EQ Classes: Guide for Returning Players and Beginners
Choosing a class is one of the biggest decisions you can make when playing an MMO. EverQuest offers sixteen to choose from. Having that many choices can be daunting, especially if you’re not new to the game and are unsure how they’ll perform. You start to ask questions such as ‘what classes are best for a beginner?’, ‘which ones are good for soloing or group raids?’, and ‘which EQ classes are the best DPS/tank/healer?’ to help you get a better perspective.
All of these are valid questions to ask. They will help you find the class with which you can gain the most success. So whether you’re a returning player or a complete beginner, read on for the answers to those questions and more!
Table of Contents
What are the different EQ classes and what are the roles they play?
Tanks
- The role of tanks is to take the aggro, basically making the enemies target them. In turn, they keep the rest of the party alive so they can do their respective jobs. They usually have high HP and defense to endure all the hurt. While they can dish out damage, it’s not a priority for them. Tanks are actually the cornerstone of a group. An incomplete group with a tank will generally perform better than a more complete group without a tank.
- Tanking Classes: Warrior, Paladin, Shadowknight
DPS
- DPS is an acronym that means ‘damage per second’. These classes are your main source of damage. The tradeoff is they’re less durable than your tanks and go down in one to three hits of a boss. Of course, they have skills to offset that weakness and can solo with the right builds.
- DPS Classes: Beastlord, Berserker, Monk, Ranger, Rogue
Casters
- Casters are the least durable classes, often going down in one hit. However, they’re the most versatile and powerful classes in the game. Depending on their builds, they can work as a back-up supporter/tanker or straight-up DPS.
- Caster Classes: Magician, Necromancer, Wizard
Support (Healing, CC, Utility)
- These do a variety of other actions to support the party. Whether they heal, buff, pull mobs, or do crowd control, having them on the team spells success or defeat. Good support keeps your friends alive and in good health while maximizing damage output. They’re great for those who want to stay back from the front lines. On the downside, these classes can’t solo very well (except for Druids). They’re best played with a group and have high demand because of that.
- Support Classes: Cleric, Druid, Shaman, Bard, Enchanter
What EQ classes are best for a beginner?
Generally, the best classes are the ones that are straightforward and meant to play a certain role. Warriors, Magicians, and the DPS classes are good starting classes. Some of those may have a gentle learning curve to deal with, such as Rouges and Monks. However, compared to the sheer drop of trying out a Bard, that curve is nothing.
What EQ classes are good for soloing/groups?
Versatile or hybrid classes are often the classes that can solo without major problems. Examples of those include Druids, Rangers, and Magicians. Some other classes can only solo with either high levels or very good gear.
What race should I pick?
Your character’s race, in the long term, doesn’t affect your class too much, other than appearance and class availability. Some races won’t allow certain classes, such as Dwarves not being able to become Rangers. What you can do is pick a class you want then choose the race. Otherwise, you can do the reverse and pick a race then choose from the available classes.
Conclusion
To get the best class for you, you should first figure out what you want to do. Do you want to tank, deal damage, or support your team? Ultimately, your preference will decide which EQ classes will work best for you. Research is your friend. Get the opinions of your friends or veteran players. You can even look at rankings to see which are the most popular classes and choose from those.That’s how you pick your class to play. Remember that the most important thing is to enjoy your choice. Have fun playing EverQuest!
