I'm running an arti(human, for dmarks that I haven't yet taken), and I haven't yet taken the construct essence. I instead took that CLW Mass grenade spell so I could heal myself and others. As I mostly solo, I have tended more to just chugging the damn potion rather than 'aim at feet, throw grenade, aim back at mob, kill it.'
When in a party, I have either asked what element the others wanted, or just threw on whatever element I'm sure the mobs aren't immune to. I'm sure that will continue as I gain more such buffs, like that armor of run faster or whatever it does.
Of course, I'm at low level on mine so it's proving effective with the repeater. I still expect the r-xbow to be effective in pewpew on par with Manyshot archers later on, though that will depend on how the weapon and the runearm are used. I think one reason that artis are all about the pewpew is the long-standing tradition of AAs is to pewpew during Manyshot then TWF, but Turbine made repeaters basically just act like crossbows with permanent Manyshot. Yes, that fixed the sync bug, but now we see what that can do to runs in which tanking(or aggro control in general) is key.
Speaking of which, the main issue I see with this class is their aggro management, though siccing the dog on mobs(thus giving melees time to hit the shit and acquire hate) with a flamethrower spawned nearby before opening fire should alleviate that. That and stand in PBS range for double damage and get the mass heals aimed at the melees. And of course, the dog can take intimidate and +hate lines, and is a melee attacker, so that should really help if used right for tanking, or at the least is a method artis can use to plink away while keeping the mobs near the party. Just have to watch out for barrels on the battlefield. Damned woodmunchers.
Quote:If an arty tries to join my runs, I will tell them, "Why would I take a second rate rogue when I don't even like first rate rogues?"
3 words: Instant Boss Beaters.
Shroud/VoD/ToD? Silver Weapons.
DQ? Cold Iron Weapons.
LoB? Adamantium Weapons.
The Xoriat stuff with Byeshk DR? You get the idea.
Artis can alternatively imbue alignment. Why hello there, Marut.
Lit2s just got a lot more lovely.
Also, Armor of Go Faster.