Creating first character help...

[Fobody_Namus]

Hi everyone, I thought I'd made my mind up about what class I wanted to play in WoW (I will start playing later this year once I've got a new laptop) but now I'm back to square one 9well not square one I've narrowed it down a bit).

I have read the sticky thread about this and it has helped to a certain extent but I still feel i need a bit more advice.

So I've decided that I want to be a Troll... luckly enough the classes I am considering are both available to Trolls. The main two I am considering are Hunter and shaman :undecided::

I am swayed towards Shaman because I have heard it has more end game oppertunities than Hunter (is this true?) but I feel I will enjoy playing Hunter more. It does bother me slightly that the Hunter is overplayed but that alone would not stop me choosing it. In previously played mmorpgs/rpgs I have prefered melee to magic as I have ben somewhat better at it.

I like the idea of having a pet to help me out but I would like to know; is range easy to use? Because on some mmorpgs/rpgs I have found range difficult to use and get on target with. Also I hate always having to spend money on arrows, I prefer a wepon that lasts. I would also like to know what roles (if any) the Hunter can fill in raids and group arena matches? Also how good is Hunter in pvp?

For the role of shaman I would also like to know; is casting spells easy to get on target and stuff (sorry i hate using the word "stuff" but it had to be done...)? Also how good is the shaman at melee and does it have good health? and of course what roles can the shaman fill in arena group matches and raids? Is the shaman good in pvp? and are there good end game oppertunities for shaman?

Well thats what i want to know and i will be very grateful if someone could help me.

[elsegundo]

Hi everyone, I thought I'd made my mind up about what class I wanted to play in WoW (I will start playing later this year once I've got a new laptop) but now I'm back to square one 9well not square one I've narrowed it down a bit).

I have read the sticky thread about this and it has helped to a certain extent but I still feel i need a bit more advice.

So I've decided that I want to be a Troll... luckly enough the classes I am considering are both available to Trolls. The main two I am considering are Hunter and shaman :undecided::

I am swayed towards Shaman because I have heard it has more end game oppertunities than Hunter (is this true?) but I feel I will enjoy playing Hunter more. It does bother me slightly that the Hunter is overplayed but that alone would not stop me choosing it. In previously played mmorpgs/rpgs I have prefered melee to magic as I have ben somewhat better at it.

I like the idea of having a pet to help me out but I would like to know; is range easy to use? Because on some mmorpgs/rpgs I have found range difficult to use and get on target with. Also I hate always having to spend money on arrows, I prefer a wepon that lasts. I would also like to know what roles (if any) the Hunter can fill in raids and group arena matches? Also how good is Hunter in pvp?

For the role of shaman I would also like to know; is casting spells easy to get on target and stuff (sorry i hate using the word "stuff" but it had to be done...)? Also how good is the shaman at melee and does it have good health? and of course what roles can the shaman fill in arena group matches and raids? Is the shaman good in pvp? and are there good end game oppertunities for shaman?

Well thats what i want to know and i will be very grateful if someone could help me.
you seem to have done your homework.
here's a few things to consider:
hunters are usually ranged attackers, with some abilities in melee. your playstyle is really determined by which tree you choose to go to. but no matter the case, you'll still be using your ranged attacks more than anything. also note that your pet will be an asset to you, as you'll find yourself dependent on your pet more than other things.

with your quesiton about targeting, you cant really miss. this game isnt a FPS where you have to get your target in your crosshairs. you target whatever is in front of you, and with your mouse, you can target whatever's behind you. to shoot something, they have to be in front of you (full 180 degree range in front of you), and you'll more than likely hit than miss. its basically set and forget. you'll be amazed at how easy it is to target and then shoot it. for you to attack something, you must have it targeted. heck, i target with the TAB key. its easier than sipping coffe.

as with pets, your pet doesnt just help you out, as if he was just part of your arsenal. for most hunters, they're pretty useless outside of instances without their pets. im sure a few hunters will flame me for that, but in all seriousness, most hunters cant function properly without their pets. its essential.

and about casting spells, yes its just like targeting with a hunter. its super easy to target. you simple TAB to target something, or use your mouse. once you see a red circle below them, you know they are targetted. then unload your attacks. they wont miss unless the mob is a bit higher level than you. again, casting spells is not like in an fps, unless you're doing an area of effect spell, which requires you to pick an area to send firey arrows. some AOE spells originate from the caster, meaning the middle of it is where the caster is standing. you cant miss unless they're out of your range.


for the questions on end game roles for both hunters and shamans, and arenas and such, i'll leave that to more experienced people to answer.

