Solo Artist Challenge - Shadowknight?

[Trivonus]

Hey all,

I know shadowknights are immensely powerful (more than some would be lead to believe, but nowhere near monks), and I'm thinking about starting a fresh SK up to try my hand at the solo artist challenge.

What race/starting stats would you pick?!

The main choice I believe is between Ogres/Trolls/Iksar.

Ogres - most base stats (can itemize other things instead of focusing on sta) and immunity to stun for casts

Trolls - Regen and can wear plate, worse stats than ogre

Iksar - Regen but can't wear plate, but extra AC and small. Worse stats than Troll.

So, I'm thinking Ogre? The standing troll/iksar regen in 1 min (10 ticks) at 8 extra hp per tick is approximately 80 hp a minute. If the fight took 3-5 minutes to complete, that would be somewhere between 240 to 400 hp. Quite a lot, but one interrupted cast on Drain Soul (6.1 second cast!!!) would be 338 hp lost, so that more than makes up for it. So, Ogre with +20 int to start? Feel free to correct me!! :p

[Swish]

For the solo artist? Assuming some of those are indoors that'll mean you won't want to fear... which means frontal stun immunity on the ogre might be the way to go <3

For ogre I'd put 5 in AGI (75 minimum for no AC penalty) and definitely some into INT, your mana pool will be horrible otherwise. Velious gear should max your stamina easily and add some nice HP.

[Danth]

Bash resist isn't a big deal. An interrupted Drain Soul doesn't mean you "lose" 338 HP, it means you cast the spell again. When you solo anything that has any significant health, you're going to have plenty of time to run yourself out of mana regardless of whether you suffer a few interrupts. As a point of trivia Drain Soul doesn't take 6.1 seconds to cast, either. Because of Hybrid spellcast haste it casts in more like 4.3 seconds or so which isn't too bad. Between the various races I consider it a toss-up between Troll or Iksar. Troll might win out slightly due to having access to a few potentially useful Blood Ember click effects.

Your equipment and available click items will determine what you can solo far moreso than your race or starting statistics will. Some Shadow Knight players who like to solo a lot focus heavily on Dexterity so as to increase epic (or Greenmist) special effects. You'll want mana regeneration even more than health regeneration and the rare clarity click items (from Myconids in Sebilis) are highly prized.

Source: Been playing SK as main for many years on P99 and done about anything I've cared to do with it.

Danth

[Snaggles]

I’d almost build a small race for the extra intell and BE clicks. Between boots, gloves and the mana if timed right you could make a fight go a painfully long time.

[elwing]

Iksar can wear most velious plate...

[branamil]

There is nothing an ogre can solo that a troll cannot. They might have a 0.5% chance to win 2% of fights due to RNG gods but it doesn't unlock any content.

[Izmael]

Just grab a Soulfire, a Bladestopper and a bunch of Red Wood Wands, the world is yours!

Oh wait..

[oqrelord]

Just grab a Soulfire, a Bladestopper and a bunch of Red Wood Wands, the world is yours!

Oh wait..

What happened to these items? Was there a nerf?

[Crede]

I have to ask, but are you set on SK? Because a Pally with their 59 heal will likely have a much easier time killing a high end named if they can get to it. Pretty ridiculous amount of Hp a pally can self heal compared to shitty SK lifetaps at 60(A soulfire can also only be used by Paladins now). Unless the solo artist challenges require the use of FD, which I can't imagine because non FD classes have done it, I'm betting a paladin can kill more with root/heal/stun. SK will get the edge with fear kiting, but that's pretty limited.

With that being said, if you're set on SK, I'd probably go Iksar. Being fat sucks(I have a troll SK), and Regen/ac will win out in the end with velious armor. As for starting stats, INT is kinda useless IMO unless you're constantly dumping 100% of your mana which will almost never happen. I'd go for dex for more weapon procs and when you're trying to proc something fast on a hard fight you'll be glad you did.

[zati]

did you mean solo levels 1-60 or are you going to solo a mob from the list provided? TBH it isn't much of a difference as the game is pretty gear dependent, and overall "starting stats" will have very minimal differences. but I'll just assume you want min/max for the class... so

the question is what are you trying to fight? There aren't many mobs accessible for an SK to solo from the artist challenge in the first place, but granted it's more than a pally could(assuming "getting to the mob by yourself" is part of the solo challenge). Anyway I would say you're on the right track wit Int . The extra regen from trolls/iksar is nice (most solo fights will last 4-5mins like you said) but what it doesn't do for an SK is add dps, which the class overall lacks no matter what race you pick(Str is easy to max). In other words...Longer the fight goes on the more damage you take.

