Looking for Defiler info...

[MassiveAttack]

I should preface by saying I have been gone from lotro for 2 years now and am playing catch up. I am an avid PvPer and am curious about some PvMP info concerning general builds / guides. More specifically, I am interested in the Defiler.

I wasn't able to find any more current PvMP guides or class specific guides. If someone could point me to a few threads that could help get me up to speed on Creeps and Defiler builds, i'd be grateful. Any tips / tricks would be welcome as well.

Thank you,

[TheCrusher]

Check out the Monster Manual, it has all of the defiler's skills, traits, and facts.
http://www.theblackappendage.com/monstermanual

If you have any questions that arent answered in the manual, you are welcome to send me a private message and I will fill you in.

[Lilliandra]

Firstly, welcome back to LOTRO!

Unfortunately due to forum archiving, the links to the threads that detailed the specific Defiler updates for each individual Book are no longer available. However the Defiler section in the Monster Manual, and the links listed below to the updates for the last couple of Books, should be enough to help get you up to speed on the class.

As already mentioned, the Monster Manual is a great resource with a lot of helpful information. The Defiler section can be accessed directly here - this will give you a detailed summary of the skills and traits the class has at their disposal. Note that I haven't updated the information since Mirkwood came out in December, so some may be a little outdated (ie. racial traits and some of the information under recommended traits). That being said, I will make a point of updating it in the near future. All the information for the skills and other data detailed there is still current as of this Book. You can also find a detailed summary of Defiler changes for SoM here.

You can find a write-up on the Defiler changes for the most recent Book here. This should give you an idea of some numbers depending on what build you decide to run with. It will also fill you in on changes to the racial traits, and give some information to help you select a build that best suits your personal playstyle.

Most of my posts in the Monster Play/Creep/Freep forums are specifically related to Defilers, so if you do a search by username (Lilliandra) in those 3 forums, it should turn up some threads that you may find interesting or helpful.

One thing to keep in mind is that in the past many Defilers ran with -10% damage builds as morale and power were generally considered more important from a healing perspective. However, damage corruptions now affect healing output, which means that -10% damage now equals -10% healing output. Therefore when choosing corruptions, it helps to choose a build that balances survivability (morale) with sustainability (power) and healing output (damage) to best suit your individual playstyle (and the types of battles you are likely to engage in).

If you have any specific questions, please do not hesitate to post them here. There are a number of people who play Defilers on the forum, and I am sure many would be happy to give you their unique perspectives and ideas on the class.

I hope you get as much enjoyment from playing your Defiler as I do from playing mine

[ajfrye44]

One thing to keep in mind is that in the past many Defilers ran with -10% damage builds as morale and power were generally considered more important from a healing perspective. However, damage corruptions now affect healing output, which means that -10% damage now equals -10% healing output. Therefore when choosing corruptions, it helps to choose a build that balances survivability (morale) with sustainability (power) and healing output (damage) to best suit your individual playstyle (and the types of battles you are likely to engage in).

Did we get buffs in the last few months then? I was away from the game for several months, and only yesterday returned. In my play time yesterday though, I recorded new highest crits for nearly all my heals, and was running with all 6 corruptions that reduce damage...I'm assuming it's from buffs as I didn't see any applicable updates on the defiler section, but I guess the fact it hasn't been updated since before I left might explain why...

How close to r12 btw?

[BIZL]

Did we get buffs in the last few months then? I was away from the game for several months, and only yesterday returned. In my play time yesterday though, I recorded new highest crits for nearly all my heals, and was running with all 6 corruptions that reduce damage...I'm assuming it's from buffs as I didn't see any applicable updates on the defiler section, but I guess the fact it hasn't been updated since before I left might explain why...

How close to r12 btw?

Did you leave before they made dmg corruptions effect heals?

-Morrdan/Weaver/Pre

[ajfrye44]

Did you leave before they made dmg corruptions effect heals?

-Morrdan/Weaver/Pre

Maybe? I'm not entirely sure. I remember hearing about it before this, but can't remember if it was coming soon or had just arrived around the time of my departure. What I do know is that I wasn't around long enough for it to be that significant of a deal for me, either in play or expected play. Even now, with all 4 corruptions that reduce damage, I still find myself fully capable of both sufficient and make-or-break healing. It just makes me wonder how great the difference is, and if it's worth the cost to morale. Honestly, with such lolburst damage I've seen in the last few days, I don't mind having a higher pool, as heals imply there's time for them to get off, and with HoTs, time for them to work over time...

[Rojriss49]

The only real difference I've seen running with another tribe mate on his defiler is while soloing. I'm normally set up for dps/heals and he is set for morale/power. In group/raids one of us are able to keep someone up just as well as the other. Just not enough of a difference between the two trait sets for healing. There were a few times he fell short but with focus fire from freeps it wasn't often the creep would've survived if I was healing instead of him.

But when soloing it really lets the dps increase so you get more infamy. Works a little better in a group/raid with 2 defilers so second one can toss in some extra damage.

In the end though really don't notice much more from a healing perspective. Our big heal is around 300 more morale when dps traited. And it is not often our HoT's get to tick 3 times besides run their full time with how much dps is being put onto a target so the extra heal per tick there doesn't really add up most the time.

So for group raids I'd recommend going morale build so you can take a few more hits and keep the group up unless you have a overload of healers, which is rare on Landy.