Recently returned from a 2 year absense - Need class advice

[MKL]

As the topic says I have been away from EQ2 now for going on two years.  I was unable to control the reasons why I was unable to play and never once did I think of wanting to quit.  So now that I am again able to play the game I find myself wanting to more than ever.  Multiple expansions, adventure packs, and new content have me drooling at the chance to once again create a character and adventure throughout Norrath. However I've been back to the game for only a few days now and I already feel like a complete newbie.  With the sub classes being offered immediately and some of them being extremely different I find myself remembering classes differently.  What used to be a flavor of the month has been changed and no longer played and what was once weak might now be overplayed and powerful.  The game is solo friendly now which is fantastic news for me since I like to often adventure on my own time.  However I love grouping just as much. So now the reason for my posting: I need advice on what class to play.  I want to have no difficulty soloing when I can't get a group.  I don't mind the support role as long as it doesn't leave me completely dependent on groups - like I said I want to be able to solo when unable to get a group.  I want a class that is sought after or at least welcomed into groups.  I hear some classes aren't necessary and will easily be passed over if another class is available - i don't want that.  And if I make it to the end-game some day I would like to be a class that can get a guild to do end-game content. So to sum it up: 1.  Can solo easy 2.  Can get groups easy 3.  Would be wanted in guilds 4.  Isn't "too" overplayed Thanks for any help you all can give me.  I've spent over a week now reading page after page in every class forum.  I've tried out nearly every class in-game up to level 10.  I'm just stuck because I don't want to invest time that would be lost down the road. Thanks again.

[interstellarmatter]

Try a Brigand.  Easy to solo and always welcomed in groups.  Of the classes, they are one of the most under rated ones.  If played correctly, they are a nice little power house.

[Haphasto]

I believe the most common answer your going to get is a Fury.  They are an exceptional soloing class and can also get groups very easily because of their healing powers which can definetely hold up just as much as any other healer in the game.  In probably over 70% of the groups I'm in we seem to have a Fury.

Truthfuly though any class in the game can solo, and any class can get a group some easier than others in both situations.  I've grouped with every class from a necromancer to a dirge.  The thing is, groups aren't all too common, and when people are looking for more for a group, it can take up to maybe 30 minutes, sometimes more to get one going.  So aside from the tank and the healer, generally groups will take any class that pops up, because very class can benefit the group in some way.

[phoenixshard]

For soloing easily, I've just rolled up a bruiser after playing with my best friend and watching him run over everything with it to try it out.  I actually like it a lot.  I played a monk for a while but didn't really care for it too much, the bruiser seems to be similar, but has enough of a difference to make it much funner. For grouping, we've never had any problem getting into PUG's when we wanted to get into them with his monk and my assassin. For guilds, that would depend on what kind of guild you are looking for.  From what I've seen on Nektulos, most guilds will accept any class unless they are hardcore raiders. Bruiser I don't think is overplayed at all.

[azekah]

I've played almost every class to at least 25, and several to 40+ and I have to say for me, my necro is the most fun for grouping or soloing... For soloing my pet tanks/dps and I heal/dps...what more do u need? In groups I dps/backup heal/and even tank if necessary... But, it all depends on what you like to do most...Again I  have a lot of alts because I like playing different styles often. So my advice would be to make lots of alts!

[MKL]

Thank you all for your replies.   I'm going to give the Brigand a try and see how he fares 20+ and hopefully I end up enjoying him!  There seems to be a lack of Brigands on my server.

[Zodiak]

Don't worry too much about what is 'overplayed'.  Pick a class that you have fun with both in groups and solo.  You'll be happier that way =)

[Anastasie]

Brigand is a good choice. It is a dps class, so will be able to solo well, plus has good utility to debuff the mobs. Besides, you can run around clobbering everyone. lol

[Griffinhart]

MKL wrote:

1.  Can solo easy The good news is that any class can solo.  But, some do it easier than others.  I've done a Fury and Wizard to 70 and my Guardian is currently approaching 68.  All of them have been very effective at soloing. some classes are a bit more challenging though.  Coercers, which are very powerful, die really easy. 2.  Can get groups easy Of my 3 high level characters: Fury:  Very easy to get groups.  Often gets tells to join pickup raids or groups without the LFG tag being on. Wizard:  Hasn't ever really been a problem getting groups.  I do occasionally get random invitations for pickup raids as well. Guardian:  Pretty easy to get groups.  I've never waited for long when I had my LFG tag up.  I get random invitations to groups all the time LFG tag or no.  I haven't done any pickup raids, I'm still too low really.  And I have no idea what the demand for guards are for raiding. 3.  Would be wanted in guilds Healers are almost always in demand.    I can't tell you what the average raiding guild is looking for but my guild really looks for any class as long as they are good players and easy to get along with.  We mostly do group instances though we attend a lot of pick up raids and are starting to do joint ventures with other smaller guilds. 4.  Isn't "too" overplayed That's the tricky part.  If it's a really good class that solo really well, gets groups easily, and is in high demand from guilds chances are that class is going to be overplayed. Right now Furies are all the rage, but I have to say I've never had a problem with outfitting my Fury.  Ok 40 to 50 was a big of a problem with getting adept spells, but 60+ getting great gear and spells has been easy for me.  I've gotten almost a complete set of the legendary armor set almost without trying.  

Best advice I can give is to just pick a class that you identify with more.  You will probably have more fun playing it.