Situation: Filling the last spot in your group...
 

You've got a balanced group put together already. You need 1 more person; a dps.

The only two people available are a wizard and a ranger. Equal level and of good character.

Who do you choose and why?

If the situation is in regards to an experience grind: Wizard due to a far lesser exp penalty.

If the situation is in regards to an item camp: Ranger for more utility, root/snare/heals.

I play a wizard, and i'd probably choose the ranger.

I haven't parsed it (which is why I say "probably"), but the wizard is probably doing less sustained damage during fights.

Maybe if I was camping something that was caster or healer heavy (which is most high-end dungeons, now that i think about it) - in that case, i'd go wizard.

Really would need more info. Some things depend, like on your lvls and the mobs you're killing. Is it a melee heavy group? Are you fighting mobs with a d/s? Are there healers in the pulls, or groups, where big burst/aoe is more useful? Have you an enchanter in group with caster buffs or a shaman with melee buffs?

Most groups, it just doesn't matter that much. But there are times where it's situational. And if you're truly going to go by 'prime' class for the absolute optimal group, then it would depend entirely on the situation. Different classes excel in different areas, and at different times.

While any great player can make it a good group, regardless of class, there are always situations to consider either way, and that's what would make my mind up: what do we need most for what this group is doing right now.

If that doesn't matter, then grab whoever's first or most wanted by the group and just have fun. That's main point after all!

Just stick with 5 people.

this

wait for a monk or rogue to log in

Screw the min-maxing, send a tell to both and whoever responds/arrives first gets the spot. If you've already fulfilled "the holy trinity", just fill spots. Assuming everyone's a decent player you will kill faster than you would sitting around with your thumb up your butts pondering this question.

Stop worrying about what is "best" and worry about what is "fun". This isn't your job where you are trying to optimize your work, this is a game where you are trying to enjoy the time the most.

Fill it with a ranger. It's easier to tell when the ranger goes AFK for 75% of the time.

This.


Also, the tags on this thread are awesome.