Best tank class (group edition)

[Raev]

Originally Posted by Alleriah

Tanking group content in Classic EverQuest is trivial, therefore the highest dps class with snap aggro, Ranger, wins

So I'm definitely on board with this. If you have an Enchanter, Cleric, and Shaman backing you up, literally any class can tank. Rangers will outdamage all of the other hybrids while still keeping the group smooth.

However, I do feel like it's a bit of a false dilemma: it's an offensively oriented class joining a defensively oriented group. A Paladin would be much happier if the Shaman was swapped for a Mage or Necromancer or just another Rogue. And in general full groups are boring.

What if we cut the Shaman and just go Enchanter/Cleric/Tank? Suddenly this calculation gets a lot more interesting. The Enchanter won't have enough mana to cc, slow every mob, and still charm a boss pet. As far as joining this trio it depends a lot on how critical the splits are. In a tough area, probably SK > MNK > WAR > PAL > BRD > RNG. In an easier area, maybe BRD > PAL > WAR > SK > RNG > MNK.

[aaezil]

lol at people saying ranger

[Crede]

https://www.project1999.com/forums/s...d.php?t=108428

See this in defense of the pally post. Classic.

[Cecily]

Rangers start with a handicap. They’re “dps” with snap agro. If you get enough gear, you’re a pretty good dps medium/light tank with snap agro. Getting to that second point takes a long time and I doubt many have ever played with that type of ranger. Rangers get pretty good.

[Crede]

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

Rangers start with a handicap. They’re “dps” with snap agro. If you get enough gear, you’re a pretty good dps medium/light tank with snap agro. Getting to that second point takes a long time and I doubt many have ever played with that type of ranger. Rangers get pretty good.

I posted a thread a few months ago: Best class at 60 in all aspects of the game. Ranger won by a long shot.

This is true. Most people aren’t willing to put in the time and effort to get a ranger to where they’re really really good. Getting all the toys like 2 lightning swords isn’t easy unless you’re rich or raid a lot. Same goes for sky cloak and big ac items.

Curious how much better rangers will be with new defense skills next patch.

[Vyrik]

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

Curious how much better rangers will be with new defense skills next patch.

Probably not much better. Patch notes say defense skill cap is raised by only 20 points or so. So rangers are still pretty far behind the 252+ cap other classes have.

[Jimjam]

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

Probably not much better. Patch notes say defense skill cap is raised by only 20 points or so. So rangers are still pretty far behind the 252+ cap other classes have.

At the very least it will lower the damage they do through their damage shield, as their avoidance should improve slightly...

That's right! Defence buff is a ranger DPS nerf!! [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

[YendorLootmonkey]

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

lol at people saying ranger

Lol at people ignoring mob dying faster = less damage taken overall.

[Cecily]

Smiled at that, Jimjam. And dead on, Yendor. We get an atk boost, too, yeah? +dps / +def good patch for us!

[Kefit]

I remember one time I was in HoT on my shaman and a racnar stuck to me like glue after I slowed it. The rest of the raid was busy getting debuffed by a bouncing shimmer drake and/or eaten by a wurm or something, so I just kind of chained torpor and chloroblast for quite a while while the racnar ate me. I didn't even die, though I probably wished I did once I started getting post-shimmer drake tells for buffs.

Also the other week I was in Field of Bone doing AoE slows and tanking for groups at the newbie ramp. Somehow I didn't die doing this either.

Clearly shamans are the best tank.