Baby Coercer (26) seeks advice.

[Aurumn]

<p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Let me preface this by saying I've already heard plenty about how this class has been gimped ‘til doomsday as far as raid performance goes. I am *currently* unconcerned about raiding so let's leave that out of the equation for now. I've chosen to remain optimistic (or delusional, take your pick).</i> </span></p><p><b>What I'm looking for is advice on how to approach grouping as a coercer in order to be more effective and focused. Tactics, specs, equipment, spells to focus on mastering, etc.</b> I've been playing since January, but mostly soloing non-caster classes so feel free to consider me a total newb as far as caster or group tactics go. And I don't mind being pointed to existing web guides or posts I've missed... all help is appreciated.</p><p>So far I've solo'd most of the time in order to learn my skills (both with and without pets). My toon is <b>Mezzmyrelda on Unrest</b> if you want to check her stats and such. I've recently started trying to group with her so I could see how her skills play out in a setting where I can actually focus on CC and not so much on tanking. I quickly learned that AoEs are my bane so I'm guessing getting paired with an SK or Zerker is not my best combo. Here's what I've been trying lately, please let me know where I need to switch things up and so forth. </p><ol><li>Tank pulls a group (mix of an encounter and some solo mobs)</li><li>Stupify on encounter, (terribly long recast timer on this)</li><li>Silence on any caster mobs, </li><li>Chronosiphoning on random mob to speed up casting</li><li>Mezzmerize on any remaining single mob not being damaged by the tank.</li><li>Debuffs and HO/DoT/DD spells on tank's target </li><li>Mezzmerize any ignored mobs or adds as they appear until Tank targets them. (Silence if caster).</li><li>Manaflow on Tank or healer if their power is low</li><li>Repeat 6-8 until battle over.</li></ol><p>I do better when the tank pulls encounters since I can lock down more mobs at once. I also know I have to pick mezz targets carefully so I don't waste the spell on a mob someone is targeting. (Normally not a problem if everyone is concentrating on MT's target, but alas, this is not always the case.) I'm not bottoming out on power... in fact I often don't dip below 50% despite casting almost continually.</p><p>Are Mana Cloak and Word of Force worth picking up?  I've got her building up the INT and AGI AA lines working toward Perpetuality and Volatile Magic as they seemed to be the most useful IMO. All spells are at least App IV with several Adept III's thrown in. I forget what Master II spell I picked the first time around, but I have the low 20's one waiting to be selected (Sybillant, Coerce, Mezzmerize or Damaged Psyche I believe). I have a Sage and Tailor alt so as I find rares I can keep her in MC armor and Adept III's.</p><p>I hope this isn't too random. Any and all input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.</p>

[Erithorn]

<p>Hello Aurumn ;</p><p> My Coercer is only 22, but to my knowledge you are doing just about what I believe you should be! I would hope that your tanks can pull single groups more often, but not always doe we find the best pullers in a pickup group <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>Crowd control, we can do.... and if the group has experience with a Coercer, the MT will be able to pick and chose his target at will. OF course, everyone has to assist the tank so they are all on the same target... and yes AOE is the devil <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>Equipment?  Everything with INT...     Spells... your MEZ spells should be as high a level as you can get, same with the COERCE line.  Other than that, get App IV or Adept 1 if you can find.</p><p> I love my coercer, and it will soon become my main alt as the new adventure pack comes out !</p><p>Ejodeth</p>

[Trepan]

<span class="postbody">Aurumn,  Looks like you've got a pretty good handle on the way things work for a coercer in a group (at least to MY understanding).   For spells to focus on upgrading, it depends on your typical group, really.  I personally mastered all my stuns, then buffs, then debuffs, then mezzes in that order (unless one floated past on the broker for cheap, then it was MINE and got upgraded early </span><img src="/eq2/images/smilies/2786c5c8e1a8be796fb2f726cca5a0fe.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /> ).  Mana cloak is useful.  Word of force is useful.  Look at getting them.  More tools in the utility belt are only not useful if they confuse you and keep you from finding the tool you're looking for.   I focused on AGI and WIS AA lines.  I have plenty of items that proc on a hostile spell cast.  The more I cast, the more I proc.  The more I proc, the more power I tap.  The more power I tap, the more I can cast.     Don't forget to weigh in +subj on your gear selections.

[Aurumn]

<p>Thanks for the input so far guys! It's good to hear I'm not too far off base. The last time I grouped I felt like I wasn't keeping up like I should and I wanted to do better. Of course I was 5 levels below most of the folks there so I guess it was to be expected. <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /> </p><p>I'll have to look into +subj gear... hadn't even thought of that yet. <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/499fd50bc713bfcdf2ab5a23c00c2d62.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /> Mezz started out as a farming toon for my baby transmuter so her own gear was neglected to feed him. I fell in love with playing her so now I get to play catch up. (hehe) Are these items and the proc items you mentioned adorned, or just loot drops? I plucked a few Tier 4 Masters/Adept III's from the broker that I saw cheap and banked em so I've got that started. I'm a penny-pincher IRL so if I see a deal, I snap it up by default. <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /></p><p>If anyone else has something to contribute, jump right in! I love to learn. </p>

[Fasci]

I was able to find some +subj gear on the broker (I forget what it was called; it was a symbol) for lower levels at not too much coin. I also did the 5 pts in KoS AA Charm, and have been working down the WIS line for the +subj benefit. With that plus a master charm spell (Beguile), I've had no problems with charm breaks while soloing.For CC with groups, like you, I stick with the stuns, dazes, and stifles. (I get a kick out of draining the mob's power to 0, too.) Depending on the group, of course, and what we're fighting. I tend to stay away from the mezzes unless the group picks up unexpected adds & and gets in trouble. I occasionally use charm as CC in a group (charm one mob in the encounter & set it agaist its friends; kill it when done.), but I find it often confuses my groupmates. If you choose to do this, your ratonga illusion can help your groupmates *not* target your pet.I haven't picked up Word of Force or Mana Cloak yet; but plan to in the near future.

[Jesdyr]

<cite>Aurumn@Unrest wrote:</cite><blockquote>I plucked a few Tier 4 Masters/Adept III's from the broker that I saw cheap and banked em <p>If anyone else has something to contribute, jump right in! I love to learn. </p></blockquote>Our Masters tend to be cheap on Unrest. Anyway .. grouped tactics always end up being a judgment call. The first few pulls you should get a feel for what the group can do and base your tactics around that. Unless the group has really low AE DPS I would stay away from Mez unless there is an unexpected add and your tank trusts you enough to take care of it. If you play with the same groups of people they will learn with you and it will make your job much easier. If your group does not trust you will quickly deal with adds, then they will target and break the mez without thinking about it. My normal tactic in groups is to use my stuns as often as possible. My opening casting order is normally is debuff - stun - reactives -  damage. The things is Coercers have so much utility that there is MANY ways to play this class solo and group. You will figure out what works for you. I started 3 boxing not too long ago. I use my coercer as the main and have a Wiz and a Lock following me around. This plays out almost exactly the same as a solo coercer with a mage pet only things die MUCH faster <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[finnean]

Think I will try the 3 boxing with mages.  Sounds like fun <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Jesdyr]

<cite>finnean wrote:</cite><blockquote>Think I will try the 3 boxing with mages.  Sounds like fun <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />" /></blockquote>It plays a lot like solo only you have many more buttons to push while also doing all the normal things you do, it takes a lot out of me but it is so much fun sometimes.