[Deathrydar]

So.....long time EQ player here. I was there in 1999, where I mained a Shadow Knight as well as a Cleric and also leveled up a Bard to around 58 or so. I quit around Lost Dungeons of Norrath.

I am happy to be in all of your presence again!

I was also with this project ten years ago back at the "beta launch", as I understand it is being described currently. I helped with some of the pathing and loot over in the FP/NRO/EC/WC/Oasis area. I was in one of the first guilds created on this server, Rusty Broad Swords, then joined some good peeps in Bregan D'Aerth.

In Project 1999, I leveled a Cleric to level 25, before I died in Lavastorm and lost my body due to not being able to log back on. Then I started a Bard again, and got him to level 22 or so before I quit,

Long story short, I stopped playing due to time constraints. I was married to another woman at the time, and she was NOT understanding of me playing this game (or any game for that matter). I have since, remarried, and my current wife is pretty cool about all of this, but that only resolves one of my issues.

So, down to my entire reason for this thread:

I have a full time job, a house to take care of and a wife that enjoys spending time with me. I do not have a ton of time, but I do have some. I will be able to play about 3-4 hours on Tuesdays, 3-4 hours on Thursdays and a good deal during one of the weekend days, possibly two if my wife is doing other things during the weekend.

I love grouping and meeting/helping others, but I also understand that the time I have will not allow me to do much in this game. I just want to be able to play again. I never really played a "solo" class or a true DPS class, as my experience with soloing in EverQuest has always been a miserable encounter. Even though I leveled a bard up back in the day to a high level, I was never able to kite more than one or two MOBS at a time. My Shadow Knight and Cleric couldn't solo worth a damn.

So now comes the new MMORPG reality for me.....I want to choose a class that can group, but also has the ability to solo when I can only log on for an hour (I know, doesn't everyone?). I understand that I am going to be left behind again (level-wise) and will be a lower level than the majority of the population will be, so I will need to be able to log on and play the game when the lower level zones become empty.

So, I am reaching out to the community for some input and opinions. I have pretty much locked down the classes to the following. As far as my knowledge of EQ and my experience, these are the four classes that can solo effectively, meet my criteria for playing, and are also effective somewhat in groups, but, as EQ has done so successfully, there are pros and cons to each:

1. Druid

PROS:
Easy to solo
Get buffs, and I love being able to run by and buff other players.

CONS:
Not really needed/wanted by groups
Boring. I remember when I tried to level one up, I remember sitting around and letting DoTs tick while hoping to God that root didn't break so the MOB didn't tear me apart. Usually, it did break and I would get massacred.
Will be an overpopulated class, perhaps the most overpopulated class.

2. Necromancer

PROS:
I was always told one of the best solo classes.

CONS:
Looks boring to send your pet in and just have it kill stuff while you cast the occasional DoT.
Also, I have never played a caster class. I heard Research is hardcore difficult.
Will most likely be an overpopulated class.

3. Monk

PROS:
I never did a DPS class before, even in all of the other MMORPGs I played after EQ.
Have a lot of utility that makes soloing a viable option.
Always wanted in groups.

CONS:
Will be an overpopulated class.
The weight thing....ugh

4. Bard

PROS:
I know this class. I played it in EQ and in Project 1999. This may become a con though.
Needed/wanted in groups.

CONS:
I can never seem to get the soloing aspect of this class down.

If you are going to put your comments on this to assist me, please take into account my goals for this game:

1. I want to be able to play when I log on.
2. I like helping others. Whether that be a simple buff to a fellow player, or helping someone kill a MoB or get an item.
3. F-U-N
4. Meet good peeps

I really appreciate anyone taking the time to read this post, and I appreciate any and all responses. Have a great day!