Defiler are they a good choice for a brand new player?

[Ravaan]

<p>I know no healer is good for a new player, however I recently converted my girlfriend to EQ2. we want to make a fairly effective duo so i suggested SK/Defiler. however I don't know if this was the right advice, obviously any class is going to be a learning process for her.</p><p>I am not worried about min/max obviously just want a duo that will be able to handle thier own. was thinking fury as well, but i heard they are difficult healers to play right. </p><p> all advice welcome.</p>

[Boniface]

My main is a wizard (pretty straight forward and easy), but I do have a lvl 21 defiler. I really like him, and I am falling in love with the class.  I'm not sure it is the best class to start out with, it does require some existing knowledge of how other classes work, but I'm sure it can be done.  Let me put it this way, it is doable, but not the easiest way to start out.

[KatrinaDeath]

<p>Altho my main is a Necromancer, my Defiler (49) is basically my favorite toon. I played 140 levels of a Shadowknight and 70 on the Necro. Playing a good Defiler is a challenge but it's something that can be done. You just have to remember that your primary function is to keep others alive. By now I hope you know that the Defiler uses wards more than they use heals. You should be able to keep a SK up and alive fairly well. (I duo with a Bruiser and the spike damage makes it hard at times)</p>

[Jenguro]

<p>My first character was a Defiler (which is still my main).  It should be a good choice as a partner for a Shadow Knight since it can debuff and slow the enemy as well as heal, and most of its damage spells also debuff disease/poison resistance.  I think it's a good choice for a first healer because Defilers stop the damage before it occurs, rather than while or after it occurs, which gives you more time to think and assess the situation.  The one difficult aspect to learn to manage is pre-warding and timing the wards, but it's fairly simple with practice.  A healer is also a good choice because they're usually not expected to lead a party, and know where named are, how to pull, where to go, etc., just to follow and heal.  Good luck, and feel free to post any questions if you do decide to choose a Defiler.  It's a powerful class!</p>

[VizP]

My first character was a Defiler and he is still my main - the defiler class is easily my favourite MMO class (and I have played a lot of them) because as well as being healers, they are versatile and so unique. I cant imagine anyone saying playing a defiler is boring and the whole concept of an evil healer who steals souls is really great <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> Basically it is one of the more difficult classes to play because its all about timing - you have a lot of things to do - warding, debuffing, healing, buffing, doting etc and a lot of it is all about timing but in truth it just comes with practice as you level up. The only downside to a defiler is that in soloing we are rather slow relatively speaking and not exactly the best but we can solo if we need to and I have never found it that bad at all to be honest. The upside is that it never takes anytime at all to find groups so youll be seeing any content you want to see in the game as long as a group is there <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> No regrets - Im just glad I chose a class I love so much so easily (24 choices, usually I find myself completely lost when there is so much variety! Although to be honest I am waiting for Neriak so I can make myself a coercer alt with the new evil fae race just to experience a different gamestyle. But its nice to play one of the rarest classes of which defiler definetely is - and coercers too <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> )

[Droolian]

<p>My other half wanted me to be a healer to duo with his Guardian.  I rolled a Defiler (my first EQ2 character) and havent regretted it once.  Its not such a difficult class, and if you are playing in the same room together she should find it even easier, as you can time wards to the split second if needs be.</p><p>Hope this helps.</p>

[Quda]

<p>If you have a duo, friend, dual box, someone to be with you all the time, defiler is fun.</p><p>If not, then pick anything else, alone a defiler is worthless.</p>

[Bjerde]

Ha ha, I assume you are saying for soloing since all healer classes take a while to kill mobs. Try grouping, it goes much faster <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[VizP]

Although as stated in previous threads, defilers are very resilient and have killed named heroics solo for quests (see end of deity quests etc). Right AAs need to be picked and obviously right equipment but a decent solo setup/group setup can be found for a defiler for sure. My guy can work alone very nicely actually but as stated above, I intend to make a new coercer tomorrow with the update. After all why not, 23 other classes its about time - and once more they 'can' solo well and are needed in groups too <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> But in terms of the defiler alone, AAs are there for a reason - fine tune and you can take down those tough mobs for Quest X (but it generally needs to be solo <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> )

[Laenai]

<p>My defiler is my fourth healer rolled...and my second one to 70. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> Its just an all around fun class, imo, and though starting out was a little rough, into the upper levels its become like buttah as I've learned and asked and read and...well figured the class out.</p><p>The only other healer I would suggest is warden for healers just starting out <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> That was my first healer, is still my main, and if she can't heal it, no one can.</p>

[Madmoon]

Defiler and platehead will get you easy group invites, or will make it easy to attract people to your group.  Defiler/bruiser is the best (personal prejudice <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />&nbsp<img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> but you will do well.  It's a good class to grow into, since the subtleties can mastered later, as long as you ward and heal well.

[curtcleancut]

<p>I'm going to say that I may not be a good starting class.  It's a great utility class, so you kinda need to know the functions of other classes.  I've played other MMORPG's, and the defiler was my second class, that quickly became my main. All said - If this her first MMORPG go for something a little more simplistic so start. </p><p> Just my 2 cp - cheers!</p>

[greploco]

<p>no</p><p>they are a challenge to level</p><p>and</p><p>currently there is a fatal class flaw.  defilers get a ... pet that is very very VERY weak, it gets essentially 1 shotted by flash agro and in pvp it's trivial for your opponent to kill the dog, and they take advantage of that.  the problem with this is that there are a ton of special buffs that are tied to the dog.  when the dog gets 1 shotted the defiler loses anywhere from 20-40% of their functioning depending on the defilers config.</p><p>challenge to level doesn't bother me but that 2nd one i can't live down and I don't think anyone else should have to either.</p>

[Swampjui]

<cite>Quda wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>If you have a duo, friend, dual box, someone to be with you all the time, defiler is fun.</p><p>If not, then pick anything else, alone a defiler is worthless.</p></blockquote> Jeez, I don't know if we are playing the same game or not but my defiler is really powerful and great at soloing 2 or even 3 mobs one or two levels higher then myself. Sure I kill slow because the defiler's dps is lower then almost everyone else but I have the power to see it out till the end when others might not be able to tank higher dps mobs soloing. Defiler is a great glass for grouping, duoing, AND soloing if you know how to play it. I don't get into PVP in MMOs so it's possible its harder to play on a pvp server but on a pve server they are a really great class. It's not a slashing and bashing class at all, it's also not a nuking class, it's a thinking priest class. If you enjoy having the ability to skin a cat 5 different ways and thinking out the best way to do it then you will enjoy it.

[Lildebbie]

<cite>Quda wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>If you have a duo, friend, dual box, someone to be with you all the time, defiler is fun.</p><p>If not, then pick anything else, alone a defiler is worthless.</p></blockquote>yeah right.  even on a pvp server, a solo defiler is awesome.  almost all my defeats were the results of gang [Removed for Content] and me learning the timing of wards and the sequence of spells, etc.. just last night i survived 6 attempted gankings.  i still have trouble finishing toons off, but i havent mastered the illusion of low health yet.  that will come in time.  play the filer, its a nasty class