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I added an [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gI53QILoCHE&feature=channel_video_titleOperator video]Operator video[/url] with the same build, the framerate was actually not so bad, I guess Dragon being in a huge open area kills my computer more than the operator room. Not quite as elegant of a fight, and the gargs are 50% sign resistant.

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Seren: As for the Quen = IWIN button,sure the dragon can break Quen in one hit..but its possible to put it right back up again,effectively making it a never ending shield =) also,it protects from incineration effects if you have it up or put it up after getting caught in the fire.
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lw2jgog: But Quen up -> no vigor recovery, which means you run out of spells much faster. This may be completely acceptable for some builds (mage/swordsman, notably), but is somewhat harder to justify for a pure mage.
I began the playthrough with an objective of never using Quen, but as it went along I realized I would have used it very little anyways. Past mid-act2 your sword damage is junk compared to Igni with this build.
Post edited June 23, 2011 by aimlessgun
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aimlessgun: I added an [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gI53QILoCHE&feature=channel_video_titleOperator video]Operator video[/url] with the same build, the framerate was actually not so bad, I guess Dragon being in a huge open area kills my computer more than the operator room. Not quite as elegant of a fight, and the gargs are 50% sign resistant.
Damn those gargoyles crumbled like Lembas under your fireballs!
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aimlessgun: I added an [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gI53QILoCHE&feature=channel_video_titleOperator video]Operator video[/url] with the same build, the framerate was actually not so bad, I guess Dragon being in a huge open area kills my computer more than the operator room. Not quite as elegant of a fight, and the gargs are 50% sign resistant.

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lw2jgog: But Quen up -> no vigor recovery, which means you run out of spells much faster. This may be completely acceptable for some builds (mage/swordsman, notably), but is somewhat harder to justify for a pure mage.
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aimlessgun: I began the playthrough with an objective of never using Quen, but as it went along I realized I would have used it very little anyways. Past mid-act2 your sword damage is junk compared to Igni with this build.
amazing. i never realized just how great some of those potions could be. :D
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Seren: As for the Quen = IWIN button,sure the dragon can break Quen in one hit..but its possible to put it right back up again,effectively making it a never ending shield =) also,it protects from incineration effects if you have it up or put it up after getting caught in the fire.
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lw2jgog: But Quen up -> no vigor recovery, which means you run out of spells much faster. This may be completely acceptable for some builds (mage/swordsman, notably), but is somewhat harder to justify for a pure mage.
I find with a pure mage build points are always pumped into vigor and vigor regen, so as soon as your quen is down (which as said is a single hit on hard) it flies back up. My vigor regen actually ends up faster in combat than out of it :)

But yeah, I do prefer using swords as well as signs, it seems more stylish to do both :)
Post edited June 23, 2011 by brother-eros
Improved my Operator time to 60 seconds after being called out on the timewasting stuff I was doing. Part of that is managing to prevent the 3rd Gargoyle wave, but also from being more aggressive with Heliotrope and sword use.

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lw2jgog: But Quen up -> no vigor recovery, which means you run out of spells much faster. This may be completely acceptable for some builds (mage/swordsman, notably), but is somewhat harder to justify for a pure mage.
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brother-eros: I find with a pure mage build points are always pumped into vigor and vigor regen, so as soon as your quen is down (which as said is a single hit on hard) it flies back up. My vigor regen actually ends up faster in combat than out of it :)

But yeah, I do prefer using swords as well as signs, it seems more stylish to do both :)
Good point about Quen going down very fast, but a lot of the time you can avoid getting hit in the first place.
Post edited June 23, 2011 by aimlessgun
Both of the videos are beautiful, I think I could sit and watch Mage gameplay all day. Time to start a new game? 8D
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aimlessgun: Improved my Operator time to 60 seconds after being called out on the timewasting stuff I was doing. Part of that is managing to prevent the 3rd Gargoyle wave, but also from being more aggressive with Heliotrope and sword use.
Incredible :)
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dnna: Both of the videos are beautiful, I think I could sit and watch Mage gameplay all day. Time to start a new game? 8D
Thanks :) I'm about to start a new game, so why not!
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dnna: Both of the videos are beautiful, I think I could sit and watch Mage gameplay all day. Time to start a new game? 8D
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aimlessgun: Thanks :) I'm about to start a new game, so why not!
:O

I think dnna means trying a mage for him/herself.

