Class choice question

[Elunesglow]

<div></div>Ive played MMORPGs, since the day Everquest: Ruins of Kunark came out. I was a Ranger then, and I ended up switching between my ranger, my rogue, my bard, and my necro.I realize the bard and the necro are not really equivalent classes, so they cannot be really compared in this discussion, but I'm trying to decide which of the other two I would like to play, and how viable betrayal quests are as an option.  I really like flashy damage numbers, and I tend to really work at being the highest damage possible.  Ive read numerous pages on the ranks people come in on raids, usually Assasins and necros at the top, but You have along way to go to raid.  How do the classes compare in solo/group situations, 1-whatever the max is in EQ 2? How hard is it on someone who is starting from nothing, money wise?  And, well lets face it, I'm a girl, I dont want to have really hideous armor if possible too since i havent seen any evidence of dyes like EQ 1 had..Any help would be appreciated ^.^Also, if someone I will be playing with is a berserker, which class, of any of those options will work best with him, thanks again!<div></div><p>Message Edited by Elunesglow on <span class=date_text>06-10-2006</span> <span class=time_text>09:19 PM</span>

[Jayad]

<P>Either of the summoner classes (conjuror or necromancer) would put up very nice damage (even after LU24 nerf coming up) and are very good solo classes.  They don't put up huge flashy numbers but rather they just have armies of pets and DOTs to do lots of nasty thing to mobs, so lots of small numbers.</P> <P>As far as big flashy number goes, wizards and warlocks do pretty well.  Assassins probably can do more damage than they do.  Rangers also put up big flashy numbers but not as much as assassins in total.</P>

[Guitar_Guru]

My main is a ranger, so keep in mind my opinion may be biased, but. . . The ranger is awesome damage wise, can show up some pretty high numbers.  I can easily out-dps all the fighter-types, all scout-types (except the assassin) and have a decent tug-o-war with Warlocks, Wizards, and Conju/Necro, depending on the mobs we're fighting.  Solo-wise, we're one of the best.  Group-wise, all we do is put out big flashy numbers.  Admittedly, the assassins and wizarsd will get bigger numbers, but our slightly smaller numbers come out more often.  Cost, however, is somewhat differant.  You'll want to keep your poisons up-to-date.  You'll also probly want to buy player-made arrows if you ever get into raiding.  If you're STARTING OUT with nothing though, no big deal.  If, like me, you're STARTING OUT EACH DAY with nothing, well. . . You're in trouble, lol. Can't say much for rogues of any sort, mine is level 16.  sorry =/ <div></div>

[Elunesglow]

Thank you so much for the responses, and yes, im starting out with absolutely nothing (cant stand gold buying either, so everything i get  I have to earn.) Its really seeming to come down to wizards, rangers, monks, and illusionists after going through the trial island.  My main fear, as with EQ1, is getting to high 50s/60s and seeing the damage/playstyle completely change on me from what i enjoyed.  And yeah, im a sucker for *skill* and seeing a mobs life drop drastically. But crowd control could be fun too.  But how do rangers do in comparison with wizard dps, about the same? It seems rangers would do a little more if its so expensive, but I am definately naive on the subject.  As I said, I really love high damage, preferably with big numbers.  The other worry is, after playing a ranger and a rogue for 5 years now, im rather bored of backstab. Ive done it in FFXI, WoW, Lineage2, EQ1, CoV, etc..Im just ready for a change. So Can rangers parse those great numbers WITHOUT meleeing? Thanks again!<div></div>

[Orthureon]

I used to play a ranger, my main source of DPS was ranged attacks. Not sure how that works now that I think all ranged CAs can't be cast on the run. They do decent damage in sneak attacks. But a lot more in ranged.

