New Character

[NotAVict]

<DIV> <DIV>Hello,</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>My co-worker and I are going to create new characters on a new server, his being a Defiler, and mine being some type of fighter.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I am leaning towards Bruiser or Berserker at the moment, but don't know that much about them.  I have the guide that lists the skills and have read in the forums off and on about them.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I have played an SK to level 25, a warrior to 16 (that I was going to take to Guardian) and 4 other classes to level 10 (sorcerer, summoner, rogue, and brawler) just to see what they were like.  My friend had played a Paladin to 25 and tried out a priest of some type.  By the time I started in on EQ2 he was slacking off, so we have never really got to duo before, and after couple months off we are both ready to start in again, so the idea is to start fresh on a new server and new characters that compliment each other and level up together this time.  He is interested in a Defiler which leaves me to play a fighter of some sort, which is what I prefer.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Since I like variety I wanted to try something I haven't done much of before and have kinda settled on either a Berserker or a Bruiser.... and I think I am going to play as a Dark Elf, just for kicks.  My level 11 brawler is fun to play at that level, but I am not sure that as I progress I might miss being able to wear the heavy armor, if even just for the looks of it.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#ff0000>I was wondering, though, how good do you feel a Bruiser plays as a tank?  Would it make a good duo with a Defiler and work with a Defiler as a core unit for a pickup group, either doing the tanking or being the off- tank if we happen to find a Guardian or Berserker lying around?</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#ff0000></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#ffffff>I thought it would be interesting to hear what you veterans of the profession have to say, so any information or stories you want to tell that might help me make an informed decision would be appreciated!</FONT></DIV></DIV>

[VettsVey]

<P>You like playing your DE Brawler, and he aspires to be a Defiler... They make a good match up imho.  Wards, buffs and debuffs work nicely.</P> <P> </P>

[kildarn]

<P>IMO bruisers are the best tank to pair with a defiler.  Ward tends to last a lot longer on a bruiser who is dodging then a plate class that is absorbing damage.  The reason is ward uses it's own mitigation setting not the characters mitigation.  So when a ward is placed on a toon it will take the same amount of damage per hit on a berzerker as say a chanter.  Bruisers get hit a whole lot less which allows the ward to stay longer.  The defilers debuffs will compensate for the lack of mitigation the bruiser actually has outside of a ward.  (btw I play both a bruiser and a defiler)  Also, for duo purposes bruisers do more damage then any other tank class which will help in actually killing the mobs you are fighting.</P> <P>As far as tanking ability I would say extremely well.  We are a bit lacking in group taunts as you will only ever really have 1 available to you.  However, with that group taunt, and group buffs a bruiser can control a group of mobs very effectively.  A bruiser is never going to be the MT on a big ol raid mob over a guardian though.  Normal xp grinding, quest mob killing stuff?  Yep a bruiser will be more then capable of tanking it.  Just be warned, both a bruiser and defiler don't really come into their own till about lvl 25.  That seems to be true about most classes though, at least the 5 i've played.</P> <P>I hope you have fun playin with your buddy and I hope both of you enjoy the classes you choose.  </P>

[hardwi]

<DIV>Well my wife just got into EQ finally and she wants to be a Halfling Bruiser /shrug and I am a Halfling lvl 28 inquisitor so I assume we will make a good duo @ times. Since you were on the subject of healers/tank talk I was wondering if I made a fair assumption.  ?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>My point was I see talk of certain healers matched well with certain tanks. I have had the pleasure to duo with a guardian and Sk for many lvls and it seems being a more offensive healer I match well imo with SK and guardians  kinda the ones who dont have a higher end dps.  I have a friend who is a templar and he said he notices the same thing being more of a defensive healer he works well with higher dps lesser armored tanks.  This is strictly an opinion but also seems to work well.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[kildarn]

You shouldn't have a problem really.  The only thing is as an inquisitor healing a bruiser you have to know that your reactive heal is not going to be nearly as effective as it would be on a heavy armor tank.  This is because of the lower number of hits but the higher individual damage of each hit on a bruiser.  The math just doesn't come out right with that line of spells.  I duo and group my bruiser with an inquisitor quite often and there has been absolutely no problems with her keeping me alive.  I believe inquisitors have relatively strong debuffs which will probably be the number 1 option in limiting the abuse the bruiser takes.  After that it will probably go to your direct heals.