Returning to EQ2 after 6 months - Conjuror for my play style

[Fael]

<div></div><div></div>Well I played EQ2 about 6 months ago.  I got to 16th with my pair of Sorcerers (two pair actually - gnome and ratonga).  I do not want to play an evil class.  I ALWAYS two box.  My play time is extremely limited (not even an hour a day), so soloing is really the only option (nothing ticks people off more than telling a group you need to log 30 minutes after joining).  Also, when I two box, I play the exact same class.  Easier to manage.  Concentrate on my strengths rather than dilute them.  No need to explain about how diversifying will be better.  Ive two boxed since the beginning of EQ1, and know what works for me. The sorcerers worked out pretty well.  Two guys.  On a group of three mobs, each guy would root one.  Then target the third.  Nuke, nuke.  Then go to the next.  But since returning, and given the improvements in Mage balancing,  Im am thinking of trying something different. Given that I only two box.  Only solo.  Play two of the same class.  And have extremely limited playtime, would Conjuror be a decent pair to group? I would guess I would each root a mob, send pets in on a third.  Nuke, nuke.  Move to the next? Comments and suggestions appreciated. Thanks, Mal <div></div><p>Message Edited by Faelos on <span class="date_text">12-09-2005</span> <span class="time_text">06:07 AM</span></p><p>Message Edited by Faelos on <span class=date_text>12-09-2005</span> <span class=time_text>06:17 AM</span>

[Xalmat]

Summoners are NOT easy to two box, let me get that out of the way now. We are more micromanagement than any other class in the game. It's extremely difficult to two-box a Summoner + any other class, nevermind two Summoners together.However, your strategy would work quite well. I use a similar strategy when I partner with a necromancer. You can actually have your pets each tank a monster, and leave the rest rooted. Burn down the mobs your pet is tanking, rinse, repeat. Hell, your pets could probably tank two at once, each, as long as you pour on the damage (and since Conjurors specialize in multi-mob combat, we can lay on the damage extremely quick!).With a little bit of skill you can even take down ^^^ heroics.Two Conjurors make an extremely powerful combination, probably one of the most powerful in the game.

[Loral]

<P>*opens mouth to talk about the bonus of playing 2 different classes, then closes mouth*</P> <P>It is your call, thus I will answer as you asked.</P> <P>If I had to play 2 of the same "good" class in a duo, 2 Conjurors could indeed do the work nicely. It makes your duo a quatuor.</P> <P>Have on summon the Earth/Air pet, the other the Fire/Air pet. Use the 3 AoE at our disposal to burn down encounters. No need for rooting at all. Be sure you are in a clear area, and use the PBAoE, AoEDD and AoEDoT on both as soon as they refresh. When you are very high level, add to the list Blazing Presence (50) and Elemental Vestment (57) and no grouped encounter will last more than 20 seconds.</P> <P>For named mobs or single big targets, have one Earth pet, the other Air pet, and send in the swarm pets and stack in the DoTs.</P>

[Fael]

Xalmat,  Thanks for the response.  I think the reason that I went Sorcerer rather than Conjurer when I played last, was that Conjurers had a significant amount of DOTs.  With two guys, it was always a waste to DOT, when I could just nuke a couple times to drop something. I guess Conjurers have enough nukes to make this combo worthwhile?  Thanks, Mal <div></div>

[Fael]

Loralor, Thanks for your reply.  Why do you recommend having different pets? So using the PBAE and AE spells dont cause too much aggro to the casters? Thanks, Mal <div></div>

[Xalmat]

<blockquote><hr>Faelos wrote:Xalmat, Thanks for the response. I think the reason that I went Sorcerer rather than Conjurer when I played last, was that Conjurers had a significant amount of DOTs. With two guys, it was always a waste to DOT, when I could just nuke a couple times to drop something. I guess Conjurers have enough nukes to make this combo worthwhile? Thanks, Mal <div></div><hr></blockquote>Actually, Conjurors are all about DoTs. You will rarely ever use your direct damage spells. However our DoT spells, swarm pets, main pets, and Area damage spells do all the damage we ever need. We are so unlike Sorcerers that you will probably have to re-learn how to play as a Conjuror.<p>Message Edited by Xalmat on <span class=date_text>12-09-2005</span> <span class=time_text>08:33 AM</span>

