Two classes you want in ToT raids

Swashbuckler and Channeler.

Many raid forces run without one or both right now. Well both classes have come full circle based on gear, new abilities (swash only) and dps.

Swashbuckler - So first and foremost there are some class changes you may or may not be aware of.

1. Their raidwide Final Damage Ability buff has been more than doubled.
2. One of their bebuffs now increases all raidwide elemental damage to the target of the debuff. This is important because everyone can convert their weapons to elemental damage. There are also items that change all damage to fire damage for 40 seconds (Relic charm). Warlocks rejoice!
3. Their class cloak increase all raidiwde damage to the target of one of their CA's (which is always in anyways).
4. Their utility is increasing Bard VC's quite nicely. Which again effects the entire raid.

On the parse they are about neck and neck with conjies. Given the above 3 raidwide utilities, on top of their already good debuffs, it's kind of foolish not to bring at least one Swash on your raid. With exception of their 29% threat transfer they fit in any group. Optimal group would be mage group first and scout group second if you don't need the transfer on an off tank. You want to buff your swashies with EV. Their CA's are now #1 on their parse (versus autoattack and poison topping their parse in AoM).

Channelers - The ToT mechanics will require a good mobile healer. And nobody does it better than the Channeler.

With the new gear channelers are putting up insane, scout like, numbers on the parse. And they're doing this while doing their main job of healing/absorbing damage for their group. Some strats will require a mobile healers and the insta-rez their pet has is essential for the success of the fight. There is also their ability to convert their heals to wards, single target heals and group heals. Depending on the fight they can change healing types on the go. It's essential that all raid forces have at least one channeler in ToT.

Change your recruiting messages and websites and start recruiting for these classes. You'll want them this expac!

Mogrim said: ↑

“And 4 Beastlords + 4 Dirges.”

Othion getting back on his BL?

[Mogrim]

Definitely not 2 Mage groups unless you simply can't fill out a full scout group.

MT Group - Assassin/Beastlord w/ Beastlord Cloak for an extra 2k+ mit
OT Group - Assassin/Beastlord
Mage Group 1 Warlock (for mana drain) +Wiz/Conj/or Necro or Brigand or Beastlord
Scout Group Beastlord + Brigand, Ranger if using Brigand in Mage group

Essentially, you can really justify 4 Beastlords. You can. You can even jmake the case for having the "Mage Group 1" be a "Hybrid Group that runs Dirge instead of Troub because Dirges really are that much better than Troubs.

Swash has potential but I'm not certain they'll make the cut.

[Anunnaki]

Swash neck and neck with conjy on parse? Lol.

[Karsa]

12 brigands + 12 guardians.....p

[Errrorr]

Your reasons for taking a swash are still pretty slim.

Changing all weapons to Elementals is silly when you could do the same but for a damage type Bards debuff anyway.
Their HP debuffs dont stack with Brigands.
Their DPS still won't match Ranger/Beastlord.

By the looks of it, you'd want to take;
MT Group - Assassin
OT Group - Ranger or Brig
Mage Group 1 - Ranger or Brig/Wiz/Warlock
Mage Group 2 - Summoner/Wiz/Warlock

Aside from the obvious (fighters/shaman):

1. Assassin

2. Brigand

It has been these two classes as long as I can remember.

Mogrim said: ↑

“MT Group - Assassin/Beastlord w/ Beastlord Cloak for an extra 2k+ mit
.”

Should probably ask before assuming that the relic cloak gives the 2k mit from the buff. Since I own the cloak just gonna tell you it doesn't.

curious, what are you really trying to do, Mogrim?

[Karsa]

yeah maybe he meant -2 positional instead 2k miT...
http://i.imgur.com/HgJDJnn.png

*sigh* remember when bringing 3-4 fighters in a raid was both enjoyed and preferred?

sad truth is

• There are more classes than spots in a raid
• groupwide effects do not translate to entire raid so multiple classes of the same type are preferred
• certain classes have powerful effects that either stack or require multiple players in order to maintain their effects.