Like a poster above pointed out if you are interrupted casting Drain Soul you don't "Lose" 338 hp, you just recast it. what isn't mentioned is that you also do 338 DAMAGE. So, you honestly have to put the amount of damage you deal into the equation for the duration of the fight. could argue that... More mana = extra Drain souls = More HP / Damage which in turn causes More Weapon Swings and RNG to happen.

..shrug the toughest mob I've ever done is dartain the lost with no assistance other than a port to tox and one reaper charge(should be sk only). anyhow it depends whats available to you at end game and not so much starting stats or race.

[jolanar]

Ogre is the obvious choice. Imagine how much life saving FDs you would get off that would otherwise be interrupted.

[Crede]

Ogre is the obvious choice. Imagine how much life saving FDs you would get off that would otherwise be interrupted.

How often are you going to be getting off life saving FDs? In almost 60 levels on my troll sk there was exactly one occurrence where i partially wished I was an ogre. I was getting PLd in my 40s and intentionally had 20+ mobs on me but the PLer didn't tell me they were OOM and I and couldn't get a FD off and died. When I was grinding through HS and in 99.9% of other scenarios, I was hella glad I had that extra regen because SK downtime is a real thing, you're not a monk who can mend and bandage to 70%.

If you do go ogre over troll/iksar for min max solo potential, know that you're giving up a shit ton of extra hp regen over the course of 60 levels for potentially a few, very very specific scenarios.

[Baler]

Troll is a better puller/tagger
Ogre is a better off trash-tank

At the very end of velious SK is very very strong in it's ability to pull, tag and then contribute towards the raid.

in my honest opinion troll is the min/max given the nature of the class.
It's very similar in lines of shaman race choice. Which I think troll is the best shaman race too.

Troll get's Good stats + racial Regen(uninterrupted)

-----
It's the same reason people play iksar monk instead of human monk.

[Haydien]

The only thing that matters end game is fashion

https://i.imgur.com/LJ9C1yi.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/3nEjE7O.jpg

[Baler]

The only thing that matters end game is fashion

the iksar 2h animation is jacking off a horse.

This is an actual quote from these p99 forums, I'll spare the original poster from.

[Swish]

This is an actual quote from these p99 forums, I'll spare the original poster from.

lol

[Evia]

Hahahaha!! Even with the Jak off animation 2h swing, it's all about iksar sk.

[Snaggles]

I haven't really messed with my pally soloing mobs 51+ mobs that can summon. I recall the max npc level fear works is 55. That alone would give the hat tip to the SK if you had the runway to make it work.

Between the 59 super quick self HoT and LoH the pally can definitely last longer toe-to-toe. Any situation you can root and back up even a few feet the DW helm or better yet BP are crazy healing solutions (about 185hps per tick for a jasper).

Frankly I'm not too aware with summon dynamics. If you can get just out of melee range and pop off a few BP clicks between summons in theory the pally can last a very long time.

[jolanar]

There is an animation fix file download for the Iksar 2 hand slash animation isn't there? Would solve that problem.

[Ennewi]

Focus on mana regen and mana saving items (mage focus item, polished obsidian great axe, blood ember gaunts/greaves). Having a constant inflow of mana goes a long way towards soloing mobs.

[Lhord99]

Iksar Greenmist/Epic duo, paired with a fungi, lvl 60 iksar regen, and a Regrowth (if you go into it buffed) is more powerful/useful than frontal stun immunity by a longshot. You're lookin at 30+50+15+15+15 hp/tick, more if you can get Ring 10 and/or other things that stack Aura of Battle, etc.

My 60 Ogre sham gets put on iceskates now with the push changes, so his frontal stun immunity is thwarted by the fact he's James Brown-ing if I'm not pulling+backing into a corner.

[ScottBerta]

I have a very well geared Iksar SK but I think the 2hand slam of troll and ogre is by far superior. Ogre for stats and frontal stun. Troll for regen. I feel you can’t go wrong with any of the three but coming from an Iksar SK I think Ogre or Troll better.

[Master Roshi]

Shame we will never see the mighty Gnome SK in all their majesty.

