What exactly is a "spammable attack"

Amadis001 · February 2017

Hi, All! I'm pretty much still a noob (CP 160), and I have a question for all y'alls.

People who theorycraft builds talk about "spammables", and I have a rough idea of what they mean: an attack with little or no cooldown and low cost that you can consequently spam. But I'm wondering if this has a more specific definition; an in particular, is there a way to read the description of an active skill and say definitively, "yes, that's spammable"? I ask because as a new player I'm unclear how to build my bars so that I can achieve a better DPS, and I'm lost in a sea of skill trees trying to find the ones I want to invest in.

FriedEggSandwich · February 2017

Another term for it is "dps filler". It's what you cast when you have nothing else to cast but need to cast something. Hope that helps.

Edit: force pulse is a dps spammable/filler because you cast it when all your dots are already up and (as a sorc) frag hasn't proc'd. So in that situation it's the only thing you can cast.

notimetocare · February 2017

Repeatable, normally instant skills that do their damage upfront (or in a short time like Rapid Strikes or jabs).

Rapid Strikes
Dark Flare
Force Pulse
Lava Whip

Does it hit instantly?
Is the damage instant or very short duration?
Spammable

geonsocal · February 2017

@Amadis001 ...what class character do you have? what weapons are you using? what type content (pve or pvp) do you focus on? what is the airspeed velocity of a unladen swallow?

Ghost-Shot · February 2017

Not a dot, not an ult and instant cast

TheShadowScout · February 2017

Spammable means its an attack you can use over and over and over again (like the Monty pythons thing... you know, "SpamSpamSpamSpamSpam"...)

As has been mentioned, this means it must be instant-cast (no chargeup), repeatable (and thus no ultimate) and effective in rapid succession (thus no DoT or persisting AoE, or delayed effect)

RoyJade · February 2017

The "filler" idea is probably the best one. When you take every skill that you can use for damage and class them by damage done per cast, the spammable is traditionally the first instant damage skill showed up in the list. That's mean every "lower" skill isn't interesting (casting the spammable instead will bring more dps), and every "upper" skill will boost your dps if you cast them with more priority than the spammable.
You also have to take in account the number of skillslot you have, the effect of "passive" skill (magelight is the best example), and the number of switch you'll need.

Amadis001 · February 2017

geonsocal wrote: »

@Amadis001 ...what class character do you have? what weapons are you using? what type content (pve or pvp) do you focus on? what is the airspeed velocity of a unladen swallow?

DK Tank, but trying to also set up for solo PVE, such as nMA. So I've mostly maxxed out the medium armor passives, want to keep sword and shield on my back bar and am deciding whether I should go 2H or bow for DPS.

Right now I have destruction staff on the other bar, but when I recently re-spec'ed my attributes to move all my magicka points into stamina, it hits like a wet noodle. I'm thinking 'bow' because I'll still have a long range attack/pull that I won't have with 2H. Or am I wrong about that? Are there any ranged attacks I can use with 2H?

SpazzmanNDQ · February 2017

In other words snipe is not a spammable so change the order back zos

Majic · February 2017

Stand in Rawl'kha, accept every duel request, and all will become clear.

RoyJade · February 2017

Well, snipe is a spammable, but not a good one. With equal weapon/spell damage and resources, it's damage is not comparable to any common spammable in the game (whip, spear, surprise attack, flurry, wrecking blow, force pulse…). Even strife is better.

NocturnalGuideMe · February 2017

its like a regular attack...but with more processed meat product.

hope this helps!

MythicEmperor · February 2017

geonsocal wrote: »

@Amadis001 ...what class character do you have? what weapons are you using? what type content (pve or pvp) do you focus on? what is the airspeed velocity of a unladen swallow?

African or European?

FriedEggSandwich · February 2017

MythicEmperor wrote: »

geonsocal wrote: »

@Amadis001 ...what class character do you have? what weapons are you using? what type content (pve or pvp) do you focus on? what is the airspeed velocity of a unladen swallow?

African or European?

Haha you googled it xD Don't worry I did too

MythicEmperor · February 2017

FriedEggSandwich wrote: »

MythicEmperor wrote: »

geonsocal wrote: »

@Amadis001 ...what class character do you have? what weapons are you using? what type content (pve or pvp) do you focus on? what is the airspeed velocity of a unladen swallow?

African or European?

Haha you googled it xD Don't worry I did too

No, I just rewatched Monty Python and the Holy Grail last week lol

Synfaer · February 2017

What I truly want an answer to, is how a dodgy canned pork meat product became associated with a fast repeatable attack in a game ?

NocturnalGuideMe · February 2017

Synfaer wrote: »

What I truly want an answer to, is how a dodgy canned pork meat product became associated with a fast repeatable attack in a game ?

cuz sometimes you gotta fight with you fists, other times you gotta fight with you mind.

you know?

