Battle Praxium/Logs/20260918 Praxium Lecture Series: Problematic Paladins
Event Log
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[Praxium, Gathering Hall] (20152)
The heart of camaraderie within the Praxium, this expansive hall invites students and mentors to share meals, stories, and insights. A massive stone table commands the center of the room and is surrounded by an assortment of finely crafted wooden chairs. Above, a pair of wrought-iron chandeliers casts warm light that illuminates the space. Centered upon each of the four walls is a banner bearing the academy's emblem. Their colors, vibrant yet dignified, add a touch of refinement to the space. Heavy stone doors set on opposite walls from one another lead further in. The archway to the foyer remains ever open, providing a clear path back to the academy's welcoming entrance. You also see a floating vessel of flaring crimson light and a sturdy wooden chest reinforced with iron bands and rivets.
Also here: Strawberry Nurse Illiya, Firehawk Casari who is sitting, Cambin who is shining with a dark golden glow, Nvalia, Valynn who is sitting, Katamba's Shield Warbrolus, Lord Paragon Teilnsar, High Priestess Aemaranth who is shrouded in ghostly flames, Majeskyr, Knight of Chaos Davrion and Truthseeker Elurora whose figure is gracefully highlighted in a soft aurora of silvery-violet light.
Obvious exits: none.
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Valynn grins at you.
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Elurora bows to you.
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Warbrolus beams at you! What a warm feeling!
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You wave to Warbrolus.
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You say to Warbrolus, "So sorry that I am late."
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You bow to Warbrolus.
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Warbrolus bows to you.
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You exclaim, "Welcome, everyone!"
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Warbrolus says, "You're right on time."
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Warbrolus smiles.
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You say, "I asked Warbrolus if he would speak on this week's topic."
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Davrion waves to you.
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You say, "And he graciously agreed."
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You ask, "Who better to speak to the problems that Paladins cause others?"
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You wink at Warbrolus.
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Cambin looks at Warbrolus and applauds!
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Elurora grins.
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Nvalia grins.
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Warbrolus grins.
>You say, "With that, the stage is yours good sir."
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Warbrolus exclaims, "Thank you!"
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You sit down.
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Warbrolus says, "So, for tonight's discussion I thought it best to focus on defense."
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Warbrolus says, "People find offense more interesting but I find defense fuels our offense to a greater extent than it does for most other guilds."
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You nod to Warbrolus.
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Warbrolus says, "Paladin defense, however, can be quite complex in a number of ways because it requires juggling several tools that don't always feel like they go together."
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Warbrolus says, "Before we go any deeper, I'd like to ask a question."
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Elurora cocks her head at Warbrolus.
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You say, "Chadatru."
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You nod to Warbrolus.
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Warbrolus says, "Can anyone give some paladin strengths? I think we need to understand where we're strong and weak before we can speak about offense or defense."
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Warbrolus chuckles.
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Teilnsar says in an Ilithic accent, "Armor."
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Illiya says, "Leading."
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Warbrolus says, "Armor, excellent. Let's say Strong physical defense."
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Davrion quietly says, "Protecting others."
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You say, "High elemental damage."
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Warbrolus says, "The ability to lead, perfect. Protect and lead require a group but are both absolutely amazing strengths."
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Warbrolus starts nagging you unmercifully.
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Valynn says, "Smite, smite, smite."
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Casari says, "Ice Patch."
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Warbrolus grins.
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Warbrolus looks at Casari and suddenly starts to cry.
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Elurora says, "Protect doesn't require a group."
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Warbrolus exclaims, "You're right!"
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Warbrolus says, "Elurora pointed out a mistake I made and that we'll discuss a bit later."
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Elurora blushes, the tips of her ears turning a delicate scarlet hue.
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Warbrolus asks, "How about our buffs?"
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You say, "You can buff most things, but not ranged weapons."
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Elurora says, "I'm rather fond of BoT but that isn't really great for what we're talking about."
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Elurora flashes a quick grin.
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Warbrolus says, "Paladins are quite capable of buffing nearly every statistical trait natively."
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Teilnsar says in an Ilithic accent, "Well most of our enemies are asleep before we're done casting them."
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Aemaranth says in a melodic accent, "Which one? Some very useful ones."
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Warbrolus laughs at Teilnsar.
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Valynn asks, "Courage is pretty good, no?"
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Davrion quietly says, "Divine armor is great for making already good armor even better."
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Sir Imroth came through a wide archway.
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Warbrolus nods.
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Davrion holds his hand out towards Imroth for a highfive.
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Valynn grins at Teilnsar.
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Elurora asks, "Is TK a buff?"
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Warbrolus says, "Val hit on the ability to buff a single weapon more than most guilds as well through SMITE and the holy weapon proces."
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Elurora rubs her nose.
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Valynn quietly says to Teilnsar, "I feel your pain."
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Casari says, "Always cast Divine Armor on me, even if I'm not on your team. It's just good manners."
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Aemaranth nods to Casari.
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Davrion grins at Casari.
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Aemaranth says in a melodic accent, "Me too."
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Warbrolus says, "Paladins also have amazing burst damage potential."
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Warbrolus gestures at Casari.
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Valynn grins at Casari.
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Casari nods at Warbrolus, obviously agreeing with his views.
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Warbrolus asks, "Anyone know how?"
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Illiya hugs Imroth, who wraps his arms around Illiya with a warm smile.
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Warbrolus quietly says, "Everyone knows how."
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Davrion quietly says, "Sis birdies."
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Valynn asks, "The birds?"
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You say, "Angry birds."
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Illiya says, "Oh I know how."
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Warbrolus chuckles.
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Teilnsar grins at Valynn.
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You say, "Rhoat Angrybirds."