[jolanar]

Gnome SK and Halfling Ranger/Paladin are prime custom content material right there.

[sacman08]

Dark Elf or nothing! Don’t let them cow you with that stun immunity or regen crap!

[enjchanter]

Ogre if you dont have plat
iksar if you do imo

[totmanc]

Without these three steps your SK wont be a god.
1) Proc Primal
2) Swap and Proc Epic
3) Swap and Proc Sword of Rile from VP
Repeat as necessary
Gear race starting stats are useless until you get those three items

[magnetaress]

Just grab a Soulfire, a Bladestopper and a bunch of Red Wood Wands, the world is yours!

Oh wait..

u r not a 'solo artist' if u rely on lame **** like this to win @ anything in life

thats a copy past artist

[Trivonus]

You guys have SERIOUSLY confused me now. So, it's either A) Troll or B) Iksar.

Iksar - Greenmist, AC

Troll - Slam

What to do!!?? I think Troll is better, but I already made a dang Iksar. RIP~~~!!! Reroll now? lol

[Crede]

You guys have SERIOUSLY confused me now. So, it's either A) Troll or B) Iksar.

Iksar - Greenmist, AC

Troll - Slam

What to do!!?? I think Troll is better, but I already made a dang Iksar. RIP~~~!!! Reroll now? lol

Rerolling is not a big deal, you really want to love your race/class decision because that 51+ grind is real, especially for a melee. No matter how twinked you are you're not going to be cruising through zones with ease like an Enc/Necro would be. I'd probably go Troll if you don't care about being a fatty. Being able to use the blood ember clickies comes in handy, and 2h slam with high end weapons is very nice.

Greenmist is cool, with a great proc for tanking in groups, but I would not consider it a game changer for solo artist stuff.

[Jimjam]

Another argument for rerolling not being a big deal: if you enjoyed doing level 1-n on your SK, you'll probably enjoy doing it again, especially with the benefit of extra knowledge and hind sight, and you can hit up camps you missed out on (or didn't get enough of) the first time around.

[Trivonus]

I'm still really perplexed. They all seem so good at different things. I feel like with end-game itemization like Sword of Rile, Willsapper, Palladius Axe, etc., that Greenmist will fall off, so end-game possibly Iksar would be the weakest race. However, the ability to avoid all stuns increases dps and makes casting easier, but on much much longer fights, it falls off. Troll feels like the best inbetween and most versatile at all stages. However, it's not that easy I don't believe. Anybody with some ideas that wants to shoot the breeze on it please shoot me a tell (Alphawolf, Overpowdered and Suchwow are my characters).

I'm on now. :)

[Crede]

Iksar is the best race from a min max solo artist perspective. You’ll win out with ac and regen. Can get epic to swap in for 2h bashes as well when using a tov weapon. I went Troll with mine but if I’m end game gearing I’d rather have an iksar and not have to deal with being a fatty. There might be a few circumstances where you wish you had Frontal stun immunity, but you’ll always be glad you had regen and ac.

[Trivonus]

Iksar is the best race from a min max solo artist perspective. You’ll win out with ac and regen. Can get epic to swap in for 2h bashes as well when using a tov weapon. I went Troll with mine but if I’m end game gearing I’d rather have an iksar and not have to deal with being a fatty. There might be a few circumstances where you wish you had Frontal stun immunity, but you’ll always be glad you had regen and ac.

Not sure sure what you mean about getting epic to swap in for 2h bashes. You mean swapping to a 1h + shield to bash then swapping back to 2h? Iksars not getting slam sucks for real though. ;I

[Trivonus]

Just realized that SK epic gives you the ability to bash with it equipped. Yea, Iksar seems best. Gonna do that!!!!

[Issar]

Just realized that SK epic gives you the ability to bash with it equipped. Yea, Iksar seems best. Gonna do that!!!!

Welcome to the legion! Be sure to check this out: https://www.project1999.com/forums/showthread.php?t=262117

[Xulia]

Iksar - Regen but can't wear plate, but extra AC and small. Worse stats than Troll.


You forgot Infravision, 100 Swimming at level 1, and exclusive access to Greenmist and Dreadscale armor!

[Sonark]

Iksar can't wear Classic and Kunark plate.

They can wear all the good Velious plate.

