Questions about some classes

[Yummyfish]

Hiya, everyone! I'm basically brand new to Everquest, and loving the time I've spent so far but I'm having a bit of a "main crisis" at the moment and thought maybe getting some answers to questions I have might help me decide what class to commit to first.

My favorite class so far is Shadow Knight but I'm somewhat concerned by some information I've seen on the wiki about how the "only races to play" for SK are Troll or Ogre, since they can bash with a 2h weapon. My question is: If I decided to play another race for aesthetic reasons would I maybe get excluded from some groups even if I carried a sword/board for when I need to bash?

My second question is about Shaman. I really like the idea of a supportive class that works well pretty much everywhere and (most importantly for my personal tastes) can wear armor and cast spells, but I'm not super keen on being primarily considered a healer for grouping. My question is: About how often would you say shamans are expected to be the primary healers? Is it a case of last resort "There's really just nobody else"? Or is it a more commonly expected role for them to fill?

My final question is about Ranger. I was surprised to find out how generally not focused on ranged combat Rangers are in Everquest and my interest in them has only continued to rise as I learned more about their tools and capabilities, but I have also become aware of their reputation as generally "useless", lacking the damage of rogues, durability of knights, and spell coverage of druid. My question is: Does this reputation translate to a bias against rangers in game? For example: will I have a hard time finding groups for dungeons as I level up a ranger?

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my post, I hope to have a lot more fun in game, have a good day! :)

[kruptcy]

My final question is about Ranger. I was surprised to find out how generally not focused on ranged combat Rangers are in Everquest and my interest in them has only continued to rise as I learned more about their tools and capabilities, but I have also become aware of their reputation as generally "useless", lacking the damage of rogues, durability of knights, and spell coverage of druid. My question is: Does this reputation translate to a bias against rangers in game? For example: will I have a hard time finding groups for dungeons as I level up a ranger?

Just to hone in on this part, anyone who considers rangers useless in group dungeons is being willfully ignorant.

All of the drawbacks you noted are 100% true, BUT they have a huge toolbox from which to draw their skills tailored to many different situations. They are fantastic pullers, they can track farther than they can see, they can assist with CC with root, they have great snap aggro, and I could go on....

On my bard, Rangers are one of my favorite classes to duo with, and I love to have one in any group i am a part of.

[bigjeff100]

Always play exactly who and what you want to play! All classes have their uses. All have their pro's and their cons as well :) Don't let anybody tell you "if you make a Erudite SK, you're worthless". Some people you meet will always take things too seriously. Ignore them. There isn't a single class in this game that's "worthless". Just have fun man!!

[Yummyfish]

Just to hone in on this part, anyone who considers rangers useless in group dungeons is being willfully ignorant.

All of the drawbacks you noted are 100% true, BUT they have a huge toolbox from which to draw their skills tailored to many different situations. They are fantastic pullers, they can track farther than they can see, they can assist with CC with root, they have great snap aggro, and I could go on....

On my bard, Rangers are one of my favorite classes to duo with, and I love to have one in any group i am a part of.

I see, thanks so much for your response!

[tarkhis]

I have played just about every class and race combination now and honestly agree with the sentiment "play what you want"

SK- I have leveled a troll and an erudite SK, the erudite leveled way faster(Warrens is awesome zone for SK) and I had a lot of armor choices available for the race(although fashion quest many were awful looking). My troll SK was great for the aforementioned bash and the regen. As far as grouping goes when a tank was needed neither one ever had troubles finding a group.

For the shaman I found they excelled in duos and were primary healer there, typically with an enchanter or necro as a partner. In groups I was usually a backup healer and primary buffer and slower of mobs.

For rangers, I agree with the previous poster, although they are poked fun at a lot the ranger is really enjoyable. I have been main puller in groups as having harmony, sow and ranged pulls and snares when done right works even better at splitting mobs than monks. You get to dual wield, bow kite and do some very minor healing or tanking if the need arises.

So play what you want and don't worry about prejudices.

hope that helps!

[beargryllz]

SK- I would go ogre for a lot of reasons. The stun immunity they have is ridiculously good. They have the best stats, full stop. They have slam. Every race can hotswap a shield to bash on demand, but having slam on the hotbar just saves a ton of effort.

