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10-24-07 - Poll: Dynamic Duos #2
Posted October 17th, 2007 by Ralsu
Dynamic Duos: Tank + Offensive
Fighter
By RalsuOctober 24, 2007
This week, I continue my exploration of which combinations you think make the best duo. I've played in duos quite a bit in Vanguard due to my hectic schedule, so I'll share some of my opinions, too. I will divide them into a couple of categories that I see as the basis for most duos involving a tank and an offensive fighter and offer my take on them. I am focusing only on tank/offensive fighter combos this time. If you don't understand a term or abbreviation I use here, please check our Game Terms 101.
The combination of tank + offensive fighter is moderately common. The logic behind it stems from the fact that the tank can take the hits while the offensive fighter dishes out the damage. Picking this duo also ensures you have that hard-to-find tank when you get ready to form a group. Clearly, the shortcoming of this duo is the inability to heal.
Dread Knight as Tank
This duo is an attempt to increase damage. Dread Knights can deal some blast damage via skills and can just generally weaken mobs with Dreadful Countenance. The duo gets the safety net of having a true tank, but the tank can also deal some damage.Pros:
- In long fights or fights with adds, Dreadful Countenance weakens tougher mobs
- Greater damage potential from
the tank compared to Paladins
- Tank has only minimal heals from life taps
- Faction grind for being "evil"
Paladin as Tank
A duo featuring a Paladin has a tank that can heal. He can also perform minor buffs and debuffs. He has a tiny repertoire of spiritual-based magic, but it's not much.Pros:
- Tank can heal
- Paladin has a few buffs to
benefit the offensive fighter
- Low on magical damage
- Paladin does less melee damage than Warrior and less magical
damage than Dread Knight
Warrior as Tank
Warriors bring a lot of melee damage potential to a duo, but they can still shift to Defensive Stance to soak up hits and keep aggro. Warriors also have battle commands and shouts that can buff the offensive fighter.Pros:
- Greatest melee damage
potential among tanks
- Ability to grant short-term
buffs to the offensive fighter
- Low on magical damage
- Tank has no heals
Bard as Offensive Fighter
The benefits of choosing a Bard are many. Bards give movement buffs in
the form of run speed, levitation, and underwater breathing. They can
craft songs to up resistances or increase damage. They have crowd
control skills, and they take hits fairly well.Pros:
- Bard can customize songs to
fit the enemy
- Crowd control
- Lower melee damage potential than Ranger (and likely the lowest
among all offensive fighters)
- Power of buffs may be diminished without a full group to benefit
Monk as Offensive Fighter
The Monk has potential for a lot of raw damage. Monks also enjoy versatility in the three fighting styles (Dragon, Drunken, and Harmonious). Check out the Monk Class Guide for links to skills for each of the fighting styles. Most often, Monks are lauded for their ability to off-tank. This means adds are not nearly as devastating to a duo.Pros:
- Monk can heal himself
- High melee potential from Monk
- No heals for tank from Monk
- Lacks the versatility of the Bard
Ranger as Offensive Fighter
It was common knowledge during beta that Vanguard mastermind Brad McQuaid heavily favored the Ranger. In fact, his alter ego, Aradune, was a Ranger. Knowing that, it should be no surprise that the Ranger can mete out some serious pain. The Ranger can also stalk, making it easier to drag tombstones.Pros:
- Highest melee potential among
offensive fighters
- Stalk to recover tombstones
and scout
- No way to deal with adds
- Lacks the versatility of the Bard
Rogue as Offensive Fighter
The Rogue is probably a misunderstood class in Vanguard. Played correctly, it can bring the pain, but many players lack the patience to master the poisons. Rogues are the masters of stealth and stalking, so they are terrific scouts and corpse retrievers.Pros:
- Creative ways to deal damage
with poisons
- Stalk to recover tombstones
and scout
- Few people know how to play a Rogue well
- Lacks the versatility of the Bard
Now it's your turn. Tell us which duo is best!
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IN OUR POLL!
What is the key to making the most powerful tank + offensive fighter
combo?
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(this poll is always open)
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Genre: Fantasy
Status: Published
Release Date: January 30, 2007
Fee: P2P
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