[DrKvothe]

Shm is a great choice for 50+, and so is cleric, but from 1-50 druid has them beat hands down. It's not a "weaker version", it's unquestionably a stronger version. Level in outdoor zones like the oasis, the karanas, LoIO, OT, FM, Kedge, etc. Rather than having a shaman slowing mobs, which isn't particularly effective until Togor's and that still costs 175 mana, use terrorize animal (30 mana) or the enchanter or necro fear line with snare. With the druid charming and necro using a more easily controlled pet instead of charming undead, the necro can be on top of cc, healing, twitching, etc. all the time. Mobs will melt, pulls will be constant, and you'll never ever die.

The high mob density areas of outdoor zones are much more frequently empty than the good exp camps in dungeons. You'll spend a lot less time looking for an open camp, you'll get many more kills per hour, you'll die a lot less often (snare, sow, and wide open spaces ftw). In practice, these more than make up for a poorer ZEM, unless you're willing to grab dungeon camps during off-hours and play for long continuous sessions. Normally it can be difficult to quickly put together a powerful trio like this for some outdoor zones, but y'all come pre-packaged so it's not an issue.