Noob questions around CTA

[Tinitha]

I found OHM rune and now I have all runes to make a CTA.
Here are my questions...

Which one is the best weapon to use for it? Assume I will use it on a sorc.
What's the correct order when casting CTA spells to get maximum effect?
+X on CTA stacks with my +X to all levels that my char has?

Thanx for the answers.

Tin.

[PhatTrumpet]

Most people just make CtA in a Flail or Crystal Sword. I would suggest making it in something that looks drastically different from your primary weapon switch so that you don't accidentally go teleporting around with your CtA weapon switch out. :shocked:

To achieve maximum effectiveness you'll want to cast Battle Command twice and then Battle Orders. The first BC will raise all your skill levels (included BO and BC). The second BC will last 10 seconds longer than the first (splitting hairs a bit, but is the maximum effectiveness). The BO will also be affected by the +skills from the first BC.

Yes, +all skills applies to your CtA bonuses, but only +all skills (not +sorc skills, etc.).

[Tinitha]

Thanx a lot for your fast answer.
I think I got all.

Tin.

[XDoomasX]

I dont want to create new thread, so here's my quoestion, similar to previously asked.

Do + x all skills also apply to other O skill runewords, like harmony, beast etc?

example: beast lvl 9 fanaticism + highlords + arachs= lvl 11 fanat aura.

[Ce Olba]

I dont want to create new thread, so here's my quoestion, similar to previously asked.

Do + x all skills also apply to other O skill runewords, like harmony, beast etc?

example: beast lvl 9 fanaticism + highlords + arachs= lvl 11 fanat aura.

No they don't. Otherwise BvC's would 1 hit kill almost anything (lvl 16 fana :D )

[superficial]

To achieve maximum effectiveness you'll want to cast Battle Command twice and then Battle Orders. The first BC will raise all your skill levels (included BO and BC). The second BC will last 10 seconds longer than the first (splitting hairs a bit, but is the maximum effectiveness). The BO will also be affected by the +skills from the first BC.

ohhh... thanks for that! when i used to play ladder, i've always wondered why barbs BC/Bo 3 times...

[PhatTrumpet]

Barbs are a different story altogether because they also have Shout...

[junkiemia]

Most people just make CtA in a Flail or Crystal Sword. I would suggest making it in something that looks drastically different from your primary weapon switch so that you don't accidentally go teleporting around with your CtA weapon switch out. :shocked:

I do this all the time on my pally (hoto and flail cta) :grin: its pretty funny when I'm trying to cast my hammers and intead I see myself swinging cta at an enemy :prop:

[XDoomasX]

No they don't. Otherwise BvC's would 1 hit kill almost anything (lvl 16 fana :D )

I heard harmony's vigor recieves bonus from + all skill items/skills, fanat should recieve the bonus too...

[PhatTrumpet]

Auras granted by an item do not benefit from +skills. That includes the Vigor aura on 'Harmony'. Don't believe everything you hear on bnet... actually, don't believe anything you hear on bnet.

[thegiantturtle]

Do + x all skills also apply to other O skill runewords, like harmony, beast etc?

example: beast lvl 9 fanaticism + highlords + arachs= lvl 11 fanat aura.You're confusing oskills and auras when equipped. All oskills benefit from + all skills. Examples:
Berserk on Passion
Zeal on Passion
Teleport on Enigma
Valkerie on Harmony
Critical Strike on Insight

All Auras granted by items CAN NOT BE BOOSTED by any kind of +skills. Examples:
Fanaticism on Beast
Vigor on Harmony
Fanaticism on Faith
Meditation on Insight

[anonymite]

In response to the original question, I'd say the best possible base for CTA is a War Scepter with +3 Holy Shield, +3 Conviction and +3 some 1 point wonder. Of course, such an item would be worth all the duped runes on BNET. Regardless, I'd still suggest a War Scepter, if you don't care about the look of the weapon. The stat requirements are very reasonable, you might find some nice +skills to benefit a pally (I'm saving a +3 Vigor, +1 Meditation one for my smiter which has neither of those skills). Added bonus: High-Level War Scepters are guaranteed 5 sockets from Larzuk, so there ya go.

