Vanguard: Saga of Heroes Forum » General Discussion » A few questions

I tried the trial a few weeks back but the computer I was using could not run it very well.  I just upgraded my computer and it should play Vanguard well.   However, I have a few questions before I start.  Any information will be appreciated.

1)  What is the best server to play on, I am playing for PvE so please do not suggest the PvP server.  By best I mean most populated throughout all levels.  Having a bunch of max level players will not help my leveling experience. 

2) What class to play.  I have been thinking about disciple, however, from what I have read it seems like a lot of people are playing that class.  I do not want to play a class that is overpopulated.  I will not play a ranged DPS class.  I like playing healers or tanks.  Usually healers.  My favorite classes are healer/melee classes that is why I think I want to play a disciple.  Can anyone tell me if there are a bunch of them running around. 

3) What is the class that is most needed in groups that is not overpopulated.  I prefer to group so playing a class groups need is one of the best ways to get in groups.  I am not looking for a strong soloing class.  If I have to solo a bunch in the game I will not play it for long no matter how easy or fast I can solo.

4) Let's be real is it to late to start the game now.  I mean is the economy so top heavy and the low levels filled with alts that it basically makes it a ridiculous task to start the game now.  Will I be able to start now an enjoy the game or will almost everything be stacked against me.

5)  It seems like the game is no longer receiving attention from SOE.  Am I walking in to a stagnant game that SOE is in the process of abandoning slowly? 

6)  Is there anything I should know before I give this game another try? 

I appreciate all helpful replies. 

Originally posted by MMOman101

I tried the trial a few weeks back but the computer I was using could not run it very well.  I just upgraded my computer and it should play Vanguard well.   However, I have a few questions before I start.  Any information will be appreciated.

 

1)  What is the best server to play on, I am playing for PvE so please do not suggest the PvP server.  By best I mean most populated throughout all levels.  Having a bunch of max level players will not help my leveling experience. 

Seradon

 

2) What class to play.  I have been thinking about disciple, however, from what I have read it seems like a lot of people are playing that class.  I do not want to play a class that is overpopulated.  I will not play a ranged DPS class.  I like playing healers or tanks.  Usually healers.  My favorite classes are healer/melee classes that is why I think I want to play a disciple.  Can anyone tell me if there are a bunch of them running around. 

They are pretty popular.  You might try a cleric.  Clerics unlike other games need to melee.  They have an ability that gives them energy from meleeing.  Clerics are also probably the best general healer. 

 

3) What is the class that is most needed in groups that is not overpopulated.  I prefer to group so playing a class groups need is one of the best ways to get in groups.  I am not looking for a strong soloing class.  If I have to solo a bunch in the game I will not play it for long no matter how easy or fast I can solo.

Like most games healer and tanks are going to be fundamental.  Psi and Bards are good for CC. 

 

4) Let's be real is it to late to start the game now.  I mean is the economy so top heavy and the low levels filled with alts that it basically makes it a ridiculous task to start the game now.  Will I be able to start now an enjoy the game or will almost everything be stacked against me.

There seems to be a steady stream of new people.  So I think it is still possible to have a fun experience.  The biggest challenge will be grouping when you get out of the trial.  Unlike the trial the VG world is huge and you need to know where to go to find people and have some good techniques for getting groups.  Standing around with lfg on will probably not cut it.  That said there are a lot of people available you just need to group up.  Even though the world is large the network of teleport rift stones and flying mounts makes getting anywhere pretty quick.

 

5)  It seems like the game is no longer receiving attention from SOE.  Am I walking in to a stagnant game that SOE is in the process of abandoning slowly? 

Soe is definitely not supporting this game in a big way.  It is clearly not one of "their" games.  The VG dev team is working hard to add content and keep the game growing but it isn't going to be on par with their premier games.

 

6)  Is there anything I should know before I give this game another try? 

It's improved quite a bit in the past couple years.  Join a guild like nooberific.  Kinda a silly name but it has a lot of people online.  Last night there were 27 people playing from like lvl 10-44.

 

I appreciate all helpful replies. 

Originally posted by ethion

Originally posted by MMOman101

2) What class to play.  I have been thinking about disciple, however, from what I have read it seems like a lot of people are playing that class.  I do not want to play a class that is overpopulated.  I will not play a ranged DPS class.  I like playing healers or tanks.  Usually healers.  My favorite classes are healer/melee classes that is why I think I want to play a disciple.  Can anyone tell me if there are a bunch of them running around. 

