Can't Choose a class! Help!

[cemond]

I just picked up EQ and the expansions via the Download but I'm having trouble finding a class to play. I loved the Dmg Classes I played in WoW, like warlock and hunter. I started up a Ranger, but alot of people told me I wouldnt be able to solo well and I Would die. THey told me to switch to a Wizard or a Assassin or something? ANyone have any recommendations for me? The aMount of classes is imtimidating.

[Calthine]

Everyone has an opinion.  Pick something that sounds fun and try it for a bit; you can always roll a new toon.  That's why we have more than one character slot!

[cemond]

I like the idea of a Ranger? I love using a Bow. My question is, will I get owned? People said id be too fragile? Would assassin be better for a newer player? I got my Ranger to level 5 and I Seem to get alot of Melee Abiilities, more than ranged, so im not sure where the focus is supposed to be...

[Iwice]

if you liked ranger, you could try assasin, a good class. and most of the classes can solo, to a ceratin limit, then there are some more solo extreme classes, its all up to how you pre to play, and how you intend to do it

[Yrr]

Rangers are quite a bit melee until about level 30. Then you can start trying ranged only fights. They are not fragile, chain is the second best armor class in the game. And they can solo pretty well if played correctly. This involves a bit of kiting and other things. You basically just have to know what you are doing. Nothing to be afraid of, it comes with the levels. Assassin fights are quick and dirty. either you will die fast or the mob will. If you know what you do its the mob...mostly <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />. Again, classes start being "themselves" at about level 20. PS:  If you like Ranger....play ranger <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Anellusion]

<p>Rangers don't really become rangers until high 20's to mid 30's.</p><p>Until then, we're just kinda... generic scouts with a few bowshots.</p><p>When Tredir was created waaay back, levels 1-9 I was a scout, then 10-19 I was a predator and at level 20 I was finally a Ranger. I think it's a bit of a leftover of that system. 1-20 focus is on melee. 20-30 is a transition stage. 30+ you're finally beginning to 'feel' like a ranger.</p><p>All of this is IMHO, YMMV, AFAIK, etc.</p>

[cemond]

Would a Wizard be abetter choice? I love ranged DMG, but Rangers IMO look way cooler than Wizards, as far as armor and weapons, <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Anellusion]

<p>If you're having fun as a ranger, I'd say stick to it.</p><p>If you want to experiment then start a wizzie and try them out too.</p>

[Kahlef]

Frankly, if you think rangers will be a fun class play with it. It is you who will be playing it to level 70 and not all the other people who say the class isn't very good. At least give it a try until level 30 or such so you can get a feel of the class and decide by yourself if it is worth playing it or not.

[cemond]

Yah, I just don't wanna waste time If I'm going to be gimped in the end. At level 4 Ive already encountered a problem of missing my shots and having the melee the entire fight, which is slow and painful

[Willias]

Rangers are one of the top DPS classes in the game, so you won't be "gimped in the end".

[leonid]

<p>I haven't played a ranger, but even as one you will have to melee.  Even if you get roots (and I'm not sure if as a ranger you do) mobs still will close to melee at times.</p><p> The same thing happens to my wizard, root is resisted, or breaks, and the mob gets into melee range.  The difference is as a caster, I keep on blasting through, where as you will pull out a sword.</p>

[cemond]

Started a Fae Wizard, right choice for sure. I love the spells and effects. Very Satisfying so far.

[Lightfoot]

<p>You will always solo better with a class you enjoy playing because you tend to learn how to play them better.  When people tell you that a certain class is no good or you will die a lot, it's usually because when they have tried playing that particular class they couldn't get in to that style of play.  Someone that likes to be up front and personal with melee classes don't make very good casters and someone that likes doing ranged attacks will not make a very good tank etc.</p><p>What ever class you play, you are going to get into a melee situation at sometime.  If you are a soloist like myself it will happen fairly often.  It's up to you on how you want to deal with it.  You can battle it out where you stand and hope your health holds out longer than theirs, or you can try and root them down, get your distance and start nuking them again.  As a last resort you can try running away and hope you get clear before you die.</p><p>The most important thing about soloing is to weigh up the situation and survey the area before making your initial attack.</p><p>At the end of the day it is about playing what you feel happy with.  If you want to be a ranger, go for it.  If you feel that you want to try a wizard, roll one of those as well.  It's no good playing a class you don't want to just because someone else says you should.  You won't enjoy playing it, die a lot and just get frustrated.</p><p>Whatever class you decide on, give it a chance.  Don't give up on it before lvl 20 ( unless you find you really hate the class ) because you won't have a proper feel for the character until at least then.</p>

[Lev]

Personally I love playing a ranger, and have been since launch. Rangers do get fairly good at soloing in the later lvls, but it can be very situational. Keep in mind though that playing a ranger is extremely different from playing a hunter in WoW. Most mages are probably better soloers through tiers, and I believe that the chanters (Illusionsist, Coercer) are considered some of the best soloers out there.

