Please help me decide

[Lazarith]

<p>Hey everyone,</p><p>I am new to the game and have narrowed it down to two classes that I would be interested in playing. The first being and Assassin and the second being a Swashbuckler. Most of my time leveling will probably be solo since I am new and dont know anyone yet. However, I would like to play a class that will get me into raids, groups, and end game content. Please advice the pros and cons of the Assassin classes according to what my playstyle.</p>

[Dareena]

<p>Here's a quick answer.  Both Assassin and Swashbucklers are strong Scout class choices.  They're dps focused classes and both have a Hate Transfer mechanic.  At times, people will specifically ask for Hate Transfer class in level chat for PUGs (both Heroic and Raid).  Swashbucklers are focused on AE dps, while Assassins are focused on single target dps.  An Assassin has a higher dps rate, but the Swashbuckler can debuff a mob's offensive abilities into the ground.</p><p>Over all, I'd say that the Swashbuckler has the higher survivability potential for soloing.  But to be honest, soloing with an Assassin is still very viable.  For your reference, many Rangers are betraying to Assassins and many Brigands are betraying to Swashbucklers.  I'd say that's a statement by itself.</p>

[Lazarith]

<p>Which of the two classes will be more likely to get a spot in end game raids? Also, do Assassins always do more dps than Swashbucklers given that both are equally geared and AA's. Or is the dps situational, meaning does it depend on the fight.</p>

[-=Hoss=-]

<p>fewer people play swash.  Everyone and thier brother has an assassin alt.  So i'd say it will be easier to make it in a raid as a swash, particularly since you will have a learning curve. </p><p>Equally geared and skilled an assassin should be blowing the swash out of the water, but roll a swash anyway for the reasons mentioned above.  Actually roll a brig, they are even more underplayed and very fun IMO.</p>

[Dareena]

<p><cite>-=Hoss=- wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Actually roll a brig, they are even more underplayed and very fun IMO.</p></blockquote><p>As a person who has a Brigand main, let me respond to this.  No!  Please don't get stuck in the Brigand trap.  I'm into too into the class to make the sane decision to betray to a Swashbuckler.  But the OP isn't to that point yet.  Don't try to sucker them into that situation.</p><p>Why are Brigands underplayed?  Because the bulk of us have been betraying to Swashbuckler!  (Just like Rangers have been jumping ship to Assassin.)  Swashbucklers have equal single target dps, completely superior AE dps, and a Hate Transfer mechanic.  In a carefully built raid guild, classes can be chosen to layer enough mitigation debuffs on a mob so that a Brigand provides no benefits. </p><p>There is even a growing trend of people saying that Brigands aren't a dps class!  (See my Brigand forum thread for further discussion on that topic.)  Appearantly we're just walking debuff bots.  People are even convinced that while a 1st Brigand in a heroic pug can be useful, a 2nd Brigand is just dead weight since they don't come with enough dps when compared to so many other options.  Ouch!  Talk about being the back of the bus.</p>

[-=Hoss=-]

<p>Brigands are due for some loving.  Brigands are more needed than swashies.  We have 1 swash in my guild and no brigs because we can't find any.  We'd love for the swash to betray.  And look at the DPS threads, you'll see even top end guilds run at least one brig and sometimes 2. </p>