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Is shadow explosion worth it?


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#1 Gerrr

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Posted 27 July 2013 - 05:35 AM

After reading up that moonlight dance for rogues is worse dps than just double attack + deadly blow (since in the time you can do one MD you can do one DB and 2 DA for the same damage, but you wind up with 2 more combo points) I've become skeptical of shadow explosion for assassins. While I don't have an assassin yet myself, I want to make one and so I'm trying to plan my skill build. I've heard that SE has a non-instant attack animation, and the damage is also the same as one DB+DA similar to how MD is made up of DB+DAx2, which is why I'm skeptical. I've also read the assassin theory thread which ranks SE third lowest for skill priority in terms of dps, ahead of shadow strike and MoG.

 

So I have to ask, is the animation for SE as long as the animation for DB+DA? If it is the same then that would mean SE would be useless for dps compared to DB+DA and thus those 5 points could be spent elsewhere. I'd really appreciate it if any assassins here could enlighten me. Thank you.

 

 


Edited by Gerrr, 27 July 2013 - 05:38 AM.

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#2 9632130515120055620

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Posted 27 July 2013 - 05:41 AM

Shadow explosion is nowhere near as long as moonlight, it's as slow as 1 and a half DAs IMO. You can't get 2 DAs off in the same time as one SE, that's for sure. Definitely worth the 5 points from what I've used of it.


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#3 Gerrr

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Posted 27 July 2013 - 05:54 AM

So it would be faster than a DB+DA then?


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#4 9632130515120055620

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Posted 27 July 2013 - 06:06 AM

DB is practically instant to come out and is faster than SE for sure, but at maximum it'll be dealing 60% damage while SE deals 25% more. SE is on a 20s cooldown though, and you can usually get 1 or 2 5-pointer DBs while waiting for SE to be usable again.


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#5 Gerrr

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Posted 27 July 2013 - 06:14 AM

I'm trying to find the most efficient use for 5 combo points when you get them. When you get 5 point you have two choices of dealing 85% damage, which is either a SE or DB+DA. Since I have no idea how long the animation on SE lasts I'm asking here if it's similar to the total animation for DB+DA, because if it is then there's no point to the skill like how there's no point to moonlight.

 

If it's significantly shorter than a DB+DA then that would mean it's worth it though.


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#6 SparklingLimeade

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Posted 27 July 2013 - 12:41 PM

I haven't counted frames or found the research of anyone who has but based on all my research and my own impression of the animations, the SE animation is shorter than DB+DA by enough that the skill will increase your DPS. Additionally, if you're going to play a sin instead of a rogue I'm going to guess you'd like to enjoy our above-average PvP ability. Shadow explosion is a noticeable part of that because the damage is dealt in two hits in a relatively short period of time and the first hit comes in faster than deadly blow it's very effective for securing kills.

 

 

I've also read the assassin theory thread which ranks SE third lowest for skill priority in terms of dps, ahead of shadow strike and MoG.
 

 

This analysis? I love the numbers in this analysis and it provides wonderful data but the assumptions it makes about skill usage will not apply to all situations. With a party MoG and poison weapon may have overlap with other party members devaluing them in those situations. With more vigor you will get to use SE and SS more often. If you have to kite/activate shadow armor/back off for a sec it gives CDs time to reset. And combo mastery procs are a pain to pay attention to. I wish I could skip the first point even so I could always know how many combo points I have without looking at the meter and have another skill level in something I actually want.


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#7 Gerrr

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Posted 27 July 2013 - 05:43 PM

Alright I'll take your word for it. Thanks guys.


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#8 Vau

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Posted 06 August 2013 - 04:32 PM

Fights are short and SE is a double damage skill 2400+2400 combo damage as example. with a good chained skill you can take down sorcs/wiz even rangers in 5-6 skills.

Also you need more time to make a good deadly blow combo, not counting that you can miss it and you f*cked up if you missed it.

 

 

Worth it.


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