In order, my preference is Healing> CC/utility> Ranged DPS (with magical DPS being a little bit more prefered)>Melee dps> Tanking.
I can find enjoyment in pretty much every class but I find that healing, CC, and utility roles make me exercise my brain in terms of managing a fight and granting the ability to make critical decisions that can make or break a fight.
Variable depending on the game! Usually play a ranged magic type class, ranger or rogue/assassin class. I plan on trying a wizard first in Pantheon but inevitably I will have a number of alts I switch between! We are very spoilt for choice and there are lots of classes which interest me.
Depends if the AoEs are unresistable without next/max tier gear, and/or if they're 360 degrees, or directional.
Also if the whole 'belly caster' (non-melee damage resists illogically increasing to infinity with distance from the target) is going to be a thing, simply to draw casters into AoE range.
I've played all, but being able vary damage type (if that's going to matter) is always easier/cheaper with a caster, imo.
I get that AoEs are often the only trick in the bag, so they're made ridiculous, yet, jousting gets tedious after 10+ months winning the same fight. :)
The mathematical advantage of casting or attacking from max range and then being able to damage the target "for free", and using snare/ice/cold to slow movement permits players to reduce the engagement time and/or the recovery time, lowering TTK.
As long as that's true, unless melee damage is (temporarily) grossly overpowered to compensate, ranged will always be superior.
I'm sure I'll end up playing everything but magic has usually been my damage of choice. My first three characters will probably be a chanter/summoner/wizzy. Just have to figure out in which order.
For me, combat style gets chosen based on how it flows and the amount of utility it has. Crushing the damage meters is fun, but that does not hold a candle to the potential of affecting/effecting a group's success in the face of overwhelming odds. Sure the best defense is a good offense, but lateral flexible is where its at and whichever combat style comes with great utility works for me.
Thunderleg
Every MMO I have played I started out as a Tank or Brawler (Survival over damage). I will probably continue playing a tank as my 1st character. The good thing about Alpha/Beta: it will give people the chance to play around with classes they would not normally play without cutting into their main characters' playtime (since all progress will be wiped before launch).
healing cleric, not a melee battle type cleric, just pure heals. but if playing DPS, i would go necro. so pet is up close, but i'll be ranged
Syrif said:Beefcake said:Magic and ranged all the way. I hate nothing more than having to run around a mob all day.
What does this even mean?
If I was to hazard a guess... Beefcake wants to play a ranged class because they do not want to chase a mob that is agro bouncing or chasing the mob because the tank is positioning for whatever reason or killing a mob then swapping to another 10 feet away that is mezzed.
Melee
I hate nothing more than having to run away from a mob all day!
Seriously, I like melee more. The positioning, the violence. If I can only choose magic/range, I'd choose something that keeps me really busy, like an enchanter.
But what happened to Healing ? Is that not a choice ?
I personally don't like using magic, but I like healing, and ALL HEALERS in ALL GAMES are magic users because...they just are. Never an alchemist, herbalist, or doctor class (alchemists and herbalists tend to exist as professions rather than classes, and doctors are always - if in games at all - non-player professions)
I'd kill (figuratively) for a science/knowledge/non-magic based healer that uses firearms/bows for weapon type.
I'm all about bard and druids. So that's a tricky one to answer.
I really enjoy going in and out of melee range. I like to impact mobs with stuns or stifles and run around the get those backattacks in.
My druid will most likely be ranged based, with the emphasis on magic.
Although I've played many rangers, I'm terrible at pure ranged dps.
Melee - avoid like the plague, lover not a fighter (leave this to the pros)
Magic - the right rhythm, rhyme, or rhetoric IS magical, applied with enough charm
Ranged - never further away than the nearest wine glass or mug of ale, that's my motto
the life of a bard is simple...Look good, while making others look good