Question about soloing as a warlock and general class advice

[Knomi]

<DIV>Hi there,</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I'm relatively new to this warlock business (lvl 14).  I've browsed through this forum and have come up with a question about soloing.  I see that most people mention root when soloing.  Is it possible to select your AAs well enough that you could take groups of white (down arrowed) solo mobs with out using root?  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Its been very difficult for me to find a class that I actually enjoy.  I'm very picky.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>My criteria for picking a class:</DIV> <DIV>1.)  I need a toon that can solo (I am not referring to soloing heroics whatsoever), specifically 'solo writ' type mobs.  I don't like to have to keep the mobs away from me (ie. root), generally it just gets me frazzled when it breaks all the time.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>2.)  I hate being melee in groups (read: I hate scrounging about looking for the target in a slew of 4-6 mobs that the tank has targeted.  I guess I'm getting old and I get dizzy, so I prefer to be <EM>able</EM> to play effectively in a group from a ranged position.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I know those two requirements severely limits my choices (to solo in a melee stance, and to group in a ranged stance).  From what I can tell, I'm left with the mages, the priests, the ranger and bard classes to pick from.  I do a lot more soloing than I do grouping these days (restricted play times and just relatively antisocial -- yeah I play a social game to be a hermit).  If you have any ideas or suggestions I may not have thought of... please feel free to give me your comments.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Anyway, again my question is, if I took AAs like the warlock "warding" AA from EoF, or the Defensive AAs from KoS, could I get through the majority of fights head on, doing AoE burns?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I look forward to your responses,</DIV> <DIV>Thanks.</DIV>

[Tanatus]

<P>Wrong class buddy ... warlock is not wizard hence can't solo for exp efficient or for loot</P> <P>If you want have caster who is solo capable best choice probably be necro and coercer</P>

[donkeymaster]

<div></div>For soloing without rooting the mob, it's definitely possible but your spell level (M1, ad3, etc.) and your gear will be the limiting factors. At 70, anything that is a ^ or lower I generally don't bother to root and just open with my longest cast time, high dmg nuke and start burning from there. ^^ and ^^^ generally hit a bit too hard and have some stuns or other nasty tricks so I keep those rooted and nuke with non-DoT spells (I throw in Apocalypse every now and then if I'm willing to chance it and my roots are up). I will say this though, Warlock is definitely not the best solo class you'll come across. I can solo almost any non-caster type named, and a few that cast, as well as groups like a ^^^ and a ^^ together, but we lack a lot of what makes this easy for wizards (their mezz prevents caster mobs from casting while their spells refresh, more direct dmg focus, etc.) and I also use a heck of a lot more power while soloing than they would. Groups like even-con double downs, etc. like you mentioned are a breeze with our AoEs, they're dead before they can even put a dent in you (again, somewhat dependant on your spell levels), and aren't even worth considering rooting them. As far as finding a target in groups, just assist off the tank and nuke through him and take the easy way, hehe. You'll be nuking the target that he's taunting the most which is what you'll want anyways. Hope some of this helps <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> P.S.- Oh forgot to comment about the AAs, the new protection line is very nice if you primarily solo, as the ward from each AA tree is regenerating and shields for, I wanna say around 1k or so at 70 if you put them together (don't quote me on this estimate hehe, just off the top of my head trying to remember from beta). If you're interested in focusing on aoe damage for faster burns, max out the Explosiveness line as well and you'll get 10% damage added to each one of your AoEs. <div></div><p>Message Edited by donkeymaster on <span class=date_text>11-26-2006</span> <span class=time_text>11:15 AM</span>

[EpokSilvermo]

<div><blockquote><hr>Tanatus wrote:<div></div> <p>Wrong class buddy ... warlock is not wizard hence can't solo for exp efficient or for loot</p><hr></blockquote>When did that happen?I never had any problems soloing with my Warlock up to and including 70. I remember especially the 35+ Qeynos Writs in Zek. I just dashed them out LOL.Of course are you dependant on your root as sorcerer. But you do not have to have an encounter rooted for the whole fight. It just buys so some time to get a head start to use all your debuffs and procs etc. When it breaks during the fight you will have so much nukes and DoTs (depending on target) going that the foes just fall to your feet <span>:smileyvery-happy:</span> And you need the contact up close once in a while to get your focus up <span>:smileywink:</span></div>

