BladeDancer?, ShillienKnight?, or Gladiator?

[Ap0K]

Well, while the servers are down for maintenance, maybe you some of you guys could help me with my latest problem. I currently have a 38 dark wizard who I was planning on taking to a Spellhowler, (always loved em on private servers.) but now I realize that I dont realy like the class on offical. The whole mana thing and no hp cant get hit thing... no fun unless I have a 24/7 SE to fallow me around. So I decided to start playing around with hand to hand combat classes, and now I cant choose between the three classes, BladeDancer?, ShillienKnight?, or Gladiator? I kinda want a dual sword class like the Glad or BD, but BD's arnt realy good pvp'ers but they look sweet and there a party class. However SK's look sweet and are good pvpers (well at least better than a BD) but are not dual sword class and are not quite as good of solo'ers as a Glad... I cant decide! Please, post some of your thoughts and experiences about the classes and hopefully they help me decide. thanks ^^

[Veansa]

whole mana thing?

With mp pots you will never run out of mana, using those with body to mind.

But anyway, BD's ARE good pvprs, and anyone who says differently is delusional. Not saying that they are going to pwnz0r that necro thats killing them, but they hurt, alot.

SK is a fun as hell class though.


Go SK IMO

[LucyfurZaana]

agree. go SK. very good and versatile class. great in PVP. requires good amount of knowledge to become a good SK. Hex, UD, Powerbreak, 2 drains, 3 cubics are your friends. the most 'offensive' tank in the game. downfalls maybe low con (health SA, tatoos can fix that), but still a very fun class to play.

glads, good in pve, ok in pvp. will get hurt big time against ranged classes and nukers. in C5, they do get a slight overhaul, on the positive side. you gotta love one to play one.

both are fun melee types, just different. choose what YOU like the best. (i chose them for their looks)

[SinPalabras]

I hope you don't mind, but I'll forego your comments on the SH. I would suggest talking to a few experienced higher level SH's who have played one live, so that they can dispel some of the misconceptions that you have about the class.

If you are giving up on the Dark Wizard/SH, I would not try SK or the Gladi. It doesn't seem like you have the perseverance for either class...and as good as both classes are, they both have their drawbacks.

Pick BD. You get the duals. You won't have to ever worry about SA crystals, which are a pain to get at A and S grade. You get easy parties. You can solo fairly well as a result of your dances. You will still have to contend with mana management, but at least you don't have to burn crystals in order to be effective. You won't be his royal uberness in individual PVP, but as a role player and support class, you will be invaluable to your clan/group as a whole.

[Sovrath]

[ QUOTE ]
I hope you don't mind, but I'll forego your comments on the SH. I would suggest talking to a few experienced higher level SH's who have played one live, so that they can dispel some of the misconceptions that you have about the class.



[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, but if you look at where he is comparing them to it actually begs another question.

What changes are made to SH (and presumably other mage classes) on the illegal servers.

I think what it is, is that his experience with an SH is dramatically different than the official servers.

However, of course you are correct, SH has very little issue with mana and the like.

[SinPalabras]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I hope you don't mind, but I'll forego your comments on the SH. I would suggest talking to a few experienced higher level SH's who have played one live, so that they can dispel some of the misconceptions that you have about the class.



[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, but if you look at where he is comparing them to it actually begs another question.

What changes are made to SH (and presumably other mage classes) on the illegal servers.

I think what it is, is that his experience with an SH is dramatically different than the official servers.

[/ QUOTE ]

It does make you wonder.

I would understand if the poster had said that they were outright bored with playing a mage. But we all know the issues that he/she raises are not as relevant for the SH in general, and especially now that there are mana pots in game. Even as a dark wizard, the "grind" is hardly that. Not like the good old days...

...when we walked 15 miles to school... carrying 30 pounds of books... barefoot...with one arm in a sling...in a blizzard... uphill... both ways....!

[Benidict]

[ QUOTE ]
...when we walked 15 miles to school... carrying 30 pounds of books... barefoot...with one arm in a sling...in a blizzard... uphill... both ways....!

[/ QUOTE ]

Haha, that's why my dad always used to say, too bad it doesn't snow in Louisiana and my arm is in a sling, cause I seperated my shoulder.

