Returning player looking for advice

[Tayen]

Afternoon everyone!

I (very) briefly tried out Project 1999 a few years back and ran a character through a few levels in a newbie area, and had a blast - unfortunately life got in the way of me adventuring into Norrath any further at the time. Now I've returned to start fresh with a new character, with the hopes of experiencing more than just the newbie log in Neriak.

However, I was hoping I could get some advice before I start playing tonight:

1. I'm debating between playing a Druid or a Shaman - I've read many of the guides on the wiki, and from what I can gather, Druids are extremely useful in the early game, but Shaman start to outshine Druids in the late game, and Druids are less likely to be selected for groups, as their utility starts to dwindle. Is this still true with the release of Velious, or is this only in the case of raiding and min-maxing groups?
2. On the same topic as the previous point, what are the differences between the roles of a Shaman and Druid in a group? I'm assuming a Shaman is more focused on buffs and debuffs, whereas a Druid focuses more on snares and nuking?
3. Are there any specific zones that are more active than others for low level players? I have lots of great memories of chatting with people at the Derv Camps in North Ro back in the day, so I'm hoping to find a similar experience so I can start to meet people in the community at an early level.

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

[Pensylvester]

If you're playing on the red server, my brother and I have just rolled characters there after having found p1999. I have an ogre shaman and he is making literally anything other than a shaman.

Depending on your gaming schedule, (I'm nights EST and weekends) we would be open to running the low level zones with you.

[webrunner5]

Both a Druid and Shaman end up both being mainly Healers. Yeah Shamans have lots of buffs but not really enough Mana to keep casting them on everyone. [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

And Yes, end game, a Shaman is the way to go even in Velious. Druid will be pretty much a Porter and solo a lot. No way they can heal in Velious a decked out Warrior in a group. [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

North Ro is dead as a duck on P1999. Oasis of Marr is where it is at!

[Tayen]

Thanks for the replies - I'm going to be playing on the blue server Pensylvester, so unfortunately I won't be able to join you, but I wish you the best of luck in your adventures!

[uolen]

Here is my suggestion. Go druid. You can get every where faster. You can farm items faster. You can gear up what ever class you want to....faster. Druid will be more fun. Teleporting is beyond the most valuable ability in the game. Druid.

Late game shamans can solo and group easier mainly due to items. But it will be a long time before you are there and druid will be more fun getting there. Oh and having tons of money will be nice....

[Charlievox]

Originally Posted by Tayen [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Afternoon everyone!

I (very) briefly tried out Project 1999 a few years back and ran a character through a few levels in a newbie area, and had a blast - unfortunately life got in the way of me adventuring into Norrath any further at the time. Now I've returned to start fresh with a new character, with the hopes of experiencing more than just the newbie log in Neriak.

However, I was hoping I could get some advice before I start playing tonight:

1. I'm debating between playing a Druid or a Shaman - I've read many of the guides on the wiki, and from what I can gather, Druids are extremely useful in the early game, but Shaman start to outshine Druids in the late game, and Druids are less likely to be selected for groups, as their utility starts to dwindle. Is this still true with the release of Velious, or is this only in the case of raiding and min-maxing groups?
2. On the same topic as the previous point, what are the differences between the roles of a Shaman and Druid in a group? I'm assuming a Shaman is more focused on buffs and debuffs, whereas a Druid focuses more on snares and nuking?
3. Are there any specific zones that are more active than others for low level players? I have lots of great memories of chatting with people at the Derv Camps in North Ro back in the day, so I'm hoping to find a similar experience so I can start to meet people in the community at an early level.

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

Good Grief!
I've had less complex questions on a third semester economics final!

[Tayen]

I'll only accept answers written using an HB pencil, and the exam is worth 70% of your final grade.

[Pyrocat]

Go shaman so you don't kill yourself while waiting for mana to regen on your druid.

[Sorn]

1: Try both out until level 19, then see how much you enjoy traveling really easily. They both get SoW but druids get invisibility spells (several) and ports. Several druid races come with hide and forage (and sneak, if you're willing to look super dumb as a halfling). Shamans get the ability to make potions, though.

2: Shaman gets to constantly cast cannibalize for more mana, plus SoW and cleric-like buffs along with some really vicious DoTs. You'll be up and down a lot. Shamans also get to summon pets, although you don't see those often in groups. Druids have to charm to get pets, but they come with SoW, snare, damage shields, good buffs, junk buffs, and regen spells later on. Shamans in groups tend to canni-dance and then debuff with slows and give out DoTs. Druids can DoT and nuke as well as snare or root for CC. Both classes heal, shamans get their regen line earlier than druids.

3: Oasis, GFay, EC, and WC are all pretty noisy. GFay has the friendliest crowd most of the time. Everyone in EC is auctioning something. WC is where the druids and wizards port in. Right now all the high levels are in Velious so it's more noob-heavy in the starting zones. Usually if you have something funny to say or ask questions, at least one person will answer you no matter what zone you're in.

[Pyrocat]

Druid pros:
snare / quad kitting
better nukes (but not as good as wizard)
teleports (easy money making early game)
more passive class
animal charm

Shaman pros:
better buffs
better dots (but not as good as necro)
better mana regen (canni)
valuable on raids
more desired in groups
better solo power at high levels (easy money making late game)
more active class
best slow in game
can take some hits (better armor/hp)
wolf pet

Both are roughly equal in terms of healing, until shamans get torpor at 60.