Squad Leader Archive
Thread: So how are you guys managing your action pool?
What I am during the fight heavily depends on the group I play with. The more experienced the players are, the less SL I need to be as in leading the group. Its difficult to do something besides SL when you have to chat/type a lot. Solely for this purpose I got a selfrepeating dueliststance macro, making sure Im not that an easy target when Im standing around /shout /groupch and or /sys msg-ing anything to the group.
None the less I always try to keep the group rallyed and under a steady aim, as well point out targets with Volleyfire, partially controlling the hate. If things get messy, I ll try to do the ranged tank pulling a fullautoarea to get the MOBs focused on me thus giving everybody else a break.
In a more experienced group, is more acting like one body, everybody knnows what to do, I keep everybody buffed AND am currently one of the heavy damage dealers with a nice KD. I should be crowdcontrolling (and I wish I would) but thats a flaw of the carbineer, but I cannot let go on my carbines.
I mostly have my action pool depleted pretty fast, since I tied certain specials together form my carbine, but I try to focus on my SL abilities keeping them going as fast as I can.
I tied most of my SL attacks to a /pause and an /alarmAddIn 0 0 Special available again! thus I know what to hit the default ranged attack again to save on action.
action drains fast for the sl and a combat proff.
i enjoy mcm/msl cause when my carb takes down my action pool i just toss some poisons, fire, and bactaspray/toss...by then my actions back.
its nice having my two main proffs pull from different pools. i'm never just standing there waiting.
the other best tactic is to just sit down every moment you can. 3 seconds of sitting will fill up your bars fast.
captiansarcasmo wrote:
the other best tactic is to just sit down every moment you can. 3 seconds of sitting will fill up your bars fast.
agreed! i sometimes turn off my auto attack and when action gets low, just take a 'breather' while everyone else hammers away. i'm usually back up and at it before the fight is finished, especially if we're hitting a lair of creatures.
when i go out, it depends on the dynamics of the group. if we're power-leveling a newb or grinder i'll work a balance of attacks and specials so that the new guy doesnt accidentally pull agro onto himself. if i am in agroup with advanced profs, i'll let them
deal damage and i'll use my SL specials while mixinga state attack from time to time. i've found this allows them to work on dmg attacks instead of using action on states themselves. if i get wrapped up w/ low level players i'll handle the attacking mostly,letting my passive mods do their work and concentrate on attacks.
Blackferne wrote:
Ever since the CU I've been running around as a MBH/MSL helping my guildies level. Now this means that I've been working on being not only a SL but also the Tank. (Can't let those n00bs die on my watch). So to make sure teh aggro stays on me I've been working on making sur eI out damage everyone. This has meant that many of my SL specials have had to take a back seat.
Now in a rancor hunt I didn't (we had better tanks) and I just sat back and did the SL thing and it worked well. I enjoyed it alot.
But my question for you is are you finding you can do SL/another role in combat or is it one or the other?
Use /volleyfire to help hold aggro. It generates a ton of hate, and you won't have to outdamage everyone to do it. If you followup /volleyfire with a good solid dmg special, you should be able to keep aggro on you pretty well. (Just mind how many other enemies are in the area when you do it. I've drawn group aggro before with /volley. Not -quite- as bad as my MCM area healing, but still a pretty nasty slap in the face when you're not expecting it!
)The template on my Squad Leader is Master Squad Leader/Master Carbineer/0404 Pistoleer
I mostly sit back as a support roll to my group assisting when I can and relaying commands for those not in our Ventrilo. If a situation gets heavy I pop a Booster Blue amongst other various foods. I focus on keeping my troops Rallied, and paint what targets I can with Volley Fire. I even throw in the occassional Steady Aim. Spamming Steady Aim is not a good idea. Believe it or not, my weapon of choice in PvP is typically a DXR6 Carbine. If things get close and personal like raiding a base or countering an attack I will quickly switch to my E11 MarkII or Intimidator Pistol. Also I use Improved Burst Shot from Pistoleer a bit to Stun as much as I can, so my other Carbineers can focus on damage. Retreat is always handy to if your opponents decide to flee, or your guys need to get out in a hurry.
Overall I have done about every combat profession in the game since the Combat Upgrade hit. And find that I really enjoy my current template.