Are Swashies Popular in Groups?

[Guitar_Guru]

Was just wondering, because all this time of soloing is really starting to water the game down and lessen the experiance of the MMORPG atmosphere.  I currently play a 50 Warlock, a 38 Ranger, 18-ish Bruiser, and 30 Guardian, and every single one of them has trouble finding groups.  They're all on Mistmoore though, so maybe it's because I'm on one of the lesser populated servers right now. . . Anyway, the Swashbuckler definitely seems like a fun class (I like the idea of them, debuffing and cunning and that sort of stuff.  Not like the shoot and forget tactic of my other main soloers.)  So what I'm asking is. . . If I play a swashie (which I will), will I be popular in groups? <div></div>

[Luk]

popularity in groups will very much be a server demand thing, but also a server awareness of the usefulness of a Swashy, alot of people still have the misconception that Swashies are the [Removed for Content] class that they were before LU#13, it is your job to educate them and make them understand. Go forth and show them what we are made of <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /><div></div>

[Kharadr]

I have trouble finding groups period and I'm in one of the biggest family guilds on the server. Everyone seems to suffer from the same problem. See, people complain they want more solo content, result is people can't find groups anymore.Edumacation is your friend <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> Some people run parsers on the fly and then paste DPS in group chat. DPS is a very limited way to look at the game, but the masses like numbers and if they notice you always coming out on top or at least very high, you'll get tells next time you log in <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> It's true though, people don't know what we do. Debuffs don't show up so we look like just another walking DoT.<div></div>

[Luk]

<div><blockquote><hr>Kharadrim wrote:I have trouble finding groups period and I'm in one of the biggest family guilds on the server. <div></div><hr></blockquote>is it cause you're a gnome <span>:smileyvery-happy:</span></div>

[MrDiz]

Problem is people who dont raid a lot tend to be less aware of the benefits of the almighty DEBUFF (*chants* all hail the DEBUFF for we are not worthy).You need to do some PR. Next time you join a group and they say "we need a second healer" say "No you dont, you have me!". It will confuse the crap outta them, and give you the opportunity to explain <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Dakkon_10]

It's easy to get groups if you have a good rep. I tend not to slack off in a group and in doing so provide alot more dps/utility than most other dps classes. I get asked to group even when I'm not LFG. It really is more determined by your play style than your class when finding groups.

[Kreat]

Yeah, what Dizzi said,I don't happen to have a swash myself, but I do have my Troubador and a Brigand that's closing on t6, and I have to say, you can really feel see the difference on the damage the tank takes with a debuffing class or not. Troubs have some ok debuffs, but it's nowhere near the fantastic ones the rogue classes get, so go out there, educate your fellow players, because I will bet you, that most servers out there need more brigs and swashes =)

[The-Fourm-Pirate]

A good tank will always ask the group leader to get the Swashie if one is LFG, Swashbucklers screw over mob offense. But Brigands are more loved cause we let the wizzies get 22k ice nova hits, after which they pull aggro and die, but as we rez them they always say "[expletive haxx0red by Raijinn] did you see that Ice Nova? Brigands ftw!"

[Kharadr]

Reputation is everything <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> I am not a person who talks a lot in groups. Some people are very easygoing and make friends easily. That is the single most important reason for getting lots of nice groups.<div></div>

[Kharadr]

And NO it's NOT cause I'm a gnome! Gnomes rule!<span>:smileyvery-happy:</span><div></div>

[Turb]

My Swashie has done fine in BB, RoV, RE by being a named hunter... know the zone, use eq2map, keep track perma up and group stealth to the nameds, who you debuff up the wazoo. Groups will like you.

[Wildfury77]

I'm a mouthy lvl 65 sword+shield swashie, if i go LFG on Befallen it takes seconds. Usual comment when i join group is "yah a swashie!" followed by grumbling from the tank that my hitpoints/avoidance/mitigation are "too high for a scout class"I was in group of 4 swashies last week and we decided to let a dirge and zerker join to help us do SoS (with that combo, didn't need a healer, AoE FTW!!).......we didn't suffer from not filling last 2 group places with non-swashies <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /><div></div>

[Hamervelder]

<DIV>I think swashbucklers are misunderstood.  We don't do as much damage as other scouts, so we <EM>sometimes</EM> get overlooked.  Each server is probably different however.  On AB, scouts seem to abound.  I have no trouble getting groups with my paladin or my fury, but sometimes go lfg all day long on my swashbuckler.  Not that I mind really.  He can solo ok, as long as he doesn't get more than one or two mobs on him.</DIV>

[Rahs]

<P>My experience with my Swash (34th lvl) is I needed to be fairly aggressive at first in finding groups, but now that people know me it is no problem finding one fairly quick. I usually get asked now without advertising - which is good or bad depending on how you look at it. I've played a lot of different chars and they all have different skill sets I really like, but my Swash has become my main - even though he isnt my highest char.</P> <P>The thing I enjoy most about my Swash is our variety of abilities. We do decent DPS, we are good Light Tanks, we can Smuggle which anyone who has worked with a Swash knows is a great group ability to have, we have great debuffs, we have great aggro reducing abilities, and we can Evac (all scouts can do this). The primary things I missed from other classes were FD (obviously) and the ability to strike and invis with one ability. Now that the Int AA line allows versions of those two abilities it just opens up a whole new world of possibilities.</P> <P>Anyway, play what ya like but once people learn how good you are in groups you wont have any problem.</P> <P> </P>

[Rahs]

<P>One more thing: Make your Swashy an Alchemist and keep a good supply of the most updated Poison and Healing Pots. You can make decent money as an Alchemist which will allow you to upgrade your armor and spells. Do those things and you will be a formidable soloer (and grouper). :smileywink:</P> <P>Above all:  Have Fun... Avast Ye.. gotta shove off now</P>

[SageGaspar]

<div><blockquote><hr>Hamervelder wrote:<div>I think swashbucklers are misunderstood.  We don't do as much damage as other scouts, so we <em>sometimes</em> get overlooked.  Each server is probably different however.  On AB, scouts seem to abound.  I have no trouble getting groups with my paladin or my fury, but sometimes go lfg all day long on my swashbuckler.  Not that I mind really.  He can solo ok, as long as he doesn't get more than one or two mobs on him.</div><hr></blockquote>Hehe, it's funny, 'cause on AB me and my guild always have a problem with too many tanks/healers and not enough scouts <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />Damage is sorta tricky because it's not until the 50s when you pick up Hurricane and Inspired Daring that you fully come into your own, but the Swash actually does do a good amount of damage. Enough that if you're on top of your game in a pickup group on AB (and I've been in a looooot of pickup groups on AB) you should be able to distinguish yourself by out-DPSing most of the group. You'll still get a good number of people who insist that it was that ranger who fell asleep halfway through the fight, but eventually the good ones will understand who's putting the mobs to sleep. Also, don't discount the Swash tanking ability, drop the detaunts and put those pally instincts to work sometime, it can be good times once you convince a group that it's possible <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />As to:<blockquote><hr>The-Fourm-Pirate wrote:A good tank will always ask the group leader to get the Swashie if one is LFG, Swashbucklers screw over mob offense. But Brigands are more loved cause we let the wizzies get 22k ice nova hits, after which they pull aggro and die, but as we rez them they always say "[expletive haxx0red by Raijinn] did you see that Ice Nova? Brigands ftw!"<hr></blockquote>Absolutely right and hillarious, too. One of my favorite things about critting wizards and assassins is that post-death "BUT DID YOU <i>SEE </i>THAT HIT?!" It sort of reminds me of the doctor from Back to the Future picking himself up off the ground, hair blown back and face blackened by soot, going "That was... AWESOME!"</div>

[Hamervelder]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> SageGaspar wrote:<BR> <DIV><BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Hamervelder wrote:<BR> <DIV>I think swashbucklers are misunderstood.  We don't do as much damage as other scouts, so we <EM>sometimes</EM> get overlooked.  Each server is probably different however.  On AB, scouts seem to abound.  I have no trouble getting groups with my paladin or my fury, but sometimes go lfg all day long on my swashbuckler.  Not that I mind really.  He can solo ok, as long as he doesn't get more than one or two mobs on him.</DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE>Hehe, it's funny, 'cause on AB me and my guild always have a problem with too many tanks/healers and not enough scouts <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /><BR><BR>Damage is sorta tricky because it's not until the 50s when you pick up Hurricane and Inspired Daring that you fully come into your own, but the Swash actually does do a good amount of damage. Enough that if you're on top of your game in a pickup group on AB (and I've been in a looooot of pickup groups on AB) you should be able to distinguish yourself by out-DPSing most of the group. You'll still get a good number of people who insist that it was that ranger who fell asleep halfway through the fight, but eventually the good ones will understand who's putting the mobs to sleep. Also, don't discount the Swash tanking ability, drop the detaunts and put those pally instincts to work sometime, it can be good times once you convince a group that it's possible <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /><BR><BR>As to:<BR><BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> The-Fourm-Pirate wrote:<BR>A good tank will always ask the group leader to get the Swashie if one is LFG, Swashbucklers screw over mob offense. But Brigands are more loved cause we let the wizzies get 22k ice nova hits, after which they pull aggro and die, but as we rez them they always say "[expletive haxx0red by Raijinn] did you see that Ice Nova? Brigands ftw!"<BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Absolutely right and hillarious, too. One of my favorite things about critting wizards and assassins is that post-death "BUT DID YOU <I>SEE </I>THAT HIT?!" It sort of reminds me of the doctor from Back to the Future picking himself up off the ground, hair blown back and face blackened by soot, going "That was... AWESOME!"<BR></DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>That sounds like some pretty neat advice.  I'll put it to work.  <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> 

[Delil]

<P>I have an alt swashy in Perma and I have had to put him to rest for a bit. I mainly created him for soloing purpose but out of the 41 level he has on about 10 were solo. As soon as I log on I have invitations to group. One good thing is that him being an alt I have him all tooled up with gear, weapons and masters. So he can do some decent DPS. </P> <P>Besides that I have had to move from off tank to main tank in a few groups due to the MT having to leave and not wanting to stop what we were doing and people don't believe how good we do as a tank being a scout class. And I did said off tank which I mostly end up doing in the group, eliminating the weaker mobs by myself or with one other, ending the fights quicker.</P> <P>Make sure that when you are able to use them you buy plenty of totems of the monkey and other power potions.</P>