1st time at EverQuest2...and I have no clear picture of these Classes

LordNirvana

I'm not new to MMOs in general but I am very new to this game.  Thanks to Skvader, I was able to obtain a trial key to look around and see for myself what this world is all about.  Getting to the point of my writing this, I am a little lost with the various Classes in this game.  I've attempted to skim through the EQ2 forums (and this one) to get more detailed information on what to expect from the respective Classes--but, I find myself  a little overwhelmed and lost amid the walls of incredibly detailed text, yet no concise synopsis or outline of just to expect from each Class in terms of roles solo and group-wise--specifically, as it relates to PvE.

I'm hoping some of you EQ2-gurus could point me in the right direction for information explaining each of the Classes in terms of what they bring to the table game-wise so  can discern the pros, cons and just basic understanding what they do and they're expected roles in a group setting.

I'm a fan of PvE and RP-and have found myself enjoying Class/Archtypes that have CC-Capabilities, Ranged Attacks, Healing, Pets, Buff/DeBuff Options as well.  I'm fairly certain these Classes are very different from the ones defined in games like WoW, and such, as I've attempted to play an Illusionist already and have found myself a bit lost from the experience.  So, before I go any further..what would you suggest I do to get a better handle of what I'm genuinely trying to grasp more clearly?

Thank you in advance for both your time and input.

Ottomar

although things have changed since this was written, the information about the classes is ok:

 

http://eq2.stratics.com/content/guides/classintro.php

arieste

 i posted this in another thread which had more to do with raiding, but ultimately, i think it may help with class choice.  feel free to ask more specific questions based on the sort of character you'd LIKE to play and i can give more advice:

 

disclaimer: any class can be played well and make a raid, the following are just generalities to help a newbie pick.

That being said, here the classes are the most useless (on raids) or currently getting the short end of the stick:

Ranger - completely useless. no reason to ever have on in the raid. lots of peoples till play em cause it's fun.

Necro - slightly less useless than ranger, but the class has pretty much died out.

Conjurer - slightly less useless, but again, few and far between.

Druid (Warden / Fury) - least useful healers, most raids would be happy to get by without them. They ARE supposed to be getting a ton of love in the expansion, so this may change.

Brawler (Monk / Bruiser) - not enough dps to dps, not enough tanking to tank. awesome for soloing, but raids can and do get by without them.

Rest of the classes are mostly ok. If you pick a tank class, keep in mind that you'll face TONS of competition and will require the most gear to succeed. Of the 4 non-brawler tanks, Zerker is hardest to play and find a spot as.

If you play a support class such as Chanter (illusionist / coercer) or Bard (troubador / dirge) then you will be loved, wanted, and given free gear with very few performance expectations. You're the hot big-breasted blonde of EQ2 - life is easy.

Assassin, Wizard and Warlock are the true DPS classes. Assassins require skill to play. Swashbucklers and Brigands are good dps and bring utility and are usually wanted, also take skill to play well.

Shamans (Defiler / Mystic) and Clerics (Templar / Inquisitor) are the needed healers. Rough guide is Templar/Defiler > Mystic > Inquis, but all are needed.

Like I said - rough guide. If you absolutely rock, you can rock and find a place as any class.

arctarus

I really wonder why don't they combine those classes together, like fury and warden, thus adding more options into the AA tree and making the class more interesting...

 

 

 

 

drbaltazar

mm!eq2 divide those class in 4 category if i recall

tank

healer

dps

cant recall the last one

so chose one of the 4 then check the respective class .theres no bad or good in your choice

its just different play style.in the end they re all fairly good!and when you do see a difference you ll be so elite

that it wont mather!

Solude

EQ2 is very cliquey and being late to the party only makes things worse for you.

Essentially your safe bets for soloing to 80, soon 90 and not finding yourself sidelined a lot are...

Defiler, Templar

Coercer, Illusionist

Dirge, Troub

Wizard

Berserker

Less likely to sit out;

Brigand, Swashbuckler

Inqisitor, Fury

Everyone else is "not ideal" and you will want good friends to gear up.

Unluckily my toons are a bruiser, or jack of no trades, a shadow knight, strong tank but no berserker and inquisitor who is good in the right group and is more likely to be needed simply because healers are in short supply.

arieste

Originally posted by Solude


EQ2 is very cliquey and being late to the party only makes things worse for you.
Essentially your safe bets for soloing to 80, soon 90 and not finding yourself sidelined a lot are...
Defiler, Templar
Coercer, Illusionist
Dirge, Troub
Wizard
Berserker
Less likely to sit out;
Brigand, Swashbuckler
Inqisitor, Fury
Everyone else is "not ideal" and you will want good friends to gear up.
Unluckily my toons are a bruiser, or jack of no trades, a shadow knight, strong tank but no berserker and inquisitor who is good in the right group and is more likely to be needed simply because healers are in short supply.

Sorry, i don't think you've played this game for a while.  EIther that or you haven't played those classes.

You listed Defiler, Mystic, Dirge and Troub as awesome classes for soloing to 80, when in fact they are pretty close to very worst classes for soloing.  For soloing, brawlers (monk/bruiser), brigands, rangers and various mages are the best classes.

Defiler, Mystic, Dirge and Troub are the best for grouping, as they are the most wanted in groups.  

Shadowknight is currently the most overpowered class in EQ2 and the best tank.  Even those SKs that are complete morons seem to be doing reasonably well, it's scary how much love the class got in TSO (most recent expansion).   The problem with any tank class is that the tank spots are usually taken and there is tons of competition.  Unless you're good at your class, you won't be tanking and no one wants an extra tank in the group just for personality.

Loke666

Originally posted by arieste


 i posted this in another thread which had more to do with raiding, but ultimately, i think it may help with class choice.  feel free to ask more specific questions based on the sort of character you'd LIKE to play and i can give more advice:
 
disclaimer: any class can be played well and make a raid, the following are just generalities to help a newbie pick.
That being said, here the classes are the most useless (on raids) or currently getting the short end of the stick:
Ranger - completely useless. no reason to ever have on in the raid. lots of peoples till play em cause it's fun.

Necro - slightly less useless than ranger, but the class has pretty much died out.

Conjurer - slightly less useless, but again, few and far between.

Druid (Warden / Fury) - least useful healers, most raids would be happy to get by without them. They ARE supposed to be getting a ton of love in the expansion, so this may change.

Brawler (Monk / Bruiser) - not enough dps to dps, not enough tanking to tank. awesome for soloing, but raids can and do get by without them.
Rest of the classes are mostly ok. If you pick a tank class, keep in mind that you'll face TONS of competition and will require the most gear to succeed. Of the 4 non-brawler tanks, Zerker is hardest to play and find a spot as.


If you play a support class such as Chanter (illusionist / coercer) or Bard (troubador / dirge) then you will be loved, wanted, and given free gear with very few performance expectations. You're the hot big-breasted blonde of EQ2 - life is easy.


Assassin, Wizard and Warlock are the true DPS classes. Assassins require skill to play. Swashbucklers and Brigands are good dps and bring utility and are usually wanted, also take skill to play well.


Shamans (Defiler / Mystic) and Clerics (Templar / Inquisitor) are the needed healers. Rough guide is Templar/Defiler > Mystic > Inquis, but all are needed.


Like I said - rough guide. If you absolutely rock, you can rock and find a place as any class.

I hope they will boost up the monks and rangers after the expansion. They have had a lot of better times and became crappy a while ago, the character classes are somewhat unbalanced right now. 

 

Swashie/Brigand is probably the easiest choice for a beginner, both for solo and group. 

OP: There are guilds that accept noobs, try to get into one of them. Many players have low level alts or could mentor you a bit and they can also help you with questions you will have.

You will have to solo for at least the 20 first levels, then there are some dungeons that people still go to like Fallen gate and Stormhold. Low level pugs take some time to fill up but at least on my server are they still played.

Loke666

Originally posted by arieste
Sorry, i don't think you've played this game for a while.  EIther that or you haven't played those classes.
You listed Defiler, Mystic, Dirge and Troub as awesome classes for soloing to 80, when in fact they are pretty close to very worst classes for soloing.  For soloing, brawlers (monk/bruiser), brigands, rangers and various mages are the best classes.
Defiler, Mystic, Dirge and Troub are the best for grouping, as they are the most wanted in groups.  
Shadowknight is currently the most overpowered class in EQ2 and the best tank.  Even those SKs that are complete morons seem to be doing reasonably well, it's scary how much love the class got in TSO (most recent expansion).   The problem with any tank class is that the tank spots are usually taken and there is tons of competition.  Unless you're good at your class, you won't be tanking and no one wants an extra tank in the group just for personality.

Conjurer is one of the easiest to solo up, too bad that they have a hard time finding a group or Raid.

