Question - Assorted Live Newbie Questions

[draaco2]

I appreciate the help on these, I've been Googling and trying to do my research to prevent asking something already answered. In any case, I keep fumbling over these couple things. Can anyone lend a hand? Thanks in advance!

1) (Non-MQ2 Advanced Loot) Is there a advanced loot filter file that is available for items of worth, for FV server?

2) (Non-MQ2 Advanced Loot) Is there a way to quickly search bazaar prices for items on advanced loot window akin to the ctrl+shift+click from inventory?

3) (Non-MQ2 Advanced Loot) Is there any way to set wildcards in advanced loot? For example, grab anything with the word "defiant" in it.

4) (KissAssist) Can someone explain the pros/cons to using downshits/holyshits over general KissAssist?

5) (MQ2Heals/MQ2AFNuke) I can't get this to work. Is there a level restriction (ie- 100+)?

6) (AutoCleric) Is this better than MQ2Heals?

7) (*shits) How well do these fill the gap with buffing/other in conjunction with MQ2Heals/AutoCleric/MQ2AFNuke? Is it better/easier to instead use KissAssist with these?

8) (Leveling) I'm not familiar with 70+, I know HAs are a thing, is this better than finding a grind spot and going at it? Any pointers?

 

[Inkie]

...
4) KA was written to be a general purpose macro that handles the most common functions for all classes. The advantage is that you fill out the character .ini section and a character then does a solid job at performing the functions of that class.
Holies / Downs have an advantage in that they can be customized, for example, I have one that casts my necro's aa "eradicate magic" but only if a mob has a buff, otherwise it's just a waste of a cast. The disadvantage to a Holy/Down is that you have to design when they get used, and sometimes that causes issues. i.e. my necro probably shouldn't cast when he's FD, or invis, or etc. Occasionally, a Holy / Down can be trying to do one thing while MQ2 / KA is trying to do something else and it creates a headache.
I would start with KA and get KA running smoothly with how your group plays (radius's, spell order, burns, etc.) and then add Holies / Downs to fill in gaps. i.e. on Bards, sometimes MQ2 doesn't fire off their AA Kick as soon as it's available, a Holy could be created to use it quicker.
...
6) I can't compare to MQ2heals, but I like it for the reason that it is very simplistic. You buy the spells and make a handful of choices (camp, mount, etc.) and the macro does the rest, mems spells based on level, casts them based on level / health, it basically is a very quick Master cleric merc.
...
8) HA's (in particular Gribbles) are arguably the fastest exp for the levels they are available, they do however have an issue. The mobs scale with the highest level member of the group. As such you can encounter issues if the mobs are suddenly too high for your mez / stun / etc. As their damage / defense levels as well, trying to go through them in outdated gear can become a challenge.
However, their reward currency does allow you to upgrade as long as you're mindful of what HA's you're doing and what rewards you need. If you're starting from scratch in my opinion upgrading non-visibles via HA currency isn't a bad plan, I would probably not recommend using HA currency for the visible armor pieces (fear touched, latent etheric, etc.) if you can avoid it.
HA's also allow you to purchase items to improve the efficiency of your mercenaries (if you use them). Although the melee dps loses ability when they are given an off-hand weapon. It doesn't drastically improve them, but it can squeeze out just a bit more.
The downside to HA currency purchased gear - it's all no-trade, you can't recoup any of your cost for buying it.