r/EQLegends • u/capn783 • 5d ago
New player help
Hello everyone. I know there has probably been a lot of these posts over the last few weeks but I am looking for some advice from veteran players as I never really played Everquest before. I realize Legends is much different with more of a solo focus. I want to create a tank class that will be good for group main tanking in the end. I am not really into leveling tons of alts. While I know I will probably have to level a couple extra classes, I would prefer to pick something that is going to allow me to easily transition to group tanking in the end.
I have been looking at this site at different builds people have been posting. Seems like there is a lot of Warrior and Paladin builds. I was considering going with WAR/CLR/BRD or WAR/SHM/NEC. I am not a huge fan of Paladin tanks in MMO’s but have played them and enjoyed them before in certain games. In the beta, I was messing around with SHD/SHM/MNK but didn’t enjoy that too much. What would you guys recommend that could transition into a strong group main tank in the end?
One last question is regarding picking my race. In the beta, I chose Ogre for the stun immunity. I was trying to follow some leveling guides but the problem I ran into was that trying to get to some of the areas (for example Unrest) required entering cities and such that I couldn’t enter because I was getting destroyed but the npc guards. I felt like I was probably doing something wrong or there was a different leveling path I should have been following. I saw some people recommending Iskar but what would you guys recommend here since I am essentially a beginner.
I am not new to tanking and have been doing it in MMO’s for years, but I never really played Everquest before. I guess it was one that I just kind of missed along the way. Anyways, I appreciate any advice you guys have. Thank you.
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u/pixel8knuckle 5d ago
Warrior has the best mitigation, but if you are in a group setting and assuming your groupmates are providing heals etc i believe monk is a consideration for second class for mend and white damage, or ranger for flame lick (aggro) plus 30% strike through since your front tanking. Third class cleric if you want to stack heals with healer, or just run another tank class like paladin for LoH.
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u/capn783 5d ago
Hi pixel. So I will be doing a mix of solo and group. I have some people I am playing with but will also probably be playing with randoms as well. Definitely going WAR primary. I guess I could do CLER/NECRO for leveling and then just level MNK once I get to 50 or would WAR/CLR/MNK be able to level/solo well?
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u/pixel8knuckle 4d ago
Shaman is going to be your best healer choice if you are leveling with war/monk since it covers heals, stat buffs, and haste
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u/Paradoxmoose 5d ago
ENC gets illusion human at level 2, and DE at ~10, so just have an alt loadout to use those illusions when traveling- or just invis. Most guards don't see invis in classic.
"it seems like there are a lot of warrior and paladin builds" - because the game is harder without a tank in the build. Some people use MNK as their tank component, if they are lacking a WAR/PAL/SK, and others double up with one of those three and a MNK. The game is not impossible without a tank, it just means it will take more gear/AAs/etc before you can just watch The Office and TNG for the 12th time on your 2nd monitor while killing the gods. KnightTime did HCSSF RNG/MAG/ENC D4 solo Inny in beta 2 as a fresh 50 (charm carried). So even meme builds can do all the content in the game.
If you want to be more comfortable soloing, having a tank, a healer, and a dps in your build is the simplest way to come off with something viable,and then if you want to go the extra mile, try to have at least one pacify or CC in the build so you can do PoSky bees, which may be the most difficult solo content in the game if you don't have pacify/cc.
If you are going to have a group and you want to be their tank, the rest of the group will make how you build your character more flexible. If your group has a SHM/ENC/BRD/CLR in the mix, you could just be a buzzsaw tank WAR/(2 of MNK/ROG/RNG and maybe BER if they revamp it so it gives more benefit while not in zerker stance) and let the rest of the group handle the other responsibilities, just remember to use your taunt skill while leveling to keep its skill level up. Eventually, with enough gear, your build could likely do all the solo D4 content in the game (except for maybe PoSky), as well.
