Trouble soloing similar level mobs

[cpaz]

Hi all.

 I came back to EQ2 after leaving for quite some time.  I never really got into it at release and came and went for a while until leaving for quite some time.  I came back because of all the talk of new contect and neriak.  I have been back for probably a little under a month and made an assassin I started in Neriak.  Many of my levels have come from trying to finish the quest line of studying wearwolves and most all the others quests in darklight wood.

 Anyway, I've been very frustrated the last couple of levels, 18 and 19, because I notice I have a very difficult time defeating mobs of my level or even a level below me.  I know how to use heroic opp lines and have upgraded my eq along the way.  Is this common to have difficulty with similar level mobs?

I understand this is a very basic question that probably has a lot of variables but I'd appreciate some feedback.

Thanks!

[t0gar]

Assassins can be a real pain to solo with... especially at low levels when you lack the real hard hits. All I can really say is that it does get easier at higher levels, but we are one of the worst soloing classes out there. If you just want to solo then i'd suggest a brigand, but assassins are the best group dps so if you see grouping as your goal then stick with it.

[EtoilePirate]

t0gar wrote:

Assassins can be a real pain to solo with... especially at low levels when you lack the real hard hits. All I can really say is that it does get easier at higher levels, but we are one of the worst soloing classes out there.

Assassins are actually pretty decent to solo... above 60 with good gear.  A raid-equipped mastered-out 70 assassin can make most things die before they know the assassin is there.  (I love those days.)  Leveling one, though, really is a right pain in the butt -- and you're never going to be using an Assassin to farm for masters the same way you'd use a necro or a wiz. It gets a lot easier as you go through the 30s, because in the high teens you're still missing many of your critical CA lines. Do make sure that you have at least App IV CA's ; it shouldn't be too hard to find a scholar (10-19) or jeweler (20+) willing to make you some for very little above cost.  Also, try to make sure that you have all your gear slots filled with something passably useful.  As you get into the 20s and 30s keep some of your best stuff in Ad3 and an eye to your weapons.  It'll get better. When I leveled mine, all the low levels were different (and 50 was the cap), but I found it really picked up at 38, when two of the best-used CAs finally showed up.  Until then, stealth is your friend.  I found my best days were the ones where I remembered to play like my class: pick my fights carefully and pounce... then vanish again.

[joebyrdw]

I know that the last couple levels of a tier are tough. The best advise I've got is find a partner. 18-22 28-32 and up like that a in game friend to level with is the best help one can get.

[cpaz]

EtoilePirate wrote:

t0gar wrote:

Assassins can be a real pain to solo with... especially at low levels when you lack the real hard hits. All I can really say is that it does get easier at higher levels, but we are one of the worst soloing classes out there.

Assassins are actually pretty decent to solo... above 60 with good gear.  A raid-equipped mastered-out 70 assassin can make most things die before they know the assassin is there.  (I love those days.)  Leveling one, though, really is a right pain in the butt -- and you're never going to be using an Assassin to farm for masters the same way you'd use a necro or a wiz. It gets a lot easier as you go through the 30s, because in the high teens you're still missing many of your critical CA lines. Do make sure that you have at least App IV CA's ; it shouldn't be too hard to find a scholar (10-19) or jeweler (20+) willing to make you some for very little above cost.  Also, try to make sure that you have all your gear slots filled with something passably useful.  As you get into the 20s and 30s keep some of your best stuff in Ad3 and an eye to your weapons.  It'll get better. When I leveled mine, all the low levels were different (and 50 was the cap), but I found it really picked up at 38, when two of the best-used CAs finally showed up.  Until then, stealth is your friend.  I found my best days were the ones where I remembered to play like my class: pick my fights carefully and pounce... then vanish again.

Thank you all for your replies, they are very helpful.  However, I do have a few pretty newbyish questons.  What is meant by App IV CAs and Ad3?  I do have all my slots full with pretty useful gear and love stealth mode with the big backstab and grind out the rest of the fight.  It seems strange though that I can easily take out a few mobs the same level as me and then all of a sudden fighting the same mobs I'm down to a real fight for my life.  And yes, I'm waiting until full health to start a new fight.  It's good to hear it gets easier and I do tend to solo more then not.  I'll have to turn my lfg flag on.

Thanks again for the responses.

Edit - OK I figured out what App IV is and it's what I thought.  I only have all App IIs that have been available by my trainer.  I wasn't aware I could get App IVs.  That will help although I'm currently broke. 

[Naghaz Sathrak]

CA's refer to combat abilities, your special attacks.  You have already figured out the APIV/Adept I, II, III and Master thing for the CA's and the upgrades will make a significant difference in the damage you do, amount you debuff, and amount you buff yourself.  I have solo'd almost exclusively with my assassin and while I am still learning (and came to these boards for help) I've found I'm doing much better now.  I generally start off with a nice big hit from stealth, then hit my mark spell, then my debuffs, then my DOTS (damage over time abilities).  Make sure you use your HO's whenever you can as well.

Assassins are a fairly expensive class to solo I feel.  Poisons, gear, arrows, CA's...theres a lot for a solo assassin to keep up with where other classes can let things go for a bit longer due to more survivability from the start.  I do however find that Assassins are a rewarding class, and they definitely teach you the nuiances of the game.

You mentioned having trouble with some mobs of the same level while others were a breeze.  Understand that while level matters for a mob, there is a second criteria that is just as important; tier.  I use a custom UI (user interface) but I'm certain the default one shows the different tiers as well.  Basically some Mobs will act much stronger than others of their level, so pay close attention to the target icon to see if the creature is bigger than its level.  Another thing to be careful of is mobs marked as Heroic.  These creatures will fight far above their level and should really only be messed with while in groups.  There are a few classes that can handle Heroics by themselves but for the most part, a leveling assassin does not seem to be one of them. 

Anyhow post here with any other questions you might have!

[Jayad]

Hit them with a big stealth attack to start - it'll make things a lot easier. You need some decent gear to solo and also get good at the stun+stealthinghit+backstab move. If you try to solo in rags it gets dicey. As mentioned, upgrade your combat arts. One last thing, using vitality breach poison is a big help.

[cpaz]

Thanks again for the responses.  I think I'm on the right track now.  I also use a custom UI, specifically the extreme ui, and it does show the up or down arrows that I may not have been paying enough attention to.  I have already used the broker to upgrade a few of my CAs, now I just need to find the big backstab upgrade.  It seems I start and progress through the combat as suggested but still have much to learn.  I've made it to level 20 all basically in darklight wood and am now in commonlands but it seems a lot larger and more difficult to follow quest lines.  I know if I stick with it I will keep learning.  Is there a more appropriate place to be at this point?

 Thanks for the help so far!

[Zen]

The biggest soloing tips I could give you would be to definitely use Vitality Breach poisons.. you will damage the mob and heal, which really makes a huge difference. Always start the fight with your largest stealth attack if possible, and as Jayad said.. get very good with stunning the mob, getting behind it, dropping into stealth, and unleashing another stealth attack on it. Unless you are fighting anything with an up arrow, your stun should last for long enough to easily do that. Also, with the EoF AA lines, you could always increase your stun duration if you really solo that often. The longer they are stunned, the less you get hit! You will find that you get better and better at soloing as you lvl up. Once you get concealment (lvl 55 unfortunately), you can unleash basically all of your stealth attacks while being infront of the mob! Makes a huge difference. Also, if whatever you are fighting sees invis.. try to use your big bow attack from behind the mob at ranged.. fire off as many of your ranged attacks as you can to give you a bit of an edge right off the start. Once the mob gets to you, stun it, jump behind, and go nuts. Again, later on, soloing is quite easy if you get a good method going. I can hunt lvl 68^^^ heroic named mobs and win quite regularly. Keep using those heroic op's whenever you can as well.. the bonus it gives you is very nice. Also, at lvl 20 I believe you get Assassin's Mark.. use that whenever it's up.. it will help even if you don't realize it. Oh.. if you're having trouble.. try the defensive stance.. fights will take a bit longer, but not much.. and you won't get hit nearly as much!