[Jayad]

<P>As far as Rangers vs. Wizards go, I think wizards do slightly better, but not enough that I would pick one over the other.  They're roughly equal on average I think.  (unlike rangers and assassins)</P> <P>Rangers do melee, especially before level 25 or so.  You just don't have enough range attacks starting out.  It might have changed recently, though.  Going by what other people have said.  Later on, your primary way of dealing damage is range, then you do melee when you're out of ranged CAs.</P>

[Mabes]

<P>I like playing my ranger, he's a lot of fun for soloing as well as grouping.  However, he's only level 51 currently, and my only other toon I've really played is my main, a templar, and so I was used to very dull soloing and dps before making the ranger.</P> <P>As far as total damage goes, I can't comment on raiding yet, but for grouping, I'm almost always on top of dps, however that is largely because I've had almost all level appropriate legendary or better gear, and have had all my ranged CA's adept III or better.</P> <P>As for the arrow cost problem, it really isn't a problem if you don't raid, however I can imagine how it would be quite frustrating if a ranger was your main raiding toon.</P>

[Guitar_Guru]

<div></div>In comparing Wizards and Rangers, your comparing Footballs with Soccerballs.  Use differant tools to make them go, but they can both go the same distance.  In your early levels you spend a good deal with backstabbing and such, but as you advance higher and higher and get more spell lines, you spend alot of time just standing back and letting the arrows fly.  Alot of people, now that Auto-attack ranged has gotten a big buff, are letting their arrows shoot at least once or twice before they use the next CA, which will help spread out the CA's so you always have something to push.  Also, several of our attacks snare, root, stun, or otherwise de-buff the enemy, so suffice to say, we're escape artists at heart <span>:smileytongue:</span> Monks have decent DPS, they're mainly tanking and, from what I can understand from my mom, who has a 41 Monk atm, alot of the DPS comes from buttonmashing, which doesn't really appeal to me, but it all depends on the playstyle.  Again, I DO NOT FULLY UNDERSTAND MONKS!!!  please don't flame me for oversimplifying the class, as I know that ALL classes take a certain finesse and inherent interest to fully understand and use. You want high DPS, so Assassins are an option, though they weren't one of the classes you expressed interest in.  My dad has a 39-ish Assassin, and from what I understand, they do ALOT of backstabbing and such.  If you like big, pretty numbers, I would suggest you look into the Assassin. . .  At 39 he just got a hit for over 2,000, which is pretty good at that level.  Trouble is, alot of their big attacks have long re-use timers, and since you might get bored from backstabbing, the Assassin may not be good in your case, but. . . Keep an open mind! <span>:smileywink:</span> Again, Rangers vs. Wizards is just the way the damage is gone.  Wizards have to worry about their spells being resisted and mitigated through resist numbers,  Rangers have to worry about parries and Misses, through Avoidance counts.  Both have their pluses and both have their minuses.  While Wizzies have slightly higher DPS counts though, I hear rangers have somewhat better utility in some respect.  Gotta hate having the whole group die from a master chest because the tank "accidentally" opened it up while the group was still in the rcovery phase.  That's what disarming traps are for ^-^ Without meleeing?  Definitely.  As you get higher up, you're gonna wish you could do those high hits both ways though, because once a mob reaches you, if you have no way to kite (which you probably will), then you stuck in some pretty deep poo there, lol. Rangers are fun though, if you enjoy the play-style.  Sorry for the overly-long post.  Whichever class you choose, hope you enjoy the world of EQ2! <span>:smileyhappy:</span> <div></div><p>Message Edited by Guitar_Guru on <span class=date_text>06-13-2006</span> <span class=time_text>10:39 AM</span>

[Elunesglow]

Thanks again for the responses..in answer to the question. I made both! I havent really picked one or the other yet, though so far im enjoying the wizard more for the change of scenery than anything else. As per being a scout since kunark of EQ 1, backstabbing eventually catches up to you in being bored so I didnt really enjoy the assasin much, also..no offense but Freeport is ugly! I mean..I dont understand why they feel evil has to be broken down, and crappy looking...but thats a different subject entirely ^.^ And as far as melee goes, I would much rather fly with arrows and group than solo, Im a chatter box when i get past my shy barrier so Soloing takes the life out of MMOs for me. The cost does worry me but it seems that doesnt matter until you raid.  Anyway thanks for the responses, and if anyone plays on Antonia bayle, Im Rimuru, and Reise, I'd love to chat ^.^<div></div>