Need help in choosing class

[Hera]

Hi all,

I'm planning to start on the WOW after playing another MMORPG (Legend of Mir 3). I need some help in choosing the class that would best suit my tastes. I tend to be busy in real life so would prefer to get a character on which I can log off quickly anywhere and not having to worry about dying too often, something I can play while being over the phone or doing something else side by side. Also, I would prefer to get a class with a good soloability, able to kill mobs and bosses at some lvl without much help as I may be online only on odd times and may not be able to find players to group and all. I especially feel boss raids exciting and would like to be an integral part of all boss raids / kills. I also want the ability to lvl solo descently. Doesn't have to have the most DPS but shouldn't be too bad either. In the other MMORPG I played I felt the warrior class as the best, but then there were just 3 options to choose from. As in WOW we have many different classes and races, any advice in choosing a class would be appreciated.

Thanks!

-Hera

[Loriel]

At first glance, this sounds like Rogue or Hunter to me - maybe especially the latter due to ability to level solo and take on mobs which are 3-4 levels (or more) higher than your own level. They both have good dps, in particular the Rogue (with good equipment).

However, I wouldn't say they are integral to raid encounters. Even though dps is certainly required, the backbone of any successful raiding group is imho the tanks (warriors) and the healers (priests/druids). So ... maybe consider rolling a druid or a shadow priest? Both can level just fine on their own, with the appropriate talents to back it up.

Then again, there is really no correct answer to your question as you are better off trying out some or all of the available classes and thereby find out which class is best suited for you.

[Summoned]

I wouldn't say rogue at all. They can't really take that long a beating. Paladin fits if you don't mind meleeing, it's really hard for them to die, my warrior would've been beaten to a pulp in 15 seconds against hogger (level 11 elite) at level 10, the paladin just stood there and autoattacked/self-healed for a minute and hogger dropped dead. Hunter is just absurdly overpowered when it comes to solo PvE, and even if you can't kill the 3-4 even leveled mobs that you aggroed, you have the ultimate death/repair bill-cheating device - feign death - every 30 seconds.

[Cychwyn]

I'd say Hunter, too. Druids may be alround toons, but they do take forever to kill things and you did say you wanted decent DPS. Pick up and train First Aid, and your healing will be sorted. Perhaps a Paladin will do for you as well, I dislike them out of principle, so have no experience playing one.
Since you're not primarily into grouping, you won't suffer much from the difficulty you may have on some servers to find a group that doesn't already have one/too many Hunters. :-) The team-work with the pet will also teach you the basics of working in a group, for the times you do team up with others for instance-quests, elites etc.

You can easily solo any class. I have soloed all classes but Paladin to 40+ (I like to really get to know what the classes do on their own before grouping (and finding out how they fit in a team - not the same thing)).

[KalziEast]

I think a Shaman would best fit you. You can do very nice DPS, you can tank pretty well. I mean, pretty much no class can solo a boss (Around the same level especially.) but still, at level 40 you'll definately be able to take damage pretty well, and do tons of DPS even in Elemental Talents ONLY.

[Hera]

How is the mass attack of Hunters and Shamans? I mean I'm not looking for the powers of a mage but attacking 2-3 at a time can be fun. Does shaman have access to both elemental attack and physical attack such as the warrior?

[Summoned]

How is the mass attack of Hunters and Shamans? I mean I'm not looking for the powers of a mage but attacking 2-3 at a time can be fun. Does shaman have access to both elemental attack and physical attack such as the warrior?
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, only played a shammie up to level 12: Shamans only have one spell that hits multiple targets (excluding the fire totem that self-destructs): chain lightning. Unfortunately it has a pretty long casting time compared to most other spells and you're going to run dry of mana very easily casting nothing but elemental spells.

Hunters get Multishot (hits 3 targets for a bit more than a normal shot) and Volley (mild aoe, not very powerful). That said, I've never had any problems fighting 2-3 of the same level mobs with a hunter. The pet can take a huge load of punishment and then ask for more. Plus you can either set a trap to turn 1 of the 3 into an ice cube for 20 seconds or the explosive trap to do more damage.

