Need desperate help regarding SK's.

[Scyk]

Hello fellow Shadow Knights.I just got back to EQ2 from a looong pause. Played back in 2005 as a Brusier with 2 friends just for fun. We reached T5 and we put the game to rest due to the lack of players on the EU servers back then. SO now I'm back in a different position, now we're 5 friends all together playing. But something concerns me, I'm playing on nagafen (pvp) server as an SK. We do both PvE and PvP but the thing is I'm the maintank for PvE. It worked well in the beginning but now when the others level as myself we get a bit of a problem. you see, we have a Assassin with major DPS and I can tell you he ain't holdin' back on those hotbuttons. We got a Warden for the heals, a warlock for the AoE and a Zerker coming up as hmm...our new tank/dps i suppose?SO, I am concerned about what my position will be when the Zerker gets to our levels. What function will I have then? offtank won't be nessesary for the 1 grouped instances, right? And to be honest, the Zerker have been a little on and off the game if you get my meaning. He hasen't found the real passion about the game and he's a bit new to the MMO genre. So my question is, with these classes in my party, CAN or WILL I provide any function? Is it better to roll a Guardian to have a steady tank? Will a Guardian & Zerk combo be to much of competition? or is zerker & sk a good combo? I've had some thoughts about rerolling to a brusier once again but umm...if the tanks leave the game, we're kinda lost.P.S I do not meen any offence by typing so crude about SK's. i find them very hmh.... intruiging and fun. Both PvE & PvP. Even though I'm still learning the secrets of a good spec. I'm using STA & INT. Want to get the Heal & Spell crit then head on to the SK tree. Sorry I got carried away, this isn't even the subject.best regards-Scyk on Nagafen

[Baynne]

aggro isnt as strong as a serker in the beginning so you may want to ask your assassin friend to wait a couple seconds before he assists you, and to make sure he has you targetted when he does.  a note about AAs too, the heal crit AA is a waste.  you get almost a 70% spell crit chance from the int line, and when your lifetap spells crit, you get a bigger damage chunk as well as a bigger heal.  so heal crit AA is just redundant.

[Scyk]

<b><span class="postbody"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Baynne:a note about AAs too, the heal crit AA is a waste.  you get almost a 70% spell crit chance from the int line, and when your lifetap spells crit, you get a bigger damage chunk as well as a bigger heal.  so heal crit AA is just redundant.</span></span></b><span class="postbody">Thanks for the info on the AA's! I could have done a big mistake there.My questions remain though.</span>

[Colcos]

     Well there are several things that your group can do to ensure that you are all useful.  First, An SK's aggro ability relies on DPS/taunts/lifetaps and the almighty Deathmarch (lvl 54). Try making a macro to have your group start attacking after the mob is solidly positioned. Start with your disease debuff... then your taunt DoT... maybe throw out a nuke (wrath or anger) to ensure solid aggro... then make your assist call.  Second of all ... An SK and a zerker can function well together. Either of you can successfully spec for DPS and still be an asset to the group. I personally spec for DPS, but as you said your zerker friend doesn't play as much, and you may have to tank some of the time too.  SKs are pretty flexible though, they can DPS they can Tank they can FD pull... But being a class with a lot of versatility, there is always gonna be better DPS, better tanks, and better pullers. Deathmarch is a great group ability and will help all DPSers...although having someone play a support class (bard/chanter) would benefit that group greatly... preferably a Dirge or Coercer.. (melee heavy)

[Scyk]

Ahh now we're getting somewhere! This is exactly what I had to hear. thanks Irok100, I can finally move on with my SK.