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Druid or Shaman? (former RDM from FFXI)Follow

#1 Dec 02 2004 at 6:06 AM Rating: Decent
Hello everyone,

While I have many questions ... I think I've narrowed my class down to either Shaman or Druid, just can't decide which.

For those of you who know of FFXI, I was a Red Mage. I absolutely loved the class. The fact that I could solo almost anything in the game, as well as I was the most desired for parties, HNM's, and the end game. I want an all around class that is good in melee, as well as spell casting. I'm going for the 'jack of all trades' character.

As well as, whats the best suited race for each class?

Thank you!
#2 Dec 02 2004 at 6:14 AM Rating: Decent
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1,494 posts
If you want a jack-of-all-trades, you probably want a Shaman, although Druids can do a heck of a lot themselves, too, if they use their shapeshifting abilities to full effect in combat.

As for which race... there's no right answer for that. Race has less of an effect than you'd think - the racial bonuses are minor perks. Pick what you like best, based either on the bonuses you like best, or the feel of the race.
#3 Dec 02 2004 at 6:15 AM Rating: Decent
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649 posts
If you ask me there is no jack'of'all trades in this game, you can however configure your character to be somewhat unique depending on what way you go down the talent tree.
And seeing as you say that you want someone that is good in melee and spellcasting, RDM is not good in melee tho, I'd suggest druid.

Druid has buffing spells and have a cat-form/bear-form they can transform into and melee/tank depending on form.
They also have alot of buffing spells aswell as being fairly profficient in CC (Crowd Controll) with spells such as root and mark of the wild.

The class mostly resembling druid would be shaman if you ask me though, they can buff themselves alot so they can do insane dmg, so if you go horde I suggest Druid or Shaman, alliance Druid or Paladdin.

Now I say paladin because they have some nice auras and spells which can save a PT many a times, he also dishes out some insane dmg depending on how you spent your talents.
#4 Dec 02 2004 at 6:19 AM Rating: Decent
So ... Druid is more melee/tanking and Shaman is more of a spellcaster?

Is Shaman able to melee well?

Which class is more desired for a party? As well as, which is better at playing solo? Which has the better or the two ... in by that, which is more desired for a party, as well as can go solo by themselves (like a rdm)
#5 Dec 02 2004 at 6:20 AM Rating: Decent
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4,520 posts
Both are fine choices. Shaman might be more to your likeing if you enjoyed rdm simply because they do not have to change forms to be a jack of all trades. Druids on the other hand are doing one thing at one time, with the chance to switch at different times.

Race, go with what your gut tells you. If you like the look of a strong orc draped in leather robes and garb go for it. If you like the skinny, lanky, more stylish look of a troll, go for it. Taurens are your only choice for druid so nothing to tell you there.

Starting stats are really insignificant. Racial abilities wont make or break you either.
#6 Dec 02 2004 at 6:25 AM Rating: Decent
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Quote:
Race, go with what your gut tells you. If you like the look of a strong orc draped in leather robes and garb go for it. If you like the skinny, lanky, more stylish look of a troll, go for it. Taurens are your only choice for druid so nothing to tell you there.


That's not quite true. Alliance has Night Elven Druids.
#7 Dec 02 2004 at 6:26 AM Rating: Decent
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He was choosing between shaman and druid, so it pretty much looked like he was going horde.
#8 Dec 02 2004 at 6:32 AM Rating: Decent
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You're making an assumption there - that he chose faction first. Based on this and his other thread, I'm guessing that he's looking to pick his character class first, then race second (he's coming from FFXI, where there's a clear-cut "Best race" for every class).
#9 Dec 02 2004 at 6:33 AM Rating: Decent
Horde seems to have all the classes I'd choose If I decide to change. So looks like Horde it is. Although I woulda liked to have been a Night Elf ... oh well.

So far, I think I'm gonna go with Shaman. ... Yet the shapeshifting ability looks to be alot of fun with the Druid. ARGH! Decisions
#10 Dec 02 2004 at 6:37 AM Rating: Decent
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I can't speak for Shamans - I haven't played one. However, I do have a Tauren Druid, and my girlfriend has a Night Elven Druid. It's a lot of fun... you get all sorts of interesting spells, and you are not at all weak. Someone who can flip back and forth from one form to another skillfully would be very strong as a Druid, and would probably be a very valuable party member.