Now that I think about it, warlocks actually fit your description pretty well, too. They usually focus on stamina items, which boost their health really high, and if you spec for soul-link (31 point demonology), you're basically unkillable against most things. And even if you somehow die, putting a soulstone on yourself beforehand means you can just pop right back up. In a 1 vs 1 situation, a warlock can tear any mob that can be feared apart. I took out a level 45 elite giant with my warlock at 43, and he didn't even land a single hit on me, mostly he just ran around with damage over time debuffs on him and then at some point fell over dead.

[SkipsH]

Well from the point of view of soloability I managed to kill frostmaw at level 30 (might have been 31, but fairly sure 30) with my hunter. He's level 37.

A hunter has multi-shot which means you send you pet out to round up three enemies and then multi-shot the three of them with a single shot with 10sec cooldown, which does bonus damage ontop of your normal.

[KalziEast]

Sorry, but I see Shaman's as much better. One: Warlocks definately not really what he said he wanted, he said he'd like to be able to melee as well. Two: Hunters can't really melee, unless they have a nice blue 2h item, you're not going to be doing much melee damage. Three: Shaman's can melee pretty well (Slap a 2h on and bash away after pulling with 2-3 Lightning Bolts) you can also throw on the Fire thing on them (The one that does X amount of fire damage immediately, then Y amount of damage over time. Instant cast spell.) and they'll be dropping by the time you hit them two to three times with your 2h.

[Stigg]

Dont play a mage, lock, or priest if you want to melee.


I tend to be busy in real life so would prefer to get a character on which I can log off quickly anywhere


All classes can log out anywhere, but it is always suggested you log out in an inn or a city to gain rested XP (aka 200% XP for 1/20 of a level for every 8 hours logged out) as opposed to normal XP (aka 100% XP). If you log out in the general world you will gain rested xp at a rate of I think 1/20 of a level every 12 hours. You can have a max rested XP bonus of a full level and half.

not having to worry about dying too often

All classes are relatively hard to die with. Some can heal themselves, others have armor to reduce the damage. Classes that can heal themselves: Priest, Druid, Shaman, Paladin. Classes with a high armor: Warriors, Paladins. (hunters and shaman get mail at level 40). Of course you also have to look at damage output. I never die on my rogue, thats because he can do great DPS and if things get tough, I can vanish. Hunters and warlocks have pets that can take the beating for them.

something I can play while being over the phone or doing something else side by side

Most classes again, can do this with relative ease. I have my shaman cast lightning shield, and then lightning bolt a mob. I attack once, and I can get up and go get a drink, use the bathroom, whatever, and when I come back, I will find myself very well off. I talk on the phone/do work while playing my rogue. Having to only press a few buttons makes that work out very well. Hunters can get away with sending their pet out and auto-shooting until the mob drops. Of course all classes can do this with ease, but it is by no means the fastest or most efficient way to level or play the game.

Also, I would prefer to get a class with a good soloability, able to kill mobs and bosses at some lvl without much help as I may be online only on odd times and may not be able to find players to group and all.

Sounds like a classic hunter to me. That is the exact reason my first character was a hunter. You will have a pet, which you will love like your wife/husband (god I hope not...if you do, I have the number of a WONDERFUL psychologist...) but your pet will definatly liven up the game, and make it feel like you are with somebody else while playing. Same thing with locks I guess... Hunters are wonderful at solo-ing, get a great speed boost at level 20, can track anything in the game via the minimap, and all around are one of the best, if not THE best, solo-ers. (thats my opinion, so no flames required...)

I especially feel boss raids exciting and would like to be an integral part of all boss raids / kills.

Raids are made up of four types of players: healers, tanks, DPS, and what I like to call the assists.

Healers: Priest, druid (and shaman/paladin) No raid will be succesful without one of these. The only reason Im not saying "No raid will be succesful without a priest" is because I just watched 8 pallys take down Onyxia....but thats a different story.

Tanks: Warrior/Druid. These keep the focus on them at all times. You are striving to be the ONLY one to get hit....ever. If you can succesfully do this, you will be the BEST tank on the server.

