[All] Choosing an elf class

[Guiylan]

Hi everyone,

I have just joined you and this really nice server. And I started to level a SM (I’m level 12 at the moment.).

But I was reading that SM will be a less good tank than her dwarf or human equivalents, while dealing a bit more damage. So I wanted to know: does SM have her own niche (that nobody does better than her) or does she have a WoW Vanilla Druid syndrome: you can do everything but none good enough (except a specific healing role in this Druid example)?

My question is there for both PvE and PvP.

And what about the others: how does the WL do regarding DPS, compared to her counterparts in the other races. And same question for the Archmage. (I heard that SW is in need of love so I’m not asking for that one.)

I’d like to play an elf but I like to be good in my specialisation so I prefer to change class before levelling to high if I have to.

PS: Little extra question: I got a sword with +6 Strength but 3 less base DPS than another. Which one is best? And in other terms, how much DPS (and chance to hit?) is 1 Strength ?

Thanks a lot for your answers!

[Sinisterror]

Hi everyone,

I have just joined you and this really nice server. And I started to level a SM (I’m level 12 at the moment.).

But I was reading that SM will be a less good tank than her dwarf or human equivalents, while dealing a bit more damage. So I wanted to know: does SM have her own niche (that nobody does better than her) or does she have a WoW Vanilla Druid syndrome: you can do everything but none good enough (except a specific healing role in this Druid example)?

My question is there for both PvE and PvP.

And what about the others: how does the WL do regarding DPS, compared to her counterparts in the other races. And same question for the Archmage. (I heard that SW is in need of love so I’m not asking for that one.)

I’d like to play an elf but I like to be good in my specialisation so I prefer to change class before levelling to high if I have to.

PS: Little extra question: I got a sword with +6 Strength but 3 less base DPS than another. Which one is best? And in other terms, how much DPS (and chance to hit?) is 1 Strength ?

Thanks a lot for your answers!

SM is very good, wanted and fun to play tank! And has spec for everykind of gameplay in RoR. 5 str = 1 dps. Toughness works like this, if you have 1000 str and enemy has 500 toughness you have 500 str. But there is armour/Resis/Dmg modifiers so its not that simple. As a tank your main thing is to guard someone(usually melee dps but be fast to switch guardee when needed) Challenge+Shatter+Snare and CC enemy. If 2H SM got KB i would be super happy=) Blorc Should get 2H single target KB as well though.

[Sulorie]

Make all other 3 elf classes, if you don't want to play SW.
As new player you will have an easier time to find groups if playing healer or tank.
You should have multiple chars to be flexible and play what is needed in a group.

SM has useful group buffs, don't worry, the class is useful. The class mechanic is annoying for some players but maybe you get used to it.

5 str = 1 dps but afaik weapon dps value only affects auto attack damage, the +str on gear affects skill dmg and auto attack.

[Hakker]

SM is a very versatile tank. You can be very tanky or you can be very usefull or you can do DPS. You have the choice dependant of what do you want. In WB I think SM is more appreciated than IB for their utility. I recommand the class for everyone. But...

Maybe you already see that, but SM have ALOT of graphical problem if you play with shield. You hair is Bug, your face is discusting and some helmet are bug too. I think this is why we do not have some SM who play with shield. I really try to play SM because the class is really fun to play, but the look this is too much sometime.

[Cyrylius]

Swordmaster is very strong, in specific situations best tank in order as it provides CD reducer, needed for some classes to reach their full potential. That being said, it's still got amazing warband utility in stat steal (only group buff to weaponskill) and AoE punt, which is sometimes a necessary tool. You also get an effective ST punt in shield spec, which means you don't lack any baseline tools tank needs as opposed to the mirror. So while yes, you do kind of have your niche you are unrivalled with, in two tanks per party meta we have in RoR SM is still usually best pick for second tank, provided you don't need massive amounts of AP IB can pump. You are also much better in prolonged grindy fights, as SM healing gets to about 1/4 of a good healer.

White lion is pretty basic class. You do lots of damage, you have good ST burst, you don't do much else. Not ideal in large scale, but ultimately outdamages slayers, despite lacking AoE burst damage, meaning it's second best melee, and possibly best one if mobility is particularly important - you can position yourself much better than slayer. In ST it pairs very well with WH. Also you get offensive morale drop, which is an advantage. So ultimately I don't think you can say WL is a jack of all trades class, more of an alternate to the optimal one.

AM is amazing in every type of content, best group healer, top solo class, potentially good ST DPS and good CC utility with AM puddles. It does almost require SM to work properly in heal spec. It's definitely not a jack of all trades, closer to a master even. Has its issues, but no seriously crippling ones.

To wrap this up, very few classes are visibly inferior to others of a given archetype, and especially with heals and tanks you will generally see people inviting all three classes if needed. In terms of DPS white lion is usually taken into groups as a premium option, as a geared one will perform amazing (there was a 8 WL warband once, and while mostly a meme it did work pretty well between comparable survivability and m2 drops), with slayers and one bright Wizard it's a part of every organized warband in lakes you'll find barring some weird freaks of statistic.

[Sofong]

WL second best dps in game, if u ok with pets.

[Guiylan]

Thank you all for your replies. With everything I red here (and in other places of this forum), I think I’ll start with 3 characters: SM (main), AM and Eng.

I think I could enjoy playing these.

[zulnam]

SM is very strong. When wearing a shield, it might not live as long as a dwarf tank, but it has indispensable group buffs; mainly Whispering Wind.

if a warband lead would have their pick of the litter, they would fill their warband with knights and SMs; with maybe one dwarf tank for the group with the VIP slayer.