Need Help - Old Player That Never Went Over Lvl 20 Returning to Mischief
I'm needing help/advice on picking a class. I played EQ in junior high while sharing a PC with my family of 6. Eventually me and the little bro caused such an uproar fighting over a Slime Coated Harpoon he wagered me that mom canceled the subscription (Jan 2001).
I always loved EQ, I'm now in my 30s, and clocked 23 hours this weekend on last year's TLP (just randomly picked one). However, I have NEVER been a part of a large or small group, never partaken in a "raid" besides standing in Blackburrow and getting trainwrecked, and never really done anything but solo in the low levels.
I've already consumed a ton of information via wiki's to get reacquainted, but I'm now more focused on trying something new that will help prepare me to group with folks. But I need to be able to add value to those groups via class and position all while being someone that hasn't ever done it much.
Please don't just say "just pick a class and do whatever you want" as I'm not a try-hard looking to min/max I just don't want to be a puller (as an example) if I've never even darkened the door of some of these zones, you know?
TL;DR - I am returning to EQ via Mischief and have only ever solo'd way back in the day. I need help with a good class to focus on to learn and hopefully eventually get into groups/raids with folks to add value to more experienced players. Any help/advice on picking a class?
Posted May 25, 2021, 9:19 PM UTC · edited
As much as you said not to say it, with some further advice to come afterwards: Pick a class that looks interesting and go for it.
You said you didn't want to pull and that's understandable, you will want to avoid playing a Monk and a Bard and likely any of the tanks, many groups will just have their tank pull.
Early on in EQ isn't overly complex and as you said you're not hardcore about it so you likely won't fall into hardcore groups, just be honest and ask questions of your group if you don't understand. Most people are actually pretty chill outside that first wave (even many of those are too, just impatient)
Support can be a challenge in EQ - Enchanters and Shaman fall in here (since we ruled out Bard earlier) of the two Enchanter is the one that will probably make people more impatient. They're going to want you to charm for the DPS and you may or may not be comfortable doing that.
Shaman on the other hand can feel hectic and overwhelming sometimes. You need to be clear that you aren't comfortable undertaking every role a Shaman can fill if a group expects you to, if you're not comfortable. Shaman can resist debuff and slow enemies, they can buff and haste friendlies and they can also DPS with DoTs and Heal pretty well, and they get an ability called Cannibalize that trades their health for mana. Some groups will expect you to fill multiple of these roles at once. Sometimes it can get a bit hectic if your group is a tank 4 melee and you. It's just a bit much to keep them all buffed, hasted and then main heal and (maybe) slow mobs in early expansions as buffs don't last long and getting group versions can be a pain (if there is one.)
If you'd like to stick to something more simple in the role and duty it has. Clerics are only there to heal, and they're always in high demand. You'll always get a group, you'll always be asked to join guilds (whether you want to or not) and you'll always have a spot on a raid.
Casters are similar in their one-role, but not so similar in finding a spot. It can be difficult to stick out as a Mage, Necro or Wizard as they're a dime a dozen, but honestly it's not really that hard to find a place to land, especially if you're not looking at the tippy-top. This is honestly the category most classes fall in to. Clerics and later good Bards and Enchanters are always wanted in guilds. Boxes function but it's pretty easy to tell the difference between them and a real player.
Beautiful. Thanks so much for taking the time to offer this breakdown. Seems most are suggesting a cleric matches my general area.
yea, this is a pretty good summary overall. Cleric or Enchanter are the best for always being able to get a group, cleric is much more relaxed usually, enchanter being more active. Tank / Monk / Bard are decently popular for groups but usually require some knowledge of the dungeon.
The rest are all on a sliding scale of less desirable - I notice he left out Rogue, Druid, and Ranger, which is probably not a coincidence because those are some of the least desirable classes for groups. Not that they can't be useful, but they are overall weaker picks in the early lifespan of a TLP. Rogue at least is dead simple, and their damage can be respectable, especially in group environments where non-mana consistent damage is desirable, - you would be expected to level your lockpicking skill + open doors occasionally, otherwise you just stand around poking things in the behind. Also, extremely dependant on finding decent weapons, but given the server that'll be more an issue of collecting some money + trading for them.
Anyway, the real advice I have is, when you do get in groups don't be afraid to be sociable + ask questions, some people will not be very helpful but that's just how people are, there's plenty who will be more than happy to answer questions + teach a newer player.
Other tip is, grouping as a caster type is a bit different here than in other games, most of the time you need to be sitting to meditate + regen mana faster, as especially early on your mana pool will be relatively small + regen is slow, so you have to learn to manage how often you are casting so you don't run out - it's a good idea to let your group now if you are running low on mana, ESPECIALLY if you are the healer or enchanter.