[Jayad]

<P>The toughest part really is having a lot of dots and needing to root.  The wizard gets better nukes which are more dot-friendly.  It's certainly do-able though. </P> <P>generally speaking as a soloer single target dps is better than group dps.  As a warlock, groups of mobs would be very easy, but single targets relatively harder.   There are more single fights than group fights in soloing, for the most part.</P> <P>I think a summoner (necro or conj) would be a great choice if you're wanting to solo.  It takes some getting used to how to play a pet class but they are very effective in both solo and group situations.</P>

[Knomi]

<P>Thank you for your replies.  I seem to go in circles on what to play.  I think you guys are probably right -- the conjuror seems more my pace for survivablity w/ AoE.  I guess it (pet class) may be too easy for me.  lol  Like I said, I'm too picky.  I'll have my cake and eat it too, and have some pie, and maybe some left over turkey from Thursday.</P> <P> </P>

[Flachett]

lol I just came back to try eq2 after almost 2 years away.... Warlock solos nothing like it used to. I kept looking and looking for my Bellengers Sapping Salvo in my spell book but it wasnt there :smileysad: and the distortion line and absolution lines are linked now :smileysad: fear isnt like it used to be :smileysad: Seems like I do maybe 1/3 the single target dps I used to. I used to farm even level heroics to level with almost no downtime lol wow things have changed. Lots of adjusting to do 

[Foiled Aga]

Warlocks aren't ENTIRELY horrible at soloing. You can simply wreck any group (regardless of the size) as long as it's green =p Sounds lame but green heroics add up pretty quickly on the XP bar. But if you insist on soloing definetly upgrade your roots to a Master. I'm only at 35 at the moment but I've soloed there in a few days. I'd probably be higher but I don't like random groups because the odds are you always get stuck with someone who decides to main tank with a 2h and forgets they have group taunts.<div></div>

[Legaroth]

personally i cant stand playing overplayed classes, and i like to get a DD caster. offcourse the 2 obvious wizz and warlock came to mind with the dps.. but ibelieve wizards are played by ALOT of people..but what i am wondering is.. say in a group or even solo, if you get in a nasty situation, could either or both push out the dmg to drop a group of mobs in seconds to save their [Removed for Content] ? wizz sounds more the person for that job, but them being overplayed and lack of dark magic style dont appeal to me really. so can anyone tell me that ?also what is the difference in utility ?? does either of them get good stuff to save the groups [expletive haxx0red by Raijinn] appart from the drop mobs fast tactic :p<div></div>

[nightlith]

All I remember being a Warlock was in my 20's-30's in TS grabbing groups of centuars and aoe'ing to infinity. Man those horsies fell FAST. After that AoE'ing kinda slowed down, not alot of linked encounters up until 50's when I started farming scorps in SS and then PoF. Actually that was REALLY fun because I had found a stone to upgrade a spell to Adept 3 and had an AD3 Devestation waiting for me. I'd open with that on the scorps/snakes and then burn em down with the blue aoe. FAAAST xp. 60's kinda sucked because they changed aggro rules and Scaleborn are all social. Body pulling linked Sentries is a pain and the xp really slowed down as a death would set you back bad. Only thing that made up for it was the 60 writs for scaleborn. Great farming <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> Although it's not power efficient I often use Devestation/Apoc to open on solo's just because of the sheer damage that sucker has. And with the deaggros I can actually have the mobs turn onto my Netherlord to give me some breathing room.You just gotta find what works for you, but play your class to it's advantages. Using a warlock as a single target DD nuker is wasteful. Can't really be helped mind you, there's not alot of grouped solo mobs to farm from. But when you find em, stick to it cause it's smooth sailing with Void Absolution/Apoc/Rift/etc etc. Have netherous Realm up, with Freehand Sorcery, and Aftershocks, then cast Absolution...heh ok I haven't done that yet but I'm sure the mobs won't like you for it <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /><div></div>