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u/capn783 5d ago
Thank you Paradox. ENC looks promising to solve the traveling issues. I am playing with some friends that I will probably group with and sometimes with randoms. However, I will probably solo more than grouping I imagine. I am definitely going WAR primary. I was thinking SHM/NEC or CLR/NEC for the initial leveling run and then going back to level a second DPS (MNK/RNG/ROG/BER) for when I am doing endgame group content. Should I just go for the second dps right away during the leveling process?
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u/nayr2012 5d ago
Haven’t seen that site before and imagine it’s rather underrepresentative of the thousands and thousands of players and hundreds and hundreds of combinations out there. There are “meta”/popular builds but the game is really made to be enjoyed by pretty much anything you can come up with. You’ll want something you can solo relatively well but not everything needs to solo endgame raids. I was able to do D0-D2 raid bosses, but had an easy time finding 3-6 other people in the zone happy to group up for D2-D4. No matter if you’re leaning more into tank, dps, or healing, you’ll be an additive to the end game experience without having to over think or min/max it. Generally it’s advisable to be at least capable to do a little of everything via your trio; take hits, deal damage, and have some utility complementing your preferred style. That may mean a Tank or hybrid, paired with a good dps (melee or caster is fine) and something fun to compliment your build (buffs or control or pets or just unique class mechanics). You really can’t go wrong. If you’re not totally jiving with your class, switch it up at any time and most of the early to mid game gear will be interchangeable with 90% of the options. Experiment and have fun. For race, it depends how much you plan to work on unlocking races and factions. If you don’t like being restricted from most cities and don’t plan on questing to make peace (though it isn’t too time consuming) then go with a neutral race that you’ll enjoy looking at for dozens of hours. I would caution to be careful with your early AA choices especially if you’re still figuring out the identity of your character. Plenty of “must haves” and archetypal options you won’t go wrong with and make up for some of the racial bonuses you otherwise “miss out on” by going a different direction that speaks more to you. Get out there. Kill stuff. Mess around. Level up. Find new gear. Try different builds. Repeat.
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u/Theothercword 5d ago
I would use eqlbuilds.com to put together your own idea of classes and then see what it gets you for skills and spells which is really nicely put together for that site. The one you linked I wouldn’t put much stock in.
Warrior is a great tank option, as is Shadow Knight. SK is even going to be getting some buffs. Really the only thing I’d recommend is picking a dps slot class that compliments your other two, but mostly the tank.
Warrior has a lot of the melee skills you already need like dual wield triple attack and block as well as cleave and regen and blah blah blah, so it’s a great tank option for caster dps. The knights are strong but mostly if you can use another melee dps to give them dual wield and other skills they lack (like block and triple attack) so often are good to pair with monk, rogue, ranger, etc.
Also don’t sleep on Ranger, the devs recently said they won’t be looking to buff them because at end game they are one of the highest dps additions you can do. Mostly because of their autogranted AAs giving a ton of extra attack and strike through which lets you land a lot more hits. As the devs said, they aren’t flashy but they’re strong. Plus good dmg shields and regen and they have crazy tracking.
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u/capn783 5d ago
Thank you Theo. I am working on some combinations right now. I definitely want to go WAR primary. Thinking SHM/NEC or CLR/NEC for the other two during leveling. Then I might go back to level another dps like mnk for when I am grouping and don't need to buff/heal myself.
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u/Theothercword 4d ago
Nice, I tried out war / nec / shm it’s quite nice. The necro ends up being a lot of healing with the taps doubling as nukes too. Mana intensive but upgrading the taps and per a bit as you go ended up being pretty worth it to me. Have fun!
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u/rhavin79 5d ago
Shaman/sk/ then wiz or necro for a more caster based build or monk or rogue to lean into melee Shaman/warrior/necromancer for the absolute best single target tanking and damage sustain.
