Returning to the game, looking for some suggestions

[Cutwolf]

I'm returning to the game for a 3rd time.

I played from launch for awhile and got a Rogue to 60.

Quit until BC and then got a Hunter up to 65.

Quit again and am thinking about coming back.

The problem I ran into both of those characters is one in the same: poor groupability. That may have changed since I had both of those characters, but it was so frustrating getting to 60 and not having any use in end game.

I have never been on a raid. I haven't seen ANY of the main bosses. It's frustrating knowing this whole "world of warcraft" is there that I haven't seen.

So I'm looking for suggestions as to what class to roll. I've never been a fan of pure caster classes (in DAoC I played a Skald and a Savage). My "requirements" are two-fold: In high demand for groups (both 5 man and large raids), and also viable in Arena PvP. I usually play on PvP servers, but I'm not sure if I want to do that this time.

I haven't followed any of the patches, nerfs, buffs, or anything since I quit.

Also, are there any relatively new medium-high population servers out there? I'd like to start out on one as least twinked as possible, if possible.

Thanks a lot everyone!

Sparknotes for the lazy:

Returning to the game, tired of playing classes that no one wants in groups.

- What class to roll that is both highly groupable and also viable in Arena PvP?

- Any relatively fresh servers to start on?

[ZaxGreia]

Feral druid is my first thought. Great tanks, decent dps, and can heal a little if necessary.

They do well in PvP too.

Hunters will soon be much more popular in PvP, especially arenas though - they're getting a 50% heal reduction effect added to Aimed Shot. Many people will want to try that out, and it will probably stick.

[Cutwolf]

Feral druid is my first thought. Great tanks, decent dps, and can heal a little if necessary.

They do well in PvP too.

Hunters will soon be much more popular in PvP, especially arenas though - they're getting a 50% heal reduction effect added to Aimed Shot. Many people will want to try that out, and it will probably stick.

How are in demand are feral druids for groups and raids? The idea of playing a Druid always intrigued me (I had a druid in diablo 2 and it was my favorite character in any RPG ever) but I never did it.

[ZaxGreia]

Feral druids can tank very well if you watch for the right gear (lots of +def leather available in TBC), and can do very well in the DPS department if correctly geared.

I always wanted to try a druid, so when my wife and I were separated by a major time difference, I decided to fill the time with druidity. My original reason for keeping him was druids were very poorly represented on almost every server. They were slow to level, not very useful as tanks or dps, though their healing and ancillary abilities were excellent.

For a while after TBC's release, druids were the preferred tanks. Things have evened out a bit, but druids are still sought-after for tanking most 5-mans. Many successful Arena groups also have feral druids, since they have some utility in other forms.

My favorite thing about them is that you can really do just about anything. If you feel like tanking, you can do that. If you want to heal, you can respec and do that. If you feel like distance nuking, that's another route you can go (moonkin). They're not the best at any of those jobs, but they give players the ability to diversify when/how they want.

I don't know that other classes have as much utility when it comes to PvE and PvP.

[Cutwolf]

What about for the large raids (the 25 mans and such or whatever it is these days)? Will Druids be systematically excluded for other classes?

I don't want to be the "if we can't find a <insert class here>, we'll take you Cutwolf" class. I want to one of the ones they're initially looking for. The "Man, it'd be great if Cutwolf was logged on right now, he'd really add to our raid" class.

I've been on the bad side of that with my Rogue and Hunter.

But I'm not sure how I'd feel about playing a cloth wearer. I never liked going down like a cheap prom date and I've never been very good at pure casters.

[MrBCorp]

Hmm... Hunter and Rogue, two of the most common classes. I checked my server I currently play on (with one of those data collecting mods) and those two classes have the highest number around.

Shamans are much more rare as are priests. I have not much knowledge of them, only druids, and I can tell you that they are fun to play, you're not pigeonholed into one role (since they're versatile) and they are sought after (well, at least, people will be happy to have you there). They are not the most common class so you won't be fighting necessarily for a spot or loot.

If you want groupability though, be prepared to be a healer or a tank, as there seems to be a bit more trouble finding these. One good thing about the druid is you can have more than one in a 5 man and this won't be a problem at all.

[Wintrow]

Yes, number 1 advice: be a tank
And if you can muster healing as much as tanking pick a druid or a paladin.
If you wanna raid-tank: pick druid or warrior
pally-tanks are a lot better now than they were before, but they struggle tanking beyond 5-man heroics. That is: you need to be very good AND have great gear.

A tanking druid that has some decent healing gear will ALWAYS have a spot in a raid.

[Your Average WoW Player]

Going with what was said above, I'd also recomend a Druid. If you can take the versatility and run well with, and be flexible, you shouldn't have too many problems getting groups for raids and instances.

All too often when I go for PuGs on my server I get myself and 2 other DPS trying to dig up a Tank and a Healer. If you're a good tank and/or a good healer (as a Druid) people will put you on their friends lists for future reference. I do it all the time. If I run an instance and I get a good tank, crowd controler or healer, I put them on my friends list so I can get healers and tanks easier.

As for a server, they haven't released any new servers since BC came out, so the youngest servers are the ones they released with BC, but at this time, going on 9, 10 months, those servers are probably getting settled in and developed. But should probably have enough alts/new players in them.

Also, as a side note, with patch 2.3 they are reducing the leveling for 20-60 by reducing the EXP needed for each level and increasing the EXP gotten from quests. Tho' 2.3 is at least 1 to 1.5 months out I'm guessing. So I wouldn't hold your breath, just a little food for thought.

[DrScience]

Try a Paladin. You don't like pure casters, you said - Pally is a nice mix of Melee and Mana, and they're in fairly high demand as they can fill two raid roles (kinda sorta) - healer and tank.

If all else fails try Warhammer Online :P

[Cutwolf]

Thanks a lot guys. What about my server question?

medium-high population, relatively new, good horde-alliance balance. Anything?

[Cutwolf]

Thanks a lot guys. What about my server question?

medium-high population, relatively new, good horde-alliance balance. Anything?

[Mallstrop]

Go for the BIG servers, a few of the smaller servers are struggling a bit at the moment, I'd always aim to join server with a high population.

[Cutwolf]

How is Quel'Dorei?

[DrScience]

im assuming you want a PVP server? Try Executus or Illidan - they both have a decent horde2alliance ratio, both have strong economies.

and they're both packed. once you get to endgame it will be hard for you to NOT be raiding :P