[Legaroth]

i actually like killing grouped mobs more then the single ones so far. dunno why..but what i am worried about is.. i DO like AOE and big dmg, but not as the cost of all utility.  i like being able to be the person people thank for a good save made hehe. not sure if those people still excist other then the healer classes.. i hear enchanters are hardly needed as much as ( i think ) they were in EQ1, and their dmg overall wont be as impressive..so would one of the sorcerers be able to make a group save by using some cool kill all spell.. i read something about evac for wizz bu that sound boring hehe<div></div>

[KabsReds]

the most common compliment i get from groups, or rather the most common thing i read in the group chat when i turn up to the instance/grind zone is this:"guess the warlock turned up then the adds are dying faster"that's your utility <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> devastation (Apocolypse later on) landing and watching the adds of a nameds health just drop is all the utility you'll really need, there isnt' really a class without FD that can save a group, if the tank drops, you have aoe damage and a group root, they can be useful <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />My advice, play it up to 20, it's not too hard to get there, grab a group and go somewhere with grouped mobs and see how you like it, but from my experience i'm enjoying my warlock a ton!Anyway it's late and i have something completely irrelevant and unimportant to do - good luck with the choice <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />Kabs<div></div>

[Hellswrath]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Legaroth wrote:<BR>i actually like killing grouped mobs more then the single ones so far. dunno why..<BR><BR>but what i am worried about is.. i DO like AOE and big dmg, but not as the cost of all utility.  i like being able to be the person people thank for a good save made hehe. not sure if those people still excist other then the healer classes.. i hear enchanters are hardly needed as much as ( i think ) they were in EQ1, and their dmg overall wont be as impressive..<BR><BR>so would one of the sorcerers be able to make a group save by using some cool kill all spell.. i read something about evac for wizz bu that sound boring hehe<BR> <BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P><BR>I had a nice long post about all the utility spells for warlock and their uses, but hit the back button on my mouse and lost the whole bloody thing:smileymad:</P> <P>Anyway, I'll make this one quick.  Warlock utlility includes:  </P> <P>Power feeding (both solo and group)</P> <P>Netherous Realm (extra damage proc off anyone's poison disease damage in range of warlock)  Usually I only use this when grouped with another poison/disease caster like a necro or another Lock, or when a SK is tanking.</P> <P>Null Caress (used for breaking up linked encounters to be more manageable and for saving the group if the tank is about to go down and the healer can't keep up until he gets his spells back up....WARNING, very unpredictable and only useful if in TS or Vent with your tank and he knows it's coming!)  Follow with a root for maximum benefit.</P> <P>Now we dip into the Warlock AA line from EoF:</P> <P>Bottom of protection line - 15% increase in all taunts and deaggro skill values.  Need I say more? :smileyvery-happy:</P> <P>Bottom of removals line - debuff which drops target's casting range by 20% and increases warlock's casting range by 20%.  <EM>This affects epic mobs!</EM></P> <P>There's everything I could think of off the top of my head.  If I missed anything on this newer and shorter post please fill in the blanks.  Hope this helps Legaroth.</P>

[Legaroth]

i have a lock now. lvl 12. hehe didnt have much time.what i noticed so far... low groups of mobs go byebye very very fast, but a normal single solo mob without arrows.. even the blue cons resist my root every time nearly. i suppose i needa upgrade it, but buying upgrade for a lvl 5 skill hardly seems worth it hehe.im the kind of player who has trouble getting a class to 70 simple because he wants it all <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> i like being usefull to a group in the form of pure utility, meaning i could also save the group if the [expletive haxx0red by Raijinn] hits the fan. in EQ1 that was enchanter for me, but i feel enchanters are much less needed in EQ2.. so i drift of to the more damage side as its more usefull overall.ill play the warlock to lvl 20ish and see how it goes <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /><div></div>

[Hellswrath]

<P>Unfortunately, my real utility didn't come until I reached level 50 and got devastation.  Other than that, you will have utility when you get enough AA points to get the Vacuous ability in the warlock AA tree (15% increased taunt/deaggro for group buff).  Most of the utility spells I mentioned in my previous post are level 55+.  But yes, the damage side of the house is fun.  As for your root, you really need to have it Adept III or better now, with the way the resists are, for it to be effective.</P> <P>I don't think you will find anything different at 20, IMO.  That being said, I love my Lock.  But I'm also a stubborn SoB that refused to stop playing a lock when DoF came out.  /shrugs.  <===Biased :smileywink:</P>

