Calling Kabane [Archive] - Blade and Quill

Khurse

22-07-2010, 10:40 PM

Hey :)

There are many different ways in which you can play a White Lion, each with their own distinct advantages and disadvantages.

The Loner

Description: The Loner White Lion foregos the pet entirely. Instead, they rely more on their own damage. There are advantages and disadvantages to this spec.

Advantages
* Not reliant on the Pet, which is often - in larger RvR - dead due to AoE spam/CC'd/unreliable due to Pet Pathing issues;

* Your base damage is higher than that of a Pet build. Why's this? You get a flat 25% increase to all damage - including crits.

* You still retain your mobility via Pounce.

* As of 1.3.6, Loner WLs will be in more demand due to having the best armor debuff in the game and will make very valuable assets to assist trains

Disadvantages
* Your burst is less than that of a Guardian/Axe WL.

* You lack Crowd Control.

Suggested Loner Spec: The Cookie Cutter
http://www.wardb.com/career.aspx?id=19#7:160:13:8736:0:0:25:521:523:920 2:9210

Some WLs prefer to take 'Tearing Blade' over Flanking. With very high amounts of melee power, this may be justified; however I always run Flanking because as a WL you should be attacking the rear anyway.
Pack Hunting for me is very good with a good damage bonus, and of 1.3.6 with an armor debuff your AAs - which tend to make up the bulk of a WLs dmg in this spec - will deal more damage.

ADVICE?

The Loner WL is a good spec to use for lowby WLs who do not have access to the best gear in the game/melee crit.

The Loner WL will deal better sustained damage than using the pet would warrant. However, you will never get as much burst as a Pet build due to the lack of the pet's own damage and Pack Synergy. Loner is still viable, and I use it in LV/TOVL. However, once you're RR60+ and with a decent amount of crit, a Pet build will start to shine much more.

Whenever I go Loner, I focus solely on upping my strength and Melee Power over Crit. I only have 5% crit when I go Loner.

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Guardian/Axe

Description: This spec, when well geared and with a decent amount of crit, will yield some of the best burst (arguably the best initial burst DPS) in the game. With Leonine Frenzy, Pack Assault, and Coordinating Strike I've seen squishies die in 2-3 GCDs when I'm lucky on crits.

Advantages
* The best burst a White Lion can achieve when both Leonine Frenzy and Primal Fury are up.

* Retain all crowd control. Brutal Pounce, Fetch!, and Throat Bite.

* More survivability if you get Baiting Strike.

* THE 1v1 spec. As of 1.3.6, I'd go Guardian/Hunter for 1v1: with an Armor Debuff, Leonine Frenzy/Coordinated Strike will be hitting for insane amounts.

Disadvantages
* Reliant on the Pet to achieve this amazing burst when, as aforementioned, it is subject to a whole list of potential bad happenings.

* Maximum burst can only be achieved once every 30 seconds. After that, Loner WLs will do more damage.

* If the Pet dies, your damage becomes pretty pitiful for 15 seconds.

* Somewhat harder to master than the Loner spec.

* In my spec, I lack the mobility of Pounce because I'm opting for the max DPS possible.

Suggested Spec: Guardian/Axeman (max burst)
http://www.wardb.com/career.aspx?id=19#0:0:9:544:13:8704:29:521:523:920 4:9198
RR40

Tactics are Brute Force, Flanking, and Pack Synergy. The last one is always optional: if I'm in a melee assist train, or 1v1ing a MDPS/Tank/DOK I'll slot Baiting Strike for more armor; if I'm after a Shaman/Zealot/SH I'll use Speed Training which helps immensely for taking out kiters; if I want to get the best damage, I'll either use Jagged Edge/Tearing Blade.

ADVICE?

Your rotation with this is simple: target a squishy; preload Brutal Pounce, and activate Leonine Frenzy and Primal Fury while running to their back; as soon as you get to them, Pack Assault - they should be knocked over immediately with Brutal Pounce - Coordinated Strike, and if they aren't dead a Cull the Weak.

End-game, Guardian/Axe or Guardian/Hunter is the way to go imo.

there's other builds but I'm only writing up the ones I've really delved into extensively.