Merc Slash completely replaces slash right?

[jbuschell]

Im about to turn 40, and its my assumption that slash becomes obsolete once i get Merc Slash correct?

[antval]

Your merciless slash has higher priority then slash, but slash doesn't become obsolete - just less used & more situational.

 

Both merciless slash and slash can reset your cauterize CD.

Edited May 13, 2012 by antval

[jbuschell]

true after i mulled it over, i realize merc slash has a 15 sec cd so im sure there will be situations where i could use slash

[antval]

Let me also add that when you have all your talent-points available to you at 50, a viable option is dumping some points into the focus tree for the +15% critical chance for slash. For my sentinel, that equated to regular 2k crits in operations.

[Hizoka]

Let me also add that when you have all your talent-points available to you at 50, a viable option is dumping some points into the focus tree for the +15% critical chance for slash. For my sentinel, that equated to regular 2k crits in operations.

 

if you want to gimp yourself go ahead and do something like that.

[LiveandDieinLA]

if you want to gimp yourself go ahead and do something like that.

 

I kind of agree with Hiz here. Slash is such a low priority attack as a watchman that those points could be much better spent in the combat tree.

[SteveGarbage]

Slash is a filler that you should pretty much only use when everything else (Leap, Master Strike, Zealous, Cauterize, Merciless, Overload Saber) are all on CD. And many times when that's the case, you'll need to build a little bit of focus anyway and use Strike.

 

As was said, as Watchman, Slash is probably the lowest on your priority list of attacks. Use it to keep your DPS up if you don't have any other better skills available, but otherwise drop something else.

[antval]

- Agree that slash is your low priority ability and a filler

 

Should have mentioned that I run with my talents into defensive roll (aoe damage reduction) for EC normal/HM to relieve pressure off my healers.

 

However, I do find it perfectly fine to run with the +15 crit chance for slash for EV & KP normal/HM runs since they are ridic easy (for my usual team), that I find it justifiable to shift points from survivability to maximize damage output.

Edited May 14, 2012 by antval

[AethiusSake]

Let me also add that when you have all your talent-points available to you at 50, a viable option is dumping some points into the focus tree for the +15% critical chance for slash. For my sentinel, that equated to regular 2k crits in operations.

 

This advice is dumb, dont do it

 

More like put the points into defensive roll,

 

Merciless slash DOES overirde slash complete if you build your watchman right and use your skills properly, you'll get to the point where after applying your stacks properly that it lasts for the full period (Overload resets while your last stacks still rolling) then you should have JUST enough focus if everything procs to redo your stacks as well as cauterize, even if your merciless slash DOESNT proc the cauterize theres buncha other stuff you should be doing with your focus other then using slash.. for instance, your first 2 merciless stacks are quick to fade if you dont use another merciless slash right away.. you want to make sure you have enough focus for this.. not to mention not spamming your leap just for the hell of focus building because sometimes you need to disrupt a spell or proc your opportune strike right after the leap for maximum dmg (given not pvp or boss)

 

I did extensive study on my sentinel watchman before playing it, like EXTENSIVE, i know the class inside out for how the skills work and cooldowns etc, I may not explain it that greatly through this. but if you give me some situations I can help you answer everything you need to

 

for instance you'll spend probably lvl 1- 20 staring at your cool downs and skills instead of playing the actual game just to get into the instincts of casting everything properly.. and knowing when (given you havent played a class this meticulate before)

 

Hotkey EVERYTHINGGGGGG

 

my Q E S F R T X V , Shift and Control + those keys and 1 - 6 F1 to F5 everything is hotkeyed.. and extra mouse buttons.. with a class like this, you have to utilize everythingggggggg and learn how to best utilize all the skills and talents..

 

its very intricate and to play it effective its best to do some research

 

theres nothing that pisses me off more in ToR then seeing sentinel NOT toping dmg charts or being VERY far from me in WZ in dmg or heals and no objective.. it saddens me.. even if you LOSE the wz you should top the damage chart as a watchman every game..

[Stealios]

This advice is dumb, dont do it

 

even if you LOSE the wz you should top the damage chart as a watchman every game..

 

Agree with pretty much everything you say but this,

Really? dmg is more important than winning a wz? I've had wz where i was 100k off top dmg but made a few vital interrupts just so i could die 2 seconds after that.

 

Also not to derail completely; the 15% extra crit chance on slash is nice if you're focus spec, in watchman you shouldn't use slash a lot. if you do, look at your rotation

[paul_preib]

Im about to turn 40, and its my assumption that slash becomes obsolete once i get Merc Slash correct?

 

In a pve setting there's enough dead space that slash finds its way into the rotation occasionally, just enough that I still want it hotkeyed. In a pvp setting I virtually never use it anymore because there's usually enough smaller breaks in the time on target to allow more important cooldowns to come back up and other items that I wouldn't be using in a sustained-damage pve fight quite as often (leap, stasis, camo) fill in the rest of the gaps.

 

 

So it still has its place in a watchman spec, its place is just basically about as trivial as it can get while still being worth hotkeying.

[jbuschell]

I'm surprised this thread is still on the front page lol, I'm level 45 now and I have answered my own question, I appreciate everyone's input but no other replies are necessary thank you

[Ellvaan]

Greetings everyone!

 

We appreciate you all giving constructive and helpful replies to the thread author's question! It is always great to see the community helping each other out!

 

Have a great day!

[CivicTiger]

Merc Slash replaces Slash.. just like Blade Rush replases Slash from the Combat Tree

[bliapis]

this post is full of win.. MS doesnt replace slash by a long shot. Slash is used as a filler and you gonna use it alot when caut/os/MS and MasterStr is on CD. The +15% crt talent is pretty good imo.