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mages are great if you know how to use one, which goes for just about every class.

They aren't as good as necros in most scenarios, but they are better in a couple of cases. This isn't to say they can't accomplish the same goals a necromancer does, it's just that they have a much "harder" time.

Shamans are better soloing class than necros, they aren't really a better farming class though. Yeah, they can solo shit that no other class can, but it takes them quite awhile to do it. Velious is when they will shine and necros won't, but in Kunark, there isn't much a Shaman can solo that is worth it where a necro can't solo.

Moving to duo, a shaman is MUCH more preferable than a necro. Which is where you should be focusing on. EQ, DUOs, and TRIOs, are where the real power houses come in at.

If you're going to look at a class that works well with a few others, NECRO > Mage by far in DUOs and TRIOs. Shaman is obviously one of the top DUO partners and a decent TRIO member.

So are you looking to farm? keep your necro and skip mage.
are you looking to solo the hardest mobs that are soloable? roll a Shaman
Are you wanting to Duo and trio content? Stick with your necro or reroll a Shaman.
Are you wanting to play a mage just to play one? Then why did you make this?

Coth can be used as a means to escape aggro, but it's not a quick escape. Necros have so many more tricks tho.