Is it better to run an Annihilator build with Cold Steel Hot Blood/Bloodcraze/Vicious Contempt/etc. or an Onslaught build that prioritizes Raging Blow talents?
I don’t see the damage value of the Annihilator build but maybe someone can shed some light on it and why most people are using that build
Also, is it viable to run a build that skips Annihilator and Raging Blow talents, and opt for Onslaught with all of the Bloodthirst talents? If that makes sense
Thanks for any input, appreciated
I’ve been having a hard time trying to settle on a spec and style for my own Fury warrior… The more I play with the more I notice some small things that can be moved around or adjusted… 2 of the most notible problems with it the choice between SMF and TG… And I think that if they are going to keep Slaughtering Strikes, then let Storm of Swords have some interaction with it…
I saw some other suggestion on another forum post… somewhere… that they have an alternative choice for your rage dump… Make Rampage a passive, and have WW and Slam go back to being your rage dump… It sounded interesting to me but who knows if it would work
Basically, Annihilator is free damage on top of every auto attack. It is applied on a single condition: Did Auto Attack Hit? If Yes, then Apply X Damage. It cannot be dodged or parried.
It also deals damage through blocks. That’s what it looks like in my combat logs. Could use a bigger pool for confirmation on that, however.
Annihilator has the bonus effect of synergizing with multiple talents across the tree:
-Focus in Chaos. You’re enraged at least 80% of a match, accounting for highly mobile targets.
-Frenzy (if you take it). Haste stacks build quicker with Annihilator due to more consistent rage generation. Haste feeds back into your auto attack frequency.
-30% attack speed from Dancing Blades, which also applies when using Titan’s Torment.
The extra bonus is that the rotation is a lot more simplified, allowing you to focus extra keybinds on more important utility stuff. Basically if you don’t have a lot of extra mouse buttons or similar, this will be a good thing. I have a mouse with 2 extra buttons, so it feels better for my circumstances.
Onslaught, while a decent chunk of damage, can be dodged and parried. Basically any melee, if you happen to be in the front cone for dodge and parry detection, you’re at risk of wasting a relatively long cooldown. If it had the same offensive strengths as Overpower, it would actually be a decent PVP ability.
It also doesn’t really have a special case of synergizing with anything. I mean, it gets extra damage from Enrage and Avatar, but everything does…
Although most of your points are viable the largest, most important downside to Annihilator in PvP, when it comes to actually KILLING your target, is the worthless extra damage slaughtering strikes gives you compared to raging blow. Using Onslaught with its capstone massively increases your burst capability with Rampage, where as with annhiliator, even though every auttoattack is getting a stack, the extra damage is completely negligible. Annihilator just deosn’t pack enough punch.
Just gonna chime in having run both builds (with my own minor tweaks), Caledeus is correct in that while the annihilator build is constant damage - the onslaught build puts out FAR better killing pressure what my experience…added to this imo its a more fun build to use.
What are stats are you shooting for with an onslaught build?
Mastery > Crit > Haste is what I have been messing with. Swapped out of the 4p pvp set for the mastery chest/legs…… my burst damage is utterly absurd and I have plenty to do with very little haste with this build. Was dabbling with having haste at a baseline around 15% but then dropped it down to pretty much the minimum 9/10% (or will once I swap my haste cloak for yet more mastery). Definitely noticed the dmg increase from using the mastery chest/legs over having the 4p as well.
Whoops posted that on my DK lol…… anyway yeah scope my gear to get an impression
I use the same build Wroth does and I love it!
I’ve used both, and I choose an onslaught build. It is more bursty, and ultimately more fun for me. I do prioritize mastery > haste > crit. … I might play around with reversing haste and crit to see what effect that has?
Have you tried annihilator with onslaught? I’ve been using that and it’s been working out pretty well. I’m thinking of dropping titanic rage for tenderizer. 10% oden’s fury damage is nice but having engage up longer and the slaughtering strike stacks might be better overall.
Was looking to dabble with my own variation of that build yeah - I would need to reverse my stat priority tho mastery/haste over my mastery/crit with using raging blow. Thing is raging blow really amps the hell out of your rampages creating just constant burst pressure. Also raging blow is a double hit attack - u get that crit high enough if both strikes off one raging blow crits lemme tell ya that adds up quick.
As I am starting to earn my conquest and gear my warrior, should I just save up for 2 2-hndrs? I have tried a little bit on SMF, but not sure which is best: TG or SMF.
Love the fact that all of these talent choices are viable and have their nuances. Thank you DF expac.
The only thing that’s been holding me back from trying raging blow is battle trance not activating with crushing blows. I always have that as one of my pvp talents and it’s just really hard to keep up due to that.
TG is apparently still better even after the SMF buff. Haven’t tested it myself though.
annihilator makes slaughtering strikes pretty trasho.
Tbo battle trance with raging blow is not even close to an issue to keep up - regardless of crushing blow. I can have that heal buff on damn near perma
Curious with an onslaught build do you incorporate blood thirst at all? Like what is a burst rotation look like for onslaught?
I’m assuming open with odin/avatar, onlsaught to get 3 stack, 2x raging blow to get 2 more stacks, then rampage with 5 stacks?
Time allowing I like to start with onslaught for instant 3 slaughtering strikes > raging blow x2 avatar/reck (with odyns + thunderous roar+spear with my build) into fully amped to the gills rampage > u then have your actual odyns fury u can use once your burst-go falls off. Time not allowing then yeah u can start with your avatar/reck - execute when available. I am currently gearing for the crit bracers/belt and may just swap out my crit ring for my haste one should it feel 2 slow despite the insane burst damage.
No bloodthirst unless you need healing.
I read somewhere that SMF will never be competitive with Titan Grip because of gearing difficulty. SMF is designed for casual / one-hand weapon fans base.