Raid Viability

[Sorens]

<p>After spending a week or so trying out different characters and combos, I have narrowed it down to either a Brig or Assassin. I like the scout classes, they seem a little more involved with positioning , etc. I also played healer and tank in WoW, so not wanting to do that again.</p><p>My concern is raid viability. Unfortunately, it seems some classes are not really wanted or are undesireable due to other classes being able to perform their function but also bring other utility.</p><p>Between Assassin vs Brigand, from what I understand the Brigand sacrifices some DPS for Debuffs. An assassin does nothing but DPS. Does this mean that if I rolled an assassin, I would be hard pressed to be invited to an active progression raid force? Should I stick with Brig for the utility and better chances are progression raiding?</p><p>Thanks guys.</p>

[Nightshade]

<p>My impression so far is that desired classes for raids fluctuate with the alterations that SOE makes, with the exception of some staple classes. You could make class X for the sole purpose of raiding, only to find that by the time you reach 76 no one wants them anymore because of a huge nerf to class X and class N getting an upgrade.</p><p>Just play what you like. Another impression I've gained is that if you're good with your class there is always room for you, unless you play with hardcore elitests who care more about number crunching than people.</p>

[Sorens]

<p>Good post, thanks <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Kunaak]

<p>well played assassins can put out ridiculously high parses, and are exceptional at burst DPS.</p><p>but finding good assassins, is like 1 in a 100, the vaaaast majority count on thier class alone to define them as DPS, and do little to maximize the classes potential.</p><p>I can always tell a good assassin, from a bad one, from one little thing they might say.</p><p>"I cant keep up with mage DPS cause I have to joust - they dont".</p><p>if they believe that, they fail.</p><p>jousts dont last minutes- only seconds, and assassins, have 3 extremely solid ranged attacks that are on short timers, and maintain DPS very well. they enter a fight and reach high DPS in extremely short periods of time too. the only time jousting should ever [Removed for Content] you off, is if it breaks your concealment chain. jousting itself isnt a major hinderance.</p><p>so they take some time to learn, and learn to play well. but the class is extremely rewarding. I raided as an assassin for 9 months, and it [Removed for Content] sure was fun.</p><p>as for a brigand - dispatch will pretty much insure a good brig in any raid. a good brig however, pretty much has the same expectations a good assassin has. brigands can put out some crazy DPS these days, and theres no reason to expect less.</p>

[Gungo]

<p>Play what you want both of those classes have ALWAYS been in every optimal raid build since the games inception. Honestly there is only really like 4 classes with raid desirability issues. 1 brawler ( so either monk or bruiser), 1-2 off tank (out of shadowknight, paladin, zerker), ranger (which is like the redheaded step child of the top 4 dps classes ( including Wizard, warlock, assassin),  use to be both summoners but they have decent dps and utility now but i suspect necros may still have raid desirbility issues, use to be druids but I suspect most guilds will run with all 6 healers now plus an extra shaman.</p>

[Jesdyr]

<p><cite>Kunaak wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>well played assassins can put out ridiculously high parses, and are exceptional at burst DPS.</p><p>as for a brigand - dispatch will pretty much insure a good brig in any raid. a good brig however, pretty much has the same expectations a good assassin has. brigands can put out some crazy DPS these days, and theres no reason to expect less.</p></blockquote><p>Both are true .. But the competition for raid spots for either class is very high. Unless you can really learn the class and gear up, it will be hard to convince any serious raid force to let you in, but this is often true for just about any class. Bards and enchanters tend to have easier times getting spots because many people dont like playing them and most raids run 2-4 of each.</p>

[Pakhet]

<p>All classes CAN find a raid slot, though maybe not in the huge guilds. Play what you enjoy playing, cause then you will be more inclined to study / learn the class.</p><p>Brigs can put down some big numbers and their debuffs are very nice. Sassins can put down really nice numbers and their hate xfer is nice.</p><p>Both will be used in raids, just depends on what is open at the time in that specific guild. You probably will get more choices with a brig, just because it is so hard to keep a good one for a lot of guilds.</p>