First... Thanes really fun to try different specs (since the playstyle must be adjusted in a greater sense, compared to 90% of the other classes of daoc). There's several effective specs, and there's some specs that work better then one would think.
Because of the boost to the Thanes weaponlines a couple of years back, the style-review not THAT long ago, being a low ws & low hp hybridclass etc, there's one spec that rule all the other specs (overall, not always best in a specifik setting/situation, but overall it got the tools, the damage (melee and magic). defence (+stun and engage).
But I've noticed (this is a "self-truth" at least) that if trying to play for a while, with different specs, even if obvious alot less good... Well it enhance the understanding of the possibilites and limits of the class, as well as sharpen the reactions, reflexes, timing etc... Lets call it your "skill".
So my advice here, is to try all kinda of specs, it might be fun, it might actually work, and it might suit you perfectly.
50sc,42shield,39sword,6parry is ofc the spec I'm talking about, when I mention the "overall best spec".
(For solo one could go 34sword and 20parry. The enhanced defence will help more then the rear-snare at 39sword(in solo situations) since you have a side-snare style, to use to kite, or to snare a enemy inside the ST radius).
Up until rr5, one want to have an effective weaponspec of 50, at and above rr5, you'll want 51(as in 34sword+17 from template and rr).
Here's some of the reasons why it's the overall best spec.
- Chained styles, playing a low-ws hybridclass, facing miss, pbt, evade, parry, block, fumble, end-drain, out of view etc...
Well, comparingly it won't cut it at all. The 34swordstyle Polar Rift got:
- a decent "to-hit"
- not that bad end-usage per hit
- the growthrate got a boost a good while back (about 0.88 - 0.90)
- and it got a low delve dd proc
- it's an anytimer
- the weaponline(sword) with the largest choice of different weapons (for dmg, utility etc)
- one don't need higher swordspec then 34/36/39, open up for 42shield (decent defence + slam, etc), and 50stormcalling that in itself enhance the melee-damage/fights (buff-energy debuff proc, buff-capped str/con, buff-dmg-add (except for healers, thats the highest delve dmg-add in mid), red instant spells, doomhammer, the last ae-nuke, and the 2.4sec speed single-nuke, with ofc best delve (a Thanes best delve that is), with a range of 1700 units (thats 1870 with 10% rangebonus).
The ae-nuke sit at 3.0sec casttime, and 1600range (1760 with 10% rangebonus) and 400 radius. 1760+200=1960. Thus it's poossible to affect enemies as far as 1960 units.
All this holds true for pvp/rvr, and alot for pve as well, but the axe and hammer-specs get alot stronger in pve, since there's no problem landing chains, and the enemy usually stand still while in battle.
800-1500 damage in 2 hits with the hammer-parrychain dd procstyles, with a 1-hander. 1000-2200(+) damage possible with a 2-handed hammer.
Even the VW's side-stun-pbaoe-dd proc style fall behind damage-wise (vs 1 mob), doing a 2-hit chain.
39hammer(off parry), 75 value dd proc
50hammer (follow-up to 39), 175 value dd proc
= 250 value dd proc.
At a stunned enemy, a hammerspecced Thane do mediocre damage.
Thus Axe with it's anytime chain-dd proc(150 dd value) style, do real good at stunned enemies (although, again, there's easy to use chains on mobs)
Usually one never go above ST1, st2 yield 1 more stunpulse for 10 extra points, and st3 yields another 2 stunpulses (so st3 might be worth investing into, st2 not so at all).
With WoC it's about the opposite, there woc2 give nice damage at a moderate cost, going woc3 aint't usually worth it(another 15 realmskillpoints, for another (roughly) 200 pbaoe damage each 10th minute). If got ra-points to spare, woc1 might be good, not for the damage, but for the extra pbaoe-interrupt.
DoomHammer at 50sc, this is a great spell/style (it's a really a "magic" style with range, doing the usual melee-part dmg, and a the high value dd proc (200)), but this easiliy become the downfall for the Thane, as well as able to save/make the day/kill/interrupt etc.
Some uses of DoomHammer beyond the damage:
- while running towards a caster (and/or a class with pbt, such as the warden, and maulers), throw/use DoomHammer once, and it will destroy the invisibile defence (as well as a brittle guard) and since the dd proc dmg ain't activated (the melee-part of the doom-hammer is enough to destroy/kill).
Mind, only once at the bubble, because when you're upon the caster/enemy, you will be able to "insta-slam" (or style). If actually hitting the caster/enemy, you'll fing yourself accidently disarmed for 10 seconds, allowing the caster to moc, or run away or whatever.
Single instant, rr5 and even that 1th doomhammer throw all interrupt the caster, so if the caster ain't moving, and not blowing moc, and realizing too late that quick cast would have been a good idea, you'll be there stunning and killing them.
