New to GW

RaD

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Mar 2006

Hi guys, I'm new to GW and my copy is actually only arriving tomorrow. I'm loving the idea of the Necro but was thinking of playing a Me/Ne. Any ideas? For those of you who play/played magic the gathering I love blue. What that means to you guys who have never played magic is that I like to play irritating decks where you have your opponent pulling out his hair in frustration before you beat him. If there is a similar build/idea in GW i'd be keen on that. Maybe shutdown Mes? Anyhow, let me have any of your suggestions please.

RaD

Poison Ivy

Poison Ivy

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jan 2006

Toronto

Hopping

Mo/A

For beginners, a W/Mo, otherwise known as Wammo.

Warriors have high armor, fair decent amount of damage and enough healing capabilities to keep themsleves alive, thus ideal for solo.

Or, if you like, I suggest you try out every profession in PvP, just to find the one that suits you the best.

Have fun.

Rayne Nightfyre

Rayne Nightfyre

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Dec 2005

Acolytes of Lyssa [AL]

Me/A

If you like the idea of frustrating your enemy and backfiring their abilities to make them harm themselves, then the Mesmer class is for you. It is my favorite class, however it does take a little more skill to play than other classes since their spells aren't simply damage or healing. They're able to steal energy from their foes, damage their enemies for having energy, damaging them for taking certain actions, and much more. Shutdown is basically the name of their game. Plus, Mesmers are drop-dead gorgeous:

Check out The Campfire\Mesmer board for more information and tips on this awesome class.

Mesmer/Necromancer is also a great combination, the Necro's hexes in the Curses line compliment many of the Mesmer's skills. Necro's also have a bit of self-healing if you use Blood magic, they can steal health from their foes.

Many beginners like to start off playing simple classes like Warriors or Rangers to learn the layout of mob structures and the maps, but of course you can do just as well playing a seemingly more "advanced" class.

Gwenhywar

Gwenhywar

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jul 2005

Shameful Spirits [SsP]

Mo/

If you're a M:tG player, just go ahead and play something more complicated like Mesmer or Necro. Wammos are really for those beginners who don't know much about games and are just able to run around and whack at random things untill they learn how the game works and what the skills do .

The true mesmer's capabilities are only revealed in PvP though, so get into that as soon as you can ^^ You might have problems getting into PvE mission groups with a mesmer since most PvE players don't understand their abilities.

Rangers can be very versatile, and VERY annoying as well - again, especially in PvP.

Personally my favourite class to play in PvE was necro, especially the minion master builds. While I absolutely LOVE playing mesmer in PvP, I found it boring in PvE since most areas just need brute hack n slash anyway. But many disagree .

Anyway, have fun! I also suggest you to join an active PvP guild since I don't doubt that a M:tG player would immensely enjoy the GW 8v8 PvP.

~Railin~

Stabber

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Dec 2005

Plane of Oblivion

Sigilum Sanguis [keep]

Me/W

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rayne Nightfyre
simple classes like Warriors or Rangers
Be warned that although you'll hear sentiments like the above far too often in the game, quite the opposite is the case - rangers and warriors are tactically extremely difficult to play because they require a level of battle awareness that only comes from experience. The easiest class for a beginner, in my opinion, is either an ele or a necro. A good second play through class is monk. Warriors and rangers are the next tier, and mesmers are the highest tier in difficulty. To play a mesmer well, you must not only be able to read the current state of the battle, but also quickly figure out the rhythm of the battle and how best to disrupt it.

From your post, I would say mesmers are your perfect class.

(An interesting bonus of starting the game as a mesmer is that you learn very fast. The mechanics of this class force you to observe, predict, and conceptualize skill combinations, both your own and of your foes, as a basic means of survival. Be prepared to be heavily frustrated yourself -- not everyone can learn swimming by jumping into the deep end.)

Sekkira

Sekkira

Forge Runner

Join Date: Apr 2005

Canberra, AU

The way you like playing? That suits a mesmer's personality perfectly.

And I'll have to disagree with you on that one Stabber. Warriors and Rangers (moreso warriors) are an easy begginner class. You don't have to really have to have any skill to beat something over the head while your monk keeps you alive. Anyone can play a play a warrior. However, not everyone can play a GOOD one. They're easy to play, hard to master.

The only class I'd be as bold to say requires the least skill and/or knowledge is a monk. Go through the game as one and you really don't learn much about the game aside from certain spells make the red bar go down slower and some make them go up. Some faster than others.