They are pretty popular.  You might try a cleric.  Clerics unlike other games need to melee.  They have an ability that gives them energy from meleeing.  Clerics are also probably the best general healer. 

 

What do you mean by "general healer"?

 

3) What is the class that is most needed in groups that is not overpopulated.  I prefer to group so playing a class groups need is one of the best ways to get in groups.  I am not looking for a strong soloing class.  If I have to solo a bunch in the game I will not play it for long no matter how easy or fast I can solo.

Like most games healer and tanks are going to be fundamental.  Psi and Bards are good for CC. 

 

 

When it comes to healers and tanks what class would you suggest from either that is not overpopulated?  Well I guess anyone can suggest. 

Very good follow up by Mmoman, I agree with everything he says.

Been playing for a few weeks, and I'm only a lv20, because I travel alot,

Vanguard is a great game, way better than I expected, in both performance and game play. I made my own post here on my thoughts, that many of you had read. Vanguard people are very mature, and helpful in chat and guilds.

"  IF " I find a group, I know I can count on both the Veterans and new players to be reliable. BUT the problem is finding groups. I may not be the best player but I am a master of getting groups together in all my mmo's.  I play on Shardon and tried a few guilds only to find that their all 50's, until I found the only guild I know of that has a mix of all levels called " nooberific ".   However they don't seem to play together a lot. With the exception of KE which is a popular mid teens dungeon.

I'm sure the dev team is working hard to fix this once broke Vanguard.  But I would recommend that they fix a game play problem such as the group and small group quest situation.  From level 12 to 20 I'm finding that I'm missing a lot of the very cool content because the cool stuff are the group orientated quest. And I'm left with the go kill x amount of wolf's and bring their hides back. I run out of single player content VERY fast in each zone.

The population is good enough that I see small pockets of teams of two and three doing group stuff.  But They seem to Ignore any humble attempt to join them. I'm not sure where the small teams are coming from.  My guess they are alt.s from the guilds that are made up of mostly 50's.

Last night I played for about an hour, and tried several methods of getting a group to do ANYTHING, All my attempts failed. I sat back for a bit and decided that this game is not for me, because I just don't have the time to devote into getting VERY social with people to the degree that Vanguard requires.

As much as I love the game I will not be subbing when the free month of June expires.

Hello MMOman;

Good points raised and some decent answers. As a returning player who left a couple of months after release, heres my ten pence worth (opinion).Regarding server, Seradon was suggested. Maybe i am not so observant but did you say you were US or European, as Halgar is a Euro server. If US then Seradon is best bet. Halgar has a good population and  most small groups seem happy to accomodate if you ask to join. Have been thru Veskals and just completed the Hunters league quests and had no problem finding or joining a group. Got to be patient now and again.

My Shaman is favourite for me. Can heal and melee reasonably well. As he is Rakur he can run like greased sh.t.

If your into crafting theres plenty like me who prefer to purchase a lot of their stuff. Crafting is good but does not float my boat. The game is really too big to be just owned by a few high levels so you should enjoy yourself as theres plenty of lower levels about. Although not top of Sonys priority list, the current Devs seem to put in a lot of work to maintain and improve the game. Dont be put off by the MMORPG.com trolls. I played at release and it was justifiably crap.... theres a lot of work gone into making it an awful lot better, so cant see Sony dumping it for a long time. Isle of Dawn has bought a new lease of life. I am really enjoying my return and no other mmo offers some of the fantastic landscapes and exploration this one does. Best of luck whatever you decide.                       Happy Shammy (Dread knight.. Disciple...Ranger...Necro)

Originally posted by MMOman101

Originally posted by ethion

Originally posted by MMOman101

2) What class to play.  I have been thinking about disciple, however, from what I have read it seems like a lot of people are playing that class.  I do not want to play a class that is overpopulated.  I will not play a ranged DPS class.  I like playing healers or tanks.  Usually healers.  My favorite classes are healer/melee classes that is why I think I want to play a disciple.  Can anyone tell me if there are a bunch of them running around. 

They are pretty popular.  You might try a cleric.  Clerics unlike other games need to melee.  They have an ability that gives them energy from meleeing.  Clerics are also probably the best general healer. 

 

What do you mean by "general healer"?