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Illiya leans on Casari.
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Warbrolus says, "Indeed. Paladins are for the birds, or the birds are for the paladins."
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Casari says, "Get the enemy to attack your Bard while you set up to use those. Specifically."
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Valynn starts chortling at you!
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Illiya says to Casari, "That worked pretty well."
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Warbrolus nods at Casari, obviously agreeing with her views.
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Casari grins.
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Warbrolus says, "Now the important ones for tonight, specifically."
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Warbrolus asks, "How about weaknesses?"
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Davrion quietly says, "Tremor."
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Davrion looks at Illiya, obviously trying not to grin.
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Illiya asks, "Stealth?"
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Warbrolus grins at Davrion.
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Valynn says, "No stealth."
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You say, "No native Elemental Resistances."
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Illiya winks at Davrion.
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Warbrolus says, "A bit more broad."
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Warbrolus nods at you, obviously agreeing with your views.
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Warbrolus says, "That's a big one."
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Cambin says, "Protect and targeted magic."
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Elurora chews on her lip, looking deep in concentration.
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Valynn asks, "Soul hit if you advance and attack first?"
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Warbrolus says, "Broadly, elemental defense is poor due to lack of elemental mitigating reactors and armor properties."
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Warbrolus says, "I'd say soul state is not too significant a weakness these."
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Warbrolus says, "Days."
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Warbrolus asks, "How about attack range?"
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Cambin asks Valynn, "Is that still true?"
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Elurora shakes her head at Cambin.
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Cambin nods to Elurora.
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Warbrolus says, "At missile range, a paladin will be outdamaged almost unequivocally under most circumstances by almost every other guild."
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Cambin says, "That's what I thought."
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Teilnsar says in an Ilithic accent, "Lack of perception."
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Cambin says, "Attunement."
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Warbrolus says, "That also makes paladins especially susceptible to pushbacks, like Davrion touched on."
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Cambin mutters to himself.
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Aemaranth says to Warbrolus in a melodic accent, "That is one of the things that I do whenever I have to go against a Paladin. Make use of their attack range limitation."
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Warbrolus praises Cambin.
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Davrion quietly says, "Even with TW HT hurls miss a great deal."
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Warbrolus says to Cambin, "That is number 4 on my list. Good job."
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Cambin smiles at Warbrolus.
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Warbrolus says, "Our abilities are largely magical abilities but paladins will not outcast a real caster."
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Warbrolus says, "Many abilities also drain attunement significantly."
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Warbrolus says, "One more weakness I think is worth noting that is less obvious and less common but worth having a place on the list is armor ignoring."
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Warbrolus says, "Paladins' strength in armor is also a weakness."
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Cambin says, "Thieves' armor bypassing is evil."
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Cambin nods.
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Valynn tilts her head inquisitively.
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Teilnsar asks in an Ilithic accent, "Lightning and metal plates are not friendly?"
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Davrion quietly says, "Not just thieves. anyone with mane impale or palmstike."
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Illiya says, "If you think about it logistically it's surprising those things can bypass armor."
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Warbrolus says, "You might say everyone shares that weakness, and you would be right, but paladin reactors are rather pedestrian on their own."
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Warbrolus says, "In the last group tournament, Arumis's team took me out with back-to-back impales."
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Warbrolus says, "A well-coordinated team can beat anyone quickly, including and especially paladins."
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Warbrolus says, "With the right attacks, of course."
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Valynn looks at Warbrolus and jots down some notes.
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Illiya looks at Warbrolus and sighs.
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Warbrolus says, "So those are the things we need to plan around."
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Elurora looks at Warbrolus and jots down some notes.
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Warbrolus says, "Which leads me to defense. We took the long road to get there, but I've noted 7 elements of a strong defense that I utilize in every match."
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Davrion quietly says to Warbrolus, "I particularly enjoyed watching you try to get around the armor problem by not wearing any."
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Davrion looks at Warbrolus, obviously trying not to grin.
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Warbrolus chortles softly at some secret joke.
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Elurora blinks at Davrion.
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Elurora glances at Warbrolus.
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Valynn smirks.
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Warbrolus says to Elurora, "Didn't say I was the smartest paladin."
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Warbrolus blushes a bright red color.
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Illiya says, "Praxium Afterhours."
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Elurora chortles softly at some secret joke.
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Elurora says, "You don't know if you don't try."
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Elurora shrugs.
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Warbrolus says, "Let's examine element number 1 of a strong defense, armor."
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Warbrolus asks, "Is there much we can do about armor? What if we don't have the best?"
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Cambin says to Davrion, "I've thought about cloth armor and evasion and parry. It would be different, anyway."
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Davrion grins at Cambin.
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Illiya blinks at Cambin.
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Teilnsar grins at Cambin.
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Warbrolus says, "Metal armors by their nature suffer from poor elemental defense."
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Cambin nods to Warbrolus.
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Davrion quietly says, "Except for your Kantons armor."
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Davrion grins at Warbrolus.
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Valynn grins at Warbrolus.
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Warbrolus says, "Armor is one of the most significant contributors to our defense."
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You nod to Warbrolus.
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Warbrolus grins at Davrion.
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Warbrolus says, "The answer is unsatisfying in that there is not much we can do other than work toward procuring better armor. However, Divine Armor can make up some of the difference."
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Valynn asks, "Does DA lend you a significant buff to elemental damage?"
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Valynn grins wryly.
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Warbrolus says, "Divine armor is roughly equivalent to a reactor that mitigates elemental damage as well."
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You nod.
s>
Valynn begins to carefully examine a dark jerkin of supple demonsbane leather.
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Warbrolus says, "Number 2 on my list is a critical one, vitality."
