Soul Linkers and Gunslingers

[You]

Assume 99/70, minimal custom, low-rate server for these questions.  I'll tweak them as needed for wherever I play.

For Soul Linkers, is it really worth the job levels to get Esma?  I'm not sure how else they would solo or level in general, aside from leeching, which tends to make me feel bad.

Also, what links are considered "The most important"?  I know it varies from server to server, but which ones are clearly superior and worth taking?  Again, this probably isn't a very easy question and probably varies a bit (BS link would be pointless if none were on the server after all), but some general idea of good/moderate/bad ones would be nice.

Speaking of links, is it worth taking each one to level 5?  I can probably get away with having Alchemist at level 1 only for example.  Would having more links at level 2-3 be better or worse than a few at 5?


For Gunslingers, is an AGI/DEX build or a DEX/VIT/INT Desperado build more effective for PvM?  What are their pros and cons?  And is a Garrison [2] better than a Western Outlaw?

[bleu]

Soul Linkers

There are a few types of linkers and Esma is one of them. In my opinion, Esma linkers are easiest to level, and of course, you will need to invest in Esma, Estin, Estun and Kaina. Esma linkers excel in PvM (against low MDEF monsters). They are not very good at WOE/PVP and mobbing. An alternative to leeching your linker is to level up your linker first (Esma or Battle type), then reset the skills/stat to a full support WOE linker. Most servers should have at least a Skill Reset as it's available on official servers using the Neutralizer. If you are unable to reset your stat points, just make a Hybrid.


"The most important links"?
That mainly depends on your Guild. For the purpose of WOE:

NOT USEFUL
Hunter Spirit - none of the players in WOEs are "Beast/Brute" race
Knight Spirit -
Rebirth Spirit -
Monk Spirit - most Monks who WOE are spiritual monks. Thus, not much use.


SOMEWHAT USEFUL (Depending on situation/strategy)
Priest Spirit - A nice offensive. But, most priest in WOE are support type and have many other better things to do than Holy Light.
Super Novice Spirit - you don't see many Super Novices in WOE. It does have its uses.
Star Gladiator Spirit - NEVER greater than lvl1. All they need is a link, the duration of UNION is not dependent on the level of your link. Just cost a bit more SP for u.
Alchemist Spirit - Good for Berserk Pitcher skill
Sage Spirit - Essential for Hindsight Sage


VERY USEFUL (Depending on situation/strategy)
Soul Linker Spirit - if you have another SL in your guild/alliance. It can be very powerful.
Blacksmith Spirit - Full Adrenaline Rush will help boost ASPD
Assassin Spirit - Essential for SonicBlow Sin/ EDP SonicBlow SinX
Bard and Dancer Spirits - Essential
Rogue Spirit - Especially nice if your Guild Leader is a Stalker.
Wizard Spirit - Essential if your enemies have Kaite Linkers
Crusader Spirit - Ideal for Shield Saders


It's not always necessary to max links to lvl5. Some links are required as they are pre-requisites. You will not be able to max every link. Just choose those links which you will regularly use. If your alliance have 5 Wizs (full-time) and 1 Hindsight Sage (part-time). Its best to max lvl5 Wizard Spirit than maxing Hindsight Sage. Consult your guild leader/alliance and your other guild members.
 

References:
http://irowiki.org/wiki/Soul_linker
http://write.ratemyserver.net/ragnoark-online-character-guides/mibus-soul-linker-guide/

[You]

Thanks a lot.  That list there was exactly what I was looking for.

Anyone willing to field the Gunslinger questions?

[MemoZzz]

DEX/VIT/INT Desperado is more effective. While AGI can be nice for dodging, it doesn't come to handy when you go against an MvP since they all summon mobs of monsters. You might be able to kill them off, but I doubt that the flee will be enough to dodge the MvP's hits. VIT makes you more durable when going against MvPs.

AGI/DEX's pros: higher flee, more aspd (don't think it influences Desperado), better on killing 1v1.

DEX/VIT/INT's pros: higher HP, higher SP, higher SP regen, better mobbing capabilities (though you will be needing a priest to unlock some maps with stronger mobs).

