I'm new and need some advice!

[Vonha]

Hello everyone.  I'm new to EQ2.  I played EQ1 many years ago, and played a Bard, which I just plain loved.  I've read up on the Troubador and the Dirge, and I understand that these two classes are much different from the EQ1 Bard ancestor.  However, I'm having a lot of trouble finding specific definitive information on either of them. <b>I was wondering if you guys could explain a few things about the Troubador to me? </b> I've read that they can solo, and that they can't solo.  What is the real answer here?  And most importantly, can you describe HOW they solo, and what tactics are used?   Next, I've read that Troubadors excel in groups.  There are no arguments on this issue, but there are a lot of arguments as to how much player interaction is required to fulfill this role.  I've read that it is an autopilot sort of job where you just stand there and let your buffs affect everyone.  However, I've also read that 'good players' can do much more.  Can someone please explain to me what this means exactly?   And more importantly, explain how a Troubador performs their role in groups and in raids? Thanks!

[Jeger_Wulf]

<p>You'll get a lot of different answers to your questions. Here are mine. <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> </p><p>> I've read that they can solo, and that they can't solo.  What is the real answer here? </p><p>I play in groups, so I can't answer this one. I understand they can solo, but it involves a lot of kiting on hard mobs. They certainly can't kill things solo as fast as many classes.</p><p>> Next, I've read that Troubadors excel in groups.  There are no arguments on this issue, > but there are a lot of arguments as to how much player interaction is required to fulfill > this role.</p><p>They excel in raids, not necessarily groups. When trying to form exp groups, you need a tank, healer and DPS. If you have all three, a troubadour can come in handy. I have NEVER seen anyone announce: "CT group looking for a troubadour." You might be able to sell yourself if they are looking for DPS, but they would usually prefer a true DPS class.</p><p>> However, I've also read that 'good players' can do much more. </p><p>As with any class, a good player can do a lot more with the troubadour. I find the difference is not large, though. You can fill a lot of your function by just being there. A good tank, healer, or DPS, though, is a marvel. I find my necro a lot more useful and fun in most cirmcumstances. In a raid, with a caster DPS group, the troub shines. Of course, all the casters in the group also shine.</p><p>Good luck, whatever you choose. My troub is fun, but IMO not as fun or useful as any other class I have played (Mystic, Warlock, Necro, Swashbuckler.)</p>

[ArcticBlue182]

as for solo play i found it very easy to solo upto about the mid 30's then things became hard, if you class soloing as not just fighting for XP but also doing quests to earn XP, dont expect to be fighting and killing any heroic mobs of equal level or even 1 or 2 levels below, if you want to farm named etc then this is not the class to choose! you might even struggle against normal mobs with an ^ and fighitng 2 or more grouped on your own can be very very hard until you get the mez spell, while its not the greatest mez in the world its very handy to have! im sure some will come on here and tell you how they can kill XYZ but they will forget to tell you that at whatever level they are doing this they will probably be fully mastered with spells and combat arts and have very very good armour, i would still find it hard to believe though, because i might not have the M1 spells/CA's or be fabbled but i like to kit my toons out in the best gear i can all legendary or a mix of that and master crafted. as for autopilot in groups etc well i guess you can if your that type of player, while you will not be doing the highest DPS that is still no excuse not to get stuck in and help out.. also when you get the mez spell your group can try and do harder grouped mobs as you can keep 1 or maybe 2 locked down with it or as i do of a wizard pulls agro and the tank (usually in a pick up grp) is not the best or a bit slow i will mez whats attacking the mage <insert class here> untill the tank is told/realises etc. we also get some nice buffs/debuffs too! if you want to hang out with mages and help boost their DPS go troub!

