sk or shm? opinions appreciated

[dscar23]

Hello p99 community,

Wanna start off by saying great server, its amazing what you guys do and the population is double since the last time I played here. Anyways making a return and wanna play either of the aformentioned classes.

Some questions:

1.Going with a troll...worste mistake ever? especially troll sk? ((wondering how rough leveling is with the xp penalty.) (Also do groups inherit just the hybrid penalty or the race penalty as well?))

2.From what I hear shm n sk are desired in groups, the latter being highly in demand according to the forums. I plan to group the majority of my gaming experiences but which class can solo? or both?

3. lastly, if anyone is looking to roll an alt and would like to duo/trio feel free to pm me and we can get together.

Thanks for your input, oh wise and all knowing p99 community :D

[azeth]

with Kunark on the horizon i'd roll shaman so you can join the ranks of elite soloers

just my 2cp

[Spud]

Will you be raiding?

Shamans are easily one of the most sought after classes by raiding guilds, not to mention they are popular in pick up groups. Be ready to be a buff MACHINE though.

Also, Troll SK has the worst exp penalty in the game

[Vigilance]

Shamans own but I don't know how in demand they are, mainly because there seems to be a shit load of them. Also it seems like every day I see a new Troll Shadowknight alt with a mithril twohander and a Rubi BP, but how many of those are flaming out before level 20 because of the massive xp penalty? My guess is a lot.


My 2cp is be a tank, because the server always seems to be hurting for tanks, especially at higher levels.

[Lowlife]

Half Elf Paladin worship Tunare ftw tank

http://lucy.allakhazam.com/item.html?id=1209

[dscar23]

wow thanks lowlife, a single weapon is going to decide which class I play for sure.

thanks to everyone else replying, it seems that the xp penalty is a serious issue, atleast for leveling. Not sure if ill be raiding as my time is pretty limited in about 3 weeks since school starts back up.

What deters me from a non sk tank is the soloing factor, b/c with this xp penalty id be looking at a warrior and from my experiences in live i never got past 12 soloing =P

So basically my new inqueries are:

Which tank classes can solo? or are they in such high demand in almost all group leveling situations it wont matter?

Also is what vigilance said more or less true? in the higher levels (say 40+) are shamans everywhere?

thanks again guys, feel free to voice your opinions especially middle level players because I'm sure ill be in that bracket for awhile

[Bubbles]

1. ) no.. and yes. and yes... Troll SK needs like 1.68x the XP of a normal class/race combo to level. Troll SKs not nearly as sought out in groups as you might think reading this boards. Troll Shaman are. If it's your first character, life as a melee is going to be extremely rough, being gear dependent with no money is rarely fun.

2. ) You have to group as a SK, you can choose to group as a shaman.

3. ) a shaman can duo / level with any class, SK needs heals.

Based on what you're looking to do, I'd recommend the shaman.

[Lowlife]

No shit a single weapon wouldn't be the deciding factor in the choice for a class. However,
This server is lowest on tanks. SK gear/drops are more indemand than warrior or paladin gear/drops. How many raids have u been on where all the pallie loot rots? Paladins, imho, make better more versatile grouping partners. Decent healing, especially post 39, lull, root, stun, LoH can save an entire group. Flash of Light is good for aggro and keeping mobs off the robe wears.

Can you solo? Nah, not really, but you'd get snatched up for groups fairly quickly. Like a poster said above, I see more Troll SKs with rubi BPs and mith 2hs these day than pretty much any other twink, troll shaman being a close 2nd.

[dscar23]

oh i figured you were just trying to be a troll lol, my apologies and thanks for your input.

Also would like to mention I dont have any experience w/ eq past 25 (unless u count live servers then 50+, sad I know). I'm not really sweatin that cause I understand how to play and whatnot, more excited to see content I passed over than anything.

In addition I wouldnt be twinking, had about 4-500pp on my 25 monk but I lost my corpse in Guk like 6 months ago n havent been on since lol.

If I did go the tanking route Id more than likely go warrior(crushing blow ftw), but from what I hear they're not the most popular option. If anyone could correct this misconception or confirm it, as well as continue to contribute to this post id appreciate it.

again thanks guys for the responses, giving me alot to think about..even people that appear to be assholes can be helpful (lookin at u lowlife =P, btw that wep you linked is that currently implemented on this server? if so well damn haha)

[Lowlife]

Suit of bronze (~110 AC): 100pp
Suit of banded (91 AC): 75pp
Gigantic Zweihander (18/39): 200 - 300pp
Crested Mistmoore Shield: 150 - 200pp
Enameled Black Mace (8/28): 150 - 200pp
Obsidian Scimitar (7/27): 80 - 100pp
Jagged Band: ~50pp ea
Moonstone Ring: ~50pp ea
4ac 45hp rings: ~150pp ea (guess)

I would also recommend Azure sleeves. They have more AC than bronze, weigh less and usually sell for under 50pp.

I would also say that you should avoid the 2 hander for now and focus on a sword and board set up. Until he is high enough to get over the level 20 dmg cap a 2 hander is useless.

Go for a cheap but effective shield like bark shield or chitin shell shield each of which sells for 15-40pp and each of which has more AC than a crested mistmoore shield, but fewer resists.

