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Questions from a newcomer! Opinions needed
Cammy
Member Posts: 864
Hey all,
Im a newcomer and I have a few questions... I've been playing around with the trial on Tortage and been very pleasently surprised. It very much exceeded my expectations game play wise so I picked up a cheap copy for a few bucks at my local store - figured I'd give it a fair shake.
Anyways, even though I've tried almost all the classes Im STILL having a very hard time deciding which I want to level. Its hard because all the classes are pretty unique and offer a different playstyle. I realize its very much a personal preference but the ones that interest me the most are Bear Shamans, Barbs, Necros and ToS. I've heard all casters don't get combos which is a bit of a turn off for me given how neat and interesting the combo system is. For those of you who did roll a caster - do you find you "miss" that functionality or are you so busy with other spells that you rarely notice? I also enjoy leveling but I admit - I kinda like the easy/mindless leveling sometimes - out of the classes above, which in your opinion would benefit me more? I have a Bear Shaman at level 15 but tbh I find it very slow going. The Barb I have is lower level and kills things so much faster. Im sure this is normal since BS is a healer class but I figure it balances out later?! I want to make sure I still have a role at lvl 80 and SOME MMO's don't have that down yet. IE: Some classes are very high demand and others are scorned and unwanted... Anyways - some opinion on this would be great!
Next, I know the new Xpac just launched - Im still working my way through the original world.. is there ANY reason to pick this up before I hit 80? Assuming I don't plan to roll the new race and was going with one of the originals.
Servers - I know they have PVP and PVE servers but Im hesitant to roll on PVP servers so I've decided to stick with a PVE server for the time being. Are there ANY open PVP zones on PVE servers or is it strictly mini-games for PVP?? Curious as I do enjoy PVP but Im not one for being ganked 20 times in one area while I try to finish a quest... especially when just learning a new game from scratch
Professions - I assume there are some and I've read nothing 
Don't need a huge write up but if anyone has a link on what they do and which are popular for certain classes that'd be great. Leaning towards Barb/Necro/BS - which would benefit me and when should I be picking these up?
Tortage is a very cool zone - but Im really looking forward to experiencing the full world. If you guys have any tips on learning/what I should do, etc, please let me know. Ive literally only played a few hours but have done a good bit of research - but this is a brand new MMO for me so Im basically starting from scratch
Appreciate the replies - thanks all!
Comments
In brief on some things since I'm late for work almost.
If you're having fun now I would go ahead and get the xpac. The Kappa pet is a limited time deal and the buff it profvides is pretty good.
As for what to play, I tend to play my PoM more when I want to group. For me the PoM is boring to level solo. I have more fun with mine grouping. Other classes like HoX, barb, I enjoy the heck playing solo the nights I don't have a lot of time.
And sometimes it will come in handy when you're trying to form a group and maybe you're on the Priest but can't find a tank and your alt tank is around the same level. Some nights it will be easier to find a healer so you can log out and switch to your alt tank. In other words play em all, play to have fun. When it becomes work it's not a game anymore.
Final advice is find a good guild that fits your playstyle. A lot of good guilds that are casual, RP, hardcore raid, etc. Just visit the main forums and look around or group up in game and you'll meet players from other guilds.
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Promote what you love instead of bashing what you hate.
I will try to answer a few of your questions. On classes, Bear Shammies do start off leveling very slow but do get better later on. A Tos does level faster than a Bear shammy without a doubt thou. What is desired by a guild changes quite often, play the classes you enjoy.
PVP servers are extremely rough in the starting area. You will be killed and farmed multiple times. Joining a guild on a PvP server really helps out alot. There is a open area PvP on PvE servers. However the vast majority of PvP on PvE servers takes place in Shrines, Mini games, and Sieges. There is quite a bit of PvPing going on PvE servers at the higher levels.
Professions: gathering professions are money makers, crafting professions are huge money / time sinks. I would recommend grabing the gathering professions but not worrying about crafting ones until much later (like at 80 and in a guild).
Hints, I really like the music in Conal's Valley (Cimmerian level 20 zone) but the questing is much easier in Stygia (khemi / Kho Province).