[Spag]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <P></P> <HR> <P>Legaroth wrote:<BR>i have a lock now. lvl 12. hehe didnt have much time.</P> <P><BR>......</P> <P><BR>ill play the warlock to lvl 20ish and see how it goes <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /><BR><BR></P> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P>You don't really begin to feel like a warlock till you get Negative Absolution.  Level 20 is key for a lock (cheesy pun intended)<BR></P><p>Message Edited by Handsoff on <span class=date_text>12-05-2006</span> <span class=time_text>09:51 AM</span>

[Shipwreck_GPA]

<DIV>My Warlock solo's quite well, but you have to know what are good targets for you. I find myself inefficient against heroics, and need to be careful with casters. I do very well against grouped V and VV and VVV mobs (which is by design our favored target type), so I hunt those as much as possible. I did very very well in Enchanted Lands in the 30's for example, killing grouped encounters of fairies or dryads. I did well killing scorpions in Pillars of Flames and Sinking Sands too in the 50's.I do well with pretty much any of that type of encounter, although casters can sometimes be difficult. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Basically, as long as I can find grouped mobs that are V or lower blue cons, I can do very very well. Admittedly there aren't always ideal mobs in the area you hunt, but you can do the routine solo mobs if necessary, too. Slightly less efficient, but still decent XP.</DIV>

[Legaroth]

err... i dont really have a clue what the pun is about <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> if its about lvl 20 not being special, i dont know or care, i just ment id play him a little bit more.unless that spell really is good but i guess ill find out lol<div></div>

[Spag]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Handsoff wrote:<BR> <BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <P> key for a lock </P></BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>And yes that spell really is that good.<p>Message Edited by Handsoff on <span class=date_text>12-05-2006</span> <span class=time_text>01:00 PM</span>

[Legaroth]

is there anything a lock can do against adds ?? mine is only lvl 15 atm, but in ruins i wont be happy if i even get a single blue add on me.. root is slow and i get interupted every second, only to see it resisted after 15 seconds trying to cast it. i know the skills needa go up some to increase that, aswell as the skill levels, but i cant take hits ATALL. and to say i get that back in damage... maybe at later levels but surely not yet lol.. i can drop a group of low con mobs in a single cast of that pbAOE but when i get som eblues on me they aint even at half hp, it has long cast time, and rotating the other attacks around hardly seems to work..well i know im just a whiner, but im just having a hard time, specially with the insane prices of gear.. even lvl 10 crafted gear will go for a hand full of gold, whats up with that :/ anyway im still learning, and do believe this might not be the class for me, as i just cant find a thing to do with adds<div></div>

[Hellswrath]

Best you can do is chain the add.  When you get Null Carress you will have a better option, but that's not until your 50s.  Besides, the mobs in the ruins are rather painful to us squishy casters, so don't feel bad you aren't doing well in there.  As for the gear, I suggest you ask a guildy to make it for you.  If you don't have a guildy that is a tailor/sage (for spells the you will <EM>need</EM> to have at App IV <EM>minimum</EM>), then better get to crafting!  The market has risen steeply on everything but handcrafted (which won't help your survivability very much) due to transmuting driving the prices.

[Legaroth]

well i just blow my chains on my main target, and with only 10 second duration i think it is,  i dont think i can keep 2 mobs chained at once. my only other char atm is a bruiser, which is doing OK but nothing special either... but atleast he could handle 1 or 2 adds in there without to much problems.could be because hes a tank class, im just wondering how it will go later on. still not sure if warlock is the way for me to go anyway.. i like high dmg mages, and mostly like underplayed classes for the fact that you stand out a little more in the world :p and pure mages are good since i like to have big BOOMs instead of added dps from summons most the time.. so a sorcerer would be it. but they seem to really on just root nuking, which im still trying to get used to. i think im just asking for godmode when root breaks and i just needa work on skills and gear moreits just that my bruiser had a easier start it seems, and the negativity on these forums dont make me like the class much more <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> but i hope some of the issues will be fixed some day :p<div></div>

