Guide: Crowd Control - what a Bear does best.

[McBain]

Is this for end-game or leveling towards end-game?

Either way, I still think str/dex is the best bear build out there. You can never have enough Hit % (especially if you PvP), due to Hit % debuffs.

I'm not too familiar with the new lower level gear requirements (since they were changed, but makes it easier though). However, I believe a 3:2 and 2:3 Str/Dex alternating build will work very well. This means that for the first level, you put 3 str and 2 dex, for the next level, you put 2 str and 3 dex, and so on.

At end-game (60), you'll only need 140/140 Str/Dex to equip any of the Str/Dex gear

Level 13 at the moment. So far, with the 3/2 alternating STR/DEX method I seem to be having problems with lacking strength for same-level gear. I'm having to use gear a couple levels below where I'm at. It's not the end of the world, but if the STR requirements for good tanking gear even out later on, I think I may go mostly STR for a few levels and then catch up on dex later.

[Ellyidol]

Level 13 at the moment. So far, with the 3/2 alternating STR/DEX method I seem to be having problems with lacking strength for same-level gear. I'm having to use gear a couple levels below where I'm at. It's not the end of the world, but if the STR requirements for good tanking gear even out later on, I think I may go mostly STR for a few levels and then catch up on dex later.

Oh wow, really? Hmm, they must have made dual spec-ing more doable throughout later levels.

In that case, yeah it may be best to focus on strength now and just dump a lot of dex later. In fact, I actually find using dex gear easier when leveling, at least until the AO series. So if you're interested, going high dex isn't a bad idea either

[AdinoEznite]

Oh wow, really? Hmm, they must have made dual spec-ing more doable throughout later levels.

In that case, yeah it may be best to focus on strength now and just dump a lot of dex later. In fact, I actually find using dex gear easier when leveling, at least until the AO series. So if you're interested, going high dex isn't a bad idea either

dual spec still isnt fixed yet for items under lvl 45
i think the only ones that changed were AO and wyldwood, u can dual spec those...everything else ur still SOL

@McBain - i would go majority dex for now, much better imo because you dont even have beckon yet
so dont worry about crown control

at higher levels get 2 plat, respec and u can make ur dual spec bear
at least thats my plan lol one of my bears is lvl 29 right now

[Ellyidol]

dual spec still isnt fixed yet for items under lvl 45
i think the only ones that changed were AO and wyldwood, u can dual spec those...everything else ur still SOL

@McBain - i would go majority dex for now, much better imo because you dont even have beckon yet
so dont worry about crown control

at higher levels get 2 plat, respec and u can make ur dual spec bear
at least thats my plan lol one of my bears is lvl 29 right now

Thanks for this, I was under the impression that everything was fixed.

Reduced stat requirements for many items across all levels.

I agree, go majority dex. Leveling with a Talon/Wing or a Bow in the lower levels is way easier and faster than leveling with a strength build. I would say use this build until you hit the AO series, that's when you should consider respec-ing to use Str gear, when mobs and bosses hit a lot harder. You may even consider Swamps, if needed.

[McBain]

I might give that a try. So far, it was really only level 15-16 and below where there were problems with the 3/2 stat alteration and str gear. The requirements are starting to level off now for the most part it seems. But you're right that the traditional tank build doesn't seem to be totally necessary right now. Lol, I've already respeced a couple times already and I hate to spend more plat, but I'm intrigued by the idea of going mostly dex for a while.

[Ellyidol]

I might give that a try. So far, it was really only level 15-16 and below where there were problems with the 3/2 stat alteration and str gear. The requirements are starting to level off now for the most part it seems. But you're right that the traditional tank build doesn't seem to be totally necessary right now. Lol, I've already respeced a couple times already and I hate to spend more plat, but I'm intrigued by the idea of going mostly dex for a while.

I still recommend for majority dex (full even) until the 30s. I remember making a couple of bear alts and I just found it easier and faster to pump all stats into dex

[NECROREAPER]

Here you go Tank, however let me just say that I was doing terrible tonight -____-

I'll do better runs later, hahahaha

[Ellyidol]

Here you go Tank, however let me just say that I was doing terrible tonight -____-

I'll do better runs later, hahahaha

Nice bro, let me know when you have a final run

[WhoIsThis]

Out of curiosity, do you think there is any use for the 2h level 60 swords?

Slight only

Base damage, I think the Glyph Maces offer more, IIRC. But for skill damage, the 2H Swords > Mace, guaranteed. On that note, that's the only use for 60 2H Swords I can find..

How big is the skill damage difference?

I'm planning on making a thread for a slight buff to glyph staff, but it looks like the 2h swords need it more. They don't seem to be used often.

[NECROREAPER]

I use it

[Ellyidol]

How big is the skill damage difference?

I'm planning on making a thread for a slight buff to glyph staff, but it looks like the 2h swords need it more. They don't seem to be used often.

Not exactly sure, but I think at about 30 damage per skill level. Again, not sure, but I do remember the skill damage difference being significant

[WhoIsThis]

I think that in order for it to be effective, there needs to be at least an increase in power to offset the losses in defense, or some increase in defense, whether through the piece or the set bonus.

[Ellyidol]

I think that in order for it to be effective, there needs to be at least an increase in power to offset the losses in defense, or some increase in defense, whether through the piece or the set bonus.

Yeah, other than the slight increase in skill damage, there's really no point for using one, IMO. I would say more power, but balance issues would surface.

[Phoenixking]

I luf you i needed to learn more on tanking cause i started using my lvl 30bear

[neko]

I luf you i needed to learn more on tanking cause i started using my lvl 30bear

I hope you keep it up. Ellyidol's guides are extremely useful. As you continue to hone your skills you'll realize how much of a difference your bear can make.

[Phoenixking]

I know that and i have the jist of the moves jist but i needed more info :P

[YYZ????]

Great video! Thanks! Love the Dancing fingers at the end!

I also noticed I am not the only one that often double taps the skills.

[Ellyidol]

Great video! Thanks! Love the Dancing fingers at the end!

I also noticed I am not the only one that often double taps the skills.

Thanks! Dancing fingers? Lol

And yeah, especially if I want the skill to chain, I double tap or more.

[WhoIsThis]

I think that in order for it to be effective, there needs to be at least an increase in power to offset the losses in defense, or some increase in defense, whether through the piece or the set bonus.

Yeah, other than the slight increase in skill damage, there's really no point for using one, IMO. I would say more power, but balance issues would surface.

I was thinking about advocating for a more powerful Gurgox Hammer. I don't know about balance issues though.

Another question I have is how high is the dodge in full big top? A few bears I saw in game began to debate the demonic strongman vs big top. Apparently with demonic strongman may be better, although it's open to debate.

[Ellyidol]

I was thinking about advocating for a more powerful Gurgox Hammer. I don't know about balance issues though.

Another question I have is how high is the dodge in full big top? A few bears I saw in game began to debate the demonic strongman vs big top. Apparently with demonic strongman may be better, although it's open to debate.

My bear has 41 base dodge with the BT set, dual spec str dex, and 2 dodge ring

Yeah, still debatable, IMO. It might even rely on skill build a bit.