Question - 6-boxer: SK + SHM vs PAL + DRU (1 Viewer)

[Yaguex]

A bit of house cleaning first:

1) I play on EMU server.
2) Im a 6-boxer, and love to code my own automations and character synergies in Lua.
3) Only play the pre-60 game, Classic, Kunark and Velius. Old school stuff only.
4) Only play dungeon crawls, which is my type of fun. I dont care for raids, speed leveling or uber gear.

So, for this particular play-through (1 to 60), I am going for a classic group: Tank, Cleric, Enchanter, DPS, Support. I have filled 4 spots so far: CLR, BST, BRD and ENC. Those 4 classes are non-negotiable for this particular group.

So, I am missing the Tank and the Support...

I am debating between SK + SHM vs PAL + DRU. I am leaning for PAL (emergency healing or LoH in an emergency situation) + DRU (snare, nukes, secondary heals, thorns and, very importantly, succor). However, SK (snare, lifetaps, aggro) + SHM (secondary heals and slow) is also a strong combo. Since I like to venture deep in dungeons above my level where yellow and red mobs dwell, the Succor spell tilts the advantage to PAL + DRU.

The #1 problem I have is that when I 6-box a SHM, he usually ends up providing little value other than Slow: no DPS and hardly any support capabilities (other than slow) to an already well supported group (CLR, ENC, BST and BRD). Plus, the ENC, BRD and BST can provide some degree of Slow if needed anyway.

So, what you guys say: SHM + SK or PAL + DRU, given the other 4 classes I have already picked?

 

[RobRenfro]

I would look towards a Monk or Rogue over a Druid. And for tank I'm a Pally guy as well with the extra healing. You seem to be defensive minded like me. But you need a little offense that's where the Monk or Rogue comes in. I hate to leave a Shaman out of a group but you have most of his stuff covered with the Beastlord and Enchanter. And a sub 60 Shaman you have to live on Regen and manual Cannis a lot of them. You would have to devote your time to that.

 

[durango773]

I would look towards a Monk or Rogue over a Druid. And for tank I'm a Pally guy as well with the extra healing. You seem to be defensive minded like me. But you need a little offense that's where the Monk or Rogue comes in. I hate to leave a Shaman out of a group but you have most of his stuff covered with the Beastlord and Enchanter. And a sub 60 Shaman you have to live on Regen and manual Cannis a lot of them. You would have to devote your time to that.

Also monks in that era are hoss..

 

[Yaguex]

I would look towards a Monk or Rogue over a Druid. And for tank I'm a Pally guy as well with the extra healing. You seem to be defensive minded like me. But you need a little offense that's where the Monk or Rogue comes in.

Thank you for the helpful response! Do you think that a SK in the classic, pre-AA, pre-epic world has a meaningful DPS edge over a PAL? Otherwise, I guess I'd probably extract more value out of the PAL due to side-heals?

 

[durango773]

Thank you for the helpful response! Do you think that a SK in the classic, pre-AA, pre-epic world has a meaningful DPS edge over a PAL? Otherwise, I guess I'd probably extract more value out of the PAL due to side-heals?

Def pal if your going for classic play. SKs could pull was a plus for them, but those eras pally bring more

 

[Shadow]

I would personally run this comp. SHD/CLR/BRD/ENC/BST/MNK since you already have four non-negotiable toons. I don't believe PAL started to get decent until PoP era. They were weak, unless against undead, before PoP, possibly Luclin. PoP and Luclin, they became a lot stronger. If you consider dropping one of the 4 non-negotiables...I would drop BRD and pick up a DRU/WIZ for ports, evacs, etc. Just my opinion of course.