New EQ2 Paladin here, advice needed!

[AzuraRutlanGGT]

Ok, so after much prodding I'm playing EQ2 now after playing the closed beta for a few weeks.  On EQ1 I play a mage, so I decided I did NOT want to play a conjurer here.  So, after weighing my options I decided on Paladin.  Now, I'm moving along nicely; level 9.5 adventurer, 10 artisan (as soon as I talk to someone in Qeynos).  I JUST made it into Qeynos, haven't gone anywhere or done anything yet.Here's my biggest questions:I LOVE to tradeskill, but am disappointed that I can only specialize in one.  Which should I choose, alchemy (to make spell scrolls and combat arts), armorsmith (so I can keep myself in quality armor and shields), weaponsmith, or something else I'm not listing?  Also, what's the best you can do for non-specialties tier wise?Being a new player and a fairly group dependant class, what is the likely hood I can find groups, and barring that, how viable is soloing?That should do it for now, but if I come up with more questions paladin related, I'll post here.  Thanks!<div></div>

[Eueadan]

<DIV>One of my favorite parts about EQ2 is that tradeskills are not level dependent...</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>If you want to make your own equipment, I think both Armorer and Alchemist are important (although you will probably use alchemist more).  However, if you like tradeskilling, who not do both?  Roll a new char, level him to 8-10 or so, and then so nothing but tradeskill on him.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>You can harvest using your main character, and then pass harvested items to you alt using your shared bank slots to allow the alt to skill up and make things.  If you compare this system to EQ1, it is roughly the same as running though two tradeskills on one char (because you won't combat level your crafting alt).</DIV>

[Canel]

<DIV>As a 70 Pally--I strongly suggest being an alchemist. Not only would it be incredibly cheaper/easier to aquire spells/CAs but also you only need to focus on mining, gathering, both of which dont give you too much of what your not looking for on the spot when harvesting</DIV>

[Rothrek]

<div></div>I would highly reccomend going alchemist over armorer, SOE has added a ton of quests and other content in which you can get armor from, and in end game, if you choose not to raid there is still a ton of legendary stuff you can get without raiding that is much better than anything crafted, plus as an alchemist you can make your own spells and you don't have to worry about finding someone who will over charge you for adepts and such!<div></div><p>Message Edited by Rothrek on <span class=date_text>08-17-2006</span> <span class=time_text>09:04 AM</span>

[Boli32]

<div></div><i><font color="#666666">In the red corner we have the nancy test tube boy</font><font color="#666666"> who allways stinks like he just let one go</font></i><b>Alchmist:</b><blockquote><b>Pros</b>* App4s ready for you to scribe at each level.<font color="#ffff00">* Occasionally an AD3 from a rare (bascially allows you to upgrade your skills to app4/AD3 for just the cost of time harvesting and fuel)</font>* easy to level due to discovery bonus experiance* You have a market for poisons, potions as well as fighter combat arts, and have plenty pof customers/demand* Potions are very handy and you are sure to have stacks of them to jelp you when you solo/dungeon crawl<b>Cons</b>* Other pallys coudl call you a wuss for dalling around with test tubes when you coudl be out killing orcs<font color="#cc0000">* You'll get pestered endlessly for combat art upgrades/potions/poisons from your entire guild and any who may know of you</font></blockquote><font color="#666666"><i>Faced up by a real man... big hairy and full of tradeskilling battle stories</i></font><b>Armourer</b><blockquote><b>Pros</b>* Its a 'real mans' tradeskill* Hand crafted armour at every tier... maybe even a rare amrour<font color="#ffff00">* Matching sets of easily obtainable armour</font><b>Cons</b>* You sometimes die whilst forging<font color="#cc0000">* Quested and looted amrour is much better than the handcrafted stuff and some even better than the rare</font>* Rare amrour becomes wearable 4 lvls after the start of each tier..by which time you could have leeched off a group and got enough upgrade that are nearly as good (or better) already.</blockquote>I've highlighted what are the worst and best pros and cons of each (in my opinion anyway).<div></div><p>Message Edited by boli on <span class=date_text>08-18-2006</span> <span class=time_text>04:41 PM</span>

[Kindagger]

Forget all the other tradeskills and make furniture. Seriously.

[ChopStix]

<DIV>seriously after playing a paladin to lvl 70....  if i were you, before you get too much farther along.. roll a gaurdian or berserker.. they have better agg control and better mitigation and can do more dps with the same gear...</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> you'll see more action with both the other class's that i've mentioned....</DIV>