I played DAoC for a long time when it was released, and im coming back to it now. I was hoping to play a dwarf thane. I was wondering if that was a good choice, and if anyone had some starting builds for me

Hybrids arent that welcome in endgame-rvr. You should probably roll a warrior, berserker or a savage.

That's odd, 90% of the time I saw albs in endgame RvR they had at least 1 reaver in the group. Or champs in hib. There's always a skald in mid groups. Hybrids are far from unwanted.

Nonetheless it doesn't matter what class you play they're all equally good in different situations (just don't play a dwarf ).

Well shamans are hybrids too (so Mythic said), so let's not generalize about hybrid's popularity. It's true that thanes are not very popular, but I think it's because many people simply don't know how to play it. It's still a fun class to play with, and the only class along with warrior that has shield style in Midgard. I think thanes have their place in RvR, and I'd prefer playing with a good thane rather than with a bad warrior.

littleman7, YOU are the one that will spend hours on your char, so don't let others choose for you and do what you want.

You can go for 50 Stormcalling, 42 Shield, 39 Weapon and rest in parry, but this is only a suggestion. At least keep Stormcalling on your level until your 40th, and weapon about 66% of your level (never below). You need to get slam, whatever you do (would be a shame to miss that).

Well, my first char on Uthgard - and my first level 50 - is a dwarven thane as well.

If I was in your shoes now, I would not play that class. With the old RAs the thane will suffer significantly. If you have fun playing a warrior or a zerker, I would suggest these classes instead.

Should the new RAs be as bad as I fear for my old main, I will switch to my warrior instead, for solo I will use my SB. In OF that will be THE class anyway.

I have to agree to Kikoo on the thane spec - although with a higher RR you can cut back to 34 hammer in favor of parry. But considering the amount of time you will have to invest in your toon, my advise is to choose carefully.

Yes with old RAs and 1.65 my thane (my main) will be shelved or just used to farm for weaponcrafting; he's good for PvE and he's good in BGs, but I know in endgame RvR nobody wants thanes in their group and that's with new RAs and the patches that gave them pretty good beefs.

I will probably roll a berserker or savage. Old RAs and 1.65 will make thanes extinct. The only question is which class of the two?

That's why I want custom balance and not the same exact balance there was on Live. There's no reason for thanes to get nerfed with old RAs and 1.65; they have a hard time in endgame RvR as it is. Let certain classes keep their RAs and post-1.65 beefs. They were beefed and given different RAs for a reason...

Okay, so i wont play a thane. Skald also seems fun. Id love to be a dwarf, but it looks like trolls and norse are best suited for this. any advice from anyone?what weapons should i be using? what stats should i take? What race (again, i love dwarves)

I guess the difference in race is not THAT significant. You are below optimum with a dwarf, but if its more fun for you then do it anyway.

Weaponwise I suggest a hammer. Because a) you are mid, b) you get a backstyle which snares at 29 spec and c) the endudrain is low.

You skalds out there: please correct me if I talk bs.

Well thanks everyone for your help. I made a dwarf skald (currently only a lvl 2 viking). Still waiting for the RAM i ordered to show up so i can actually play without disconnecting every time i go into a town. Any help is still appreciated. thank you

Wouldn't one benefit of being a dwarf skald be that people might mistake you for a healer? Skalds usually aren't dwarves.

My lvl 35 skald is dwarf as well.
They mistake you for a healer, yes. On the other hand they do learn who that atomic rodent is. =)