You are always going to end up in the situation where some classes are going to be left out of an expansion and the only way raid guilds are going to continue to use a "less optimal mix" is either their most optimal raid force didn't log in (or was running late) or the less optimal mix generated enough DPS for it not to matter too much apart from a few fights.

I always find it amusing looking at raid guilds/raid forces is not who is actually in the zone.. but who is stood outside one.

[Veta]

Nisshki said: ↑

“Should probably ask before assuming that the relic cloak gives the 2k mit from the buff. Since I own the cloak just gonna tell you it doesn't.”

Savage Ruin master: http://u.eq2wire.com/item/index/4271808398

Unless it was changed, it makes savage ruin a group buff. It gives the group the mitigation. Yes, you are wearing the cloak but you probably already had savage ruin running at the time, therefore, you did not see the change?

Mogrim, what other utility does a BL bring other than with the cloak?

[Veta]

Liou_Unrest said: ↑

“Mogrim, what other utility does a BL bring other than with the cloak?”

I am not Mogrim, but here you go. They have a max hp debuff, ST, 3%, savage ruin damage proc (if cloak and increased damage?), chilling claws group buff, the ability to ward/power regen, and can offer dps mod, pot, cb to the group sustained.

Gimme a break

Veta said: ↑

“Savage Ruin master: http://u.eq2wire.com/item/index/4271808398

Unless it was changed, it makes savage ruin a group buff. It gives the group the mitigation. Yes, you are wearing the cloak but you probably already had savage ruin running at the time, therefore, you did not see the change?”

Veta this is Kiri and on Beta I was given the cloak to test with my BL and I have tested it. I have tested multiple times to attempt to get the mitigation buff to the group. After casting the buff a couple times with the cloak on it keeps the implied caster part to the mitigation buff and does not change for the group, but the damage proc does change on the buff to apply to the group.

[Laserbeak]

Errrorr said: ↑

“Your reasons for taking a swash are still pretty slim.

Changing all weapons to Elementals is silly when you could do the same but for a damage type Bards debuff anyway.
Their HP debuffs dont stack with Brigands.
Their DPS still won't match Ranger/Beastlord.

By the looks of it, you'd want to take;
MT Group - Assassin
OT Group - Ranger or Brig
Mage Group 1 - Ranger or Brig/Wiz/Warlock
Mage Group 2 - Summoner/Wiz/Warlock”

Y E S

Mogrim said: ↑

“Definitely not 2 Mage groups unless you simply can't fill out a full scout group.

MT Group - Assassin/Beastlord w/ Beastlord Cloak for an extra 2k+ mit
OT Group - Assassin/Beastlord
Mage Group 1 Warlock (for mana drain) +Wiz/Conj/or Necro or Brigand or Beastlord
Scout Group Beastlord + Brigand, Ranger if using Brigand in Mage group

Essentially, you can really justify 4 Beastlords. You can. You can even jmake the case for having the "Mage Group 1" be a "Hybrid Group that runs Dirge instead of Troub because Dirges really are that much better than Troubs.

Swash has potential but I'm not certain they'll make the cut.”

all this. Just no. so much no.

if any guild still doesn't run 2 scout groups and 2 mage grps with scout options... they're pretty dumb.. where are you getting beastlord is this OP? lol its not. js. What happens on ranged fights? or when you need 20 dispells quickly? for example. Ya'll way over doing this beastlord drama.. they got a boost.. so what? they still dont bring much to the raid specially with assassins parsing right with them and having more maxhp debuffs and AOE fights going to the warlocks and swashes(swash cloak is really good)... Also, side note.. you're not getting a dirge in g4 mogrim. lollll

[Veta]

Nisshki said: ↑

“Veta this is Kiri and on Beta I was given the cloak to test with my BL and I have tested it. I have tested multiple times to attempt to get the mitigation buff to the group. After casting the buff a couple times with the cloak on it keeps the implied caster part to the mitigation buff and does not change for the group, but the damage proc does change on the buff to apply to the group.”

Kiri, that is rather disappointing information then.

Veta said: ↑

“Kiri, that is rather disappointing information then.”

Sorry to only give the truth friend.