Yep, we get to take advantage of this after level 150, since pre-level 150 doing tradeskills leads to self-gimpdom. Now what portion of the casual playerbase reaches level 150+? That's what I thought: not much. Isn't it reasonable to allow those few who do reach high levels to excel in this particular field?a) you get the highest tradeskills in the game
After landing both drains, yes. Prior to landing the first drain, we're on par (maybe less so) with the other nano-intensive profs. After the first drain, we're better than the other profs except for MPs running mochams. After the 2nd drain, we're slightly better than MPs running mochams. Drains last 3 minutes, and one of the drains has a 190% NR. Meaning that, most of the time, we're walking around with mediocre nano skills.b) you get the highest nanoskills in the game
After draining once, we have attack ratings slighty less than pure combat classes. After the 2nd drain, we do have better ATKs, but remember drains last 3 minutes, and need to be continously refreshed. Also most of our weapons skills are dark blue, requiring much more IP investment than pure combat profs, so much so, that a trader must decide balance the weapon skills IP cost with trade skills IP cost. Meaning that, most of the time, we're walking around with mediocre weapon skills.c) you get the highest attack rating in the game
It's OK, not quite as good as a bureaucrat's (no AoE mezz), but better than an NT's for the most part (at certain level ranges). This is probably the single biggest advantage we bring to teams.d) you have a very good crowd control ability
Again, they last 3 minutes, and they don't make a world of difference in PvM. Ever head of Nano Shutdown? Rapid Palsy? Crown of Frost? Get hit with some of those, and the come whining about how MPs, doctors, and NTs are overpowered.e) you have the best debuffs in the game
Decent, perhaps, but still places us after doctors, adventurers, and MAs. Can't realistically use team heals in most situations.f) you have decent ability to heal
So let's recap for a moment. Traders have uber nano skills and ATK provided they have their two best drains running from the Divest and Plunder lines. Until high levels, these entails 'laddering up' drains. Plunders have a 190% NR associated with them. Typical laddering looks like:
1) Cast Divest #1, wait 6 seconds for recharge.
2) Cast Plunder #1, wait 6 seconds for recharge. If countered (about 50% of the time), repeat step 2.
3) Cast best Divest, wait 6 seconds for recharge.
4) Cast best Plunder, wait 6 seconds for recharge. If countered (about 33% of the time), repeat step 4.
5) After 2:30, repeat steps 3 through 5.
In a team environment, keeping the best drains running is frustrating at best. Why? Because, team members die, go LD, AFK and rebuff while drains are running (out). Invariably, steps 1 and 2 need to be re-performed quite frequently, meaning we start out a square 1 (read:mediocre) over and over again.
Now, take into account that calms need to be cast as well as the occasional heal. Also, some teams like it when you have a nice team skill wrangler running at all times. What does all this amount to? That's right: THE MOST COMPLEX AND BRAIN-DRAINING JUGGLING ACT YOU CAN IMAGINE (at least in AO). So let's revise the above steps 1-5:
1) Cast Divest #1, wait 6 seconds for recharge.
2) Calm adds. If countered (about 33% of the time), repeat step 2. Repeat for as many adds as need to be calmed.
3) Cast Plunder #1, wait 6 seconds for recharge. If countered (about 50% of the time), repeat step 3.
4) Cast best Divest, wait 6 seconds for recharge.
5) Calm adds. If countered (about 33% of the time), repeat step 5. Repeat for as many adds as need to be calmed.
6) Cast best Plunder, wait 6 seconds for recharge. If countered (about 33% of the time), repeat step 6.
7) Cast best Team Wrangle, wait 6 seconds for recharge.
8) After 2:30, repeat steps 4 through 8, bearing in mind that because of Team Wrangle lowering nano/weapon skills by 150+, counters will occur about 25% more often.
And you have the gall to come in here and whine about us getting good tradeskills. Here, I have a great suggestion. Play a trader to level 150+. And then whine about how it's a walk in the park and how we shouldn't be any more uber.
B]
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