After that all you have to worry about is the flame attack with Incineration debuff..which Quen cancels perfectly,the tail attack mode..which is easily dodgeable..and then finally the "swooping" mode,which is also easily dodgeable.
Last playthru saving saskia
if you're able to get the vran armor(personally i prefer the look and stats of the Ysgith armor,) the incineration has next to no effect on geralt with two fire runes. I noticed in my last play thru that using block when the dragon rears back to breathe fire, caused the fire to heal me. I really didn't see any real healing when she's flying and breathing fire. Next play thru will not have me trying to save saskia so it'll be interesting if this is only true if you're in possession of the knife that lifts the curse. But this heal effect makes the dragon fight pretty easy.

After that all you have to worry about is the flame attack with Incineration debuff..which Quen cancels perfectly,the tail attack mode..which is easily dodgeable..and then finally the "swooping" mode,which is also easily dodgeable.
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sporati: Last playthru saving saskia
if you're able to get the vran armor(personally i prefer the look and stats of the Ysgith armor,) the incineration has next to no effect on geralt with two fire runes. I noticed in my last play thru that using block when the dragon rears back to breathe fire, caused the fire to heal me. I really didn't see any real healing when she's flying and breathing fire. Next play thru will not have me trying to save saskia so it'll be interesting if this is only true if you're in possession of the knife that lifts the curse. But this heal effect makes the dragon fight pretty easy.
This is a known phenomenon for the dragon fight, when fire resistance >100%.
Not sure if it's a glitch for resistances in general, or just the dragon.
Might do some more testing later.
Added a [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R_sU_KGm7M&feature=channel_video_titleMage vs first Letho video]Mage vs first Letho video[/url], to show a mage at probably the most difficult time for the build.

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sporati: Last playthru saving saskia
if you're able to get the vran armor(personally i prefer the look and stats of the Ysgith armor,) the incineration has next to no effect on geralt with two fire runes. I noticed in my last play thru that using block when the dragon rears back to breathe fire, caused the fire to heal me. I really didn't see any real healing when she's flying and breathing fire. Next play thru will not have me trying to save saskia so it'll be interesting if this is only true if you're in possession of the knife that lifts the curse. But this heal effect makes the dragon fight pretty easy.
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Danceofmasks: Hmm that's interesting...I wonder if you can get healed for having over 100% bleed resistance :D

This is a known phenomenon for the dragon fight, when fire resistance >100%.
Not sure if it's a glitch for resistances in general, or just the dragon.
Might do some more testing later.
Interesting...I wonder if over 100% bleed resist causes bleeding to heal you :D
Post edited June 24, 2011 by aimlessgun
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aimlessgun: Added a [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R_sU_KGm7M&feature=channel_video_titleMage vs first Letho video]Mage vs first Letho video[/url], to show a mage at probably the most difficult time for the build.
Well, in a worse case scenario where you are stuck with a lousy weapon and you did not drink any potion, Quen is another way to go (Mage builds would probably have at least 1 point in that by now). Here's an example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CidkCoUffo

I am aware of your anti-Quen sentiments and the fact that this fight was not conducted in a manner befitting of a mage build though haha.

Regarding the healing vs resistance >100% thing, I found out that it only happens when you have Quen up. If you don't, you will still end up getting incinerated and still take DoT.
Post edited June 24, 2011 by vAddicatedGamer
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vAddicatedGamer: Here's an example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CidkCoUffo
Haha, poor Letho getting no respect.

If you have potions up using Quen is probably not easier, but yeah if you just came with Iorveth right after the Arachas with no potions then it's probably the best option.
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vAddicatedGamer: Here's an example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CidkCoUffo
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aimlessgun: Haha, poor Letho getting no respect.

If you have potions up using Quen is probably not easier, but yeah if you just came with Iorveth right after the Arachas with no potions then it's probably the best option.
The main thing going for Quen is that if you are unlucky enough to get hit with bleeding and incineration you lose a fairly large chunk of your life. Although once you beef up vitality this becomes less of a problem and Quen becomes less necessary.