(now i just randomly thrown out advices)
Fighting a class with any kind of instant interrupting (most hybrids that is), open up with a 2-handed DoomHammer(IF you got the range to your advantage), since the enemy will be (often enough) trying to instantly interrupt you (keeping you from nuking) and themselves casting disease (or a castable debuff, or mezz, or stun).
Often as not, the enemy will have spent his/her instant spells, for the time being. Now use the single instant spell, to intrrupt once more (since the 2-handed doomhammer swingtimer will interrupt you're casting for a few seconds (depending on speed, qui, haste, celerity, buffs, debuffs etc, just as with any normal style) so you will keep clean of disease/debuff/snares/mezzing/getting stunned, now while the enemy (hopefully) still stand there, trying to get his/her castable spell off, you're able to start nuke, giving you 2-5 "free" nukes.
1 DoomHammer, 1 instant spell, and 2-5 nukes = nice chunk of hp gone. When the enemy reach you, you'll have quite a advantage.
Ofc, this scenario won't always work, heh, but it work quite often for me (especially fun vs unkowingly VW's, hehe).
Tics? Yeah if going for that none-interruptable focus-nuke, same tactic will result in your rather fast death.
So what to do then?
- Open up with 2-handed Doomhammer(since it's partly melee, it will instantly interrupt the tic) directly, as you charge towards the tic. Your single instant spell won't interrupt, and you're disarm will still be going (from using DH), BUT you instant pbaoe dd do "work as a melee-style", and will interrupt the tic further.
At this time the disarm is either gone, or gone in 1-2 seconds. If timed right, you shouldn't been hit by any focus-nuke at all..
If they manage to insta-snare you, just repeat (and be aware of the timing, the enemies "skills" will demand/open up, for different timings, a "noob" will likely take 2 Doomhammers, before you're upon them and using pbaoe, and then able to start melee/slam etc.
Try save the single instant dd, it won't interrupt their focus-nuking, but it will interrupt them pausing and trying to heal themselves (and for that they might get time, since you're disarmed).
Something else:
A more or less "weaponless" template... Well thats good. Me myself switch weapons alot (for example; at toa, if WH charge is down, I'll wear Spear of Kings, since it proc the same charge as WH (50% value instead of 75% though, and only last 1 minute), when that's up, I'll usually go for a celerity-proccing weapon, when celerity is up and running as well, then I'll go for a 1-hander or 2-hander that yield either another kind of "utility" proc, and/or allow me to do more damage vs the enemy (gjalp claw is great here, I've been able to take down Necros, with melee, having the omniprocs keeping me barely alive vs the necro + doing extra damage thanks to the very same omni procs).
This is extra handy vs vamps and maulers (kinda helps vs any class ofc, hehe), the end and power-drainage won't be much of a problem. This might save you, and even give you the win vs a clawspamming Vamp.
You'll ofc want 10%magic bonus in template, and 10% spellpiering when using gjalpclaw... this will enhance magical procs, not only your weapon dd procs.
This works great with about any melee-class, but Thanes and valks (on mid) get better benefits out of it, thanks to the bosnus to magic, the dd procs on weapons, instant spells etc.
I've offered a discussion for either/or more utility and/or damage for the Thanes(!) hammer and axe weaponlines, with/to Mythic.
They actually (my experience, my conclusion/view at it) ain't near the Thanes swordspec. Not because Sword is OP, but since the mechanism of todays daoc, and the players style of playing, make these 2 lines just not work as intended (again, my PoV) in pvp, for the Thane(low ws, low hp, hard as he** to template etc).
To be forced to either give up high stormcalling, or high shieldspec (and slam), the hammer and axe, should (my pov yet again) get some kind of boost, to justify the "offer"(there's several reasons why one USUALLY (it happens, sometimes I do it as well) don't see 2-handed specced Thanes running around, here's 2 of those. Eating the grass too fast, and not be able to deliver enough damage while still breathing).
I hope that Mythic will reflekt upon this.
As I said earlier, it's good to try different specs. Same goes for rr-specs, and template/gear/items. It will enhance you as a thane, and as a player.
But if looking to be as effective as is possible with a Thane.. The template "shouldn't" be allowed to give up too much melee, defence, resists, or magic/casting(hm, nor "toys"(charges from toa-items or some other items)).
Me myself perform overall best(compared to myself), with a balanced tamplate.
What use to go "all magic", when you'll easily will be held down, and won't be able to defend yourself or your group while in melee.
Same goes the other way, what use in going full melee, when you'll have a hard time doing anything usefull at range, forcing the enemeis into actions they would prefer not to embark upon. Thus getting new/other advantages, for both melee and range (for yourself and your group).
... As said, do not forget to try many templates, specs, rr-specs. ONLY trying 50sc,42shield,39sword,6parry might blindfold you, partly (if you got a small amount of experience, regarding the Thanes different sides - new player/Thane that is).
Good luck, and don't be eaten by a Thane
