Choosing a class

Sinatron

Just starting the game and a little overwhelmed. Can anyone give advice on choosing a class please? I don't know how much grouping there is in the game, etc. What is best healer class?

the1andonlyskwex

Unfortunately for you, the best or most fun class is very much a matter of personal preference. You'll probably have to try all of the classes (and level them to 40+) before you really have a sense of which one you like best.

Also, there's been some really terrible advice about group content in this thread. You can queue for group dungeons as soon as level 10, and if that content interests you, there's absolutely no reason to wait (especially not to CP300).

Base game normal dungeons (which are the only ones a low level character can queue for) are a great way to get experience and gear while leveling (especially from the random daily). They're also plenty easy for a new player to contribute in (and even if you can't contribute much, the rest of the group can probably carry you and maybe you'll learn something in the process).

El_Borracho

Sinatron wrote: »

I fooled around the first 3 levels with warden, necro and sorc. Likely not enough to judge anything. I like all three. I thought warden maybe, but necro intrigues me.

Necro is one of the harder DDs to manage. Its sustain can be spotty at times and the way the damage works with the tether, corpse management, and general clunkiness of the skills can be tough at first. The self-healing is also unlike other classes. With that said, I like playing with the necro, both stamina and magicka. If you like it, go for it. Its a beast in DPS once you can figure out the rotation and is always in demand in group play due to its ultimate and group-friendly skills. Also makes for a pretty solid tank if you ever go that route.

El_Borracho

Easiest class to play is also one of the preferred healer classes: Magplar. Alcast, Tamriel Foundry, and Dottz all have builds that you can try out; just keep in mind that solo builds are typically much different than builds meant for group play. Gear farming sub-CP 160 "endgame" gear will be useless once you reach level CP 160, but you can if you want to reconstruct it later with the sticker book.

As for group content, you won't be very effective at damage or healing until CP 300, at the very least. Focus on just having fun doing overland stuff. Learn how skills work, light attack weaving, mechanics of basic bosses, etc. I'd recommend playing the main story line and area story lines to amass skill points early on. Unlocking zones is a good idea now as you will be travelling back to them frequently.

You can certainly do normal group dungeons once you get past Level 50 if you want to try out group content. But I'd avoid DLC dungeons until later, even some of the normal DLCs can be tough. And stay out of trials until you have some idea of how skills work and can do a basic DD rotation.

oterWitz

El_Borracho wrote: »

Easiest class to play is also one of the preferred healer classes: Magplar. Alcast, Tamriel Foundry, and Dottz all have builds that you can try out; just keep in mind that solo builds are typically much different than builds meant for group play. Gear farming sub-CP 160 "endgame" gear will be useless once you reach level CP 160, but you can if you want to reconstruct it later with the sticker book.

As for group content, you won't be very effective at damage or healing until CP 300, at the very least. Focus on just having fun doing overland stuff. Learn how skills work, light attack weaving, mechanics of basic bosses, etc. I'd recommend playing the main story line and area story lines to amass skill points early on. Unlocking zones is a good idea now as you will be travelling back to them frequently.

You can certainly do normal group dungeons once you get past Level 50 if you want to try out group content. But I'd avoid DLC dungeons until later, even some of the normal DLCs can be tough. And stay out of trials until you have some idea of how skills work and can do a basic DD rotation.

All this is good advice. I'd also add that I highly recommend you try a few different classes to see if you prefer how one feels and plays. Wardens and Necromancers also make very good healers, though you may not have access to the latter depending on what version of the game you bought (came with Elsweyr chapter or bought separately now).

Everyone feels overwhelmed at first Reading through guides here will help, and I'd also recommend joining a guild that advertises as being friendly for new players. They'll show you the ropes and are a great source of people to run group content with if that is what you are interested in.

Sinatron

I fooled around the first 3 levels with warden, necro and sorc. Likely not enough to judge anything. I like all three. I thought warden maybe, but necro intrigues me.

Sinatron

Is there a decent population on NA server?

Sinatron

Are warden and sorc much in demand?

the1andonlyskwex

Sinatron wrote: »

Are warden and sorc much in demand?

It probably depends on the content you want to do. For most content, any class can do any role just fine and people won't really be all that picky.

For really high end trials stuff, there are preferred classes, but those preferences tend to change from one patch to the next (although Templars and Wardens are pretty consistently the most sought after healers, and Dragonknights are the most sought after tanks).

For PvP, Sorcerer and Warden are both very strong, at the moment.

ixthUA

Templar is the best healer. Warden is about buffs/debuffs.

ZOS_Adrikoth

There is some solid advice in here, thanks for taking the time to help out folks.

Sinatron

I settled on Necromancer and am loving it. Need to find guild now.

Athan1

Warden is the best all-rounder and beginner-friendly class. Templar is also an excellent choice for beginners. These two classes are the meta healers too.