Help with a tough choice

[Borlok]

<p>I'll try my hardest to ensure that this isn't a "which class is better?" question <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>I will be grouping regularly with a bruiser and illusionist.  I want to make a melee priest.  I have narrowed down my choices to a Warden, and a Mystic.  I have already made them both, the Warden is 20, Mystic is 30.  I wanted to get a general feel for each class.</p><p>I've went as far as writing down a list of comparisons between the two classes, and assigning a number (based on different things, but mainly my personal preferences for each item and its value to me).  It's still too close to call.</p><p><u><b>In favor of the Mystic:</b></u></p><p>I like chain a lot (I hate leather).</p><p>I like the Pet *slightly* better than not having one <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>Str/Sta buffs</p><p>100% melee crit AA</p><p>AA selection slightly better in Mystic line than in the Warden line (IMO).</p><p>----</p><p><b><u>In favor of the Warden</u></b>:</p><p>Teleports.</p><p>I like regens more than wards.  Not a LOT or anything, but I do prefer them.</p><p>Shapeshift stacking (wolf form with mitigation + tiger form with proc)</p><p>AA selection slightly better in Druid line than in the Shaman line (again, IMO).</p><p>Playstyle feels much faster; no worries about the dog and keeping him alive, most cast times seem shorter, etc.</p><p>Say what you will, but Wardens are the KINGS of power efficiency.</p><p>There are other, non-effectiveness related items here and there (for example, I was a Barbarian Shaman in EQ1).  This does influence other choices, though, as in the chain vs leather.  Sure, a Warden might be able to match chain mitigation later on, but I just dont like the leather graphic.</p><p>On paper, the mystic probably comes out ahead, simply because of how much better off they are in a melee priest role early on.  Even if things level out later, those first 40-50 levels have to be much easier when you have chain, tons of str/sta, and a regenerative ward.</p><p>What I can't decide is if the mystic's overall  plusses override teleports.  I know travel isn't a huge deal in this game, as it was in EQ1 (until PoP, anyway), but still...how much time is saved by teleporting your group to Greater Faydark from Antonica rather than running there?  30 minutes?  An hour?  What about needing to leave Cazic Thule because you are laden with loot and need to sell?</p><p>You guys and gals have played without teleport.  Do you find yourself wishing you had it?</p><p>So, with those things in mind, grouping with the illusionist and bruiser, blah blah blah, what do you recommend?</p><p>Help?</p><p>----Borlok</p>

[rvbarton]

are you playing on a PVP server?  If you are, then go warden.  If not, then play whichever you like better.  It sounds like you prefer a warden though, given the thought put into each categorie.

[Borlok]

<p>No, I'm on a regular server.</p><p>Actually, in my mind, the mystic seems better in most areas, and I probably generally prefer him, especially in fighting.  It's just hard to determine how important teleport is to me, among other things.  It also feels like the warden *might* be a little more versatile.</p><p> ---Borlok</p><p>*Edit:  I should also say that healing the bruiser seems like it would be easier with the mystic, because the bruiser is either taking tons of damage, or none at all, and regens seem soooo bad for spike damage.</p>

[rvbarton]

<p>the warden is definitely more versatile, for the most part.</p><p>I still prefer mystics.  the wards/debuffs > warden's versatility, imho.</p>

[Finora]

<p>I prefer my mystic.</p><p>I have never missed having the ability to port or evac except when I'm feeling particularly lazy. </p><p>Travel doesn't take such a huge amount of time in this game that I feel burdened when I have to make a trip to Faydwer from wherever I am. </p><p>I've never tried to heal a brawler with my druid, so I can't speak for the difficulty or ease there, I have healed several with my mystic and it doesn't take much as long and they understand how to hold agro in a multiple mob situation so things don't start beating on you.</p><p>Once you get used to having the pet, there really isn't much thought that has to be put into controlling it and keeping it alive. The only times I have troubles (even on my itty bitty defiler with out many aa's) is when there is a direct aoe that the dog can't resist and gets chewed up in. </p><p>The mystic EOF aa's for buffs and melee fit very very well with the KOS aa lines for agility and some other line you pick, I personally went down the str line because I really like my dog and the ward proc is a great help and an extra 16% or so haste isn't too bad to have either if you are melee specced.</p>

[schmee]

<p>to answer your question on travel, i use jboots & enahnced sow almost everywhere so i'm running at 50% without a mount and it's a blast. not having ports is just no that big a deal - especialyl as mystics are good aligned and thus can go from Qeynos Harbor to Sinking Sands to Butcherblock.</p><p>The horses in Gfay and Griffs in BBM also make ports even less necessary. in T7 porting is so unnecessary that most pick up groups won't even ask for ports, despite there being to druids and a wizard in the group, and all of them waiting in loping plains for someone to come from one of the cities. People will offer or sometimes ask, but often they don't - ie ports are great if you got them but not something to choose a class over.</p><p>being able to out parse your tank without thinking about it - that's something choose a class over =)</p>

[iduckie]

<p>As far as Traveling goes -</p><p>With the ability to take the Carpet in Qeynos Harbor to Sinking sands and then hop on the carpet there to Butcherblock and the New Griffon stations in BBM And Horses in Greaterfay I doubt your going to care about Teleporting because... well duh there are Shinys out the way!</p><p>I like grouping with Brawlers and if built right they seem to tank a pretty nicely compared to those... not so friendly plate tanks lol</p><p>And what are you doing comparing a Shaman to a Druid? You should be leveling our Mystic instead :]</p>

[Borlok]

<p>Thanks for all the responses!  You guys seem passionate and unanimous <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>---Borlok</p>

[Korpo]

<ul><li>The STR/STA and STR/STA/AGI buff you get as a mystic helps tanks more than whatever (AGI/WIS?) wardens get.</li><li>Wards kick serious backside with brawlers, especially if they take the INT line. They get like 75% crits if they go below 30% health, so let them get there and load them up with wards to keep them there.</li><li>Bruisers buff DPS, and Illys give haste. Both rock if you're a melee-spec mystic.</li><li>The dog sucks. I hardly even bother with him.</li></ul>