Well, I have an assassin, so I feel justified in posting on this subject. 
And no, not a high level assassin either, I got abit discouraged from playing him with the 3+ hour wait time for groups. Guilds help, that's for sure. I don't know what kinda dmg output assassins do at high lvls, but I take most peoples words for it, and the arguments make sense. I try to explain to people why assassins are gimped, that our dmg should be close ot a casters, and they argue "well...casters use magic, assassins use a weapon..." Now maybe I'm misinformed, but since when did a bolt of lightining, a ball of fire, a huge fricking ice comet to the head, kill better than a stiletto to the heart, or a dagger severing a spine? Maybe a sliced throat. Dead is dead. So I don't really buy that one. Casters should do a little bit more dmg, for the simple fact that if they don't, they will all re-roll assassins (or scouts). I like being the only assassin in a group, for the simple fact of the crappy stackability of CAs. "This would not take effect" Kiss my butt, I'm still hitting it with my weapon, dangit! :smileymad:
As for berserkers being brainless barbarins that flings a pile of feces and screams unintelligble words at an enemy before hacking them to pieces...Yeah...not problem there. But whats wrong with the cold rage of hate? A person so infused with hatred that they attack an enemy regardless of their own welfare? Or maybe, the anger of an enemy hurting the berserker's friends? (ie, group) He goes into a rage and focuses his energy on the offending creature, or creatures. I can buy that, and I'm poor as hell. (but strangely enough, i can afford EQ2 every month, talk about a paradox) Berserkers don't HAVE to be wild, crazy, naked people banging on bongos and shaking their klik-klax at people (like in Braveheart, love that movie :smileyvery-happy: ) But if you want to, then by all means, don some select pieces of leather armor, equip a hatchet or two, and get to work. Just don't expect to live long.
As for monks...they come to mind as the you see in movies...insightful, wise, tranquil... They use their abilities to defend themselves. Yes, there is the legend of Din Mok (I think it is called...the Touch of Death, plz correct me if I am wrong) But they used it exceedingly sparingly. Assassins, well, they used it whenever gold hit their hands. Poison in a wine goblet, an arrow from a tree, a knife in the back. Assassins are much more adept at killing than a monk. Bruisers are a different story. I think of them as streetfighting thugs. Dirty fighting, sand throwing sons of *&^%$ that will do anything to take you down. Should they hurt. Yes, i believe so, same with the monk. Should they out dmg an assassin? Nah, I'd be much more afraid of poison in my food or a knife in the back than some thug calling me out to brawl. At least then i could defend myse
In conclusion, I guess I tend to agree that assassins need some help, and that monks/bruisers should not do the nice dmg they do, although they most definitely should be at the top fo the fighter chain, just as assassins should be at the top of the scout chain (along with Rangers, of course). No problem with casters doing a bit more dmg than us over all. ANd that being a berzerker doesnt have to mean charging into battle with your winky hangin out. I know some will disagree. That's ok, what a great country we live in!
Message Edited by Ardsheal on 04-20-2005 07:10 AM