Well, the experiment of using the gear suggested by the pundits of Ranked PVP was an utter fiasco. Using that gear reduced most of my main stats and contributed to my defeat.
It reduced my Accuracy, so my First Strikes didn't land.
It reduced my Agility so I did less damage.
It reduced my Dodge so that talent attacks went through on me, and my ripostes never triggered.
Gosh, it even reduced my Armor!
This isn't how to fight as a Swashbuckler.
I believe that stats play a big part in whatever class you choose to play. The experts/champions of Ranked PVP have one problem - they all think the same way. Part of this stems from their engagement in Central Tournaments with those stringent rules ( far more strict than the PVP now in the game ).
Everyone does the same thing, everyone carries the same gear. Everyone uses the same strategy regardless of their class.
I'm not stupid. I am creative & observant. And it seems to me that Ranked PVP is dying from lack of innovation. Trying to make a swashbuckler into a second-rate Buccaneer or Privateer, isn't what PVP should be about.

anecorbie on Nov 25, 2017 wrote:

Well, the experiment of using the gear suggested by the pundits of Ranked PVP was an utter fiasco. Using that gear reduced most of my main stats and contributed to my defeat.
It reduced my Accuracy, so my First Strikes didn't land.
It reduced my Agility so I did less damage.
It reduced my Dodge so that talent attacks went through on me, and my ripostes never triggered.
Gosh, it even reduced my Armor!
This isn't how to fight as a Swashbuckler.
I believe that stats play a big part in whatever class you choose to play. The experts/champions of Ranked PVP have one problem - they all think the same way. Part of this stems from their engagement in Central Tournaments with those stringent rules ( far more strict than the PVP now in the game ).
Everyone does the same thing, everyone carries the same gear. Everyone uses the same strategy regardless of their class.
I'm not stupid. I am creative & observant. And it seems to me that Ranked PVP is dying from lack of innovation. Trying to make a swashbuckler into a second-rate Buccaneer or Privateer, isn't what PVP should be about.

Us "pvp experts" aren't the ones with the problem. We all think the same because we've all found success in the "same strategy" and gear that we've been suggesting to you. We aren't pigeonholed to the same setup because we lack creativity, it's because other sets of gear simply do not provide the same results.

If you haven't noticed by now, not a single other person has agreed with any of your recent rants. You've been given advice and offered help on numerous occasions but you continue to make excuses about why you're having trouble when really the only reason for that is your inability to adapt.

Contrary to what you may think, most of us that have been giving you suggestions haven't even touched a central tournament before, myself being the only exception. The only 3 notable things not allowed in central tournaments are second wind, trees, and old scratch's bigger mojo buffs, none of which one wouldn't be able to win without.

I heard about your recent match with Rob and of the many mistakes that you made, such as using Toro's buff while still on the opposite side of the board and attacking Temujin without a shield on. If you're making plays like this on the regular then you're focusing on the wrong thing, the issue isn't as much with your gear as it is with your playstyle.

"What PvP should be about" and your inability to grasp the concept of why you're losing are 2 separate topics, you can't mesh them together an expect to get the same points across. You're making it seem like us PvP folk are the bad guys for using gear/strategies that help us win.

Which is genuinely which is your bigger concern, winning or creativity? I completely agree on the point that it stinks that a single staple setup (with slight variations) for each class is a necessity if you want consistent wins but unfortunately you can't have the best of both worlds.

Last time we've mentioned that people use Power-based gear because they're more reliable and is more likely to win over Stat-based gear.

However, that is only half of the story.

As you have proved. The other half relies on the player's skill and ability to use those powers. I've heard about the match with Rob in which you went straight to Temujin without any protection yourself. That is a fatal flaw as Swashbuckler are a very offensive class, and dodge couldn't have helped if Temujin did critical on you.

The fact that you have only tested the gear once (as far as we know, there might be others earlier) and gave up right away shows your skill as a player overall. The fact that you didn't even try to see where you went wrong as a buckler and adapt to your gear's usage instead of going all out as if you were still Stat-based, and instead go to complain that the PvP experts are wrong because they all think the same way, shows a lack of sportsmanship and an inability to ask for help.

The reason why the experts rely on a setup (with slight variations here and there) is that it is the only setup known to give reliable and the best results. There are people out there who do a lot of gear/setup experimentation. However, it always comes to what actually gives the best result.

There are some gear/setups that might work better in some situations, but usually they play a specific role. If they don't work in most other situations then it isn't considered a good setup. in Ranked you cannot tell against which class you're going against. The best setups are the ones that can go against all classes and give a good chance of winning.

You cannot always go to be creative when in Ranked all that matters is winning. Sure, you could try some gear to put the opponent off-guard. However, Pirate lacks good options when it comes to gear. Being creative doesn't matter if there's a lack of options that can go against the meta.

DeDuncanStuff on Nov 26, 2017 wrote:

Hello, Ducky here.

First off, I will say that I basically have 6 max pirates, one of each class. I will also say that I rarely pvp because I have this inner thought on whether or not I’m good enough. I don’t practice often so I am not improving as much as I would like to. I’m the type of dude who tries to look tough, gear wise so yes, I do follow the latest gear trend. I usually hide in the tent and work on pets. Call me a pet n00b. Now You know my reputation.