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Casari begins to carefully examine an agonite mail shirt layered over dusky dreamweave padding.
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Warbrolus asks, "We could spend an entire class on vitality. Can anyone speak to why that is?"
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Elurora asks, "Because without it you die?"
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Elurora grins at Warbrolus.
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Warbrolus chuckles.
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Nvalia looks at Elurora and jots down some notes.
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You say, "Once your vitality reaches a threshold, it increases the subsequent damage you take."
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Warbrolus says, "Good, can we go a bit deeper."
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Nvalia nods.
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Valynn grins at Elurora.
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Warbrolus nods to you.
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Warbrolus says, "That's right."
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Valynn looks at you and jots down some notes.
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Warbrolus says, "High vitality functions as additional armor."
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Elurora says, "Oh, I think I actually knew that."
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Elurora blushes, the tips of her ears turning a delicate scarlet hue.
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You say, "Vessel of Salvation is a nice tool there."
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Elurora gestures.
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Warbrolus says, "That's right."
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Illiya says, "Everyone can use it though."
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Elurora begins to carefully examine some refined full plate of articulated damite surmounted with curving pauldrons.
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Davrion quietly says, "But also stealable by anyone else."
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You nod to Illiya.
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Illiya nods at Davrion, obviously agreeing with his views.
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Cambin says, "It's exponential. Which I didn't know, but which makes sense."
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You say, "That's one of the reasons that Barbarians, Clerics, Bards, and Paladins are deceptively tanky."
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Warbrolus says, "Once your vitality falls below a certain threshold of around 80 percent, and correct me if I'm wrong, you take significantly more damage."
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Teilnsar nods to Cambin.
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You nod to Warbrolus.
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Warbrolus says, "Below 50, you take even more."
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Warbrolus says, "And so on."
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Warbrolus says, "It's because of that vitality plays a key role in not only staying alive in the conventional sense, but from mitigating damage in other ways."
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Elurora flashes a quick grin at Warbrolus.
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Warbrolus says, "I was going to ask how we can use that information to our benefit but Rakkor gave away the answer."
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Warbrolus gently slides his palm along the surface of the vessel, causing crimson light to flare around him.
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Warbrolus says, "Vessel of salvation is an amazing spell."
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Warbrolus chuckles.
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Warbrolus says, "Not used enough."
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You duck your head.
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You say, "Sorry."
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You grin.
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Warbrolus asks, "What's the downside to using it in combat?"
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Warbrolus says, "Don't be, love it."
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Teilnsar says in an Ilithic accent, "Other people can benifit."
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Casari picks up the pace of her chant, letting each measure roll after the other with a simple grace excelled only by the precision at which she performs it.
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Illiya asks, "Wait why Clerics?"
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Warbrolus praises Teilnsar.
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Elurora asks, "Will it allow you to have 'extra' vitality or just take you to the normal healthy limit?"
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Davrion quietly says, "I hate using it cause other team always steals the vit in it and uses it against me."
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Aemaranth says to Illiya in a melodic accent, "Because all Clerics are trouble."
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Aemaranth grins at Illiya, her dimples flashing into view.
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Warbrolus says to Elurora, "You rub it and it takes 10 percent of your vitality with each rub. You or anyone can touch it to receive 10 percent of vitality stored withn."
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Valynn grins at Aemaranth.
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Illiya grins at Aemaranth, her dimples flashing into view.
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Elurora asks Warbrolus, "Right, but it won't take you over 100% total?"
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Warbrolus says, "That's right."
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Elurora nods to Warbrolus.
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Warbrolus says, "It will only top you off."
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Illiya asks, "Do Clerics have some vitality boosting thing?"
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Aemaranth says in a melodic accent, "We do."
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Teilnsar asks in an Ilithic accent, "Isnt that room exclusive as well?"
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Davrion quietly says to Warbrolus, "I DO love your tactic of using it as a decoy though with no vit in it."
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Warbrolus says, "Despite the threat, I have NEVER had a fight where I regreted filling the vessel but I have many where I regretted not filling the vessel."
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Warbrolus says, "That should tell you something."
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Elurora gazes thoughtfully at Warbrolus.
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Aemaranth says in a melodic accent, "But it can be problematic if you don't use bitter feast."
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Illiya nods to Aemaranth.
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Warbrolus asks, "Can anyone think of a way to use the vessel but limit its use for others?"
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Cambin says to Davrion, "Oh, that hadn't occurred to me and I'm not experienced enough to have seen it. Clever."
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Illiya begins to listen to Davrion teach the First Aid skill.
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Warbrolus says, "I can tell you what I would do but I want to hear what you would do."
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Davrion quietly says, "Can anchor it in a room or have it follow you."
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Warbrolus nods at Davrion, obviously agreeing with his views.
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Warbrolus asks, "How about for vitality?"
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Warbrolus says, "Remember, vitality is your second armor."
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Warbrolus says, "And you have a third armor, but we'll get there."
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Warbrolus hums to himself.
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You raise an eyebrow in Warbrolus's direction.
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Warbrolus says, "Just cutting through the silence."
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Warbrolus chuckles.
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Elurora blushes, the tips of her ears turning a delicate scarlet hue.
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Casari mutters something into the air about decoy.
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Cambin says, "The question is how to use the vessel but limit its use for others. It's a puzzler."
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Elurora says, "I guess you could set a trap if you had someone good at stealth, put it in another room and let that person attack anyone, who in theory would be wounded, that came to use it."
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Warbrolus says, "The answer is straightforward. You assume your opponent will attack you first and you predict how much you will need to nullify the effect of that attack."
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Warbrolus says, "Let's say I fight a ranger and I know their first strike will likely take around 20 percent of my vitality if it hits."
