Thread: Just read this and love the rune keeper

Just a shout out to Zombie, and the rest of the dev's for all the work done on the RK. Also, in hopes that this may rekindle someones long forgotten love for the RK.

First of all, the RK is a freakin amazing class! I have a champ lvl 62, and I decided that I would give the RK a shot. Well... I'm in Moria now, like 4 weeks later, and I think I have played my champ for lolz for like 5 min the other day.

Perfect class, no doubt about it. Here are my top 10 reasons why the RK is the perfect class:

1. Detailed design for smooth gameplay (despite what some may say), with transitions from damage to healing in often 1 click--amazing!
2. Awesome skill descriptions and animations, with some of the most beautifully graphic animations in the game.
3. The fact that such a major character could come from some easily overlooked references in the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings trilogy, someone was really studying in the development of this character.
4. Great skill synergy that gives you the flow between dps and healz on the fly, often while kiting as dps or healz--great development.
5. The fact that this is a complex "advanced" character makes for careful and well thought out gameplay unlike other classes--you have to be a good player to play this class well! This makes things interesting for gamers who love to game for the sake of...you know...actually gaming!
6. The fact that you can beat the &&&& out of some troll and heal your friends from the same rock in your hand is just plain cool.
7. As a class exclusive to either dwarf or elf, this class becomes more playable for lore-buffs who cant get enough of Lord of the rings lore--that's what drew me in (after reading the hobbit and discovering the rune engraver who drew the map into smaug's desolation with hidden runes, only revealable in moonlight sealed the deal for me; I knew I had to play this class!)
8. This class makes you want to play every aspect of the game (aside from the eternal "which is better" discussion) solo play, group play, healing, and DPS'ing all become wanted and welcome as the Rune Keeper because they can play serious parts in each of these aspects of the game.
9. Did I mention the most epic animations in the game?! (yes I did point 2 for the record!)
10. Finally, but not least, we are the only class in the game that can call forth epic blizzards that drop hundreds of hailstones from the heavenlies, burn everything alive with hellfire and smoke, conjure a great storm to electrocute our enemies to death, blast things with frosty chill breath, and little weird rune symbols all over the freakin place, while simultaneously healing our friends, keeping our team alive, and....dude we summon a freakin rock! Didn't know we had earth elemental skills till just now did ya?!

Overall, I love the versatility, strengths and complexities of this class. It makes for dynamic gameplay and some seriously epic moments.

I think every time I strike some goblin or orc with shocking words, and see the lightning fall with that epic crashing sound--I still get pumped! I think I can speak for everyone that, there is no more demi-godlike feeling in this entire game than when you get that great DPS rotation of skills from the RK and watch ALL the enemies melt in front of you.

Another shout out that I particularly enjoy are all of the skill descriptions, and the little nuances that seem to make the skills come to life. Sometimes I just read what the skills do because it just sounds epic--then when I use it; it really IS that epic!
Here are some spotlights that I particularly like:

Shocking Words description: "The written word can be shocking enough to make lesser minds think twice...or never again."

Self-motivation description: "A studious Rune-keeper finds motivation -- and even true Power -- from within."

I think I speak for everyone who has actually given some serious play time to the Rune-Keeper when I say, This is easily the most creative, intricate, and well thought out class in the game--bar none.

Seriously, thank you for officially making video games better to play through creations such as the rune keeper! PLEASE keep up the good work!

Welcome to the class!

Originally Posted by heavensdominion

4. Great skill synergy that gives you the flow between dps and healz on the fly, often while kiting as dps or healz--great development.

I'm new, so I'm sorry if this is a dumb question--but how do you switch from dps to heal on the fly? Once you build up dmg attunements, you're locked into damage aren't you? Does this mean quickly using neutral turning attunements such as Self Motivation (4), Distracting Winds (3), Armour of Storm (3), Shocking Touch (3), Fall to Storm (1)?--I guess dropping 7 in 2 globals is pretty on the fly.

My RK is 26, and I'm having a lot of fun. I'm not 100% sure about rotations yet. If anyone could recommend a guide (that's not way outdated), I'd appreciate it. I see some links in the stickies, but they appear to be fairly old. Thanks!

