Hi all, After playing a bunch of classes I am left with a Shadowknight and a Warden as my favorites. Both are in their mid 30's and I really want to choose one to go forward with. The warden seems a little more developed at this level and seems really strong in both mellee damage and especially survivability. The SK is doing ok but seems like he needs some more AA's and levels to get to where he should be. I am mostly concerned with having the ability to solo tough named mobs and tackle quest content and wanted to have an idea of which of these two classes to choose for this purpose. I think I have a good idea of the power of a warden but what about an endgame shadowknight. How well can he tackle quests and take out named heroics in comparison to a warden. Thanks

<cite>Phaseout wrote:</cite><blockquote>Hi all, After playing a bunch of classes I am left with a Shadowknight and a Warden as my favorites. Both are in their mid 30's and I really want to choose one to go forward with. The warden seems a little more developed at this level and seems really strong in both mellee damage and especially survivability. The SK is doing ok but seems like he needs some more AA's and levels to get to where he should be. I am mostly concerned with having the ability to solo tough named mobs and tackle quest content and wanted to have an idea of which of these two classes to choose for this purpose. I think I have a good idea of the power of a warden but what about an endgame shadowknight. How well can he tackle quests and take out named heroics in comparison to a warden. Thanks </blockquote>I'd say we can handle most named mobs with sufficient gear and spells if they are a couple of levels below us.

<p>Kinda situational...SK can Evac and FD to get around, survive, and get quests done......also better at rounding up a ton of the needed "kill X amount of X" mobs and burning them down. Quick quest completions. Killing named is dependant on a few things, but using potions/mana items/god abilities etc...you can wrack some high level named.</p><p>Warden druid ports help them get around between zones extremely fast...so "run around here and there" quests are a snap in EoF zones for example. Good DPS for a healer as  well....and root....which generally makes it easier for them to more reliably kill higher level mobs (named included).</p><p>Just my opinion based on what I've read and heard....I've never played a Warden (though I play a Battle Specc'd Inquis, which is fairly high dammage for a healer as well.....though without the reliable root, a key distinction).</p>

<p> I am only a level 29 SK. Thus, you need to take what I am saying with this in mind; however, I have played a high level SK in EQ1,which is somewhat similar.</p><p>SK are VERY strong. In fact, in this game I and my group mates are surprised at how strong we are and how much DPS we can do. I take down blue mobs with triple up arrows consistantly. I also can do blue or green named. We even get some decent AOE types of fighting arts,which is great for taking down a group of green mobs at one time.  In addition, we get some good survival skills such as feign death, evac etc.There are several keys to being a strong knight:</p><p>1. Max out your defense and parry at each level. I usually have a lower green mob hit on me for about an hour or so. I walk away from the computer till this is done. This is crucial.</p><p>2. Every 5 levels upgrade your armor and weapons. This is also crucial. In fact, this might even be more important than geting adept combat arts. Always look for armor and weapons with procs. These provide great bonuses for damage and healing. In fact, I will take a piece of armor or weapon with a good proc over an armor or weapon with slightly better stats.</p><p>3. Always try to get at least Apprentice 4 combat arts. In fact, I would get Adept I if you can afford it. The key here is affordability.Frankly, I don't buy a lot of adept or better CA skills because of the price differential. I don't see that much of a difference between Apprentice IV and Adept I , yet the price can be 10 times more for adept.</p><p>4. I constantly use a one-handed weapon and shield. I am sure other knights will give you a different viewpoint. It is crucial to beef up at least two types of weapons such as slashing and crushing. You never know what you will find or or buy. I would like to beef up more than two types of weapons, but weapon skills go up very slowly. It is very difficult to even keep two weapon skills near your level. Three or more would be very difficult to accomplish unless you want to spend a lot of time on grey mobs or disabling combat experience.</p><p>Problems with SK. SK can retain aggro as well as that of other fighters. However, we have to work harder at it. The tools are there.</p><p>Secondly, it is a bit harder for us to get AA points vs. that of a necro. We have to fight our way through everything. Necros can invis; thus, it is easier and safer for them to explore territories and get those AA bonuses. This can be said for any fighter type.</p><p>Third, we really can't heal ourselves well. Yes, with procs,we do get healing. Also, at upper levels we get some lifetaps;however,neither of these are as good as a good healing spell.</p>

soloing I prefer twohanded weapons when fighting heroics I use 1h and shield.

<cite>Wildmage wrote:</cite><blockquote>soloing I prefer twohanded weapons when fighting heroics I use 1h and shield. </blockquote>Response:to each, there own. Frankly,it is very difficult to max out the skill levels on two handed weapons vs. one handed. I frankly prefer one handed plus shield. Certainly, most groups and raids want SK to use one-handed weapons and shields. I personally wouldn't want a SK in a group to not use their shield UNLESS we had someone else who was tanking.

