Is it just me?

[Ishio]

So lately I've been finding myself playing my Mage more than my Druid.

I got the fire pet focus item for my Mage and have been having a blast taking on nothing but yellow and even con mobs. Just exploding mobs left and right. I am gaining a ton of exp, and yet, when I try to do the same on my Druid I feel disconnected.

I love my Druid, it's an awesome class, and I have her at level 20. SoW, DoT's, snare, root, some weak DD's, porting myself. What's not to love?

Probably the fact that I have 138WIS and go OOM after kiting two crag spiders every time. I thought Druid's were the second ultimate solo class as opposed to Mage's. I'm finding that to be very untrue. I've gone from 1-10 as a mage in half the time I went from 1-10 as a druid.

I grouped a lot as a druid, still do, and notice when we take on red con mobs, I get ~.5-1% per kill. Is something wrong here? I get 3-4% per kill solo, but three quarters less when in a group.

Should I be soloing then? I know druid's don't get usefull soloing until 24, but the haul is killing me. Or am I doing something wrong? I've been fighting crags in EK some, and then heading to SK to solo centaurs.

If this keeps up, my Mage might just blow right past my druid, with is long forgotten.

[karsten]

I recommend playing the class that is the most fun to you at the time

I would also re-share the helpful reminder that classes in everquest have various strengths and weaknesses, both as solo classes and in groups.

your pal,

[Virtuosos]

solo yeilds more xp than group's...but, druids can solo 4 mobs at once if they tough it out.

problem with people is they play until it gets hard and then switch...you'll appreciate your druid more with all the hard work you put into making it great IMO :$

[xshayla701]

Should I be soloing then? I know druid's don't get usefull soloing until 24, but the haul is killing me. Or am I doing something wrong? I've been fighting crags in EK some, and then heading to SK to solo centaurs.

I think you're right about druid soloing not getting better until later. Atleast that's what I've noticed. I like that I can take down difficult mobs on my druid like I could on my mage (I'm no Kimmie and Nalkin, though.) Maybe play your mage to 50 and farm, then play your druid and twink it? I would just play whatever you enjoy more. But search for leveling guides on the forums, try to find new places to go. Centaurs get boring after a while lol

[azeth]

once you're quad kiting lvl 37 ogres in oggok and getting 6% a level per round you'll learn to love your druid !

[guineapig]

In my opinion root rotting is more efficient than kiting unless you are quad kiting.

The reason is simply because you can meditate while they die as opposed to you running around the entire time barely gaining any mana back. Yes you can try to time it perfectly with your regen tics (and I have done this before) but in most cases it's much more effort than it's worth.

Also druid roots have a DD component so it serves a dual purpose.
If they can effectively be rooted and you can't get 4 mobs, then root rot em.

[Kassel]

Life becomes much nicer when you get the long snare @ 29

[Ishio]

I think you're right about druid soloing not getting better until later. Atleast that's what I've noticed. I like that I can take down difficult mobs on my druid like I could on my mage (I'm no Kimmie and Nalkin, though.) Maybe play your mage to 50 and farm, then play your druid and twink it? I would just play whatever you enjoy more. But search for leveling guides on the forums, try to find new places to go. Centaurs get boring after a while lol

I've been considering this. I mean I really like the mage more than the fact that I can farm items on it. That's not what I see this class as. I know that this reason alone is why there are so many mages on the server. I like the whole pet class, always have. On live I was always a Beastlord.

As suggested, I could revert back to root rotting. I haven't as much because root usually breaks after one nuke. I hate that, which is why I was kiting. I'm sure as long as I can get clarity from EC, I could endure the whole root rotting or kiting.

[Wizerud]

Thing you gotta remember though, comparing the Druid to the Mage, is your pet is basically free damage once you've cast it. On your Druid every point of damage is costing you mana (unless you engage in melée at all). Mages are more efficient than anyone overall for soloing. On the flipside you do get a lot more utility on your Druid.

[Darklake]

To spice it up a bit, have a play in the Karanas with Befriend Animal. It only lasts about 5-6 minutes, but if you time it right you can get 2 kills using the pet, then the extra kill on the pet when the charm breaks, all for low mana usage. Snare then root the target, stick a DoT on it and let the pet do the rest whilst you med up. If charm and root break at the same time, it keeps you on your toes :-)

Blue pets are easier to charm and with you helping can take down yellows easily. Yellow pets are harder to charm, but can tear through blues. Have a practice with a few greens, so you find what works best for you.