Shaman- This is one of the most broken classes in the MMO genre, particularly on p99 where they have torpor and can solo almost anything. They are amazing solo, as group healers, as mandatory raid tank healers (again, torpor) and they are irreplaceable as buffers. They have other utility like pet tracking, potion making, spot healing, sowing, etc.

Ranger- The "useless" ranger meme is just a meme. Rangers outdps everyone except rog/war/~monk. They can root adds before they even get into camp. They're mandatory trackers. Denying the raw power of a ranger is just ignorant or an exercise in edgy meme-ology. There are a ton of classes that are basically 100% useless to stack in raids. Rangers aren't among them

[bigjeff100]

P99 has spoken!!! Play what you want!! Enjoy yourself!! And personally- I love seeing classes and races matched up that you don't often see. Things like Erudite Pally's, Gnome Warriors. Human Casters. Female toons other than the wood elf/ dark elf/ high elf.. I'd say the rarest combo... Female Erudite Pally!

[trite]

If I decided to play another race for aesthetic reasons would I maybe get excluded from some groups even if I carried a sword/board for when I need to bash?

About how often would you say shamans are expected to be the primary healers? Is it a case of last resort "There's really just nobody else"? Or is it a more commonly expected role for them to fill?

Does this reputation translate to a bias against rangers in game? For example: will I have a hard time finding groups for dungeons as I level up a ranger?




You will not be excluded from groups as a shadow knight if you choose another race. You will be able to keep agroe on the mob and tank it. Which is your expected role.

Shamans are generally the primary healer only at lower levels...they don't get the best heal spells like clerics. But at level 60 you get torpor, an amazing heal spell.... Shamans are a great solo class and aren't dependent on groups. Their primary job is to buff group mates and debuff enemies, sometimes they heal when they have to.

Ranger certainly isn't the most high demand class and for a first character you won't have the gear to really shine....Hybrid classes used to have an exp penalty they shared with group (bard, shad, pal, ranger) but not anymore, so bias isn't so bad. You won't have as easy a time as a cleric or enchanter finding a group but you'll be able to find them.

[kjs86z]

If you don't care about min/max play whatever race you want, you'll still get into any group / raid.

Shaman are expected to heal when there isn't anyone else. Otherwise you're buffing / slowing / CC / etc.

Rangers are just kinda "meh." They aren't good tanks, most other melees do more dps, etc. If you're going to do small groups, fine....but in the big leveling treadmill zones where you'll have 4-6 people in each camp...you may be overlooked for a group invite.

[DinoTriz]

My favorite class so far is Shadow Knight but I'm somewhat concerned by some information I've seen on the wiki about how the "only races to play" for SK are Troll or Ogre, since they can bash with a 2h weapon. My question is: If I decided to play another race for aesthetic reasons would I maybe get excluded from some groups even if I carried a sword/board for when I need to bash?

No, you would not be excluded. Also, I believe you can bash with your 2 handed epic on any race. Trolls and Ogre have nice starting stats and racials, but you won't ruin your character by choosing another race.

My second question is about Shaman. I really like the idea of a supportive class that works well pretty much everywhere and (most importantly for my personal tastes) can wear armor and cast spells, but I'm not super keen on being primarily considered a healer for grouping. My question is: About how often would you say shamans are expected to be the primary healers? Is it a case of last resort "There's really just nobody else"? Or is it a more commonly expected role for them to fill?

It's really a last resort situation. Usually there are enough clerics around or when one shows up, it's expected that they take over on healing.

My final question is about Ranger. I was surprised to find out how generally not focused on ranged combat Rangers are in Everquest and my interest in them has only continued to rise as I learned more about their tools and capabilities, but I have also become aware of their reputation as generally "useless", lacking the damage of rogues, durability of knights, and spell coverage of druid. My question is: Does this reputation translate to a bias against rangers in game? For example: will I have a hard time finding groups for dungeons as I level up a ranger?

People joke around about Rangers being weak, but they're a solid addition to the group especially if you don't have a monk and need precision pulling. However, it's a good chance if a Ranger and Rogue are LFG at the same time, a group will more often than not, lean towards the Rogue.