[Hellswrath]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Legaroth wrote:<BR>well i just blow my chains on my main target, and with only 10 second duration i think it is,  i dont think i can keep 2 mobs chained at once. my only other char atm is a bruiser, which is doing OK but nothing special either... but atleast he could handle 1 or 2 adds in there without to much problems.<BR><BR>could be because hes a tank class, im just wondering how it will go later on. still not sure if warlock is the way for me to go anyway.. i like high dmg mages, and mostly like underplayed classes for the fact that you stand out a little more in the world :p and pure mages are good since i like to have big BOOMs instead of added dps from summons most the time.. so a sorcerer would be it. but they seem to really on just root nuking, which im still trying to get used to. i think im just asking for godmode when root breaks and i just needa work on skills and gear more<BR><BR>its just that my bruiser had a easier start it seems, and the negativity on these forums dont make me like the class much more <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> but i hope some of the issues will be fixed some day :p<BR> <BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P><BR>If the negativity you are refering to is on the warlock forums, it's because we have been a nerfed class for quite some time with no real response from the devs on whether we would <EM>ever</EM> be fixed.  However, EoF changed a great deal of that.  Our concussive deaggro is now target encounter/interrupt and is extremely useful with the protection line, our new AA's are rather nice, and our group buff on casting skill is now useful as well.  Most of our negativity is in the past, I think.  Now most of us are focusing on some of the technical issues that could use a fix.</P> <P>You want negativity?  Read the brawlers issues, hehe.  They <EM>really</EM> don't like that they are no longer unbeatable while soloing heroics <EM>and</EM> still don't have a real use in high end grouping/raiding because they can't avoidance tank mobs with +to hit bonuses.  It's a big debate and the fate of the class is uncertain.  Try to keep less focus on your current play options and think about whether you will enjoy your class in the long run.</P> <P>As for the root nuking, your root durations improve as you level.  I can keep 3 unlinked mobs rooted indefinately with a healer occasionally healing me as I feed myself power.  Have to do it all the time in Blackscale Sepulcher in Bonemire.  However, this is not the only way to play the class!  You can start a fight with roots and after your dots are down, just nuke it to death whether it breaks or not.  You can cast devastation/apocalypse on it and then use stun/stifle and more nukes and not bother rooting at all.  You can start by pulling with your Netheros pet and let him tank it at first while you dot and then nuke.  This doesn't even cover grouping, which is when you <EM>really</EM> get to play as a DPS class.  </P> <P>As I said before, many of these skills only become available as you hit your 50s.  However, if you are looking for a pure mage which is rather underplayed.....Warlock is the best choice, IMO.</P><p>Message Edited by HellsWrath99 on <span class=date_text>12-05-2006</span> <span class=time_text>04:54 PM</span>

[Legaroth]

thx for the reply. ye ive seen some of the bruiser issues. my other character is one, but also low lvl so i dont know what they on about hehe.thing is it seems i have a nag for picking a class that isnt as playable as i like. might be because i also tend to pick underplayed classes which are often underplayed because of being gimpy or something simular. i was already hoping root increased with level, and really cant wait till i get that group root thingy, which i hear looks good aswell <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> but level 40 is.. a long.. long trip for me :p especially as it seems im not cut out to be a caster as much as i thought and will need some learning to bring myself on top of the game.dont really have much of a stun thing going on i believe. i think my AOE nuke has a stun component but thats about it <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> i stick to thinking its a gear and spell level issue for the most part, and with these prices it `ll be me against that hehe. i guess ill have to do some tradeskilling and see what happens.<div></div>

[Sesskia]

<div><blockquote><hr>Legaroth wrote:is there anything a lock can do against adds ?? mine is only lvl 15 atm, but in ruins i wont be happy if i even get a single blue add on me.. root is slow and i get interupted every second, only to see it resisted after 15 seconds trying to cast it. i know the skills needa go up some to increase that, aswell as the skill levels, but i cant take hits ATALL. and to say i get that back in damage... maybe at later levels but surely not yet lol.. i can drop a group of low con mobs in a single cast of that pbAOE but when i get som eblues on me they aint even at half hp, it has long cast time, and rotating the other attacks around hardly seems to work..well i know im just a whiner, but im just having a hard time, specially with the insane prices of gear.. even lvl 10 crafted gear will go for a hand full of gold, whats up with that :/ anyway im still learning, and do believe this might not be the class for me, as i just cant find a thing to do with adds<div></div><hr></blockquote>At your level, not much you can do.Hang in there, it gets better.  Your roots last longer at higher levels, and at 40 you get a group root too (Breaks easier, but still pretty good).Check that your subjugation and focus skills are max for your level, at lower levels it is easy to outpace them.  You get them up by casting spells. Roots = subjugation, foucs = any spell.  This will help interrupts and resists.Grouping is a good option...but I myself prefer to solo.  best advice I can give is if you can't group, then go to an area with less adds.</div>

