Comparison between combat decks

[Knightt]

I was wondering if anyone has compared the differences between pure UA, pure MC, or UA/MC hybrid.

Current viable decks for pure MC would be:
- QB/Cleave/Parry
- QB/Opp Knock/Full Circle/Shield-up

Current viable decks for pure UA would be:
- Uppercut/Sideswipe/Oak
- Take aim/Knock teeth/Flex/Cleave/Oak

Current viable decks for UA/MC hybrid would be:
(not really sure about this one)

Since in PVP your target's stats are variables, which one of these builds would be optimal for PVE?

[Sevenless]

I'll throw you my mostly pve UA/MC combo deck. You run about 3UA per 4MC on this.

Uppercut/Sideswipe/QB/Cleave/Storm of Swords + Quickdodge/Sidestep/Zigzag/Take Aim/Parry.

It has all 4 openings covered defensively, primary damage is uppercut/sideswipe spam. If the critter calls for it, I can set up a cleave by QBing while parry makes additional opening. If I'm being swarmed, parry creates openings for storm of swords to do its job. What makes this not pvp is basically the only noteworthy red opener in the game, knock its teeth. Also lacks op knock which is useful for both pvp and landing big cleaves for pve. I'd argue a variant swapping QB/storm of swords/parry is perfectly viable. Probably into knock its teeth, op knock, and maybe shield up? PvP wise: Even then that would be more if you're caught you might be able to beat a noob, maybe. Nearly all pvpers run around with the B12 in order to land massive damage in singular hits. My original intentions was to get a hybrid deck, but needing storm of swords just pushes you out of being able to get the PvP moves you need for both.

In general though, QB is a pretty bad opener and shouldn't really be the cornerstone of any deck. This is the big knock against MC pures currently. The main benefit of MC hybrid is that the aoe moves need some kind of opener, which parry provides, while also wanting something to open for sideswipe which is the best brainless source of damage ingame. It also gives you the flexibility of being able to pop on a shield for a significant tank bonus.

[Knightt]

I'll throw you my mostly pve UA/MC combo deck. You run about 3UA per 4MC on this.

Uppercut/Sideswipe/QB/Cleave/Storm of Swords + Quickdodge/Sidestep/Zigzag/Take Aim/Parry.

It has all 4 openings covered defensively, primary damage is uppercut/sideswipe spam. If the critter calls for it, I can set up a cleave by QBing while parry makes additional opening. If I'm being swarmed, parry creates openings for storm of swords to do its job. What makes this not pvp is basically the only noteworthy red opener in the game, knock its teeth. Also lacks op knock which is useful for both pvp and landing big cleaves for pve. I'd argue a variant swapping QB/storm of swords/parry is perfectly viable. Probably into knock its teeth, op knock, and maybe shield up? PvP wise: Even then that would be more if you're caught you might be able to beat a noob, maybe. Nearly all pvpers run around with the B12 in order to land massive damage in singular hits. My original intentions was to get a hybrid deck, but needing storm of swords just pushes you out of being able to get the PvP moves you need for both.

In general though, QB is a pretty bad opener and shouldn't really be the cornerstone of any deck. This is the big knock against MC pures currently. The main benefit of MC hybrid is that the aoe moves need some kind of opener, which parry provides, while also wanting something to open for sideswipe which is the best brainless source of damage ingame. It also gives you the flexibility of being able to pop on a shield for a significant tank bonus.

If your primary dmg is uppercut/sideswipe would you still be running parry? Or would oak/shield-up be better?

[Ozzy123]

Damn, that feeling when I've been using a wrong deck all that time

[Sevenless]

Honestly I run parry 100% of the time because I'm lazy. Between not having it on when I get swarmed because I forgot to switch decks(bats, slimes, etc) and needing a shield equipped for the other solid defense option (that hand/toolbelt slot is really annoying until you get quite far into the game equipment wise, having 1/5th the defense you're used to can really suck if you're not 100% paying attention) is the killer for me using other things. If you wanted to minmax a bit, At Arms has a slightly higher combat weight. But you only have 1 slot for a manoeuver, so changing it means changing your whole combat deck over, and the in fight cooldown for that is nasty.

In general any time you'd want oak you'd either want alternative maneouvers available (this deck doesn't really have room due to including up/swipe), or you're doing something specific and can create a custom deck for it before starting.

@Ozzy Oh hush, let the pve noobs be noobs T-T I know I don't understand the combat system as well as pvpers will, but it's good enough advice for the average player to hunt with.