[DeathsSilkyMist]

Troll is best for min/max. You get the +HP regen that Iksar's get, and the Blood Ember clickies are more useful than Greenmist. Yes, you can stack Epic and Greenmist if your procs are lucky. The other half of the time when you are not lucky, only one proc is going to be active at a time.

Why are Blood Ember clickies generally better? They are much better at saving mana. You could fear kite indefinitely with Gloves and Boots. It is obviously slow, since you need to recast a lot, but the solo challenge isn't about speed:) Also, when you are trying to get down to the desired mob, the Blood Ember Greaves are saving mana every flop.

But as pointed out before, if you can seriously raid gear yourself out, then your race won't matter too much. Soul Defiler and flowing thought items will make up for a lot of lost mana:D

[Crede]

This thread has gotten me really curious now what a lvl 60 geared Paladin can solo with 35% slow weapon & an anklesmasher for fleeing nameds.

An SK with a shitty long cast lifetap vs Paladin 1.5 second cast 700 pt heal with only a 6 second delay between total duration and recast time, Lay Hands, stuns, root, calm, and now the only class for Soulfire charges. I could see where FD would come in handy but Shaman's without it have topped the solo challenge.

[magnetaress]

paladins have always been the technically more proficient 'killers of hard mobs' they are pretty awesome, for the patient, that said, when it comes to pure exp per hr... pallies will never, ever get there, thats why sks are considered better soloers

sks got some ability to bring down stuff by just tapping it into the ground, thats where they excell at, killing dangerous mobs quickly with lifetaps, ht and double attacks, that otherwise wouldnt flee, using pet to soak a lethal mob ability...

But a pally can soak some stuff with their DAs and do heal really well enough to counter a lot of incoming spell dmg and such, and can break and hold some interesting camps with lull and root i suppose

i would probably bet on the pally at frenzy vs the sk - the pally would need less clickies and raid gear to do it too

[Snaggles]

Soloing with either is painful. I still think the summoning mobs is where the Sk edges the pally...because often those can be feared still (up to 55?).

Trading hit for hit and recovering hps it's pally a landslide. That said, you can pull some dirty tricks with a pet and clinging darkness.

Taps and HT got way better with post-Velious expansions. As it sits they are pretty marginal. I understand Unholy Aura increases tap/dot damage though which for a survivalist challenge might do better in the long-run than a big HT.

[Lhord99]

This thread has gotten me really curious now what a lvl 60 geared Paladin can solo with 35% slow weapon & an anklesmasher for fleeing nameds.

An SK with a shitty long cast lifetap vs Paladin 1.5 second cast 700 pt heal with only a 6 second delay between total duration and recast time, Lay Hands, stuns, root, calm, and now the only class for Soulfire charges. I could see where FD would come in handy but Shaman's without it have topped the solo challenge.

Shamans also have a 100 mana, 3 minute root and 1,400 dmg mana free dot. Plus a 75% slow + other debuffs. And then torpor.

[Snaggles]

I don't think anyone genuinely thought a pally or sk could hold a candle to a shaman (or any caster except a cleric).
Then again, I'm not a FT-whatever Vulak axe swinging mofo.

[magnetaress]

it sux they dont get meditate and specialization, but they were not meant to be a 'main' class they were meant to be kind of rp classes, with the distinction of being hard, but not as hard as warrior, but not as powerful

i am pretty sure Brad nailed it with the paladin class

so i hve zero complaints, the price of divinity is high, the road is slower


that said i am still interested in seeing what people can solo ) on blue there is not that much 'left to do'

if u find a way to solo a velks named i'll color myself impressed or w/e

[Crede]

it sux they dont get meditate and specialization, but they were not meant to be a 'main' class they were meant to be kind of rp classes, with the distinction of being hard, but not as hard as warrior, but not as powerful

i am pretty sure Brad nailed it with the paladin class

so i hve zero complaints, the price of divinity is high, the road is slower


that said i am still interested in seeing what people can solo ) on blue there is not that much 'left to do'

if u find a way to solo a velks named i'll color myself impressed or w/e

Paladins do get meditate bro, you prob thinking of bards.

A tov pally with velious heal should theoretically be able to down some impressive named.

[magnetaress]

Paladins do get meditate bro, you prob thinking of bards.

A tov pally with velious heal should theoretically be able to down some impressive named.

ya brain ded ur right lol i should know this

u made me excited to see a ToV pally solo something