Monk, Paladin, or Ranger?

[Shadio]

So I'm looking to start an alt and I was hoping for some advice. My main is a defiler, so I'd like my alt to be basically the opposite, a melee-oriented good character better at solo-ing. I've narrowed it down to Monk, Paladin, and Ranger. Any thoughts? Thanks!

[Bereg]

<DIV> <P>Maybe following thingy gives you some insight:</P> <P>I hear many people saying that monks are tanks like other tanks, but that is definitely something I can not do as our group regularly slays yellow and even orange ones which kill my monk quite fast. I usually play in a group where we have a shammy, warden, berserker, monk (me) and then two others, usually scout subclasses or wizard for damage and we do very fine as long as the aggro doesn't transfer to me from the berserker... well, I usually hold possible adds busy if we get 'em but it is tricky. My main job currently is to assist the main tank, do damage and protect spellcasters from adds and aggro (tranquil blessing, intervene etc.) it is definitely not to act as a main tank.</P> <P>So if you like assisting other people and accept the fact that when people are looking for a tank, they are not looking for a monk, then you are fine. I'd like to hear how others experience their monks, but this is how I see it. </P></DIV>

[Shadio]

I don't mind if the monk's role is not a pure tank, so long as they trade that off for something. Is there dps higher to make up for this (compared to other tanks, not serious dps classes)?

[Bereg]

<DIV>Well, I suppose our dps is pretty equal if not a bit better than berserker one overall... hard to say, berserkers seem to do more damage on some abilities, but have a bit slower refresh as opposed to monks having faster refresh on our damage and a bit less on total damage. My bruising strike (adept1, from brawler) hits about 75-110 at level 23, my swooping dragon is 78 + 3 or 4 11 dot ticks (app1), then I have rapid swings that deals normal damage triple (nearly always misses since latest patch <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />), flying kick that deals 40-70 (app1), thrust kick (app3) that hits for 40-50 I think... those are what I use regularly for damage.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Bruising strike, rapid swings and swooping dragon are definitely the most heavy hitters I have now, but also have slower refresh than flying kick and thrust kick. The damage is probably a lot better when I get those spells upgraded, but I really would like to get app3s instead of app1 and Neriak server doesn't seem to have any alchemists. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I think the boon of a berserker is that they are the best class to hold aggro, have a decent armor and good hp and can inflict damage. Some say monks can act as main tank if they have guardian/pally to assist them, some say we can't... but the best part of monk is probably that we are pretty good at assisting main tanks and buffing/protecting healers (wisdom of the zephyr, tranquil blessing, intervene). I personally know I can't tank the same mobs our group zerker can, but I haven't had any trouble finding a group either since I pretty much play in a regular group. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Edit: I like to put emphasis on fact that the monk vs zerker damage is just a "hunch"... it may be so that zerkers outdamage us very easily. I'm too lazy to edit off the first part of the post but in general I'd say go for zerker or monk if you want to do damage and guardian/pally if you want a traditional "tank".  <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV><p>Message Edited by Beregar on <span class=date_text>12-04-2004</span> <span class=time_text>03:27 AM</span>

[Shadio]

Great, thanks for the help!