[Legaroth]

<div></div>i sure hope it gets easyer.. im lvl 16 now and still a blue add kills me outright... maxed focus dont help sht, root will resist, casting will be reset every second.. ive died near 20 times today, because whenever i have more then 1 thing hitting me chances of casting turn to 1%, and it being resisted is more then not. trying to rush for lvl 19 to get my next root which i gathered a thingy for to make it adept 3. still the add problem wont be solved, but maybe in a while i get some serious dmg to clear mobs fast..it dont feel right.. my master dot thing does decent dmg.. and gives me 10 more adds.. but all the rest of my skills, ok they are mostly App1 or adept 1, do seriously poor damage. my "main" nuke would need about 8 hits before a mob would drop, but i think i should get a new one some time now aswell.. who knows. it might be my gear, as i know im lacking. i got 60 int atm. casting skills are all near max now, focus and disruption are. but wow... this really isnt anything i ever seen in a game. i die like 'that'.. out of the blue i can get hit 3 times by some add and im in the red. i might have to watch my steps more, to watch the adds, which didnt bother me much on my bruiser alt, he could tank a few of his OWN lvl (while i get owned by blues ) not sure if the wizard would be any better as everyone sais hes better single target dmg(not sure if at my lvl the difference is already there) . im sure you all think im a whiner by now <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> im not dissing the class, im sure some people can play it perfectrly. i`ll try and get 20 in the next 2 days and see how that new nuke and root work outedit: wanna add a small question.. sincei  started i wasnt sure if a wizard was what i SHOULD be playing. how bad is a warlock compared to a wiz in single target killing ? does warlock get big hitters ?? or normal hitters but on multiple targets only ?and by how bad compared to wiz i could use a percentage hehe :p i dunno how wizzes kill at my lvl, but when at 16 my only real nukes still need a handfull of casts to drop one mob it seems wrong<div></div><p>Message Edited by Legaroth on <span class=date_text>12-06-2006</span> <span class=time_text>02:44 PM</span>

[Nevao]

<blockquote><hr>Legaroth wrote:<div></div>i sure hope it gets easyer.. im lvl 16 now and still a blue add kills me outright... maxed focus dont help sht, root will resist, casting will be reset every second.. ive died near 20 times today, because whenever i have more then 1 thing hitting me chances of casting turn to 1%, and it being resisted is more then not. trying to rush for lvl 19 to get my next root which i gathered a thingy for to make it adept 3. still the add problem wont be solved, but maybe in a while i get some serious dmg to clear mobs fast..it dont feel right.. my master dot thing does decent dmg.. and gives me 10 more adds..  but all the rest of my skills, ok they are mostly App1 or adept 1, do seriously poor damage. my "main" nuke would need about 8 hits before a mob would drop, but i think i should get a new one some time now aswell.. who knows. it might be my gear, as i know im lacking. i got 60 int atm. casting skills are all near max now, focus and disruption are. but wow... this really isnt anything i ever seen in a game. i die like 'that'.. out of the blue i can get hit 3 times by some add and im in the red. i might have to watch my steps more, to watch the adds, which didnt bother me much on my bruiser alt, he could tank a few of his OWN lvl (while i get owned by blues ) not sure if the wizard would be any better as everyone sais hes better single target dmg(not sure if at my lvl the difference is already there) . im sure you all think im a whiner by now <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> im not dissing the class, im sure some people can play it perfectrly. i`ll try and get 20 in the next 2 days and see how that new nuke and root work outedit: wanna add a small question.. sincei  started i wasnt sure if a wizard was what i SHOULD be playing. how bad is a warlock compared to a wiz in single target killing ? does warlock get big hitters ?? or normal hitters but on multiple targets only ?and by how bad compared to wiz i could use a percentage hehe :p i dunno how wizzes kill at my lvl, but when at 16 my only real nukes still need a handfull of casts to drop one mob it seems wrong<font color="#ffcc00">This may have changed but I remember at one point that part of how a Warlock and Wizard go their distictions was in casting and recast timers. I don't remember the differences exactly but I do know that we have faster recast timers on our AoE's and they have faster recast on their Single Target spells. Espically at that range the spell should be close to the same base amount of damage and if I remember correctly our two main single target nukes, the Soul Blister and Null Distortion lines have very similar damage, it's just how often they can be cast. This may no longer be the case, but until you hit much later in the game you should not be seeing that much of a difference.</font><div></div><p>Message Edited by Legaroth on <span class="date_text">12-06-2006</span> <span class="time_text">02:44 PM</span></p><hr></blockquote><font color="#ffcc00">Don't give up hope yet! Soloing a Warlock is not easy, but it's not as hard as some other classes (I tried to solo a Troub and that was really [expletive haxx0red by Raijinn] slow). A lot of solo'ing a Warlock is knowing what mobs to go after and which to avoid. You will figure that out as you go along and it will change as new spells become available.</font><div></div>