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Cambin ponders.
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Cambin nods.
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Warbrolus asks, "How much should I fill my vessel before the fight?"
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Warbrolus grins.
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Davrion quietly says, "20% maybe 30% for a little wiggle room."
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Elurora asks, "Twenty percent?"
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Valynn asks, "25?"
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Warbrolus nods.
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Cambin says, "I wasn't told there would be math."
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Warbrolus says, "All right answers."
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Warbrolus says, "You fill it with whatever your strategy requires."
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Warbrolus says, "Ranger hits me for 20, I retaliate and refill my vitality."
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Warbrolus says, "It's a fight reset."
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Aemaranth says in a melodic accent, "If I were a Paladin, I would aim for 10% because as Rakkor stated, 80% is the first cut off."
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Aemaranth says in a melodic accent, "But then I tend to be very aggressive."
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Warbrolus says, "I usually find 20 to 30 works against most opponents."
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Warbrolus says, "Sometimes they steal a little, but that's OK."
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Warbrolus says, "Try it and you will be amazed at how much easier you survive."
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Casari says, "I still like the unfilled decoy option most."
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Warbrolus laughs!
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Valynn grins at Casari.
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Davrion quietly says, "Unless you have a barb on your team and then the other team steals the whole thing before you can blink."
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Davrion looks at Nvalia, obviously trying not to grin.
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Valynn says to Casari, "Not a bad idea, if I were a Paladin."
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Warbrolus says, "Here's another trick. If you know how much vitality you will likely lose in a hard CC, like ice patch, you can fill it with an amount that will take you back to fill after you stand back up."
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Warbrolus says, "Now you've not only reset the fight but the next ice patch can only last half as long."
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Warbrolus asks, "Make sense?"
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Elurora nods to Warbrolus.
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Cambin says to Casari, "Once you use it for your 20 percente or whatever, it becomes a decoy."
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Warbrolus says, "Excellent. I won't linger any longer on the vessel although I do enjoy it."
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Warbrolus nods to Cambin.
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Warbrolus says, "That's right."
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Warbrolus says, "Third element of a strong defense... Reactors."
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Warbrolus says, "Paladins have two native reactors: Aspirant Aegis and Tamsine's Kiss."
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Warbrolus says, "We also have access to Manifest Force like everyone else."
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Elurora furrows her brow.
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Davrion quietly says, "Love maf."
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Warbrolus says, "How can we use our reactors against different guilds and how can they use them against us."
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Warbrolus says, "AA is a physical damage mitigator with a minor vitality shield."
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Warbrolus says, "TK splits the wounds you take between fresh and scars."
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Warbrolus asks, "What reactors should I use against Rakkor?"
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Warbrolus says, "A cleric."
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You grin.
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Warbrolus says, "Beside the prayer reactor. That one often fails for me."
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Davrion quietly says, "A barbarian."
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Davrion points at Nvalia.
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Cambin grins at Warbrolus.
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Warbrolus says, "The Nvalia reactor is out of bounds for this one."
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Davrion quietly says, "Durn."
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You ask, "Are you asking about Rakkor specifically? Or Clerics in general?"
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Warbrolus says, "The answer is, drum roll, it depends."
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Aemaranth says in a melodic accent, "I was just gonna say, I need an Nvalia wand."
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Davrion grins at Aemaranth.
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Warbrolus says, "The answer is if you know your opponent will be using weapons, you should almost always use MAF and AA."
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Warbrolus says, "The exception being, of course, elemental weapons."
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You say, "Rakkor doesn't like weapons."
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You wink.
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Warbrolus says, "And if your opponent will be casting, you should use AA and TK."
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Teilnsar asks in an Ilithic accent, "Isnt MaF and AA a buffing staple though?"
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Davrion quietly says, "Most clerics I've fought try to stay out of melee and cast AE like crazy."
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Elurora shifts her weight.
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Warbrolus says, "AA will not reduce elemental damage, but the vitality shield will still mitigate some of the damage from elemental attacks."
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Warbrolus says, "TK will mitigate wound death."
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Davrion quietly says, "Cept for Rakk and Aema who seem to love melee."
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Warbrolus says, "They can do both, unfortunately."
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You say to Warbrolus, "And you have another tool at your disposal for that pesky Targeted Magic damage."
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Davrion quietly says, "Glyp duel."
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Teilnsar asks in an Ilithic accent, "Again barbarian?"
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Warbrolus grins at you.
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Elurora raises her hand.
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Davrion quietly says, "My favorite ability of all."
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Warbrolus says, "Glyph of Dueling is number 5 but should be 1."
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Aemaranth says to Davrion in a melodic accent, "All the fun happens at melee range. But I much prefer pole-range weapons."
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Warbrolus says to Elurora, "Yes, ma'am."
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Elurora says, "I"m not sure I understand why you wouldn't use TK against someone using weapons? I'm sorry if I'm being dense."
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Elurora blushes, the tips of her ears turning a delicate scarlet hue.
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Warbrolus says, "You are not being dense."
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Cambin nods to Elurora.
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Warbrolus says, "I did that for a long time, but two physical reactors is almost invariably better than one in a non-elemental weapon fight."
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Davrion quietly says to Aemaranth, "You're one of the few clerics I've seen that will stand and bang with an enemy and not only hold your own but do quite well at it."
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Elurora furrows her brow.
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Elurora asks, "But didn't you say TK was a reactor?"
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Warbrolus nods.
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You say, "TK does not actually reduce any damage. It redistributes it."
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Aemaranth says to Davrion in a melodic accent, "It is all about violence of action. Doing so is not what most people expect from a Cleric."
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Warbrolus says, "What Rakkor said."