[sorcyone]

Flail is the most popular. Low reqs and it is faster than a crystal sword for when you want to use the PMH or other effect.

[jake007]

I agree with anonymite. Making it in a crystal sword is a waste (even though they tend to have a greater resale value). Make it in a war scepter instead.

[Marslite]

Agree with Anon. too. I made my CTA on a 5os sceptre which had +2 to Redemption, +2 and +1 to some other skills which I don't recollect. What I liked about it is the +2 to redemption. So before entering battle, I cast BC, BO, switch to my HoZ side, cast HS, then switch to CTA side, cast BC again, and then select Redemption, then switch to my BH side. After I have killed monsters with my hammers, I just press W, where Redemption is active, get all health and mana I could, and press W again to go for more kills.

My CTA makes my friends drool when they look at it with all the +4 BC, +6 BO, +4 B.Cry, +2 Redemption etc. Will never trade it away !

Not too much str/dex requirements is an another plus.

[ProfessionalBerg]

I do this all the time on my pally (hoto and flail cta) :grin: its pretty funny when I'm trying to cast my hammers and intead I see myself swinging cta at an enemy :prop:

What you should do, is put some skill on the left click on switch. For example, when I start "hammering", and instead see Holy Bolts flying out of me, I know I've forgot to switch the weapons.

In fact, I'd suggest Holy Bolt strongly, since it's a non-attack skill (so it can't wear off your durability), it has a distinct icon, noticeable sound and flash of light during cast, and is acquired every time you go for Blessed Hammer or Holy Shield (the latter one being in almost every paladin build out there).

True, this "useless" switch skill may kill you if you just teleport in the middle of a Demon pack and start Holybolting them, but still, I like it better than attempting to cast Blessed Hammers at 75 FCR, with lacking block (Akaran Targe Spirit on switch, so 20% less blocking), and possibly lacking resists (not for me though, my AT is 45@, selffound).

[thegiantturtle]

What you should do, is put some skill on the left click on switch. For example, when I start "hammering", and instead see Holy Bolts flying out of me, I know I've forgot to switch the weapons.

In fact, I'd suggest Holy Bolt strongly, since it's a non-attack skill (so it can't wear off your durability), it has a distinct icon, noticeable sound and flash of light during cast, and is acquired every time you go for Blessed Hammer or Holy Shield (the latter one being in almost every paladin build out there).

True, this "useless" switch skill may kill you if you just teleport in the middle of a Demon pack and start Holybolting them, but still, I like it better than attempting to cast Blessed Hammers at 75 FCR, with lacking block (Akaran Targe Spirit on switch, so 20% less blocking), and possibly lacking resists (not for me though, my AT is 45@, selffound).Great advice. I'm just not sure how useful it'll be in a 2 year old thread where the poster you're responding to hasn't posted at all in nearly 4 months. :whistling:

p.s., as I was reading the thread, I was thinking to myself, "Can I correct the oskill/aura when equipped mistake 2 years after the fact?" Then I saw that I did correct it two years ago. I am nothing, if not consistently anal.

[MadMatt]

i have a question bout cta to :D
r titans a good trade for cta? or zod?
or wait 2 questions..
would the +skills help whirlwind?? cuz i want to use it for my sin which as chaos claw

[Scudstorm]

i've always wondered why barbs BC/Bo 3 times...

I do it too, but mostly on non-barbs with CtA. Casting BC 2 times gets you a longer duration: your second BC is 1 lvl higher than the first due to the first BC's effect.

would the +skills help whirlwind?? cuz i want to use it for my sin which as chaos claw

Yes.

[krischan]

i have a question bout cta to :D
r titans a good trade for cta? or zod?
or wait 2 questions..
would the +skills help whirlwind?? cuz i want to use it for my sin which as chaos claw

The runes needed for CtA are worth 3 times as much as a zod rune and a few dozen times more than a random Titan's Revenge (5 pgems).

CtA is a decent melee weapon, but there are better ones, in particular ethereal ones. That means you usually have it in the weapon switch, so its +skills won't add to WW.