Returning to EQ and LFG

[Petraeus]

So before I try and figure out how to install/setup to play here I figured I would get feelers on what is out there and what to maybe expect.

I played during the Kunark days through Velious in a raiding guild (Good guild but not a top guild, above average I would say). Unfortunately my computer wasn't good enough to handle Luclin so I had to call it quits. I came back during Plane of Power and started fresh and got caught up and started raiding that content and eventually got burned out since I was so far behind but did raid all of PoP minus PoTime.

During Kunark/Velious I originally played a Mage then leveled an Enchanter to raid with, I also used my brother's Shaman to raid with. During PoP I played as a Monk. I have a ton of raid exp in WoW as various classes from launch to Mysts as a Hunter and Priest/Shaman healing primarily.

I am in search for a guild that would accept a newbie coming back and needing some guidance since it's been a long time since I have truly felt this content or leveled fresh. I will be a casual player but looking to (eventually...) raid with a guild and grow with a guild. I will be able to play 3 hours or so a few nights a week, maybe a rainy Saturday or Sunday a longer day but I have a wife and 2 year old so weekends are spontaneous currently. I would be able to raid 2 nights a week in the future realistically any day but Fri/Sat (Some but not all...) from 8pmish to 11pmish. (Could be flexible on those nights if we begin at 7:30pm (EST time zone).

I am trying to find answers, I have read different things on some nerfs etc, so I am not 100% on if the classes are just like they were back when I raided this content or not. I am mainly looking at: Enchanter, Bard, Shaman, Druid or Cleric. I want to play a support class that is sought after, I learned my lesson the first time playing a Mage sitting hours in Sebilis LFG. Bard is the main one I am questionable with, I am guessing they mainly just twist constantly? That may get tedious...

I am leaning towards a Shaman because I know how bad it sucks to play without SoW, and a Druid as well because porting is so important for traveling but I am afraid of what they bring end game. Looking for opinions and seeing what is available.

[icedwards]

Each one of those choices are great starter characters, I'd also throw necro into the mix. They all have a role in groups and only the cleric will struggle solo.

Shaman are great. They're solo beasts, while playing important roles in groups and raiding. Two things you should keep in mind before starting one though:
1) They are very expensive. Torpor costs 100k+ on this server and spells like Malo and Bane will be 10k+. An epic MQ will also run you ~60k. This is offset by your ability to solo some great cash camps, but it is the reality.
2) Shaman are one of the most played classes on the server. Typically you won't find guilds turning you away strictly because you play a shaman, but they won't exactly be desperate for your class like warriors, rogues and clerics.

BTW, you might find more helpful advice under the Starting Zone and class specific subforums.

[Tankdan]

I'd say Enchanter or Bard

Shamans cost 200k+ between spells and epic, a lot more than that really. Kunark/Velious combined has been out for many many years on this server, so its extremely different from live. Most epics are MQ'd rather than completed yourself. Raid mobs die within minutes of them spawning, its not a great server for smaller guilds to complete epics on.

Clerics are needed, but at the end of the day you're staring at a wall and not really playing the game.

Don't bother with druid, most newbies make a druid to earn "port money" but in the long run its not a big deal and you've wasted weeks leveling to 40ish.

[Gimp]

Enchanters are about boring as fuck to raid with unless you get into the FTE meta game on this server. Kinda fun to level with though. Extremely OP class if played correctly.

Shamans take a lot of plat/gear to get to where you can be extremely effective solo, but they're worth it if you're willing to put in the time. Most OP solo class in Velious. Second most OP in Kunark, behind Enc.

Bards on raids just hit like 3 buttons, they're nothing difficult to play. Learning to swarm to plvl yourself is the hardest part, and it's nothing terribly hard to learn.

Monks are a big plat sink as well to get to the point that you can effectively solo/duo your way to 60..but they're kinda fun to play until you get to raids.

In the end, just play what you want. If you're even marginally good at this game, you'll be fine, regardless of class.

[Petraeus]

I appreciate the input, what does "MQ'd" mean?

So overall I guess no classes at this point are really sought after? I just don't want to be stuck leveling by myself the entire time, I want to play with other players. And obviously I won't have any in game $ to start with so being geared won't be anytime soon.

[icedwards]

MQ means multi-quest, which is a way to sell a no-drop quest item to someone. For instance, the last part of a shaman epic involves handing in the Child's Tear from Plane of Fear to Rak'Ashir in City of Mist (along with a final fight). Someone who looted the tear can MQ it and allow the shaman in need to loot the final drop item.

I wouldn't say there's no sought after classes. Clerics, Warriors and Rogues are still the primary raid classes in Velious. Gimp definitely hit the nail on the head though; play a class you can excel at and you'll find a home in any guild later on down the road.