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Elurora gives a slight nod.
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Warbrolus asks, "Do you all know roughly how wound damage happens?"
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Teilnsar says in an Ilithic accent, "You get hit."
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Warbrolus chuckles.
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Cambin grins.
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Nvalia puts her almanac in her shadowy arsenic bag.
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Elurora says, "You get hit hard enough to bring your vitality down, then the next hit does physical damage and so on? I could be off wandering in the woods with this guess."
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Elurora shifts her weight.
s>
You say to Warbrolus, "Your vitality shield reduces damage potential. Then your wards each individually reduce the damage. Finally, your armor reduces the damage. At that point, the remaining attack is distributed as wounds."
s>
Warbrolus says, "When someone attacks you, their offensive ability and your defensive ability are contested. Whatever damage makes it through is reduced by armor if armor is not ignored, whatever makes it through armor is reduced by your reactors if they are damage-reducing. A portion of damage creates wounds. I suspect though I don't know for sure, that armor functions to reduce wound damage to some degree as well."
s>
Elurora quietly says to Aemaranth, "I am in so far over my head."
s>
You chuckle.
s>
Warbrolus says, "If you can reduce the damage to the point where it won't create wounds by, say, using AA and TK and having strong physical armor, you won't get significnatly wounded anyway."
s>
Warbrolus says, "I'm sorry, let's move on."
s>
Warbrolus says, "To... Glyph of Dueling."
s>
Davrion quietly says to Elurora, "Me too. math hurts my head."
s>
Elurora says, "Thank you for taking the time to explain further."
s>
Elurora smiles at you.
s>
Elurora smiles at Warbrolus.
s>
Aemaranth says to Elurora in a melodic accent, "Most of us are. Half the time I just pretend I know what I am doing. The fun part is other people guessing which half I am on at that moment."
s>
Elurora chuckles at Aemaranth.
s>
Elurora flashes a quick grin at Davrion.
s>
Warbrolus says, "Glyph of Dueling increases my survivability by roughly 100 percent."
s>
Davrion nods at Warbrolus, obviously agreeing with his views.
s>
Warbrolus says, "This is gut math but I think I've proved it out for my gut anyway."
s>
Casari nods in agreement.
s>
Davrion quietly says, "Especially against them pesky warmages."
s>
Nvalia went through a wide archway.
s>
Aemaranth says to Davrion in a melodic accent, "They are the worst."
s>
Davrion nods at Aemaranth, obviously agreeing with her views.
s>
Warbrolus says, "Two defenses are better than one, and I always stance parry and shield because we're best at this. Even against non-casters, glyph of dueling is amazing because it's a nondispellable parry buff."
s>
Davrion raises his hand.
s>
Warbrolus asks Davrion, "Sir?"
s>
Valynn looks at Warbrolus and jots down some notes.
s>
Elurora jots down some notes.
s>
Davrion quietly asks, "Doesn't that leave you with only one defense against thieves since they bypass shield?"
s>
Warbrolus says, "You're absolutely right."
s>
Warbrolus says, "However, when you can't use either, you automatically use your evasion skill."
s>
Davrion quietly says, "I did not know that."
s>
Davrion quietly asks, "At 100%?"
s>
Warbrolus says, "A bit above that."
s
You nod to Warbrolus.
s>
Warbrolus says, "Assuming you mean eliminate is in play."
s>
Davrion quietly says, "Well durn that changes a lot."
s>
Warbrolus says, "Perhaps even without."
s>
Teilnsar says in an Ilithic accent, "I am so confused right now."
s>
Elurora grins at Teilnsar.
s>
Warbrolus says, "Against casters, well, casters hate glyph of dueling."
s>
You say to Warbrolus, "Indeed, we do."
s>
You grin.
s>
Aemaranth grins, revealing her dimples.
s>
Cambin asks, "So if I have that right, if you can't use shield or parry, evasion goes into effect at slightly above 100% regardless of what your stance is set at?"
s>
Teilnsar asks in an Ilithic accent, "Why? wont they just stand back and cast from a distance?"
s>
Warbrolus nods to Cambin.
s>
Cambin nods to Warbrolus.
s>
Warbrolus says, "We're going a bit deeper than surface level, but since the question came up..."
s>
Warbrolus says to Teilnsar, "Glyph of Dueling not only buffs parry, it allows the paladin to use their parry ability to parry spells."
s>
Warbrolus says, "Spells can normally only be evaded or blocked."
s>
Warbrolus says, "Paladins can parry, evade or block them."
s>
Elurora asks, "How long does it last?"
s>
You say, "Particularly effective against spells that aren't DFA."
s>
Warbrolus says, "This means that normal targeted spells are contesting all of your best defenses."
s>
Aemaranth says in a melodic accent, "Makes you a bit more hardy to shield ignoring hijinks."
s>
Warbrolus says, "Roughly 10 roisaen."
s>
Elurora nods to Warbrolus.
s>
Warbrolus nods at you, obviously agreeing with your views.
s>
Warbrolus says, "Even against Death From Above spells, it's extremely potent."
s>
Teilnsar grins at Cambin.
s>
Elurora quietly says, "That answers that question."
s>
Elurora gazes off into the distance.
s>
Teilnsar says in an Ilithic accent, "What about the glyph of warding."
s>
Elurora asks, "What is an example of a DFA spell, please?"
s>
Warbrolus says, "Glyph of Warding is fantastic against bows and crossbows."
s>
Valynn says, "DeadFall."
s>
Elurora nods to Valynn.
s>
Elurora says, "Thank you."
s>
Warbrolus says, "Glyph of Warding does NOT work on targeted magic despite what it looks like."
s>
Teilnsar nods.
s>
Valynn grins at Elurora.