FriedEggSandwich · February 2017

Synfaer wrote: »

What I truly want an answer to, is how a dodgy canned pork meat product became associated with a fast repeatable attack in a game ?

According to google the canned meat name is short for "Spiced Ham". The word spam is literally spammed by monty python in one of their movies, so maybe that's it.

Synfaer · February 2017

FriedEggSandwich wrote: »

Synfaer wrote: »

What I truly want an answer to, is how a dodgy canned pork meat product became associated with a fast repeatable attack in a game ?

.
According to google the canned meat name is short for "Spiced Ham". The word spam is literally spammed by monty python in one of their movies, so maybe that's it.

I've done a bit of digging and you are absolutely right, Monty Python is responsible for all these 'spammable attacks'. I even found the sketch from the 70's and I think the Nords are implicated in this.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=anwy2MPT5RE

.

TheShadowScout · February 2017

Synfaer wrote: »

What I truly want an answer to, is how a dodgy canned pork meat product became associated with a fast repeatable attack in a game ?

Didn't I mention that already?

TheShadowScout wrote: »

(like the Monty pythons thing... you know, "SpamSpamSpamSpamSpam"...)

Synfaer wrote: »

I've done a bit of digging and you are absolutely right, Monty Python is responsible for all these 'spammable attacks'. I even found the sketch from the 70's and I think the Nords are implicated in this.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=anwy2MPT5RE

Yeah, that's the one.
If you want to read the boring stuff about ityou can also go to the wikipedia article about that Spam

UrQuan · February 2017

Synfaer wrote: »

FriedEggSandwich wrote: »

Synfaer wrote: »

What I truly want an answer to, is how a dodgy canned pork meat product became associated with a fast repeatable attack in a game ?

.
According to google the canned meat name is short for "Spiced Ham". The word spam is literally spammed by monty python in one of their movies, so maybe that's it.

I've done a bit of digging and you are absolutely right, Monty Python is responsible for all these 'spammable attacks'. I even found the sketch from the 70's and I think the Nords are implicated in this.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=anwy2MPT5RE

.

On the one hand it absolutely breaks my heart that there are people just discovering this sketch now, considering the VHS tapes that I very nearly wore out watching episodes of Monty Python's Flying Circus recorded off PBS (and fast-forwarding through the breaks in the episodes for pledge drives).

On the other hand, it gladdens my heart to see new generations of people exposed to the utter madness of the Pythons.

NocturnalGuideMe · February 2017

UrQuan wrote: »

Synfaer wrote: »

FriedEggSandwich wrote: »

Synfaer wrote: »

What I truly want an answer to, is how a dodgy canned pork meat product became associated with a fast repeatable attack in a game ?

.
According to google the canned meat name is short for "Spiced Ham". The word spam is literally spammed by monty python in one of their movies, so maybe that's it.

I've done a bit of digging and you are absolutely right, Monty Python is responsible for all these 'spammable attacks'. I even found the sketch from the 70's and I think the Nords are implicated in this.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=anwy2MPT5RE

.

On the one hand it absolutely breaks my heart that there are people just discovering this sketch now, considering the VHS tapes that I very nearly wore out watching episodes of Monty Python's Flying Circus recorded off PBS (and fast-forwarding through the breaks in the episodes for pledge drives).

On the other hand, it gladdens my heart to see new generations of people exposed to the utter madness of the Pythons.

i literally was quoting flying circus today with my buddy.

the one where he charges for arguements but then goes on lunch break.
Slays me everytime

FriedEggSandwich · February 2017

UrQuan wrote: »

Synfaer wrote: »

FriedEggSandwich wrote: »

Synfaer wrote: »

What I truly want an answer to, is how a dodgy canned pork meat product became associated with a fast repeatable attack in a game ?

.
According to google the canned meat name is short for "Spiced Ham". The word spam is literally spammed by monty python in one of their movies, so maybe that's it.

I've done a bit of digging and you are absolutely right, Monty Python is responsible for all these 'spammable attacks'. I even found the sketch from the 70's and I think the Nords are implicated in this.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=anwy2MPT5RE

.

On the one hand it absolutely breaks my heart that there are people just discovering this sketch now, considering the VHS tapes that I very nearly wore out watching episodes of Monty Python's Flying Circus recorded off PBS (and fast-forwarding through the breaks in the episodes for pledge drives).

On the other hand, it gladdens my heart to see new generations of people exposed to the utter madness of the Pythons.

"He's not the Messiah, he's a very naughty boy!"

NocturnalGuideMe · February 2017

FriedEggSandwich wrote: »

UrQuan wrote: »

Synfaer wrote: »

FriedEggSandwich wrote: »

Synfaer wrote: »

What I truly want an answer to, is how a dodgy canned pork meat product became associated with a fast repeatable attack in a game ?

.
According to google the canned meat name is short for "Spiced Ham". The word spam is literally spammed by monty python in one of their movies, so maybe that's it.

