From Warlock to Wizard?

[LordofDecay]

<p>Hey all,</p><p>I just came back from about a two year EQ2 hiatus (played some VG, FFXI, etc).  I have a 33 Warlock and a 70 Ranger.  The reason I originally quit my Warlock and leveled my Ranger was because of the fact that compared to Wizards (at least back in the olden days), they just didn't match up.  I wanted to start playing my Warlock again, and I guess my main question is: Is it currently worth it to level a Warlock in their present state, or should I betray to Wizard now while I'm still low-level?  My play style is usally 99.9% grouping/raiding, if that makes a difference at all.  I'm asking because I know I would be annoyed to level a Warlock from 33 to 70 just to have Wizards constantly outdoing me in most all situations (no offense to the current Warlock lovers, if that's the case <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" />).  </p><p> Thanks for any opinions and guidance on the matter.</p>

[Formerly Bbert]

warlocks will outperform wizards but it takes dedication and work to be that good.If you are looking for the easy route, betray to wizard.  If you want to play a character that is unique and are willing to put in the effort then stay warlock.

[Windowlicker]

The difference is very easy between two matched players.Multi-target - Warlock winsSingle-target - Wizard winsThat's pretty well it.  It really depends on the player and his/her gear more then anything.

[Elvitz]

<p>I think, that before you hit level 70 and start raiding with your class - warlock - complitly out-performs wizard in every aspect possible. Both in PvP and PvE content progression. Can explain in detail, but i think its quite obvious.</p><p>Personally I've been a wizard till level 50, but then i've realized how warlocks actually stronger are and then changed my class.</p>

[morgause]

<p>>Multi-target - Warlock winsSingle-target - Wizard wins<</p><p>Self-evidently true and the OP surely knows this, but the question goes a lot further.</p><p>Given the current state of the game which is better for grouping? If 99% of the groups at higher levels focus on killing very difficult nameds or high level mobs one might assume the wizard is a better choice for someone that mostly groups. If 99% of them fight linked mobs the converse is true. </p><p>For solo play if one can level and get goodies twice as fast farming less difficult linked mobs a warlock will excel. If most areas are saturated with relatively difficult single mobs a wizard is the way to go.</p><p>I've also just returned and had asked the same question in the newcomer forum so I don't know the answer but I think I know what the OP is looking for in terms of information.</p>

[CodeKill]

<p>I parked my warlock that I created in 2005 and dragged her out at lvl 31 this year and lvled her to 70, after 40 i was really impressed with the power and poison damage on multi targets, she is definately a crowd control item for sure, but onl after lvl 40 did I see a noticeable difference in playing, and I love it. Warlocks rock, and I can parse with the best of them. Betraying to Wizzy would be a waste.</p>

[Araxes]

I tell all of my guildies who ask about being a warlock that they better be ready for a long haul.  We don't truly come into our own until after level 40, and maybe even as late as post-50 when you start getting the Ancient Teachings.  But, from that point on, it only gets better and better. 

[Chakoty]

you say till after lvl 40 .. i got my 1st good ae spells at 13 and 14 and i'm noticing a big impact. i can take on 3 white cont heroci's with my new poison ae. but then i took up scholar and got my spells all to apprentice 4. so that could be the differnce as well. also got corrosive bolt as a master spell since i use that alot. I'll see what you mean when i hit 40 tho <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[knightofround]

I wouldn't say that either Sorcerer is better than the other. We parse virtually the same on both single targets and multi targets, although there is a little discrepency between the two.You should play what you want to play. Personally, I think Warlocks have an advantage because they're much less common so their spells are cheaper, and their buffs will stack with a Wizards....whereas 2 wizards together does very little.However, wizards are much better equipped for farming, so it sort of balances out.

[TuinalOfTheNexus]

<p>Advantages of Warlocks over Wizards:</p><ul><li>Warlocks have a clear role in which they excel (3+ mob encounters). Nothing can touch a Warlock for raw damage on a group of mobs. A Wizard, by comparison, isn't necessarily the best choice for single target DPS, since they can frequently be outdamaged by Assassins, Rangers, Necromancers, etc. Subsequently any raid fighting lots of groups of mobs, or spawned adds in groups, is really enhanced by having a Warlock, whereas you can swap a Wizard in and out for any DPS class with little difference.</li><li>Better buffs, primarily Propagation (although the casting technique buff is nice too). Any high-end caster group is massively enhanced by the proc chance increase. Frigid Gift, the Wizard's offering, generates less DPS. Also Runes are better than Phoenixblade, and Nihilistics helps the tank with aggro.</li><li>Comparatively better performance on long fights- i.e. raid encounters. Power is less of an issue.</li><li>Cheaper masters, since the class is unpopular due to its drawbacks...</li></ul><p>Drawbacks</p><ul><li>To excel in your primary role of AE damage, you need a perfect raid setup (troub/illu buffs on you, dirge/coercer/swash buffs on MT). You also need a good tank. If this isn't the case, then doing high DPS without dying is extremely difficult and can be frustrating. A Wizard has an easier time since tanks generally find single target aggro easier, and can usually mash their spell cycle with impunity.</li><li>Much weaker solo class than Wizard. Asides from the fact you've less single target damage, you also don't have mez (Boreal) like a Wizard so you're much more vulnerable to mobs casting spells at you.</li><li>Lousy EoF class set compared to Wizards. Generally overlooked in favor of Wizards on gear (bone clasped girdle, for example, debuffs heat and cold resists).</li><li>Nil Crystals are an irritating waste of time; expect to spend 15-30 mins solo farming them for one night of raiding.</li></ul>