I have a level 70 SK and for the most part I run around with a two handed sword (unless tanking or hard hitting heroics then one handed sword and shield ).  I could for the most part with good eq and skills upgraded, handle several mobs a couple of levels higher than me.  Heroic ^ I could usually do 2 levels higher with some area of concern.  Heroic ^^ one level higher.  Heroic ^^^... well that one always hurts. When I am in a group that I am not tanking, I go two handed sword.  It does nice damage (with increased attack speed it's nice).  I mostly solo'd or grouped.... still havent raided yet, so I guess I'm jaded in that aspect.

<cite>sirmorte wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Wildmage wrote:</cite><blockquote>soloing I prefer twohanded weapons when fighting heroics I use 1h and shield. </blockquote>Response:to each, there own. Frankly,it is very difficult to max out the skill levels on two handed weapons vs. one handed. I frankly prefer one handed plus shield. Certainly, most groups and raids want SK to use one-handed weapons and shields. I personally wouldn't want a SK in a group to not use their shield UNLESS we had someone else who was tanking. </blockquote>I've never ever period on any character had any trouble maxing weapon skills with in 20-30% of that level so Im not sure what your doing maybe leveling too fast? granted Im a questaholic and I quest and never ever grind xp.

<cite>sirmorte wrote:</cite><blockquote><p> I am only a level 29 SK. Thus, you need to take what I am saying with this in mind; however, I have played a high level SK in EQ1,which is somewhat similar.</p><p>SK are VERY strong. In fact, in this game I and my group mates are surprised at how strong we are and how much DPS we can do. I take down blue mobs with triple up arrows consistantly. I also can do blue or green named. We even get some decent AOE types of fighting arts,which is great for taking down a group of green mobs at one time.  In addition, we get some good survival skills such as feign death, evac etc.There are several keys to being a strong knight:</p><p>1. Max out your defense and parry at each level. I usually have a lower green mob hit on me for about an hour or so. I walk away from the computer till this is done. This is crucial.</p><p>2. Every 5 levels upgrade your armor and weapons. This is also crucial. In fact, this might even be more important than geting adept combat arts. Always look for armor and weapons with procs. These provide great bonuses for damage and healing. In fact, I will take a piece of armor or weapon with a good proc over an armor or weapon with slightly better stats.</p><p>3. Always try to get at least Apprentice 4 combat arts. In fact, I would get Adept I if you can afford it. The key here is affordability.Frankly, I don't buy a lot of adept or better CA skills because of the price differential. I don't see that much of a difference between Apprentice IV and Adept I , yet the price can be 10 times more for adept.</p><p>4. I constantly use a one-handed weapon and shield. I am sure other knights will give you a different viewpoint. It is crucial to beef up at least two types of weapons such as slashing and crushing. You never know what you will find or or buy. I would like to beef up more than two types of weapons, but weapon skills go up very slowly. It is very difficult to even keep two weapon skills near your level. Three or more would be very difficult to accomplish unless you want to spend a lot of time on grey mobs or disabling combat experience.</p><p>Problems with SK. SK can retain aggro as well as that of other fighters. However, we have to work harder at it. The tools are there.</p><p>Secondly, it is a bit harder for us to get AA points vs. that of a necro. We have to fight our way through everything. Necros can invis; thus, it is easier and safer for them to explore territories and get those AA bonuses. This can be said for any fighter type.</p><p>Third, we really can't heal ourselves well. Yes, with procs,we do get healing. Also, at upper levels we get some lifetaps;however,neither of these are as good as a good healing spell.</p></blockquote>1.  Maxing out defense and parry AS you level.  I've never had this problem (unless your getting powerleveled) 2.  Upgraded armor and weapons every 5 levels crucial? no not really.  Getting your abilities adept III > than weapons & armor every 5 levels IMHO.  Greater investment over weapons & armor.  They last longer (10-14 levels between them) vs your 5 level upgrades for armor & weapons. 3.  I agree with having at least Apprentice 4 in your abilities but should strive to get them all Adept III (become an Alchemist and this will NOT be a problem). 4.  Well I didn't have a problem with this one at all.  I use 1h & shield for the harder content but when I'm soloing I mostly use a 2hander.  When I'm in a good group I'll use my 2hander still and have no problems Tanking.   I can always switch to 1H & Shield quickly as needed. Aggro: gets better at the top end (esp with Death March) Invis:  can buy Invis totems.  I carry too many on me :p AA's:  Doing quests and killing named while out exploring with a group will have the AA's flowing...  Most people I know have more AA's than they do levels by the time they reach 40th (I wasn't so lucky as they didn't have AA's when I first started my character.  I had to start gaining them @ 50th but such is the way of things). Healing:  No not at 29th I guess we can't but @ 70th, in a normal group setting, I always out heal our healers in the group with all the lifetaps I have going on (thanks to Reaver AA)