Non raiding advice, please?

Zannor · 08-11-2009, 07:16 PM

I started playing EQ2 after about a year off from all gaming where I was part of a raiding guild for years. This time around I have no plans to raid or pvp. So, even though I'm not worried about max/min I'd still like to understand which is better gearwise.

Right now I have a level 63 Sarnak Bruiser in level 60 handcrafted gear. EverQuest II Players - Profile for Zanor I know my gear should be better but not sure what to look for. I have stuck mostly with the crafted sets to get by. Lately drops have made me start to question which is better raw stats (str, agi, sta), +critical arts damage and/or haste.

Weeknights I play with my wife who has a multitude of characters. So, at times I mentor tank and at other times I dps. On the times I dps she normally is tanking with a paladin which is currently level 42. When times get rough I'm able to take the aggro and tank it just fine with very little damage to me. I'm guessing that has to do with being higher level and mentored down.

On the weekends we have a friend join us who is a 63 paladin who tanks and I stay dps while it's the three of us. I also noticed that when things go bad and I take the aggro I take less damage then he did. This might be to him having bad gear too. /shrug But it adds to my confusion that though I might not be in the right gear am I on the right track?

I guess you would say I am more a hybird gearwise, I originally just looked for gear with str, agi and sta, but I placed my AA's for dps. Anyway with all that said what advice can you give to what I should look for? Understanding the stats as stated above would be more helpful right now then specific items names. That way I'll understand what to look at on item drops. Thank you in advance for any and all advice.

Zanor

Insayn · 08-11-2009, 07:36 PM

Melee Crit and +CA dmg are ftw.

Harowen · 08-12-2009, 08:52 AM

At that level what Insayn said, melee crit and (to a lesser extent) +ca mod are the only things you should be looking for.

Here's also a link to some non-raiding gear upgrade paths for you once you hit 80:
Trying to upgrade to shard armor-help please.

Zannor · 08-12-2009, 10:00 AM

Thank you so much for the quick replys. With reguard to the haste, dps, ect, I'm guessing don't worry about it unless it happens to be on an item with meele crit or combat arts already?

Zanor

Crabbok · 08-12-2009, 11:35 AM

Haste is something you just want 1 of, as multiple haste items don't stack. You can get the Chokidai Collar collection reward belt, or the mascercrafted Cloak for a medium quality haste item, or simply get your shard gloves which is probably the better choice.

Daekan · 08-12-2009, 01:49 PM

Make sure your AA is in order. Go to Crabbok's AA sticky and check out the specs. Also, take a look at the AA Progression link in his post to see if it helps. Reading your play style, you may want to go full DPS spec to get the most out of your class when grouped with a tank. Find a friend who can help you get an AA mirror (using a reflective smoldering shard) so you don't have to commit to just one AA layout.

You can solo your way to 80 very easily once you hit RoK. Other than that, I'd be repeating what these vets are saying.

Oh, and don't take "no" for an answer unless "no" is a good thing--then don't take "yes" for an answer.

Zannor · 08-12-2009, 11:55 PM

Which is better for mastercrafted weapons, imbued or blessed?

Zanor

Crabbok · 08-13-2009, 01:09 AM

the one that deals damage. Imbued I believe.

Zannor · 08-13-2009, 10:08 AM

Imbued has threat procs and magic damage.

I couldn't find any gear with melee crit on it on the broker. In fact I'm still using a grey cloak because it has +1 MC. so, I got mastercrafted stuff with +CA damge. I still need forearms, hands, feet, a second weapon and the range slot item. I saw there is a quest ring that reduces the reuse timers of all combat arts by 5%. Would this be worthwhile over a ring with +25 CA?

CptLanier · 08-13-2009, 11:24 AM

So how big is Critical Mitigation? I finally have a full set of T1 shard armor and saving up for T2 now but to be honest - it doesnt seem like that HUGE of an upgrade for the shard cost - at first glance... Is Critical Mitigation THAT much of a bonus?

The power on shard armor is 1/2 of regular armor but thanks to reading about the collection earring (Mark of somethingorother from Runnyeye) - power shouldnt be an issue...