Lightning trapper skills

[sunflowersmooth]

how does a lightning trapper distribute her skills after maxing LS?
A guide I've been following recommends maxing CBS, however, I fail to see how that would be more effective than maxing DS.

It then suggests placing 18 hard points into Sweb to power up CBS, but again, I find it hard to believe I would be using this trap over LS.

In this build I've also chosen to max FB.

[Sass]

PvM? PvP?

Regardless, put the one point into the Shadow Disciplines you'll be using.

Since you're going to max FB, put one point into Wof (if you use it for stun, and then LS to kill), do that after the above, then DS (if pvm, but you should be able to max DS and CBS anyway). Then the rest can be Web.

[sunflowersmooth]

PvM? PvP?

Regardless, put the one point into the Shadow Disciplines you'll be using.

Since you're going to max FB, put one point into Wof (if you use it for stun, and then LS to kill), do that after the above, then DS (if pvm, but you should be able to max DS and CBS anyway). Then the rest can be Web.

Thanks for the advice.

This is pvm HC.

Wof works as a stun? I've never used it before. Is it truly worth the point? Alternatively, I've been using mind blast as a kind of stun. For what reason do people normally use MB?

[AnimeCraze]

The WoF stun is usually for PvP, with conjuction with mind blast (since players don't actually get stunned, but are put into hit recovery for any damage received when the stun animation is on their head). Since monsters stuns without WoF, it is pointless to put a point there. As far as I know, mind blast should be enough.

Also, once you max LS, DS, and fire blast, you will have left over points, that's where CBS comes in. I hardly ever use CBS. It is only useful for bosses, and even then it is somewhat doubtful.

[sunflowersmooth]

The WoF stun is usually for PvP, with conjuction with mind blast (since players don't actually get stunned, but are put into hit recovery for any damage received when the stun animation is on their head). Since monsters stuns without WoF, it is pointless to put a point there. As far as I know, mind blast should be enough.

Also, once you max LS, DS, and fire blast, you will have left over points, that's where CBS comes in. I hardly ever use CBS. It is only useful for bosses, and even then it is somewhat doubtful.

Also, once you max LS, DS, and fire blast, you will have left over points, that's where CBS comes in. I hardly ever use CBS. It is only useful for bosses, and even then it is somewhat doubtful.[/QUOTE]

okay thanks. How is CBS more useful against bosses than LS? Is the hit rate better? Also, what is your opinion on SM? 1 point wonder or up to 17 after skills?

How would you compare it to SW?

[AnimeCraze]

I have only guardian a HC trapper once, so my opinion is not final. I find that 1 point suffices even playing untwinked, especially when you take time to shop for 2x shadow claws. Never used SW since lvl 30, so I can't exactly tell you on that one.

As for CBS, it's because most bolts will hit a big boss if you put it close (like Baal), so that it does more damage than LS, I think. I always use LS though, since my traps (and hence myself) can be further from the enemy.

I hate sacrificing lots of skill points for damage, since the longer the enemies stay alive, the longer I am in danger.

[Sass]

A Shadow Master will go into mobs, preferably after CoS is cast and traps are firing so she'll be a much needed meat shield in HC. With an extra base point in MB (2) she'll already cast it more often and stun enemies (wof isn't needed as much in pvm). She'll do everything.

With Shadow Warrior, you can control what she casts, so it's FAR easier to synergize her trap damage. However, it'll be reset if she dies, and she doesn't use fade / venom / blade shield unless you take the time to pre-buff her.

All a matter of style really.