Newby SK... Yep 1k questions that have been answered I'm sure.

[detson2]

Hello all. Got some issues with my 16 lvl SK. I rolled up a Arasai SK to run around with my Necro friend. He's gotten real good with the tanking chores and I really rather take the DPS route with my SK. I understand that SK's can be fairly respectable in the DPS department. My biggest question is what stat am I trying to find? I know SK's are some what finger wigglers as well a melee class. So STR and INT are my priorities yes? What about power pool, HP? I'm just absolutely lost. I cannot seem to tank multiple baddies, cannot produce much DPS and cannot take hits very well. I got all my CA's and Spells to at least Adept 1 some Adept 3. My gear is just the Darklight Wood quested STR/INT plate ect. What do you think? Give me the quick and dirty SK primer please. You know what? Give me the detailed primer too LOL. I appreciate any help. Even if you suggest I roll a different class.Saw

[Lord Hackenslash]

<p>Give it some time, most classes don't really come into thier own untill low - mid 30s and SK truly shine in the mid 50s+ focus on str and int primarily for dps, and use items which give +dps% or spell dmg try and time your attacks so you cast your spells inbetween swings. it takes work but we can do some very nice dps and we dont even need to spec away from tanking to do it.</p>

[Colcos]

Building classes in the low levels is fairly trivial, everyone in the beginning is unbalanced and SKs always feel a little [Removed for Content] in the low levels. Your class defining spells don't become available until much later. Most people don't stay in the  teens ... 20s 30s for more than a few days.... and you don't really have time to build your class. You will find yourself constantly replacing armor for newer better gear. As opposed to myself at level 80, every instance explored and raid zones on a daily basis, only getting a piece or 2 a week that i will actually hold on to, much less use as my primary equip. The Challenge with an SK is in Balancing 4 of the 5 stats.  STR>INT>AGI>STA although most times you will end up with marginally more STA than AGI.  STR is important for melee damage, it adds twice as much to your power pool as INT does, but the power pool draws from both. The key to success at higher levels is based on keeping all your stats as close to diminishing returns as possible. That means stats affect your character on a bell curve; an increase of 300-400 STR is going to give you more power and damage than an increase of 600-700. Getting your self buffed important stats close to 700 is the optimum number, with diminishing returns at around 850. Raid buffs in caster group will usually net you 150-250 STR and INT as well as 100-150 STA and depending on the healer or support 100+ agility. If your going truly DPS spec your going to rely mostly on STR and INT, but if you want your primary focus in raids to be DPS you may consider re-rolling another class geared more so towards DPS