[Ap0K]

Its not that I dont like the "to become SH" its just simply ive gotten bored with it, and for private servers Ive become very accustom to dual boxing a SE along with a SH. Sense you can only dual box on private servers, the play style is very different then when Im solo'ing/grinding on offical. I didnt realy intend for people to "defend" the SH class it was just simply part of my story if you would call it that. I was just looking for peoples comments on the 3 classes I have listed (BladeDancer?, ShillienKnight?, or Gladiator?) because I've never played as any hand to hand combat type of class. Leveling a toon to 40 is alot of work and I dont want to pick, just for example, a BD then find out its not exactly the type of class I want. Sort of like what happened to me with my dark wizard. Althought I have been hearing from alot of people that from about 25 - 40 is the most boring part of the game and then you hit 40, and from then on its a blast. Makes me rethink about giving up on the SH after all.

[Sovrath]

[ QUOTE ]
Its not that I dont like the "to become SH" its just simply ive gotten bored with it, and for private servers Ive become very accustom to dual boxing a SE along with a SH. Sense you can only dual box on private servers, the play style is very different then when Im solo'ing/grinding on offical. I didnt realy intend for people to "defend" the SH class it was just simply part of my story if you would call it that. I was just look

ing for peoples comments on the 3 classes I have listed (BladeDancer?, ShillienKnight?, or Gladiator?) because I've never played as any hand to hand combat type of class. Leveling a toon to 40 is alot of work and I dont want to pick, just for example, a BD then find out its not exactly the type of class I want. Sort of like what happened to me with my dark wizard. Althought I have been hearing from alot of people that from about 25 - 40 is the most boring part of the game and then you hit 40, and from then on its a blast. Makes me rethink about giving up on the SH after all.

[/ QUOTE ]

Uh, you can dual box on official servers too. This is not to change your mind, do what you enjoy. But you can dual box on official. Some do more.

[SinPalabras]

[ QUOTE ]
Its not that I dont like the "to become SH" its just simply ive gotten bored with it, and for private servers Ive become very accustom to dual boxing a SE along with a SH. Sense you can only dual box on private servers, the play style is very different then when Im solo'ing/grinding on offical. I didnt realy intend for people to "defend" the SH class it was just simply part of my story if you would call it that. I was just looking for peoples comments on the 3 classes I have listed (BladeDancer?, ShillienKnight?, or Gladiator?) because I've never played as any hand to hand combat type of class. Leveling a toon to 40 is alot of work and I dont want to pick, just for example, a BD then find out its not exactly the type of class I want. Sort of like what happened to me with my dark wizard. Althought I have been hearing from alot of people that from about 25 - 40 is the most boring part of the game and then you hit 40, and from then on its a blast. Makes me rethink about giving up on the SH after all.

[/ QUOTE ]

From 30 - 40, leveling the BD and the SK is the same, since they are the same dark fighter class. It's pretty cut and dry, but in my opinion, those levels go by quickly. It's the class change quests that you have to dread.

What others have said about the SK is very true. The most versatile "offensive tank" class in the game with high COOL factor if you like cubics, stopping enemies dead in their tracks, etc.

Yet once upon a time, getting groups as an SK wasn't always easy. Folks usually wanted one of the other tank classes, if at all. Soloing as an SK without buffs -- and this is true of all tank types, but to a lesser degree the SK -- can be a chore once you get to higher levels. I leveled my SK before mobs dropped pots and before I leveled an SE buffbot, so this may no longer be the case.

As for the BD, it seems to me it has the most upside, which is why I recommended it. You can't go wrong with a BD. It is a very good class to play.

One final thing that I would caution you about...going from a nuker to a fighter type takes some adjustment. No longer can you 1 or 2-shot everything in sight. No longer can you hit mobs at range (with the exception of DE drains and debuffs). No longer will anyone -- excluding archers or other mages -- within 5 levels of you fear you if you happen to have a disagreement. You are a fighter, grist for the proverbial mill. Get your ss, haste pots, heal pots, and alacrity/swifter attack pots ready. Be prepared to get your knuckles bloody.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.