User:Ilr/Credentials

Running Credentials
Before I start, I'd like to take a quick minute to explain why my main Runner is a Dervish/Paragon instead of a cookie cutter Wammo or D/A like everyone else. ...I've seen a lot of things. I was there over a decade ago personally witnessing the very first in a long line of what is referred to today as the Blizzard (style) Nerf. I'm used to Nerfs, I've pretty much had no choice but to embrace them and even prepare way ahead of time for them before they happen. Many times it's not justified, but sometimes it is. Case in point: Shadow runners/farmers.

Even Shadow-stepping itself (which is the only REAL advantage a D/A has ever had over any other V.o.S. runner if you really think about it) was changed this year in exactly a way I predicted it would(given a After-Cast "Hesitation" animation). While these aren't radical changes per'se... they do demonstrate some adjustments in a playstyle which I've side-stepped entirely by creating my own builds under a different philosophy. That Philosophy simply states that the easiest way of doing things isn't always the best.

Simplicity? Yes, now simplicity is great. But easiest != simplest. And no one's demonstrated that for over a decade like this Outfit(ArenaNet and its Founders). Furthermore, this isn't meant to suppress debate, I welcome a good disagreement. This is just a pre-emptive explanation of where I will always stand on Cookie Cutter and FOTM mentalities. IE: Sometimes the unbeaten path really is the fastest way to go (especially when the other roads are marred with Pile-Ups).

Current Drok's Build
Much easier to manage than the original build, and Piety + Unstoppable adds +48 Armor. It's one of the only exceptions to Armor not stacking beyond 24 and it makes a real difference. Also features constant +8 regen and Perma knockdown resists(assuming you're carrying booze). Only problem, is that it requires EotN skills and a lot of people have serious problems beating that Griffon.

Original Drok's Build
PROOF of successful run
 * No EotN skills; standard, or PvE-Only, or otherwise... Just the earlier skills that everyone has access to.
 * ...may also contain lots and lots of Patience and Practice ...and Nuts :p
 * Veil of Thorns MUST expire before running through Grawl ...OR ELSE :0
 * ALL of these skills can be Bought/Captured in Kourna & Vabbi

Gear

Staff: Sadi's Benediction (just dropped for me one day on my way through Vabbi Forums) Spear: Crippling Head, 19% +Enchant duration  -- Inscription: as of yet undecided. Shield: (Command)Shield of "Endurance"(+45 health) + "Switft as the Wind" inscrip Armor Runes: 4 windwalker Insigs // 1 Radient // 1 Superior Vigor // 1 Attunement // 1 Mysticism Hood (stacking) // 1 Superior Mysticism (non) // 1 Major EarthPrayers //1 Restoration. Armor Style: Vabbi Leggings, Asuran Robe, Ancient Shoes & Vambraces. Hoods: Generic for now...

Running Experience: Predates GuildWars. (all the way back to Diablo 1 and 2). Actual Guildwars running experience: Roughly two and a half Years. Professional Runs: Yes. "Pity" Runs: Sometimes. Free Runs: Not if I can help it >.> Instruction/Teaching Runs: Sure! Anytime.

Other running Alts: →Warrior/Ranger__Warrior/Dervish__Warrior/Elementalist, →Monk/Ranger, →Paragon/Monk.