 

3) What is the class that is most needed in groups that is not overpopulated.  I prefer to group so playing a class groups need is one of the best ways to get in groups.  I am not looking for a strong soloing class.  If I have to solo a bunch in the game I will not play it for long no matter how easy or fast I can solo.

Like most games healer and tanks are going to be fundamental.  Psi and Bards are good for CC. 

 

 

 

When it comes to healers and tanks what class would you suggest from either that is not overpopulated?  Well I guess anyone can suggest. 

 

 

Anyone?

General healer meaning they have the best hp bufs and single target healing.   The cleric is also best armored and can take hits best.  Unlike other games though the healer doesn't sit in the back but rather is right up in the fight meleeing.  Some melee ability regen energy and some even proc heals for the group.   So a cleric that is sitting back isn't doing there job.

If you like to sit back and play a healer that is more like a caster the bloodmage is good.  They work with life taps, heal transfers, symbiots and other strange things.  They have cloth armor and can take hits pretty fast and are best staying back and doing their spell casting.

Shaman have the best stat bufs and are also good healers.  Shaman have dots and debufs and a pet to boot.  Very fun class.

Disciple is a martial arts healer.  They use jin to build up powerful attacks and abilities.  They can do heals like other healers but they also have various heal over time abilities tied to martial arts moves.  These abilities make them unique in that a disciple can heal using martial abilities that use endurance and not energy.  So in a long fight where energy might become an issue for other healers the disciple can use martial heals and conserve energy more.

Here is a link with some guilds that give some details on the classes.  www.tentonhammer.com/vanguard/guides

Thanks for the link.

I think I have done a very poor job of explaining my class question.

Ultimately, I want to group as much as possible. I want to run dungeons and cooperate with people to achieve tasks together. I understand that to get in groups a player needs to play a class that fits a certain criteria. Now I understand that many classes are desired. What I am trying to figure out is what is the one class that many players find lacking in the game and want in groups? I can read all of the class descriptions and skills there are but knowing what current groups are most looking for will go a long way in helping me garner the greatest game play experience I can. The only way I can find this data though is to communicate with current players.

My personal preference is towards healers that also melee. I have read up on the forums and feel I have a basic understanding of all of the classes.   I also like playing tanking classes. If tanks are most in demand I would rather play a tank and the tanking class that is most desired. If healers are in demand and one healer in particular then that is the class I would like to play. If there is another class that is not one of these I am very willing to try that one.

In short what is the class that most people find wanting in groups? 

If you like to group, play a Tank. Paladin might be the best choice, because they are the most group oriented (can do some healing, too, but has lowest dps of all tanks when solo).

Finding groups is more a problem of population than of what is wanted.

Theres some people who are hardcore in Vanguard and always want to play the best classes. They will want to get tank, 2 healers, bard, 2 dps groups only. But in general people are quite laid back in Vanguard.

1. Best server is Halgar for EU. For US, both PvE servers have about the same population.

2. Always play the class you like to play. Disciples isnt that frequent, even if that has changed a bit lately. OTOH they where extremely rare in the past.

3. Bards are always too rare. Of course often Tanks and Healers are missing too. All in all I wished Bards would be somewhat nerfed or redefined so they wouldnt be so required for optimal groups.

4. Um, I have no idea why it would be too late to start with Vanguard. If you want to be top equipped hardcore raider, well that will take some while, depending upon your skills to get into one of the hardcore raider guilds. Otherwise you have a really extremely large gameworld with endless quests. If xp is not your goal, but rather having fun, Vanguard has a ton of it.

5. Vanguard isnt stagnant but its dev team is definitely too small. As is the overall population (only 4 servers).

6. Start your characters on Isle of Dawn and level them all to 10 in adventuring, diplomacy and crafting. Get the Isle of Dawn charm (from the main adventuring questline) and the 20 slot diplomacy bag (saves a lot of space later, as some quest items can be stored in it).

Err, Clerics arent the "best healer" at all. My main is a Cleric, and I play Shaman and Blood Mage alts.

Sure, they have some advantages compared to other healer classes, but so do the other classes have advantages over Cleric. And Clerics have an awful problem, really low mana regeneration compared to each and every other healer class out there. Shamans have impressing energy regeneration from various abilities, Disciples have their Jin heals and also can regenerate Mana from Jin, and Blood Mage have their strong health to energy conversions which allows them to keep full health as long as they use it whenever its up.

If massive constant healing is required, you are better off with any other healer but Cleric.

