Return of Reckoning

I have a 61 BG in full Oppressor gear. I run a 2h weapon and here is my spec:

https://builder.returnofreckoning.com/c ... &t=911,913

I really struggle with beating MDPS. To the point where I lost to a lvl 25 WH. Granted they got the jump on me and I wasn't looking entirely at the screen when it happened, so I was down like 25% before I engaged. I feel like this shouldn't happen though. My question is what skill rotation should I run against MDPS? Here is what I was thinking. I would love some thoughts and feedback.

Feeding on Weakness (+) Toughness
Brutal Smash (+) Strength
Crush the week (-) Crit
Pitless Strike (-) Toughness (+) Crit
Enraged Beating Damage
Shield of Rage Protection
Malignant Strike Knockdown
Furious Howl (-) Parry (+) Crit
Engaged Beating Damage

repeat...

I have an rr79 BG with this spec. I ran half vanquisher and oppressor until getting warlord and offensive sovereign, and I have the 2h from BB/BE (Memory of Kalgalanos). That's what I run as my offensive spec.

I usually don't have any problem with melee DPS if it's a one-on-one engagement. It's a squishier build than I like, so I'm working on something with a shield and a bit more defense, but that's beside the point.

My usual rotation is FoW > BS > SoR > EB > HW > FH > EB.

The toughness and strength buffs are obvious. Shield of Rage is used before Enraged Beating because it counts as an ability using hatred, so it procs the extra crit and helps EB to hit harder. Also it helps to preserve health with the absorb. After that, I will use Horrific Wound for the armor reduction and Furious Howl for the reduced avoidance. Then it's back to EB (FH procs the extra crit again).

I sprinkle in a knockdown and snare as necessary. It's also worth pointing out that I use Taunt, a lot. It's an extra 30% damage while it's up.

WHs even with the surprise attack will usually die. WLs are a bit tougher but usually die. Slayers can be a problem with Rampage and Numbing Strike, but it's usually only if they are really high renown, and even then they usually die.

tdelesio wrote: Fri Jul 15, 2022 4:28 pm I have a 61 BG in full Oppressor gear. I run a 2h weapon and here is my spec:

https://builder.returnofreckoning.com/c ... &t=911,913

I really struggle with beating MDPS. To the point where I lost to a lvl 25 WH. Granted they got the jump on me and I wasn't looking entirely at the screen when it happened, so I was down like 25% before I engaged. I feel like this shouldn't happen though. My question is what skill rotation should I run against MDPS? Here is what I was thinking. I would love some thoughts and feedback.

Feeding on Weakness (+) Toughness
Brutal Smash (+) Strength
Crush the week (-) Crit
Pitless Strike (-) Toughness (+) Crit
Enraged Beating Damage
Shield of Rage Protection
Malignant Strike Knockdown
Furious Howl (-) Parry (+) Crit
Engaged Beating Damage

repeat...

Hey! Its great to see people asking for strategies to beat other classes rather than whining about it like 99% of this forum.

So as a BG at rr 60+ I would recommend this build: RoR.builders - Black Guard

I know it looks weird but this is what I used to run to be able to kill WHs when I was at low RR.

The build that you currently have is more suited for either higher geared BGs or those that play in a group. With Oppressor gear you are also very squishy.

I would advise you not to go for crit at all but stack as much parry as you can. For Gear you can mix sets to max out Str try to aim for about 700 ish (with Pot).

You should spend RR till Parry IV and Futile Strike 3 then rest in wounds and strength.

Rotation against WH:

1. If a WH pops on you be aware of what debuff they started with. Usually it will be either Burn Armour or Sudden Accusations. Try not to move too much with Sudden Accusations on you. In any case always, try to keep them in the front of you.

2. In most cases they will stun you immediately so you will have to face tank it. Here is where the wounds come in handy. Generally after they stun you, if its a typical regen WH, they will Repel Blasphemy which will cause them to parry all your attacks. This is the moment where you should use AoE snare, go at their back and KD them.