[Legaroth]

hehe thanks for the peptalk. i needed it :pi figured the difference in wiz and war shouldnt be to obvious yet, but can anyone still give me an estimate % of  the single target dmg difference ?i wont give uip on the warlock just yet,  ive played casters in alot of games so i know i should be able to play one here aswell. im just abit to rambo perhaps <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> and careless like i could do with my bruiser. we will see :p<div></div>

[Hellswrath]

<DIV>Pondering42 is right, don't give up on your lock, yet.  The hardest part of playing a lock is getting into tier 6.  Once you get there you get many of those great spells I listed earlier in the thread.  And you can definitely be rambo in your playstyle, as long as you pick your targets.  I don't even bother to root blue linked mobs, usually.  I just start it with Apocalypse from a distance, hit 'em with nebula (your group stun/damage) and follow with chaosstorm.  They drop like flies. :smileyvery-happy:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>The point is that you can find your own playstyle with a lock, there are so many that work.  You just have to get that high. :smileywink:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>As far as your % request.  Well, a lot of that has to do with what AA lines you go down.  I'm spec'ed out for max damage with my KoS AA and am going for aggro control and speed on my EoF AA.  As far as single target DPS vs. a wizzy, on a average group with a decent tank, I usually come close to a wizzy (usually within 10-15% of his DPS).  This is because we are both limited by how much we can do before we draw aggro.  On group encounters it used to be me beating the wizzy by a fair margin but not by a tremendous amount, due to warlock aggro problems.  Then EoF came out.  Now it isn't so close. :smileywink:  Wizzies will most likely beat you in single target DPS, but since you like playing underplayed classes I think you'll be far happier with a lock.  Wizzies are a dime a dozen.</DIV>

[Silmawyn]

<P>like most have said don't give up just yet....Lower levels can get frustrating if you pick the wrong mobs (trust me I did it so many times leveling up and still now at 70) hehe. I go out and solo a lot at 70. There are some things tho that are tough so I just get my husband (he plays a 70 Necro) to come out and duo with me <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> (that's a whole other thing trying to not take hate from a tank pet hehe). Warlocks do get better at higher levels.</P> <P> As for KoS AA's I went wisdom/str (using mainly str line with a 2 handed staff from labs because the crit boost is nice....I tend to die more but its all good hehe I have mastered the art of dying quite nicely) <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> EoF I am still deciding yet what I want for my warlock <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></P>

[Tanatus]

<DIV>I am not calling soloing killing banch 2-3 arrow down mob - they not fast exp by any mean specially at lvl 70. At DoF was a brief a target that was more or less worth soloing - guards in Maj'Dul untill up to LU16 then warlocks root been nerfed beyond any imagination...</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Let me elaborate why warlock suck so bad in soloing..</DIV> <DIV>Power consumption is not a problem (canibalize ftw ... in better times 550 healths netted 660 power <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />), Root stability and lack of DD type of damage that is a problem...  Don't get me wrong - even now I can more less successful wack green +++ type of mob but believe you or not but even petless coercer can do that faster. Let see what we can and do use for solo </DIV> <DIV>a) 2 roots (have to stack em or ....)</DIV> <DIV>b) Void Distortion, Void Absolution, Apocal with FHS, Aura of Nihility - thats pretty much it. Rift have to narrow range, DI/Pyre/NL/Procs/ChaosStorm - all tend to brake root way to fast</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Compare to Wizards who have root with built-in snare on termination!!!!, Ice Nova and Fusion - you dont need anything esle you all set..</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>The only way how warlock solo ability can be improved anyhow is improving root stability</DIV>