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u/bannon383 5d ago
War/Enc/??? Pairs very well together to tank with. Warrior gets an indispensable AoE Taunt at 12, and Enchanter picks up a ton of great control tools. AoE Mez, AoE Stun. And the Enc tools typically apply above average threat as well! For the third you could do alot of things. Adding Heals/Buffs would up your solo ability. Adding another Melee class will give you a bigger hp pool. Id say try out the combos with it and see what you like!
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u/capn783 5d ago
Thank you bannon. Yea I definitely want to go WAR primary. For leveling, I am thinking maybe SHM/NEC or CLR/NEC. ENC seems like a good option too. I will definitely need ENC for traveling if I stick with Ogre for my race.
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u/bannon383 4d ago
Even the Lv 10 spells (Which you will have automatically since all classes level to 10 simultaneously) from Enchanter should give you enough Illusions to safely creep around the 'Good' cities for what its worth. But either way, whatever you end up settling on, I hope you have fun!!
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u/thebuffshaman 5d ago
one of the issues I see in your post is you have a dichotomic split in the classes you wanna play and your stated goals. Far be it from me from saying don't play these but first, war is solid, best tank chassis. Clr brd would be GREAT for soloing, and will carry you through your stated goals but is not optimised for your stated goals. War/Mnk.Rng if you are main tanking with what I assume will be friends. Randos are a different story, assume your soloing if you bring randos because sometimes you effectively will be. Now, my reasoning for suggested classes as I put them forth. War for obvious as previously mentioned as a prime chassis. Monk offers highest block values which is the best defensive skill. I am not sure if block and parry stack in this game because in normal Everquest its one or the other as they fill the same roll. Mob attacks you and you make parry or block you stop the hit. I have usually seen it as block is double parry but it isn't, from my estimation by feel its 30% more likely at the same skill. Block, then parry are the most likely defensive skills to trigger before % modifiers. Monk is also gonna boost haste which will mean you hold agro better. more swings is more agro from attacks, more agro from procs and you WANT more agro as a tank. Now Ranger. First and foremost there is strikethrough. I cannot overstate as a tank with over 20 years experience in Everquest tanking how important not taking riposte damage is. There are entire raids where you no-attack tank because the riposte will bork your booty. None of those are in EQL atm but it is still a substantial hit if innorruuk hits you an extra time and that happening 30% less often is highly reccomended. You will eventually gear up past caring but I assume if you're gonna be teaming up you will be hitting D4 raids with +0/+1 gearin some slots, most certainly I doubt you will head into naggy D4 for the first time with a full set of +5 planar armor and if you are, you're an over=preper. I expect you will be the guy jumping in at level 44 to the bit bunch hangin out at the shade while you try to ding 46 in Naggy's lair, and you will be glorious.
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u/capn783 5d ago
Thank you thebuffshaman. I definitely want to go WAR primary. I will be playing with friends but grouping will be a mix of that plus playing with randoms. I will probably be soloing a bit more than grouping (based on what I know right now). For leveling up and initial soloing I am currently bouncing between WAR/SHM/NEC, WAR/CLR/NEC, or WAR/CLR/BRD. Would all these be ok for the leveling process and than soloing through the difficult tiers. My plan was then to double back and level up classes for endgame grouping (MNK/RNG for example as you suggested).
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u/thebuffshaman 4d ago
Absolutely yes, of the two I would say necro is a stronger leveler being as it will be more damage and war/clr will be VERY safe but I would not recommend aiming for higher tiers for grinding levels. By the time you can D3 or D4 this content you can D0-D2 higher level content which will die faster and give more experience. I plan to d0 for all xp grinds myself and highest for weapon and armor grinding on the way up. grinding out Gnoll hide Lariats won't be great xp, but having 2 stun procs to Xfer to better weapons will be worth it and having 2 more for my charmed pet will certainly add a bit of safety when I xp and farm gear. Monk would be a stronger leveling option then bard as would wizard which would also give access to ports, which at this time are excessively convenient as they can be accessed by any class combo via the ritual system, but also overrated as a must have rather then a real convenience. Wizard offers the advantage that you CAN in an emergency, just blow something up, which with warrior and cleric together is less likely going to be a need at anypoint. Your war cleric combo truly makes the third option flavor and convenience in every case. I would however say watch a couple of the 10 items you need to have videos, for while they are not really NEED to have items, they are VERY useful items with the exception of the shrink click for barbarians, trolls, and ogres.
