Long LONG Absent Player Returning

[Morfiend]

Hey guys,<div></div><div>I recently picked up EQ2 again, after not playing since about a month after release. I see a lot of stuff has changed for the better. I decided to start fresh with a friend of mine, and am looking in to classes.</div><div></div><div>I really like the idea of SK I have in my head, but I dont know if it fits with the class in reality. I have surfed a lot of forums trying to find info and get a feel of how the class works in general. </div><div></div><div>What I wanted was a DPS SK. I love playing DPS classes, but after 2+ years of playing a rogue in WoW, I wanted some thing different, and I have always liked 2h Sword using DPSers.</div><div></div><div>Can the SK work ok as a DPS class, or am I going to get shoehorned in to second rate tank as higher levels? I really doubt I will be trying to raid, but you never know. I know that SKs are not really considered very good at raiding, but for general gameplay and high level none raiding, would it be the class I am looking for?</div><div></div><div>What I was hoping for was basically a working version of WoWs Ret Pally, 2h sword + spells for good dps while not having to constantly be behind a monster. I have read that SKs are a hard class to play well, and I am not really worried about it, as I have been playing MMOGs for a long time. </div><div></div><div>Also, one thing I noticed on my new SK I rolled was that he seems very squashy for a "Tank" class, and also not putting out much DPS. Granted I am only level 10, but I feel very weak right now.</div><div></div><div>The other classes I was considering where Inquisitor Battle Cleric, or maybe Brigand/Assassin as a fall back since I love stealth classes. I hope SK works for me, because like I said, I love the idea of a 2h sword + spell wielding dps machine, in evil plate.</div><div></div><div>Thanks guys,</div><div></div><div>Oh yeah, my friend is going to be playing Necromancer and/or Fury. I heard both of those duo well with an SK. But I will probably spend 40-60% of my time soloing since he has more time to level than I do.</div>

[Zannah]

<p>Im thinking that the SK you've envisioned is possible.  With research, and choices you can make that happen.</p><p>eq2players has lots of examples of gear available at the higher end of things, this section and eq2flames have some very good spec info and weapon choice listings. eq2.wikia.com and lootdb.com are excellent resources for gear and quests so you can plan some things out too.</p><p>Respectable DPS and tanking can be accomplished.  SKs make pretty good group tanks, with some excellent tools for snapping aggro back from pure DPS or healers.  Gear and AA choices will enhance your survivability.</p><p>Im trying to get there myself.</p><p>good luck !!</p><p>P.S. - move to Gorowyn if you can to start on those quests - the gear is very nice.  Darklight woods is ok too, but Freeport newbie lines are not going to give you anywhere near the quality of gear possible in the other newer, starting areas.</p><p>Squashyness comes with the lvl 10 territory.  update your spells to app4 or higher if you want, but you're gonna burn thru some levels pretty quickly.  It gets better as you lvl up, adding STA line AAs and/or Reaver line AAs will really make a difference.</p>

[Dreadpatch]

Pretty much every toon feels weak at level 10 so don't let that sway your decision. You really need to play to level 22 (with MC gear) to make a good choice in my opinion.

[Morfiend]

<cite><div>Is it worth taking this class if I have no real interest in tanking? OTing a little bit I dont mind, but I have no desire to be a tank. Would this class still work?</div><div></div><div></div><div></div>Zannah wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Respectable DPS and tanking can be accomplished.</p></blockquote>

[Mathafern]

SKs can tank end game instances just fine.  Don't expect to blow away the parse though, as end game doesn't have as much option for AoE, which is where SKs shine.  Vaults is great for SK, Chelsith not so much. In a raid setting SK options are more limited, as they aren't really MTs, and Death Marching will make the MT cry.  You really need a caster group built around you to be effective, or you can OT.  Most of what the SK has to offer the group is invisible to the parse. So to answer the question, I'd say no, SK isn't really a great DPS class.  It can do well in end game content though- in fact for some instances (CoA, Vaults) it's really a first rate tank, particularly with Bloodletter for surviving disasters and Death March to aggro groups and rescue casters.  

[Zannah]

<cite>Morfiend wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite><div>Is it worth taking this class if I have no real interest in tanking? OTing a little bit I dont mind, but I have no desire to be a tank. Would this class still work?</div><div></div><div></div><div></div>Zannah wrote:</cite> <blockquote><p>Respectable DPS and tanking can be accomplished.</p></blockquote></blockquote><p>If you don't want to be a tank - don't be a Shadow Knight.  If you want to be the best tank you can be, don't be a Shadow Knight.</p><p>If you want to DPS primarily, with some survivability built in - Monk/Bruiser, Swashy/Brigand, maybe Ranger/Assassin.  Soloability... Monk/Bruiser probably (not sure which one of those tho).</p><p>As for doing DPS on things that you shouldn't be able to kill - Wizard/Necro probably - maybe Ranger too.</p><p>I don't think your answers are here tho</p>

[Morfiend]

Thanks for the replies. I am still undecided what to do.<div></div><div>Like I said I really like the idea of the SK, but I am much more of an offensive type player. I dont mind taking the hits but I dont want to be an all defensive "tank". </div><div></div><div>What I was looking for was something like a Ret pally, or MS warrior from WoW. They *can* OT or even MT small dungeons, but they are much more offensive oriented in play style.</div>

[AndrewSquared]

<cite>Morfiend wrote:</cite><blockquote>Thanks for the replies. I am still undecided what to do.<div></div><div>Like I said I really like the idea of the SK, but I am much more of an offensive type player. I dont mind taking the hits but I dont want to be an all defensive "tank". </div><div></div><div>What I was looking for was something like a Ret pally, or MS warrior from WoW. They *can* OT or even MT small dungeons, but they are much more offensive oriented in play style.</div></blockquote>Honestly: wait for WotLK to come out and make a Death Knight. That's the way I'm leaning.

[Zannah]

<cite>Morfiend wrote:</cite><blockquote>Thanks for the replies. I am still undecided what to do. <div></div><div>Like I said I really like the idea of the SK, but I am much more of an offensive type player. I dont mind taking the hits but I dont want to be an all defensive "tank". </div><div></div><div>What I was looking for was something like a Ret pally, or MS warrior from WoW. They *can* OT or even MT small dungeons, but they are much more offensive oriented in play style.</div></blockquote><p>for the most part - SKs generate hate with DPS.  And yeah, there are tools to snap aggro back, and a group hate transfer as well as an end line for EoF AAs.  Offensive and Defensive stances, coupled with heavy armor and buffs make SKs a tank.  Ive grouped with other tanks, monks and been the MT.  It can all be done.  Ive even been the MT in a group with a pally that had gear/hp leaps and bounds above mine and he asked me to tank (not sure why, but it worked).</p><p>Soloing is pretty nice with SKs - FD/Evac, heals and lifetaps, HT as a big nuke.  In a duo situation, you gotta be the tank.  When someone calls for DPS to fill the last spot in a group, they're probably going to choose a primary DPS class over you, regardless of your spec or weapons.  You'd have to work hard to out DPS a tier 1 DPSer, M1 spells, nice weapons (and maybe them afk for half the fight) might get you there <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/ed515dbff23a0ee3241dcc0a601c9ed6.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" />.</p><p>As for defensive tank - that's not really an SK at all.  Im constantly casting, trying to maximize my damage as the MT (in reality, I think all tanks do this - DPS = aggro).  I tend to stay in Offensive Stance, trusting in my taps to give me more survivability than the defensive bonuses tied to Defensive Stance.</p><p>You're just gonna have to give it a shot and see if it plays out like you want it to.</p>

[Felgar]

<p>I have returned after a long break as well. I played through much of beta and was for the most part pleased with the game. I played a guardian, zerker and few casters but everytime I come back to the SK class. I really enjoy playing the role/class, they have some great utility spells (feign death, snap aggro and others). I have saved my inquistor friend several times by using feign on her and staying alive till she gets caught up. Now this of course is not raid or dungeon level content but daily quests/some heoric encounters. I have no problem at soloing and find myself having more fun than ever. Sk's I think sometime get overlooked for the bonuses we bring to a group. Our shield spell thrown on the tank just before pulling does make a difference in the amount of healing the tank needs along with our other group spells that offer lifetap. Again, I am sure there are shortcomings to some of the things ive listed but in the end it is just a fun class to play....</p><p>Cheers,</p><p>Soltice</p>

[Seolta]

All I will say is if you're returning to this game you'd [Removed for Content] well better have a sense of humor.

[Hugsnkissums]

<p>SK's can produce an impressive amout of DPS for a fighter class, but our DPS is nothing compared to a scout or caster class. You'll be lucky to even be considered for DPS in the end game since other classes can do it better then us. SK's make fair tanks, but IMO other pure tank classes can do a better job at it with less group support. We are a very finesse class when it comes to working efficiently in a group as you need certain classes present to really capitalize on what SK's do best. We perform very well solo and have a variety of tricks up our sleeves to survive most solo encounters and occationally someone else when working in duos or trios. In my experience the more people you add to a group, the less an SK will shine. We seem to be able make up for the lack of some classes being in a group, but loose what makes us special when the spot is filled by the more specialized class.</p><p>IMO if you like tanking and soloing occationally, then an SK is right for you. There's a fair amount of things we can do alone and we can tank in a pinch, but other non-hybrid tanks can do a better job of it with less group support. If you're looking for outright DPS, then roll a scout or caster as you'll have better tools to do the job well and efficiently. If straight up tanking is more your thing, then make a Guardian or Zerker. </p>