[Mimosa]

<p>Ranger really isn't much like a hunter, but they can be fun and are definately high DPS. You never do get a pet, so you'll always be doing some melee unless you get the hang of kiting, which to me is annoying and time consuming.</p><p>Rather than a wizard, if you enjoyed playing a warlock, I'd suggest necromancer. They're similar to the warlock, although you get the pet at level 1 and don't have to deal with soul shards. Not top tier dps, but you can definately put out some serious damage between you and your pet, and they are very easy to solo.</p><p>Either way, as everyone else suggested, if you're having fun, keep doing it <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Norrsken]

Nuadrae@The Bazaar wrote: <blockquote><p>Ranger really isn't much like a hunter, but they can be fun and are definately high DPS. You never do get a pet, so you'll always be doing some melee unless you get the hang of kiting, which to me is annoying and time consuming.</p><p>Rather than a wizard, if you enjoyed playing a warlock, I'd suggest necromancer. They're similar to the warlock, although you get the pet at level 1 and don't have to deal with soul shards. Not top tier dps, but you can definately put out some serious damage between you and your pet, and they are very easy to solo.</p><p>Either way, as everyone else suggested, if you're having fun, keep doing it <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p></blockquote>Doesnt rangers actually get a charm with AAs? And that hated dumbfire bird of stealthbreaking? <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> And as far as necros not doing top tier dps, where'd ya get that from? <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> With me going dps, with either of my dps pets out, and a good charmed dps pet, a necro does an impressive amount of dps. It just takes them a while to get in motion. <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Mimosa]

Ulvhamne@Nagafen wrote: <blockquote>Nuadrae@The Bazaar wrote: <blockquote><p>Ranger really isn't much like a hunter, but they can be fun and are definately high DPS. You never do get a pet, so you'll always be doing some melee unless you get the hang of kiting, which to me is annoying and time consuming.</p><p>Rather than a wizard, if you enjoyed playing a warlock, I'd suggest necromancer. They're similar to the warlock, although you get the pet at level 1 and don't have to deal with soul shards. Not top tier dps, but you can definately put out some serious damage between you and your pet, and they are very easy to solo.</p><p>Either way, as everyone else suggested, if you're having fun, keep doing it <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p></blockquote>Doesnt rangers actually get a charm with AAs? And that hated dumbfire bird of stealthbreaking? <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> And as far as necros not doing top tier dps, where'd ya get that from? <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> With me going dps, with either of my dps pets out, and a good charmed dps pet, a necro does an impressive amount of dps. It just takes them a while to get in motion. <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> </blockquote><p>Ok, they don't get a pet in the sense that WoW hunters do (and necro and conj) with pet buffs and all  <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>I got the idea from raid parses. A well-played necro can top the parse in longer fights especially if they lifeburn, but against quickly dying trash they can't. They are usually very high though (see above ... "you can definately put out some serious damage&quot<img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />. Soloing I don't know how they parse compared to wizards.</p><p>Of course, its all just my opinion. Just trying to help the guy decide, since I played both games. Also played a hunter to 60 before TBC, and tried out a ranger here. I think there's more similarity between the warlock and necromancer. The wizard is more like the mage. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[VizP]

To be perfectly honest with you - this game has 24 classes and 20 races I believe and BOY has it done a fantastic job at managing to balance them. Is it perfect? No but its almost impossible to have perfect balance for that many different playstyles. But there is no way your ranger is gimped - in fact rangers are one of the highest DPS classes in the game and some people really love playing them! So if thats where your heart is set, just play! Thats true for any class btw - currently there is no class that is gimped. Some classes are much harder to play than others though resulting in people thinking they are weaker or less useful but they just require longer mastery to get rewards. So anyway enjoy and good luck!