 

But, yes. I have a dirge (yes, lvl 80 and I think I miss 5 or 6 AA) and it was a lot harder than my Swashie in any kind of soloing. I wouldn't really call it hard however, the game have gotten easier. Maybe he tried those classes recently because the worst classes now are easier than the best a few years ago.

SKs are really overpowered but I have a feeling they get what they deserve very soon. There are way too many of them around right now.

Solude

You guys need some reading skill ups =P

I didn't say those were solo classes, I said AFTER soloing to cap and wanting to group... those were the wanted classes.  Because frankly grouping before capping out is rare unless you are on AB or Crush.

SK is OP solo for sure.  They can hold agro very well, ok dps for a tank but are squishy compared to other tanks.  And yes in SF we are getting dps nerfed big time.  Bruisers are getting some dps/utility role love though.  I am active right now in EQ2 with an 80 bruiser, inq and sk on Mistmoore.  Depending on how SF changes are taken by the general pop I'll probably finally give in and role a true melee dps class but I really really hate soloing those toons since positional dps and AA choices suck solo.  Or just give it up and concentrate on the Inq.

arieste

Originally posted by Solude


You guys need some reading skill ups =P
I didn't say those were solo classes, I said AFTER soloing to cap and wanting to group... those were the wanted classes.  Because frankly grouping before capping out is rare unless you are on AB or Crush.
SK is OP solo for sure.  They can hold agro very well, ok dps for a tank but are squishy compared to other tanks.  And yes in SF we are getting dps nerfed big time.  Bruisers are getting some dps/utility role love though.  I am active right now in EQ2 with an 80 bruiser, inq and sk on Mistmoore.  Depending on how SF changes are taken by the general pop I'll probably finally give in and role a true melee dps class but I really really hate soloing those toons since positional dps and AA choices suck solo.  Or just give it up and concentrate on the Inq.

actually you did say "FOR soloing to 80", not "AFTER soloing to 80"... 

but anyhow, if that's what you meant, you're quite right.  when I said SKs were OP, i meant for groups and raids, not for soloing, i don't play an SK myself, but i regularly group and raid with some and they're quite awesome.   

LordNirvana

Wow.

Thank you to everyone that's responded so far. The links and your input have been a lot more helpful than what I could find on my own.  That being said, I'll be experimenting more with the support Classes, the Ranger and the Mage Classes to see which ones fit my overall scale for fun and play-style.

Are there any links or guides to determine racial synergy with these Classes as well?

Thank you so much, again.

drbaltazar

mm!dont know but i had an ram error message saying i didnt have enough ram i needed to close so program,im like what program lol!i got 4 gig of ram 1 gig graphic  card 7 mb on processor and its saying im low on ram

i thot they had fixed this issue(where the game doesnt release the ram or at least add a line saying at extreme setting you need 8 gig of ram or whatever lol now we got to wonder .is it the game no releasing or the view distance of max shadow lighting etc is so much data that we need to have 8 gig .beats lol one thing is sure i got ram error

ps:yes i deactivated my paging file ,just in case some ask.

Solude

/e begin beating dead horse

"Essentially your safe bets for soloing to 80, soon 90 and not finding yourself sidelined a lot are..."

'And' implies the sentence continues =P  Reality is if you play some classes thinking when you catch up to the rest of the server you will magically begin grouping for heroics and raids... you won't unless you are on the need list.

arieste

racial bonuses are extremely minor.  no one has ever been declined a spot in a group pr raid because they were the "wrong" race.  no one checks this.  ever.

do yourself a favour and pick a class race (i meant to say race!)  that you think looks cool and that you'll enjoy watching for a long time.

 

btw, sarnaks are very rare, the reason is that they are quite ugly and have terrible animations.

Solude

Race will not block entry to a group for sure.  However some races mesh well with some classes and other races just get a lot of quality of life racials that make them fun to play.  I know too many fae/arisae for their racials and I personally only play iksar because safefall and underwater breathing are just nice to have.  Especially when your epic asks you to kill 200 fish/sharks 20ft underwater   Yes there are items to give you water breathing but not having to carry them around is worth it for me.  That and everyone loves the tail =P

arieste

 Ratonga 4tw tbh.  I hate to admit it, but back 6 years ago, it was the flash animation of a dancing ratonga on the pre-release website that finally tipped me into deciding to buy this. 

i no longer play the ratonga, but they are just so awesome and unique (to eq2) as race   lizardmen and catmen are dime-a-dozen in fantasy MMOs these days.