I've done a bit of digging and you are absolutely right, Monty Python is responsible for all these 'spammable attacks'. I even found the sketch from the 70's and I think the Nords are implicated in this.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=anwy2MPT5RE

.

On the one hand it absolutely breaks my heart that there are people just discovering this sketch now, considering the VHS tapes that I very nearly wore out watching episodes of Monty Python's Flying Circus recorded off PBS (and fast-forwarding through the breaks in the episodes for pledge drives).

On the other hand, it gladdens my heart to see new generations of people exposed to the utter madness of the Pythons.

"He's not the Messiah, he's a very naughty boy!"

NocturnalGuideMe · February 2017

INB4;
"oh that show has Caldwell in it!! KEWLLLL!!""

UrQuan · February 2017

NocturnalGuideMe wrote: »

INB4;
"oh that show has Caldwell in it!! KEWLLLL!!""

No joke, on launch day when I first met Cadwell in the Wailing Prison I said to myself "wow, the voice actor for this guy is doing a great John Cleese impression"

geonsocal · February 2017

Amadis001 wrote: »

geonsocal wrote: »

@Amadis001 ...what class character do you have? what weapons are you using? what type content (pve or pvp) do you focus on? what is the airspeed velocity of a unladen swallow?

DK Tank, but trying to also set up for solo PVE, such as nMA. So I've mostly maxxed out the medium armor passives, want to keep sword and shield on my back bar and am deciding whether I should go 2H or bow for DPS.

Right now I have destruction staff on the other bar, but when I recently re-spec'ed my attributes to move all my magicka points into stamina, it hits like a wet noodle. I'm thinking 'bow' because I'll still have a long range attack/pull that I won't have with 2H. Or am I wrong about that? Are there any ranged attacks I can use with 2H?

...and the answer is: about 24 miles per hour or 11 meters per second - that seems to be for the european variety of swallow...

so dk tank...you're wearing 2 pieces of medium/5 heavy? ...seems like a lot of the dk stuff is magicka based...i noticed that while i was playing a "stam" dk - most of my abilities were magicka based, had to relegate magicka just for support...SnB and bow sounds good...

the "cheapest" stamina skill for dk looks like "venomous claw", it only goes out like 5m though...that or maybe "low slash" for your SnB...i don't know if it's spammable (?) - but i use the heck out of pierce armor with my guy...the bow has some nice repeatable (i'm sorry - i read it, but, still not quite comprehending the whole spam definition - it's been a long day

) moves...kinda like pierce armor - i got my finger on the trigger for poison arrow, a lot...

the real trick/question is though - how do you maintain your regen while "spamming" anything...you either have to be really good at the game, or, you have to do something else (purple regen drinks - i'm an addict)...

NocturnalGuideMe · February 2017

UrQuan wrote: »

NocturnalGuideMe wrote: »

INB4;
"oh that show has Caldwell in it!! KEWLLLL!!""

No joke, on launch day when I first met Cadwell in the Wailing Prison I said to myself "wow, the voice actor for this guy is doing a great John Cleese impression"

i went the other route and instantly freaked cuz he was in it and i sensed a recurring role.

UrQuan · February 2017

NocturnalGuideMe wrote: »

UrQuan wrote: »

Synfaer wrote: »

FriedEggSandwich wrote: »

Synfaer wrote: »

What I truly want an answer to, is how a dodgy canned pork meat product became associated with a fast repeatable attack in a game ?

.
According to google the canned meat name is short for "Spiced Ham". The word spam is literally spammed by monty python in one of their movies, so maybe that's it.

I've done a bit of digging and you are absolutely right, Monty Python is responsible for all these 'spammable attacks'. I even found the sketch from the 70's and I think the Nords are implicated in this.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=anwy2MPT5RE

.

On the one hand it absolutely breaks my heart that there are people just discovering this sketch now, considering the VHS tapes that I very nearly wore out watching episodes of Monty Python's Flying Circus recorded off PBS (and fast-forwarding through the breaks in the episodes for pledge drives).

On the other hand, it gladdens my heart to see new generations of people exposed to the utter madness of the Pythons.

i literally was quoting flying circus today with my buddy.

the one where he charges for arguements but then goes on lunch break.
Slays me everytime

On occasion I've been known to suddenly quizzically ask "Lemon curry?"

https://youtu.be/qKhit2nsoq4
Sadly, most of the time nobody gets it and they end up thinking I'm crazy. I mean, they're not wrong, but still...

Oh, and I also sometimes find myself singing Eric the Half a Bee.

https://youtu.be/MlrsqGal64w

NocturnalGuideMe · February 2017

@UrQuan dude if i really need a laugh or am having a tough day i just think of this

Skinzz · February 2017

Spammable = your main damage source that can used repeately. Stam nb/suprise attack, stamplar/biting jabs etc