Shamen Vs. Druids as Soloers

[Tallenn]

Actually, there is an AE DD lightning spell at 5.

The difficulty with quadding prior to level 34 is two-fold: First, the level 1 snare spell doesn't really last long enough to snare four mobs, round them up in a tight group, and then kill them before snare starts to wear off. Second, the level 5 spell doesn't really do that much damage, so it takes a considerable number of casts to kill anything.

The reason quadding isn't really viable for druids until 34 is that is when they get the next AE DD spell (there's no upgrade between 5 and 34), and when they also have the long-lasting ensnare spell, which they get at 29.

There's also another difficulty in quadding, even after 34: lack of suitable targets. There are a really limited number of suitable mobs for quadding in the old world (at least 4 mobs semi-close together of the same type, must be non-casting, and must be able to single kite them with lightning spell with at least 40% mana left over). Once Kunark is released, that issue almost gone, and with Velious, is completely gone (Velious has TONS of great quadding targets for all levels, 34-60).

[Estu]

Huh, so I guess druids have it pretty rough until 34, just like shamen. My shaman has actually been having a BITCH of a time soloing at levels 11 and 12 - he's just wearing banded, a kite shield, and a fine steel spear. For a bit at 9 and 10 I did dot kiting since I have SoW, but now it's not really worthwhile and I might as well melee; but it takes a lot of time to take down monsters and rest up afterward. I think a quality weapon and maybe some more AC could make a big difference; considering just farming some plat with a necro and then raising the shaman [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]. I was hoping level 14 would be a big boon, too, but I don't get new dots until 19 and the root isn't going to make that big a difference in total amount of time spent killing + medding.

[HippoNipple]

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

Huh, so I guess druids have it pretty rough until 34, just like shamen. My shaman has actually been having a BITCH of a time soloing at levels 11 and 12 - he's just wearing banded, a kite shield, and a fine steel spear. For a bit at 9 and 10 I did dot kiting since I have SoW, but now it's not really worthwhile and I might as well melee; but it takes a lot of time to take down monsters and rest up afterward. I think a quality weapon and maybe some more AC could make a big difference; considering just farming some plat with a necro and then raising the shaman [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]. I was hoping level 14 would be a big boon, too, but I don't get new dots until 19 and the root isn't going to make that big a difference in total amount of time spent killing + medding.

I would just stick with it if a shaman is what you want to be. Just try to find a group, or go get buffs at EC tunnel and head to north ro.

Once you get 14 or so just hang out in Oasis with a group. Every spell level you get the better you will be at soloing. Shamans are really good in groups, and great at solo once they get a little higher.

Making another character just to farm stuff for another character you really want to be is not efficient. It may be easier to level a necro but not that much easier.

[Estu]

RE Hippo: The thing is, I'm not crazy about being a shaman; necros sound fun to play too. For grouping I'd rather play my cleric or paladin. I like the prospect of shaman soloing but I like the prospect of necro soloing too; if necro soloing is less gear-dependent and I'd like to try both anyway, why not do that one first?

[Tallenn]

Actually no.

A druid can single-kite quite effectively starting at 14 (with limitations- no really good DD spell until 19, except for DD vs summoned, but lots of good summoned targets in Lavastorm for 14-19).

At 19, get a good all-target DD spell, so getting to 34 is pretty easy. Plus, they start getting self ports at 19, so it's much easier to go around to different hunting areas.

On my druid, I made level 14-24 probably as fast I did 1-14, maybe faster.

[guineapig]

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

Huh, so I guess druids have it pretty rough until 34, just like shamen.

Not at all. I soloed my druid well into my 30's. Just used a combination of snare kite and root rot. Snare kiting is more fun but root rot gives you more time to med. Also the root doubles as a small nuke which is a nice touch.

The Karanas are your friend. Sure you are not getting a nice ZEM like in a dungeon but the hunting grounds are endless in your 20's. Once you hit 30 you should be able to solo the Splitpaw spires and even the mobs inside.

Haven't soloed a shaman in like 6 years so I can't say how much better or worse off they are from 20-34. I do recall doing a bit of snare kiting on live (Innoruk necklace) but I don't remember how successful I was.

[Skope]

if you strictly want a class that can solo and plan to play a paladin/cleric in groups then i'd suggest making a necro over a shaman.

Shaman are incredible soloers, but necros are bar-none the best soloers in EQ from classic>velious and further. If you muster up some courage and a bit of flat-out stupidity, necros can do some absolutely amazing things.

[Estu]

I think I'm actually probably going to take Hippo's advice and group with my shaman until he can solo, but also play a necro in parallel. I like to have a bunch of characters to choose from anyway. It's silly to abandon the shaman altogether until I can twink him just because the first half of his levels are a pain to solo.

[guineapig]

Yeah man, just keep your LFG tag up while your soloing but be picky about which group invites you take. Groups are great for some burst exp but rarely come when you're looking for them.

Enjoy the fact that which ever class you pick you will have the best of both worlds at your disposal.

(I'm shocked that these classes didn't get the exp penalties instead or rangers, SK's and Palies... Bards I understand though.)

[Bubbles]

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

RE Hippo: The thing is, I'm not crazy about being a shaman; necros sound fun to play too. For grouping I'd rather play my cleric or paladin. I like the prospect of shaman soloing but I like the prospect of necro soloing too; if necro soloing is less gear-dependent and I'd like to try both anyway, why not do that one first?

For the record: a well played necro can make nearly any group composition work, whether it's 2-6ppl. I find the necro far more versatile than even my cleric in making random XP groups viable. Hell I was main healer on ice giants last night using pact.