Thread: Desolation needs a little lovin'

Desolation is the ultimate fist skill. It does AoE DoT damage, and has that funky fear built into it. Its built up as the capstone gambit as well. But I can't use it assailment effectively. Here's my list of gripes:

* Cannot be stored in battle memory in Assailment
* Has a 6m range. Considering the minimum range for javelin gambits is 5m, you have to do a lot of micro on your positioning.
* Only 3 targets by default, 6 targets on trait. This seems low.

I'd like it if we could tweak all three of those items. Fix the BM bug, increase the range to 25m (or at least 10!) in assailment. And maybe we can go up to 10 targets when the capstone is slotted and 5 when it isn't.

--Harper

All of those seem like decent suggestions. I wouldn't mind it effecting more then 3 targets too. I do not trait for it giving any more but I use it from time to time if I have multiple hard hitting mobs on me. Always nice to have one or two of them scamper away from time to time.

If I was able to use this skill in Assailment from 40m like our other ranged skills I would be one happy camper.

With the current 5m min. javelin range, it's quite hard to coordinate skills effectively. I think it would be the best to remove it completely (as I've already pointed out in other threads dealing with warden-related problems). The minimum range affects a lot of skills, and basically renders Assailment to become a group-only stance, if you want to successfully utilize all the benefits of this stance. Desolation helps in solo, but it's a pain.

Removing minimum range completely by default or by a passive bonus received upon slotting the 5th Legendary trait at the appropriate Trait-tab would solve the problem (and many other).

This way Des would not be overpowered yet it would still opeate better than its current implementation.

Also, if the fear effect would make the target to always run away from the warden, it would also help a lot.

I did a little more experimenting with battle memory and desolation. Here's what I found.

1) If you are potent and use desolation, but out of range, it will not save to battle memory
2) If you are potent and use desolation, in range, it will save to battle memory
3) If you have desolation in BM and use it out of range, it will not clear for BM.
4) If you have desolation in BM and use it in range, it will clear from BM.

Basically, there's some issue with BM not hitting anything that doesn't let it in or out of BM. Its similar to goad in this respect I think.

--Harper

I'd also, if its technically possible, love to see Desolation changed from a "fear" to a "cower" Ie, instead of causing victims to run away for 2 seconds, it has a chance to cause them to cower for 2 seconds like you do when too Dreadful, which of course would prevent them from attacking, inducting, etc.

While it might defeat some of the purpose while in Assailment, where the running away doesnt necessarily hurt, it would make Desolation infinitely more useful in melee combat, and also while in groups. You naturally dont want your targets running out of your melee range, and its equally annoying in a group causing targets to run away from your tanks/offtanks, getting out of CC/AOE range, etc. And, really, cowering in Assailment would still provide the benefit of 2 seconds of no attacks, and they'd be rooted at range, so you shouldnt notice that much difference.

An AOE cower mechanic would be a great CC addition for Wardens, both solo and in groups, and would be something unique for Wardens could bring to the table that other classes couldnt.

Desolation seems like it would be a great gambit in assailment. I basically never used it while tanking. Having things run away from you while tanking is almost never a good thing.

Of course if we are mostly using assailment in groups (that is what we are suppose to be doing right) then I can't imagine the tank in the group would appreciate it either.

While I wouldn't mind more range on Desolation I quite like it as it is now.

I use it while tanking (without the capstone) to reduce incoming damage. Having a few mobs turn away from you for a couple of seconds buys you some time with less incoming damage.

I use it while dpsing and I love the fact that the mobs turn away instead of cower as that's exactly when I stick them with an 'in-position' WoF! Its epic for that.

Battle memory doesn't sounds like bugs but rather WaI. If you do not hit then it will not enter BM. If its in BM and doesnt hit then it will not clear so that you dont waste if for nothing. Sounds like Devs did us a favour there rather than punish you for being just out of range of something.

More targets /signed - sure why not.

Extended Range /Unsure - There will be implcations to the whole Assailment stance, minimum range and the Fi-Sh line. Any bugs aside I really like Assailment.

rest /unsigned

I don't like whole yellow line. Even if I go in with assailment I trait 5red. Still, I think yellow line tries to accomplish to many goals. Range dps, range/tactical buffs buffs, some aoe dps and finally aoe fears. Red line = pure melee dps. Blue = tanking. Why yellow can't be just range with some buffs?

Originally Posted by Harperelle

I did a little more experimenting with battle memory and desolation. Here's what I found.

1) If you are potent and use desolation, but out of range, it will not save to battle memory
2) If you are potent and use desolation, in range, it will save to battle memory
3) If you have desolation in BM and use it out of range, it will not clear for BM.
4) If you have desolation in BM and use it in range, it will clear from BM.

Basically, there's some issue with BM not hitting anything that doesn't let it in or out of BM. Its similar to goad in this respect I think.

--Harper

Desolation is quite a bit of fun, just takes some getting used to. Note that it will not clear battle prep either if it does not hit a target (not in range, not facing them, resisted). Same deal with BM, if it doesn't hit it won't clear. I have bugged both of these as it should not be the case.

What I recommend is to use desolation as a run by. Build it, run through the mob and use it as you close, move to the other side and start the pew pew again.