Iksar Monk or Iksar Shaman...?

[Axlrose]

I have never played an Iksar and since I play so casually, my other characters have not ventured beyond Antonica, Faydwer, and Odus. Thus I wanted to start a character in Kunark to change up the scenery.

My current horde of character classes are bard, druid, enchanter, necromancer, shadow knight, warrior, and wizard. Thus I have dabbled in combat and spell casting - thus a monk or shaman would not be a shocking change. While I play casually, 99.99% of the time I solo since I play at the weirdest hours of the day (or in my case, night). And I have no plans to twink this new character but want to build with his own hands.

So any pros and cons involved with either of my choices? All comments appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

[Swish]

iksar shamans probably have the worst of starting stats for a shaman.

iksar monks have that AC/regen bonus that human monks don't get.

Do you have plat to throw at the new character? Torpor is going to be expensive for the shaman at the top end, monks dont really have much to "buy".

[kjs86z]

iksar shamans probably have the worst of starting stats for a shaman.

iksar monks have that AC/regen bonus that human monks don't get.

Do you have plat to throw at the new character? Torpor is going to be expensive for the shaman at the top end, monks dont really have much to "buy".

I don't think this guy needs to be worried about Torpor.


@ OP - if you're dead set on making an Iksar...you cannot go wrong with Monk.

[Lojik]

Iksar great choice for monk, necro, or shaman. Racial regen benefits all 3 of those classes greatly, and ac bonus really helps shm/monk.

[Swish]

I don't think this guy needs to be worried about Torpor.


@ OP - if you're dead set on making an Iksar...you cannot go wrong with Monk.

It's a tunnel fat cat item that won't go down in price, 100k+ sadly OP if you're going the shaman route.

[JurisDictum]

Iksar Shamans can't use the Jaundiced Bone Bracer (http://wiki.project1999.com/Jaundiced_Bone_Bracer).

This is unfortunate for a class famous for being a solo god. For that reason, Iksar Shamans are a bit more uncommon.

Other than that though, the AC bonus and regain is nice.

[jolanar]

What are your plans for the character? Do you see yourself making it all the way to 50+? Hard to answer the question with so little information.

[Axlrose]

What are your plans for the character? Do you see yourself making it all the way to 50+? Hard to answer the question with so little information.
I am looking to have fun without the hassle. Years ago on Live, I ran a bunch of characters into the high 40s and low 50s while watching the raiding action being a bunch of garbage of nit picking and whining (similar to how it appears here on P99). So I do not play here with the intent of having the best of the best while being on cutting edge while stomping on others to achieve those rewards. I just want to have fun with those moments of "Whoa - that was cool!" when a _basic_ build survives the moment.

The past night or so, I really considered making an Iksar monk and an Ogre shaman to add to my collection. Whereas others might consider them alts, I consider them another character that a random online roll told me to utilize for those gaming moments; that is, random roll says to use the shaman right now, so be it.

[jolanar]

I am looking to have fun without the hassle. Years ago on Live, I ran a bunch of characters into the high 40s and low 50s while watching the raiding action being a bunch of garbage of nit picking and whining (similar to how it appears here on P99). So I do not play here with the intent of having the best of the best while being on cutting edge while stomping on others to achieve those rewards. I just want to have fun with those moments of "Whoa - that was cool!" when a _basic_ build survives the moment.

The past night or so, I really considered making an Iksar monk and an Ogre shaman to add to my collection. Whereas others might consider them alts, I consider them another character that a random online roll told me to utilize for those gaming moments; that is, random roll says to use the shaman right now, so be it.

Sounds like you'd be happy with either class then. I think personally the most noteworthy thing is that Monks hit a brick wall when soloing past 50ish without fungi/epic haste, where as Shamans only get more powerful the higher level they are.

[Lojik]

Monk/shams/nec all duo amazingly well poorly geared 50+ though, so it isn't a huge deal

[Jimjam]

I think the 'Torpor problem' is really an advantage of the class; it gives you something to aim for, even at 60 ;).

Shamans are a great class for the first 59 levels, I'm sure for part of the last level they can continue to make do without this awesome, game changing spell.

[DrKvothe]

The shaman epic is pretty OP as well. I'm at 59 without torpor funds yet, but I've always been welcome in groups just for buffs + slow. I can solo HS ent with ease for fast exp to 60, despite otherwise poor gear. Maybe torpor shaman is completely OP, but if torpor didn't exist shaman would still be considered a strong class for someone who wants to group and solo.

You play the class, not the race. Do you want to play a monk, or do you want to play a shaman? They're both great classes, but they have hardly anything in common.

IMO shaman should be troll or ogre. Both are great. Troll gets better regen, which matters at least until you get torpor, at which point you're a god, while ogres get frontal stun immunity which is good but not as OP as it sounds (you still get interrupted by push or attacks from outside your 90 degree frontal cone). I'd go troll, since I much prefer the look of them in armor, and fashionquest > FSI.

Trolls get my absolute favorite noobie zone: Innothule Swamp. This place doesn't have any of the awkward levels where all the mobs are either two levels below or a level above you; there's a pretty full continuum to maximize your exp rate. Frogs drop woven and mesh armor, which sells well and includes magic gloves you can give or sell to any noobie monks you meet so that they can punch willowisps. You can play around in the entrance of Guk, and at around lvl 10 you can level very quickly in SRO if you can find a partner to help you break the camps (most are 3 spawns, but pretty easily duo'd). I also like oasis a lot for grouping in the teens. Finally, you're very close to EC tunnel, unlike iksars and (to a lesser extent) barbarians, who will need to risk life and limb or get a port.

By comparison, field of bone is a huge pain in the ass. It's difficult to single pull, then you get to the pit and you've got to hand pick your mobs from a sea of roaming red cons. If you're lucky you'll find a friendly druid for a chloro and DS buff to help you through a level or two, or there will be a group you can join in a non-puller role. Kurns is ok, but those bone chips in your bags and bank aren't helping you buy your current spells, and you're in a land of endless supply and little demand. The game is so much easier if you can buy a decent 50 pp weapon and some 5/55 rings, but that's difficult to do if you're an iksar because you're so far from EC.

[mev]

If you plan on soloing, it will be easier to play a necro or a shaman compared to a monk (unless the monk is twinked). I played a monk that only had a Wu's Quivering Staff (100pp), two Wu's Trance Sticks (100pp each), and cured silk that I made myself until my mid 40s, and I was able to solo when needed, but grouping was definitely quite a bit easier.

Since it doesn't sound like you're worried about the highest end or the raid scene, I don't think that much of the advice about particular items or spells is super relevant to you. In general, you'll probably have fun with whatever choice you make.

Feel free to message me on the forums or send me a tell in game if you have any questions.