Is pain transfer necessary? (new psi, here)

[aessedai]

I'm only lvl 11, but I've used it maybe twice.

I've been following this build, which seems to be quite common, although I kind of hate pyro (shock seems so much more fun):
http://www.allodsbase.com/calc#-3ox8md3 ... s4y21g60gc

I haven't put any points other than the r1 into pain transfer yet, because I'm not sure about it. I've been going on a single-target build, which I like, although I can see the appeal of AoE builds. CC builds are beginning to look like a lot of fun, but I'm not sure how well they'll be able to level outside of parties.

*confuzzled nub*

[mortiem]

Is it necessary? No.

But Pyro spam gets soooooo boring.

It *does* offer a very nice intelligence boost, allowing for a very nasty combo if you have mental explosion+blight (pulse-PT-explosion+blight-pull-pyro+blight). I used PT back before they added the intel rubies just because it was boring to spam pyro all day long.

It is a personal choice. If you are ok with pyro spam, toss the points and rubies into something else. I did seem to get a better damage-mana raito using the pyro+PT instead of just pyro spam, but that was a while back. I have not done any tests recently.

But as I said, I would continue to use PT even if it did give less DPS. Staying sane is more important than getting that last 500 DPS out of my psi.

I *am* a CC psi, not DPS, so it may different for you.

*edit* Oh. CC builds level just fine. The added damage from blight, pulse, and Mental Explosion more than make up for the lost single target damage.

[aessedai]

Is it necessary? No.

But Pyro spam gets soooooo boring.

It *does* offer a very nice intelligence boost, allowing for a very nasty combo if you have mental explosion+blight (pulse-PT-explosion+blight-pull-pyro+blight). I used PT back before they added the intel rubies just because it was boring to spam pyro all day long.

It is a personal choice. If you are ok with pyro spam, toss the points and rubies into something else. I did seem to get a better damage-mana raito using the pyro+PT instead of just pyro spam, but that was a while back. I have not done any tests recently.

But as I said, I would continue to use PT even if it did give less DPS. Staying sane is more important than getting that last 500 DPS out of my psi.

I *am* a CC psi, not DPS, so it may different for you.

*edit* Oh. CC builds level just fine. The added damage from blight, pulse, and Mental Explosion more than make up for the lost single target damage.

hehe, yeah, spamming nothing but pyro gets old and it takes too long to cast; plus, the attack animation and effects are boring, they don't look 'psyish' at all, unlike PS.

And yet, every thread about pyro says it's always better than PS. I'm half a mind to reset to a PS/CC build with AoE capabilities rather than straight dps. The way I see it, if you want to dps, be a mage/sorcerer. CC and flashy moves seem more in tune with psionicists. Then again, that might just be a 'flavor' and not actual builds.

[aessedai]

Well, I learned my lesson.

I trained from lvl 13-15 using a PS-only build, with r2 PT, and I have to say the damage is vastly inferior to pyro. My pyro before was hitting 80-120ish, and 200+ on crits, while my PS was doing 40-80ish and maybe 120 or so on crits.

So, is there a way to work in pyro/PT into a CC build?

[sacredtbag]

Try this.

http://www.allodsbase.com/calc#-3ox308v ... 820vp28uw2

I used this from around lvl 20-32 and absolutely loved it. I recently respec'd into a pyro build (because I thought I was missing out on some serious dps) and I'm hating that I did. I have nowhere near the survivability, I use more mana, I actually do less dps and I can't take on multiple targets as easily now.

If you take that build, you're going to want to get the rubies Experienced Manipulator and Mental Explosion first. Without EM you're going to be sitting there wondering why you're getting beat up because all you CC is on long cooldowns. Once you get your rotation down (there isn't a specific one, I came up with about 4 different ones which allowed me to plow through mobs without having to wait on cooldowns) it's easy. And once you understand the build you'll almost never get touched in PvE. Just don't over aggro. Once you level more you can start taking on more mobs at once and still remain relatively untouched.

And for PvP? Well, it's a PvP build. 'Nuff said

I'm currently working on buying a WoD so I can respec back into this.

[mortiem]

Yikes... How bad is your boss damage with that build?

It looks extremely fun, if only I was able to run with two builds

Here is the build I am currently running.
http://www.allodsbase.com/calc#-3oxg8vn9idpx7p2ev41g6w2y30820o4y1s820u12fuw2

How well does R3 choke work for you?

[aessedai]

The thing I see with those builds is they're not for early-gameplay, which is where I'm at, right now. The rubies you guys get first wouldn't help me in the least for another several days or even a week.

There's just so many builds I want to use and not enough talent points to use in them. I want a build that is good for soloing (good AoE capability) that is great for parties (decent single dps for bosses and aoe), and good crowd control. Too many choices!

I saw this build in another thread and it looked interesting, and more in line with what I wanted to play, but it lacks pain transfer, which I recently discovered was awesome damage.
http://i1235.photobucket.com/albums/ff4 ... build3.png

[sacredtbag]

You're right about one thing, being able to use different builds would make this game much better and more enjoyable :/

Early on your boss damage is going to blow. But think of it this way. How much of the game (while leveling) is spent against bosses? I think the trade off is worth it. But if you're worried about it you can do a couple things to increase the boss dps. Use Shock as a filler while you're waiting on things to cooldown. If you have high enough Luck and with the Intel increase from PT, it can do some alright damage. Doesn't sound like much, but it works. Also, once you get WoB, that and Choke actually make a pretty significant DoT on a boss. You'll get a "Target is Immune" due to Choke trying to slow the boss, but just disregard that. Remember that WoB can be chain cast, just remember to keep the stacks off you.

A build I've been wanting to try is one that's centered around WoB and all the CC the psi has. The skill can do some very nice damage, and it would only get better if it's rubied out. The 5 second cast time does get quite annoying though, but again, that can be slightly changed with rubies. And Temp Accel.

[lordmichael123]

pain transfer (and it's upgraded type Pain shift) requires expertise to the player. it is not a respectable DPS source but another degree of specialization.

I suggest Pyro builds suit better than pain transfer builds as it is easier to maneuver.

[aessedai]

pain transfer (and it's upgraded type Pain shift) requires expertise to the player. it is not a respectable DPS source but another degree of specialization.

I suggest Pyro builds suit better than pain transfer builds as it is easier to maneuver.

I've found that I just don't have the points to spend on PT, and still keep my utility skills like Ecto and Tempo at R3, and while getting the AoE's I want. PT just isn't in the cards.