IB vs SM

[GodlessCrom]

You still build grudges decently as solo, particularly in 1vX situations. Rising Anger helps as well, though it does use up a valuable tactic slot. Most 1v1 fights as IB last a decent amount of time either way, so you will be at 100 grudge for the majority of it. Unless you, or your opponent, die very quickly. Which is unlikely to happen in 1v1, unless youre already at 100 grudge somehow in which case mdps or rdps that cant kite, will die within 10 seconds. But youre already at max grudge sooooo doesnt matter.

Bottom line, play IB, we are the best.

[Axerker]

I haven't played either IB or SM, so I can't justify any opinion. But, as a quick aside, isn't IB based pretty heavily on having an Oathfriend, so would excel in duo+ rather than solo?

I feel like he'd be heavily gimped in solo since there is no Oathfriend target.

The only thing that being solo gimps would be the rate that your grudges build, you still have very powerful burst and sustainability as solo IB. Rising Anger helps here.

Ah, thanks. After a second look, it looks like the Oathfriend is the one who benefits a lot, not the IB (other than Grudge gain).

[Eathisword]

The only thing that being solo gimps would be the rate that your grudges build, you still have very powerful burst and sustainability as solo IB. Rising Anger helps here.

This is less true than before. The change to dot made 1v1 easier cause grudge also build of dot ticks now. RA is less mandatory than it was.

[kmark101]

IB is better above RR60, before that you won’t have enough points to get cave in, grumble, earthshatter (all mandatory in solo spec) AND the heal rebuff + avalanche tactics. Without them your life is very hard. As for group play, both works fine, especially with shield.

[xtc1999]

IB is better above RR60, before that you won’t have enough points to get cave in, grumble, earthshatter (all mandatory in solo spec) AND the heal rebuff + avalanche tactics. Without them your life is very hard. As for group play, both works fine, especially with shield.

If anything, a SNB IB and SM arent desirable for a good group.

[Penril]

I'd rather duel a SM than an IB.

Then again i'd rather duel those 2 instead of a KotBS.

[GodlessCrom]

Duelling kotbs as melee is just soul sucking. The "why are you hitting yourself?" aura plus the 2400 hp heal they get from Emperors Champion is just...ugh. Would rather duel a slayer. At least there is a chance he didnt spec rampage or slot riposte.

[trebla]

IB wins this discussion hands down, The sword master relies on burst but its not sustainable against a tank as you will be out of Ap fast, and the Punt away will allow them to restart when ever they want. If they wheere fighting/dueling. Solo hands down again IB their is no SM HP regen that can be spec for to correctly work as you will give up to much for to little. Also SM is very easy to kite versus the IB.

[rmpl]

I'd rather duel a SM than an IB.

Then again i'd rather duel those 2 instead of a KotBS.

Why though, I always assumed that kotbs is the worst order tank when it comes to 1v1/solo roaming.

[GodlessCrom]

Solo roaming is a bit different than dueling. Ironbreaker has a lot of tools that make him good at 1vX situations, and help him against magic based rdps (Avalanche, Inspiring Attack, Runic Shield, Grumble, etc). Knight is very annoying to duel against as a melee because they typically have very high mitigation due to armor+toughness, they can get decent avoidance with parry stacking+runefang, and they do unmitigated, unavoidable damage with two auras, All out Assault and On your Guard. They also have a massive self heal in the form of Emperors Champion m2, with increases strength, toughness, and wounds by 240 for 30 seconds. Basically in pure 1v1 situation against another melee, they take very little damage and chip you down with auras before healing themselves back to full once they hit m2.

For solo roaming, however, they have even less tools to deal with kiting and rdps than IB does, and 1vX situations hurt them as they do not kill targets very fast. In a duel, they presumably have unlimited time and arent gonna get stomped by a passing warband. Solo roam you gotta kill at least kinda quickly, which IB can do.