Shield Swipe- How often do you use it?

[Firescorpio]

On single target, I use it every single chance I can get.

I'd say there are six pros and three cons to this skill.

Pros
-Fast animation to deliver damage quickly
-Low TP cost actually makes you recover 20 TP after regeneration
-More damage than Savage Blade
-If you can use it consistently, the total damage output is better than just the standard Halone combo
-If timed properly, can be used as an interrupt to melee red aoe skills
-Does not cancel the Halone combo meaning it's meant to be used while the Halone combo is active (can get off 2 shield swipes in a row before reaching the limit to the combo expiring)

Cons
-Requires a block
-Low aggro buildup
-Window of use is only around 3 seconds

but we dont have animation lock... of any kind why would the "fast animation" matter at all?

[Semont]

snip

Just delivery of damage.

Rage of Halone takes about 2 seconds after activation till it actually deals any sort of damage.

Shield Swipe is just as fast as Fast Blade on delivering damage but is more than twice as powerful.

Also it IS worth using on a single target in every chance possible.

Consider 12 turns (4 Halone combos).

100 > 200 > 260 > 100 > 200 > 260 > 100 > 200 > 260 > 100 > 200 > 260

2240 potency.

12 turns with Shield Swipe in every second attack.

100 > 200 > 230 > 260 > 100 > 230 > 200 > 260 > 230 > 100 -> 200 > 230

2340 potency.

Shield Swipe once every attack.

100 > 230 > 200 > 230 > 260 > 230 > 100 > 230 > 200 > 230 > 260 > 230

2500 potency.

Don't forget that if you miss anytime during your Halone combo, you'll lose a huge chunk of damage. Shield Swipe can help fill in your damage and it won't ruin your combo if you miss with it.