Thank you both for your positive replied... this very much helps.
Im still unsure which class to try - I honestly like almost them all
Is BS normally a slow leveler? Would I be better off going as a Necro or Barb?
Also - I didn't see a reply on the caster vs melee argument... do you caster folks find it "lacking" when you play because you don't have combos or is there lots to keep you busy as you go? That was the only drawback I found with a caster - I dont want to use the word "boring" because that certainly wasn't the case.. just - wasn't as enticing as playing Melee... those combos are sure addicting - hahaha!
Thanks so much for the advice - Is it easy to go from one lvl 20 starting zone to the next? I'd much rather quest in a noob-safe area, at least until I get better and more used to the mechanics. AoC is ACTUALLY a different MMO (IMO) compared to the rest... its still themepark but it feels more fun to me compared to the startard "click 1, 2, 3, 4 in order - loot mob - next" routine. I guess this is why Im a bit nervous to roll with a caster.... but the Necromancer definitely has my interest. Else Ill likely roll with my Barb or continue on with my BS (If I can handle it)
TY all!
The BS is king of survival as you get older, yes it takes a while to kick in but putting points in all the right places turns this bad ass shammy into a one man killing machine,he really is one the best soloist in the game if not thee best pre 50.
It's the class that has the best survivability and kills all melees with ease 1 vs 1 is BS. Also well played BS may beat every class 1 vs 1, but in large battles tends to get barely any kills due to low damage and melee.
Nothing better than taking on 6-8 mobs which are 3 levels above you and winning.
For PVE? Some melee with coolest fatalities i would say.
Oh, and did i mention he is a great healer as well.
Furious Fighters
http://www.biblebelievers.org.au/13trindx.htm
The level 20 zones are linked in a chain. Conarch Village (Cimmeria) links to Old Tarantia (Aquilona) links to Khemi (Stygia) links to Gateway (Khitai). The links work both ways. You can move to any of the leveling areas you want. It does take a little running around in Old Tarantia (from the Cimmerian wagoneer to the Stygian Boat Captain) but nothing too major.
Caster vs Melee is a matter of preference. I like the interactivity of combos but I also like the graphical effects of casters. I have both types(including a Bear Shammy / Tempest of Set). The hardest part about leveling a Bear Shammy is getting to level 25. Lol, I have bad memories of the volcano on my Bear Shammy.
Oh my god.... I remember that one. I thought I was doing something wrong, my bear shaman could barely handle 2 mobs!
Surviving was hard, and especially on a PvP server, where you got sandwiched by both PvP and PvE. Lsater on I did the same Tortage track with an alt, a Herald of Xotli, and I totally mowed through the mobs, casting spells, wielding a 2handed sword, turning into a monster, I was unstoppable.
in short: bear shaman in the lower levels is a pain, you're weak, you're soft and you're worthless. But if you survive the first 20 levels, then your class of bear shaman start to shine more and more, turning into one of the most flexible classes in the highest levels: people will love your bear shaman. You'll be desired as a healer, you're versatile, and you can pack a punch as any other good damage dealer.
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Wow thanks all - I really thought it was me and I just sucked
Which - you know, still maybe the case but at least others have struggled with the Bear Shaman class as well - even those seasoned vets 
Maybe that's a bit too rough for a newbie, as it kind of turns me off the class. I know you get a free level 50 char once you get another char to lvl 50 - maybe this is a better choice if I want to level up my Bear Shaman? I do like the principal of the class but Im struggling to even take on 2+ mobs my own level. 2, Im usually ok... 3 - I know Im going for my tombstone
Any recommendations for my noobie self? Appreciate all the replies fella's, can't wait to get off work and start playing again tonight. Most fun I've had (at least early stages) in an MMO for as long as I can remember
I just came back for the expansion, and hadn't played since shortly after launch, when I had a HoX. I have now started a bear shaman, barbarian and a conqueror. The bear shaman I actually did okay with all the way through Tortage, never dying in the night stuff and only maybe once or twice in the daytime areas when I got swarmed by like 5+ mobs. It does kill slower than the straight melee classes though. My barb is only 15 and it kills super quick.
