MM with Lock ‘n’ Load – Why You Shouldn’t Do It

A lot of you have been asking me what I think about a Marksman spec diving into the Lock ‘n’ Load talent from SV. While it may seem kind of neat, there are too many reprecussions, too much lost damage to make this talent worth having. Below is a little example.

 

I hope this helps you to see why LnL simply isn’t worth having as a primarily Marksman hunter. When you think of new specs, try to think of it in the way of sacrifice – you only have so many points, so what are you willing to sacrifice for something else? In a game of chess, every piece is an important part of your strategy, and so it is with your talents. But it’s good to get those gears moving, and I commend you on thinking outside the box. Don’t stop trying to find new ways to do things. DO double-think them, share them, and test them.

*Edit*

Now that I have more time, let’s look further into this.

LnL – You have a 100% chance when you trap a target and a 10% chance when you deal periodic damage with your Serpent Sting to cause your next 2 Arcane Shot or Explosive Shot spells to trigger no cooldown, cost no mana and consume no ammo.  30 second cooldown.

Why do I say that Trap Dancing as MM won’t help our damage? Firstly, our traps cost more mana than an SV trap. Secondly, they do significantly less damage than an SV hunter’s trap, because further on in talents, SV gets a boost to trap damage. Thirdly, in the time it takes for us to place the trap, we will most likely either miss a shot cooldown, or miss one or two auto shots, which as Marksman is detrimental. The damage we deal from the trap will most likely not make up our lost shots’ damage.

What you gain – A Free Arcane Shot (2 actually)- it would behave similar to Wild Quiver, consuming no amm0 (soon to be irrelevant) and taking no cooldown.

What you lose – 2% damage on all shots, 7% increased haste, 12% damage on Aimed Shot and Volley, 30 total Attack Power

Why it’s not worth it – Arcane Shot is far from your top damage-dealing shot. If this applied to Chimera, it might actually be worth it (although still doubtful). But thinking in terms of loss vs. gain, you’re losing more damage than an extra Arcane can deal. The reason it’s so beneficial for SV is because it applies to their top-damage shot, and because it’s 100% chance if Trap Dancing, which is actually beneficial in SV. Another reason those points are great in SV is because of the talents they choose later on, which increases damage in tandem with their first few talents.

I hope this further explains the logic behind not choosing LnL. But hey! By all means, please try it out. I could be wrong. You never know ’til you try.

❤ Nass

~ by Kelly Jennelle on February 13, 2009.