Hi guys. Just a warning: this is too long. Thanks for any help though.
I recently came back to mmorpgs after a few year break (originally played EQOA (ps2), Shaddowbane (PC), FFXI (PC). Anyway about a month ago I picked up WoW, and I'm really frustrated with my experience so far. The game is extremely basic, and I know I'm only level 50, and that things will get better from 50-70 and at endgame, but the game is just so basic and easy that I'm afraid I will continue having the problems I'm having. Which all center around grouping. Almost every group I have is a bunch of DPS classes (usually even the tank and sometimes the healer are spec'd for dps, whichever one of the two I'm not) who do nothing but spam damage meters in the chat and drain mana/energy in the first two seconds of the fight trying to top the meter. Of course the game is so easy it doesn't matter. Except every once and a while we get to a tough boss and do it of course, then we wipe, and I, always tanking or healing, get the blame. It's funny, they can never refrain from poking fun of my DPS as tank or healer either. It's almost impossible to convince anyone to do anything challenging, because that's not the best way to boost your dps.
Now when I played EQOA and FFXI the game was never about stuff like this. It actually seemed kind of adventurous, was almost always fun, and the best part was the challenge of grouping in tough dungeons. So after reading around a little I've decided to try EQ2 instead (I need to wait a week or two to buy a new computer, however).
I've already read everything I can and searched all over the internet and read the stickies and I have a few further questions/clarifications:
1. I just want to verify that the game is more challenging. It is obviously more complex, from what I've read, and I'm excited about the complexity. But is grouping more challenging? Is going into a dungeon with a group generall risky/exciting/difficult? Is it challenging enough to make some understand their class and game mechanics to succeed?
2. How does pvp work? It sounds like it is good v. evil teams. Can one talk or no between factions? Are there any totally unrestricted pvp servers? Are there any rewards/penalties for pvp?
3. I am going to play a Coercer for my main. I remember an enchanter in EQOA (I was a Bard) whom I was always jealous of and want to give dedicated CC a try. I've read a lot about all classes being welcome and that's good news. What I want to verify is that Coercer's are not only welcome in groups, but get to use their CC often and in important/difficult situations. Also, do they charm mobs while grouping alot?
4. I am also going to try an Inquisitor as an alt because I like healing. But, I love tanking, and I would probably love playing a tank char also, but judging from the forums, Fighters might outnumber mages like 10 to 1. Is this true? Are there too many fighters in the game already? Enough tanks to go around?
5. Are their too many Necromancers? I've never played a DPS class in my life, but I love the idea of evil, pets, dots and I've kind of always had a hankering for necs. But by the posts in the mage forum (and simple common sense), I'm guessing they might be as prevalent as Hunters in WoW. Is this true?
6. I know this is almost backwards from what one normally hears, but can one get to 70 relatively easily ONLY grouping? Groups are what I play for. So is it easy to get in groups and/or good groups for exp?
7. Can anyone suggest a good RP PVP server?
8. Can this be played on a Mac? (I can't find anything so I'm assuming no).
Sorry about the really long post. Thanks for any advice/questions, and I look forwrod to playing EQ2 in a couple weeks.