Can I be called DPS?

[Gnark]

<p>Just started playing eq2 not fimiliar with anything in the game but I choose Defiler from the in game text explaining how I corrupt and defile my foes. I figured Defiler would be a heavy dps class with maybe a few heals, but as i read these boards I see im "one of the best healers" does this mean I am destine to fill the healing roll or are there any defilers out there who gear for damage and support > healing?</p><p>For those that wonder I am level 14 and am enjoying the class probably wont reroll i was always the kinda guy to break boundries so if there is any guides that bring me more to DPS side of things any information will be helpful.</p>

[Skywarrior]

<p>Defilers are one of the two shaman subclasses, the other being Mystic.  They are healers.  If you do not like to heal, chances are you will not enjoy the class.  If you play the class without becoming a good healer you will only develop a reputation as a bad healer, not a good 'whatever you are playing as'.  Additionally, Defilers are (arguably perhaps) among the most difficult to solo regularly with.  This may not be a factor if you always group but a consideration otherwise.</p><p>DPS qualitative analysis is only really valid compared to another healer.  Healers are bottom of the dps barrel.  That said, a good player who puts the effort into it can turn out some respectable dps with a healer character during those times when healing isn't all that important.  Among healers, Furies are top of the heap for dps, generally speaking.  On the other hand, shamans will almost always top the heal parse unless they are slacking or they are very poorly geared compared to other healers in group/raid.</p><p>Bottom line, if you don't like healing and you really prefer a dps class, Defilers are probably not the class you will want to play.  If you want a healer that can dps fairly well when called upon, a Fury is a decent choice.  Otherwise, try a scout or mage class.</p>

[flowercivicsi]

<p>We offer among some of the worst healer DPS possible.  Everything a defiler has is pretty much DOT based excluding one spell and master smite.  The problem with defilers doing a considerable amount of DPS is the time that it takes for the damage from your DOT's to complete their cycles.  I know many defilers will recycle the DOTs before they are down simply because the primary effect of the DOT is a little better, and you maintain the DOT for the entire duration of the fight. </p><p>If you are seeking to do good DPS and offer some healing abilities I would roll a Fury, Mystic, or Inquisitor.  Now when you are considering these three you need to think how you would like to DPS.  Furys are more about spell cast based DPS, and they can root mobs from a distance.  The other two are melee type preists, and you would need to think if you want to be up in the action smacking the mobs around.  (Note: with the melee type preists you will need to unlock the melee abilities as you level so at first you will be spell based) </p><p>Right out of the gate DPS for a healer would be Fury, honestly <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> Mystics and Inquisitors get much better over leveling. </p><p>Defilers are about the worst class to solo with, but they fair well in a duo or trio as they do decent healing and offer some decent buffs. </p>

[shockofimpact]

<cite>Alaocia@Guk wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>We offer among some of the worst healer DPS possible.  Everything a defiler has is pretty much DOT based excluding one spell and master smite.  The problem with defilers doing a considerable amount of DPS is the time that it takes for the damage from your DOT's to complete their cycles.  I know many defilers will recycle the DOTs before they are down simply because the primary effect of the DOT is a little better, and you maintain the DOT for the entire duration of the fight. </p><p>If you are seeking to do good DPS and offer some healing abilities I would roll a Fury, Mystic, or Inquisitor.  Now when you are considering these three you need to think how you would like to DPS.  Furys are more about spell cast based DPS, and they can root mobs from a distance.  The other two are melee type preists, and you would need to think if you want to be up in the action smacking the mobs around.  (Note: with the melee type preists you will need to unlock the melee abilities as you level so at first you will be spell based) </p><p>Right out of the gate DPS for a healer would be Fury, honestly <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /> Mystics and Inquisitors get much better over leveling. </p><p>Defilers are about the worst class to solo with, but they fair well in a duo or trio as they do decent healing and offer some decent buffs. </p></blockquote> WOW, really nice response...you actually answered questions I have always had....what priest does the most damage and in what manner, ranged or melee! Also, your sig. is very nice! So, if you don't mind, What priest (aside from fury) does good ranged damage? I know wardens and mystics do melee so i guess that leaves templars? I wonder if bards are able to do any healing or if their buffs/debuffs can make up their limited healing. You see, i am struggling to find a good duo for me and my wife. She likes to buff, heal and prefers ranged damage and a pet (but she actually does better with melee damage). I initially thought a mystic would be good as they can buff, heal and have a pet but they do melee damage. Perhaps she could just not go down the melee AAs and do her damage ranged? Oops, this is the defiler forum..sorry.

[flowercivicsi]

<p>Actually druids (fury & warden) have the AGI line that will allow for you to use up some of your concentration to "charm" a pet.  I can't remember if it used two or three of the 5 concentration slots everyone is provided.  One of our druid forums would be able to better clairfy that question.  As my druid knowledge is limited.  </p><p>The dog does not do a considerable amount of DPS, and he will not live well in situations where there are area effect damage spells being cast by mobs unless she specs strength all the way down.  It's a long cast time on the pet as well so she would not find it a good thing to recast during a fight. </p><p>She could choose not to take the melee abilities of the mystic, but she would then be in the same boat in terms of DPS as a defiler.   However she would be ranged DPS for a while before she could actually take full advantage of the melee ability of the mystic... since you said she does better with it! <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/908627bbe5e9f6a080977db8c365caff.gif" border="0" />   This way she would get to play as a ranged for a while, and if she would like over time she could raise the bar, and start switching her spells into combat arts. </p><p>Try the mystic out, and if she does not like it she could always reroll or betray to a defiler.  However, most that play shamans enjoy them alot. </p><p>I have a 79 Inquisitor, and a 50 Fury along with my 80 defiler.  My defiler is my favorite!</p><p>Thanks for the siggy complement & I hope you two enjoy the game.  I play with my signifiant other as well so it's great to see another couple joining the game!</p>

[Sedenten]

<p>Inquisitors, Mystics, and Wardens are the most melee centric of the priest classes.</p><p>Templars, Defilers, and Furies are the most spell centric of the priest classes.</p><p>The current worst of the above for DPS would be between defilers and templars.  To be honest, though, it's possible for any of the priests to output decent DPS.  You just won't see defilers doing near the damage output of the others, though.  Even templars have more tools available to put out more damage these days.</p><p>Also as a defiler, you will be expected by the majority of the population to be first and foremost a healer.   Defilers are very well known for being heavy healers, so trying to fill the role of DPS will not work out as well as concentrating on what we're best known for.  At best, it will get you a bad reputation as groups/raids look to other priest types to fulfil a hybrid-dps type role over a DPS defiler.</p><p>If I had to recommend a non-fury healer for someone looking for damage, I would recommend inquisitors.  Mystics are also exceptional in their healing (on par with defilers as far as many are concerned) and can output respectable DPS.  As far as spell based damage, you will not find any priest that will approach a fury's potential.  Templars and defilers tend to be more spell based than their counterpart classes, but both lean away from DPS in their skillsets.</p>

[Quylein2]

<p>quote "As far as spell based damage, you will not find any priest that will approach a fury's potential."</p><p>If you set up your AA spec correctly you can parse in the 8 to 9k range on alot of the new AE content if your not Healing. Key word here is not having to focus on healing w/ heal gear on. With the right set up in Dps gear, AA's and spells you can push out just as much as a fury that is stricly dpsing. TSO hooked us up and if  you think otherwise you dont know the Defilers full potential.</p><p>However, most will want you in the group for healing and 9 times out of 10 your the main healer you wont push out super numbers but in offstance while healing set up correctly you can push out 3 to 4k on ae trash in the new instaces. Then again everything is full grp makeup as well as a tank that can take a hit everything can be subjective.</p>

[Sedenten]

<p><cite>Quylein2 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>quote "As far as spell based damage, you will not find any priest that will approach a fury's potential."</p><p>If you set up your AA spec correctly you can parse in the 8 to 9k range on alot of the new AE content if your not Healing. Key word here is not having to focus on healing w/ heal gear on. With the right set up in Dps gear, AA's and spells you can push out just as much as a fury that is stricly dpsing. TSO hooked us up and if  you think otherwise you dont know the Defilers full potential.</p><p>However, most will want you in the group for healing and 9 times out of 10 your the main healer you wont push out super numbers but in offstance while healing set up correctly you can push out 3 to 4k on ae trash in the new instaces. Then again everything is full grp makeup as well as a tank that can take a hit everything can be subjective.</p></blockquote><p>I would still argue that a fury in the same caliber of gear and group/AA setup will push out much more than us in that situation.  In the ultra highend defilers can push out respectable DPS, but usually much lower than the other healers in situations where they can do their full DPS potential.  Furies in that same scenario, for example, are pushing over 10k without breaking a sweat.  That's including the new AA upgrades we've gotten to improve our DPS.  I found a drastic increase in my DPS with the new AA's, so I can agree with you on us getting some nice increases in that department.  I just don't agree we can reach the DPS of a similarly geared fury doing their full potential.  To say otherwise means you don't fully understand a fury's full potential versus ours, or that you simply do not group/raid with furies that are pushing their DPS envelope.</p>