[cpaz]

"get very good with stunning the mob, getting behind it, dropping into stealth, and unleashing another stealth attack on it."

 Wow, I didn't know this was an option.  Thanks!  Can't wait to get home now.

[Zen]

Oh really? Yea.. that helps a TON while soloing.. just stun the thing and run straight through it and use your weak attack that puts you into stealth (I believe at your level it will be called "shrouded strike" or something like that), then use one of your big stealth attacks. The fight shouldn't last a ton longer after that if your attack lands. Just be careful.. on any heroic, or a mob with any up arrows, your stun wont last very long.. it is still possible to use the same strategy, but you have to be very fast and time everything just right or they will hit you (breaking your stealth) before you can get your big attack off. Usually, you can get your shrouded strike to land as you are actively running through the mob which will save you precious time. Do NOT worry about lining yourself up perfectly.. you won't have time for that. Your skills will still work even if not 100% directly behind the mob. As you go up in levels, you will get some very cool attacks that will work well with the stun and run behind technique.. so use it alot, and get as fast as possible with it!! This wont pertain to you for a bit, but my personal favorite for when I'm soloing is using the move called "finishing blow" near the end of the fight.. as long as the mob is below 20% hp, that single attack will do up to 8,000 dmg with just that one hit. And you don't have to be in stealth to use it.. you only have to be behind the mob. So, even if it is a heroic^^^ just hit your stun, get back there fast, and finish him!

[Jayad]

If you are fighting 1x ^ or less then you don't need anything special.  In fact, your stun will likely make the fight pretty easy, especially with the AA upgrade.

I'm not a great soloer, but there are a few other things you can do on tougher ones.  You can root (especially with the AA upgrade), snare, and kite mobs like a ranger.  If you are using vitality breach, this can give you back some health without taking any dmg.  (assuming you have room to kite) 

For the tougher fights, equipment upgrades make a huge difference, as well as getting your masters, or at least, adept3s.  Use GM vitality breach and stun poisons. 

[-=Hoss=-]

I think all classes start having trouble around 20.  I'm sure the developers designed it that way because this is a grouping game.  As an assassin, you'll probably be limited to greens until you get high enough to get some really good gear and get your spells upgraded.  At lvl 70, I have no trouble with green ^^^, and I have little trouble with most blue ^^^  though sometimes the winds have to be just right.  I did a lot of soloing when i was leveling too, and I didn't know half the stuff these people are telling you.  In fact, at around 30, I took cheap shot off my hotbar because it had turned grey!  I didn't even know poisons existed till I was into T6, almost to T7.  A couple more tips for ya:  In the KOS agi line, 3 or 4 down there is an arrow attack that knocks down and stuns the target.  I found that to be very useful when I was soloing with it.  Even though you wont want the agi line as an endgame AA choice, that one is worth getting and respeccing out of at a later date.  the adroit defence upgrade is invaluable too in the EoF line.  I had it maxed out and it reduced all the penalties from using that stance.  Also, hit freezing strike (at your level, it might be paralyzing strike?) then the de-aggro that puts you into stealth, then use one of your big cloaked hits that don't require positioning (like garrote).  The effect from paralyzing strike will keep the mob from hitting you, but it will not keep him from turning if you try to run around behind.  -h

[cpaz]

Thanks again all for your feedback.  As an update I have quested and grinded in Nek, BB, and TS to level 25 and am currently in BB.  I really have not had a trouble soloing similar mobs now, just the content.  I was truly spoiled on my return to EQ 2 by Darklight Woods series of quests.  I have upgraded my most used CAs especially the critical hits. Ebon blade and the stealthed attack are awesome with the new knowledge that I can stun, shadow blade and then big attack after that.  As I said the new challenge is finding solo content that flows since my playing time and lack of a lot of people in current area prevents grouping.