[brinomsford]

<p>I played a troub up threw 70 and riaded with him for part of KoS but af far as solo ability its not good for few reasons.  1 is lack of personal dps I like to think I do well with my troub but struggeld to hit 700 as a avrage alot of classes autoatack for more than that.  2 You can solo but it involves alot of mezzing and regening when you get into the harder mobs and it takes a LONG [Removed for Content] time. </p><p>A troub is a true grouping class and adds alot to the group but SoE has issues with the troub some of the older issues are the lack of armor with the PROPER bard stats and half the items you want to use cant IE MOA for casters and healers.  As far as I am conserned a troub only has one real unreplacable buff group hate redux.  </p><p>Finally the thing that broke me of this class is that I could box my troub still have all my debuffs up mistro etc and put him on autoatack and did not see a huge diffrence from me going all out on troub.  Shure there are a few things a boxed troub cant do but I like to be a active part of a group or raid.  Many people actualy wont care that much if you are just on af becuase you are still doing most of your job putting your buffs up.</p><p>Most of my freinds who played bards in EQ1 ether do not play bards now or have quit the game.  If you are looking for a fun class dont pick troub but if you honstley dont care about what you do yourself just like to play a role in groups raids etc Bard is a good choice.  One more rant about troubs is alot of substandard players can get away with beaing substadard becasue not many people know or notice what a good troub dose.  I am not saying [Removed for Content] players play troub I am saying that every class has [Removed for Content] players its just the troub class can hide shittyness better.</p>

[Vraneth]

<p>Here's my 2cp:</p><p>Soloing: Post lvl 50, you can solo anything of your choosing as long as A. It's white or lower B. It's not a coercer mob C. Have special attacks it can do even when mezzed.</p><p>At 70 for an example I have successfully soloed PP, Nest, The Carnovingian, The Carrion Mandragora among many others.</p><p>As far as groups go:</p><p>Troubs are really good for groups, especially when grinding, having to halt pulls becasue you are out of power just plain sucks and you bring enough DPS to the group including buffs to offset any other DPS class. Even when not grinding, troubs are great, I ove to have a troub in the group when I play my bruiser in instances and alike.</p><p>For raids:</p><p>I wouldn't leave home without a troub. 1k+ DPS, power regen, hate management. DPS increasing buffs like Aria, Opus, DKTM, PotM, Jester's are all together too good to be left home, not to mention the best AoE avoid in game.</p>

[Jeger_Wulf]

<p>> not to mention the best AoE avoid in game.</p><p>I have never used it, so would like some information here. It's good for 30 seconds, right. It's recast is longer than that - although I don't remember what it is. Are you able to make sure it's active when the AoE is cast, or is it hit-or-miss?</p><p> Thanks</p>

[ReturnOfMadness]

hmm just wanna reply to the soloing white or lower, that aint exactly true <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> ya CAN take yellow and low orange? (aint sure about the orange) if ur EXTREMELY carefull and got proper gear (if ya dont believe me i can show ya on runnyeye lol

[Vraneth]

<cite>ReturnOfMadness wrote:</cite><blockquote>hmm just wanna reply to the soloing white or lower, that aint exactly true <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> ya CAN take yellow and low orange? (aint sure about the orange) if ur EXTREMELY carefull and got proper gear (if ya dont believe me i can show ya on runnyeye lol </blockquote><p> At 70 you can solo yellow con and orange con, orange con needs more space and a bit of luck since the resist rates on mezz is going to be quite high.</p><p>Why I didn't state that for post 50 is because when you are not maxed out in skills it's  easier for the mob to resist than when you have achieved max skill. If the mob is low yellow at say 55 it's going to be easier for that mob to resist you than a low yellow mob would have at 70. I can't base this on hard facts, but from experience this is the case.  </p>

[Jait]

<cite>Jeger_Wulf wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>> not to mention the best AoE avoid in game.</p><p>I have never used it, so would like some information here. It's good for 30 seconds, right. It's recast is longer than that - although I don't remember what it is. Are you able to make sure it's active when the AoE is cast, or is it hit-or-miss?</p><p> Thanks</p></blockquote> Bladedance is a 10 minute refresh (Lower with Jesters Cap).  Once cast, it removes all group-members within range from taking indirect AE damage.  It must be up when the AE takes effect.

[ArcticBlue182]

<cite>ReturnOfMadness wrote:</cite><blockquote>hmm just wanna reply to the soloing white or lower, that aint exactly true <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> ya CAN take yellow and low orange? (aint sure about the orange) if ur <span style="color: #cc0000"><u><b>EXTREMELY carefull and got proper gear </b></u></span>(if ya dont believe me i can show ya on runnyeye lol </blockquote>I.E. Fully mastered and Fully Fabled, or very very close to it.. and thats one of the problems a lot of people in all classes say i can do XYZ and they probably can.., because they have the fabled armour/weapons and are fully mastered.. then player X comes on and reads this and thinks they can do it in the treasured drops they find and adpt 1 CA's and also what AA's they have these days to a lesser extent.. im not knocking you and im sure noone needs you to "prove it" but the even good player who goes down the troub route will probably never be able to solo such mobs unless they do a lot of raiding and not everyone can or even wants to. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Spider]

