Classes and the people that play them

[Netcaitiff]

I have been playing MMoRPGs off and on since EQ1 first came out, and I have noticed that some classes tend to draw certain personalities.  Now, I am not saying that if you play x class you are a y personality, just that if you encounter x class, it is more likely these traits will show up.A few that seem to hold true from my experience:Tanks tend to be leaders.Crowd Control classes tend to want to push the envelope.Healers tend to be more social.So, what are other people's experiences?  Have others seen a trend?BTW, I am looking for positive traits, not negative.  I would rather keep this thread more a study of what classes draw what personalities (if there is a connection).

[Image_Vain]

I know exactly what your talking about, and agree. As for me, IRL, I am extremely anti-social and tend to play mages in Online games because it contects with me more, however, I also like the Assassin class in EQ2. I can talk over Ventrilo/Team speak/AIM/All other messengers, usually I am very quiet and only speak when spoken to, and that gets me kicked from alot of Guilds usually, because "I am too quiet" I have found that yes, Main tanks usually attract leaders, while scouts attract big-mouth teens, (Some times) and healers attract either snot nosed kids that demand X/A/B/ and think they will get it because they can heal, and healers are few and far between, well, good healers anyway.

[Stuge]

<span style="font-family: courier new,courier">The most interesting part about this phenomenom in my opinion is that when you encounter someone playing an alt you can, with a high degree of certainty, determine what archetype their main belongs to without it being said.</span>

[Minelarie]

<p>From my observations both in EQ1 & 2 & a few other MMORPGs that I have played........</p><p> Necros tend to be the friendliest, but also the wildest. They are the guys/gals that want to push the envelope as far as they possibly can just for the sake of doing something that someone mentioned couldn't be done that way.</p><p>Healers tend to be the most helpful all around. They also tend to be very active in their surroundings i.e. forums, guild management etc.</p><p>Agree with the whole tank leadership thing as they tend to be the technical leaders in groups, on raids etc.</p><p>Rogue types tend to be the younger more boastful and very busy types.</p><p>Enchanters (I can only speak from EQ1 exp as I haven't really met anyone with an enchanter main in EQ2) tended to be either very helpful and fun or total control freaks</p><p>Shaman tend to be very laid back easy going but skilled players</p><p>Wizards.......well have known several and ya either love em or hate em</p><p>Mages tend to be quiet ones but generally friendly once you get them to open up</p><p>I have seen a correlation with classes and personalities, its really quite interesting.</p>

[Stabbath]

I've made the same observations as the original poster. As for me, in all of the mmorpgs I've played my mains are always roguish. I don't really even have many, if any alts ever. In WOW and DAOC I had multiple toons at the highest level, same rogue class only different spec. My personality is someone that solos until I can't, then I begrudgingly might look for a group. I hate raids, but will do them for SOME gear. Main reason I like playing with others is to kill them. I'm 32 yrs old, don't steal and rarely lie. I hate hunting. Don't even like killing animals in game lol. Hardly a thief, pirate or an assassin type if you think of it. I'm against killing with the exception of someone defending their lives, or another innocent's life. I don't frown too-too much at capital punishment, but not really for it either. Some say that people play their opposite personality types. I find this true with some of my friends. One friend is the nicest guy on the planet, but always plays evil characters etc. In Baldurs Gate he found great joy in killing the babies in that game. Odd.

[Gorpier]

Hehe.. I agree for the most part.  My main is a Tanklet.  <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  A paladin actually.  I also have a guardian, a monk a warden and a templar.  <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  don't know what that says about me, but for the most part the OP's observations seem to hold true from my perspective on people that I have encountered.  The most outgoing people I have met though are usually Healers or Fighters in some form, the quietest, definately agree, are the caster classes.. Funny.  I can never seem to shut up and I can't play a caster... lol  strange.

[Armawk]

<p>I dunno, I am quiet and keep to myself, I group and always always contribute my role but rarely talk. My main character outside the one I duo with my real life partner is a templar. He is reliable, well behaved, laid back and organised. I am none of those things. My assassin however is a nasty little sod.</p><p>I do wonder sometimes how many people, like me, play the character instead of themselves.</p>

[aardda]

I have 12 characters, none of which i can really call my 'main'. They're all different classes spread over the 4 archetypes too... so what does that make me? Confused? <img src="/smilies/385970365b8ed7503b4294502a458efa.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Siclone]

<p>well tanks tend to be leaders cause thats the roles tanks play in the game  so they have to be</p><p>as far as the other stuff, yea healers tend to be the most friendly, girls that play tend to be healers, healers are most social.</p><p>but thats just a huge generlization </p><p>as far as the rest its totally random.  Most players play more then one type anyway.  I would have roled a tank fighter, but I played eq1 as one, and I know that you need great gear to be good, also, raiding guilds dont want more fighters, so I rolled a scout cause I am not wearing a dress.  </p>

[NoteworthyFellow]

I play healers almost exclusively.  One reason for this is that I get spoiled by being able to heal myself while soloing--it's a luxury I find it hard to let go of.  But I think the real reason is that I am a control freak and healing makes me feel like I hold the lives of the whole group in my glowing little Warden hands.  I realize that's quite a bit off the mark in reality (every class contributes to the survival of the group), but you can't get my subconscious mind to let go of that. Given my love for being a leader, you'd think I'd want to play a tank, but I tend to be the guy who tries to lead from the back lines while keeping the front liners alive.  You can guess how often people listen to me, and I won't say either way whether that's a good or a bad thing.

[Ciara52]

<p>The only other game I have played online for any length of time is Guild Wars.</p><p>My main 3 toons were an Elementalist, Necromancer, and a Ranger.</p><p>Here in EQ2  my main is a conjuror,  also  a wizard and necromancer.</p><p>I am trying out the scout classes  <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>Maybe I am just ADD lol</p><p>I will go with a group, but even within a guild I don't ask for help often.  However, if someone needs help I like to jump right in and help.  </p><p> I really am not sure why other then many times there is such a rush to accomplish stuff that I never even see where I was. </p><p>I like exploring and checking out the scenery.  So I guess I border on social/anti social   <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Squigglle]

yeah i agree. tanks seem to be leaders. scouts see to be cocky but funny. healers seem to be more mature but dont get angry when u mess up. mages seem to be really serious. and well thats it.

[TheMightyTaco]

<p>It's an interesting question. I wonder how much of it is that classes attract certain personalities and how much does the class alter your perception of the person.</p><p>Nobody in my day to day life plays RPGs. When I have met the people I play with I question how much of their personality is just them and how much I am just assuming based on their class. But I do think there is something to it. I think I could accurately guess which classes the people in my family and the people I work with would choose if they started playing.</p><p>However, I think there is a large number of people out there that play classes that are the opposite of their personality. That mad, screaming raid tank that demands perfection from everyone might just be a meek little guy that lives in fear. <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Jesdyr]

Ulion@Befallen wrote: <blockquote>However, I think there is a large number of people out there that play classes that are the opposite of their personality. That mad, screaming raid tank that demands perfection from everyone might just be a meek little guy that lives in fear. <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></blockquote> That is a great point .. many people have "the gamer side" that you see in game .. then their  RL side. Personally .. I tend to pick the "hard" class to play. Which almost always ends up as a Crowd control type of class. I enjoy playing most classes aside from tanks .. I dont know why I have this thing against tanks, but I do. I also dont like being "the leader" .. I like being the one sitting back wispering things in "The leader"'s ear <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />   ... guess I am a backseat driver <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> I never understood why tanks almost always were the leaders. Really from a tactical point of view, they are not the person I think should be leading. Normally the utility classes have the best "point of view" of the battle.

[Squigglle]

<p>i got a ranger wizard and sk i play as like my mains. i am anti social. not becuase i want to be but i got social anxiety or whatever.  my sk i like the most probably becuase i like leading the group and i like the plate armor</p><p>ranger i like becuase i can run all around and jump off cliffs haha</p><p>wizard i like becuase i can nuke the hell out of stuff.</p>

[Zubei]

In ever mmorpg I play, its always a roguish class. DAoC - Scout EQ1 - Rogue Shadowbane - Scout Lineage - Elf(archer) Lineage 2 - Assassin EQ2 - Assassin Could keep going, but anyways.  Im 23, dont really find myself very loud(unless im playing with my 2 RL friends and were on skype)  I never talk, im pretty Anti Social.  I actually solo more than I group, way more.  Its definatly a breath of fresh air, that Assassins can solo as well as they can in this game.  I can take on 2 blues that once at level 33.

[Ba]

<p>I tend to play either healers or scouts/rogues. Any class I play must be able to solo reasonably well since I enjoy soloing as much as I do grouping. I dislike raiding. Not really sure what that says about me personally.</p><p>In game I am chatty/social (love to talk), very bossy (in a polite/nice way), fairly knowledgable, and I love to lead small groups -- especially in dangerous places.</p><p>My main right now is a healer class -- I love keeping people alive & healthy and being an essential part of the group. I'm always ordering my tanks around (most are friends who do not mind) <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Fasci]

haha, we used to say the same things about the people in different sections of the band... the trumpets were kinda loud & bossy, the saxophones were the "cool dudes", the percussionists were the hip anti-establishment types, the flutes were all popular, the clarinets were the best students, etc, etc. It's always interesting to look at the different choices people make in how they present themselves & interact in their world. In RP (as in theater), we've got a terrific opportunity to "try out" different roles in a safe environment. But I think we do tend to come back to roles that mirror (at least in some regard) our real-life personalities. For me, I like being a "helper". I usually play healers (I love keeping my group alive); though lately I've really come to enjoy playing my coercer. I'm pretty quiet IRL, and I stink at playing tanks & scouts, lol. Coincidence?!??

[Liral]

Big shocker here.  Exactly ONE post into the discussion we already have someone ignoring the OP request to keep the discussion positive.

[cerialxthrilla]

i play a Wizard because i strive for world domination one lightning blast at a time. (And a few conflagurates during Blizzcon next year <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> )

[vyxar]

see sig.

[cerialxthrilla]

hehe, while you're thinking, I'll be nuking <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[DanaDark]

<p>I tend to be a lot like the Paladin...</p><p>I am a capable leader, better than most, but have no qualms about stepping aside to let another lead. Additionally, I enjoy the ability to help my group mates by healing them, casting buffs, or resuing them.</p><p>I was a Pally in EQ1, and I loved being able to be the MT and Healer for the group at the same time... ahh the memories....</p>

[Eriol]

I agree with the OP that while there's no hard rules, general tendencies definitely exist, and run somewhat along what has already been said. In the area of tanks, most of the good tanks are the ones that know what they are doing, where they want to go, and what their people can do.  They know how best to approach a situation, and virtually never "rush in" to a situation unless they know it's OK to do so.  If they haven't tanked an instance before, they are super-cautious, looking for advice from those that have run it, or step aside to let somebody tank that has already done it, and off-tank that time, but are ready to jump in when needed.  There are some good wild-n-crazy ones, but those are the guys/gals that have done something dozens of times, and know WHEN they can be wild-n-crazy.  But they are professional, even if their style is excessive at times.  Good tanks generally don't like random factors, like unreliable healers, people that pop agro randomly, etc.  Usually NOT control freaks, but it can happen.  A bad tank is the loner, who thinks they're the center of the group, and everybody else should accommodate and "save" them from whatever they get the group into. For healers, it really does go to both ends.  I find that the "caretakers" play the classes where you prep for a situation, then roll through it procedurally, which generally are the clerics and a few shamans, while the "reactionaries" play the druids, and to a lesser extent shamans.  Both styles can work, but they do need to be "focused" on what they're doing.  They often have the toughest job, as along with the tanks, they generally decide who lives or dies.  Heal the overnuking wizard and risk the tank, or let them die, and rez them when the tank's more secure?  What if it's an enchanter who has been mezzing mobs, and if they aren't controlled we wipe immediately?  Maybe then risking the tank is the right decision.  Either way, healers need to be prepared to make tough non-obvious decisions, on the fly, holding the group's survival literally in their hands.  Those who understand that and put "good of the group" above all else usually do well.  The crappy healers are the ones that "remember" they have to heal once in a while, or think "when the tank's life turns yellow, start healing" and then find they're out of mana from nuking.  Healing is about so much more than that in EQ2. No offense to the Scouts, but I swear most of you guys have ADD.  Really.  There's the odd exception (especially among the bards, as they break the mold somewhat) but really, these guys seem the least "aware" of what's around them, and are there to cause mass death.  Wizards can usually be grouped here too.  That's not to say that they're not nice people, as I have some great friends who play scouts and wizzies, but really, 90%+ of the time, they assist the MT, and just lay the smackdown.  Which isn't bad, that's their only job (more or less).  The problem comes when many of these people are under the illusion they can tank or off-tank.  Or when they think that so much that they MAKE a tank class (berzerkers especially have this problem with wanna-be scouts in their ranks). Mages divide directly down the old class divisions, sorc, enchanter, summoner.  Sorcs are like scouts, as I mentioned in the scout section.  Usually a little more cautious, due to being more squishy than the average scout, but overall, not that different.  Enchanters are most similar to healers, except that being a control-freak is ALMOST a prerequisite to being a good one when the s*** hits the fan.  The problem is the ones that want to be that when it is NOT hitting the fan, and thus a significant portion of their population are viewed negatively... and not really undeservedly.  But I personally can't blame them with the amount of crap they have to put up with in the typical PUG.  Summoners... shouldn't be classified by me, as that's what my main is (necro), so I'll leave that to others, as after trying to write an explanation, I can tell I'm OBVIOUSLY biased.  <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> An interesting topic.

[Raveller]

<cite>Minelarie wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>From my observations both in EQ1 & 2 & a few other MMORPGs that I have played........</p><p> Necros tend to be the friendliest, but also the wildest. They are the guys/gals that want to push the envelope as far as they possibly can just for the sake of doing something that someone mentioned couldn't be done that way.</p><p>Healers tend to be the most helpful all around. They also tend to be very active in their surroundings i.e. forums, guild management etc.</p><p>Agree with the whole tank leadership thing as they tend to be the technical leaders in groups, on raids etc.</p><p>Rogue types tend to be the younger more boastful and very busy types.</p><p>Enchanters (I can only speak from EQ1 exp as I haven't really met anyone with an enchanter main in EQ2) tended to be either very helpful and fun or total control freaks</p><p>Shaman tend to be very laid back easy going but skilled players</p><p>Wizards.......well have known several and ya either love em or hate em</p><p>Mages tend to be quiet ones but generally friendly once you get them to open up</p><p>I have seen a correlation with classes and personalities, its really quite interesting.</p></blockquote><p>Interesting. I guess you didn't know that Shaman just happen to be healers.</p><p>For myself, I have two mains and a few alts. My mains are a Dirge and a Mystic. I have no idea what that says about me, except sometimes I feel like a nut, sometimes I don't. </p>

[joebyrdw]

<p>I see it alot too. I have always played a tank but after being missing spots on raids to the real DPS classes I rolled up a ranger that I betrayed to assassin. I still catch myself Off tanking when I see something break from the tank. Which usally ends up with me taking a dirt nap but the healer / mage is usally saved. </p><p>I've also noticed that the best healers I've met have been RL females. </p>

[joeygopher]

<p>As well as class, I think choice of race may sometimes be an indicator of personality - and alignment for that matter.</p><p> Qeynosian gnomish wizards - min/maxers maybe? </p>

[Norrsken]

<cite>Raveller wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Minelarie wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>From my observations both in EQ1 & 2 & a few other MMORPGs that I have played........</p><p> Necros tend to be the friendliest, but also the wildest. They are the guys/gals that want to push the envelope as far as they possibly can just for the sake of doing something that someone mentioned couldn't be done that way.</p><p>Healers tend to be the most helpful all around. They also tend to be very active in their surroundings i.e. forums, guild management etc.</p><p>Agree with the whole tank leadership thing as they tend to be the technical leaders in groups, on raids etc.</p><p>Rogue types tend to be the younger more boastful and very busy types.</p><p>Enchanters (I can only speak from EQ1 exp as I haven't really met anyone with an enchanter main in EQ2) tended to be either very helpful and fun or total control freaks</p><p>Shaman tend to be very laid back easy going but skilled players</p><p>Wizards.......well have known several and ya either love em or hate em</p><p>Mages tend to be quiet ones but generally friendly once you get them to open up</p><p>I have seen a correlation with classes and personalities, its really quite interesting.</p></blockquote><p>Interesting. I guess you didn't know that Shaman just happen to be healers.</p><p>For myself, I have two mains and a few alts. My mains are a Dirge and a Mystic. I have no idea what that says about me, except sometimes I feel like a nut, sometimes I don't. </p></blockquote>I think it says that you dont get all warm and fuzzy over having a high placement on the dps parse. <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Vifarc]

You may look at this topic from a North American point of view? As a French ex-player of EQ1, I remember nationality was far more important in the human play style. The difference from class didn't shock me as this thought! And I am far from being a nationalist! USUALLY: . Americans were fondamentlists about the contracts. Some were justice-man good beings, some were inhumans (as Lawful Evil in D&D). . Japaneses were grouping TO-DEATH. All for the group, in good (You need help? they will help until its done, as you already have given up they continue, as if your little problem became a group-task!) or bad ways (One go in a suicide-pulling? All follows to corpses trying without a chance to win!). . French? I can't tell well as I am one. Maybe they are chaotics? Liberty and cooperative for all in good way, selfishness and trying bringing chaos for the bad? So, from my frenchiness about the classes: Druids are the helpier players Paladins is the worst played class, mainly because the player want to be the goody white knight and think it's comming just being a paly, and they don't care playing well Necro are the selfishests

[Zard]

<cite>aarddave wrote:</cite><blockquote>I have 12 characters, none of which i can really call my 'main'. They're all different classes spread over the 4 archetypes too... so what does that make me? Confused? <img src="/smilies/385970365b8ed7503b4294502a458efa.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></blockquote><p> Same here.  My fighters, all three of them (Shadowknight+Berserker+Bruiser), never tank for pickup groups though so I only lead with people I know (and like).</p><p>The one character I call my main, but is effectively retired, is an Illusionist. Interestingly, my favorite characters in City of Heroes and City of Villains where my Controller and Dominator. . . does that make me a control freak?  <img src="/smilies/2786c5c8e1a8be796fb2f726cca5a0fe.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Lornick]

<cite>Siclone wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>well tanks tend to be leaders cause thats the roles tanks play in the game  so they have to be</p></blockquote><p> That reminds me of the age old question "which came first, the chicken or the egg?".  In other words are the people who choose to play tanks in game do so because they have "leader" personality traits in RL or are they average people who take on "leader" traits because game mechanics force them to?  Even more interesting to me is the tank that doesn't want to be the group leader and prefers to take orders.  Why would a submissive person choose the role of tank?</p><p>I'm kind of an odd duck I guess cause most the groups I'm in I wind up taking control as leader regardless of the class I'm playing.  Honestly, I don't typically set out to do it either.  If the group leader or person forming the group doesn't appear to know what they are doing I'll make a few suggestions and before long the group is just following my command.</p>

[Nemoscat]

I guess I'm a bit of a confusion: Listed in order of creation 70 High Elf Ranger (inherited at lvl 30 from my hubby) 50 Half elf Wiz 48 Dark elf Inq 23 Dark elf Temp (was Inq test character on AB before moving my characters there) 24 Fae Warden 15 Wood elf Monk 25 Arasi Shadowknight. I enjoy the healers most together with my SK (only a week old) The monk never caught my fancy and since I wanted to try some light tanking i created the SK and I love it. Mostly that I can help out people that need a tank and do zones that I know. Only group tanked 2 times though.

[Shadowtzer]

<cite>Eriol wrote:</cite><blockquote>I agree with the OP that while there's no hard rules, general tendencies definitely exist, and run somewhat along what has already been said... For healers... They often have the toughest job, as along with the tanks, they generally decide who lives or dies.  Heal the overnuking wizard and risk the tank, or let them die, and rez them when the tank's more secure?  What if it's an enchanter who has been mezzing mobs, and if they aren't controlled we wipe immediately?  Maybe then risking the tank is the right decision.  Either way, healers need to be prepared to make tough non-obvious decisions, on the fly, holding the group's survival literally in their hands.  Those who understand that and put "good of the group" above all else usually do well.  The crappy healers are the ones that "remember" they have to heal once in a while, or think "when the tank's life turns yellow, start healing" and then find they're out of mana from nuking.  Healing is about so much more than that in EQ2. No offense to the Scouts, but I swear most of you guys have ADD.  Really.  There's the odd exception (especially among the bards, as they break the mold somewhat) but really, these guys seem the least "aware" of what's around them, and are there to cause mass death.  <b>Wizards can usually be grouped here too.  That's not to say that they're not nice people, as I have some great friends who play scouts and wizzies, but really, 90%+ of the time, they assist the MT, and just lay the smackdown.  Which isn't bad, that's their only job (more or less).  The problem comes when many of these people are under the illusion they can tank or off-tank.  Or when they think that so much that they MAKE a tank class (berzerkers especially have this problem with wanna-be scouts in their ranks). </b> Mages divide directly down the old class divisions, sorc, enchanter, summoner.  Sorcs are like scouts, as I mentioned in the scout section.  Usually a little more cautious, due to being more squishy than the average scout, but overall, not that different.  Enchanters are most similar to healers, except that being a control-freak is ALMOST a prerequisite to being a good one when the s*** hits the fan.  The problem is the ones that want to be that when it is NOT hitting the fan, and thus a significant portion of their population are viewed negatively... and not really undeservedly.  But I personally can't blame them with the amount of crap they have to put up with in the typical PUG.  Summoners... shouldn't be classified by me, as that's what my main is (necro), so I'll leave that to others, as after trying to write an explanation, I can tell I'm OBVIOUSLY biased.  <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> An interesting topic. </blockquote><p><span style="color: #ff0099">Ok first my main is a 70 Wizzie. So yeah I am a little offended by your post (bolded the area). In no way shape or form do I have ADD when it comes to grouping or raids, nor have I seen other wizzies with the same mentality. I will say that I have tanked several times successfully and it just takes a shift in the group roles that I have been in when I need to take on that role. In fact I have been in groups with a tank class where the tank dies and I am killing the mobs with the help of the other group members. Also when and if I run out of mana (which is rare), I will go to the frontlines of the fight and start beating on the mob with my wand, so i am not afraid to get "squishy". I wear jammies, I know I will prolly die but I will die fighting. I don't have any alts that are either a tank class or a scout class either. Its all about knowing how to play your character. </span></p><p><span style="color: #ff0099">As for my personality based on the chars I select.... Well I pick them based on what I want them to do. I love my wizzie and her power to blast everything. I also have an illusionist, conjuror, warlock, inquisitor, fury and mystic. I chose the warlock only to see what it can do opposed to my wizzie. I chose the other mages because they have pets and I thought it was cool. I chose the healers simply because of the fact of healing myself during battle, as one other poster stated. I am not a control freak but I am a leader. I am not shy but quite the opposite, been told I am a "in your face" type of person lol. I love meeting people and will talk to whoever is nearby. I will help anyone I can both here and in RL. I am educated and have alot of interests. One character is evil and the rest are good, although I had 2 others evil and betrayed, but not because of my personality, it was for other reasons that I won't get into here. So I guess I don't fit into anyone's cookie cutter personality chart lol</span> </p>

[Raveller]

<cite>Lornick wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Siclone wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>well tanks tend to be leaders cause thats the roles tanks play in the game  so they have to be</p></blockquote><p> That reminds me of the age old question "which came first, the chicken or the egg?".  In other words are the people who choose to play tanks in game do so because they have "leader" personality traits in RL or are they average people who take on "leader" traits because game mechanics force them to?  Even more interesting to me is the tank that doesn't want to be the group leader and prefers to take orders.  Why would a submissive person choose the role of tank?</p><p>I'm kind of an odd duck I guess cause most the groups I'm in I wind up taking control as leader regardless of the class I'm playing.  Honestly, I don't typically set out to do it either.  If the group leader or person forming the group doesn't appear to know what they are doing I'll make a few suggestions and before long the group is just following my command.</p></blockquote>I think there are multiple dynamics involved in this. I deal with the stressors of leading everyday at work. I prefer not to be the group or raid leader in-game.

[Lilda]

I've been playing MMOs consistently since UO launched.  My mains are always healers and crowd control characters.  Also, my healers tend to be "non optimal" healers. (eg: smite cleric or friar DAoC... druid or shaman EQ and EQ2) I don't consider myself really social.  I do like to socialize but I'm not particularly outgoing.  I'm pretty sure my attraction to these classes has more to do with my perfectionist streak (ok you could call it control freak.<img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />)  than with socializing.  They are both types of classes that require being alert to what's going on, at all times, and that also is a selling point for me. 

[RingleToo]

<p>Interesting that scouts are perceived as being a bunch of young, ADD afflicted flakes. I have a lvl 70 Swashy and usually play scout types in other games. I'm anything but young - let's just say that I remember where I was when Kennedy was shot <img src="/smilies/ed515dbff23a0ee3241dcc0a601c9ed6.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> I certainly don't have ADD, and I'm not a...Wait, what was I saying...</p><p>I also have a lvl 70 healer which, according to the opinions expressed so far, would be the antithesis of the scout personality. Oh, and though I'm not female, I play a pretty darn good healer if I do say so. </p><p>Now, I know the OP is just saying that <u>generally</u> speaking that certain classes attract certain personality types. So, it's easy to say that I'm atypical, except that we all have played with any number of mature (no insult intended <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  ) people who play scout types. And who hasn't grouped with a tank with the leadership skills of a wet cat?  </p><p>The thing about a stereotype is that, well, it's a stereotype. We point to those things that fit the stereotype as proof that it's true while dismissing as anomalies anything that doesn't fit. (Not unlike when we read our horoscopes lol). The problem with generalities is that they are so general as to not be true - you know, generally speaking. </p>

[Klanch]

<p>Started by playing the Realm, long before EQ and definatelly fall into a nitch. I'm a leader at work, have lots of responsibilities and deal with complicated problems every day. In the game I want to get away from that. In the game I tend to be a small character, never evil, and usually a jokester. I have no desire to be a guild leader, raid leader or even a group leader. I also have no patience for indecisive groups that don't know what they want to do or where they want to go.</p><p>My first high level character in EQ was a druid. I chose that character because I wanted to be a tree. Not sure what that says about me. I enjoyed roaming around in tree form healing and buffing newbies. When they added an immobolize component to tree form I abandoned my druid.</p>

[FlamingDuck]

<cite>Stabbath wrote:</cite><blockquote>I've made the same observations as the original poster. As for me, in all of the mmorpgs I've played my mains are always roguish. I don't really even have many, if any alts ever. In WOW and DAOC I had multiple toons at the highest level, same rogue class only different spec. My personality is someone that solos until I can't, then I begrudgingly might look for a group. I hate raids, but will do them for SOME gear. Main reason I like playing with others is to kill them. I'm 32 yrs old, don't steal and rarely lie. I hate hunting. Don't even like killing animals in game lol. Hardly a thief, pirate or an assassin type if you think of it. I'm against killing with the exception of someone defending their lives, or another innocent's life. I don't frown too-too much at capital punishment, but not really for it either. Some say that people play their opposite personality types. I find this true with some of my friends. One friend is the nicest guy on the planet, but always plays evil characters etc. In Baldurs Gate he found great joy in killing the babies in that game. Odd. </blockquote><p> Heh I'm in the same boat. I love playing evil, intimidating looking characters and equally evil classes but in real life I see myself as a generous and compassionate person, pretty much the polar opposite of what I play in games. I have an evil looking froglok coercer and love it. Though I suppose me being an enchanter makes me a bit of a control freak, can't deny that. =D</p><p>But there is definately some truth to it all, certain classes tend to attract certain personalities, especially healers. Healers tend to like helping people, are socially active and pretty nice. But I also met really anti-social ones with short tempers. My experience with tanks are a mixed bag, some liked to lead others prefered others to but generally they are mature and easy to get along with. Scouts tended to be loud, funny, a bit arrogant or quiet and did their thing.  Mages were usually the most annoying in some way, especially sorcerers. Usually cocky and put themselves on a pedestal, but sometimes just attitude problems in my experience.</p>

[The_Cheeseman]

I wonder how many people aren't so much drawn to certain classes, as the persona they create in-game. For example, I always play monk in MMO (except UO, where that wasn't a viable option). In EQ: Monk, FF11: Monk, CoH: martial arts Scrapper, and in EQ2: you guessed it, Monk. I am not a martial artist by any stretch of the imagination (well, I did Tae Kwon Do as a kid through the YMCA, but anyways...) but I love being the venerable elder type. I pride myself on my knowledge and experience, not so much my character's statistics. As such, I enjoy being social, lending guidance, and helping others. However, I do not really enjoy being in control, and avoid positions of responsibility (I was a raid leader for a major guild in EQ1, and eventually it lead me to quit for 6 months). I consider my wit and conversation, backed up by plenty of player skill, to be the main assets I bring to the group/guild, with mechanical results such as DPS being secondary. It works fairly well; people have a good time when grouped with me, and I don't give them any problems to complain about, so I end up with a good reputation as a solid, fun player. I guess I like being the wandering elder monk, who makes friends everywhere he goes, but then moves on just as quickly as he came. I guess what I am getting at is that there there is more to a class than its mechanics, and sometimes it isn't the role of a class in play that attracts a person to it, as much as it is the concept behind the class. Monks in the games I have played fill various roles in each, some looking more like EQ2 scouts than tanks, but my character has always remained the same. When I first started a monk in EQ1, it wasn't because I wanted to be uber DPS, offtank, or puller, I just liked the idea of beating stuff up with my bare hands. I had no idea what the established role of the monk class was, nor did I care at the time. I actually disliked pulling in EQ1, and I don't really enjoy tanking either, as both require too much effort, leaving me no time to socialize when grouping. I don't really fit the role of the tank as a group leader, though as a former raid leader in EQ1, I am certainly capable of stepping up when one is needed. Really, I think I identify more with the description of a healer personality, even though I find healing to be both stressful and boring (at the same time). I believe there was actually a poll that a psychology graduate student took for a term paper on this subject during the EQ1 days. I believe it was focused primarily on gender roles in MMO's, but it did delve into psychological profiles based on class roles, if I recall correctly. If anybody remembers what I am talking about, please post a link!

[Salonkolya]

<p>I think there's a lot of truth in this. Obviously much more complex than stated but that's understandable in a short post. I've often wondered about MMO designers actually designing the classes in a game around personality profiles from psychology. Would be interesting at least.</p><p>Personally I'm always some kind of goodie goodie ranger type no matter how hard i try to play different classes. With me it is because that is my ideal of how I'd like to be rather than how I am.</p><p>"Interesting that scouts are perceived as being a bunch of young, ADD afflicted flakes"</p><p>Lol. I recall in EQ1 the number of rangers i met who were rangers cos of dual weild looking cool and them wanting to be wolverine. So i don't think it is entirely unfair <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[mellowknees72]

<p>This is a really interesting topic!</p><p>The first character I made in EQ2 was a warden (who is now my main and is also now a Fury) because in EQ1, my first main was a druid, and I LOVED playing her.  My second main in EQ1 was a Ranger, whom I really felt embodied my personality.  I played her like a warrior who could heal.  If our group ever got adds, I took care of crowd control with lots of snare, root -n- shoot.</p><p>The second character I made in EQ2 was a ranger.  I hate how the class works in EQ2.  I can't heal, I can't snare-n-shoot very effectively...I just don't like it.  She's a level 35 ranger, and I've made her my main crafter (now a level 50 Provisioner) because I really like how the character looks, and didn't want to lose her.  I guess I'm holding out hope that someday EQ2 rangers will really feel like rangers instead of just rogues with bows. <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>On a total whim, I made a halfling monk, which was something I always wanted in EQ1.  I found that I LOVED being a monk in EQ2.  I love the way the class works!  I can be helpful, be pure DPS, be a tank - in other words, I can fill a lot of the roles that I did when I was a ranger in EQ1.  I guess I like to be a "Jane of all trades" when I play.</p><p>I'm also anti-social in game.  I don't do pick-up-groups ever.  I stopped doing them around the 2nd month of EQ2.  I have a job where I am the "computer guru" for my office, so I am CONSTANTLY bothered with questions and requests for help.  I'm SO burned out on talking to people and helping them by the time that I get home that I honestly cannot deal with having to help strangers.</p><p>With me, my main personality trait that shows in game is that I like to try to do things that are unusual (i.e. I made a level 1 halfling shaman, left the island, and ran her to the Kelethin newbie area...just to see if I could), challenging (i.e. trying to get to 10,000 kills before level 10), or things that people say you can't do (i.e. in EQ1, my husband's beastlord, our friend's monk, and my druid used to do LDoN missions all the time - everyone said we couldn't, but we did and we WON them!).  I like to check the leaderboards and see where I am.  I am not a raider, not a "high end" player, so seeing my guild's name or one of my character names somewhere in the top 100 for anything on my server is a major point of pride for me.</p><p>(And I have to agree with some of the posts here that have said that scout type classes tend to attract younger, male players - when I played a ranger in EQ1, I often had to prove myself and my ability to play my class effectively because of the perception that all rangers were bad players who got lost and would pull the whole zone with one arrow, etc.  I know that the stereotype of rangers being like that was DEFINITELY based in fact!  9 out of 10 rangers that I knew in EQ1 were not very good, didn't know their classes, or just weren't very observant.)</p>

[Vifarc]

I always play Ranger-like class. You say true, I have a Bruiser alt, and it feel some like the Ranger in EQ1. But I prefer the EQ2 Ranger, for you can track, and all other outdoor skills. And yes, in EQ1, many Rangers were bad, as they were alts not knowing how to play this though class. (It was more difficult playing a Ranger than in EQ2). Pipes@Najena wrote: <blockquote>.  My second main in EQ1 was a Ranger, whom I really felt embodied my personality.  I played her like a warrior who could heal.  If our group ever got adds, I took care of crowd control with lots of snare, root -n- shoot.<p>The second character I made in EQ2 was a ranger.  I hate how the class works in EQ2.  I can't heal, I can't snare-n-shoot very effectively...I just don't like it.  She's a level 35 ranger, and I've made her my main crafter (now a level 50 Provisioner) because I really like how the character looks, and didn't want to lose her.  I guess I'm holding out hope that someday EQ2 rangers will really feel like rangers instead of just rogues with bows. <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>On a total whim, I made a halfling monk, which was something I always wanted in EQ1.  I found that I LOVED being a monk in EQ2.  I love the way the class works!  I can be helpful, be pure DPS, be a tank - in other words, I can fill a lot of the roles that I did when I was a ranger in EQ1.  I guess I like to be a "Jane of all trades" when I play.</p><p>(!  9 out of 10 rangers that I knew in EQ1 were not very good, didn't know their classes, or just weren't very observant.) </p></blockquote>

[Netcaitiff]

When I said that a personality type is more drawn to a certain class, I did not mean that a majority of that class would be X personality type.    Say there are 16 personality types.  If a class has between 2-8% of most the personality types, yet 20% of one type, then I would say that class draws that personality even though 20% would still be an overall minority.    Does that make more sense?

[fr1ggy]

I have always enjoyed pet and DPS classes. EQ1:  Rogue main, Necromancer and Monk alts. CoH/CoV:  Blaster, Scrapper, Brute, and Mastermind WoW:  Rogue, Mage, Priest (but wait... shadow! no healing for me. <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />), and Warlock. EQ2:  Bruiser, Necromancer, Wizard, and Assassin will be on my list in a bit. I think my choice in classes first and foremost comes from a basic desire to see big numbers (or many, many small ones quickly).  I'm not going to lie.  I like to do damage, and I like to see big numbers.  After that... soloability.  Exception:  EQ1 (but then again, few people could really solo effectively).  I have hit-and-miss playtimes, sometimes being able to stay on for hours at a time... others, I'm up and down a lot or not on for long.  I also really don't like being in groups with people I do not know, for various reasons. Another interesting tidbit is why I choose <b>not</b> to play certain classes.  I'm very quiet by nature, but when I do talk, I have something to say.  People have always looked to me for leadership, and I have never liked it.  I do not like to lead people unless its absolutely necessary... and when those times come, I am good at it.  I purposely shy away from classes that are both group dependent and "leader" classes.  You will never catch me playing a tank class, or a healer.  You will never catch me playing enchanter types.  A factor that contributes also, is stress.  For some reason, I get massive amounts of performance anxiety in these games when I know the group's survival hinges on me, be it tanking, healing, or crowd control.  I get jittery, and I mess up.  However, when I play my DPS classes, I am usually playing my DPS classes at an above-average level of skill and awareness.   In my WoW guild, I was known for topping damage charts but never pulling aggro.  I was also known for pulling off saves and preventing wipes due to timely use of certain abilities my character had, etc. Interesting topic, and you're right.  To make a long reply even longer, here are my (positive) observations. Tanks:  Tend to be very goal oriented and they tend to be leaders. Healers:  Friendly and helpful, grace under pressure. Enchanters:  No real positive observations here, unfortunately... lets just say they fil a necessary niche and move on. Rogues:  Outgoing, unable to sit in one spot for very long.  Usually fun to be around. Wizards/Mages:  Very focused on what they do, with a palpable air of confidence (they are cocky) Pet classes:  Quiet.  Thats about all I can focus on, usually I'm the only pet class in a group if I am.

[Baccalarium]

Healer,  my main is always a healer,  even my first choice alts tend to be support classes.      But I tend to be quiet most the time.   My job is to keep folks alive.   Sure I enjoy beating the mob down, but I get as much enjoyment doing it myself, as being an enabler that allows a group around me to do it efficiently.   I'll make my suggestions as to how to do things better or where to go next, but would prefer someone else lead so I can sit back, do my job, and enjoy the ride.

[Ganx]

I

[TheManInTheBox]

<i>I play a paladin. I was co-leader of a raiding guild and we had a lot of success in KoS. I've been a MT on lots of raids when our guardian was not available or needed a break. I react very quickly in any given situation. In most cases I am not with a enchanter so when adds come along I am switching over very quickly to get aggro. I also must react quickly because my heals and ward can save someone. If someone in my group dies. I feel responsible as a fighter and a healer. I do lead in zones I am familiar with. If I am not familiar with a zone i prefer OTing and going with another MT who does so I can get it down. If I don't have the option of such I just go with someone who knows how the zone works and wing it. In RL I am a quiet person around new people. I wouldn't say I'm anti social but more so cautious. If I do know you I'm a pretty loud and fun guy. My friends always say I'm a listener because I'm just a guy who will listen to about anyone who has a problem and wants to talk about it. Guess I should be a guidance counselor. A lot like in-game. I do lead a lot in RL as long as I know what I'm doing. If I don't know what to do I would rather sit back and have someone show me so I can do it right rather than do it wrong. I never mind in-game or RL stepping aside and allowing someone else to lead as long as they can do it right.</i><i> </i>

[BWLeeEllison]

Swaggering, smack talking, showing off.  Trademarks of the attention garnering swashbuckler.  Halflings are a pastoral folk with good values and an overall wholesome (if sometimes inebriated) morality.  I am basically a good guy with a certain sense of decorum, but at the same time, I do enjoy all the flash and dash.   Never let it be said that only tanks are the leader types however.

[espy]

<p>Not sure about the people behind the characters</p><p>but I would say Tanks are the most arrogant</p><p>Dps are the most egger</p><p>Healers the most cautious</p><p>and CC most frustrated (mostly since ppl dont know what the do <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />)</p>

[Gathraku]

<p>Back when I played EQ1, I always played solo classes because I always liked being able to rely on myself. However when I started playing Shadowbane I discovered I liked playing healers because I felt like I had a connected, valuable role to my group.</p><p>Nowadays I tend to play either healers or CC types (like Enchanters) - any and all 'support' classes.</p><p>I think this reflects who I am in RL. IRL, I'm generally a timid, quiet guy who just likes to be helpful. That being said, I tend to gravitate toward evil characters mostly because I find them the most interesting to RP <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[rubels]

<p>I played the same guardian lvl 70 100 AA from day one. IMO I enjoy the ability to control the speed of the group (slow tanks bug me <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> hehe ) , looking at pull paterns and cracking rooms. The real thrill of being toe to toe with a OJ epic x 4 and dropping it because nothing beats the fabled <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />.</p><p>There is also the enjoyment of being the one to push members of a group or raid to being a better player, calling strats , pull locations etc.</p><p> - Krov </p>

[Gnevil]

<p>On the whole I would agree with the OP....</p><p>I think a follow on stated they could tell what archtype main a player is by their playstyle.  I find this to be pretty much spot on, my main, the first toon I had in EQ2 was a guardian.  I solo'd, quested, grouped, raided on him for a long while before I got extremely bored and decided it was time to try out some of the other classes.</p><p>I have a maxed healer class and a maxed ranger.  I just started a fury and am enjoying the diversity of this class a great deal.  I would say however that even not knowing my various characters I have had many players tell me your main is a tank isn't it.. lol I guess that attitude and play style ie leadership, knowing the strats for an area how to pull ect shows a great deal.</p>

[Kaidy]

<p>Wow.. really great discussion!! I have enjoyed reading all of the posts and opinions !  </p><p>Personally, I am not sure where I fit in... I played a druid in EQ1 and loved it.. Did a lot of soloing there, but also grouped w/ friends and guildies as well as raiding occasionally... I was never really one to ask for much help, but that was my choice... I was happy to help anyone and became a good healer when needed... Kept telling them I was not a cleric, but I could usually keep them alive (grps) or at the worst, evac them..<img src="/smilies/97ada74b88049a6d50a6ed40898a03d7.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>I play a warden, now... Or at least I have been.  I am currently working on a Necro, that is a bit easier for me to solo... I guess I am kind of anti-social, as well... Like some of the other posters, I can not always be on for hours on end or at specified times... So I have decided to try to solo my way thru the game.. <img src="/smilies/0a4d7238daa496a758252d0a2b1a1384.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  I don't mind grouping, but sometimes by the time I find a grp it is time for me to log off, or I have already become involved in a quest or a crafting of some type...</p><p>One thing that I do find interesting, is the number of ppl who have responded, that enjoy soloing... I used to feel like there was something really wrong w/me, because I did not mind soloing that much... and the old players always seemed to put a <b>BASH</b> on the idea of soloing... That this is <b>Not</b> supposed to be played solo!!  Sometimes I just enjoy soloing, while still being social and chatting w/ others.. </p><p>Personality wise, I don't know... The warden is a healer (Mother Earth) type who can hold her own, within reason... But still can't handle heroics or anything...  Is that me?? Or am I trying to escape my RL role of Mother and healer by going <b>EVIL</b> and Enjoying it?? <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Smythy]

In every game I play (or have played), I am always a scout of some sort.  In WoW I had a feral Druid (I liked to heal every now and then) Oblivion/Morrowind i had characters that would be close to Brigs.  Even in d&d (i played that for a little when i was like 10) i had an elven ranger. EQ2, my first character was a ratonga ranger (i betrayed him when it was hard to do, so many gnolls died so terrible) now i have a Bruiser (who i play like a scout) and my new favorite (which may cure my alt-itis) Brigand.  Something about being able to stealth and kill things quickly while being a total bad [I cannot control my vocabulary] is awesome. Yah you could describe me as social and even loud mouthed and a bit annoying (i am definatly a wise [I cannot control my vocabulary]).  But hey, it happens when your a teenager.  But i definatly dont have AD......   oh look a kitty!  But even though i play evil and bad ect characters in games, I could describe myself as really nice, generous, and supportive.  I rarely kill things except for mosqitoes and house flies, I even save spiders from the shower.  But i always play mean evil characters. Go figure Tanks = social, leader type people Sorcerers/Summoners = more serious and intense Healers = Generally good helpful people Rogues/Preditors = funny, smart aliky people also social Support Classes = Laid back people ( i guess would be best) Enchanters = hate to say it but more control freaks (of course what part of Crowed Control Expert would not make it that) Edit: i have terrible spelling

[Controlor]

For me personally Enchanter = Control freak so to speak. And stuborn.... REALLLLLLLY stuborn. In EQ1 the 3 classes you HAD to listen to were Enchanter, Healer, Tank. Pretty much in that order. Depending on group the healer would be better to listen to than enchanters. This was because those 3 classes kept you alive. Altho this isnt really the case in EQ2 as an enchanter i still control a lot of aspects (even if behiend the scene). Come duo with me and you will see what i mean (nearly dictating what spells you are allowed to use HAH but it works). So i agree with the posters mentioning enchanters as semi control freaks. The other part of my personality is stubornness. This is due to my solo time (if i am not raiding i am soloing). I will attempt a mob that just killed me over and over and over until it dies. I have died 43 times against a named mob (the scribe for class hat) soloing it (high resists). Each time changing tactics around until i killed it and i can now solo it without dieing. So a chanter has to be stuborn to solo to keep trying and changing around until it works and once yah find what works stick with it. This has somewhat spilled over into my paladin. I am not as much a control freak tho the only time i dictate things is where i am pulling to and tell people to wait there or to move up to me (but really any tank does that). But i am still stuborn when soloing on my paladin. Guess stuborness is part of soloing.

[DragonMaster2385]

<p>I created a spin off thread to get people to take a personality test and post what class they play.  You can find the post here:</p><p><a href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?topic_id=368221�" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/...21�</a></p><p>Maybe we can annalyze the results.</p>

[Iari111]

<p>While I have alts in pretty much all the classes, I tend to dislike playing scouts for some reason.  I prefer playing a healer (defiler or fury)  and my monk. </p><p> The monk, my oldest toon going back to Jan '05, is definitely my main.  I have never considered her a tank, and have never played her as one.  I seem to identify with her the most, and see her as solitary and calm, which is how I view myself.  </p><p> I took DragonMaster's quiz from the thread he linked, and here are the results:</p><p>Your Type is INTJ Strength of the preferences % Introverted 78%  Intuitive 50%   Thinking 1%  Judging 1% You are: very expressed introvert moderately expressed intuitive personality slightly expressed thinking personality slightly expressed judging personality </p>

[Controlor]

BUT there is one thing you must seperate. This is a game. The personality you potray in game may not really be your personality. As others have posted they are having to be leaders in RL so they come to the game to goof around. Or verious other things. So try not to look to much into the fact that each cheracter tends to have a certain personality and say that is how peopel are. Instead as another poster stated it is really the cheracter that creates the personalities. CCers its their job to control adds and keep things locked down they have to be fast on their feet and are VERY aware when someone messes with say mez as they often eat the floor. So to avoid death they become control freeks to some extent. Healers really dont solo that efficiently (sept druids) so they rely on others. This means that they need to be kind or they will be black listed and are more friendly / supportive. Tanks are up in the front lines pulling and turning mobs so to keep the group alive and not pulling adds they really have to lead where the group goes. So it really isnt that people of this personality play these toons but more the people who play the toons adopt a certina personality in order to stay alive and be efficient as a player.

[meat]

<p>This is all very interesting, and honestly, patterns in thoughts and actions is something I'm really in to.  I'd like to say a thankyou for the person who created this topic (after reading through most of it, I forgot their name, aaah!). :]</p><p>I'm a very open-minded person, I'm very loud, I'm very stubborn. If I know my way is right, I like things done my way. I'm open to suggestion and improvement, and you could call me cocky, and very sarcastic. Keep in mind I'm a 15 year old girl, mhm? Also keep in mind I almost -always- make my own groups, no matter what character I'm playing. It wasn't until I got 70 with my main I really started doing that; I felt familiar enough with most of the zones to boss people, who weren't, around. I mean that in a nice way. :]</p><p>My main is a 70 bruiser.</p><p>- I like beating crap up without weapons; makes me feel powerful. I like being able to rip a mob from the tank when he's about to die, and being able to tank it long enough for the healer to pop a rev on the tank and get us going again. Makes me feel, important? And I'm an amazing solo'er..which makes me feel all independent and spiffy. <3</p><p>Then I also play a 47 fury.</p><p>-I like playing her because I have control over who lives and dies, in most cases. If I have an annoying dpser who pulls aggro all the time, I let them die purposely. For the sake of future healers, maybe they'll learn their lesson. :] I really am a nice person, honestly, and praise for 'omg, good heals!' makes me feel loved. </p><p>Theeeen I have a 38 dirge,</p><p>-Who I play because I wanted a scout, one that wasn't just for dps, hence me picking a bard. I love music, and I really like the idea of a character that sings of negative things (I write a lot, and the whole "emotion" of the bard kinda fit into that?). So my bard is kinda obvious, I'm thinking.</p><p>I also have a 23 coercer,</p><p>Which I think is pretty obvious; I like having control, and I like being able to be a bxtch! :'D [joke..or..halfway] A lot of you guys said you don't have much nice to say about enchanters, but it is a tedious job, with constant breaking of mezes and such. I really like playing her, though; all the times I've saved a group with my handy!dandy mez makes me pretty happy. :]</p><p>So, this is what I've come to realize, after reading all this, and looking at my own characters;</p><p>We're obviousilly a lot more in-depth then our online personas, but often times, they are but a fragment of our personality, one that we would like to draw out, or one that seems favorable.</p><p>When people play something that is their opposite, maybe they play it for change, to have variety.</p><p>Oh, and that litle quiz ma-bob?</p><p>I'm ENFJ, 44 Extraverted, 62 Intuitive, 50 feeling, and 1 judging.</p><p>Aaand, I'll end the ramblings of this girl here. Lookin' forward to reading what more of you guys have ta say. x]</p><p>Peace;</p><p>Saber</p>

[Inphina]

I have also noticed this in EQ2 and other MMORPGs aswell. When I played Kal Online for a short time, I noticed that the nicest people were usually tanks. People who used DPS builds were usually very annoying, and they just bragged about their builds most of the time. Healers were usualyl quite nice, but there were quite few of them because soloing a healer was impossible. I came to a conclusion that bigger the DPS is, the more annoying the player is. The community was very bad though, there were very few nice people out there. In WoW and EQ2 I noticed that casual players who wanted a simple class usually played a tank class (warrior, guardian), and sometimes they were mages. People who were looking for a challenge are usually healers, but then there are social people who like support roles and tend to pick healer classes. There are classes that only idiots play, and then there are classes that I've never seen an idiot play. For example I've never met a Mystic who is an idiot. In Guild Wars you can't guess a player's personality from what class he is playing since everyone plays 4-12 characters. Monks (who heal and protect) and Ritualists (who are like shaman with heals, protection, buffs, debuffs) are usually played by social and nice people. Some people are monks just so that they can get in almost any group, but Ritualists are always people looking for supportive roles. Most of the idiots I've met in GW were warriors, especially warrior/monks. Other than that, it's all mixed up. I'm usually a healer that also has buffs, debuffs and protection. I'm not quite as social as most healer people I've met, but I'm by no means anti-social. I just like having an important role in the group.

[Lasai]

<p>I play all my chars pretty much the same.  My two highest are an SK 54 and Assassin 66.  I also have Dirge, Brigand, Templar, Berzerker and Warden.</p><p>I'm slow, cautious, don't like being rushed, pushed or told how to play my chars, so, I don't group much and don't care to.  I like the challenge of solo or duo play with my best friend.. we've been through SWG, WOW and now this, we know what the other is going to do.</p><p>I get angry when I die to my own mistakes.. and absolutely livid when some wannabe hero wipes us all and laughs about it.</p><p>I don't pay a lot of attention to common wisdom or prof boards.  I set my chars up to survive, regardless of class. I have the patience to wait for opportunities, avoid adds, and generally not get in over my head.</p><p>I guess, in a nutshell, all my chars reflect me.  Instead of choosing a class that fits, I tend to mold every class into my sort of playstyle.   AAs certainly have helped this process.</p><p>The only classes that I can't seem to play are the robe squishies.  I just don't like them, and every new crop of carpet-riding wizzies/necros named Edkueofuyrheyregde makes me like them even less.</p>

[Araxes]

