Hey guys. Synbios here. I went on a rather extended period of dormancy as an Institute member. However, I feel like joining another Guild, as I think that I'm looking to be a more martial character. However, while the Sentinels feel more familiar to me, I'm also looking at the other Guilds as well. How do the Aeromancers and Symphonium fare at the moment, bashing and combat-wise? Also, back to Sentinels, is Aeonics still a bad choice for them, that I'd rather take Tracking, and what are the more viable Knight specialisations for Sents?

Hallifax is dead.
Just wanted to put that out there.
Could use more people for sure.

Symphonists are really nice. They just need somebody who knows what they are doing to play one, which we have simply not had yet.

In fact, I was chatting with Ushaara just a moment ago and he was saying how a glamours Symphonist would be awesome. I agree. They have some truly great skills.

Hallifax isn't dead. It's just going through a low population period right now. Actually, the past week or so has been looking pretty promising! The Symphonium and Sentinels are very very low on people though, it's true. If that's a reason to play them or a reason to keep away is up to you.

Gonna echo Phoebus's statement. Hallifax is not dead, and there is a need there for Symphonium and Sentinels.


Guild Guildmaster Champion Administrator Patron Archetype
Aeromancers Phoebus Saleo Tulemrah Zvoltz mage
Sentinels (vacant) Aemian Blake Zvoltz warrior
Institute Onenmaru Lawliet Zyreil Zvoltz guardian
Symphonium Nelras (vacant) Talan Isune bard


Edit: Sorry about the above's formatting. ._.

I'd say it's pretty dead on the world stage.

Aeromancers remain an excellent mage class, both for bashing (tuning) and PK (psionics).

Symphonium is solid. While it's not exactly the best bard guild ever, there have been envoy reports that have been steadily improving this. Plus they're bards, all you need is pfifth.

Sentinels are fairly solid as well. It's lacking in a few areas (damage type change / helping build towards the instakill), but I'm sure that will get addressed eventually. Plus side, aeon all the time. Though I have to say, Tracking is probably one of the best terts for group pvp. I miss those days when people refused to leave the nexus because of traps.

Sojiro:
Symphonium is solid. While it's not exactly the best bard guild ever, there have been envoy reports that have been steadily improving this. Plus they're bards, all you need is pfifth.

Pretty much this.

Draylor:
In fact, I was chatting with Ushaara just a moment ago and he was saying how a glamours Symphonist would be awesome. I agree. They have some truly great skills.

I've been attempting to theorycraft with Glamours in my spare time, having abandoned Tarot, and I have to agree here. While Glamourists miss out on the easy lust/aeon that's sort of central to our combat stylings, there are a few ideas I've been running with that say it's not a terrible combination at all.

LoralAria isn't bad. It's just still sort of new and somewhat unexplored, because Daedalion has been our sole combatant since the guild opened. Miciah going for Champion may change this, though. I can only hope.

I would go Loralariaist if it didn't mean giving up my divinus attack. >.>

Just please don't go down the sleep attrition route. Such a horrible mechanic, that it is.

I know, I know...I wanted so hard to try and divorce us from that entirely with the special report, but things happened. Bleh.

eritheyl:

I know, I know...I wanted so hard to try and divorce us from that entirely with the special report, but things happened. Bleh.

Yeah. Could you imagine how crazy it would be as a glamourist (mesmerise) with sleepcloud? Just.... meh.

For Sentinels, Aeonics is pretty much of the 'strong defense -> steady offense' mindset. Has several abilities to boost your survivability factor. Every time I flex tracking I realise just how nice those abilities are. Solo use of Displacement, Paradox, Oracle (unless room is locked down/Cavalier), and the instakill Timequake isn't viable, but the other abilities all find their niche. Aeonics would also be the pretty much required choice if you are lucidian/trill, as the unspec'd versions make for pretty weak warriors.

Tracking is a very fun specialisation. Little in the way of direct survivability, but playing lone ranger tracker in the middle of a group fight is probably the most fun I've had in a fight. Would also be good to have a dedicated tracker for if and when Halli ever returns to proper fighting.

Unfortunately Sentinels are a very lowly populated guild and I'm idea'd out on how to change things. I still encourage you to join though, as that won't ever change unless people do step up with new ideas. Finally, while my play time has been reduced, I would always be up for a spar/answering questions if you need me.

Summary: Aeonics = Increased survivability factor, Tracking = Not as straightforward for new warriors, but can be very, very fun.

Oh, hey, thanks for the responses everyone. I'm rather surprised though at the news that Hallifax has been...dormant. A year or so ago, I heard raves that Hallifax had a nice population boom, so I'm a bit worried at that.

Other things to note: Have there still been plans on those Monk guilds for the HalliGaud pair?

At the moment though, I'm starting to filter my choices down to Sentinels and Aeromancers. Sentinels would be interesting if only because I have my Aeonics in Institute as well, and the fact that I'm more at home with melee combat nowadays because of my Achaea character(and the idea of maneuvres and limb wounds is fascinating). However, I've heard that Tracking can also be useful in quests, for when you're looking for that last administrator to influence. Aeromancy is also tempting, because of that tuning thing. And because LIGHTNING BOLT LIGHTNING BOLT and THUNDERBIRDS HOOOO.

'Course, people may say 'just roll an alt for the other class', but besides the fact that a lot of time has been invested on Synbios(level 80 because of aethercrafting, yay), I prefer to stay as a single character.

Final observation: Are credits this expensive nowadays? I'm rather astounded.

Might as well add another question: Between the three Guilds(Sents, Aeros and Symphs), which ones are more artie-dependent?

Credits have seen a recent spike due to a slightly too generous wheel. We're all hoping they come back down again, and some measures to ensure this are being taken I believe, but it may still take a while. However, there is an artifact sale going now so if you are considering spending some actual money this is a great time to do so, especially for the more expensive stuff.

Synbios:

Might as well add another question: Between the three Guilds(Sents, Aeros and Symphs), which ones are more artie-dependent?

Sentinels, like any other warrior guild, require the biggest investment. Bards are typically decent with only a very small investment (if any, really), and the most you'd need to be a capable Aero is a demesne rune.

Of course it also depends on if you plan to be top-tier or not :P

Depends on what tier you want to get into, but as always, warriors are the most expensive, while mages/bard are about the same, give or take a demesne rune.

Besides warriors, they all could use a shield rune and gripping rune.

Bards could use a magical enhancement rune.
Mages could use a demesne rune.

Thanks for the replies. I've now made my decision to join the Aeromancers. Thanks for the interview, Saleo!

Hope you enjoy it. :)

Oh, forgot to ask - why is tuning useful for bashing?