Age of Conan

10 combat tips for new players
Here are a few combat tips for melee classes. This is aimed mainly at new players, but maybe something to pick up for the ones who have come a lot further as well. If you have more tips, corrections or comments, feel free to speak out

1. Double-tap forward to get a bonus stun. This is a good way to initiate combat and it can also be used effectively by switching targets if you get adds in the middle of a battle.

2. Use active blocking if your stamina allows for it. Buy yourself time between the recharge of combos and spells. Can be used more effectively right after an evasive manouver (pt. 3).

3. Double-tap backwards to increase your evade chance. Following this up with some active blocking will buy you some time to plan ahead.

4. Pick your targets wisely. Try to take out the target that poses the biggest threat to you first. Position yourself to hit additional weaker targets at the same time.

5. Position yourself actively. Move around or double tap sideways for an evasive manouver and to position yourself better to hit more targets and to avoid being hit yourself.

6. Change targets during combos. Switch targets during the combo cycle to maximize hitting unshielded areas. There is no need to hit a triple shielded mob if you can quickly switch target and hit an unshielded one. Observe and remember their shields to make sure that the final combo hit lands on the best possible target.

7. Cancel your combos. You do not always need to finish off a combo. If your target is triple shielded and you are low on stamina, you could be better off starting another, potentially more devastating combo.

8. Cast spells and use abilities during the combo. Use the time between the attacks actively by casting spells, using your abilities or even actively blocking, dodging.

9. Use a ranged weapon to pull. Set up a key to easily switch between ranged and close combat weapons.

10. Time your stuns. Be careful about when to use your stuns and knockbacks if you are facing a tough battle. Position yourself to affect the most targets and be ready to chug potions, heal up or simply run away.

Hmm, gotta try some of this tonite. what is "active blocking", your own yellow shields?

Originally posted by bjornarg

10 combat tips for new players
Here are a few combat tips for melee classes. This is aimed mainly at new players, but maybe something to pick up for the ones who have come a lot further as well. If you have more tips, corrections or comments, feel free to speak out

1. Double-tap forward to get a bonus stun. This is a good way to initiate combat and it can also be used effectively by switching targets if you get adds in the middle of a battle.

2. Use active blocking if your stamina allows for it. Buy yourself time between the recharge of combos and spells. Can be used more effectively right after an evasive manouver (pt. 3).

3. Double-tap backwards to increase your evade chance. Following this up with some active blocking will buy you some time to plan ahead.

4. Pick your targets wisely. Try to take out the target that poses the biggest threat to you first. Position yourself to hit additional weaker targets at the same time.

5. Position yourself actively. Move around or double tap sideways for an evasive manouver and to position yourself better to hit more targets and to avoid being hit yourself.

6. Change targets during combos. Switch targets during the combo cycle to maximize hitting unshielded areas. There is no need to hit a triple shielded mob if you can quickly switch target and hit an unshielded one. Observe and remember their shields to make sure that the final combo hit lands on the best possible target.

7. Cancel your combos. You do not always need to finish off a combo. If your target is triple shielded and you are low on stamina, you could be better off starting another, potentially more devastating combo.

8. Cast spells and use abilities during the combo. Use the time between the attacks actively by casting spells, using your abilities or even actively blocking, dodging.

9. Use a ranged weapon to pull. Set up a key to easily switch between ranged and close combat weapons.

10. Time your stuns. Be careful about when to use your stuns and knockbacks if you are facing a tough battle. Position yourself to affect the most targets and be ready to chug potions, heal up or simply run away.

Good tips and have to admit I don't use all of them a lot of times. 

There is one thing though, #4 is very questionable.  Of course you prob want to try to take out a caster, but is it safer to take out the boss first or his underlings?  The reason I say this is because you have to take in consideration that if you take out some of the underlings first you have less things hitting you for dmg(can kill them quicker).  If you are pulling a hit and run you are better off trying to get the boss and get out, of course.

This is something I have wondered for a long time and I guess really just depends on the circumstances.

Originally posted by slippyC

 

Good tips and have to admit I don't use all of them a lot of times. 

 

There is one thing though, #4 is very questionable.  Of course you prob want to try to take out a caster, but is it safer to take out the boss first or his underlings?  The reason I say this is because you have to take in consideration that if you take out some of the underlings first you have less things hitting you for dmg(can kill them quicker).  If you are pulling a hit and run you are better off trying to get the boss and get out, of course.

 

This is something I have wondered for a long time and I guess really just depends on the circumstances.

Yeah it's very circumstancial.  Especially between different classes.  For example as a HoX you can eat the heart of a minion with a 1 move combo that restores almost 70% of your health, and the Necromancer can use them for mana.  Also if you use a 2handed weapon or AOE attacks then the minions and underlings will die while you assault the boss if you follow the other rule of positioning yourself correctly. 

Originally posted by slippyC 

Good tips and have to admit I don't use all of them a lot of times. 

 

There is one thing though, #4 is very questionable.  Of course you prob want to try to take out a caster, but is it safer to take out the boss first or his underlings?  The reason I say this is because you have to take in consideration that if you take out some of the underlings first you have less things hitting you for dmg(can kill them quicker).  If you are pulling a hit and run you are better off trying to get the boss and get out, of course.

 

This is something I have wondered for a long time and I guess really just depends on the circumstances.

This is something I find myself constantly experimenting with too. And I have not come to any solid conclusion as of yet.

Charlie: Active blocking is not the same as to move your shields around. Check your input settings, it defaults to X I think.

Originally posted by ProfRed

Originally posted by slippyC

 

Good tips and have to admit I don't use all of them a lot of times. 

 

There is one thing though, #4 is very questionable.  Of course you prob want to try to take out a caster, but is it safer to take out the boss first or his underlings?  The reason I say this is because you have to take in consideration that if you take out some of the underlings first you have less things hitting you for dmg(can kill them quicker).  If you are pulling a hit and run you are better off trying to get the boss and get out, of course.

 

This is something I have wondered for a long time and I guess really just depends on the circumstances.

 

Yeah it's very circumstancial.  Especially between different classes.  For example as a HoX you can eat the heart of a minion with a 1 move combo that restores almost 70% of your health, and the Necromancer can use them for mana.  Also if you use a 2handed weapon or AOE attacks then the minions and underlings will die while you assault the boss if you follow the other rule of positioning yourself correctly. 

That is exactly why I used the word underlings and not minions.  I also have been messing with a HoX, he is about at 30 now.  I guess you have to watch it if you want to use that "eat heart" move you are talking about to it's fullest.  Of course at the same time you have to make sure you don't kill the minion off as a side effect of hitting the others to early... :P

Also to the OP, I would like to know about that stun effect when you double tap forward.  I never really used that, is that an actual stun for all classes or is it something that only works in combination with other moves for more melee oriented?

Hit and runs are great. Can't take that boss and 5 minions solo? Just kill the boss and run like hell. Then come back and loot :)

Originally posted by Praxus

Hit and runs are great. Can't take that boss and 5 minions solo? Just kill the boss and run like hell. Then come back and loot :)

 

I try that, but i keep running into adds all time :)

 Oooo... very colorful post

Okay, yeah.. and informative.