s>
Warbrolus says, "Lightning Bolt is the most threatening example."
s>
Warbrolus says, "Of a DFA spell."
s>
Warbrolus says, "Because LB cannot be blocked or parried for other guilds, they are using only a slightly bonused evasion skill to defend against it."
s>
Warbrolus says, "This makes it one of the most accurate spells in the game."
s>
Warbrolus says, "Except against a paladin."
s>
Teilnsar asks in an Ilithic accent, "Because of our shields?"
s>
Warbrolus says, "Paladins can use 100 percent of their evasion and 100 percent of their parry against DFA spells."
s>
Davrion quietly says, "Hench why they target chest for critical body part destruction so much."
s>
Warbrolus says, "WHILE glyph of dueling is up."
s>
Warbrolus asks, "Make sense?"
s>
Warbrolus says, "We're covering a lot and I want to make sure I don't lose anyone."
s>
Cambin nods.
s>
Warbrolus says, "We don't have much more."
s>
Elurora smiles at Warbrolus.
s>
Majeskyr says, "I have a question."
s>
Warbrolus says, "Shoot, please."
s>
Majeskyr asks, "Does this mean everyone should never stance evasion?"
s>
Majeskyr asks, "Or only paladins?"
s>
Warbrolus says, "I rarely do as a paladin."
s>
Warbrolus says, "One should probably stance what they are best at."
s>
You say, "I stance Evasion and Parry or Shield as a Cleric."
s>
Majeskyr asks, "I don't understand this 100% evasion for free thing that was mentioned?"
s>
Warbrolus asks, "For free?"
s>
Aemaranth says in a melodic accent, "Same. As a Cleric. It always depends on who I am fighting."
s>
Majeskyr asks, "You said something about getting 100% evasion and Davrion said this changes everything or something like that?"
s>
Cambin says, "As the fallback when all else fails."
s>
Majeskyr asks, "And all else failing being parry or shield?"
s>
Majeskyr asks, "So I should always stance parry and shield?"
s>
Davrion quietly says, "I have almost always run 100 shield and evasion myself unless against thief then 100 evasion/parry."
s>
Warbrolus says, "Ooh, Davrion was asking a deeper question about what happens if stanced parry and shield against DFA."
s>
Majeskyr asks, "Oh, so this only applies against DFA?"
s>
Warbrolus says, "It applies in other ways that we probably shouldn't go deep into."
s>
Warbrolus says, "It's just not something that matters very much practically."
s>
Majeskyr says, "Well, he said he changes everything."
s>
Majeskyr says, "Er, that changes everything."
s>
Warbrolus says, "My feeling is you should stance what you are best at always. That means for me, 100 parry and 100 shield with the remainder in evasion."
s>
Warbrolus says, "Even against DFA."
s>
You nod at Warbrolus, in complete agreement with his views.
s>
Majeskyr says, "Ok."
s>
Cambin nods.
s>
Davrion quietly says, "Changes my thoughts on it, not the situation itself."
s>
Warbrolus says, "You will find you feel more robust that way, more defensive."
s>
Teilnsar asks in an Ilithic accent, "Does your stance affect how well you learn your parry or evasion?"
s>
Illiya says, "More Warb-like."
s>
Warbrolus says, "Number 5! Contested abilities. I'm skipping five for sake of time and because Rakkor already had a class on that."
s>chuckle
You chuckle.
s>
Davrion nods to Teilnsar.
s>
Warbrolus nods to Teilnsar.
s>
Warbrolus says, "Number 6 and almost done here. Balance."
s>
You say, "OOC: https://elanthipedia.play.net/Battle_Praxium/Logs/20260821_Praxium_Lecture_Series:_Stats."
s>
Warbrolus says, "Someone please tell me how important balance is to defense... and offense."
s>
Warbrolus says, "Combat balance."
s>
Teilnsar says in an Ilithic accent, "Very."
s>
You say, "Balance is life."
s>
Illiya nods.
s>
Valynn nods to Elurora.
s>
Davrion quietly says, "Balance is absolutely huge."
s>
Navesi says in a refined accent, "Incredibly."
s>
Cambin asks, "Very...?"
s>
Warbrolus smiles at Teilnsar.
s>
Illiya grins at Navesi, her dimples flashing into view.
s>
Cambin nods.
s>
Warbrolus says, "You're all so smart."
s>
Warbrolus chuckles.
s>
Cambin beams!
s>
Davrion quietly says, "On offense allows to hit better and harder and on defense alows to avoid hits better."
s>
Warbrolus says, "How do we stay alive in light of that."
s>
Teilnsar says in an Ilithic accent, "You can't throw an effective blow when you are off balance."
s>
Warbrolus says, "And what are people trying to do to us."
s>
Warbrolus says, "To paladins, that is."
s>
Teilnsar says in an Ilithic accent, "You're just flailing at that point."
s>
Warbrolus nods to Teilnsar.
s>
You say to Warbrolus, "I like tripping you."
s>
You wink.
s>
Davrion quietly says, "I like trip."
s>
Warbrolus whines and complains bitterly and generally manages to act like the world was created specifically to inconvenience him.
s>
Davrion grins at you.
s>
Illiya says, "To trip or be tripped, that is the question."
s>
Davrion grins at Illiya.
s>
Elurora asks, "Truffenyi's Rally, maybe?"
s>
Casari says, "Imagine someone so uncouth as to trip their opponent."
s>
You grin at Casari.
s>
Illiya grins at Casari, her dimples flashing into view.
s>
Warbrolus says, "Always buff balance. Balance is so important that I even scrolled Centering for a time."
s>
Elurora says, "To keep balance that is."
