Rapid Strikes vs Surprise Attack

gimpdrb14_ESO

I have read that Surprise Attack is better then rapid strikes (I'm talking about pve) but for me at least it seems like rapid strikes is better, when I'm out soloing stuff seems to die faster using rapid strikes. also in 4 man dungeons I do better dps using rapid strikes. so why is surprise attack supposed to be better?

AGrz5585

Surprise attack has major armor debuff which helps increase DPS. If your fighting normal pve mobs either or will work fine

LiquidSchwartz

Cuz you gain armor and the mob loses armor

Mic1007

If your Tank has Puncture, the boss will most probably already have Major Fracture placed on him repeatedly for the whole fight, which is why Rapid Strikes works better.

TheSpin

I know skill slots are very limited, but in my opinion these two skills can't really be compared in this way. Surprise attack's real strength lies in its synergy with shadowy disguise, stealth, and ambush.

Against a boss if you have time to spam rapid strikes, maybe the numbers favor rapid strikes, but ambush + surprise attack has good synergy because of the 20% damage boost. Also, the stun and crit from shadowy disguise make surprise the better choice (I don't think the crit or 20% damage boost help rapid strikes much at all). On top of that, surprise gives the extra defense buff and fracture.

On my bar, if I'm in a group, I would consider dropping blood craze over surprise attack if I really felt like I needed a change. I have Killer's Blade, Ambush, Blood Craze, Shadowy Disguise, Surprise attack, and soul harvest as my single target setup. Unless heals were covered elsewhere, I feel they are all pretty much necessary skills because of the way they compliment each other.

xblackroxe

Without Maelstrom Weapons there is no use for Rapid Strikes but with them next patch definitely go for Rapid Strikes.

sneakymitchell

Mic1007 wrote: »

If your Tank has Puncture, the boss will most probably already have Major Fracture placed on him repeatedly for the whole fight, which is why Rapid Strikes works better.

Yep for sword and board and dual wielding great combo of switching bars. Can't wait for the patch to come out. My build will be great!

Strider_Roshin

Mark Target is a wonderful thing.

Valrien

Armor debuffs don't matter for a DPS in PvE. The tank always has it covered.

KrispyKreme0352

For PvE with a tank use rapid strikes or blood thirst, I prefer bloodthirst. Without a tank, use SA. That's the way I see it but like with everything, whatever feels more comfortable is usually the way to go. A guy in my guild gets 41 second blood spawn tests with no ultimate or buffs, except the armor debuff from puncture, with rapid strikes which is more than with SA.

ArchMikem

gimpdrb14_ESO wrote: »

I have read that Surprise Attack is better then rapid strikes (I'm talking about pve) but for me at least it seems like rapid strikes is better, when I'm out soloing stuff seems to die faster using rapid strikes. also in 4 man dungeons I do better dps using rapid strikes. so why is surprise attack supposed to be better?

I have both on the bar. Surprise Attack for the debuff and then Rapid Strikes till my arms fall off.

leepalmer95

In pvp SA >

In pve rapid >

Your going to want to make a high crit chance/dmg dot build for pve.

The debuff is useless as the tank will have the boss debuffed.

Izaki

If you have Maelstrom weapons then Rapid Strikes. 3k damage on your next DoT after using Rapids? Nothing better than that. You have to have a very organised rotation though.

The armor debuff on Surprise Attack is useless, the tank already provides that. The Armor gain is nothing much because again the tank should be taking most bit hits.

Izaki

TheSpin wrote: »

I know skill slots are very limited, but in my opinion these two skills can't really be compared in this way. Surprise attack's real strength lies in its synergy with shadowy disguise, stealth, and ambush.

Against a boss if you have time to spam rapid strikes, maybe the numbers favor rapid strikes, but ambush + surprise attack has good synergy because of the 20% damage boost. Also, the stun and crit from shadowy disguise make surprise the better choice (I don't think the crit or 20% damage boost help rapid strikes much at all). On top of that, surprise gives the extra defense buff and fracture.

On my bar, if I'm in a group, I would consider dropping blood craze over surprise attack if I really felt like I needed a change. I have Killer's Blade, Ambush, Blood Craze, Shadowy Disguise, Surprise attack, and soul harvest as my single target setup. Unless heals were covered elsewhere, I feel they are all pretty much necessary skills because of the way they compliment each other.

Why do you slot cloak for PvE........????????

Refuse2GrowUp

Pretty amazing how much bad info is in the replies in this thread

kadar

Valrien wrote: »

Armor debuffs Major Fracture don't matter for a DPS in PvE. The tank always has it covered.

Fixed.

Further armor pen is always good for PVE (Night Mother's, Alkosh, Sunderflame).

ryanborror

Rapid strikes does more damage but surprise attack is less risky. You'll still do go good damage with a SA build but rapid strikes is best

Marktoneth3

surprise first and then rapid combo

Dracane

Rapid strikes are stronger when you have maelstrom weapons and maybe another source for major fracture. And it requires you to channel for the duration, making you vulnerable.

However in pvp, I feel like rapid strikes is significantly deadlier. My 15k ward is destroyed+ after 1 rapid strike of a proper damage build.