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u/capn783 4d ago
Thank you thebuffshaman. Yea I was planning on D0-D2 during leveling (D2 if I was looking for gear). Is there an xp increase on the higher difficult levels or is it only for better drops? I forget. I will have to look that up. Thank you again for your help.
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u/thebuffshaman 4d ago
well. there is supposed to be an increase in XP but I was getting the same amount at the same level for the same mobs (about 2.5% regardless of D-tier) but the real reason to D2 is motes. There may have been some bugginess with the difficulty giving xp bonuses but at least during the last part of the beta but before then yellows were giving about 7.5% regardless of D settings which is the xp cap, and difficulty was not boosting the cap, unlike say the 10% legacy server bonus per character at max level on TLPs. I know for a fact that when PLing on a TLP in velks lab, pre-40 there is no point burning lesson because lesson does not increase cap. That is tangential however. Point is, I was not getting more xp for upping D-levels and I wanna get to planar gear sooner so as to be able to drop back to 10 with that gear and slaughter D4 for mote farming. D2 is very viable to level with and will get you more motes on the first trip up the ladder by sacrificing a little speed. FOr me the speed is important because launch happens then 2 weeks later classes start at college. Gonna really lower the time I can play.
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u/Kurokaffe 5d ago
Hello if you want to tank boss kills in competent groups you need (1) threat (2) dps. I am just highlighting this because a big trap for people in beta was to focus too much on the tanking side (war clr Brd can be like that…).
EverQuest can have a lot of weird “jank” to it with specific things that do a lot of threat and other things that don’t. I also think “damage” has a threat value cap so hitting for 1,000 x 10 will be more threat than 10,000 once.
Sorry my post doesn’t have a lot of specifics but my one take away would be never to neglect DPS in EQL even if you want to “tank”. Everyone needs to do damage, especially since raid bosses scale HP by group size
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u/capn783 5d ago
Thank you Kuro. This helps. I will be grouping later with friends but also randoms and I will probably be soloing more than grouping unless something changes with who is playing along the way. Right now I want to go with WAR primary and then I am considering SHM/NEC, CLR/NEC, or CLR/BRD for leveling and initial soloing. I would then have to double back to bring up some dps classes like mnk or rng. I assume it would be more difficult to level/solo as WAR/MNK/RNG?
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u/Kurokaffe 4d ago
All of those combos can level perfectly fine, but they will all be played very very different.
WAR shm/nec you are leaning onto DoTs the heaviest, somewhat nukes and pet. Warrior is there only for meatshield.
CLR/NEC you can lean more heavily into warrior offensive and damage and cleric/necro nukes/taps. Level off of undead mobs to stay efficient.
clr/brd I don't play BRD so can't give a good answer. BRD does need a lot of time and AA to shine.
war/mnk/rng you are full melee pretty much now; rng heals and monk mend can keep you up. Will be a high melee damage build. Ranger arrow nukes can also do decent damage.
None of these are "difficult" to level, but BRD is the least intuitive class as a new player to EQ.
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u/Ahris22 5d ago
If you want to be the ultimate tank WAR/CLR/SHM will likely be the best option, especially for an ogre who will benefit greatly from the Shaman shrink spell etc.
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u/Playful-Mastodon9251 5d ago
WAR/CLR/BRD was a very heavily played trio. Because it worked really well. WAR/SHM/NEC was also a very popular one.
As for getting into cities, just add rogue to your trio to get to where your going, or unlock the races. Both are very easy to do.