Thinking about returning, Warden questions, please look.

[SkyKnight1281]

<p>Hello,</p><p>I have been thinking about returning to the game after being gone for so very long. I played the game the first year after it was released then left. I then came back for a short while down the line a little bit but it has been a really long time since I last played. I played a Warden to mid 20s and a sprinkling of other classes when I used to play. So I am thinking about giving it another go with a druid type character but I am unsure what to play.</p><p>Is the Warden a good solo type class or should I consider maybe playing a Fury?</p><p>Will I be able to bring decent healing ability to groups if I happen to find a group while leveling? From some of the talk here it seems I will most likely be soloing my way as I level.</p><p>I have seen talking of this merc hiring with the Age of Discovery expansion, should I go ahead and buy the expansion to give me another edge while leveling?</p><p>I used to play both EQ1 and 2 and I loved playing the druid and warden. I loved the fact that I could do some healing in groups plus I could run around and kill stuff solo half decently. I would imagine after all these years that the game has changed a lot so it will all be new to me again. Also any additional infomation you guys want to throw in to give me a hand would be great. Thanks for your time!</p>

[Arielle Nightshade]

<p>If anything, Warden is even easier to solo than when you last played.   Hiring a Merc tank or dirge would make it that much easier by enabling you to do some content you might not get to do solo, if you can't find a group for it.   Mercs aren't perfect and have their weird quirks, but even the quirkiest merc is easier to deal with than a noob tank that won't taunt on the pull.</p><p>Just keep your gear and spells current when you are leveling and you will easily be able to heal a group should (as you have said) you find one.</p><p>The class is battered and wishing for a bit of Developer love and some fine tuning, but it's still one of the more fun healer classes to play, IMO.</p>

[Myxx]

<p>Welcome back <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /></p><p>I've enjoyed playing a warden for the past 4yrs. While there are a couple of broken aa and some issues that could use attention. (totally agree with Arielle about needing Dev love)  I think you'll have fun leveling up. We have decent heals for groups and can put out a good amount of dps at the same time.</p><p>I have a couple of links that might help along the way.</p><p>1) The solo progression list : <a href="http://eq2.zam.com/wiki/Solo_Progression_(EQ2)">http://eq2.zam.com/wiki/Solo_Progression_(EQ2)</a></p><p>    That should help you with those "Ok , I've done all the quests I can find where do I go next?" moments. </p><p>2) Check out Rosavita's Great Warden thread on eq2flames for tips on aa, gear, runes, adornments, casting order      </p><p>    etc : <a href="http://www.eq2flames.com/wardens/" target="_blank">Click here to go to the EQ2Flames Warden info posts</a></p><p>Things have changed since you were here, we no longer use Str or Int for dps , Wis is now our primary stat.</p><p>More Wis = more dps. However, it does <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">not</span></strong> effect our heals. That is left to potency, crit chance, crit bonus, ability mod etc</p><p>BTW,  a little word of caution on mercs,  they do take their share of experience away from you and their share of plat from the chests (on top of their 'hourly fee'<img src="/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" /> Other than that, they're pretty helpful lol</p><p>Best wishes in all your adventures</p>

[SkyKnight1281]

<p>Thank you for the responses and the links, I definitely look into it. I got my Warden started a little while ago and I'm level 8 so far. I see they did away with the base classes like it used to be when the game first started. I am thinking I will also wait on buying that expansion with the mercs. I figure if I need them I can get it later, 15 bucks for a month to pay is a lot better than 55 bucks and finding out I wasted money hehe.</p>

[Oakum]

<p>Since you can play to 90 without it, you can wait without being hurt unless you get hooked on eq2 again and want the extra perks.</p>