Hey everyone, I've been lurking for a while, decided to post since the i50 is coming and it'll be the perfect time for some experiments before launch.

However, I lack the global view of classes performance in 1.65 to really decide which class to go.
The main idea is to have a character effective for solo rvr.
If possible (likely not), it'd be suited as well for group rvr or pve (raid, farm, etc).
Because you don't always have a guild around to play with and rely on.
Even if I think 8vX is the most fun you could have, 1vX is a happy medium.

So I've looked around and gathered as much information as possible.
Option 1 : Inf/NS/SB.
Stealther so able to pick its fights. Need another character for gear/farm/raid.
a) Which classes are strong vs stealthers?
b) Main differences between the 3? Like, inf is more effective at low RR but NS is at high RR, xx isnt weak to yy like zz is.
c) Do you most often fight other stealthers, or you could play like a visible character and go for whoever you see?
I'd assume gameplay to be more stationnary around a choke point, unlike visible who would be moving at all time.
d) Any tedious mechanics? Will it involve a lot of weapon swapping? Like, moving in a shield for a slam on a merc is fine, swapping every 5 or 10s is annoying.

Option 2 : Visible with speed buff
The options would be Minstrel, Bard and Skald for 204, Cabalist for 160 and Sorcerer, Theurgist, Enchanter, Warden, Healer and Runemaster for 156.
I would guess characters with solo proficiency to be Minstrel, Sorcerer, Theurgist, Warden and Skald.
Minstrel : I read it involves a lot of weapon twisting, and the use of a charmed pet. Are they easily accessible pet to use or is it a hassle to go grab the right one? How often do you need to weapon swap?
Skald : straightforward, melee with fastest speed. However, how effective are they? Many classes they can prey on, or will have a hard time? Able to withstand stealthers?
Sorcerer/Theurgist : caster with speed, either mezz or pets. Sorc would probably be a tad more effective. How high are they on the food chain? Easy prey for stealthers, I'd assume. Have the benefit of being needed for raids, so wouldnt need a 2nd character.
Warden : They seem to have a decent solo spec, but it'd make them totally ungroupable. So not my first choice, unless it's a really effective solo character.
Would having 156 speed be good enough? Most 8man groups should have 204 and will likely catch you anyway, but you'd be safer vs solo or smaller groups.

Option 3 : Visible without speed buff
Probably much harder soloing since you wouldn't be able to pick your fight, but would allow to play some nice solo+groupable classes.
Light tanks / tanks would probably fill those spots. Merc, champion, zerker, savage, warrior & so on.
Any advice on pro/con for solo rvr? Any class standing out in effectiveness?


Maybe I'm all wrong about this solo thing, and should just go for something easily pugable in 8man, but I like things to be done properly, and random groups will often lack the coordination/communication needed to achieve decent gameplay or tackle greater challenges, which can be frustrating. Can't be disappointed if you only rely on yourself...

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and hopefully will be helpful to others as well.
PS: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=36116 is a great read if you're a bit lost like me. A few other nice threads over the forums.

minstrel is by far the best/strongest solo class, there is not even a competition and he can also fit perfectly in any kind of rvr groups.

Heguero wrote:minstrel is by far the best/strongest solo class, there is not even a competition and he can also fit perfectly in any kind of rvr groups.

This...I'll be playing mostly solo on my minstrel due to life getting in the way these days.

Skald is strong but a good minstrel should outstrip them, they haven't got the love they got in later patches.

Teep wrote:Option 3 : Visible without speed buff
Probably much harder soloing since you wouldn't be able to pick your fight, but would allow to play some nice solo+groupable classes.
Light tanks / tanks would probably fill those spots. Merc, champion, zerker, savage, warrior & so on.
Any advice on pro/con for solo rvr? Any class standing out in effectiveness?

If you dont mind running around with speed zero when soloing Darkness SM is a monster in solo/duo/trio play.
Ghetto AoE mezz, PBAoE mezz , very strong lifetap, pet does intercept, can rezz, perfect character to duo with a Darkness RM or a Darkcarver.
For a trio i would add a Shamman or a Thane to the group.
And dont understimate Thanes, Champs and Friars on a server with no buffbots.

Smilo wrote:

Teep wrote:Option 3 : Visible without speed buff
Probably much harder soloing since you wouldn't be able to pick your fight, but would allow to play some nice solo+groupable classes.
Light tanks / tanks would probably fill those spots. Merc, champion, zerker, savage, warrior & so on.
Any advice on pro/con for solo rvr? Any class standing out in effectiveness?