[Your Average WoW Player]

For end game:

All classes have end game opportunities in PvP and PvE alike. Some more then others given the general class makeup. With WoW, a lot of it comes down to player skill more then anything. A guild might not have a lot of use for a Hunter, but if the Hunter in question knows how to trap and keep a Mob under control with traps, then there's a higher chance that Hunter will get into a good guild then if all they did was sit back and shoot.

For some classes, like the Shaman, a lot of it can come down to which talent spec they've taken. Healers are ALWAYS in demand and taking Restoration spec can raise your chances at getting into a good guild... Why? Healers are needed, and if you're a good healer, you'll have good chances. That's not to say that Enhancement and Elementalism Shamans aren't needed. In fact, casters like Mages and Locks absolutely love Elementalism Shamans because of the Totems we're more then likely to drop. Totem of Wrath = +3% spell crit. Wrath of Air Totem = +100 Spell Damage and healing. But you really don't need a lot of Elementalism Shamans one will do to satisfy the needs. In that case, again, it comes down to player skill. A Shaman who just drops totems and nukes, is going to be less desired then one who will nuke, but will also interrupt casts at the right moments, and will pick up with healing if need be. It's not all that uncommon for me to heal every now and again.

For hunters and ammo: Yes, you do need to buy ammo, but the weapon is permanent. It's not like you buy a Gun and it has 1000 shots before you have to replace it. However, as time wares on, you'll find that ammo isn't all that much of a concern, and if you're good about your funds, then ammo won't be all that much of a concern.

In PvP especially, player skill can make a huge difference. Even when taking gear into account. Knowing the tricks of the trade of your class can more often then not be the difference of getting pasted and pasting. Even if you have superior gear, if you don't know how to the play your class, it's not all that rare of a sight to get slaughtered by someone in inferior gear.

In the end in WoW, a lot of it is the person sitting behind the keyboard staring at the monitor playing the game. I for example suck as a Rogue. I can't get past level 20 with one because I can't solo with them, and I do a lot of soloing whilst leveling up. On the other hand, I'm pretty good with a shaman. I'm in the upper parts of the Damage meters, and if need be, I can, will and do heal.

What would I recommend? Go with what you like, rather then what will get you in the big endgame. That will come in time. If you like meleeing, go with an Enhancement specced Shaman. They're a good melee class in PvE (although I will note, they lack greatly in PvP, but you periodically will get Enhancement Shamans in the Battlegrounds who will lay waste to all opposition) If you're happy with what you choose, you'll be better with it in the long run as you'll be like "Hey, this is pretty cool! I like this! I should learn how to be better so I can like it even more!". So go with what you like. It will have bigger pay offs.

[Fobody_Namus]

Thank you to both people who have posted replys they will definetly help me and thank you for going into detail.

[Zendarin]

Thank you to both people who have posted replys they will definetly help me and thank you for going into detail.

Hmmm... hunter or shaman eh?

Well the hunter is considered to be "EZ mode" by most people. Probably the easiest class to play and solo - but at the same time one of the hardest classes to master and be able to play well. This means that there are a LOT of very bad hunters out there which has led to an unfair reputation.

A hunter that is truly well played on the other hand can be a great asset to a raid.

If you prefer a ranged DPS class this would be a viable option.

If you like melee and going toe to toe the Enhancement shaman absolutely rocks and is a real blast to play. Not only does a dual wielding enh shaman do great damage but they also bring great utility to a group with totems that make all the other classes perform better.

Enhancement is the recommended leveling spec.

In end game you can stay enh or you have the option of switching to ranged DPS (elementalism) which also brings a lot of utility to the group, or going resto which makes you a very desirable healer for groups and raids.

I can't help you when it comes to PVP as this is something I don't engage in much but hopefully this gives you some insight.

Bottom line though is exactly what others have said - the most important thing is which one you have fun playing.

Try playing both classes to 30 to get a good feel for them. Shaman gets a big jump at 20 when you get ghost wolf form (30% speed increase) but really begins to shine post 40 when you get DW - Hunter gets their pet at lvl 10 but is a lot of fun from the start if you like guns :D

[teacake]

Regarding ammo if you take Engineering as a profession you can make your own bullets which are better than the ones you can buy at the vendor. You need mining for this to be cost effective. Engineering is expensive to level though so if this is your first toon you might want to pick two gathering professions so you have plenty of gold.

[Fobody_Namus]

ok thank you everyone.