Not only is it not necessary, it is almost always detrimental to a good attack chain. IMO, Shadow Maul is only good if you can hit at least 3 with it.
It depends on the build you want.
My DM/Regen couldn't function without it. But, I've become very adept at lining up my targets. Sands of Mu and Shadow Maul rarely hit less than 2 for me nowadays. Usually even more.
That said, a fair deal of Dark Melee users swear by 'Buzzsaw builds'
Where as they have so much +Recharge from IO's that they can cycle through Smite, Punch, Boxing and Siphon Life to make a complete attack chain.
I don't have that kind of recharge, even with Hasten. So I swear by SM.
YMMV
Maestro Mavius - Infinity
Capt. Biohazrd - PCSAR
Talsor Tech - Talsorian Guard
Keep Calm & Chive On!
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Actually, most DM builds have moved beyond buzzsaw builds since the improvements to DM from a while back. The current attack string of choice is MG>Smite>Siphon>Smite, which still requires a very high amount of recharge.|
Originally Posted by MaestroMavius
That said, a fair deal of Dark Melee users swear by 'Buzzsaw builds'
Where as they have so much +Recharge from IO's that they can cycle through Smite, Punch, Boxing and Siphon Life to make a complete attack chain. |
As to whether SM has any place in an attack string, the simple answer is no. The animation is too long and the damage is too low to give it any place within a decently optimized ST attack string. This doesn't mean you shouldn't take it. Shadow Maul is the closest that DM gets to a real AoE power (DC and SD deal too little damage on too much recharge) and, once you get good with it, it starts allowing you to chew through mobs at a substantially faster rate than you could without. I'd still take it if I had the power choices, but I wouldn't dare use it against just a single target.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Bench
is it necessary for a good attack chain on a dm/invuln?
thanks in advance.  |
Necessary is maybe a too strong word, though if your Invincibility makes foes gather around you, being able to hit 5 of them at the same time with the right positional is a good thing, at least it is for me.
With the right positioning, Soul Drain + Shadow Maul are usually fun, a lot of it.-
Over the years, I have used it less and less. The time I find it actually used the most is when I have a large group around me and tap sould drain prior. Otherwise, its main funstion these days is to 3 (or 4) slot it with eradication for the bonus.
End Game- LVL 50 Scrapper-DM/INV
Ripjak- LVL 50 Defender-Rad/Rad
Extruder- LVL 50 Scrapper-DM/REG
Juicie- LVL 50 Blaster-ELEC/ELEC
Mind Sync- LVL 50 Controller-MIND/FF
is it necessary for a good attack chain on a dm/invuln?
thanks in advance.
most recent 50 - psy/mm blaster