3. Then Enraged beating to get as much Hate as possible then Hateful Strike and Feeding on Weakness. This is priority because this will boost up your toughness by a lot (more survival) and the more hate you have the more hard parry you will get. The idea here is to get to 100 hate as soon as possible so that you get more passive defenses. I usually repeat a Hateful Strike when I reach 90+ Hate.

4. Crush the Weak comes next and its usually good to have Crippling Anger on them for easier flanking.

5. All in all do not follow a strict set of rotation. If the WH uses their bullet channel this is where you should use your Crushing Anger or Shield of Rage to prevent the ending heal on their channel.

6. WH used M1? You can try to flank and hit them or even kiting them a bit can work at times.

7. Once the WH is out of their parry buffs, you should use Horrific Wound -> Pitiless Strike -> Enraged Beating

8. Refresh your buffs. Refresh Debuffs...Basically rinse and repeat.

Generally this rotation holds against any enemy mdps. For ranged if you want I can type in a different set of rotation.

Other Tips:
If WH is trying to kite away and re-stealth use taunt or Mostrous Rending (If within range)
If you use a Strength Pot, you dont have to waste a GCD trying to keep up Brutal Smash.
If WH is using a riposte build it is good to use Furious Howl.
Horrific Wound + M1 Armour Debuff stack so with both of these up, a WH has basically no armour and will take a lot of dmg from you
The build goes a bit into the right tree for Soul Killer which will help you against the self healing solo roamers like DPS AMs and RP.

If you do not want to face solo rdps that can heal its better to slot Choking Fury instead of Mind Killer. Its a great way of AP starving your opponent.

The standard 2h wb build (modified to R60 and more toughness, at R70 grap the crit tactics, the spec HamnerGuy posted): RoR.builders - Black Guard
Is pretty decent early on.

The 30% parry is a must and the aoe snare has decent range and will come in handy.

I'd also strongly suggest switching to bloodlord/sent (+17% parry), with MoK for 2h (+10% parry buff).
My guess is you could add in some genesis fragments and/or rough gunbad ruby/amber.

Run a mix of wounds + WS talis, once you have +600 str.

Assuming you already have IV Reflexes, this could net you about 60% parry.

Always start with either Enraged Beating or knockdown.

Later on with sov you can switch to either regen or mage killer builds for soloing.

Thank you both for the feedback. I'm testing out that spec that sharp recommended. Def more survivability and I've gotten closer to winning. I need to digest this.

If you ever wish to pracice vs mdps ( slayer ) hit me up and we can go to arena ( no rr farming ) and you can try different builds /rotations etc and improve. Good for you to ask and wish to learn vs whine.

tdelesio wrote: Fri Jul 15, 2022 4:28 pm I have a 61 BG in full Oppressor gear. I run a 2h weapon and here is my spec:

https://builder.returnofreckoning.com/c ... &t=911,913

I really struggle with beating MDPS. To the point where I lost to a lvl 25 WH. Granted they got the jump on me and I wasn't looking entirely at the screen when it happened, so I was down like 25% before I engaged. I feel like this shouldn't happen though. My question is what skill rotation should I run against MDPS? Here is what I was thinking. I would love some thoughts and feedback.

Feeding on Weakness (+) Toughness
Brutal Smash (+) Strength
Crush the week (-) Crit
Pitless Strike (-) Toughness (+) Crit
Enraged Beating Damage
Shield of Rage Protection
Malignant Strike Knockdown
Furious Howl (-) Parry (+) Crit
Engaged Beating Damage

repeat...

Thanks for post this ! My first and fav toon, i rolled was a BG.
I can tell you one thing about BG and its specs, you eat a lot of dirt till SOV. If you want the glory days of 2h specs like BO or BG, roll and SM 2h.
If you need a live target let me know, i have RR 80 BG, BO and IB, you can beat on.

Forgot to add my build: BG SnB: