Help choosing character

[Tegren]

<p>My wife and I recently decided to start playing EQ2 and I am trying to choose between a monk and bruiser to best suit playing with her warlock or magician. We plan to duo mostly. I have read a lot of information on these forums regarding the differences between a bruiser and a monk. It sounds like a bruiser has an edge on soloing with more heals, and also maybe does more damage? But the Monk can heal others and cure some ailments. I also read about the monk having enough self haste to reach the haste cap on his own. Does the bruiser have the same? We want to rely mainly on self buffs. As far as my gaming background goes, I am very familar with Vangaurd and EQ1, but this is my first monk type class as a main. Thanks in a advance for your help. Any and all advice, suggestions, and information is welcome. (also posted in Bruiser forum)</p>

[Bladewind]

<p>A bruiser can heal themselves about twice as often as a monk can use their heal on anyone.  Instead of haste, bruiser receive a group buff that increases weapon damage (called a dps buff) and a couple extra damage procs.  In a short fight (less than 20 seconds), a bruiser will do much more damage than a monk because their CAs do roughly double damage (but also have twice the castign time).  So, if the fight lasts abotu 25 seconds or more, the monk will be able to cast their CAs twice and abotu the same damage.  Overall, in your situation, the bruiser will have a slight damage edge over a monk.  I think either will be equally as viable, though.</p><p>I duo'd 1-70 with my lady friend's warlock as a monk, and it went fine.  The game has undergone many large changes since then, though.  It is not a perfect pairing as you would ideally have some sort of real healing in there, but it can work well.</p>

[Squigglle]

id say do monk exspecailly with there casting buff