Returning and torn, advice please?

[Aslaa]

Hello all, need a helping hand! I recently have returned to the game, I had played at launch got a zerker to 50 (was cap then) I raided, did MT etc and then left for, well a long time hah! So now im back and really torn on just want to play and have broken it down to; Bruiser , Necro and Coercer. Just to note on my server, Coercers are by far least played class of all, bruisers fairly uncommon (which is odd since theres TONS of monks) and Necros are plentiful it seems. Not that it matters much, but just throwing it out there. Ok, onto the questions! 1) Solo ability, both in grinding mobs for xp, questing, farming and soloing heroics for kudos. Of the three listed which performs Best to worst and why? (From my limited experiance playing each on the isle, the Bruiser and Necro solo very easy as in I can watch a movie and check my screen here and there. The coercer can do ok but its far far more involved and forces you to be on your toes it seems. That said, I enjoyed the challenge often enough. Though when I did slack...my charm decided to break and two mobs decided to add...i lived though! <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> ) 2) Grouping viability in terms of xp groups and dungeon / instance groups.On the same token, how easy / hard is it for them to find groups?  Same formula as above. (When I played before, bruisers were insane DPS and could kinda tank I know this has changed greatly, Necros..well there was one necro on the server of a high lvl back then but have heard people adore them, now coercers back then were red headed step children who could not get a group for the life of them...though I often invited one! ) So yea...how does each perform? Coercers more sought after now? 3) Raids! Being new again and many guilds well established im wondering how each will do getting invited to raids and how desired they are within the raids? And, how exciting is each? 4) Fun factor! Explain your opnions please! <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> Ok well I know many wont have answers for any but the necro but that is ok, and Im sure some of you will have an understanding and thats even better. I do appreacite the time you all take to reply to this and I know its rather wordy. Im just stuck on which character to stick with at this time and could use some educated direction hehe! And no, I dont like alts, I preffer a single main to focus on, if any wondering why I dont play em all. Again thank you! And I suppose I may post this on other class forums as well to get a better outlook. <div></div><p>Message Edited by Aslaano on <span class=date_text>07-31-2006</span> <span class=time_text>09:43 PM</span>

[Zygote]

<DIV>Solo</DIV> <DIV>This area is probably the area where all three shine.  Coercers can do the big heroic names solo fairly easily.  If you have a healer friend then the Bruiser is a key class.  Necros plow thru the mobs and tear thru experience.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Group</DIV> <DIV>The Bruiser is a great tank for a duo (smaller group).  The Necro is very solo oriented, but can add nice DPS to a group and utility.  The coercer is a groups best friend, but only when you have the only staples for the group.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Raid</DIV> <DIV>Coercer is the obvious winner.  So few people play them that their need for most raid guilds is high. The bruiser adds very little to a raid that most other classes cannot.  Necros usually parse very high on the charts so their DPS is highly needed for raids, not to mention utility items.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Fun</DIV> <DIV>I played all three classes.  I have a 70 Necro, 30+ bruiser/coercer/illusionist.  I enjoyed playing them all for different reasons.  Clearly I enjoyed the Necro the most b/c it fit my play style over the years.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Nuuki</DIV>

[Arrowheart]

<DIV>1) Solo ability, I would say all 3 are capable soloers (provided you are fighting solo type mobs). Necro and coercer at higher levels can take tougher mobs than the brawler would be able to as well as being able to do them faster, although what you will be able to tackle will mainly depend on your spell quality and practice/skill so Im not going to make claims to what all you will be able to do. You didnt ask but for duo ability I think necro or coercer would be better than brawler due to higher dps + better utility.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>2) All 3 have a good group viability, coercer = power regen + charms + mezs + hate control, necro = dps + fd + rez + backup heals, and brawler = tanking + some dps + group haste or dps buff. I would say coercers do ok for groups at the higher levels, at lower ones most groups simply do not understand/appreciate what they are capable of. Brawlers are hit or miss on groups, ppl have so many misconceptions about them, it really depends on the group. Depending on the stance, brawlers can still do good dps (but that insane dps you remember is gone) and are now more capable tanks than before. Generally you will not have a problem finding a group, but it will vary on what role ppl expect you to do. As a necro you shouldnt have a problem getting a group for a dps spot, the only problem I've noticed is that on servers with a high necro population once they have one necro in the group they usually wont take a 2nd like they will a 2nd healer or sorceror.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>3) I would say coercers would probably rank the best for odds of getting recruited into a raid guild, mainly since they have the least population most guilds are lucky to just have one. Brawlers, are hit or miss. I wouldnt make one with joining a raiding guild in mind cause they are fairly high population on most servers, and most guilds wont recruit more than 1 of each type. Necros are usually liked among raid guilds, although as with any class if its overpopulated on your server and most of the guilds already have 2-3 its going to be rough to find a guild to join. I would rate the order as Coercer > Summoner > Brawler.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>4) All three classes are pretty fun so its hard to pick a favorite here. Being able to charm about any pet you want as a coercer would prob be the funniest thing about them. Brawlers can FD at will which is pretty fun (flexible for tanking or dps so if you enjoy being able to swap roles that could be considered a fun factor I guess) but other than that they dont have much else going for them. Necros have so much versitility, charm undead, cool looking pets, FD + rez + transfer life it makes them a fun class to play because of all their abilities. I would probably rate Necro/Coercer a tie and brawler last on the list of fun factor.</DIV>

[Aslaa]

Excellent thanks for the detailed replies! Must say this community, as a whole, is really fantastic. The replies I have recieved have all been very honest, positive and well explained. Thanks a ton guys n gals, goes a long way to help me pick my class!/salute<div></div>

[merdo]

<DIV>I love my necro but yes there alot of them If i had a choice I would reroll a "dirge" over a coercer i have never been really impressed with a coercer and this comes from 6 years of eq1 as an enchanter.</DIV>