new classes

hello everyone! I currently have Prophecies, but I plan on getting both Factions and Nightfall soon. I have 4 characters so far, a R/N, E/Mo, Me/Mo, and a W/Mo. If there is one thing that I have learned, it is that as much fun as I can have with magic classes, I get a bigger kick out of classes that do conventional damage (Ranger and Warrior).

I would like to start thinking about a new character for when get the other chapters. Does anyone have any advice? How good are Assassins, Dervishes, and Paragons? What secondary class works well with them?

Thanks for any insight!

Personally I didn't care for the assassin or ritualist (also mesmer), but that's just me. I like the dervish and paragon so far but have mostly been playing a dervish.

I find that I'm using almost exclusively dervish skills so it doesn't matter too much. Plus you can change professions soon enough to where it isn't that big of a deal which one you choose.

Assassins can be fun if you check out all the new skills available - including Nightfall. During Factions, they were everywhere and nobody wanted them because people playing them mostly sucked. But with heroes, less people are playing in PUGs, so the assassin isn't such a bad choice - if you don't mind playing with heroes and hench. I doubt they will still get much love in PUGs.

I think the dervish is somewhat like the assassin was before Nightfall, only not quite as bad. They are everywhere, but they aren't as fragile and can tank better, which is how so many people play both classes anyways.

Paragons are interesting to play with and are mainly support.

As far as secondary classes, the choice is less important with assassin because you can change so much quicker by starting in Factions than in Nightfall. Just take a look at the skill sets of each one, think about how you want to play the character for the beginning and pick a secondary that fits well. Monk is always good because of the reuseable res. Remember, the choice of secondary is only temporary and can be changed not long after reaching level 20.

Well, since the majority of my characters thus far has been with a monk secondary, I would like to steer away from that.

Incuding all three chapters, which class is "better", assassin or dervish. That is mainly an opinion question, because I know guild wars is a very well-rounded, balanced game. I would like to hear from people who love or hate these classes so I can attempt to see how that fits in to my idea for my next character.

Is D/A viable at all? Maye I could just do both haha

good idea, try it out
shadow step in and unload some area damage

or A/D? I appreciate any advice to help me think about a badass character

Look through the profession boards here on the forum or check out the builds on guildwiki, both should fuel your imagination.

Ultimately it is a matter of personal preference.