s>
Warbrolus says, "You can't go wrong wiht a balance buff."
s>
Warbrolus says, "TR is good but you lose your balance buff when not running TR."
s>
Davrion quietly says, "TR is good, balance boots, trip."
s>
Warbrolus asks, "Why might you want to not run TR and run a balance buff?"
s>
You ask Warbrolus, "But what happens when the mean Cleric takes away your TR?"
s>
Elurora asks, "If you want to use a different cyclic?"
s>
Warbrolus says, "Stop, you."
s>
Warbrolus starts nagging you unmercifully.
s>
Valynn glances at you.
s>
Cambin says, "Because you want to run HOW."
s>
You snicker.
s>
Warbrolus beams at Cambin!
s>
Warbrolus beams at Elurora!
s>
Warbrolus says, "Correct."
s>
Davrion quietly says, "Or the mean empath keeps knocking you over with tremor."
s>
Aemaranth says to you in a melodic accent, "We Clerics really are the worst."
s>
Davrion grins at Illiya.
s>
Navesi asks in a refined accent, "What does HOW do?"
s>
Warbrolus says, "Holy Warrior affects balance too."
s>
Warbrolus says to Navesi, "Holy warrior stuns reactively when someone attacks the paladin who is using it."
s>
You say, "Holy Warrior is evil and should be banned."
s>
Navesi nods.
s>
Davrion grins at you.
s>
Warbrolus says, "Using Spite is evil and should be banned."
s>
Aemaranth laughs!
s>
Valynn nods at Warbrolus, obviously agreeing with his views.
s>
Casari says, "Nothing good comes from Holy magic. Maybe the Heralds were onto something."
s>
Warbrolus chuckles.
s>
Valynn grins at Casari.
s>
Elurora says, "Holy Warrior effects balance? I don't think I knew that."
s>
You say to Warbrolus, "I have no idea what you are referring to, sir."
s>
Elurora blushes, the tips of her ears turning a delicate scarlet hue.
s>
Warbrolus says, "Holy Warrior does not affect the paladin's balance, it's more subtle."
s>
Warbrolus smiles at Elurora.
s>
Cambin says to Elurora, "I didn't either."
s>
Elurora exclaims, "Oh!"
s>
Elurora peers quizzically at Warbrolus.
s>
Warbrolus says, "If you have a balance buff, say centering, you will reach incredibly balanced."
s>
Warbrolus says, "If you have holy warrior and it stuns an opponent, by virtue of being stunned, they will receive a large balance hit."
s>
Warbrolus asks, "Make sense?"
s>
Elurora says, "Yes."
s>
Teilnsar asks in an Ilithic accent, "There is a buff called centering?"
s>
Elurora nods to Warbrolus.
s>
Warbrolus says, "Every stun produces a large balance hit."
s>
Cambin nods to Warbrolus.
s>
Casari says to Teilnsar, "Clerics."
s>
Elurora says, "Sorry, I thought you meant for the Paladin."
s>
Elurora grins at Warbrolus.
s>
Elurora says, "I'm very new to this."
s>
Warbrolus says, "In other words, if you have both, you can be hugely balance positive and receive all the benefits of that while also receiving the benefits of your opponent being balance negative."
s>
Casari continues to chant the infectious strains of Faenella's Grace, seeming to lose herself in the very rhythms she produces.
s>
Cambin says, "So it doesn't improve your balance per se, but in relation to your opponent's."
s>
Cambin nods.
s>
Valynn gets some demonsbane leather boots with supple black soles from inside her leather carryall.
s>
Warbrolus says, "Precisely, Cambin."
s>
Valynn concentrates intently on some demonsbane leather boots with supple black soles.
s>
Warbrolus says, "This is a HUGE defense increase."
s>
Davrion rummages about his person, looking for something.
s>
Warbrolus says, "It's also a very large offense increase."
s>
Valynn puts her boots in her leather carryall.
s>
Warbrolus says, "Defense and offense in a nice dance."
s>
Elurora raises her hand.
s>
Warbrolus says to Elurora, "Please."
s>
Elurora asks, "What about using something like circle to improve balance?"
s>
Warbrolus says, "Circle works if you can fit it in."
s>
Warbrolus nods.
s>
Warbrolus says, "TRIP was mentioned, but you also have SHOVE."
s>
Warbrolus says, "You also have spells to reduce opponents' balance."
s>
Navesi says in a refined accent, "Or Scream Havoc."
s>
Warbrolus says, "Paladins' native Ice Patch is a great example."
s>
Davrion quietly says, "In most cases we do tend to usually have an advantage in tactics to most. is why i like trip so much."
s>
Valynn grins at Warbrolus.
s>
Warbrolus says, "Paladin's scre... No that one doesn't work so well."
s>
Warbrolus chuckles.
s>
Casari says to Navesi, "I think I'm the only Paladin with that one."
s>
Warbrolus laughs at Casari.
s>
Navesi says in a refined accent, "Me too."
s>
Teilnsar asks in an Ilithic accent, "Wait what? Paladins have ice patch?"
s>
Elurora shakes her head at Teilnsar.
s>
Elurora says, "Not without sorcery."
s>
Valynn grins at Teilnsar.
s>
Warbrolus says to Teilnsar, "It's a running joke."
s>
Davrion quietly says, "It's our natice spell stolen from us by warmies."
s>
Warbrolus says, "So many paladins use Ice Patch that people refer to it as a native paladin spell."
s>
Davrion grins.
s>
Elurora asks, "Does tripping hurt the other person or just their balance and maybe knocking them prone?"
s>
Davrion quietly says, "Just the balance and prone."
s>
Elurora nods to Davrion.
s>
Closing your eyes, you carefully bend some mana streams through the tattoo on your right palm.