In real life, I tend to be a very laid-back, don't-freak-out type.  It comes from working in retail management and restaurants before that, having to deal with just about every conceivable issue known to man, and then some, every crisis you can think of - I've had to deal with it.  Usually at the same time!  It's made me into ... a very mellow person in most regards.  I don't really get too worked up about anything, anymore. But given my management background and the type of work environment I'm usually in - hectic, stressful - it doesn't really surprise me that I prefer to play passive classes.  I enjoy playing mages of most types, but specifically in EQ2 I found the warlock to my taste.  Prior to that my main was a berserker, but I gave him up at level 42 because I realized I hated the tank role.  I direct people and play leader all day long at my job - which sounds great but actually it's a lot like babysitting children - the last thing I wanted to do was come home and do more of the same.  As a tank I often found that I was more like the babysitter - go here, do this, follow me, now do this, now come here, wait, don't run ahead, come back ... YUCK.  Just hated it.  So I really like the passive classes like mages, some scouts, and priests (although healers aren't my thing I loved playing a Fury and a Defiler).  Not only that but I like the classes that have the most singular roles -- for instance, warlocks bring absolutely nothing to the table that requires any kind of responsibility (other than aggro management which goes without saying) -- we don't need to worry about healing, we don't need to worry about evacs, we don't need to mezz or charm, we don't have to direct our senseless pets.  We just come to the table and BRING IT. So does that make me lazy?  Well, actually, yes.  But when you put it into context of what I do for a day job ... then it makes a lot of sense.  This is a game - I want to relax while playing it. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[TuinalOfTheNexus]

<cite>Araxes wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>As a tank I often found that I was more like the babysitter - go here, do this, follow me, now do this, now come here, wait, don't run ahead, come back ... YUCK.  Just hated it.  </p></blockquote><p> It's funny really, I play a tank main because it drives me utterly insane when I have to follow a tank who can't chain pull/hold aggro/learn zones. It's great when they know what they're doing and you can just sit back and follow; but you're really putting it down to luck with pickup tanks whether Unrest takes an hour or an afternoon. And that goes double for raids - playing a mage it's awful seeing the tank die and helplessly watching the raid wipe.</p><p>The great thing about playing a tank is that you're the main deciding factor in how fast a group or raid progresses. The worst thing about playing a tank is that you're the main deciding factor in how fast a group or raid progresses...</p>

[DarrkElf]

<p>Oooo fun topic  <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>I've noticed that yeah, generally speaking, you do see certain personalities associated with some classes, and most of the time I can guess what class someones main is through watching their attitude and style on their alt  <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>In my experience:</p><p>Tanks - generally leaders, either older or more mature type players - great at getting things organised</p><p>Crowd Control - a mix.  Type 1 - push the envelope as much as possible, Type 2 - quiet and in the background controlling the scene</p><p>Healers - (inc me  <img src="/smilies/e8a506dc4ad763aca51bec4ca7dc8560.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />&nbsp<img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  social and outgoing, tend to take less risks</p><p>DPS Mages - usually the type to scream 'burn baby burn' with the odd sinister laugh thrown in.  generally less social.</p>

[DarrkElf]

<cite>NoteworthyFellow wrote:</cite><blockquote>I play healers almost exclusively.  One reason for this is that I get spoiled by being able to heal myself while soloing--it's a luxury I find it hard to let go of.  But I think the real reason is that I am a control freak and healing makes me feel like I hold the lives of the whole group in my glowing little Warden hands.  I realize that's quite a bit off the mark in reality (every class contributes to the survival of the group), but you can't get my subconscious mind to let go of that. Given my love for being a leader, you'd think I'd want to play a tank, but I tend to be the guy who tries to lead from the back lines while keeping the front liners alive.  You can guess how often people listen to me, and I won't say either way whether that's a good or a bad thing. </blockquote><p>I switch a lot between my Conjurer and my Fury.  Mostly I play my Fury.</p><p>I'm not much of a leader, but I like to 'contribute' and find that supporting a group/raid is where I feel most comfortable, but for soloing I really prefer the pet classes... it's simular in some ways to grouping as a Fury, because I get to hide behind my tank pet while I nuke the mob and heal my pet  <img src="/smilies/b2eb59423fbf5fa39342041237025880.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>I think Conjurer was probably the closest mage that I could get to playing my favorite style which tends to be Fury in a group switching between DPS and healing.  <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> </p>

[Zabjade]

<p><span style="color: #00cc00">My Main is a Monk, I don't like to group much unless I have to, but when I do I hold my own.</span></p><p><span style="color: #00cc00">Most of the time I'm the off-tank, I have tanked before sometimes it takes me a bit to get used to I don't chain-pull as I have to rebuild power beteween <i>(which seems to fustrate those not used to grouping with a Monk MT)</i> also I have to mentally remind myself not to Feign Death when I'm main tank <i>(Sucessfully 100% on that heheh)</i> although my Fall of the Pheonix sometimes gives me options. </span></p><p><span style="color: #00cc00">Also I've managed to get a mend off onto main tanks when the Healers couldn't or wouldn't keep up. <i>(which makes me wish it had a shorter timer)</i></span></p><p><span style="color: #00cc00">In raids I usually got pushed back into the 4th group <i>(Lacking the 1st groups buffs)</i> with all of the AoE's flying around and Monk avoidance being borked by garunteed hits by Epics, I could rarely assist the tanks. I ended up using thrown weapons and wands to assist.</span></p><p><span style="color: #00cc00">I also have a shadowknight  as my primary alt I play mostly solo but I have main-tanked with Kanaraz as well.</span></p><p><span style="color: #00cc00">I also have a Mystic that I level on the side as a Provisioner people where supprised I could tank with her <i>(As long as I don't get adds)</i> as a healer I tend to have Sentaiga heal fast and early, and the main tank only dies if I run out of mana or he pulls too much.</span></p>

[Sylphier]

<cite>TuinalOfTheNexus wrote:</cite><blockquote>Araxes wrote:<p> It's funny really, I play a tank main because it drives me utterly insane when I have to follow a tank who can't chain pull/hold aggro/learn zones. </p></blockquote>yea, i'm in the same boat. not much of a leader but i'm a hard worker so i play a tank to get stuff DONE. i usually play healers when i start a new mmo because you don't have to be held accountable for knowing anything about the game and usually people are willing to teach you things in exchange for following them around and healing them. not sure about the lore of the class matching up, i play an SK and follow the god of hate and i'm a christian irl.

[Astrlidia]

<p>I usually play scout types, but I'm not ADD.<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>In Eq1 My main was a ranger. I was very good at tracking, and finding my way around, including finding my body<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> I usually choose character class, that solo well, becuase I really hate people telling me how I should play my character' class. They are not sitting next to me, while I'm playing that character(s).</p><p>In EQ2, I rolled a ranger, but my conj became my second fav class. Both are in their 40s Most are in their 20s through 40s. It depends now on my mood to run during my gaming session. It's not always my Ranger or conj, it could be my other alts I rolled.<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> I do have a Warden, Mystic, and Fury, but I never use them in groups. Nor do I have their pets out, like I do the conj's.</p><p>I think I'll run the fury tonight. it's been awhile since I ran my little froggy fury.<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Ealthina]

I always play healers..  Maybe it's the "helper" mentality?  Maybe it's the social aspect?  I always have groups as everyone needs a good healer.  I like meeting new people in game and in RL.  Always have TS and or Vent up talking to guildies and folks we bring in to have fun or raid.

[Lortet]

<p>I play character of all types (12 alts), with a leaning to the scouts and brawlers. I will change alts three or four times a session to change playstyle.</p><p>90% of my play time is solo/duo (with my kids often) or crafting. My soloing is a challenge for me to find the toughest things I can take on without dieing - my previous game experience had a hardcore mode (death = character restart) and I have never lost the feeling of failiure on character death. (players who laugh about death/wipes in my group really annoy me)</p><p>IRL I work in a team doing routine and emergency veterinary work. Last thing I want to do in the evenings is get into a big team and react to emergencies lol. So while I will join a full group, raids leave me cold. I want to socialise, stop under a tree somewhere in Norrath and chat to guildies etc - not chain pull heroics and only respond to anyone using macros. </p>