Bruiser....Is it worth it?

[PeanutM]

I need a little help in deciding if I want to go on with my character or stop here.I enjoyed brawler up to level 19. Prior to level 19 I had no problem taking on green or blue mobs, even with single arrow up, solo. When I hit level 19 my defenses seemed to drop signifigantly. I can't hardly take on a blue now solo without getting beat down.I attempted a rhino in the commonlands - level 16^^ - and had only a sliver of health left when the fight was over. Level 17 Bloodskull Warriors (no arrows) can almost beat me down with no problem a lot of the times.I'm playing a Keren with White/Yellow/Orange armor and a set of Nomad Walking sticks for weapons. I'm using the buffs provided to me before each fight in an attempt not to get beat down.Is what I'm going through just pre-bruiser, or is this how this character will be hence forth?

[Oidan]

<DIV>If you enjoyed a Brawler pre 20, you will enjoy a Bruiser Post 20.</DIV>

[L0Gan11]

<DIV>if you have trouble now, i don't konw what to tell you. as a 22 bruiser i can take on orange mobs, usually always winning. i can attack green ^^ and go afk b/c they never hit me, and with a little luck i can sometimes beat blue ^^. so it's worth it for me, but i could do the same at lvl 19, too.</DIV>

[Raidi Sovin'faile]

<DIV>Also note that the level 20 you get a serious increase in deflection (main defensive method, since mitigation is low), as well as a <EM>very </EM>noticeable increase in damage. My fists went from doing something like 20-ish average damage to around 40-ish average damage. Not sure about weapons, but I think it increases for everyone at 20th.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>If some of the creatures are spilling over into "20th level+ can kill them for xp", then the encounters may seem kind of skewed for the next level or two.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Once you reach 20th, your subclass abilities (Ignore Pain is very nice for soloing for example), and quest based rewards (weapon from subclass, armor quests start), things will start to gel.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>The beginning levels, prior to being 20th level, are all still "apprenticeship" levels. You are not really fully into your focused path yet, so your abilities are little more on the generic side. Once you've specialized, gain the power increase from 20th, and have access to greater equipment, you'll have a better time.</DIV>