If you dont mind running around with speed zero when soloing Darkness SM is a monster in solo/duo/trio play.
Ghetto AoE mezz, PBAoE mezz , very strong lifetap, pet does intercept, can rezz, perfect character to duo with a Darkness RM or a Darkcarver.
For a trio i would add a Shamman or a Thane to the group.
And dont understimate Thanes, Champs and Friars on a server with no buffbots.

ah yes the good old sm rm thane trio, very powerful in the right hands

Chade Fallstar wrote:

Heguero wrote:minstrel is by far the best/strongest solo class, there is not even a competition and he can also fit perfectly in any kind of rvr groups.

This...I'll be playing mostly solo on my minstrel due to life getting in the way these days.

Skald is strong but a good minstrel should outstrip them, they haven't got the love they got in later patches.

Galandriel3 wrote:

Chade Fallstar wrote:

Heguero wrote:minstrel is by far the best/strongest solo class, there is not even a competition and he can also fit perfectly in any kind of rvr groups.

This...I'll be playing mostly solo on my minstrel due to life getting in the way these days.

Skald is strong but a good minstrel should outstrip them, they haven't got the love they got in later patches.

Care to elaborate?

The current crop of players won't allow any fun solo play. the mids are especially bad with this.

burglekutt wrote:The current crop of players won't allow any fun solo play. the mids are especially bad with this.

While this is true (damn Mids, except Ogmora who is a cool Troll) once you get past the wall (not easy, i know) you can turn left and move towards Ligen, there are several places where you can ambush soloers and small groups... or rather be ambushed by Lurikeens

Too bad there arent many hibs soloing.

Cabalists dont get Speed...only for pet !

1.
A:
all slam tanks, who deal good damage(sry palas no stealth hunt for u), especially reaver or thanes

B:
Stealher... an NS is a strong class, its just too much travel time to emain. So main choise is between Infi and SB:
Infi got worse damage type with thrust, better after evade stun, no constant offhand hits for poison, good ra vanish, 20 less con(-72 HP), more skillpoints, less enemies(most stealther will Play alb)
So chances are very close with a nosetip in front for SB.

C:
u will attack nearly everything

D:
u swap a lot of weapons or u miss a lot of poison damage/effects

2.
Minstrels will have hard fights against sklads, i see the skald in front there, and skald is easier to Play, skalds can kite nearly everything

3. u miss the bonedancer, strong solo class, but like all visible non max Speed classes u will have a hard time against every Player/groups who dont respect your solo play

coars wrote:
2.
Minstrels will have hard fights against sklads, i see the skald in front there, and skald is easier to Play, skalds can kite nearly everything

Skald are good solo but still weaker as minstrels since they have no stealth and, most important, can't charm pets.

Thanks Coars for your answer.

I tried Minstrel, didn't really like it. The idea of having to twist speed+charm every 10s is tedious, having to re-target the pet each time was the cherry on the cake. Plus I didnt had the best experience as visible.


Scout seemed decent with slam, but with the stealth issues, would probably not bother.
Choice is mainly down to Inf and SB. Unless i somehow really fall for NS, but the walk is a nice repellent.
I've always seen an Inf vs NS debate, didn't know SB was also decent.
You'd probably get the most target on a SB however, which could be a good point. Not sure how well they duel Inf/NB however.

From my understanding:
Inf vs NS = inf win if RR <5, then NS win
Inf vs SB = ??
Ns vs SB = ??
Any input on those?

These fights are also very much decided by who has the better buffs up or more evade/crit/proc luck.
NS relies more on active ra, inf on dragonfang and his overall strength by skill points and passives, sb on stats and passive ra

As I remember Infi was far the best assa these days, more specc points compared to ns and the 9s dragonfang made it quite OP.
SB was always third choice, if I remember right ppl complained about too less specc points to raise envenom and left axe (LA) to a decent level, but SB needs high LA skill too for a reason . Also the damage has always been buggy when using a 2handed axe/sword for PA. Afaik they were never able to fix that issue on live (or it wasn ´t wanted because it would be OP) , dunno how it is set here.

Infi have the advantage not to rely on higher rr and active ra's like ns thanks to dragonfang. ns have the advantage to be nearly unstoppable with higher rr and active ra's rdy. sb dont have any advantages but its a mid class so u prolly don't need to deal alone with any situations thanks to friendly adds.