Now, let me get to my point. After your very first experiment in trying to pvp with less stats and more powers, you concluded that the test was “an utter fiasco” (you). In my middle school, science class, I was told to always do more than one experiment for better results. You only did one. Look sweety, one doesn’t simply win a pvp match, especially if you stay so “observant” (you). And not saying you have no *skill,* you basically tested your theory once and startedboasting about your defeat here. This is probably what you thought in your head:
Problem: more powers or better stats
Question: Are more powers better that improved stats?
Hypothesis: If I use gear with more powers, I will win
Experiment: get into a match only once
Results: I lost, therefore more powers aren’t the best way to go in pvp

Question: Have you ever acknowledged the fact that maybe it isn’t the gear choices, but the way you play? Have you also acknowledged the fact that some people have more pvp experience than others?

Good luck on your next experiment.

You have very good points, But look here "sweety", don't talk down to people if you want to win them over.
On the flip side of the experiment: I have won bouts with using stats. ( Apparently I have more experience than you in PVP ), however I'm always open to hearing other view points.
If you read my post, I said "contributed" not "caused" my defeat. There were other factors in play, among them powers not showing up when I needed them to.
It doesn't matter how strong or game changing a power card is; if it's not there when I need it, it's the same as not having it at all.
Whereas, my stats and talent attacks are there 100% of the time - it doesn't need much more thinking to see that.
I was also told that one failed experiment cancels out dozens of successes.

Anecorbie, I've been following this thread from the first post, and I have to wonder, when you first posted, were you intending to aim the sparkshooter at the powder barrel? I read that and thought, "Whooh, that will draw some flaming responses."
As an impartial bystander on the subject of PVP, I have an observation and suggestion. I have seen many people who think there's only one way to approach a fight, even to the point of bossing others in how they should play their own pirate. I've also seen, and been one of the pirates, whose approach is non standard and yet highly effective. I've seen Annecorbie play, and read many of her comments and suggestions, enough to feel comfortable in thinking she is one who likes to mix things up and not play everything the same way all the time, yet is still a very skilled and effective pirate. My suggestion is that the commentators try swapping styles and give them a good try. Anecorbie can give the ranked gear a bunch more tries. Those who who think her approach is wrong can give her stat based style a sincere effort, perhaps on a swashbuckler. I think both sides might have something to learn from each other, if you try walking in each other's shoes. If nothing else, it gives you a new kind of challenge to try.

anecorbie on Nov 26, 2017 wrote:

I expect negative responses to anything PVP related when anyone steps out of the locked mind set of the PVP-ers.
I've faced up to controversy before and I lived through it. It's not "ranting" when you state something strongly and back it up with personal experiences. Nor do I need a "spotlight" to enhance my so-called reputation.
Back when everyone was truly ranking about Black Fog and how impossible & OP it was; I was the one to step in and defend it, ( in the post: A Frank Discussion on Hide ), even Buckler PVP-ers were against this power, almost everyone wanted it banned or nerfed. Black Fog is now a mote point in PVP, no one believes it's OP anymore, this proves to me that all of you may just be wrong on this issue as well.

You forgot the fact I believe Black Fog should be edited so all spell attacks work on it. This would provide a reliable way to use Blast of Discord and might also help Witchdoctors.

RRRRZZZZ419 on Nov 27, 2017 wrote:

You forgot the fact I believe Black Fog should be edited so all spell attacks work on it. This would provide a reliable way to use Blast of Discord and might also help Witchdoctors.

I answered you on that in the other post, Blast of Discord works on Black Fog because it's not a magic spell ( nothing at all like Charm ) and it's an AoE.
Witchdoctors have no problem with Mojo strikes or Jobu's Embrace on Black Fog because they are AoE attacks.

anecorbie on Nov 25, 2017 wrote:

Well, the experiment of using the gear suggested by the pundits of Ranked PVP was an utter fiasco. Using that gear reduced most of my main stats and contributed to my defeat.
It reduced my Accuracy, so my First Strikes didn't land.
It reduced my Agility so I did less damage.
It reduced my Dodge so that talent attacks went through on me, and my ripostes never triggered.
Gosh, it even reduced my Armor!
This isn't how to fight as a Swashbuckler.
I believe that stats play a big part in whatever class you choose to play. The experts/champions of Ranked PVP have one problem - they all think the same way. Part of this stems from their engagement in Central Tournaments with those stringent rules ( far more strict than the PVP now in the game ).
Everyone does the same thing, everyone carries the same gear. Everyone uses the same strategy regardless of their class.
I'm not stupid. I am creative & observant. And it seems to me that Ranked PVP is dying from lack of innovation. Trying to make a swashbuckler into a second-rate Buccaneer or Privateer, isn't what PVP should be about.

A great strategy is not using gear at all. It unlocks inner "secret" talents that many don't know about.

Please let me know when you enter the arena with my suggested strategy.

Oran from Urz on Nov 28, 2017 wrote:

A great strategy is not using gear at all. It unlocks inner "secret" talents that many don't know about.

Please let me know when you enter the arena with my suggested strategy.

Heh, funny. I believe I once floated an idea for a "bare-bones" tournament. Unequip everything, even the pet and use the class specific weapon that can be bought from Jolly Roger in Avery's Court, and use only what you've trained.
Wouldn't that be interesting?

I think everyone understands what you’re trying to accomplish with stat based gear, it just doesn’t work against experienced players. I tried several different gear sets with mixed results. Finally I settled on the standard ranked gear set for bucklers and with a lot more practice I found decent success. I rarely touch my gear other than weapon and which pet I equip.

Some of the others that have commented are some of the best and most pleasant players in the pvp community. I suggest you go farm the gear that you need and practice. You will find success, hopefully sooner rather than later. Good luck.