By the way, the HoX is a "mage" class that does use combos for it's melee attacks as well as using single-key spells. It's also quite fun to run into groups of mobs and incinerate them all while swinging a 2h sword.
Regarding classes all are valid choices, while I would reccomend you stick with a combo class as I find it more of an engaging gameplay experience (combos, shields etc).
The Bear Shaman is fairly weak up to level 20, post level 20 its a very powerful class indeed. You also get plently of tools to play around with, considering you do decent damage and can heal! The shaman can also summon a bear at higher levels. I also think the Bear Shaman is less popular than the other classes you mentioned, so raid spots wont be as rare. But if you find a good guild, a raid spot is rarely a probelm.
Server wise you made a good choice, PVP servers are intense and brutal. You will be hunted and killed many times. But that is what the pvp guys want, open and brutal war. The PVE servers do offer both minigames and open world PVP in dedicated PVP zones. Guild Seige warfare also takes place on PVE servers. So I think PVE servers offer the best mix. (PVP levels will be hard to obtain on a PVE server, which is the only drawback)
Professions can be a good past time, if you want somthing diffrent to do. Gathering can earn you gold in the auction house. But so can crafting, mainly when you reach the higher teirs of your craft. The best example would be culture armor, each class has a specific armor set and can be sold for up to 30G a piece. But this level takes alot of time and effort.
I would not reccomend you buy the expansion yet, unless you really want to play in the 20-40 zone. Focus on enjoying the original content and then have more to do with your alts!
Leveling Tips?
Dungeons. You will get alot better armor and weapons from dungeons! Also great exp!
AOC Database
This website will let you see various dungeon loots and so forth.
Join a guild. Meet friends and group up. A friendly level 80 can help you with hard content!
Well thats all I got lol. Enjoy AOC.
Reasons to buy the expansion before you hit 80? Well there is a lvl 20-40 zone in the expansion, Gate to Khitai. It will increase the zones from 3 to 4 for those levels and that never hurts.
You also get a fourth race you can play.
Otherwise you can of course wait.
As for classes, just play the one you like most. Necros have possibly somewhat harder to get a group, my experience in any game is that pet classes are not so popular in groups because they are most often played by soloplayers. And pets have a habit to obscure the combat for the tank and healer.
My main is a ranger (I like rangers, they are really hard but fun to play). I got a few other alts too. HOX is fun if you want a melee spellcaster, the class is very different from classes in most games. Barbarian is rather fun too.
Necros ARE a group
But seriously, they have one of the highest DPS ratings out of any class....they are always desired for a group.
Back when I used to tank, I was always stoked to have a necro on the team.....as long as they let me secure aggro before opening up with the whoopass.
Thank you (and everyone) so much for the positive replies... I can already see the community here is far ahead than the rest of the pack. Even in game too - people I find are very helpful/friendly in the noobie area's.
I appreciate your rundown and I also have to agree. I tried to roll a spellcaster last night for fun and I just couldn't get into it. Same 1-2 buttons, felt like basically every other MMO. So I kept my Bear Shaman in tact whos' in her teens now and I Also rolled a Conq to try out one of the soldier classes. Do you guys have any comments on the conq? Is it somewhat noob friendly? I figured - big armor, lots of combos and DW or 2H - seems like a good choice for me
I haven't had the chance to level it (just literally made the char and logged off) but I plan to give it a solid go this evening - in the meantime, comments are very welcome! 
I think Ill stay away from the Necro for right now - Im sure its a great class like all of them - but melee/combos are really where it's at for me in this game. I have so much fun playing my own version of "wackamole" trying to hit all the combos successfully. really captures me into this - so Im going to go with a Conq or Barb I believe as my main to give it a try. The nice thing about AoC is if I find by 40+ Im not enjoying it I can roll a free lvl 50 which is pretty sweet. Great perk IMO to switch gears for a new alt 
Again all I really appreciate your comments and feedback! Please don't be shy - haha!
Cheers!
Conq is rather complex to play, but still my favorite class, especially for solo PVE.
They can really rock some face in PVP, but you'll need to learn how to "stance dance", switch weapons quickly to layer debuffs, and pretty much grow an extra set of fingers.
