Talk:Ride the Lightning

Reference to Metallica song...?

Rather unlikely. Instead of that, maybe a reference to the slang phrase 'ride the lightning', as in, being sentenced to death by electrocution? (Because I'm pretty sure that's where Metallica got it from). Then again, all trivia seems meaningless to me, so maybe we should just cut it altogether,... :P --Naoroji 13:54, 11 April 2011 (UTC)

Pretty sure I was wrong :D. Linsey talk page section, so apparently it really is a reference to Metallica. Will change the section accordingly. --Naoroji 13:59, 11 April 2011 (UTC)

Though I'd prefer it if it was a reference to riding the lightning as you put it. - Infinite - talk 16:04, 11 April 2011 (UTC)

Ikr? So ArenaNet referred to a reference in their game D: Y so redundant? --Naoroji 16:49, 11 April 2011 (UTC)

This skill does not teleport. 68.106.106.169 01:41, 1 May 2012 (UTC)

Yeah, this skill does not teleport, it only lets you "ride" a lightning bolt, carrying you to the target. Teleportation is usually instantaneous; this isn't. --99.46.201.204 02:34, 2 May 2012 (UTC)

Targets or Not?

I've seen some skills that, without a foe on the receiving end, do nothing. Do we want to say of such skills that they 'require a target', or do we say that 'without a target, there is no effect', or ??? Torrenal 05:59, 15 May 2012 (UTC)

Targets: it behaves a little different

Actually, even if you don't have a target, if you're close enough (I don't know the range) it will automatically target the nearest enemy and "ride" to it. I tested it and it was very annoying because sometimes I meant to use this as a scape to outside crowded places (in sPvP) but it would make me go right to the enemy. How can we rephrase the note to clarify this? – Valento ^msg 08:02, 27 July 2012 (UTC)

Are you sure you didn't have auto targeting enabled? --zeeZ (talk) 09:41, 27 July 2012 (UTC)

Oh my, that must have been the reason, I'll check that. I totally forgot about that option, I guess it's on by default. Thanks. – Valento ^msg 19:06, 27 July 2012 (UTC)

I'd say that, even if you don't have autotarget on, it can be intercepted by enemies on the way. Mediggo 13:35, 29 July 2012 (UTC)

Weapon Swaps

Ride the Lightning triggers weapon swap abilities (though I can only specifically confirm the Sigil of Geomancy). - Asrial 23:53, 2 February 2013 (UTC)

Briarthorn Den

Used this while in Briarthorn Den, first time close the the entrance it kicked me out of the area, the second time I was further from the entrance, and when it ended I was no longer under the effects of the Nightmare Court disguise. Magua 10:12, 10 February 2013 (UTC)

Getting to odd places

This skill has a strong push. You tend fall much slower while using it. You can use it to get to all kinds of places if you use it carefully.

The danger is that it is hard to use carefully. It shouldn't be used for anything requiring fine movement.

108.222.213.153 06:55, 27 February 2013 (UTC)

It actually has more odd features, if used right, you can reset your fall distance and gain slight or even no fall damage from ridiculous heights. It seems that if you aim your camera up, use it in mid-air and have the skill end near the ground before you hit it, you don't get any fall damage (While aiming your camera down increases your fall damage significantly, even tho this does nothing with the speed your character falls at) I sent a bug report already, but they don't seem to care. It's not easy to apply during combat anyway, so I guess it's impractical to abuse in PvP and WvW. -- Axolotl 11:48:37, May 2nd 2013 (UTC)

"If you ride the lightning to a lower elevation..."

The Notes on this page say: "If you Ride the Lightning to enemies at a lower elevation, you will stop at their position, which prevents flying off edges." There's something wrong with this sentence. Some examples:

• I'm on top of a cliff. The target is down below. I use the skill. How do I not fall off the edge but I still manage to get to their position?
• Both the target and I are at the top of a cliff, with him standing right at the edge. I use the skill on him, but miss. How can I not fly off the edge?

What is it that "prevents flying off edges" apart from colliding with something? If so, I think what's meant here is simply: "If you hit your target, you will stop moving." There is no need to mention either elevation or edges. --Alad 06:34, 1 May 2013 (UTC)

Yeah, I was scratching my head over that one too. -- Dagger 06:45, 1 May 2013 (UTC)

Ah, it makes more sense after Rylek's edit. I think it means "if you RTL such that you end up directly above your target, the RTL will stop there and you'll drop down rather than keep going" -- i.e. it'll stop even though you didn't actually hit them. -- Dagger 07:36, 1 May 2013 (UTC)

There are still the same 2 problems with that rephrasing: 1) Stop at their position, when their position is down below, while avoiding falling, doesn't make sense. 2) Getting to them will involve plummeting, and if that means death, then you'll get there dead - "avoiding plummeting to your death" doesn't seem like an option.. Still clear as mud, Relyk. --Alad 09:07, 1 May 2013 (UTC)

I amended my statement. I would appreciate your continued opinion on my rewrite and how I can make it clearer for people with no experience using the skill.--Relyk ~ talk > 09:55, 1 May 2013 (UTC)

In most cases, Ride the Lightning keeps going back and forward over the z location of it's target until it either hits it's target or the skill ends. This means if you use it on a target near a cliff's edge that's lower than you, it is possible to fly over as it will basically zigzag down to your target. In some situations your Ride the Lightning will actually break directly above your target and drop you down. -- Axolotl 12:01:57, May 2nd 2013 (UTC)

I've had it zigzag on the ground plenty, didn't know it could do it in the air. I've always had it break.--Relyk ~ talk > 12:04, 2 May 2013 (UTC)