Soloing a new defiler that likes to heal

[Gi]

<p>Hi! Coming back to EQ2 after a long trip through a couple other games.  When I get to max level I prefer to play main healer in harder content, and some folks have suggested defiler so I'm giving that a try.  But there are still 58 levels to go, and I'm trying to understand the path between here and there. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>First, no idea where to spend the few AAs I have already.  I like to solo some and I expect I'll be forced to besides, but my playstyle is such that I don't really like to rely on simple melee damage too much -- too boring.  Is AGI/melee the only viable path for soloing a defiler, or is there a build that takes advantage of spell damage?</p><p>Any other leveling tips for a defiler specifically?</p><p>thanks!</p>

[TheSpin]

<p>I am certainly not an expert on the class, but I am leveling one and I wanted to share my thoughts about my AAs with you.</p><p>I started off going down the strength line.  This line gives your dog buffs including aoe immunity and a good chance to proc a group ward with every attack they do.  When I solo this basically means that I don't heal myself much because this buff triggers enough that it does most of the work for me.  This is a major line for grouping and healing as well.</p><p>I am now working on the decaying path in the defiler line.  It will increase the damage of my DoTs.  I am just going to spend 5 points each in the two main single target dots for now.  Later I will max out the line and pick up cannibalize because I hear it is a wonderful tool for keeping your power pool up regardless of if you're soloing, grouping, or raiding.</p><p>Once I spend those 10 points in decaying I personally want to move to the cursing line and get the end ability.  I like the whole concept behind the line and I think it will be nice for soloing and grouping to be able to get the debuffs on the targets quicker.  I don't know if this is a popular line, but it's definately one I'm excited to get.</p><p>The last line I currently have planned to maximize is the Intelligence line back in the KoS tree.  It does contain an increase to spell crit % and I think that will be great while soloing.  I will probably max the line and see how I like the end ability, but I'm not sure exactly how good it will be at this point.  In pvp I can see it doing amazing things, but in pve I don't know how many buffs things normally keep on them (not many I think).</p>

[Gi]

Thanks Theocritus -- this is extremely helpful! 

[Raca]

the second to last ability in int is bugged i hear and doesnt work so might wanna ask around to see if they fixed it.

[Loge]

agi/int and the first few upgrades in the canni line are your best for dpsrabies and virulence are the only things worth it in the int line.  id get those first.  then the first upgrades in the canni line.  deeper into that tree upgrades spells you won't get till 50+ so stop there.  then get end ability of the agi line.  slap on a two handed weapon and you have some pretty decent dps.imo, speccing a defiler to 'heal' is wasted aa, especially while leveling.  the wis line is nothing spectacular and from my raiding experience the extra wards from the dogs aren't really worth the hassle of him.  defilers heal just fine when dps specced.  you will still top the heal parses and be able to solo heal instances like unrest (with a competent tank mind you).the only respec i would suggest when you start to do harder content is to drop rabies down to 4 points just unlock virulence and put all your leftover points into wis 2.of course all this will change when rok comes out.

[Kari]

My main is a level 70 defiler that is specced for healing, but I do have a baby defiler on the test server that is leveling up. With her I put a few points into Wis just to increase her power pool a bit, then went down the Int line until I had a good number of points in the dot spell. Having an extra attack spell is very valuable at low levels. After that the decaying/canni line increases spell damage. If I ever get her up to good grouping levels, there are always the 5 free respecs to give her more of a healing spec, in the mean time she is doing better than I expected at soloing.

[TheSpin]

<p>Now that I've enjoyed the dog buffs I don't think I'll ever be able to go back.  When soloing the rabies bite on the dog is decent damage, and the wards proc a ton.  I feel like the more free heals I get with the dog the less time I have to spend casting  heals and the more time I can spend trying to fit in all of the debuffs and nukes.</p><p>When I heal in a group I barely have time to cycle through all of my spells once before the mob is dead, so that extra time you have to spend casting a heal can definately slow down your dps.</p><p>I would personally focus on the int line and defiler lines for dps and leave the agility line to the mystics. (though the spell crit is nice)</p>

[Morro Twistedbriar]

I am currently level 57. Soloed mostly, play at odd hours when everyone wants to sleep. I took Wis and Str lines and I solo very well. I can take out 3 up nameds 5 levels lower than me and stay full health with only half of my power used. The EoF line is a bit tricky to figure out, Looks like I will be changing what I have already chosen. Still, Defiler is a strong class and can do some great things. I like my Defiler a lot and he is very capable of handling some serious heat.