<cite>ArcticBlue182 wrote:</cite><blockquote>as for solo play i found it very easy to solo upto about the mid 30's then things became hard, if you class soloing as not just fighting for XP but also doing quests to earn XP, <b>dont expect to be fighting and killing any heroic mobs of equal level or even 1 or 2 levels below, if you want to farm named etc then this is not the class to choose! you might even struggle against normal mobs with an ^</b> and fighitng 2 or more grouped on your own can be very very hard until you get the mez spell, while its not the greatest mez in the world its very handy to have! im sure some will come on here and tell you how they can kill XYZ but they will forget to tell you that at whatever level they are doing this they will probably be fully mastered with spells and combat arts and have very very good armour, i would still find it hard to believe though, because i might not have the M1 spells/CA's or be fabbled but i like to kit my toons out in the best gear i can all legendary or a mix of that and master crafted. as for autopilot in groups etc well i guess you can if your that type of player, while you will not be doing the highest DPS that is still no excuse not to get stuck in and help out.. also when you get the mez spell your group can try and do harder grouped mobs as you can keep 1 or maybe 2 locked down with it or as i do of a wizard pulls agro and the tank (usually in a pick up grp) is not the best or a bit slow i will mez whats attacking the mage <insert class here> untill the tank is told/realises etc. we also get some nice buffs/debuffs too! if you want to hang out with mages and help boost their DPS go troub! </blockquote><p>this is where i disagree time and time again </p><p>ive got a mid 40's troub and consistantly solo named ^^^ heroic greens and named ^ and ^^ heroic blues and even yellows </p><p>is it easy ? no you realy gotta know what ur doing and clear the area for kiting b4 hand but once u get it down its generaly cake </p><p>ive been abel to consistantly solo many names that most other classes couldnt in fact atm theres only 2 names in steamfont i cant solo as a 46 troub well geared and mastered </p>

[Vraneth]

<cite>ArcticBlue182 wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>ReturnOfMadness wrote:</cite><blockquote>hmm just wanna reply to the soloing white or lower, that aint exactly true <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> ya CAN take yellow and low orange? (aint sure about the orange) if ur <span style="color: #cc0000"><u><b>EXTREMELY carefull and got proper gear </b></u></span>(if ya dont believe me i can show ya on runnyeye lol </blockquote><p>I.E. Fully mastered and Fully Fabled, or very very close to it...</p><p>..... </p></blockquote> This is where I disagree, you don't need to be fully mastered, Adept III's are well enough. And you don't need that fabled gear either since soloing as a troubadour revolves around you not letting the mob near enough to hit you.

[Pogopuschel]

While you don't need fabled equipment or masters, it increases the amount of damage you do between "mez phases". That in the end means less mez phases --> less waking up & running to you --> smaller chance for things to go south. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[ArcticBlue182]

as i said im sure <u><i>some</i></u> players <u><b>can</b></u>. anyway most people seemed to have missed the point, so to the OP if you have tons of time to mez, kite, mez reheal/power regen repeat untill mod dead and fight in wide open space and not forgetting the coin to keep your spells and CA's at adpt3 or better and lets say master crafted and legendary gear then you will be fine solo'ing!

[Jeger_Wulf]

<p>I can easily solo things with my necro that I could not solo with my troubadour without significant kiting. It should be noted that you can not always kite a mob. It depends on the location and mob abilities.</p>

[Cisan]

Well, the Troubadour has its advantages and its disadvantages. If you're looking for a good solo class, look elsewhere. Yeah, as some people posted, you can deal with equal level mobs and maybe some can even take yellow with some great gear, but generally that's an option for people who have everything and a bit more. And taking on yellow is easy for a lot of other classes, so why bother trying to prove that you can do it? It's like proving you can type almost as fast with one hand as others can with two. It's amazing, sure, but pointless. The advantage comes in groups. Simply 'cause it does not really matter whether you play or are on autofollow. Your value for the group comes from your buffs and your songs, not your damage or targeted spells. It's sad but (almost) true. Sit in the corner and look decorative.