I'm a newbie here... I have a few questions about swashies.

[Saxaria]

I came back to EQII after a few months, but I've never had a character over ten. My latest character is a level eight swashie, and I've been having a lot of fun with her. The thing is, if I ever get more than one ad, there's probably a ninety percent chance I'll die. Is this normal or is there something I'm doing wrong? What do people normally do against multiple targets? Also, I hear a lot about skill upgrading... How do I do it and at what level should I be doing it? Last but not least... which debuffs are most useful during solo play? Thanks a ton. =)

[EtoilePirate]

<cite>Saxaria wrote:</cite><blockquote>I came back to EQII after a few months, but I've never had a character over ten. My latest character is a level eight swashie, and I've been having a lot of fun with her. The thing is, if I ever get more than one ad, there's probably a ninety percent chance I'll die. Is this normal or is there something I'm doing wrong? What do people normally do against multiple targets? Also, I hear a lot about skill upgrading... How do I do it and at what level should I be doing it? Last but not least... which debuffs are most useful during solo play? Thanks a ton. =) </blockquote> At level 8, you simply don't have very many CAs to work with.  By level 14, the Swashbuckler is already much better at handling multi-mob encounters and adds than, well, any of my other characters. <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  Under level 10, your best bet with multiple targets is to choose your fights carefully to avoid getting adds.  As your bank of skills grows, you'll find it easier and easier to take on extras. If you have a blue-background AOE skills (I can't remember what level the Swash gets that first one, it might be <img src="/smilies/b2eb59423fbf5fa39342041237025880.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />, be VERY careful with it.  The blue background means it will affect ALL mobs in range, and that's a good way to get adds.  As you level, you'll find that the Swashie is a master AOE scout, and those adds will become a piece of cake. As for skill upgrading: there are two kinds of upgrades in this game. Firstly, skills, spells, and combat arts exist in lines in this game.  A skill line shares an icon and a timer, but each new version is more powerful than the last.  Upgrades for most skills occur in a regular 14-level cycle, once you get into the 30s.  There are exceptions.  Many level 50 arts, for example, get their upgrades at level 70.  Assassinate is a high-damage level 50 Assassin art; at level 70, I use Decapitate instead. The other kind of upgrading has to do with the arts you already have.  This progression comes from scrolls / books either crafted or looted in the world.  In order from least powerful to most: Apprentice I - automatically granted for all skills 1 - 50 Apprentice II - purchased from an NPC, or crafted, using common items (not pristine). Apprentice III - crafted, using common items (not pristine). Apprentice IV - crafted, using common items (pristine). Adept I - looted from any mob.  Level of mob is roughly equal to level of spell drop in chest. Adept III - crafted, using rare items (gems for priests, soft metals for mages, loams for fighters and scouts). Master I - looted, usually though not always from named Heroic or Epic mobs. Any mob can drop a Master chest, but it's very rare.  (I have gotten two in my life while just plain soloing on uninteresting green mobs.)  In general, you want the App IV of just about every skill you have, but for the Adept III / MI upgrades, you have to consider the sort of cost / value situation.  If someone wants good plat for a level 30 Master book, well, you're going to outlevel it by 46 anyway.  On the other hand, until they raise the level cap there's no replacement for level 56 - 70 spells & CAs, so those are worth the time and money.

[Saxaria]

Thanks, that helped a lot. =) I reached ten yesterday and got my first AA - What do swashies generally do with those?