Paladin or Shdowknight?

[mojojellyfish]

I need a break from casters and would like to try out one of the hybrid melee classes. I like the idea of derping around in dungeons, so I have ruled ranger out for now, since they seem to be better suited for outdoor zones.

My favorite way to play is a small group of maybe 2 or 3. However, I think something that can also solo decent in a pinch would be nice, as groups can be hard to come by nowadays. Shadow knights seem great because of feign death, but they seem to mostly rely on fear kiting. Chasing down a mob constantly doesn't sound like something I would enjoy, I would rather just face tank and chill for the most part. Can shadowknights solo at all without fear kiting?

Paladin seem like a great alternative. Maybe a bit more dangerous in dungeons on days I have to solo , especially with some of the comments I've seen about root and lull potentially getting nerfed soon. They do have the added benefit of being more desirable on raids as well.

I'm really torn, and could use some advice! P99 was my first experience with EQ and I have only played casters, so I still feel like a noob. I have about 30 or maybe 35k I can use for jboots and some gear for them.

[DeathsSilkyMist]

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

I need a break from casters and would like to try out one of the hybrid melee classes. I like the idea of derping around in dungeons, so I have ruled ranger out for now, since they seem to be better suited for outdoor zones.

My favorite way to play is a small group of maybe 2 or 3. However, I think something that can also solo decent in a pinch would be nice, as groups can be hard to come by nowadays. Shadow knights seem great because of feign death, but they seem to mostly rely on fear kiting. Chasing down a mob constantly doesn't sound like something I would enjoy, I would rather just face tank and chill for the most part. Can shadowknights solo at all without fear kiting?

Paladin seem like a great alternative. Maybe a bit more dangerous in dungeons on days I have to solo , especially with some of the comments I've seen about root and lull potentially getting nerfed soon. They do have the added benefit of being more desirable on raids as well.

I'm really torn, and could use some advice! P99 was my first experience with EQ and I have only played casters, so I still feel like a noob. I have about 30 or maybe 35k I can use for jboots and some gear for them.

It sounds like you've made up your mind already to go Paladin. Let me link you a video of me fear kiting in Seb. If you think that looks more fun than you thought, go SK. Otherwise go with what you are already leaning towards.

https://youtu.be/mI_IJ_F1GCY?feature=shared

[Dundrige]

Paladin all the way. Shadowknights are scum of the earth and pathetic.

[DeathsSilkyMist]

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

Paladin all the way. Shadowknights are scum of the earth and pathetic.

You've already taken the first step towards becoming a Shadowknight.

"Let the hate flow through you." - Emperor Palpatine, Level 70 Shadowknight.

[Snaggles]

It mostly comes down to what you want to play (and do). To a lesser degree who you want to group with.

In a duo/trio as a puller (w/o a monk around) especially in undead zones, a SK is the stronger pick.

As a support/tank with a puller but and potentially without a priest healer, the Pally is a stronger pick. Stuns, buffs, healing between fights, LoH and Rez can save the adventure or at least help recover it.

[Zuranthium]

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

I have about 30 or maybe 35k I can use for jboots and some gear for them.

If you're choosing the meh Pally, should focus on getting Deepwater Breastplate and the best weapon possible with whatever money left after that.

[Danth]

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

Can shadowknights solo at all without fear kiting?

Yeah. Fear kiting is good tool, but it's not a fulltime thing. At low-mid levels shadowknights facetank about as well as paladins do. At higher levels paladins' self healing pulls ahead and the paladin becomes noticeably better as an anvil to let mobs smash themselves against. However, by that point the shadowknight has profoundly superior dungeon mobility and escapability, so it balances out in its own way.

Both classes have some issues to be aware of. Paladins run the risk of future nerfs to root and lull spells. Always has--lulls in particular were known to be too good on P99 even during P99's beta, yet here we are 15+ years later with those spells still being in that state. Maybe they'll get changed in a couple more months--or maybe, never. Who knows? As far as we players are concerned, it's a dice roll. Shadowknights, today, have to deal with Disease Cloud being broken with no indication on when or if it'll be fixed. Doesn't matter much at 60 but holding aggro on a low/mid level SK is highly annoying without their primary tool, as other spells are both higher level and cost a lot more mana.

As duo/trio components, which class is "better" basically depends on who they're with, as Snaggles said. Personally I like my shadowknight better as a main at 60, but I like paladins better as alts in the lower-middle level range. That's just me though and I make no claim for that specific comment beyond personal opinion.

If you're careful with your equipment purchases, you can mostly buy stuff either class can wear and future-proof yourself so you can ultimately try them both out in time for little additional cost.

[Zuranthium]

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

At low-mid levels shadowknights facetank about as well as paladins do. At higher levels paladins' self healing pulls ahead

I think SK's facetank better than Paladins actually, when factoring in DPS (killing something faster = taking less damage). SK lifesteal abilities in total damage+healing are about the same mana efficiency as Paladin healing, Asystole is more efficient than a heal, and then the big difference maker is the SK pet.

Of course, for solo exping at Level 45+, this ignores the benefit Paladins have with Deepwater Breastplate to reduce downtime, compared to an SK that only facetanks. But for taking down a single difficult NPC (and not using Soulfire charges), I think the SK is putting up better numbers. And if you're in a good group that is perma pulling and keeping the tank attacking most of the time, then an SK is also generating better numbers, thanks to the pet DPS.