Build:A/W Flurried Interruption

From GuildWiki

On May 1, 2007, all articles in the GuildWiki build namespace will be deleted. After that date, no build articles may be posted to the GuildWiki in either the main or build namespaces before a new policy is decided on. Find the reasoning and the details behind this at GuildWiki:Builds wipe.

This build is not favored by the GuildWiki community. The general consensus among users of GuildWiki is that this build is not viable.

Contents 1 Attributes and Skills 2 Equipment 3 Usage 4 Counters 5 Variants 6 Notes

The A/W Flurried Interruption build is designed to pressure all types of opponents by interrupting even fast skills like Reversal of Fortune. Though it is fragile and lacks high damage output, its ability to frustrate and annoy opponents makes it a dangerous foe to leave unattended.

[edit] Attributes and Skills

Assassin / Warrior	Attribute Rank
Dagger Mastery	12 + 1
Critical Strikes	12 + 1 + 3
Deadly Arts	3

Disrupting Dagger

Unsuspecting Strike

Distracting Blow

Disrupting Stab

Exhausting Assault

Skull Crack

Flurry

Critical Eye

Naturally, for RA, stick in a Resurrection Signet. Candidates for replacement are Disrupting Dagger and to a lesser extent Unsuspecting Strike.

[edit] Equipment

• Full Nightstalker's armor/insignias.
  • Extra rune slots should go to runes of Attunement for energy.
• Zealous daggers of Fortitude.
  • Inscription: "I Have the Power!" +5 energy is best, since you won't be dealing out a lot of damage anyways. Otherwise damage +15% while in a stance works - "Dance with Death".

[edit] Usage

Due to the IAS and 1/2 second activation attacks, fast button-mashing skills are needed to bring this build to its full potential.

• Use Disrupting Dagger as a ranged interrupt.
• Keep up Critical Eye at all times.
• Select a target and use the combos from left to right. Unsuspecting Strike followed by Distracting Blow; Disrupting Stab followed by Exhausting Assault.
• Activate Flurry after Unsuspecting Strike to achieve full damage.
  • Skull Crack won't be fully charged quite yet, but it is best saved for when the enemy casts a spell. If another interrupt is needed after the first two combos, use Disrupting Dagger instead.
• Once your combo is done (even if the foe is alive), switch targets. There will usually be a few seconds of downtime for skill recharge; spend this time moving to another foe.
• The key is to select an unguarded target (no Guardian, defensive stances, Mantra of Resolve, etc) that isn't paying attention. Casters like Monks may seem like attractive targets, but more often than not they will be the most heavily guarded. Contrary to typical philosophy, this build can be an extreme annoyance to enemy Assassins or Warriors, foiling their attack chains and denying self-healing skills. Stay flexible and don't be afraid to switch targets often.

[edit] Counters

• Standard anti-melee counters such as Blind, Cripple, Empathy...
• Anti-interruption, such as Mantra of Resolve.

[edit] Variants

• Unsuspecting Strike and Disrupting Dagger are the most replacable of all the skills in this build: the former is only moderately useful, requires line of sight, and isn't affected by IAS; the latter is more damage-oriented, costs 10 energy, and has strict requirements.
• Consider using Dash or some form of Shadow step. This remedies the problem of kiting foes.
• Also consider Critical Defenses. While it is somewhat clumsy to use and easily stripped, it provides some measure of defense.

[edit] Notes

• If anyone in the party carries skills which reward constant attacking, have them cast them on you to greatly amplify damage output and pressure. Brutal Weapon is a prime example.
• Teammates with Wastrel's Collapse or Wastrel's Worry can safely use those skills on your target, since they will be hard-pressed to use any skills before the hex finishes.