Shaman is best in this respect. But Shaman has an awful aggro problem, because they get no deaggro skill at all.

Blood Mage, on the other hand, doesnt only have a decent deaggro skill, they are also the most aggro friendly healer as long as they stay in offensive and use their lifetaps, instead of the "classic" heals.

A word about Disciple: I dont play this healer class (yet), but they have very little buffs. They have very good dps, though, and they can kick stances, push aggro to the tank, and have an (unreliable) Fake Death skill. They also need to use special sequences of attacks to put on "endowments", which are single target buffs they put on their defensive target (usually the tank) and only last for 2 minutes (so you have to reapply them all the time). Also, they are the most melee focussed healer class.

If I would have to choose my favorite healer class, that would be Blood Mage. They need maybe even more skill to be played well (but even Cleric needs a lot of skill to be played well ), but then they rock.

Thanks for the reply Adamantine.

As far playing a difficult class goes, I am not worried about that at all.  How hard can any class really be to play? 

So are you saying the Bloodmage, or a one of the tanking classes is what is the way to go for group oriented play?  I looked at Shaman a bit back but people were saying that they were the worst of the healing classes for grouping.  Thanks everyone for your time.

I will be playing on th US servers.

Anyone else have anymore input? 

This game is a bit more complex than the standard MMO; it is not so simple as the "best" healer with the "best" tank, etc.

For example you mentioned the Shaman; well there are three different Shamans, bear, wolf, and bird. Which one do you mean? They all play differently, with different powers and different growth paths. Other classes also have different paths.

My recommendation is to play what you like: healer, nuker, tank, melee attacker, etc, and pick the one you like. Play a few different types to lvl 10 or 14, and you will get a good feel for the class you like. Then get really good at it, and you will be needed in the endgame raids.

Oh, you'll be surprised. Theres quite a lot of details you have to consider in playing Blood Mage, and I heard Disciple is probably the most complex class of them all. Cleric and Shaman are much more straightforward, but have an ambundance of abilities too.

By design all tank and healer classes are intended to be equal in their overall tanking and healing power. And I think this design goal has definitely been reached. Or to word it differently: the complains of all classes are about equal in loudness hehe.

They do however perform differently in different situations.

For example, Cleric:

A mob that requires constant high healing is when a Cleric will perform very poor compared to other healers, because their abilities to regenerate mana are quite limited.

However, a mob that does overall less damage, but randomly raises aggressive spike attacks, will make the Cleric at level 50+ shine, because they get by far the best quickheal in the game - one button press and your tank is from near death back to full health, and that ability is only on a 8 secs recast timer, too. And this ability isnt even such a mana sucker, too, I might add.

A different scenario: the mage is under attack. The best healer for this situation is Shaman, because their quickheal also gives a short time damage immunity.

The reason I like Blood Mage is not because they are the superior healer overall, but because I like how the class is played, how the healing is done and what are its conditions and limits, and the simple fact this is the maximum dps healer that actually contributes to group dps in a noticeable way. For example, Blood Mage can take away part of the damage that is done on the tank, which means they practically give the tank a hefty bonus on what maximum damage they can take.

@Olepi: While Shamans differ greatly in respect to buffs, special abilities, and defense, their overall performance in respect to healing is similar, and in raids quite frankly exactly equal, at least as long as Bear and Wolf get buffed by a Psionicist which gives them the Energy Regeneration buff the Phoenix has himself (and sadly Psi and Phoenix energy regen buffs are very much the same in power and dont stack).

Originally posted by page

Last night I played for about an hour, and tried several methods of getting a group to do ANYTHING, All my attempts failed. I sat back for a bit and decided that this game is not for me, because I just don't have the time to devote into getting VERY social with people to the degree that Vanguard requires.

As much as I love the game I will not be subbing when the free month of June expires.

The problem is that due to the huge nature of the world, the game really is better for people in established guilds, people who actually spend the time to find and join established guilds or people who are soloers by nature (i.e. "me").

This game is absolutely perfect for me. I see people in guilds but I go and do my own thing in what is a vast and unexplored world.

I love it.

My advice is that if a person does not fall into one of those 3 criteria then the game would not be for them. I could be off about this but as a soloer I don't spend time looking for group so it never is an issue. And I do see people in guilds doing things.

I think the days of LFG and finding pick up groups in many games is over. People find clans/Guilds and then they can do the grouping they like or they are more interested in a vibrant, living game world and otherwise prefer to find their own adventures.