Zerker vs. Monk

[-ShadoW-]

<DIV> <DIV>I just got back to the game after 2 years of WoW. That game was sucking up my life too much, so I finally decided to get back to EQ2.</DIV> <DIV>My question is regarding class choices for myself. My main goal is to solo, but not just solo grinding, I want to be able to take out ^^^ named bosses and get "teh phat lewtz". Alot of ppl say that monks shine in that aspect. They have sick DPS, decent tanking, and many abilities that alow them to go anywhere in the game. On the other hand, you have zerkers. They're great in tanking, decent in DPS, and get to use prett much every item in the game(weps/armor). I like the idea of zerkers wearing the heaviest armor and getting to use both dual wield and 2H to dish out their damage. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>My question to the monk/zerker community is:</DIV> <DIV> Is there a huge diffrence between the 2 classes in terms of soloing near impossible mobs, or does one class out shine the other. If they're almost identical I will obviously pick zerker, but will like to hear from the veterans that have played these classes for a while now.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I've posted this thread in both the Monk and Zerker forum to get both sides of the story.</DIV></DIV>

[Kaberu]

Monks are more likely to be able to take ^^^ named mobs. Alot of this stems from the higher avoidance as well as the higher single-target DPS. They also have a feign death and a heal that helps them at leaast survive if not beat their opponent. Another big benefit is that it is easier for a monk to fight in average quality armor. Berserkers are at a large disadvantage if they are in average quality armor as they depend on equipment heavily.<div></div>

[Fahrenheig]

<div></div>       If what your really looking for is to shine in farming names for "phat lewts" then monks/bruisers are the way to go simply due to feign death.  Neither would have a problem killing most soloable heroic names, hell in end game gear I can kill most of the names as a scout but the fact that brawlers can just train around to the names and fd rather then have to kill everything they come across which would take hours is what makes them such good farmers.  As for the difference between monks and bruisers, bruisers do more dps and have higher mit buffs while monks have more utility for raid pulling, im sure there are more advantages monks have just I dont know the specifics (they both have a heal).  As zerkers are plate wearers, for the most part they are the better xp group/raid tank.<div></div><p>Message Edited by Fahrenheight on <span class=date_text>08-21-2006</span> <span class=time_text>12:41 AM</span>

[Pnaxx]

<P>I have a Bruiser and Zerk and can tell you that the Bruiser is way more powerful in killing solo^^^ mobs. Not even a contest. Bruiser, instead of Monk, is what you want me thinks. They are the fighters nastiest class fer sure in a solo fight. Monkls are there nicer cousins. Monks have a bit more group abilty, Bruiser live fer themselves. Bruisers have a better self heal, better solo dps, mez and FD.</P> <P>So, Monks are the answer to your question, but Bruisers are the un-asked question...though you would be happy with a Monk I am sure.</P> <P>By the way, if you think EQ2 will not suck you in any more than WOW did.....think again! EVERCRACK BABY!</P>

[Wildfury77]

Hmmm, if u want to be able to solo nameds..melee style why not a Swashttank? (stamina line swashie)I can solo PP at lvl 70 without pausing <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> and can kill ^^^ blue/white nameds with ease. I can 1 healer tank HoF. My character is NOT fabled equipped <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> ---->claymore stuff up to DT and rest upper legendary.U will have much higher DPS than zerker/brawler. I just duo'd SoS with 70 raid equipped zerker and i did 70% of total dmg. 1000-1200 DPS in 2 man group is not bad i think?As for survivability i have 50%+ avoidance in offensive stance! 65-70% in defensive.  6600 HPs (solo,unbuffed). and decent mitigation. You can also TRACK the nameds u want to hunt and invis down to them, u can pick locks and evac if it goes wrong <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />You also can use 3 poisons at once these days......power tap is lovely.<div></div>

[Pnaxx]

<P>Wildfury, you made one heck of a good case.</P> <P>Do you need to kite, or do you just sit there and slug it out? I knew Swashies were versitile, but that is interesting.</P>

[Wildfury77]

<div></div><u><b>Need to be aware of how to use skills.</b></u><b><font color="#ffff00"><i>I open with</i></font></b>1) Stealth - KD,stun attack......if u move in fast u can do this even against a "see through MOB" then hit with debuffing backstab (we have 3)2) or I use Hex doll.....Then I stun, use sideswipe that reducesmitigation - u can get in side attack vs ^^^Then I hit En Garde, attack buffs and <b><font color="#ff0000"><i>Inspiration </i></font></b>and tear down the Named with burst damage - making sure to get the forward debuffs in.Use HOs all the time to get swindlers luck......should have this up nearly all the time if you do chain HOs - this offsets Defensive stance by counteracting loss of attack.<ul><li>Use cheapshot and one of the 2 sideswipes whenever up.</li><li>Use AoE attack that has knockdown while jumping at MoB - land behind and hit high damage backstab.</li><li>Mez the MoB and use backstab (or flee!)</li><li>Slow the MoB and kite with throwing CAs.</li><li>Use 3 poisons (i use rare) - the 3 different colour types stack......</li><li>If named has adds......Mez him or add. Or just use the 2 AOEs + Hurricane and focus on named, adds usually dead before you kill the named....or VERY damaged.</li></ul>You get the rough idea <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /><div></div><p>Message Edited by Wildfury77 on <span class=date_text>08-24-2006</span> <span class=time_text>09:51 AM</span>

[tass]

If you were going to take on names id say more than likely a monk would be better solo style. Zerks have the armor and the increase in mig against phisical attacks and such but they lack anything else that can help them in a fight besides there stuning spells to interupt the named mob. The only way my zerk can take on a named is if its 8 or more lvs lower. Monks have avoidence plus enough attacks to keep the mob all messed up so they can hit that much, and a heal to get back a % of there health. But if ur going for grps where your gonna be tanking against even con or higher herotics, or grp mobs go with the zerk. Monks can dodge only so many before 1 hit tears through that leather.<div></div>