New to bruiser - advice needed

[Rruusted]

So Im fairly new to the game,  I only played a month a year ago and that was with my Swashbuckler. I started up the account again due to the RoK release, and [Removed for Content]! This game have changed alot.If I've understand correctly bruiser mainly focuses on str and sta as stats on ITEMS  but in AA I've heard alot of talk about wisdom or int trees, so what's the deal?And should I focus my first points on the Brawler Tree or the Bruiser Tree first? Got 4-5 points atm to spend.Also: What weapons should I use, what's the difference between them. To they affect some of my abilities? I think i've read on this forum something about being totallt unarmed (?)Lastly: How does the AA respecc work? Does it cost alot (im very poor atm). Should I start in one AA tree to level up, then swtich to this int/wis build that i've heard about?Any guidence is appreciated!/cheers!

[tt66]

STR and STA are stats you should be focusing on. The WIS and INT AA lines are popular not because of the STA bonuses, but because of the abilities lower down in the tree. Mainly the Tier3 abilities, which is why you'll see a lot of 448s in AA specs. (the two 4s being the minimum amount required to get to the next tier).The WIS AA line is excellent for AoE damage, whereas the INT AA line gives melee crit%. Most AA builds will be at least 448 in both WIS and INT for these reasons.You should be looking to spend almost all your points in the Brawler tree at early levels. Only the Self-Heal in the Bruiser tree is worth considering spending points on before the Brawler tree is maxed.Going totally unarmed (and having 448 in the STR AA) is suggested while leveling. You will be doing more damage than if you used anything except very rare weapons. (Which you would soon outgrow anyway).Only go unarmed once you have 448 in STR, it isn't worth it if you don't have the full 8 points in the Tier3 STR ability.My recommendation : Put your points wherever you like until you have 17, then respec (available at the Mage Tower in either Freeport or Qeynos, costs only 10s the first time and is often free) and go 448 STR and unarmed.Then start putting points in INT until you're 448 STR and INT. At that point, either continue filling in the STR and INT lines, or start down the WIS line for AoE damage. Keep an eye on <a href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?topic_id=391326" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this thread.</a> It contains an excellent spec to aim for.

[Rruusted]

Thanks! Great advice, just what I was looking for <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Pnaxx]

<p>Just to addd to what tt66 said, at your level, you should really go strong in the STR Line 4/8/8/8/1 because you really get juiced up there. Your hands will be like Fabled weapons all the time as you grow which will save you a ton of money as you level. Alot of people go STR 4/4/8/8/1, but that second skill is a great debuff that should be maxed out called Pressure Point.</p><p>After the STR Line, if I were you, until you get enough points to make the INT Line worth it (16 I guess 4/4/<img src="/smilies/b2eb59423fbf5fa39342041237025880.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />, you may want to put the AA's in healing Line from the Bruiser Tree, then once you get the 16, put them in the INT Line. But the Healing Line only takes 5 max, so look for another skill to put the remainder in that gives you nice early bonus that will help you out from the git go, maybe some of the Bruiser Line Melle stuff.</p><p>But again, once you hit the 16 AA's needed, you can get a free respec right there on your screen. No worries there.</p><p>Also, depeneding on what level you are now, to gain alot of AA's fast, look at this and follow your level for solo quests....this will help you out alot.</p><p><a href="http://eq2.wikia.com/wiki/Soloing_Timeline" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://eq2.wikia.com/wiki/Soloing_Timeline</a></p><p>Good luck and happy hunting!</p>

[Rruusted]

Again thanks! Great advice once again.And as for the link, just what i've been looking for all day since I finnished the 1-20 sarnak zone <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />Cheers all!