As far as weapons go...silverish scimitar is good, I like the cold iron morning star as well, but it is a bit slow. You might invest some time and get him a screaming mace.

[Spud]

Natures Defender is a velious weapon

[Dantes]

Warriors seem to be on the popular list again after the recent fix to the hybrid exp penalty. Seems to be way more Warrior twinks than just 2 months ago. But this hasn't changed my ability to find a group.

[Exavus]

Warriors seem to be on the popular list again after the recent fix to the hybrid exp penalty. Seems to be way more Warrior twinks than just 2 months ago. But this hasn't changed my ability to find a group.

What recent fix?

[dscar23]

lowlife you got me thinking about a tank now as i typically wanna play a desired class. Do you have a preference over paladin or warrior?

I'm thinking war because with my limited playtime coming up im not too keen on the exp penalty. Paladins any soloabilty? maybe in undead zones? From what I've read most camps are soloable (the ones with desired loot at higher levels anyway) and thats typically the route people take with them so i figured some soloability is almost a must.

Anyways thanks for the info again

[Lowlife]

I've grouped with twink and non twink variants of Sk/War/And Pallie.

Classic warriors "suck", relatively speaking, only because SK/Pallies have one button insta-taunt i.e. Flash of Light and Disease Cloud. Duel Yaks etc offset this later.

Personally I think Paladins are one of the most underrated classes on the server.

Flash of light give u insta-aggro, but also has a fear component makes shit run if out of melee range, which can be both a bonus and a pain in the ass. Stun rocks, Root parking gives you minor CC ability. Lull has it's obvious advantages. Pallies (mana pool withstanding) have better healing than druids/shamans at certain level ranges.

YOU are more likely to snatch up Paladin loot than Warrior/SK loot due to low numbers of Pallies. Pallie and Ranger are the two least played I believe.

4/5 groups have a Druid or Shaman as healer so the cleric line of buffs won't be overwrote by your group's cleric as often as you'd think.

LoH will save you, save your group, when used at a critical moment on the right person.

Ghoulbane + LGuk = FTW.

For min/maxers Dwarf Pallie is the only way to go. I've seen a surge of short-lived Eru Pallie Twinks due to the availablity of the shield of stalwart seas. But ultimately, as said so frequently on this and every other race/class inquiry, play what u think looks cool.

http://eqc.wikidot.com/paladin-spells

http://www.eqthieves.com/class-paladin-main.htm

Soloability with "non-soloable classes" is all about using all the tools at your disposal, shit I solo as a rogue.

[Dantes]

What recent fix?

Recent NERF. "Fix" is a term used loosely. Apparently that's how it was in classic, so one could call it a fix.

[dscar23]

Soloability with "non-soloable classes" is all about using all the tools at your disposal, shit I solo as a rogue.


I honestly didnt know this was an option, thanks that broadens my horizon on class choices as I prefer a melee, Think I'll give the paladin a shot

[purist]

Lowlife, you made some decent arguments for Paladins. But when you said Paladins heal better than Druids or Shamans are certain level brackets, that was total bullshit. Don't mislead the guy. At no level bracket is a Paladin a better healer than a Druid or Shaman.

[Lowlife]

Ok, I doublechecked that. That was a mistake on my part however I wasen't intentionally "misleading" anyone. It's not like I get commission check for every paladin rolled. However my other points are valid. However, Paladin's highest tier healing spell is the same best healing spell Druids and Shamans get in classic, Greater Healing, only 10 levels later, thats gotta be worth somthing.

[purist]

Now you're comparing the heals Paladins get in later expansions to the heals Druids/Shamans are restricted to in classic..

You need to just stop trying to sell the whole Paladin healing thing bro.

[Dantes]

They're better than Warrior heals. :D

[JackOfSpades]

You need to just stop trying to sell the whole Paladin healing thing bro.

Paladin heals can be very useful in certain situations. On live paladins in my groups would often save some mana for emergency heals for when the healer would pull aggro off the MT.

[purist]

My main is a Paladin and I'm not diminishing the utility of Paladin heals at all, I'm just against misrepresenting them as something they're not. For example:

- Trying to say Paladins heal better than Druids/Shamans at certain level brackets
- Trying to compare Paladin heals across expansions to the heals Druids/Shamans are limited to in classic

These types of arguments merit nothing except an "lolwut."

[Lowlife]

im refering to classic only. Paladins get Gheal at 39. Druid/Shaman at 29. Any advances in healing is 51+ which we may or may not see for some time. Paladin healing is a major part of the class's utlity. I'm not selling, I'm stating. I corrected my prior level bracket mistake, so please chillax brah :P I'm not a paladin, never been a paladin, just grouped with many many outstanding ones which have shown they are alot more than a 3rd rate warrior with minor healing and yaulp. The server could greatly benefit from having more on hand, as opposed to more and more troll sks that never make it past 20.

[Lazortag]

Not better but in classic they are as good as. Been in a royal group before where I was main tank (monk) and had a pally as a main healer. Worked fine. (ish)

that sounds like a fucking shitty group.

[purist]

The most a Paladin should be healing is off healing enchanters or other casters during downtime to save Cleric some mana. Or in an emergency situation when Lay Hands is down. If you're the main healer as a Paladin in your group, that sounds like a horrible group.