Necro/Mage Duo

[pasi]

Originally Posted by Splorf22 [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

For leveling I think Cleric/Enc is about the same Shaman/Enc just with different playstyles. It's also extremely effective on mobs <=55 where the enchanter can do reasonable CC on breaks. Both will level much faster than Monk/Shaman: a L60 for example an epic monk with shaman haste is probably 60-70 dps while a charmed krup is 100+. I think Monk/Shaman really starts to rock in Velious, where the monks get higher AC and better weapons and Enchanters take it up the butt with high MR. Although if the server stays classic there will be a few months of giant rampage in Kael.

Kael charming is all about finding a level 50 Drakkel Direwolf. Much easier to recharm (stun/mezzable) and still hit for 200+. The big issue is they aren't humanoid, but on this server - that doesn't matter for weapon-giving.

[Lorraine]

Originally Posted by Splorf22 [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

in Velious Enchanters take it up the butt with high MR.

Loraen you'll always be a pal and I would normally feel some sympathy but every time I recall zoning into Velks Lab trying to solo grind some AAs in peace during off-peak server hours, and then finding a fucking direcharmed dog on each spider spawn, it's 'zero ducks' time >.<

[Elements]

I think the take home from this discussion should be that all of the combos suggested will level very fast together and have solid potential for cash camp farming. With that said you should probably consider what your end game goals will look like because before you know it with any of these combos you will be 60 and the levelling will be behind you. Do you want to raid heavily? Farm cash drops to twink alts? Or push the limits of your duo? If raiding is your game do you want to be a buff bot? CH spammer? Dps? Mana twitcher? Puller? Some people detest being the only shaman at a raid, others love pulling. What are your end game ambitions?

[Stoggieman]

Exactly, takehome on that is about right. We've both been to last island of air, basically started our breaks just before NToV. So have done all the other fights minus NToV and ST. So we'll push and enjoy all we can. I enjoy pulling to no end, and likely will have a monk somewhere in there. And can level all the way up with him too, that I know how to do well. But will definitely take the other toons up just with him. Thanks everyone for their help...

[NizmerThafen]

I would strongly advocate a Monk + Shaman. While a Mage and Necro certainly can take down individual enemies with relative ease, they are severely lacking dungeon crawl capability or single pulls (in non-undead areas).

If you are looking for something more leisurely then a Mage + Necro might be your best bet. If you want a power duo for dungeon crawls and higher-end fights, then a Shaman + Monk is by far the best.

I actually think a Shaman + Paladin make an uber combo (I occasionally play with my brother) and we can take on tremendously powerful enemies and dungeon crawl with ease. There are no weak points within a Paladin + Shaman duo. haha

[Snagglepuss]

If it's your first characters, mage and necro are great for farming and incredibly gear independent. You can get a decent foothold for platinum and twinking too. Both can solo with ease through 50, and post fifty duoing is a blast.

No, you won't be that amazing enc / cler or monk, shm duo that will take down the fungi king and impress the grandmaster solo competition thread, but you'll be able to have many other options. And plus, twinking a monk / paladin and shaman will be a blast!

[Elements]

^ agreed. Much more fun to play up a twinked melee than a twinked caster.

[Lexical]

Originally Posted by A1551 [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

A lot of your doubts about the abilities of a cleric/chanter make absolute sense under a pet exp penalty for groups. It might be time to empirically prove or disprove this one and put it to bed either way -- I suppose it is possible, if there were a group pet exp penalty, the exp of a cleric/chanter duo even halved could seem really fast compared to more traditional groups.

-Propo Fol

Hmm, I thought if a single pet dealt the majority of the damage it got a large chunk of the xp regardless of in a group or not. Honestly, I have never really followed up on it, but if you are right then the cleric/enchanter duo would be very potent albeit it still wouldn't touch the sham/ench combo in terms of versatility and how deep into a dungeon you can go.

Also, you have to factor in the added damage from the mobs your charm is taking when you eat your pet. You are basically doubling your damage output by eating the mobs and not CHing them(without considering haste). If I were trying to clear a zone ASAP, I would not bother with the CH or giving the pet weapons though haste would definitely be in the line up if the xp pet penalty doesn't affect group xp.

Originally Posted by A1551 [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

As to fear kiting -- clerics can get that clicky snare necklace assuming they're dark elves too. Although realistically it is of limited use.

The inny symbol is very important yes, but that doesn't mean you can fear kite effectively with a DE cleric and an enchanter. Shaman's dots are an integral mix into it as well as their pet.

[webrunner5]

I play three different Healer classes mostly on here just like I did on live. Cleric, Druid, Shaman. So I know who and what classes are good and bad when I am the one on paper that has to do the heals.

Like I have said before I want a big fat ass Ogre Warrior as a Tank in a group. But in a duo I want a Monk. Simple as that.

[Elements]

In a group there is no pet xp penalty.