New player needs a few answers

[ikob]

<p>I played EQ2 once in the past for about a month.  I leveled a sorcerer up to 30 before RL called me a way from MMOs and I eventually ended up back with the familiar WoW.  I'm so late in the game here, that I'm almost overwhelmed with EQ2.  I consider myself to be a pretty quick learner where video games are concerned.  I'm usually able to quickly grasp new concepts, gear for the right stats, learn the layout, and start making gold quickly.  However, EQ2 is giving me a run for my money.</p><p>I've tried numerous classes since deciding on comming back, and SK looks to be the most appealing.  I like the playstyle so far.  I understand that to be a good tank, one must have good knowledge of the dungons and encounters.  Sadly, I don't yet.  I'm fine with Off-Tanking, or even MTing in situations I feel comfortable enough with, but I don't want to MT my way to 80. </p><p>What is the primary role of a SK in a group?  Are we expected to tank constantly, or can we adequately fill a support/DPS role?  Most importantly, are non-tank SKs desireable in groups?  And finally, are there any good resources (guides, stat, spec breakdowns) out there for SKs?  The things here seem more suited to the vet gamer or raider.</p><p>Thanks in advance for any and all help.</p>

[Pecca]

<p>ive normally tanked or ended up tanking because someone screwed up or i just cast unholy blessing on the MT and off tank as needed. I have a nice 2 hander for dps and my sword and shield to switch when i off tank or main tank.</p>

[Rahatmattata]

<p>Don't roll a shadowknight if you don't want to main tank. Groups are going to invite you because they need a tank. In the lower levels you can get groups that are just looking for any random members to fill up, but shadowknights are tanks, and if you don't want to tank, don't play a tank. You could solo your way to 80, and then have to learn how to tank difficult dungeons with people much better geared than you... and it will be a pain in the butt.</p><p>It's best to go ahead and start grouping/tanking at low levels. The dungeons are easy and gear is cheap. To make plat sell shinies and farm/sell lore & legend parts. Look at <a href="http://eq2.wikia.com/wiki/Lore_and_Legend_Timeline" target="_blank">eq2.wikia.com</a> lore and legend mobs, and kill those mobs and sell the body parts. Some may sell for 1p or more. At low levels try sirens in Thundering Steppes, Bixies in Greater Faydark, Treants in Greater Faydark, or Centaurs in Thunderring Steppes. Look on the broker before you head out to see which mob parts sell for the most, and go farming.</p><p>Once you have some starter coin, buy bags so you can carry loot and put your stuffs on the broker. Always have a minimum of level-appropriate hand crafted gear (devout plate), and adept abilities. Carry a 2 hander for dps, and sword & board for tanking. Make macros and put the macros on a hotbar so you can swap gear around easily. If you are asked to tank (and often you will be invited to tank) just tell the group leader you've never been to the dungeon before. Most don't mind.</p><p>Let the group leader tell you which way to go at an intersection, but other than that pull any mobs in your path, and clear out side rooms in hallways and stuff, unless they tell you not too. It's better to be pulling mobs going the wrong way and let someone tell you to go the other way than to stand around not pulling anything waiting for someone to tell you what to do. Keep the xp rolling.</p><p>Learn how to body pull (creep up to a mob until it aggros you, then run back to your group and engage) so you don't pull an entire room. When you pull mobs back to your group position them so your scouts can get at the back side of the mobs for their positional attacks. If a mob is killing a healer or someone else, target it and get aggro back. Intercede or make them feign death if they are about to die.</p><p>That's about it. It's not that hard. Just keep decent gear and spell/ability quality. By the time you tank your first zone, you will get the hang of it. You may be worried about not knowing a zone or the strat for a particular mob, but up until level 60, 99% of the named encounters are turn and burn. It's nice to know a dungeon like the back of your hand, but remember every tank eventually has to tank a zone they've never done before, so we've all been there.</p>