Thanks again, I think it's going well, If anyone has any other tips let me know.

[Norrsken]

cpaz wrote:

Thanks again all for your feedback.  As an update I have quested and grinded in Nek, BB, and TS to level 25 and am currently in BB.  I really have not had a trouble soloing similar mobs now, just the content.  I was truly spoiled on my return to EQ 2 by Darklight Woods series of quests.  I have upgraded my most used CAs especially the critical hits. Ebon blade and the stealthed attack are awesome with the new knowledge that I can stun, shadow blade and then big attack after that.  As I said the new challenge is finding solo content that flows since my playing time and lack of a lot of people in current area prevents grouping.

Thanks again, I think it's going well, If anyone has any other tips let me know.

I usually solo by opening up with a backshot, then following up with the double arrow attack, when the mob gets to me, I put all my debuff on them, follow up with my small dots, stun them, jump behind and burn off as many backstabs as I can manage, when the mobs turn on me now, I usually have the double arrow attack up again, so I use my root strike, back off and shoot at them with my bow till the root fades, now the stun... And just keep at it like that.

[steelbadger]

I almost gave up on my assassin in the high teens, it was like pulling teeth. I'm glad I didn't give up, all I can suggest is that you stick it out, use the tips and tricks given here, and keep grinding till it gets easier. Group play is also fantastic (a group with an assassin probably kills mobs quickly)

[Jayad]

Easy mobs you can just beat them down with your stuns and stifles and poisons. Hard mobs you have to kite them like a gimped ranger.

[whytakemine]

cpaz wrote:

As an update I have quested and grinded in Nek, BB, and TS to level 25 and am currently in BB.  I really have not had a trouble soloing similar mobs now, just the content.  I was truly spoiled on my return to EQ 2 by Darklight Woods series of quests. 

This may help with your questing:

http://www.eq2i.com/articles/Soloing_Timeline

If you get into solo'ing harder mobs, don't underestimate the power of snares. 

[cpaz]

Hi all.

 I wanted to say thanks again for all your help.  In the way of an update I am currently level 32 and completely soloed my way to 31.  I just now started to try to get in some groups.  It's amazing how quickly I get a tell when I throw my lfg tag on.

 I have to tell you though, my first group experience was a trip to POV.  Well that didn't last long.  It's been quite a while since I've been in a full group.  It probably dates back to several years ago while playing EQ1.  I must say that when going into POV I lost my group pretty quickly as I watched all the  battle spam and started following a group that wasn't even mine!  I quickly made an excuse, evaced out and away I went.  My next experience was a trip to CB Keep.  This went better but was very frustrating at first.  Again, I seem to get lost in all the battle spam and find it difficult to know who I should be attacking and where I am in relation to the mob.  I know I should be assisting the mt but it didn't seem to work out that way.  I also was not familiar with how to fight in group since I soloed all this way.  ( I know, my fault. )  I soon figured out that I wanted to be behind most of the time using the backstabs and then completing the HOs.  That group actually lasted quite a while and it's where I dinged 32.  I probably gained over half a level in there.  In the third and last experience I joined a group that was messing around in EL.  That seemed to go pretty ok as well but the group was pretty disorganized.  I soon was taught the cost of gaining aggro as I died several times when getting my big backstabs in too early and often.

 So after all that if you have any suggestions to help my grouping please let me know.  I know these forums and other areas are plastered with good info but hoped it would be ok to post here.  I really enjoyed grouping when I did but I was frustrated with not being able to see the mobs clearly and what exactly I should do.  For some reason it seems much more hectic then in the old days of EQ1.  Although I'm older and perhaps my reflexes are just worse.

Thanks!

[Jayad]

It helps to play with people that know what they're doing. But yeah it's up or down with pick-up groups. Try to be on the right target, and try to be behind that target. Then just beat it down fast. That's the assassin's job. If it's a bit confusing, you might try a smaller group, like 2 or 3 people. They can be a lot of fun too. Just do a little bit easier content. For example, a tank, healer, and you trio.