"noob" looking for a good guide from the masters

[govtcheeze]

<DIV>Greetings my fellow guardians,</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>First let me explain where I had been, where I am, and where I plan on going.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>My first char was a barb warrior back in old world eq1 days. I loved tanking, pulling, and doing "slashy" damage. One day in SK at the aviak camp, our wiz kept stealing aggro. He asked me if I was taunting, I said "of course!" He then asked how high my skill was. "It stays at 1." was my reply. He then asked if I ever trained it..."what's training?" was my reply that immediatly caused everyone to disband. Shortly after I deleted in utter embarrassment, vowing to never make a noob mistake like that again. I then picked up the ways of a wiz and never looked back...been playing a wiz ever since, and doing a lot of soloing <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>In eq2, my first few group experiences in Fallen Gate were simply terrible. Having been thru high-end content in eq1, I know what the different rolls of the group members are and how one person not doing the right thing can ruin your night. From tanks fleeing a battle for no reason to enchanters running around with aggro, picking up 3 more mobs, to clerics going afk without notice was simply too much to handle. I continued down the solo path and had not grouped until yesterday Varsoons. And I realized, with the right guardian grouping in eq2 can be FUN.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I have decided it is time to try again. I began leveling my fighter last night and became a warrior, with the intent of becoming a guardian. I play very min/max while in a group setting, mainly because my time online is pretty limited and I want the most bang for my online group buck. So what I am requesting is this...in order to not make any more socially devestating mistakes like I did many years ago, some advice from the masters.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>When to use the AOE / group / single  taunts / damage skills. Tips for pulling. How to effectivley lead successful groups (the eq2 mechanics side, not the social aspect...that I have covered <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />) and what classes are mandatory. What types of equipment to get (money is of little object). Which stats are truely important (I have many ideas based on eq1, which are probably incorrect). Pretty much, looking for any feedback you can provide a very seasoned but noob melee / group player.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I make this request because, while I am soloing if I do something stupid only I pay the consequences. This is no longer the case when you are dealing with others...their silvers and play time are also adversely affected, and I want to make sure my time and other's time is well spent with me at the group's helm. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I look forward to the replies.</DIV>

[ugl]

<DIV>Ok, important stats> Stamina, Agility, Strength    (I prefer stamina when making racial/char perm things)</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Group wise, you need a tank, a healer (2 healers rock if you can get them), and 4 whatevers ( DPS/enchanter/bard/utility)  .  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Main thing when fighting in dungeons, is someone has to keep the group tight, as in, dont spread out.  Close quarters fighting.  Spreading out will cause aggro.   I also advise not to try and run past mobs, pull and clear as you go, keep moving forward to avoid backspawn.   If someone continues to wonder around, mining, or whatever, and trains yer group, you need to warn them once then boot them if it continues.   Stay close to the walls when fighting, avoid the center of rooms till its clear.   Take your time.   If you got a scout you can trust, let him go infront of the group, and let him be your eyes.   He can tell you whats ahead, and can target mobs that need to die first (healers/nukers) etc.   Can even let him pull out when needed and you assist off him.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Use every taunt you got, always.   Keep in mind, if you pull a group, they will go straight on your casters until you get your AE taunt off, so throw it quick.   Also use yours buffs to taunt as well.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>If mobs are white or higher, use a shield.   Biggest shield you can get.   Enchanters are nice for breeze and mez.  Dirges and bards are nice.  At 25 the scouts wll get evac, which is lifesavers..  A get out of jail free card.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Ermm, thats all that comes to mind.  Oh yea, make sure your healers throw ress stones on everyone before you start incase they die.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>In FG, CR just click on the door to get your shard.    Dont forget to do netropolis castle at 28-35 cause it rocks.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Most times when your getting owned in a dungeon, its because people spread out.  Take charge, amke sure they keep it tight with you.   Sometimes might need to tell those backstabbers to get against the wall and dont backstab, if it means theyre gonna draw aggro to you.   Always pull to you, then move forward.   Keep in mind backspawn, dont let it get you.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Taunt yer [Removed for Content] off, heh..</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Also, to make your group happy, try and do quests together, so everyones getting something done out of the deal.  Hopefully you will get a group of regulars that hang with you, and stay on the same sheet of music as you quest wise.</DIV>

[Snikey]

<DIV>Just as it was in EQ1 aggro. It is the responsiblility of the nukers to maintain thier aggro. There is only so much I can do as a guardian. If they want to bust out the AoE, I say let them tank it. Healers have no choice, they will somtimes peal aggro on a large # encounter. For the Mage to do it is BS. Assist and nuke.</DIV>

[Macross_JR]

<blockquote><hr>uglak wrote:<DIV>Ok, important stats> Stamina, Agility, Strength (I prefer stamina when making racial/char perm things)</DIV><DIV> </DIV><DIV>Group wise, you need a tank, a healer (2 healers rock if you can get them), and 4 whatevers ( DPS/enchanter/bard/utility) . </DIV><DIV> </DIV><DIV>Main thing when fighting in dungeons, is someone has to keep the group tight, as in, dont spread out. Close quarters fighting. Spreading out will cause aggro. I also advise not to try and run past mobs, pull and clear as you go, keep moving forward to avoid backspawn. If someone continues to wonder around, mining, or whatever, and trains yer group, you need to warn them once then boot them if it continues. Stay close to the walls when fighting, avoid the center of rooms till its clear. Take your time. If you got a scout you can trust, let him go infront of the group, and let him be your eyes. He can tell you whats ahead, and can target mobs that need to die first (healers/nukers) etc. Can even let him pull out when needed and you assist off him.</DIV><DIV> </DIV><DIV>Use every taunt you got, always. Keep in mind, if you pull a group, they will go straight on your casters until you get your AE taunt off, so throw it quick. Also use yours buffs to taunt as well.</DIV><DIV> </DIV><DIV>If mobs are white or higher, use a shield. Biggest shield you can get. Enchanters are nice for breeze and mez. Dirges and bards are nice. At 25 the scouts wll get evac, which is lifesavers.. A get out of jail free card.</DIV><DIV> </DIV><DIV> </DIV><DIV>Ermm, thats all that comes to mind. Oh yea, make sure your healers throw ress stones on everyone before you start incase they die.</DIV><DIV> </DIV><DIV>In FG, CR just click on the door to get your shard. Dont forget to do netropolis castle at 28-35 cause it rocks.</DIV><DIV> </DIV><DIV> </DIV><DIV>Most times when your getting owned in a dungeon, its because people spread out. Take charge, amke sure they keep it tight with you. Sometimes might need to tell those backstabbers to get against the wall and dont backstab, if it means theyre gonna draw aggro to you. Always pull to you, then move forward. Keep in mind backspawn, dont let it get you.</DIV><DIV> </DIV><DIV>Taunt yer [Removed for Content] off, heh..</DIV><DIV> </DIV><DIV>Also, to make your group happy, try and do quests together, so everyones getting something done out of the deal. Hopefully you will get a group of regulars that hang with you, and stay on the same sheet of music as you quest wise.</DIV><hr></blockquote>5 stars to you, he has the tanking down. I have been in many a group where the MT was not in charge and nothing good came of it. If you are MT you need to be the one calling the shots, not anyone else. It's up to you to tell the group to run, up to you to tell the scout to evac. While in a group, watch your groups health in the group window to make sure no one is taking a lot of damage, I say this cause sometimes the mobs have aoe's, you need to be sure if the group members took aggro or if it was just aoe damage. And I can not stress enough, take charge.