Rangers don't use bows as much as they do in other games, but you can definitely find uses for them. You can bow kite while soloing. Pretty fun. Arrows also don't break root (not sure if that's changed though). You can also get items that summon arrows. Rangers are really fun to play and if you learn the class and use all the tools, you will impress your groups. Be ready to pull though, it's one main area Rangers shine.

[Yummyfish]

Thanks so much for the replies everyone, after hearing all of your advice I think I'll stick with my Shadow Knight for now and give a bit of time to Shaman and Ranger when I get bored to feel out which I really enjoy the most.

[Maliant]

Rangers are actually pretty powerful, especially when they get their epics. They are a fun class to play and weapon shield is best speed-bump skill in game. They definitely have uses at all stages of the game.

[elwing]

For min max, ogre is the race to go... But if min maxing you would not go sk anyway... pick the race you fancy, any race will be perfect for single group content

[kjs86z]

Thanks so much for the replies everyone, after hearing all of your advice I think I'll stick with my Shadow Knight for now and give a bit of time to Shaman and Ranger when I get bored to feel out which I really enjoy the most.

Nice thing about SK is you'll get tells to go join groups. People always be needing tanks.

[Yummyfish]

Nice thing about SK is you'll get tells to go join groups. People always be needing tanks.

Hehe, I hope so! I can be pretty shy sometimes asking for groups, so having people come to me would be awesome. :)

[ScottBerta]

Play what feels right.

I have. 60 Ogre Shaman... Shamans excel in Duo’s, Truos and solo.

My advice is pick the race and class you want. Don’t care what anyone else says... This will be your main a char you spend days of play time on... pick what you really, really want. And if that takes 7 different chars and a few months of trying out to figure out that’s ok... At least at that point you should have acquired some pp and gear to make it a bit easier on your chosen main!! Good luck and don’t be shy to try out different options. Make sure you don’t settle though! Get the race and class you truly want!! Msg Cisco sometime once you figure out what that is!

[Raev]

SK in my humble opinion is excellent. Arguably better XP content pullers than Monks, infinite aggro means you are always tanking, snare/invis/ivu/bobbing corpse are always useful, lifetaps give you something of a panic button, pet/dots are a bit of extra damage, Knight weapons/shields are generally cheap, and adding up all that gives you one of the best melee dungeon soloing classes.

Shamans are good leveling up but it's really Torpor that sends them over the top. You will be considered primarily a healer while leveling, but you will do it via slow & regen (and above all casting Cannibalize 1000s of times) more than actually healing.

Rangers are just weak. It's a DPS class that does less damage than a Warrior, let alone a Rogue or Monk. Outside the spell book is pretty good but when you move indoors and lose Harmony and Wolf Form/SoW you are down to snare and a bunch of expensive nukes that you can't cast. There are basically no worthwhile outdoor zones in Velious except PoG if you want to roleplay Chaotic Evil.

I would suggest that you keep going with the SK. A few suggestions:

FD and splits are a huge part of the SK's toolkit. If you haven't started, start working on that. Buy stalking probes and setup your GUI so spellcasting goes to a separate window, which makes it a lot easier to time Feign Death.
Go Sword and Board. You'll take less damage with a shield, be able to bash, and barely lose any dps as the Knight weapons are very cheap (Noctivagant Blade: 2K).
Make the groups. If you are decent at FD splitting, you and any healer should be a group - not necessarily a great one, but most of the people that would rather sit on their butts LFG than duo suck. Log in and /w all cleric 45 55, repeat for enchanters and shaman, and gradually build up a friend list.

[Foxplay]

There is no race / class combo that is so bad that it will be excluded from getting a group as it's role. Yes there is meta picks for some classes but the difference between the best and the worst still isn't that big.

And once you get to velious gearing the racial stat difference is barely noticeable with maybe ogre broken starting stamina as possibly the only exception

Apart from that race only matters for faction and the small racial benefits like better vision / hide / sneak / exp bonus / regen

[Jimjam]

Don't roll gnome and you'll get group invites.

Damn gnomes. Ruined Akanon.