At level 39, you'll get your legendary deed "Whispers in the Dark." Upon completion of this deed, you'll get a new skill "Steady Hands," which will immediately switch you from +X of one attunement to +X of the other attunement. For example, if you are at 9 Dagor attunement and you pop Steady Hands, you will be placed at 9 Nestad attunement.

In addition, as you level, you will find that you'll get more class traits, which will affect skills like Calming Verse and Self-Motivation. Some of them will make Calming Verse and Self-Motivation instant, which makes for a VERY quick drop from 9 attunement to about 3. In addition, Armor of XXX is an insta-skill that will reduce your attunement. You'll find that as you level up, manipulating your attunement will get much easier.

At level 26, there isn't much "guiding" that can be done. Just remember that you wear light armor, so one of your main strategies will be to drop a Sigil of Healing, Chilling Rhetoric on your first target, and then use lightning skills while running in a circle. This is called "kiting," named for the way the tail of a kite looks. I'm actually surprised the term "duckling," or something like it, didn't catch on. :-/ At any rate, while running solo at the lower levels, this will be your main strategy.

Later on, check out this post for information on how to use some of the more advance lightning skills.

I guess someone should write a guide for fire and healing. :-/

Originally Posted by warlockiii

I'm new, so I'm sorry if this is a dumb question--but how do you switch from dps to heal on the fly? Once you build up dmg attunements, you're locked into damage aren't you? Does this mean quickly using neutral turning attunements such as Self Motivation (4), Distracting Winds (3), Armour of Storm (3), Shocking Touch (3), Fall to Storm (1)?--I guess dropping 7 in 2 globals is pretty on the fly.

My RK is 26, and I'm having a lot of fun. I'm not 100% sure about rotations yet. If anyone could recommend a guide (that's not way outdated), I'd appreciate it. I see some links in the stickies, but they appear to be fairly old. Thanks!

It get´s better with higher levels

Then you´ll have quite a lot of skills to switch attunement

Originally Posted by PerfectApproach

At level 39, you'll get your legendary deed "Whispers in the Dark." Upon completion of this deed, you'll get a new skill "Steady Hands," which will immediately switch you from +X of one attunement to +X of the other attunement. For example, if you are at 9 Dagor attunement and you pop Steady Hands, you will be placed at 9 Nestad attunement.

How often do you trait Steady Hands, though? Seems like Martial Training is a must slot along with Perfect Imagery, Mystifying Flame, or Wondrous Foreshadowing depending on role and play style. In group situations, would the buff and debuffs from You Shall Fall and That Which Does Not Kill Us be more useful than Steady Hands?

Speaking as level 75, I slot Martial Training, CapStone and Fall to our Wrath (if DPS) or Wondrous Foreshadowing (if Heal).

For group content (and DPS Traited)- and if available at your level - slot 5 of whichever traitline you like and also (at least in my opinion) The Prophetic Word and Fellowships Narrative. I know many people like Rune of Endurance, but here is why I slot the two I mentioned.

If the Main Healer gets in trouble or needs help, all I have to do is click to the Healing Stone/Satchel, WoH on who needs it most, Nestad Parchment for EftA (on the same target...and with entire fellowship getting a lesser heal) and then top off people as needed. I thought the change to Steady Hands sounded good at first, but I find it more efficient to use the method I just listed.

For group content I always slot The Prophetic Word. The revive with extra 25% Morale/Power may not seem like that much, but I think it is much better than doing Do Not Fall on someone and having them revive at almost near death.

Just my 2 Copper.

Originally Posted by PerfectApproach

At level 39, you'll get your legendary deed "Whispers in the Dark." Upon completion of this deed, you'll get a new skill "Steady Hands," which will immediately switch you from +X of one attunement to +X of the other attunement. For example, if you are at 9 Dagor attunement and you pop Steady Hands, you will be placed at 9 Nestad attunement.

In addition, as you level, you will find that you'll get more class traits, which will affect skills like Calming Verse and Self-Motivation. Some of them will make Calming Verse and Self-Motivation instant, which makes for a VERY quick drop from 9 attunement to about 3. In addition, Armor of XXX is an insta-skill that will reduce your attunement. You'll find that as you level up, manipulating your attunement will get much easier.

