Most solid duo for Kunark and Velious

[Ingrum]

It seems like the most tempting duos are Shaman/Monk and Shaman/Shadowknight.

Does the DPS from the monk outweigh the utility and tankability of the shadowknight since you have a shaman to slow, buff, and heal?

[Arkanjil]

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

It seems like the most tempting duos are Shaman/Monk and Shaman/Shadowknight.

Does the DPS from the monk outweigh the utility and tankability of the shadowknight since you have a shaman to slow, buff, and heal?

I played the monk in the shaman/monk duo and from memory I never had many issues tanking. Aggro could sometimes be an issue, but you just had to be cautious of it.

If you are going to play shadowknight, the lower dps will definitely be made up by the extra utility, even if the extra utility is just more consistent aggro. As a monk, I duo'd in dungeons, but with gating mobs, it made having that anklesmasher just that much more important.

I haven't seen a gating mob yet on P99, but it might be something they will add later.

[Phallax]

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

I played the monk in the shaman/monk duo and from memory I never had many issues tanking. Aggro could sometimes be an issue, but you just had to be cautious of it.

If you are going to play shadowknight, the lower dps will definitely be made up by the extra utility, even if the extra utility is just more consistent aggro. As a monk, I duo'd in dungeons, but with gating mobs, it made having that anklesmasher just that much more important.

I haven't seen a gating mob yet on P99, but it might be something they will add later.

Gating NPCs didnt happen untill Kunark.

[Arkanjil]

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

Gating NPCs didnt happen untill Kunark.

Yep and it falls right into what the OP was wanting to be considered. We will have to deal with it eventually, so might as well plan for it. I'd rather have a mob snared and run than rooted with the possibility of it gating.

[darkblade717]

Shaman/Necro or Shaman/Magician. With buffs the Necro pet will last long enough and has WAY more utility than the Magician. The only thing the Magician has over the Necro is a little more DPS and a little beefier of a pet, which doesn't matter if you have a good Shaman.

[Modus]

I've played most of these duos, usually as the shaman, both in hardcore pvp situations and casual pve. The answer to this question depends on the situation.

If one was grinding AAs or leveling from 55-60, a monk/shaman duo would be superior simply due to ease of use.

If one was inside a dungeon, going after a tough camp, an enchanter/shaman would be the most decisively powerful in close quarters.

If one was hunting outdoors, an enchanter/druid combo takes an edge over enchanter/shaman, depending on the skill level of the shaman (druid is easier to play).

Enchanter/cleric is very powerful and should be considered a rival of the above mentioned.

Replacing "enchanter" with "bard" will produce similar results, depending on the skill of the bard and the area of the camp.

It should be noted that in Kunark and onward PVP, both enchanters and druids I'd consider "weak" PVP classes, and neither would be in my ideal PVP duo.

EDIT: My ideal PVP combo for late kunark+ would be paladin/shadowknight.

[Skope]

Originally Posted by darkblade717 [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Shaman/Necro or Shaman/Magician. With buffs the Necro pet will last long enough and has WAY more utility than the Magician. The only thing the Magician has over the Necro is a little more DPS and a little beefier of a pet, which doesn't matter if you have a good Shaman.

Necros top DPS charts when allowed to DoT and if the mob has enough health whereas magician takes a bit of a downturn in kunark. Also have to consider that necro DoTs will cause less aggro (depending on the dots, but think fire/splurt line). Though magician earth pet + plane's focus item is awesome and makes an incredible tank.

[Weekapaug]

I want to thank everyone for their responses. The conversation was most helpful and I really appreciate the meaningful debate.

Personally, as per my own experiences and what so many posted to confirm them, I really wanted to go with the Shaman/Monk duo. Plus I've been dying to play a monk since returning to EQ here.

But we decided to go with a Shaman/Necro duo for this project, at least for now. The GF is very into playing casters and doesn't have a full grasp on what the shaman does exactly, so I will be playing the shaman with her necro, which I will have a blast with too. A necro is a great class for her, I think, because it will afford her an opportunity to solo as well and to do it with a class that requires a bit of nuance since it's not as simple and direct as, say, a mage. She is still learning how everything works here so I think she will benefit most from this and we will still make for a potent duo. My only concern is being able to split camps and get single pulls because I've never really done all that with a necro myself, but we shall see, I guess.

I'm hoping that, since she will be sitting next to me as we play, I can get her up to speed on the ins and outs of the shaman and she will want to eventually play one with my monk. [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Thank you again everyone. We both sincerely appreciate all of the responses and discussion about this.

[BuzWeaver]

Week, I'm glad the information was helpful. Ultimately its going to come down to what's fun for you or for you and your girlfriend. As I mentioned my favorite is the Shaman/Monk combo, best of luck to you with your choice.

[Overcast]

Rezzing this thread, because it's got some win in it - lots of good opinions and such.
Just looking for comments on what would duo well with a Bard...

Just looking for opinions and why.

Wife and I have been having a heck of a time coming up with a combo. Of course, she's not 100% set on which class she wants to play, I've been leaning heavily towards the SK, with Ranger as a potential second.

I've already played Wiz, Necro, Pally, Warrior, Cleric - as much as I care to [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]