SK as a solo class

[MikeXG]

Just curious how well an SK can solo, more importantly how well they can fear kite?

any tips or tricks?

cheap gear to go for when starting out?

I am tempted to make an iksar, will I regret that?

[Estu]

Fear kiting is how SKs solo. Slow the mob and chase after it with your pet, just like a necro but instead of relying on spell DoT damage you rely on your own melee damage. Not great in terms of EXP per hour, especially considering class and racial EXP penalties, but better than most other tank/melee classes. For gear I'd just look for a weapon with good damage/delay ratio. Iksars will have trouble getting good late-game gear, but on the other hand, if Velious releases soon then it will be less of an issue.

[MikeXG]

Not really interested in leveling as fast as possible, just being able to solo even if its slow xp (as long as its some xp lol)

its a toss up between rogue, sk, and monk for a solo character for me. I know none are "solo" specialists. Just a project I am taking on and those 3 are to my liking. As long as they can solo. SK peaked my interest a bit more than the other 2.

[Ennewi]

For soloing, SK or Monk. I've leveled both to 45+ and prefer SK over Monk overall because of their utility but once monks can bind wound to 75% soloing is very doable. That said, on my monk I remember constantly being at half health at the giant's fort in WW and soloing dark blues. Then just ran back to safe spot on hill and bind wounded back up to 50%. Rinse. Repeat. Was pretty much like that everywhere.

Shadow Knight's have less room for error since our FD isn't instant but you can work a few different strategies when it comes to downing mobs. They have similarities in that both utilize a form of fear and then beat on the mob. But if you like to see a wall of text for dmg than go monk. If you prefer to pace yourself in fights and be more tactical than try SK.

Neither of the two need all the gear in the world but it helps obviously. Rogues are another story...

[Smedy]

sk is by far easier to level up than monk, i've done both to 55+ on red99 and the monk was horrible while the sk is a breeze

fear kite.. indimidation kite isn't as stable and works less and less the higher level mobs you fight, at 58+ its hard to land on mobs deep blue.

[Estu]

Not really interested in leveling as fast as possible, just being able to solo even if its slow xp (as long as its some xp lol)

its a toss up between rogue, sk, and monk for a solo character for me. I know none are "solo" specialists. Just a project I am taking on and those 3 are to my liking. As long as they can solo. SK peaked my interest a bit more than the other 2.

Yeah, of those three I'd definitely recommend SK if you're looking for an easy solo. They're much better at fear kiting than monks since intimidation is unreliable and SKs get a snare to boot.

[big mouth chew]

solo to 60

[MikeXG]

Is iksar a bad idea given the lack of plate? would troll or ogre be a better choice? I already have a human at 9 which is fine, but I figured I need every advantage I can get if I am going to be a solo star

[Shaakglith12194]

Troll is king.

[Vamael]

Are you playing on a pvp server or pve server?

[MikeXG]

Are you playing on a pvp server or pve server?

PVE server

[phacemeltar]

you almost never see SKs not soloing..

[MikeXG]

you almost never see SKs not soloing..

Is that because no one wants to group with one?

[Nycon43]

Is that because no one wants to group with one?

I group with them all the time, actually prefer them for exp/dungeon groups

[webrunner5]

Troll or Iksar SK way to go. 68% XP penalty is a ASS kicker. But with the rumor of Velious coming out end of this month pretty mute. SK's make damn good group tanks and like been said good solo toons also. I think they are one of the best classes on here.

[Swish]

The best way to level is to group as its (comparatively) quicker, share your penalty out etc :p

[MikeXG]

Leaning towards Iksar over troll.
For solo play I assume 2 hander over sword and shield?
Also, whats the deal with iksars and plate in velious, is just new armor wearable or does it update so all plate is wearable?

Appreciate the replies everyone.


on a semi related note. I usually house gnoll fangs and bandit sashes to level up the first 20 or so levels. I can get over to qeynos without issue but does anyone know of a good way that someone on the lower side can raise faction with the bloodsabers? Sashes really hurt that faction and mine, as an iksar, won't be great to begin with.

[pasi]

From a min-max standpoint, Iksars are a decent bit behind Trolls who are a decent bit behind Ogres. But, if you're playing a SK, you're probably not too concerned about min-maxxing.

Anyhow, the old plate items are still not wearable by Iksar. Velious plate is Iksar equippable. For the most part, this only matters for Blood Ember Legs and BP click. With that said, the Iksar SK Planar boots are spectacular.