At level 26, there isn't much "guiding" that can be done. Just remember that you wear light armor, so one of your main strategies will be to drop a Sigil of Healing, Chilling Rhetoric on your first target, and then use lightning skills while running in a circle. This is called "kiting," named for the way the tail of a kite looks. I'm actually surprised the term "duckling," or something like it, didn't catch on. :-/ At any rate, while running solo at the lower levels, this will be your main strategy.

Later on, check out this post for information on how to use some of the more advance lightning skills.

I guess someone should write a guide for fire and healing. :-/

What Malf said lol. Also remember that your healing rock is your best friend in the whole world. Use it a lot on the solo. Hope this helps and happy lotroing!

Originally Posted by Thorcar

How often do you trait Steady Hands, though? Seems like Martial Training is a must slot along with Perfect Imagery, Mystifying Flame, or Wondrous Foreshadowing depending on role and play style. In group situations, would the buff and debuffs from You Shall Fall and That Which Does Not Kill Us be more useful than Steady Hands?

I never slot Steady Hands, but that's because I don't use a strategy that involves attunement-switching. I'm not a big fan of switching attunements except in emergencies anyway. I'm sure there are players who use an attunement-switching strategy, and I'm sure it would be something they'd slot. Those players wouldn't be slotting the capstone legendary traits because they would likely be traited 4/3 or 3/4 healing/DPS.

I don't used steady hands, but there are a number of the "nuteral path" skills to quickly reset your attunment. I've had to do it when solo fights go pear-shaped:
shocking touch
calming verse
self-motivation
Fall to X (if needed)

then i'm ready to start healing myself. Steady hands would be nice...but I can't usually afford the slot.

Oh, and enamals help a lot for quick attunment building in an opposite direction.

I do think RK is the best class in this game.Sadly this game is full of RK haters.I don't know if it because it is a premium class and people probably settled to another class before being able to play RK or some other reason.I hear comments like 'RK sucks','need dps(hunt,champ,burg)','need healer(mini)' all the time.All people care about is how much dps you can do in endgame.
Oh well,enjoy playing with RK and don't hurry to lvl cap It sure isn't a happy place

Originally Posted by choon_blaze

I do think RK is the best class in this game.Sadly this game is full of RK haters.I don't know if it because it is a premium class and people probably settled to another class before being able to play RK or some other reason.I hear comments like 'RK sucks','need dps(hunt,champ,burg)','need healer(mini)' all the time.All people care about is how much dps you can do in endgame.
Oh well,enjoy playing with RK and don't hurry to lvl cap It sure isn't a happy place

I haven't had trouble with RK haters myself...if there are some I've come across it's far and few between. It's somewhat along the same lines of where Wardens sat. People didn't like them because the general consensus was that Wardens were worse tanks than Guardians and that there are few good Wardens out there who could tank well. My own personal observations told me that is false of course.

Same would probably apply to RKs. Remember the days when most RKs wouldn't heal or if they did would complain about it over and over? What puts a bigger twist into it...most hunters could gear poorly and still pop a heart seeker right away and do massive damage right away without some attunement mechanic to worry about whereas the RKs harder hits came later...mix that with light armor and it's easy to see where people are basing a lot of notions on something they really don't have any idea about.

Originally Posted by Nehl

I haven't had trouble with RK haters myself...if there are some I've come across it's far and few between.

Because you're one of the better RK's, and people know it. You won't see Fallarden, Kalymnor, Arrain, myself, or a few other good RK's get turned down either. But that's because we've been around long enough for people to remember that we know what we're doing. New RK's, even good ones, don't really have that going for them. I haven't personally seen much RK hate either, but I've seen other DPS classes get chosen over RK's in pugs. Raid leaders don't mind having 2 or 3 champs or burgs, but rarely will you see 2 DPS RK's in a group.

Originally Posted by Nehl

...most hunters could gear poorly and still pop a heart seeker right away and do massive damage right away without some attunement mechanic to worry about whereas the RKs harder hits came later...mix that with light armor and it's easy to see where people are basing a lot of notions on something they really don't have any idea about.

If RK's were able to perform at the level they SHOULD be performing at, this wouldn't be a problem. A lot of those initial misconceptions from when the class was introduced are gone. The misgivings people have now might actually be somewhat well-founded.