DPS: Mages, Rogues, Hunters, Locks, Shadow Priests, Druids. Theres no point in rainding if you dont have a few of these. The tanks will do a decent amount of damage, but compared to these guys, they are nothing. The problem is, they cant get hit...(IMHO Mages and Rogues are the #1's in this category)

Assists: Druid, Lock, Shaman, Hunter. These guys really dont fit into one category. Some can tank or off-tank, some can semi-DPS, others can rez. I would have no problem going into a raid with only 1 of these guys (and that is only for the ability to rez themselves). Druids are a versatile class. They can Battle rez, turn cat and DPS, turn bear and tank, and can heal. But they cant do any of that AS WELL (IMHO) as the others. But they can do it all.


As in WOW we have many different classes and races

Yea there are. I know I havent exactly said what I feel you should choose. But thats not really up to me now is it?? When it comes to races, you may first want to choose if you are going to be playing horde or alliance. If you have chosen your class to be Shaman or Paladin, your choice is already made. Shamans = Horde, Paladins = Alliance. Nothing you can do about that (Yet...). I play mostly Horde. I never really enjoyed the idea of playing a RPG as a race that I am...which ruled out humans (and in my opinion dwarves and gnomes and trolls...) As I'm sure you have noticed if you have looked at any postings on the forums of here, or the official website, a lot of players tend to be very biased about their own faction. I'm going ot get flamed if I dare post any of my thoughts about the subject, but you will be welcomed with open arms to whatever faction you choose. Once you choose your faction and class, look through your factions races and see which has your class. Then you can take a look at your races added abilities (i.e. Taurens get a warstomp which stuns everything around it for a short amount of time (playing warrior?? that might help!)) But IMHO, the stats come second to what visually appeals to you the most. Don't like staring at a bull for the next couple months? Dont play a tauren! And BTW, females have the EXACT same stats as males, so if youd rather stare at a girl swinging her ax with pink pigtails...thats fine by us RIGHT KCMA?!?! (if you dont know who kcma is yet, stick around these forums...he'll make sure you know who he is shortly...)


Well thats it for me. Have fun, and remember if you dont like your character, re-roll. Each time you play in a zone you become more efficient and will level up quicker. Switch races, switch classes, switch server. Do whatever you can with your real life schedule, and have fun!

Oh yea, one last thing....make sure you know what time zone your server is in before you get too far down the road. Especially if you want to raid. If your on the west coast playing on an east coast server, chances are raids will start while your still at work! (Happened to me except the opposite, raids started at midnight my time...) I can not post the link to the website that posts this, but do a google search for something like, "Warcraft realm time zone" and see what comes up.

[Athame]

If you want to play on a PvP server, I'd pick a rogue (stealth) or a nightelf hunter (shadowmeld). It makes it that much easier to take a reasonably safe AFK at any moment. They both rock at soloing.

[Mallstrop]

Warlock

Brilliant soloing
Can be very hard to kill
You CAN have a pet that hold agro while you just wait for the target to die or otherwise just take agro your self and kill the enemy before it gets to really hit you.
Mana drain is usefull in ZG and AQ20
Bannish is usefull in maraudon, MC and AQ20
Soul stones and health stones are allways usefull.
Curses to increase certain damage types.
Crowd control - Fear, Bannish, Seduce
PvP - Just throw up the DoTs from the back of your group and watch things die.


Warlocks have endless uses, Soloing has never been a problem for me.

[Stigg]

If you want to play on a PvP server, I'd pick a rogue (stealth) or a nightelf hunter (shadowmeld). It makes it that much easier to take a reasonably safe AFK at any moment. They both rock at soloing.

Wonderful point! druids can stealth too tho!

[Ruefully]

Warlocks-Have a pet, can fear, and drain health.
Hunters-Have a pet, can fear beasts, can trap and track, feign death.
Paladins, Druids, and Shamans-Have the ability to heal and can soak up damage unlike the priest who can heal but dies fast.


If you don't have a lot of time I really doubt that you can join a raid. If you want to raid I really don't suggest a rogue because there are tons of them and other classes bring more utility besides dps to the raid than they do.