Newb thinking of rolling a wizard - need your pro thoughts please.

[Wiceri]

Hello All.i'm thinking of rolling a wizard.i like spells, and the concept of number 1 DPS and vulnerable at the same time.but i heard that in later game wizards arnt number 1 DPS, is that true?what is the Number 1 DPS in EQ2?what is the Number 1 DPS Caster in EQ2?if i would roll on a PvP server, which character would u recomend me to play?which caster character?thanks alot for answering and helping, i'm kinda cluless about the classes in EQ2.

[electricninjasex]

When all else fails, go for the roleplaying answer... the class that matches your real-life personality and abilities.  For me the answer was Wizard. Personally I'd rather you choose Warlock but if you want the path of least resistance, Wizard.Wizards are way more powerful now than they were when I started playing last May.

[Wiceri]

thanks for replaying,Warlock? why warlock and not wizard? who has the biggest dps among the two? who will be granted acsess to parties more easily?and what did you mean "least resistence"...?i'm a newb.. please reinform me and again, thanks for your help.

[HawaiianBl]

Wizards are best against single targets encounters while Warlocks excell against grouped encounters.  Of the two pick the one you would like.  Also know that conjurors can put out more dps than we can.  But I really enjoy the Wizard class.

[Lanadad]

Although I can understand your questions, I would like you to consider this:    "What would make you enjoy the game most?"Its the sole question at this point imho. I do not believe being the "top" DPS will give you the best out of the game, there are so many more assets. For me personally, I feel I need a sense of achievement, and playing a wizards allows me to. Especially in groups (I have never had a problem getting one), it is a lot of fun pulling off that 'unbeatable' target. Its not about "which person" in the group dropped the most DPS on the encounter, its about working together and getting the job done!Hope this will make you re-consider how you look at classes and then make the best choice.

[Wiceri]

actully, i dont know what i will enjoy the most coz i'm really new to the game i really have a dilema between a wizard a warlock and a necro...

[Zberyn]

In all honesty, play both.  In fact, play every class you might have some interest in for a handful of levels, maybe even 20 or so.  With the removal of the class progression, you will get the class specific spells and abilities from the start, so you can get a feel for each class early on.  The Wizard is an interesting class.  It could use a bit of tweaking here and there, but it is not in any way broken, just possibly a bit underpowered... however that seems to be changing if you learn how to best play the class.

 

In the end, you are the only one who can answer your question by playing each class some and seeing how it feels to you.  As for the Wizard vs Warlock question, here's a bit of info:

 

Wizards:

 

Fire and Ice based with a few Magic based things

Mostly DDs with a couple of DoTs

A limited pet

Stuns, Stifle, Roots, an emergency mez, Power feeds, Health to Power for self

We buff STR/INT and Power/Heat/Cold

Reactive Proc buff that gives the Ally power when hit (non-conc), Proc that we can put on melee classes for DPS

Ice Shield

Evac

 

Warlocks get much of the same, except they are Poison and Disease based, instead of Ice and Fire.  They do not have Evac and buff  Power, Poison and Disease instead of Power, Heat and Cold.  They also buff casting techniquest versus Wizard's Int and Strength.  They have a limited pet and reactive procs, just based off of different elements.  They have power gain related spells, but they go about it in a different way.  Ours are health for power, and I believe theirs are attacks on the mobs for power, but ask them!  For any more specific spells and abilities, I'd either try a Warlock out, or pick brains on their boards.

 

Both Sorcerers have their strengths and weaknesses, and both will do some nice DPS, we just have different flavors.  Try them both out and see which route feels best for you, there's no rule that says you must pick one class and stay with it - save that for once you are happy with your decision.  Both classes also have some things at later levels that they don't have at early levels, such as our 50th level spells, DoF special spells and the new KoS 65th level marquee spells.

 

Currently, Necromancers 'can' outdamage Wizards and Warlocks when all classes are played to their maximum potential; however, the game is in a constant state of change, so today's top DPS class could be weaker tomorrow.  Also, different encounters can bring out the best or worst of certain classes, based on what spells they are resistant to or whether the encounter is multiple mobs versus single mobs.  Raids complicate things even further, so if you plan to level up and raid, you may want to dig through the multiple threads under each class and read what the raiders have to say.

 

In the end:  Pick a class you enjoy for the way it plays, not specifically to be uber or top DPS.  Any class has great potential if it is played to the best of your skill, but not every class will play the way you like to play.  Some classes will flow better than others for you, while others will feel like you are constantly having to 'work' to play them.  Just play around and see what you find to be enjoyable.