Whats a good newbie class?Follow

This question is asked fairly often, and it usually gets the same general responses.

I'm going to suggest http://eq.castersrealm.com for your specific class information. They have good creation guides explaining the basics of each class, as well as a bunch of player submitted strategies for each one.

For my personal choice, I would recommend a beastlord to a new player. They do a bit of everything, from summoning pets and casting spells to getting down and dirty with hand to hand combat. Not to mention they are nice groupmates and powerful soloists all the way to 65.

Quite simply, you are probably not going to stick with your first 2 or 3 characters past level 10 or 15. Take the time to experiment with different things, and pick the one you like the most.

Remember that the roots of Everquest are very much embedded in the Role Playing world.

Many different aspects of the game will make more sense to you if you remember to look at it from this point of view.

From a role playing perspective you would choose the class and race you want to play, based on the role you imagine your self playing out over the lifetime of the character.

Also remember that this is a game about a never ending journey. There is no final objective or "boss" to kill or "title" to achieve, it is more about the ongoing development of your character.

So, you could start by asking yourself;

Do I want to play the role of a "good" or "evil" character, perhaps you would rather be more neutral?

(Your choice of god to worship might be influenced by wher you choose to be on the good - evil scale).

Do you want to play a role that is more "independant" able to get by without a lot of help from others?

Would you prefer to be more of a "supportive" type of character, someone who is more "caring" and prepared to help others in need.

Do you like the idea of close up combat, getting down and dirty duking it out in the front line?

Or, do you prefer the idea pf playing the part of someone who stands back out of the 'fray using their magic skills to play their part in the battle?

Would the role of someone who like to mess with other people's heads appeal to you, being able to manipulate thoughts and control minds?

If you decided that the "evil" path is the way for you, would the idea of being able to raise the dead to serve you as slaves be appealing?

Or, would being able to sneak around and hide out of sight of people around you, always attacking from behind to inflict the most harm, be more to your liking?

Etc, start off by thinking this way and you will find the combination of class and race that will give you great enjoyment.

A lot of folks hereabouts are gonna recommend starting with a caster like a Necro or an Enchanter. Others will tell you that you should go with a Paladin or a Monk or maybe just a generic fighter type and they'll all have good reasons and evidence to back these choices up.

However, I think that if you're trying to get an idea of how to apply various game mechanics and get comfortable with the basics of just playing, the most well rounded character in the game as well as one of the easiest to get started and keep moving upward has got to be the Ranger.

You'll get to dual wield (weapon in each hand) at level 17 and use a bow as soon as you can afford one. Bow-kiteing (bringing the bad guys to you instead of chasing them across the field) is A LOT of fun and the technique will make you valuable in a group as well as while soloing.

You'll get your first set of spells at level 9 and by that point, you'll be ready for them instead of being overwhelmed by them. And tracking is flat out, one of the most useful skills in the game.

You're even able to forage which means that everywhere you go, you'll be collecting useful things which can be used by you or sold to others.

But most important of all, Rangers are FUN to play! They do fine soloing and are valuable assets in either duo or group.

Personally I'd go with Human (Oh, wait... that's what I did!) but Half-Elf would work out just as well. Choose one of these and you'll start out in SureFall Glades which is a good home base for a new player. A ranger in any other of the available races is also doable. Any way you slice it, rangers are just a flexable, viable character class.

Good luck and welcome to the loony bin!

w00t, go BSTs :) Refer to the -Best Solo Class- thread I started just below to view different people's opinions on which class is the best solo class