood WOULD a woodchuck chuck?

Ok. The last question you can ignore.

Thanks.
Kiv

Gear is extremely important for Champions. At level 20, make SURE you have heavy armor. Also, get the best weapons you can at each upgrade level. It will help tremendously.

Finally, go with whichever style you prefer. Personally, I leveled using DW mostly. Of course, that was way back before the current game mechanics, so things have certainly changed, but I preferred it to 2H until I reached the level cap. Now I use a 2H.

Envoyé par kivs

I am now level 15 and WOW do I die alot. I suspect as I learn the class and get better gear and more skills this will slow down a bit. I hope. Please tell me I am right.

But, on to my main question. Should I use 2h weapons or dual wield?

What is the advantage to each one? Wouldnt using a 2h weapon make me miss out on stats from an offhand weapon? I shouldnt use a shield, should I? How much wood WOULD a woodchuck chuck?

Ok. The last question you can ignore.

Thanks.
Kiv

I feel if you're dying a lot at this stage it's because you're still learning the balance and mechanics. How many mobs do you generally take on? What are they? What quality are they? (swarm, normal, elite, you'll not have seen higher yet) My guess is you're getting unlucky with patrolling mob pulls or biting off more than you can chew.

As for the age old debate of dual vs 2h, go with what you like. Dual gives you an extra stat bonus and hits quicker, 2h hits harder but is a bit slower. Use what seems most comfortable to your skill rotation. As for a shield, I would not use it except as to quickly equip and run away. Later on when you start doing more group heavy content you might wanna make a habit of carrying a heavy around at all times. But for now, just bring a shield for self-defense and don't use it when you're trying to burn down mobs.

Hope that helps

Envoyé par Jamers

Gear is extremely important for Champions. At level 15, make SURE you have heavy armor.

I too have a baby champ, level 16 now, but dont have Heavy Armor - isnt that level 20 for champs?

P.S. I've died once already too, bad pull, 3 mobs, then a patrolling one got me too, so 4 on-level normal mobs = dead me

Heavy Armour is most definitely at level 20. Guardians are the only heavy class that gets heavy armour use at level 15.

Envoyé par SunnyM

I too have a baby champ, level 16 now, but dont have Heavy Armor - isnt that level 20 for champs?

Oops, you're absolutely right. My bad!

Thanks all.

I think my main problem has been my pulls. Seeing as how I read all about how Champs are AOE kings, I have been running into camps and going nuts. I will chill out a bit 8)

Envoyé par kivs

Thanks all.

I think my main problem has been my pulls. Seeing as how I read all about how Champs are AOE kings, I have been running into camps and going nuts. I will chill out a bit 8)

you'll be fine with 3-4 even level mobs once you get heavy armor. It makes a HUGE difference.


Also at lvl 16(?) you get cleave, another AOE which adds a dot, fairly helpful as well. Level 20 and on should be smooth sailing. Relentless strike at 20 is another to look forward to

Make sure to be using your skills to keep you alive (not sure which levels you get them at), but bracing attack for a heal, dire need when needed, stun horns, hamstrings to kite stuff around if needed. We have a few oh **** buttons, and some good get away skills.

Also I suggest dw while leveling, just because imo the only thing that makes 2h worth using are the legacies from legendary weapons...

Envoyé par kivs

Thanks all.

I think my main problem has been my pulls. Seeing as how I read all about how Champs are AOE kings, I have been running into camps and going nuts. I will chill out a bit 8)

LOL yea...def want to have a healer when you go suicidal champ...and remember to tell your healer first so they will be prepared to bring you back from the brink of death :P

this is interesting to hear, i have a level 17 champ and i can take 3-4 level 16 mobs just fine, as long as i dont forget to use the heal(bracing attack?) and the 2 buffs(attack speed and reflect ones).

a few things i would suggest are carry morale pots(should get plenty of these from quests) and to be duel-weild. in fervour 3-4 mobs drop very quickly IMO.

i do have quite a bit of experience with this game though so that may be helping me a little.

Envoyé par kivs

I am now level 15 and WOW do I die alot. I suspect as I learn the class and get better gear and more skills this will slow down a bit. I hope. Please tell me I am right.

But, on to my main question. Should I use 2h weapons or dual wield?

What is the advantage to each one? Wouldnt using a 2h weapon make me miss out on stats from an offhand weapon? I shouldnt use a shield, should I? How much wood WOULD a woodchuck chuck?

Ok. The last question you can ignore.

Thanks.
Kiv

It really does not matter much if you DW or 2h.