[Dr4z3r]

If you're not having fun, you're not having fun. Sure, being level 50 is cool and all, but if it's a hellish slog to get there, are you really going to appreciate what you've done, or will you just type /played and regret how many hours you've made yourself miserable?

Mages are more efficient than anyone overall for soloing.

If the terrain and mobs are right, I'm pretty sure bards win out for soloing efficiency. ;)

[Teseer]

20-30% a pull :D

Ran out of places to kite. Not enough blues in SK and with so many people, your gunna piss someone off every pull.

[Mcbard]

20-30% a pull :D

Ran out of places to kite. Not enough blues in SK and with so many people, your gunna piss someone off every pull.

I've said it once, and I'll say it again: I love being a bard! :P

[Teseer]

Here Here!

[Slade_the_Slide]

I find myself playing my mage more than my monk. Reason being is time. I love my monk, but it takes forever to get into groups and have a steady one going. My mage, doesn't matter if I have 30 mins or 4 hours, I can get a lot done in that 30 minutes.

[Crone]

Compared to 6-8 months ago when I last played, I'd say there is definitely fewer bards now, than there were then.

Odd, because haven't they since fixed the bard twisting problems?

[Kassel]

As suggested, I could revert back to root rotting. I haven't as much because root usually breaks after one nuke


Dont nuke when they are rooted, use dots. You are right, the nuke will break root early. Its called root rot not root blast ;)

[guineapig]

^^^

And if you feel this is too slow you can always Root rot a second one while waiting for the first to die.

Druid will not match the sheer killing speed of a mage though (without going OOM in 2 kills) so don't even try. be content knowing that your druid is extremely versatile and doesn't need a pet to survive any and all situations.

[Brain]

If your idea of "fun" is easy-mode-send-your-pet-in-and-do-absolutely-nothing till 50 then yeah play a mage. It's almost as fun as WoW!

[Ishio]

Dont nuke when they are rooted, use dots. You are right, the nuke will break root early. Its called root rot not root blast ;)

See, I always thought root rot was root, DoT, DoT, nuke, sit, med. Because let's be honest, 17hp/t isn't going to do much. Takes about 5 min to kill using this method. I'd be FM constantly.

Also, Brain, thanks for the negative comment. I'm not looking for an easy way to play, just trying to see if I'm doing something wrong. I happen to enjoy my Mage more than my Druid and this shouldn't be, because I love the idea of a Druid and everything that Druid's can do.

[nalkin]

If your idea of "fun" is easy-mode-send-your-pet-in-and-do-absolutely-nothing till 50 then yeah play a mage. It's almost as fun as WoW!

there aint nothing easy about a mag when yuns breaking a room.

[Dr4z3r]

See, I always thought root rot was root, DoT, DoT, nuke, sit, med. Because let's be honest, 17hp/t isn't going to do much. Takes about 5 min to kill using this method. I'd be FM constantly.

And if you feel this is too slow you can always Root rot a second one while waiting for the first to die.

[nalkin]

now what im about to suggest to you is a bit controversial, however when done correctly it results in something so divine and so beautiful it brings a tear to your eye. INTRODUCING THE NEW SUPREME CLASS: maguid. A hybrid mage and druid. 1.5 parts mage 1 part druid.

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/9780/eq000050.png

[Crone]

When can Druid's start root rotting, and then when do they transition over to quad kiting? I seem to remember it was at 34, with new spells, that quad kiting got a lot better?

[Messianic]

I've said it once, and I'll say it again: I love being a bard! :P

After swarm kiting 3-4 times successfully of 8-10 mobs, I died last night attempting to kite something like 10-15 willowisps, but I still love it ;)

Just gotta get a better rhythm for the hit range while you're turning, etc...

[Ishio]

See, I always thought root rot was root, DoT, DoT, nuke, sit, med. Because let's be honest, 17hp/t isn't going to do much. Takes about 5 min to kill using this method. I'd be FM constantly.

And if you feel this is too slow you can always Root rot a second one while waiting for the first to die.

Yeah then I run into the issue where root breaks and oh shit I'm out of mana, dead. Or can't get root off.

Doesn't it work less and less each time you keep casting it on one mob?

[Auvdar]

When can Druid's start root rotting, and then when do they transition over to quad kiting? I seem to remember it was at 34, with new spells, that quad kiting got a lot better?

Yes, 34 is when you can seriously consider quad kiting. With a clarity and a high manapool you can quad spectres at 34, just expect some downtime.

