Newbie Warden Question

[Seriwen]

Alrighty, I'm a new Warden, just got to 20 last night. So far, things seem pretty straightforward in regards to my spells, when to use them, how to go about being a Warden in general. (It also helps that I've played other healing classes on other games as well, and know the generalities of playing a healer). The question I have for you all though, is one that I haven't been able to figure out yet, and it's in regard to our spells; when we get them, what we upgrade to, etc. So far, I haven't had too many spells replace themselves just yet, but looking at the spell list, I can see a lot coming my way in the levels ahead. What I'm wondering, is why should I be upgrading the spells that I have now, if they're just going to be replaced with a more powerful version in a few levels anyways? For example, I just got Greater Regrowth a few levels ago, and I see that at 26, I'll be getting Blessing of the Grove. Why should I spend the gold/plat on upgrading Greater Regrowth, when it's just going to be replaced in a few levels anyways? Am I looking at the spell progression incorrectly? Do we still use the lesser spells once we recieve the greater? Do they stack? Thanks for any and all replies!

[Arielle Nightshade]

<p>Grats on 20...since you get your Wolf spell at 20, Welcome to the Pack ::grin::</p><p>You ask a really good question, IMO, and it's one that's both practical and personal preference.  Under about 35 (IMO) you level so fast that unless you are a sage that can make your own spells (or know one) or get a Master 1 in a drop - I'd say don't be overly concerned with twinking yourself out - Adept 1 spells (which are relatively inexpensive) will do just fine unless you are in an insane cutting-edge group that pushes as hard as possible.   If you are just casually leveling - questing and having fun - you'll be fine.  </p><p>If you do as you've been saying: keep an eye on what's coming up, you can shop for upgrades at your leisure and be ready when you get them.  You will get an upgrade to a spell (that gets one) every 10 levels or so.   With that in mind, you can plan ahead.</p><p>Hope this helps..I feel like Im rambling LOL</p>

[Dragonreal]

They made the lower levels a bit silly with the spell upgrades imo.. some of the spell lines pre-20 are upgrading every 7 levels while some stick to the usual 14 level rotation. I think the greater regrowth -> blessing of the grove is the last time a spell will upgrade so quickly so you should pretty much be out of that. Just keep a watch on what spell lines are coming up before you spend a lot of money on upgrades, or even before scribing the awesome master you just looted cuz you might be having it upgrade in a level or two and would be better off selling it. Also be wary of your first two m2 choices. Your group regen is a good one to pick at level 14 because it won't upgrade again til 28, but at 24 a lot will be fooled into picking the single target regen upgrade because it's the only heal. That's a bad idea because the next spell in that line is at 26, so it's better to take wolf form or your nuke at 24 (the damage shield buff doesn't scale well with different spell qualities so that's not worth it either).

[Karlen]

<span class="postbody">>>>You will get an upgrade to a spell (that gets one) every 10 levels or so.   With that in mind, you can plan ahead.<<<Until the top tiers, the spells upgrade every 14 levels.   While upgrading at low levels isn't all that necessary due to spells being replaced relatively quickly, upgraded spells do help a lot.  As well, consider how fast you level -- some people level a lot more slowly that others.   By your 30s, you should be considering the upgrade of at least your key spells.  For example, healers usually can't go wrong upgrading heals and fighters can't go wrong upgrading their taunts.</span>

[Seriwen]

Thank you all for the replies <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> I definitely feel better knowing that I don't have to have every single spell upgraded to kingdom come and it's ok to pick and choose. I also like the advice concerning the lvl 24 M2 choice, as that makes a lot of sense.Now, another question, if you all don't mind.. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" />What's a good weapon(s?) for this level range? I haven't come across any in any of the quests so far, and looking on the broker hasn't yielded much. The weapon I've got right now I got from a quest in the Windwalker village in Antonica, and it's not bad, it just doesn't really do a whole lot of damage with my slashing capped.

[gatrm]

<p>Weapon choice will really come down to how you are speced and whether you are focusing on dps (primarily solo) or healing.  </p><p>If you are melee speced, you probably want to look for a low delay, high damage weapon so you can get big hits between your heals/CAs- look into the Imbued Sledge (STR/WIS) for your level</p><p>If you are caster/healer speced, the delay and high-end damage are not as important, and you might want a 1h so you can go with a buckler/symbol in your off hand.  There are any number mastercrafted weapons to look at here, depending on the stats you want (sta/wis or wis/int),  just make sure you get it blessed instead of imbued.  You might like the Blessed Shamshir though (wis/int).</p><p>I would stick with these choices up until t8, where you might prefer 1h/buckler for the added avoidance- there's a nice 1h wep that gives str/wis and has a big 5 or 6 second delay that's  nice for the melee route if you need the avoidance a shield gives.</p><p>Mastercrafted will be the best option up until t8.</p>

[Odys]

Forwarding the advice that my warden was given:Put all your aas in the combat tree til it get completed.It changed my life when i did it around 24.One very sweet aspect is that the combat art you get scale with your level. This means that you can simply forget about buying good (adept, adept 3, master 1) offensive spells.I also suggest you to always throw a snare or a nuke or a root as openingjust to practise your subjugation and nuking skill. A high conjuration will allow you to root/snare monstervery reliably , and there are many situations (even  in group) in which those spells may turn the fate in your favor.