The saturated tunnels in the tattoo form the foundation of a spell pattern. With this template in place, you begin preparing the Ice Patch spell.
s>
Elurora jots down some notes.
s>
Teilnsar says in an Ilithic accent, "I am confused enough as dont be thowing off the trail with inside jokes or I will be trying to learn three pastures over."
s>
You feel fully prepared to cast your spell.
s>
You gesture at Warbrolus.
A sheet of slippery ice forms beneath Warbrolus!
Warbrolus slips and falls backward, slamming his head on the ice.
Emotional pain and exhaustion lingers in your mind, even after you regain rational control.
Roundtime: 2 sec.
sR>
You wink at Warbrolus.
s>
A cylindrical shaft of violet-red light wraps protectively around Warbrolus. The bonds restraining him quickly fade as an unseen force propels him upright, demanding the fight continue.
s>
A ghostly barrier of spectral flame materializes before Aemaranth, distorting her visage as waves of intense heat wash upward around her.
s>
Warbrolus strikes a heroic pose.
s>
Elurora grins at Teilnsar.
s>
Davrion grins at you.
s>
Warbrolus gasps and regains control of his breathing.
s>
The violet-red light surrounding Warbrolus fades.
s>
Warbrolus says, "Honorable mention for PROTECT SELF before we talk about our last element of defense."
s>
Warbrolus says, "Protect self is largely only useful against immobilize and specifically ice patch."
s>
You chuckle.
s>
Casari continues to chant the infectious strains of Faenella's Grace, seeming to lose herself in the very rhythms she produces.
s>
Davrion quietly says, "Also DF."
s>
Warbrolus says, "Does not work on unconscious."
s>
Warbrolus says, "Last element and one of the more complex ones: Soldier's Prayse."
s>
Warbrolus says, "Prayer even."
s>
Teilnsar says in an Ilithic accent, "Don't think you can cast anything when your unconscious."
s>
Warbrolus says, "Protect self is a PROTECT and so is invoked through PROTECT SELF, no casting."
s>
Warbrolus says, "You can use it while under stun or immobilize."
s>
Valynn blinks.
s>
Davrion quietly says, "I always forget about protect self. every single time."
s>
Navesi asks in a refined accent, "How much does it help?"
s>
Cambin says, "It's good to know there's something it works on. I hadn't used it sucessfully on anything."
s>
Teilnsar says in an Ilithic accent, "Wow,.. that is something I did not know."
s>
Warbrolus says, "It uses a large amount of soul pool, around a quarter, lasts a short time, around 15 seconds, and cannot be used for 10 roisaen after."
s>
Teilnsar says in an Ilithic accent, "Well most of this is if I am being honest."
s>
Cambin nods to Warbrolus.
s>
Warbrolus says, "I largely use it against ice patch and sometimes, rarely, against scary barbarians who stun me for longer than a few seconds."
s>
Davrion grins at Warbrolus.
s>
Davrion quietly says, "Nvalia is a terror."
s>
Warbrolus says, "Soldier's Prayer! Soldier's Prayer on its own will kill one harmful spell, potentially two if stacked with Lay Ward."
s>
Warbrolus says, "That's our last defense for the night."
s>
Warbrolus says, "Get good at casting soldier's prayer to stop spells and releasing it to cast your own."
s>
Warbrolus says, "Works very well in some fights, such as Ranger fights."
s>
Valynn folds her arms across her chest.
s>
Davrion quietly says, "Against rangers though you have to stay put and can't move rooms or you regret it when SK instantly resets."
s>
Elurora asks, "What is SK?"
s>
Warbrolus says, "Given how well shields work against arrows, Raners NEED to land their deadfall before firing. Soldier's Prayer takes that deadfall away, potentially, unless they come out to cast something else."
s>
Davrion quietly says, "The very nasty shot they have."
s>
Warbrolus says, "SP is often a minor nuisance for other guilds, but a real pain for others."
s>
Warbrolus says, "For some, rather."
s>
Warbrolus says, "To sum up, we talked about Glyph of Dueling, armor, topping off vitality to the extent possible, controlling opponent's and your own balance, reactors, hinted at courage and other stat things, and trying to defend against some spells using Soldier's Prayer."
s>
Warbrolus says, "We covered a lot of ground tonight."
s>
You grin.
s>
You nod to Warbrolus.
s>
Warbrolus says, "We also covered stancing properly."
s>
Warbrolus says, "Hopefully you were able to take something or it made you think of something a little differently."
s>
Warbrolus says, "Sorry we went a bit over on time."
s>
Cambin nods.
s>
You say to Warbrolus, "Fantastic content, sir."
s>
Elurora smiles at Warbrolus.
s>
Warbrolus says, "Huge thank you to Rakkor for letting me bore everyone for a whle."
s>
Valynn nods at you, obviously agreeing with your views.
s>
Davrion quietly says, "Appreciate you guys holding this. is always fun to learn new things."
s>
Elurora says, "Thank you for holding the lcture, and thank you all for answering my questions."
s>
Valynn says, "Not bored at all."
s>
You nod at Valynn, in complete agreement with her views.
s>
Cambin says, "I learned a lot tonight. Thank you. There could be an entire other lecture still."
s>
Elurora bows.
s>
Warbrolus says, "My hope is you'll try something different the next time you spar as or against a paladin."
s>
Aemaranth says in a melodic accent, "It was a very informative lecture."
s>
Aemaranth says in a melodic accent, "Thank you."
s>
You say, "In another few weeks, we'll be talking Moon Magi."
s>
Warbrolus says, "Then try another thing the next time."
s>
Casari applauds.
s>
Illiya lets out a hearty cheer for Warbrolus!