For reference, Druids get a quest to earn their Bear form at 10, a Selkie (seal-like thing) at 15, and Great Cat at 20, if I remember correctly. So, by the time you get to Contested areas, you'll already have the necessary skills to fight or flee as needed.

Edit: And who says you have to pick just one? Multiple different characters make an MMO more interesting. I strongly suggest playing at least one Alliance and one Horde character (although not on the same server, if you're going PvP), so that you get more of the total game experience.

Edited, Thu Dec 2 06:38:49 2004 by Nekojin
#11 Dec 02 2004 at 6:38 AM Rating: Decent
Which class is ... more skilled so to say? I was without a doubt one of the best RDM's on my server. I like having multiple tasks to do at once. I like being relied upon, and I like showing off :)

How does that fit into my confusion of what class to play?
#12 Dec 02 2004 at 6:42 AM Rating: Decent
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Quote:
I like being relied upon, and I like showing off :)


Then I'd definitely say to go with a Druid. Imagine this:

You spot a monster you want to attack. You fire off several spells, causing it to run to you. When it gets to melee range, you switch to Bear form, being able to shrug off more punishment. One of your teammates gains aggro, so you switch to Cat form, and start ripping it up with powerful swipes of your paws, running it down as it runs away.

Druid is more flashy than Shaman, but harder to do effectively. If you really are one of the best RDM players around (I played an RDM myself), I would say to go with a Druid.
#13 Dec 02 2004 at 6:43 AM Rating: Decent
Awesome ... I think that just sold me on Druid :)

Hmmm, so now I can be alliance and go with Night Elf ... yet, Horde seems to offer more on the magic side of characters, which I usually enjoy more ...

#14 Dec 02 2004 at 6:46 AM Rating: Decent
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If you really want to experience the full range that the game has to offer, make a Night Elf Druid on one server, and a Shaman on another server. That way, you get to try out both classes and both factions.
#15 Dec 02 2004 at 6:47 AM Rating: Decent
Not a bad idea at all ... yet, I like to focus on one character. Well, FFXI was my only MMORPG ... but I stuck to RDM/BLM the whole time.
#16 Dec 02 2004 at 6:52 AM Rating: Decent
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Personally, I was a RDM/* utility player for my guild. I could fit pretty much any role needed at any time (but usually stuck with RDM/THF unless there was a reason to do something else).

Seriously, you can't really get the full feel of the game if you limit yourself to one faction. Play several characters from several different classes and races to level 10, at least, and you can easily (and quickly) get a feel for whether you like it or not.

A Dwarven Hunter and a Night Elf Hunter are the same class, and functionally the same for skills/spells/etc, but they play a bit differently.
#17 Dec 02 2004 at 6:53 AM Rating: Decent
Well ... you sold me on Druid ... which is the best class all around for it? As well as expandibility ... by that I mean, Alliance vs Horde ... Horde seems to offer more of the races I'd choose.
#18 Dec 02 2004 at 7:53 AM Rating: Decent
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Could've done a whee bit of research on this yourself you know...
Anyhow choices are Tauren for Horde and Night Elf for Alliance, only druid capable races. In terms of deciding alliance versus horde, consider whether you want to play along with paladins or shamans, as only allaince has paladins and only horde has shamans, both very popular and powerful classes.
#19 Dec 02 2004 at 10:08 AM Rating: Decent
Tauren druids will have more hp and strenght, NE have more agility and dodge better. Take your pick.

Personally I think shaman are more difficult/busier to play especially when you get to the point where they can have 4 seperate totems down at once. Figuring out which combo of totems works best and when to use them is a game in itself.

This game does not take the amazing amount of time FF did, just make both and enjoy yourself. I highly recommend making one alliance and one horde otherwise you are missing out on about half the content.
#20 Dec 03 2004 at 9:22 AM Rating: Decent
I really wouldn't compare druid to a rdm since druid is only like a rdm in casting form. I went with druid so i could be a cat and get prowl. I just like the idea of being able to play 3 different styles and not stuck healing,tanking,and nuking.
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