I would just embrace the KOS-everywhere part of your Iksar. It's liberating to know that it doesn't matter if you trash a faction. You can still FD bank and use a Circlet of Shadow to travel through towns. You really aren't a class that hard farms (farming gems or sellables), so access to vendors isn't critical. You can turn in stuff with wolf form if you feel the need to.

[Dumesh Uhl'Belk]

From a min-max standpoint, Iksars are a decent bit behind Trolls who are a decent bit behind Ogres.

I would put it more like this:

Ogres have a real advantage in getting off FD in nasty situations. This can make some pulls a lot easier and get you out of some jams.

Trolls/Iksar have a real advantage in regeneration that makes solo'ing faster.

[Yinikren]

I love iksars, but that 2HS animation was enough of a reason for me not to play one.

I went troll, regen is super useful to have while leveling and the stats are all in the right places.

Its easy enough to channel important spells - if you need to rely on the ogre racial to FD split or survive a train, you probably weren't supposed to survive that train at all. Plus, come Velious we get Death Peace which casts in 1 second.

[pasi]

I think another real advantage is being able to channel fear through bash/kick for soloing stuff that summons or breaks fear frequently (obviously 55 and under stuff).

Grouping obviously favors ogre, but this is a solo thread.

Trolls have a good case for the best SK race for soloing 1-59. I'd rather be an Ogre at 60 though.

[Yinikren]

True arguments towards an ogre, but if you don't enjoy the ride it won't be fun. Passive regen while FD has saved me a few times. Also, crafty shadow knights should be soloing undead with their cheap, fast casting undead only fear until 49. Channeling standard fear does suck. I could also see being an ogre as an argument for being able to click BE gear while being hit, though I can get off the gloves or boots 80% of the time by just waiting for a mob to bash.

[MikeXG]

I went with Iksar, and despite p99 crashing a lot last night (not really sure why, normally runs fine) causing lots of deaths while LD. I really enjoy it so far. A fellow iksar sk dinged 60 while I was selling in town last night and I guess was feeling generous and handed me a full suit of banded, the racial iksar legs (forget the name) and a nathsar great sword. I must say, regardless of which race is the best race, my iksar is certainly fortunate!

I am enjoying the regen right now, granted low level, but no down time as of yet.

I have a druid friend who is almost 29 and when he levels I think he is gonna scooop me up and bring me over to freeport area, or maybe qeynos so I can do gnoll fangs. I've had to resort to the wolf form turn in before, not the most difficult thing in the world, but druids rarely travel to qeynos once they can port.

Anyway, thanks again everyone for the input.

My only remaining question is any quests or items not to difficult to obtain for a lower level that you would suggest questing / camping for?

[Estu]

My only remaining question is any quests or items not to difficult to obtain for a lower level that you would suggest questing / camping for?

Farm up a few hundred platinum and buy a pair of 5 AC 55 HP rings from a jewelcrafter ASAP, they're invaluable at low levels.

[Relbaic]

My only remaining question is any quests or items not to difficult to obtain for a lower level that you would suggest questing / camping for?

Can probably do some Dreadscale pieces in your low 30s or even lower if you're feeling adventurous and want to head to OT and try ask around for some of the drops. I'm also pretty sure I have a Dreadscale Bracer in the bank just rotting away if you're interested in it.

Prais Cabilis

[Ennewi]

Hang around in WW and pick yourself up a pair of Iksar Scaled Gloves free at the gobby fort. They go to rot more often than not and have decent stats for Shadow Knights.

[phacemeltar]

Farm up a few hundred platinum and buy a pair of 5 HP 55 AC rings from a jewelcrafter ASAP, they're invaluable at low levels.

this right here

[MikeXG]

Can probably do some Dreadscale pieces in your low 30s or even lower if you're feeling adventurous and want to head to OT and try ask around for some of the drops. I'm also pretty sure I have a Dreadscale Bracer in the bank just rotting away if you're interested in it.

Prais Cabilis

I certainly am interested, Characters name is Nectules. I am usually on after 8pm EST

[carthorn]

I just started on the server with a Troll SK.

I then found someone selling a nathsar greatsword (17/30 +10 str) for 200pp and asked if he would take 150pp and it has been amazing to level with.

Luckily I was able to get some about 150pp while I watch some shammy kill some guards; he let me loot and sell the weapons.

I would recommend the same (unless you really want sword and board). I'm only level 10 at the moment but i've been able to hit the max damage cap easily.