1. You could potentially double cast this so you have the 50% more damage more often, but I’m guessing even that would be a dps loss over just using another dot or spammable in that gcd you used to double cast it. Either way, definitely don’t use it as a full spammable. I’m not sure where you got the 7k initial hit from but I’m pretty sure this is just a dot.
2. Hardened ward absorbs any damage except oblivion until it runs out or expires. Crystal slab only absorbs projectiles until it’s absorbed three, runs out, or expires. So crystal slab can absorb more damage than hardened ward (or the light armor damage shield, or really any damage shield) but it’s only situationally useful whereas true damage shields have near-universal use. Examples:
Bow user hits you with three 1.2k light attacks: Damage shield absorbs them and remains, crystal slab gets used up and falls off
2h user hits you with two 3.5k dizzying swings and a 1k light attack: damage shield absorbs them but gets used up and falls off, crystal slab doesn’t absorb any of it
Bow user hits you with three 4.5k snipes: damage shield absorbs first two then falls off and the third doesn’t get absorbed, crystal slab absorbs all three then falls off
Staff user hits you with two 2.7k force pulses and a 1.7k light attack: damage shield absorbs them and remains, crystal slab only absorbs the light attack and remains but the two force pulses don’t get absorbed
You stand in a wall of elements for three seconds, and it does 1.5k every tick: damage shield absorbs the damage and remains, crystal slab doesn’t absorb any of it

Idk how accurate the values are, but the situations would likely play out at least similar to what’s stated above.

Edit to answer another question:

makreth wrote: »

Hayden_Knight wrote: »

The fetcher skill is increased damage of the dot, so you have to let it run the duration, don't use it as a spamable.
The crystal slab - the projectiles from this are slow and dont really do good damage, in pvp they will miss most of the time as they are easily seen.
The majority of wardens take the other morph Shimmering Shield as ulti regen is great.

Beware though the shield isnt as good as hardened ward as it only absorbs projectiles, so great against ranged builds but if you get a stam toon or a mag dk on you in pvp. not much good.

what is considered "second cast" and when does that opportunity end for the damage bonus i mean.....also is it target specific or can you cast on a primary target and then on a secondary one? This skill confuses me a lot...

Casting the skill once gives you a non-duration buff that increases the damage the next time you cast the skill, which then falls off once you do cast it again. And this repeats: cast, get the buff, cast, buff falls off, cast, get the buff, cast, buff falls off, etc. I think the buff is removed if you log off of the character, otherwise I haven’t noticed it falling off for any reason other than casting the skill.

@makreth
During a pve rotation you would apply this once and it will run for 10 seconds. its a DOT only so there is no initial damage up front. your hands will glow with the charged fetcher effect to indicate that the next cast will do 50% more damage over the next 10 seconds, So.. you have 10 sec with normal damage then 10 sec with more damage. its a bit peculiar.
If you cast it once then check your tooltip it will indicate more damage and your hands will be glowing.

kylewwefan wrote: »

Thanks for straightening that up a bit. Any thoughts on arctic blast? %10 heal and %2 every 2 seconds. Seems weak. I use the vines trellis thing.

It's weak if your low health bit otherwise it's not bad I use it but I'm at 54k health

kylewwefan wrote: »

Thanks for straightening that up a bit. Any thoughts on arctic blast? %10 heal and %2 every 2 seconds. Seems weak. I use the vines trellis thing.

yes and dont forget this is halved in pvp. only good for huge HP built wardens.