I started as a Conq in closed beta, played one again at release, and having gone back to the game after a period, am playing a conq again (and a necro, for when I just want something simple yet fun to play).
It is challenging. You really have to get to know the character and it's toolset well....but that's part of the fun, for me personally.
I love a challenge!
Thanks for the reply... what do you mean by "Stance dancing"? Is this similar to Barbs where they have Reaver/Zerker stances?
Also - I assume you have to swap weapons from DW to 2h ? Again, similar to the Barb style of play?
Sorry for the noob question, trying to sort out the playstyle (at least in my head lol)
Yes like the barb most Conqs switch weapons. And the stance dance is similar to barb, but its defensive and frenzy stances. They are feated thru the general tree. Also you have disciplines, technique, formation, self/team buffs that you dance around with.
A sorta simple way to set it up is to start with rows of defensive and offensive stance/formation/discipline skills and toggle between the two - taking into account the number and level of the foes, whether you are tanking or DPSing.
You will get comfortable later and be more sophisticated. This is an over simplification but if you are still getting comfortable with the combo system should work.
"Never met a pack of humans that were any different. Look at the idiots that get elected every couple of years. You really consider those guys more mature than us? The only difference between us and them is, when they gank some noobs and take their stuff, the noobs actually die." - Madimorga
Thanks for the tips - I appreciate the reply
Based on your experience, is the Conq a complicated class? As a noobie - would I be better suited to play out as a Barbarian?
I can grasp class mechanics FAIRLY well... but being new to AoC in general, pretty much everything is new. I want to have a class I can master but at the same time play one that I can get into rather quickly to help learn the game and mechanics.
I realize its a personal choice on this mostly - Im more thinking from a noobie that knows NOTHING about the game, which I'd have an easier time with... If you have any suggestions or thoughts on that
Ive determined I'll go with one or the other - I just don't want something where Im thinking too much into it instead of just playing the game and having fun (which is what it's all about). IE: If it turns into a second job - probably not something Ill be into. Thinking of a mindless melee attack class - don't need much else apart from that lol
Cheers and thanks
It's not a class that I would want to jump into at level 50, for example....but playing a conq from level 1, you'll get your abilities gradually over time so that you have a chance to get to know the class.
READ the descriptions on your abilities and combos. Really get to know what they do, and how best to chain and stack things. I think you'll find it extremely fun, and versatile.
That said, you can't just /faceroll your way to victory against 3+ mobs of higher level then yourself, ALA necromancer. You've got to be careful, and play smart. Personally, I enjoy this.
It's also a MAJOR rush to completely destroy an entire group of mobs your own level, with heads and blood flying in all directions. As long as you don't go against things too much higher in level than yourself, you're a killing machine.
There are some really great threads in the Conq section of the official forum. I recommend them.
Thank you very much - I also like that style of play... but Ill make sure to be careful and actually learn (which after all is mostly the point)
I was/am debating between the conq and barb - but I just rolled Conq so Im at least gonna give that a try for a few levels to see how I like the playstyle. Unfortunately its really tough to tell at such early stages how the class pans out. Which I guess is why I come here to look for advice from people like yourself 
I think Ill like most Melee classes. They are generally unique... like HoX is pretty cool with a big 2h and lots of spells - but the fact they wear cloth and are squishy made it easy for me to pass. That said - I can truly see why they are popular and a lot of players like it. I think that can be said for any class in AoC but it also makes it incredibly hard to pick one
I hear its pretty easy to level in AoC so I have no doubt Ill have a few 80s before it's all said and done. Again, appreciate your feedback - Im a gonna go check out the official forums and get started
Cheers!
yeah, I've always wanted to be able to get into HoX, as I love the concept of the class. Unfortunately, they are just too squishy for my tastes, as I like to wade in and get my hands dirty. (bloody...hehehe)
Have fun, and don't let people get you down. People like to try to claim that "conq is only good for a combat rez", but that's probably because they tried it and couldn't play it effectively. Prove them wrong.
A well played conq is a force of freakin' nature. I think you'll really enjoy it.
You want squishy? Try a sin. I love playing mine but it really is a kill fast, or die fast class.