Editing Spike

[[Category:Glossary]]
To [[Spike]] is to cause a large influx of something (like a spike in a curve). Spiking usually refers to ''spike damage'', but can refer to ''spike healing'' or occasionally ''spike energy''.

== Spike Damage ==

A [[spike]]r is a player who inflicts massive amounts of [[damage]] to a single target in a short period of time, with the goal of taking them down quickly.  This is in contrast with a [[Nuker]], whose objective is to deal large amounts of damage to multiple targets over a period of time. A nuker overwhelms the opposing healers' energy supply, while a spiker would overwhelm the healers' immediate healing capabilities. Spikers usually focus on taking down vital opponents, such as [[Restoration Magic|restoration]] [[Ritualist]]s and [[Monk]]s, and caster professions in general.

=== PvP spikes ===
Spiking first came into widespread use with teams of [[elementalist]]s, typically [[Air Magic]] specialists, who all bombarded the target with a single, high damage spell. Since then the metagame has produced many other spikes over the years, and some worthy of mention are:
* '''Ranger spikes''', which used the [[Ranger]] profession, combining [[Dual Shot]] with either [[Punishing Shot]], [[Savage Shot]], or less commonly [[Quick Shot]]. A [[Necromancer]] or [[Mesmer]]/Necromancer using Order spells (like [[Order of Pain]]) was added to greatly increase the damage of the spike.
* '''Caster spikes''', which use spike skills from all caster professions. Necromancer skills such as [[Shadow Strike]], [[Vampiric Gaze]] and other similiar [[Blood Magic]] skills, Elementalist skills like [[Obsidian Flame]] and [[Invoke Lightning]] are often used in spikes as well. Mesmers also suit well as spikers, as their [[Fast Casting]] reduces casting time of spells and damage-dealing skills of Mesmer profession are armor-ignoring. Ritualists also possess few high-damage spells (like [[Channeled Strike]]) in [[Channeling Magic]] attribute.
* '''Para spikes''', which use the [[Paragon]] profession, combining high damage spear attacks such as [[Spear of Lightning]] and offensive [[Buff]]s such as [[Anthem of Flame]] and [["Go for the Eyes!"]].

Spikers are popular in [[PvP]] because they can quickly kill opponents, weakening the opponents attack and healing capabilities. As the match goes on and players accrue [[death penalty]], they become more susceptible to spiking, creating a slippery slope effect for the opposing team. Also, because of the relatively small number of skills one must devote to spiking, there is much room left over for defensive skills. For example, an Air Elementalist could bring [[Lightning Orb]] and [[Lightning Strike]] to spike with, then use the rest of his skill bar for skills such as [[Blinding Flash]], [[Ward Against Melee]] and [[Gale]].

=== PvE spikes ===
Spiking can also occur in [[PvE]]. Some [[Boss]]es are capable of dealing in excess of 200 damage in a single spell or attack, and this works just like a spike in PvP. In [[Hard Mode]], damage is increased and many bosses will be able to kill a player in a single hit. Ritualists are particularly adept at countering PvE spikes (see below). Some of the Bosses capable of dealing this much damage are [[Sskai, Dragon's Birth]], [[Birneh Skybringer]], [[Korr, Living Flame]] and [[Orosen, Tranquil Acolyte]] to name but a few. Multiple hit attacks are particularly lethal in Hard Mode, and bosses such as [[Wing, Three Blade]] can destroy an entire party in seconds if they are not properly prepared. [[Molotov Rocktail]] can wipe a whole party in one attack in HM.

=== Counters ===
*The best way to counter a spike build is by using [[interrupt]]s or [[knockdown]]s. This will reduce the total damage from the interrupted spike chain, and possibly end the spike chain prematurely. Additionally, interrupting a spike may cause the spiking team to lose concentration and hinder the ability to prepare for another spike. Skills such as [[Gale]], [[Mind Shock]], [[Cry of Frustration]], [[Leech Signet]], [[Distracting Blow]], or other interrupts can be used to disrupt a spike. 
*[[Protection Prayers]] are a good neutralizer to spike damage. They contain spells that limit damage to allies like [[Protective Spirit]], [[Life Bond]] and [[Life Barrier]] as well as spells that deflect some or all damage such as [[Reversal of Fortune]] and [[Mark of Protection]]. [[Spirit Bond]] is also an effective counter to spikes, and [[Guardian]] and [[Aegis]] are used as counters to [[melee]] and [[ranged]] attack spiking.
*[[Infuse Health]], which, with its <sup>1</sup>/<sub>4</sub> second activation time and large heal, can often be cast in midspike with a big enough heal to outlast the spike. This monk equipped and using this skill should be well-protected, because once the spiking team realizes what is happening they will likely focus on the "infuser."
*In GvG one can also [[split]] against a spike team. Because most spikes builds require all of the offense to be present to score kills, they will only be able to engage one of your split teams at a time. This will leave your other group free to run flags or kill [[NPC]]s without hindrance.
*[[Ritualist]]s are also good to counter spikes. Skills such as [[Union]] and [[Shelter]] can absorb a large portion of a spike, while fast healing spells such as [[Spirit Transfer]] and [[Wielder's Boon]] can quickly heal a victim in the middle of a spike. Ritualists are also particularly adept at preventing spikes in PvE (as mentioned above).
*[[Paragon]]s can also be very effective for spike counters with skills such as [[Angelic Bond]], [[Angelic Protection]] and [[Defensive Anthem]].
*[[Wail of Doom]] can be effective in reducing the damage output of a spike.

== Spike Healing ==

Spike Healing is healing large amounts in a single spell. In '''PvP''' spike healing is most often used to counter '''spike damage'''. The most common PvP spike heal is [[Infuse Health]]. On a common infuser in PvP, this will usually heal for around 300 health (including Divine Favor).

In PvE, Infusing is generally overkill, and the preferred spike heal is [[Heal Other]] or [[Word of Healing]]. This is commonly used when one party member takes more damage than expected.

== Spike Energy ==

Spike Energy is a term rarely used anymore. In the past, spike energy came from the necromancer elite [[Blood is Power]], which provides a large energy boost whenever it is needed.

Spike energy is no longer common because of stronger energy management skills. In particular, the Paragon profession has access to multiple party-wide energy management skills like [["Never Give Up!"]] and [[Aria of Zeal]].

[[de:Spike]]