[Dr4z3r]

After swarm kiting 3-4 times successfully of 8-10 mobs, I died last night attempting to kite something like 10-15 willowisps, but I still love it ;)

Just gotta get a better rhythm for the hit range while you're turning, etc...

I was able to pick up nice big swarms of 20-25 a couple times on xp weekend, but only killed the entire pack once. The other times either a minor mistake killed me, or EQ simply poofed and I was staring at my desktop, which has only ever happened when I've had 20+ DoTed mobs in tow.

The one successful time was crazy xp though, and while it was probably just a critical error in the software that made the game crash those two times, I can't help but think it was really a GM screwing with me...

[Ishio]

Well I just tried Root rotting and my DoT's keep breaking root.

[Kassel]

Some mobs with higher MR are just a pain to root. If its not going to stick just kite.

There is a way to med and kite at the same time. i use the 4/2 plan. snare a mob, stack all your dots and run a bit away. Sit and Med for a few seconds (you need your window open so you can watch the mana tick. Mana regens ever 6 seconds and in a 2 check system) while your sitting, watch for your mana to tick up your normal med increment, wait for it to tick down one mana (the 2nd check) then get up and run for 4 seconds. Count to 4 in your head. then sit down, Count to 2 (or watch for both ticks) then get up and run for 4 more seconds. sit for 2 run for 4 sit for 2 run for 4. TADA you just kited while medding. To get it down you can sit for 3 seconds then run for 3 until you get the hang of it. sometimes the second "Check" can be off a bit. practice and you will get it.

[Darklake]

Yeah then I run into the issue where root breaks and oh shit I'm out of mana, dead. Or can't get root off.

If you follow Tunare, do the Warden of Tunare quest for a mana free clicky root neck piece. Saved my arse many times on live :-)

[Ishio]

What?! I totally follow Tunare. I am searching for this.

[xshayla701]

http://everquest.allakhazam.com/db/item.html?item=5684

Is this in game here?

[Ishio]

Says original for the quest. I'll have to verify it and start working on it today. Will give me a nice change of pace from just grinding.

[xshayla701]

http://www.project1999.org/forums/showthread.php?t=6400&highlight=tunare+initiate&page=6

If this is up to date and correct then I guess the quest isn't in game. Not sure if it actually isn't classic or if it's just broken since apparently parts of it are in game..

[Ishio]

Looks like it's a chain too. Oooo I'm excited.

[Ishio]

According to guildies, it is in game.

[Messianic]

http://everquest.allakhazam.com/db/item.html?item=5684

Is this in game here?

I'd be surprised if it was in game, given the first comment on its Allakhazam listing is june 2001; Since SoL was released Dec 2001, it should eventually be on the server, but probably not yet.

[Ishio]

I'd be surprised if it was in game, given the first comment on its Allakhazam listing is june 2001; Since SoL was released Dec 2001, it should eventually be on the server, but probably not yet.

I just started the quest and so far it is in game. I just can't find the mob that I need to kill, a ghast.

[Lickum]

maybe i was doing something wrong but back on live during kunark and velious my mage didnt do even close to as good of soloing as i've seen on p99 classic. maybe something changes in the expansions.

[Ishio]

maybe i was doing something wrong but back on live during kunark and velious my mage didnt do even close to as good of soloing as i've seen on p99 classic. maybe something changes in the expansions.

I have a focus pet item, The Torch, which beefs up my pet. When I cast at the level that I received the pet, I can cast a yellow con mob up to 2 levels higher than me which then beefs up the DPS and their DS making them a killing machine.

[Darklake]

I just started the quest and so far it is in game. I just can't find the mob that I need to kill, a ghast.

They only spawn at night, I think the skellies and mummies are placeholders. Took me a long time to get them.

[edit] This be them :-

http://eqbeastiary.allakhazam.com/search.shtml?id=6449

[Ishio]

They only spawn at night, I think the skellies and mummies are placeholders. Took me a long time to get them.

[edit] This be them :-

http://eqbeastiary.allakhazam.com/search.shtml?id=6449

In that case, I'll kill the skeles and mummies at the mummy camp point and see if they spawn. Shouldn't be hard for a level 21 Druid. I just couldn't get them on track at all, and track is maxed for my level.

[Messianic]

maybe i was doing something wrong but back on live during kunark and velious my mage didnt do even close to as good of soloing as i've seen on p99 classic. maybe something changes in the expansions.

Pets don't scale nearly as well in Kunark, plus most of the mobs in kunark hit a ton harder. Mages won't be as OP...