Pally or Monk?

[CorvitusE]

<div></div><div></div>Hey guys, Just tossing up between the Monk and the Pally. From what I read the Pally rewards 'better' players. Which I like. It may be a less boring class to play. The other alternative was a Ranger, however I am slightly turned off by them not being so good indoors. I was just wondering how well each class solos(monk / pally)? Also I noticed at level 7 my friend was asked what stat he would like to raise by 4 points. Do you always select your primary stat to raise? Cheers <div></div><div></div><p> <span class="time_text"></span></p><p>Message Edited by CorvitusEQ2 on <span class=date_text>06-24-2005</span> <span class=time_text>11:09 PM</span>

[sk8erbob]

<DIV>well monks have paper armor but concentrate more no dodging atts and hitting hard while us pallys  take hits but have heavy armor and are much better tanks so pallys are much better for soloing and monks r good for groups even though i think pallys hit harder most of the time</DIV>

[hylozoist]

<P>This is a difficult question since Monks and Paladins are quite different.  Further, we may both change in the "combat revamp" due up soon.  </P> <P>I've seen rangers do some pretty awesome in dungeons, mind you.  I don't know if this "indoor" thing matters.</P> <P>I have a Paladin as well as a low level Bruiser.  At the same level, my paladin was much easier to play solo.  My bruiser is quite twinked, even, and I think my paladin was easier because of his heal.  Later on, though, many bruisers solo quite well, probably a bit better overall in terms of speed.  But the paladin is pretty solid all the way through.</P> <P>As far as groups, most people don't take monks to tank.  Although they tank quite well, there are enough plate class tanks that no one takes the monk in most cases.   So your role is likely to be dps as a monk, and more likely to be the tank as a paladin.</P> <P>Tanking as a monk vs. a paladin is very similar.  The only difference is monks avoid a lot more while tanking, and their heal (mend) is only once every few minutes.  Paladins get a single heal and a single ward early on, get a lay on hands fairly early, and then add a self-heal later.  Thus there are more options for healing as a paladin.  </P> <P>I wish I knew more about monks, but as far as "more to do" I don't find that there really is, except the paladin can toss a heal or ward out more often.  Both usually just spam attack keys.   In both cases you have to be watchful to keep aggro.  Thus they are quite similar in terms of paying attention.</P> <P>Hope that helps.</P>

[Pilo]

I just dinged level 30 and I'm sooooo happy with the choice of Paladin.  There are just simply far more tools in our toolbelt than just about any other class.  Much like in EQ1, a well-played Paladin is a welcome choice to -any- group worth its salt.  We're fairly good at buffing the main tank if it isn't us.  If it is us, we can take the hits just as well as any other tank, in fact better than most.  We've got great "oh sh&t" tools.  Our heals are halfway respectable and we can grab aggro pretty quickly (most of the time).  We can do an incredible amount of dps.  I never realized this until tonight.  I've been told by people that around lvl 30 is when the Paladin is at its weakest.. but I've never been stronger.  I started messing around with a dps parser tonight and was pleasantly surprised at just how much damage we're capable of compared to other classes. Soloing can go a little slow somtimes because without using spells and skills our dps drops off dramatically (at least at my level).  If I'm fighting something that's worth killing for exp (usually green or easier blue heriocs) I want to save power for heals.  If I go all-out DPS I'll likely run out of power before the mob dies (or runs out of power itself).  Its a difficult balance -- I usually will save the power for heals and only the highest damaging attacks. Having good gear helps me out, I'm sure.  I've upgraded quickly and consistantly throughout my playing days.  I've been lucky with drops and have managed to afford some better-than-average stuff.  My skills are mostly Adept Is, with one Adept III that I still use (Oath Strike--definately a great upgrade!). But I've definately noticed it takes skill to play the class well.  If I get lazy I'll suddenly not be able to control the situation at all.  If I'm tired I won't be able to save some poor mage getting beat on quick enough. If you're looking for variety in your play, and something that will have a bit of a learning curve but is very rewarding to play successfully look no further than your holy crusader, the Paladin.  If you want to just mash the same buttons over and over mindlessly, why not start a monk?   The only thing I miss about playing a Paladin instead of my first EQ2 character (wizard) is that I don't get to read as many books while I'm playing. <div></div>