The biggest issues real quick: a dw player has a tanking weapon already (a 1h weapon) while a 2h player needs to carry a spare 1h for tanking. DW can choose offhand stats, 2h is stuck with the stats on the main hand (similar at lower levels, but random and possibly horrid on legendary weapons). DW at lower levels means buying / finding 2 weapons. DW at higher level means issues currently, few good offhand weapons out there (part of the overall gear problems in mirkwood). DW is better at corruption removal (special, removable mob buffs at higher levels).

Other than that, its just style. DW is faster paced, 2h is relaxed. Totally different feel to combat and play, but overall dps is not very different one way or the other, its just which aggravations you like the least (both styles have their little aggravations and perks).

My advice is to learn both styles and force yourself to use both styles as you level up so you understand them well and can use the best weapons you find throughout your career.

Just finished levelling my champ and I must say this is the most gear dependent class I've leveled so far (burg/lm/mini/hunter). I've also never died as much levelling a toon as what I did on a champ. Things in my opinion to remember :

Champs are alright solo but very strong in group. Group every time you can, if you can get a cappy friend to level with you, it'll really make your class shine.

Upgrade gear asap. Check AH and quest rewards for new weapons. Weapons take priority, after that armour and then jewellery.

If your health is down 300 and your bracing does a 300 heal then hit a bracing.

Always bow pull instead of charging in, unless its a ranged mob..will give you a bit of pip gen before mobs get to you.

Flurry is your best friend, and probably the most awesome skill in the game. Try keep it up at all times and trait it when you get the class trait.

Doesn't matter if you dual or 2h, up to you if you like big yellow numbers but IMO not much difference.

Wow, my champ is level 37, and I think she has died once... Had no issue getting the Undying title, but was a little pissed off this time around that you don't get xp rewards for these anymore... I find I zip through quests almost as fast as I did with the RK. Then again, this is alt #8 and I'm updating gear every 5-10 levels.

Good points here, my 2 copper...

Envoyé par Grymn

Just finished levelling my champ and I must say this is the most gear dependent class I've leveled so far (burg/lm/mini/hunter). I've also never died as much levelling a toon as what I did on a champ.

Very true on both points.

Envoyé par Grymn

Things in my opinion to remember :

Champs are alright solo but very strong in group. Group every time you can, if you can get a cappy friend to level with you, it'll really make your class shine.

Upgrade gear asap. Check AH and quest rewards for new weapons. Weapons take priority, after that armour and then jewellery.

Definitely weapons and armour ASAP. I'd pass on the jewellery until about level 40, and even then you get the jewellery sets in Angmar that are worth acquiring. Although 'pass on jewellery' meaning quest jewellery will suffice. The stats at early levels don't make that much of an impact.

I agree about Captains but disagree about the "alright solo" comment. Solo at early levels can be tedious but at high levels you will enjoy taking on multiple...2, 3+ on-level mobs with little issue. Yes your morale runs low but using the tools at your disposal will help mitigate a quick demise. Champs are excellent solo.

Although I do love running with captains, they definitely make a champs job much, much easier.

Envoyé par Grymn

If your health is down 300 and your bracing does a 300 heal then hit a bracing.

Can't emphasize this enough! Use it often so that you can utilize it again once your CD is up.

Envoyé par Grymn

Always bow pull instead of charging in, unless its a ranged mob..will give you a bit of pip gen before mobs get to you.

I actually use my bow to pull a mob to me as I run to another. A champ shines with AoE so don't waste it on a single target. Again, more prevalent at higher levels as you get more AoE skills.

Envoyé par Grymn

Flurry is your best friend, and probably the most awesome skill in the game. Try keep it up at all times and trait it when you get the class trait.

YES! I pop flurry probably more than I need to because I never want it to run out. A champ's motto, especially in fervour is: kill before being killed. You will lose morale in fervour due to the inability to block, parry and evade so you just have to kill quicker than your opponent. Flurry is that tool.

Envoyé par Grymn

Doesn't matter if you dual or 2h, up to you if you like big yellow numbers but IMO not much difference.

I've done both, and while it is fun getting big crits you can also miss on those much-needed Bracing Attack. DW will give a greater chance of landing. Also some of your skills have different requirements between 2h and dw, one thing I didn't like when I went 2h. Also, I prefer the dw animation.

Envoyé par kivs

Thanks all.

I think my main problem has been my pulls. Seeing as how I read all about how Champs are AOE kings, I have been running into camps and going nuts. I will chill out a bit 8)

This is precisely my problem. I die all the time because I just go crazy. I actually deleted a high level champ for some reason but just started another one to give it another go. I'm a horrible champion, typically.