Paly vs SK for casual duo/solo

[Draconx]

<p>I just started playing EQ2 for the first time about a week ago and was trying to decide on what to play.</p><p>Most of my playing will tend to be duo with an Assassin with some solo and some grouping.</p><p>With that in mind, what might be a better class to play, Paladin or Shadowknight?  I used to play EQ1 years ago so I have a rough familiarity with the classes.  I know paladin will be a little more defensive oriented while SK will be more offensive oriented in abilities.</p><p>What advantages and disadvantages might each class entail for leveling, and possible end game playing.</p><p>The last question I had and I haven't been able to find much of any information, was which AA's are best to be selected for going solo/duo for leveling, rather than an endgame build.  Which ones to select first over others also.</p><p>Any information would be much appreciated.</p>

[Boethius_Permafrost]

Paladins duo well with any high damage class, such as an assassin, but will not be as fast soloing.  You might consider some form of priest for easier entry to endgame.  For a leveling paladin, I recommend the INT line to maximize spell crits, then stamina to maximize melee crits, then you have some options depending on where you are and what you want to do.

[Draconx]

<p>I've always been fond of the tank type of classes so a priest would not be a good match for me.  I'm also a little doubtful about if I'd be doing alot of endgame stuff with Conan coming out in a few months.</p><p> Any opinions on the SK vs Pal concept?</p>

[Jeenyous]

<p>First off, welcome to EQ2, it is a great game.</p><p>The answers I will attempt to give are purely from my own point of view so it is all based upon my opinion and experience.</p><p>I have both a Paladin (lvl 80) and a Shadowknight (lvl 37).  Also with my Paladin I've duo'd alot with a Ranger and with my Shadowknight I'm duo'ing alot with an Assassin so I hope what I can say will help you some.</p><p>The Paladin is a great class, I love playing mine.  They can solo, MT in groups and MA in raids well based upon my experience.  It is my experience that the Shadowknight can do the same though I will say I prefer the Paladin over my Shadowknight at this time.  There is a huge level discrepancy so please keep that in mind.  Also, this is the Paladin forum, so these answers may show some bias there as well.</p><p>The biggest problem you may face in duo'ing with high dps classes is maintaining hate or aggro.  After level 49 I would say the advantage tips in favor of the Paladin with a spell called Amends.  At Master 1 that spell can transfer 41% (if I remember right) of another player's hate toward your Paladin and that is a really big deal.  They have other tools for aggro the Shadowknight doesn't have, but I will say the Shadowknight is superior in the dps department.</p><p>My philosophy is "I hold 'em, you bag 'em" when it comes to tanking in EQ2.  My job isn't to kill, it is to keep the mobs attention so the rest of the party can drop the mob.  This works well with high dps classes like the Assassin from my experience.  So, I don't really pay attention to my own dps, I really don't.  I taunt, I ward, I hold that mob until my friends kill it.</p><p>This is not to say the Paladin cannot dish out some damage, they can.  I absolutely love my Wraths (aoe spells).  The Shadowknight has some aoe's but not as many.  When we get adds I just punch off some aoe's to make them mad at me while maintaining my current target and it tends to work very well if everyone is assisting me correctly.</p><p>I may have a different outlook as I level up my Shadowknight and I gain more toys with him, like Death March, etc. (check out the SK forums), but for now, even looking back to when my Paladin was that level, I lean toward preferring the Paladin over the Shadowknight.</p><p>If interested in hopping around on different servers, check us out on Everfrost.  <a href="http://bloodforgedlegacy.guildportal.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://bloodforgedlegacy.guildportal.com</a>  New players and the more experienced are welcome.</p><p>I hope you enjoy EQ2 and I hope this information helps you out a little.</p>