[Fael]

Hmmm.  This might be a problem for me.  I guess some AE damage wouldnt be a problem, but I have really gotten use to killing things fast. Looking over the spell list, it seems that Conjurors still have quite a bit of direct damage, but it looks like the higher level you go, the less DD you get and basically you are using DOTs.  Heres a big question then. Do these DOTs stack?  I guess the pack of elementals would.  But what about things like Shattered Earth (DOT to opponent and all allies)?  If they dont stack, then this definately wont work for me. Thanks again, Mal <div></div>

[Xalmat]

For the most part, unless you're talking upgrades in the same line, yes, all of our DoTs stack with one another, and stack with another Conjuror's DoTs as well (ie: two Conjurors can have the same DoT on the same mob at the same time).From level 29 to 60 we get a total of 3 true direct damage spells, 3 point-blank direct damage spells, two encounter-area direct damage spells, and three stuns with a direct damage component. This is out of about 60 total spells in that same range, and that's not counting illusions either.Check your inbox, I have an interesting link for you.

[XtremSummo]

<DIV>Given your short time available for playing, conjurors would have another benefit: when we solo/duo we have very little downtime between fights. Conjurors lay down really excellent DPS and can regain the power used extremely well between fights.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>For example, my other half plays a wizard. If we both go up against the same mobs, he'll kill the first one and maybe the first 2 faster than me. But after killing 3 or 4 I'm way ahead of him, because I don't need to rest between fights and my power management can be used during the fights without much issue.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Incidentally, I can also take much more difficult mobs on than him. You have way more options with conjuror and can go up against just about any kind of content with little reduction in speed of XPing. If what you need is good killing performance, fast XP with little downtime - which I'm guessing you'd want with such short play sessions - then conjuror must be the best option out of the good aligned classes.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>X</DIV><p>Message Edited by XtremSummons on <span class=date_text>12-09-2005</span> <span class=time_text>07:12 AM</span>

[Fael]

<div></div>That was really cool.  I figure I have to give Conjurers a shot.  Might fall back on Sorcerers, but at least I will get the jist of what they do. They definately require more control.  With a Sorcerer you nuke, root, nuke, nuke.  Multiple for a single sorcerer was a problem.  But with two guys it wasnt. Im guessing that the augmentations like Fire Seed wouldnt stack?  Do they affect pets? One other thing Ive heard about is a spell to sacrifice your pet for Health and Mana.  Whats that called, as I am unable to locate it in my lists? XtrmSummons - thanks for your comments.  I will have to try them out. Mal <div></div><p>Message Edited by Faelos on <span class=date_text>12-09-2005</span> <span class=time_text>07:20 AM</span>

[Xalmat]

<blockquote><hr>Faelos wrote:Im guessing that the augmentations like Fire Seed wouldnt stack? Do they affect pets?<HR></blockquote>Correct, you cannot stack the same buff twice on one target, with few exceptions. And yes, when soloing you generally use the Fire Seed line on pets.<blockquote><HR>One other thing Ive heard about is a spell to sacrifice your pet for Health and Mana. Whats that called, as I am unable to locate it in my lists?<hr></blockquote>That would be the Essence Shift/Instant Vim line. Conjurors can also summon Splinters of Essence which are items that instantly convert health to power. You can use those in conjunction with the Essence Shift line to rapidly regain power, even during combat.

[Fael]

Xalmat, Actually, I was thinking about an actual pet sacrifice, where it dies and your group gets something like 1100 health and 380 mana.  Does that sound familiar? Mal <div></div>

[Xalmat]

That would be the Offering/Sacrifice line. Instant death to your pet (cannot be blocked by any means) but it heals your group members for a very significant amount. Unless my pet is on the verge of death and I have some downtime while soloing though, I rarely use it.

[Loral]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Faelos wrote:<BR>Loralor,<BR>Thanks for your reply.  Why do you recommend having different pets?<BR>So using the PBAE and AE spells dont cause too much aggro to the casters?<BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR> <DIV>One pet (Earth) will take and hold aggro on most of the mobs. The other (air/fire) will add a ton of damage.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>With 2 conjurors going all out with their PBAoE, AoEDD and AoEDoT, and pets doing their damage over that, even if the conjurors steal aggro from the pet, them mobs will fall very fast. At higher levels, it may be a less viable strategy, but it will work easily in the lower levels. Adjust and adapt as you go.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Use single-target DD and DoT between refresh of your AoE spells.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>On a side note, most Conjuror DoTs deal their damage very fast. Exception to this would be the swarm pets and the lv55 Frigid Wind that are long-lasting DoTs (45+seconds). </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>As Xalmat said, Conjuror can be a lazy "fire-and-forget" (pet + swarm pets) character, but takes a buttload of micromanagement to pull out their full potential. Enjoy.</DIV>

[Fael]

<div></div>Given I would have two pets, one would probably pull aggro and go down faster than the other.  If its gonna die, might as well sacrifice it, and let the other pet keep working.  Then just resummon. Well I think youve answered all my questions. Thanks again guys. Mal <div></div><p>Message Edited by Faelos on <span class=date_text>12-09-2005</span> <span class=time_text>07:31 AM</span>

[Xalmat]

<blockquote><hr>Faelos wrote:<div></div>Given I would have two pets, one would probably pull aggro and go down faster than the other. If its gonna die, might as well sacrifice it, and let the other pet keep working. Then just resummon.<hr></blockquote>You say that now until you realize just how good your tank pets really are <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Sol-the-Wi]

And before you realize how much sacrificing draws aggro <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /><div></div>

[GSOO]

<DIV>Let me add a little, and I agree with Xalmat two would be tough unless you have a macro program <wink wink>. When I play my conjuror I kill Groups it takes a person to kill a single, and I have gotten to the point of having the pet whack each one in the group....concentrate usually on a helaer and nuke and dot the rest of them...I chain stifle, stun nuke, and stone, and heal my pet...it is a fast kill but it takes complete time doing it.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Actually the dots fast (does the damage in 5-6 seconds recharge rate is 48....so you might want to do this with two....</DIV> <DIV>Mages engage seperate mobs with pets.....This would need to be the tank based pets I would suggest if you following the below method.</DIV> <DIV>Mage 1 shattered earth line.</DIV> <DIV>Switch to mage 2 shatted line.....when catsed the next line will be done</DIV> <DIV>Switch to mage 1 do spiked rain.</DIV> <DIV>Switch to mage 2 do spiked rain</DIV> <DIV>Switch to mage 1 do earthquake (if pulled to a secluded location) --- or nuke if close quarters</DIV> <DIV>Switch to mage 2 do earthquake (if pulled to a secluded location) --- or nuke if close quarters</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I think a group of mobs may make it past the rain but probably will never make it past the second earthquake (or nuke).</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Also you can switch the stifle with the nuke as well.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Xalmat has a signature that I believe in....Paraphrased: don't plan on out healing the mob damage.....just out stun and stifle the beast into submission. </DIV><p>Message Edited by GSOOne on <span class=date_text>12-09-2005</span> <span class=time_text>08:19 AM</span>

[XtremSummo]

<DIV>Hehe... you really need to play the class a bit to get a feel for it. I've duoed with conjurors before and we eat through content and rack up XP at alarming rates. You might be very, very surprised by what's possible...</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV> <DIV><BR>X</DIV>

[Fael]

Thanks guys. No macroing program.  Two comps, two keyboards.  The /assist is my friend.  I will give it a shot, no harm in that. Didnt know that sacrificing drew aggro.  But really only wanted to do it if one was going to die. Mal <div></div>

[GSOO]

Doesn't per se draw aggro....it transfers aggro. If you have generated 500 hate points, and per has generated 2500 hate points and dies (be it sacrificed or had a hp problem), you will get awarded with the new hate level of 3000 hate points. Sacrifce will also add the group heal to your hate, pet hate. With the new level of hate...My guess is the mob will only like you if it invovled a pot, flaying knife, or some BBQ sauce.

[TheKraken]

<P>I would like to point out that your root is neither as useful nor as necessary as it is for sorcerers, for two reasons: 1) Your tank pet, the earth elemental, has a group taunt and will hold multiple-target encounters very well, especially with the defensive stance running, and alternately 2) your primary solo pet, the air elemental, hits so fast and so often than any root you previously placed on its target is soon broken.</P> <P>In 53 levels of conjuror so far, I could count the number of times I've needed to use root on one hand.  Wizards need root because they don't have a big freekin stone wall walking around sheilding them.  For conjurors, its just a waste of power.</P> <P> </P> <P>In regards to your concern over agro from using aoe spells, do not underestimate thier power.  Your direct damage spells may be lacking compared to some professions, but in AOE attacks you are second only to warlock ... if that.  Keep all three of your aoe attacks at adept 3 if at all possible.  One conjuror alone can destroy weaker multi-target encounters with these 3 spells alone.  With TWO conjurors casting all 3 aoe attacks ... you may be shocked at how much damage you can do.  Each has a special effect associated with that that will help to get away, if it really comes to that (and it rarely does).  One slows the encounter, another has knockdown effect, and one has a pacify effect, essentially a stun (pacify provents the mob from attacking, though not moving or healing, for all the good it does them, hehe).  The Shattered line of spells is so good in terms of both the massive damage and stun effect, that using it on solo mobs is often a good tactic.</P>

[XtremSummo]

<DIV>Ahhh, the wizard AoE root is really nice though. I duo with my wiz other half sometimes and it makes things so much easier when you're taking down groups that eat away at your tank pet. There's ways around it, but if SoE were to offer us an AoE root I'd jump at it hehe.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I use my root fairly often when going up against heroic groups. Rooting one and sorting the others out is often the only way to manage the tougher groups. Also when going against single yellow ^^^ heroics I still often need a single root, recast pet and kill. The root is handy when you go up against tougher content.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>X</DIV>

[Violat0r]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> TheKraken wrote:<BR> <P>I would like to point out that your root is neither as useful nor as necessary as it is for sorcerers, for two reasons: 1) Your tank pet, the earth elemental, has a group taunt and will hold multiple-target encounters very well, especially with the defensive stance running, and alternately 2) your primary solo pet, the air elemental, hits so fast and so often than any root you previously placed on its target is soon broken.</P> <P>In 53 levels of conjuror so far, I could count the number of times I've needed to use root on one hand.  Wizards need root because they don't have a big freekin stone wall walking around sheilding them.  For conjurors, its just a waste of power.<BR></P> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR> <DIV>This is largely a perfectly fair statement, however, when soloing high con ^^^ heroics or named encounters, the conjurer root spells is absolutely vital.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>If you get an add, you can root it off for 50 seconds before having to re-root. Personally I would prefer this to having multiple ^^^ mobs beating on my pet.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Also, any heroic or named encounter that can kill your pet before you can kill it needs to be rooted, the pet needs to be recast and rebuffed THEN sent back in.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Yes, sometimes the frigid winds slowdown is enough to keep them away but personally, I always like to have a pet up in case of adds etc. Also, as a lvl 53, you dont have the added "safety net" of this spell, hence the single target root should be a vital part of your arsenal.</DIV>

[Fael]

Thanks guys.  In all my two boxing years, and in every MMORPG Ive played, I have always come back to playing to Nukers.  But I think I might this time I might really get into playing a pair of Conjurers. Cant wait to get home!  Need to start a new set of Ratonga. Take care guys. Thanks, Mal <div></div>

[GSOO]

Remember that Conjurors are good so you will need to betray the Ebil Demi-god, Biggest Badd Butt, Overlord,  dillusional leader of corruption or whatever he is calling himself nowadays....I just call him Cancaerous Pain in the butt. If you choose Toxx, send the GSO a tell when you need me to clear a path for your walk to the good side<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Fael]

<div></div>Yep.  Actually I would only play in Qeynos.  The NPCs in Freeport are mean and evil.  Cant deal with that.On a side note, I decided to try out a pair of High Elves.  Put a huge frown on their faces to show how trying it is to associate with the lesser races.So I can actually start there.  Just need to work on condescending.Mal<div></div><p>Message Edited by Faelos on <span class=date_text>12-16-2005</span> <span class=time_text>04:38 AM</span>

[GSOO]

<DIV>ewww the high elves.....can you say the most challegened male sexual characters. Let me see what your spokeperson says in the main town of Willowwood.......</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>"Come gather around I am warming up my voice."</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV>