Soloing at 30

[Iagan the Swart]

I recently started taking my level 30 berserker into EL and Zek.  She is still wearing crafted carbonite plate armor, but will upgrade soon.  My problem is that it seems much harder to solo now.  MOBs that are one level higher than her are almost unkillable.  She has always been able to take on yellow con'd MOBs before.  Now a yellow con'd MOB will almost certainly kill her.  Is this normal?<div></div>

[Darkfir3]

<div></div>Depends on how yellow they are. 1 or 2 levels are ok, but higher is gonna kill you quick. Also, upgrade everything or else ur gonna get your [Removed for Content] handed to you from mobs of same level or higher, unless u upgrade you mine as well strip and run through CT.

[firewolf]

When hunting in EL and Zek, you absolutely need T4 armour for going after yellow cons. At 43, I can kill 3-4 level 46 yellow con in Sinking Sands in offensive stance. Also can take out single arrow up level 46 croc but have to use defensive stance and a shield to win. This is with a couple of T4 legendary gear (has level requirement of 35-39) but going to dump them soon for better mitigation T5 rare or treasure gear.  Usually also use str/sta and mitigation potions for tough fights. The more mitigation you have the less damage you take.<div></div>

[Robbpilot]

<div></div>Be careful of the halflings in EL too when you are leveling up.  They are scout/brawler type NPC's I think and you won't hit them very often if they are yellow to you.  I just don't find it profitable to go after yellow solo stuff as a berserker when green heroics can be found.  You might get better XP deep down in Varsoons than from killing the solo mobs in EL.

[Iagan the Swart]

Thanks for the info.  I will keep al this in mind.  I have not yet started to grind in EL or Zek.  Mainly I just want to start harvesting ore since I am also a level 30 weaponsmith.  I had some limited success by switching to my defensive stance.  This is the first time I have had to use itThanks again for the input.<div></div>

[Kaitar]

<div>I'm not sure if you're there to do quests or are just grinding exp, but at 29 I was soloing the ^^^ 23-25 griffons and undead in Antonica and those were fast exp. At 33 I can do the giants in either Nektulos or the 25-26 ^^^ griffons, and those are really good exp too.</div><div> </div><div>However, yeah...you need to upgrade your armor, that IS a big factor in how well you can solo. Also your spells, since you're not raiding - adept I's-III's can get you by easily (I only have a few masters at the moment) but the gear is a big thing. You can do endless blues and greens on so-so gear, but if you invest a little bit of money you can do yellows no problem, and even heroics. Being that I mainly tank in my static when I don't solo (I usually only solo to finish up a level real fast or if I'm extremely bored) , a lot of zerkers don't use their stances correctly. I will give a hint here: Fury stance and big weapons/duel wield for easily defeated, lower con mobs (blues, greens, single whites) but slap on that shield and defensive stance for anything tough. That shield will save your butt sometimes. Remembering to keep your bloodrage on during fights and having food/drink for your level will also help a lot.</div><div> </div><div>Good luck <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></div>

[Robbpilot]

<div></div><p>A tactic I like to use against tough mobs...</p><ol><li>Start the fight with your offensive stance and 2H or DW equipped.</li><li>Your first attack (if you have a hex doll) is to cast the hex doll's spell which is a slow on the MOB.  This will reduce his offense while yours is peak.  It only lasts for a while so watch its timer.</li><li>really go all out with your offense now and kick butt while everything is in your favor.</li><li>As the slow is about to wear off, switch to your defensive stance, throw your shield up and do a shield bash to KD the mob while you wait to equip your 1H weapon.</li><li>Equip your 1H weapon.</li><li>finish up the fight with your better defense while the MOB starts hitting you at full force.</li></ol><p>If you do this with a group of mobs, try to make sure that they are in an arc in front of you, not all around you.  This will allow your offensive AoE's to hit better, and ensure that they are hitting you where you can mitigate/evade best.</p>

[Iagan the Swart]

I have to admit that I am one of those berserkers.  I have always used Fury.  This is the first time I have had to switch to a defensive stance.  Also, I never use a shield.  Perhaps I will invest in one, but from a RP perspective I like to go without.  Ah well, I guess crazy doesn't equal stupid so a shield would be fine.Thanks again for the advise.<div></div>

[firewolf]

You could always use 1H+shield and offensive stance for faster killing. On top of that you get an extra stun combat art to use. I find this combo works great even on yellow and green heroic mobs (8 levels lower). However on heroic 3 up arrows especially named, I've to go defensive stance sometimes. Hex doll and 30sec Wall series of buff helps a lot in winning against heroic mob.  So far I used offensive stance 99% of time when soloing for the added dps. If you have to use defensive stance to win against even con or below single solo mob, your gear need upgrade badly. <div></div>

[Zerv]

Is there an easy way to switch between 2h and 1h and shield? other than using the mouse and dragging to bags?<div></div>

[Kaitar]

<div>Aye, put them into a hot bar. Then you can just click on their icons in that hotbar to switch any time.</div>

[Zerv]

do you put both the shield and 1h on a seperate button on the hotbar?<div></div>

[Kaitar]

<div>Yep. Put them both up there, along with any other weapons or gear you want to be able to change out real fast.</div>

[Iagan the Swart]

Or create a macro.  Sorry I don't have my macro cheat sheet with me, but if you look in the forums you should be able to find some info on how to do it.<div></div>