[Halsy01]

<p>Bruiser or Monk ain't a bad way to go. You can dish it out and take it. I logged in after being gone for several months and was immediately attacked (my level 50 cat bruiser) by 3 level 47+ mobs. I thought I was dead. Then it came back to me, I'm a bruiser. Well, it was a rough start but I crushed those mobs PDQ with not even 1/4 of my HP gone. Then as I was getting my bearings I ran into a +3 heroic mob who proceeded to beat the tar out of me...oh yeah, feign death. Mob wanders off. I lay there and heal. Good times. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>And as other people have mentioned, it's really more about play style than anything else. Tanks/priests are too boring for me. Rogues too slow (all that creeping around). Mages are paper tigers IMO. Monks are sweet, but goody goody. Brusiers are badasses who come to kick [I cannot control my vocabulary] and chew gum...and they're all out of gum. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>I have some caster/tank/rogue alts, but the Bruiser for me is the sweet spot. Great for soloing, great in groups. And the only thing you need to know is...puncha, puncha, puncha.</p>

[Cadori Seraphim]

I dont know if this was mentioned yet but coming from WoW you will find EQ2 alot harder to solo in. I am not saying its not impossible but WoW, for a lack of better words, compared to EQ2 is easy mode. This is not to impune the game whatsoever as I like them both, but there is a huge difference in ease of leveling in WoW compared to EQ2. That said, some of the others mentioned picking something you enjoy and play it.. but being new you really wouldnt know WHAT you enjoy now would you? /giggle There are 4 basic types of classes in EQ2 - Mage (your ranged nukers), Priest (your healers), Scout (Your melee dps) and Fighter (your tanks - that take hits). EQ2 takes each of these and enhances them into many different classes in which to choose from: <u>Healer:</u> <span style="color: #00cc66"><i>Cleric</i>: Templar / Inquisitor Clerics are excellent healers and buffers. They have large heals as well as reactive heals (spells you put on players or mobs, so that when the player gets hit he/she gets healed).  <i>Druid</i>: Fury / Warden Druids are excellent healers but their heals are in the form of HoTs (heal over time). While some of their heals are big in #, they may not be as big as say a clerics heals or shamans wards, but they make up for that with the HoT added to it. Druids also are very good DPS (especially the Fury). <i>Shaman</i>: Defiler / Mystic Shaman are excellent healers but do so in the way of warding their allies with a magical barrier preventing damage that would be dealt to them. They also have heal spells but their bread and butter lies in their wards. They are also good buffers and defuffers in raids. Shaman are the weakest of the healers when it comes to their DPS. </span> <u>Fighter:</u> <span style="color: #996699"><i>Warrior</i>: Berzerker / Guardian These guys are the chosen tanks of the game, I dont have extensive knowledge in either class, so I can add much more then that. <i>Brawler</i>: Bruiser / Monk Brawlers are better dps they they are tanks, though I am SURE people will argue that point to no end as fighters are all really gear dependent. Brawlers have the ability to feign death, which is really fun. <i>Crusader</i>: Paladin /  Shadowknight I have seen some really good Shadowknights tanking, so I knwo they are good at that, but honestly as far as these two go really have no clue as I have 0 experience playing either. </span> <u>Scout:</u> <span style="color: #3366ff"><i>Predator</i>: Ranger / Assassin These guys are HIGH DPS classes, Ranger being ranged and Assassin being right in melee with alot of *behind* and *sneak* attacks. <i>Bard</i>: Troubador / Dirge These guys are great utility for groups and raids as they bring ALOT to the table to buff their fellow players. As far as DPS its a bit on the low side. <i>Rogue</i>: Brigand / Swashbuckler These guys are also HIGH DPS but also have nice group/raid utility. My experience with these are very limited so I cant add anymore to it then this. </span><u>Mage:</u> <span style="color: #ff0000"><i>Summoner</i>: Conjuror / Necromancer These guys are the pet classes in the game. They have pets for all types of situatuions (tank pets, scout pets, mage pets) as well as temp pets (30 second lasting pets) that add a little umph to each encounter. They are both HIGH DPS nuking classes. <i>Sorcerer</i>: Wizard / Warlock </span><span style="color: #3366ff"> <span style="color: #ff0000">These guys are HIGH DPS classes as well, some would argue more or less DPS then the Summoners but that will always be debatable. Wizard is mainly high DPS to single targets where Warlock does good in AE situations. <i>Enchanter</i>: Coercer / Illusionist These guys are low DPS but offer high utility for groups and raids, especially in the mana regen area. Coercers charm which I have heard is great for soloing, and the coercer AA is nice if you go down the right line for extra raid buffage (particularly for healers). Not sure too much about illusionists, so I cant speak for them. </span> </span> Now with all that said (and please correct me if I got any of the information wrong) you need to figure out what you think you would have fun doing. Do you like to keep the group alive? Read through the Healer info and see which way sounds like more fun to you. Editing to add mages (was at work so I had to post a partial <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />)