Gladiator Combat Builds and Job Discussion

[Fallyn]

I'm personally not a fan of spears, but I can understand how some might be with their native crit boosts.

On the Great Sword end, I didn't do anything particularly extravagant. Think I used a green I got off the AH at 24, then jumped to the Gaia Greatsword you can get from an Eltnen campaign. After that I got Hannet's Greatsword and totally wore out its usefulness while trying to find another. Today I finally saw a Kunpapa's Greatsword on AH for 2.7m and snagged that sucker right up. Sure, I could've tried to slog through Xenophon's quest with PUGs for a "free" spear, but at this point I figure I'll just extract it and either sell the stones or put them into my current/next weapon.

But back to spears, I guess you could try for the NTC one, but I'd imagine a decent one could be crafted until you can try for Kromede's. Naturally Xenophon's would be the next step, but couldn't tell you what's good 45+.

So this brings me to another question; is there any particular reason why alot of people are using greatsword over spear nowadays? extra attack and speed?

just curious, i thought spear would be better for the higher crit, but i see most glads out and about are 50/50 spear/sword.

ps- i got the gaia greatsword, so i'll try it out.

[arus2001]

I guess I just prefer the more consistent damage the GS puts out, and their secondary stats aren't too bad, either.

[SilverBreeze]

A lot of people just think Greatsword looks cooler, and I agree it does.

I prefer Polearm because of the higher crit and mobs die so fast I don't really need the extra parry :3

[Veyron]

I choose G.sword because of the sexy one I got ahold of. It's really about what you have access to, if you have the funds/means to get a great Spear, do it, if you have a way to get a Gsword that's also awesome, do it. I don't mind either and I don't prefer 1 over the other, although I do agree Zapiel's is hands down by far the best Polearm ingame.

Shot of new pauldrons:

Spoiler: show

http://i37.tinypic.com/2ibdzd3.jpg
http://i33.tinypic.com/qzklll.jpg

Ps.

500+ Atk with Aion's Awesomeness on is, awesome. Doing it how quite a few high ranked Korean Glad's did it, gearing up to 350 Crit then Atk+++++++

[SilverBreeze]

Wow Vey you look like a badass with those on lol.

[Falisa]

Those shoulders look damn nice

[Trichocyst]

Unwavering Devotion keeps getting more expensive just as I have enough (or I thought). FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF.

[Veyron]

I'd like to get the full set, but the body/feet/hands are almost non-existant on Vaizel. We got 1 body to drop and I lost roll (went to Delonge, so that's ok!), never seen any of the other pieces drop, but there's a pair of legs on broker!

[Trichocyst]

Dinged 35 and got me this sweet baby:

Spoiler: show

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...t/Aion0040.jpg

...I may reskin it. ;x

[Naiya]

(Link to Eleven's gear)

Bricks were shat. Almost a dream build a month into the game, congrats to him & stuff.

And then he got banned.

[Fallyn]

Did he really? lol, im gunna look him up.

[edit] lolz.

[Eanae]

Got my second advanced stigma slot. Current build as follows:

Crip Cut V, Severe Weakening III, Draining Blow, Ankle Snare, Percision Cut, Improved Stamina. Got Severe V and Slaughter waiting for me when sockets become available. :3

[Madvillain]

Honestly, your Stigma choice is going to depend on your playstyle. I think any Gladiator without UD, Slaughter, Ankle Snare and Lockdown is insane.

People light-up all sorts of forums complaining about Gladiators lack of CC and then they don't even bother to stigma Lockdown along with Ankle Snare. The extra "stun" can be the difference between victory and defeat.

Slaughter is a must. 25% extra damage vs. PCs is just nuts.

Not having UD makes you a fail Glad. Have fun vs. a quality Sin. You won't even get a chance to attack if they are worth their weight in salt if you don't have UD. It's such a powerful tool to keep ourselves from being shut out.

As far as weapon choice, I prefer Great Sword for the ACC and attack speed in PvP. One missed chain can be the difference between who is going to spend 1 kinah at the Soul Healer.

Dual-Wield is very effective for PvE if you gear correctly and weave your skills. You also need around 400+ crit to make it effective. If you aren't willing to put in the effort on the gear front and learn to properly weave, you're better off with 2hd weapons. DW is more effective the better your gear is, is what I am trying to say.

[Eanae]

I forgot about UD. Yeah I have that waiting for me. Quite honestly, I don't find Lockdown to be anything gamebreakingly good. I'll be playing around with different builds, but I really don't think Lockdown is going to make the cut. People cry about lack of CC pre-godstones. A good paralyze/stun/root/snare godstone can make a world of difference.

[Madvillain]

I'll be playing around with different builds, but I really don't think Lockdown is going to make the cut. People cry about lack of CC pre-godstones. A good paralyze/stun/root/snare godstone can make a world of difference.

Yes and No. I guess it's all a matter of opinion. Personally if you miss Ankle Snare and you already used AL, you're not left with anyway to get pressure on your opponent, save a bow. Also, godstones have a low proc rate and with a 2hd weapon, you won't see it as often.

I might skip Lockdown if I was DWing, but with a 2hd, it personally makes me more comfortable. It's preference I guess *shrug*

[Eanae]

Lockdown is a disarm, it has no effect on catching your enemy.

[arus2001]

I find LD handy in party play, personally. Might not work on all mob moves, but it can add up in MP saved by the healer over time and is a pseudo-stun if you consider mob charge timer stopping their attacks until you land it.

I'd be more about UD and Ankle Snare if their costs weren't ruined by RMT and capitalistic players. Their PvE applications aren't exactly numerous, so their usefulness in the general grind isn't terribly high unless you're maybe a tanking Gladiator that does nothing but instancing, but most people will go for a Templar even if said Templar blows.

My leveling's kind of been on hold while I work on alts, but I currently have Improved Stamina, Lockdown, Crippling Cut, and Severe Weakening Blow (or WSB, whatever) set. PvP isn't my focus at the moment. All have been handy for me. I'll probably swap out IS for Draining Blow when I'm of level and have it/can afford it. I'm leaning toward going AoE heavy in my 50 build, but final decisions may depend on what kind of legion I end up in if I find another. One I'm in now is more or less dying.

[Madvillain]

Lockdown is a disarm, it has no effect on catching your enemy.

It's a bind, for 3 seconds. You are correct in that it will not help you catch your opponent, but it makes it easier to avoid having to catch them if Ankle Snare misses and AL is on cooldown. Anything to keep pressure on an opponent is going to be in our favor.

[arus2001]

Are we talking Lockdown (12s Stigma skill) or Aerial Lockdown (3m aether hold)? Former won't restrict movement while the latter doesn't even work in flight last I recall.

[Madvillain]

Are we talking Lockdown (12s Stigma skill) or Aerial Lockdown (3m aether hold)? Former won't restrict movement while the latter doesn't even work in flight last I recall.

Lockdown: "Target is bound in place for 3 seconds." Sounds like movement restriction to me.

Aerial Lockdown does not work in the air, that is correct. Gladiator is more effiecient on the ground. Keepting your opponent grounded and locked is a huge advantage for us.

Like I said, Stigmas are going to be up to the individual and testing will help you decide what works best for you.