Go for Garrison.

[Dean Stark]

Western is better. The main, difference between a Garrison and a Western Outlaw is that a Garrison is a lvl 2 weapon while Western is a lvl 3 and Western comes w/ 2 slots while you have to do a quest to add another slot to the Garrison. Although the difference in attack power is only 2, a +5 Western does more damage than a +6 Garrison. Not only that, Western doesn't have the -10 HIT penalty that Garrison has... Hope this helps

Gunslinger has always been a staple character in all of my accounts. It's usually the first or socond char i always make.

[Omi]

Knight Spirit

Not useful?  Bowling Bash with a shield on, ice pick knights. 

Star Gladiator Spirit

I would make that one of the things you MUST get if you're going to be a WoEr (that is if you have a SK in your guild), as Star Knights are by far the best emp breaking class in RO.

If you're going to be an esma linker and your server is without a resetter, you will get 5 links at most, and level 1 at that.  If you have a resetter, esma leveling is rather easy at anubis / ice dungeon 2 - 3, especially when you have a priest to lex anterna everything.

[A92FL0163]

I'd suggest you waste Wizard Spirit points into something else, I hardly ever see any wizard carrying a Crystal Fragment, and if they do it normally runs out before they can even know. They also can carry their own Gems, there are better points where those points could be spent on.

Of course, it's just  my suggestion, all the time I had played SL, I haven't used Wizard Link too much.

[Chimichanga]

Wait, blacksmith soul gives more aspd? I thought it just allowed all blacksmiths to gain full aspd for non-axe/non-mace weapons? Knight spirit could combine with ice pick.....(not saying its useful but can be used for tha notion/affair). Desperado build is practically all a gunslinger has for pvp/pvm. And i do agree western outlaw is better in terms of its additional stats, while gunslingers suffer poor flee.

[A92FL0163]

Full Adrenaline Rush goes to the whole party, so it gives a "ASPD boost"  to asassins and other classes(classes with aspd boosting skills are unaffected).

[Head Monocle of DOOM]

Gunslinger basics involve one stape stat: Dex! Dex is a must! And I prefer the Dex/Agi Build Especially for western outlaw.

Western Outlaw > Garrison

WO: Increases HIT and Attack Speed depending on the AGI of the player.

WO Script: { bonus bHit,readparam(bAgi)/10; bonus bAspdRate,readparam(bAgi)/14; },{},{}

G: HIT - 10

G Script: { bonus bHit,-10; },{},{}

[blackgh05t]

I just recently picked up playing a Soul Linker main for my guild so here's what I have to say on that subject.

Essential
Assassin Link - Great link to boost DPS.
Bard Link - Bards need to be able to catch up with your party, and slow grace is awesome when you don't have many gypsy mains.
Rogue Link - Rogues cannot be dispelled.  They won't lose their skills as easily and condensed white potions are even better. 
Blacksmith Link - We keep a Support BS on for almost every war.
Soul Linker Link [ at least 1 ] - For Ka- buffs.

The rest are purely situational.  To the person who said bowling bash with ice pick, wouldn't you rather have the ice pick on a SinX who can break or a WS?  I'm not gonna waste my valuable points into some knight who is confused on if hes a  DPS class or not.

Sage link?  What are you doing with hindsight sages in war anyway?

[Head Monocle of DOOM]

heres some guides I found in RMS Writtings

Soul linker:
I <3 This Guide

Gunslinger:
1
2
3

[blackgh05t]

btw

I would make that one of the things you MUST get if you're going to be a WoEr (that is if you have a SK in your guild), as Star Knights are by far the best emp breaking class in RO.

I really hope that was sarcasm.

[Head Monocle of DOOM]

btw

I would make that one of the things you MUST get if you're going to be a WoEr (that is if you have a SK in your guild), as Star Knights are by far the best emp breaking class in RO.

I really hope that was sarcasm.

I wouldn't say best personally but with union they are fairly good.

[MemoZzz]

With high DEX, -10 HIT shouldn't be a problem. Garrison has a little more dmg, the problem is that it's harder to get it... if that poses a problem for you, by all means go for Western Outlaw.