Ultimate Guide to Swashbuckler AAs (Part 2 of a Series)

Part one of this series described the Swashbuckler’s Rogue Tree. This part of the series will focus on the Pirate’s Ability line and the Mercenary’s Stamina line.

Agility Line:

The agility line of the Rogue AA tree is called Pirate’s Agility. Like the Strength line, the first AA points placed in this line increase a swashbuckler’s agility by five points each. Once a swashbuckler has put four points into the ability line, the following AA abilities are available.

• Walk the Plank - The walk the plank ability (i) inflicts a medium amount of damage (71-118 points for the first AA point), (ii) inflicts a root on the enemy, and (iii) forces the enemy to stay facing the swashbuckler so he can move to the back and hack the enemy from behind. Since GU #36, no longer is a rapier needed to be equipped.
• Commandeer - Once a swashbuckler has put four points into the Walk the Plank AA, a swashbuckler can increase his running speed by putting points into the Commandeer ability (1.3% for the first AA point). Unfortunately, with the launch of GU #36 runspeed enhancements will no longer work while engaged in pvp combat.
• Avast Ye - Once a swashbuckler has put four points into Commandeer, the next AA ability available in the Agility line is Avast Ye. Avast Ye gives a swashbuckler a chance (2% for the first AA point) to cast Pirate Stab. A combat ability that inflicts medium damage on an enemy if the swashbuckler is flanking or behind his enemy.
• Sailwind - Once a swashbuckler has put four points into Avast Ye and a total of 22 points into the agility line, a swashbuckler increase his casting speed and reuse speed of his combat arts (25% increase for each).

Stamina Line:The stamina line of the Rogue AA tree is called Mercenary’s Stamina. Like the agility line, the first AA points placed in this line increase a swashbuckler’s stamina by six points each. Once a swashbuckler has put four points into the stamina line, the following AA abilities are available.

• Swear - The Swear ability increases the swashbuckler’s threat to the target and allows him to maintain aggro. Many swashbucklers like to tank while grouping and this ability allows the swashbuckler to fill this role.
• Conditioning - Once a swashbuckler has put four points into the Swear AA, a swashbuckler can increase his max health by 1% per AA point and increase his shield effectiveness by 2% per AA point.
• Opportunistic Cover - Once a swashbuckler has put four points into Conditioning, the next AA ability available in Stamina line is Opportunistic Cover. This AA ability increases a swashbuckler’s damage per second, but he must be equipping a roundshield a the time. GU #36 did not remove this requirement.
• Formation - Once a swashbuckler has put four points into Opportunistic Cover and a total of 22 points into the Stamina line, a swashbuckler can gain the Formation ability. Formation allows a swashbuckler to (i) increase his blocking ability by 4%, (ii) increase his max health by 5%, (iii) increase mitigation versus crushing, slashing and piercing damage by 185, and (iv) the swashbuckler has a 50% chance to cast Mercenary’s Stand each time the swashbuckler inflicts damage on his enemy. Mercenary Stand increases the swashbucklers threat.

The Stamina line is essential for a tanking swashbuckler. Because a swashbuckler wears chainmail armor he can tank as long as he can keep aggro. The Stamina line allows him to do this. I also really like this line for soloing named mobs in T2 and T3. I find that I can stand toe-to-toe with nameds because of my increased mitigation and health.

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