Archive:Team - Nightmare Spike

The Nightmare Spike team consists of Ritualist/Rangers that use Nightmare Weapon with bow attacks to create a virtually unpreventable life stealing Spike, similar to a combination of previous Blood Magic and Ranger spike teams.

FW Variant
[build name="Nightmare Spiker, FW Variant" prof=ritua/range channe=12+1+3 marksm=12 spawni=3+1][nightmare weapon][dual shot][distracting shot][seeking arrows][sight beyond sight][favorable winds][offering of spirit][resurrection signet][/build]

Bloodsong Variant
[build name="Nightmare Spiker, Bloodsong Variant" prof=ritua/range channe=12+1+3 marksm=12 spawni=3+1][nightmare weapon][dual shot][distracting shot][seeking arrows][sight beyond sight][bloodsong][offering of spirit][resurrection signet][/build]

Destruction Variant
[build name="Nightmare Spiker, Destruction Variant" prof=ritua/range channe=12+1+3 marksm=12 spawni=3+1][nightmare weapon][dual shot][distracting shot][seeking arrows][sight beyond sight][destruction][offering of spirit][resurrection signet][/build]

Relic Runner Variant
[build name="Nightmare Spiker, Relic Variant" prof=ritua/range channe=12+1+3 marksm=12 spawni=3+1][nightmare weapon][dual shot][distracting shot][seeking arrows][sight beyond sight][rupture soul][offering of spirit][resurrection signet][/build]

Equipment
 * Vampiric Recurve Bow of Defense with "I Have The Power!" inscription
 * Vampiric Longbow of Defense with "I Have The Power!" inscription
 * Non-Vampiric Bow when not spiking
 * Full Radiant Armor

The Spirit Spammer
[build prof=range/ritua expertise=12+1+1 beastm=8+1 wilder=5+1 restor=9][Oath Shot][Fertile Season][Frozen Soil][Recovery][Life][Recuperation][Whirling Defense][Flesh Of My Flesh][/build]

The Ordergon
[build name="Nightmare Ordergon" prof=parag/necro blood=12 leader=7+1 comman=8+1+1 spear=8+1][Order of the Vampire][go for the eyes][vicious attack][make haste][brace yourself][fall back][song of concentration][signet of return][/build]

The Monks
A WoH/HB Heal Party monk and an RC or DH.

Usage

 * One spiker should be set as the caller.
 * Spikes should be called over Voice Chat, such as Ventrilo.
 * Spiking:
 * All Spikers should cast Nightmare Weapon before each spike.
 * When called, the spike is Dual Shot, followed quickly by Distracting Shot.
 * The spiker should call the use of Seeking Arrows before spikes if the target becomes enchanted at all.
 * Sight Beyond Sight is to be kept up as often as possible.
 * Favorable Winds, Destruction and Bloodsong should be used during every battle; other spirits should be used according to the map.
 * Orders:
 * Order of the Vampire is to be used during the spike countdown to boost the spike.
 * While casting Orders, use the shout "Go For The Eyes!" Be sure to build adrenaline in between spikes.
 * Spike when called with Vicious Attack.
 * Spam "Make Haste!" and "Brace Yourself!" on the runner in Relic maps.
 * When not spiking, spam "Go For The Eyes!" Be sure to have it available when a spike is called, however.
 * Rupture Soul is to be used to get rid of certain allied spirits, should they begin to cause more harm than good (specifically Frozen Soil and Fertile Season).
 * Offering of Spirit should be used whenever possible as energy management.
 * The relic runners are the Spirit Spammer and the fourth spiker.

Counters

 * Ritualists are casters, and therefore they are generally weak and crumble easily under attack.
 * The only counter to prevent the spike directly is Blindness, however this is not a large problem as Sight Beyond Sight can be kept up most of the time.
 * Note that this life stealing spike cannot be prevented by any defensive action (except a leet infuser) by the opposing team, as it will go right through blocking, blind, and almost every single prot. However, if Favorable Winds is not in effect, strafing may pose a problem.

Variants

 * Any Resurrection Signet can be replaced with Ritualist resurrection skills of choice.
 * Bloodsong and Destruction are both not necessary for the spike, and can be replaced with other Channeling skills.
 * Destruction could be replaced with another FW for backup.