[Hellswrath]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Tanatus wrote:<BR> <DIV>I am not calling soloing killing banch 2-3 arrow down mob - they not fast exp by any mean specially at lvl 70. At DoF was a brief a target that was more or less worth soloing - guards in Maj'Dul untill up to LU16 then warlocks root been nerfed beyond any imagination...</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Let me elaborate why warlock suck so bad in soloing..</DIV> <DIV>Power consumption is not a problem (canibalize ftw ... in better times 550 healths netted 660 power <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />), Root stability and lack of DD type of damage that is a problem...  Don't get me wrong - even now I can more less successful wack green +++ type of mob but believe you or not but even petless coercer can do that faster. Let see what we can and do use for solo </DIV> <DIV>a) 2 roots (have to stack em or ....)</DIV> <DIV>b) Void Distortion, Void Absolution, Apocal with FHS, Aura of Nihility - thats pretty much it. Rift have to narrow range, DI/Pyre/NL/Procs/ChaosStorm - all tend to brake root way to fast</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Compare to Wizards who have root with built-in snare on termination!!!!, Ice Nova and Fusion - you dont need anything esle you all set..</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>The only way how warlock solo ability can be improved anyhow is improving root stability</DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Our Cowering Bind <EM>does</EM> have a built in fear component + a snare.  And root stability seems to be the same between wizzies and locks, in my experience.  However, I fully agree that it is harder to root nuke as a warlock due to the large number of DoT spells we have (which all break root far too easily) and overall lower single target DD than a wizzy.  But that's part of our class. /shrugs.  We can't solo a single mob as easily as a wizzy, but we can still solo it.  But yeah, improved root stability would be nice.  Especially since the post EoF resistabilty is hurting rooting so badly.  Wizzies are hurting even more than we are on rooting nerf, since they don't have a buff that helps with resistability like we do.  Although they do have Ice Nova, which evens that problem out, I'd say.

[nightlith]

Fear component? Lol, nothing says a mob is feared like the one running right at you. When I see that little icon replace my binds icon, 9 times out of ten that mob is running scared right at me, you know, instead of AWAY from me. Waste of a proc I'd say.<div></div>

[Hellswrath]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> nightlith wrote:<BR>Fear component? Lol, nothing says a mob is feared like the one running right at you. When I see that little icon replace my binds icon, 9 times out of ten that mob is running scared right at me, you know, instead of AWAY from me. Waste of a proc I'd say.<BR> <BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Nah.  The fear effect does lead them in a random direction, but the snare effect that accompanies it is money. :smileywink:  I don't care if they are running at me if I have a chance to cast another root on them while they are crawling along.

[WeB_CRuSaDeR]

<div></div>I play a warlock to, have a 58 warlock on darathar, then moved to naggy to cap at 28 for pvp and I just started lvling again cause I liked my  50+ warlock so much.I think the fear proc on the chain ending is very usefull, even if they sometimes come for you, it just gives you enough time to chain them again and run back a bit.Warlocks ARE able to solo well. On darathar I soloed lvl 60^^^ heroic nameds in PoF at lvl 56 (full mc/some fabled adeptIIIs/ almost all <50 spells at m1)Just takes a while to play the class well, main thing you do is chain&run keep max distance to mobs for nuking all the time you fight (fighting inside/close spaces is way tougher for a warlock, so you have to know where to go)Warlocks are a VERY good choice IMO for soloing and they are a LOT of fun in groups (as long as you got a good tank/good healer in the group). To bad not everyone plays their tank/healer very well <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> (you need both in the group since not a lot of tanks cant keep aggro from warlocks) but if you have a good tank AND a good healer in the group its fun to just go max damage on groups.<div></div><p>Message Edited by WeB_CRuSaDeR on <span class=date_text>12-17-2006</span> <span class=time_text>02:29 PM</span>