Jas D

Jas D

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Feb 2006

Oklahoma, USA

None

Mesmers are great, but they can be hard to get used to. If you want to do damage, make an elementalist. I, personally, like air magic. Necromancers are good too, probably my favorite. If you want to make money, warrior is the way to go.. best farming profession.

It all depends on your personal preference.

Rayne Nightfyre

Rayne Nightfyre

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Dec 2005

Acolytes of Lyssa [AL]

Me/A

What I said is a simple fact, Warriors and Rangers are generally the simplest classes to play. This isn't to say that every build they have doesn't require skill, I have a lot of fun playing a trapping/interrupt/poison build on my Ranger. That does take a degree of skill to play. But the general concepts behind Warriors and Rangers are very simplistic (Hit the enemy with your weapon until they are dead, use your healing skills if your health is low). Plus it's also a fact that many new players to Guild Wars start off playing as a Warrior or Ranger. This pretty much sums it up:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sekkira
They're easy to play, hard to master.

mega_jamie

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Apr 2006

UK

Warlords of Ruin

A/Mo

Quote:
Originally Posted by RaD
Hi guys, I'm new to GW and my copy is actually only arriving tomorrow. I'm loving the idea of the Necro but was thinking of playing a Me/Ne. Any ideas? For those of you who play/played magic the gathering I love blue. What that means to you guys who have never played magic is that I like to play irritating decks where you have your opponent pulling out his hair in frustration before you beat him. If there is a similar build/idea in GW i'd be keen on that. Maybe shutdown Mes? Anyhow, let me have any of your suggestions please.

RaD

To translate GW into MTG -

Monk - White / Blue
Mesmer - Blue / Black
Warrior - White
Necro - Black
Ranger - Green / White
Ele - Red

thats pretty much it, if your MTG decks were Blue counterspell / general annoiance then a monk/mesmer combinaiton is probably for you, you can pacifism, counter-spells and just generally mess with them without delaing much direct damage.

My first char was necro, but im loving my Mo/Me, pre-searing is the place to learn what sorta skills your likely to be getting and if you like the general feel of the chracter, if not, delete and do over, simple

lg5000

lg5000

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jul 2005

Australia

Uhh.. if you go monk/anything, the general group playing gw will automatically assume you're a healer. If you need to annoy people, mesmer/monk, not monk/mesmer. However, if you MUST play monk/mesmer for annoyance spells, let your team know what you're playing for the sanity of everyone, please.

Also, enjoy playing when you get your game

Sekkira

Sekkira

Forge Runner

Join Date: Apr 2005

Canberra, AU

When you're using general spell counterspell annoyance, Fast Casting > Divine Favor generally.

Pacifism makes a great hex on the enemy monk. You never know when they could wand spike you.

kito

kito

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Mar 2006

W/Mo

Meh, Ive done all the missions with my wammo, was a lot of fun. Afterwards I didnt really feel like playing the whole story again, and I made a 55 Monk money making machine Hehe they are now my personal favorite but its hard to get the money and items for the build and requires a bit more skill to play than the normal monk. I agree, making a warrior is better for a first char, then when youve got some experience and money, go and make that annoying mesmer youve gone on ranting bout Welcome to the wonderful world of Guild Wars btw

Ado

Ado

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Nov 2005

Den Haag

[cute]

Mo/Me

I started as a warrior. Not because its was the easiest to play (i had no idea whatsoever which prof was difficult and which one was easy) but simply because I wanted to slash and smash faces.

When I finished the game with my warrior I started again but with a mesmer. I chose the mesmer because it was the complete opposite of playing a warrior. Reading your post I would say, start out with a mesmer.

But the PvE part of GW is fairly easy to complete, so if it gets boring after that, I can truly recommend playing PvP, especially if you played MtG. Although it's difficult to compare them with eachother, MtG and GW PvP have many similairitys regarding strategy, tactics and skills which I think you will enjoy very much.

If you play mesmer, curse-necro or interupt-ranger in PvP, you can be that irritating SoaB

LifeInfusion

LifeInfusion

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: May 2005

in the midline

E/Mo

Play N/Me or Me/N because those are the hex-heavy professions

jackie

jackie

/retired

Join Date: Dec 2005

On the Beach

Also there is First Expansion coming to Guild Wars in couple weeks so you might want to check that out too. Of course it might be a little bit overwhelming experience for a newcomer ...

That expansion brings among many many new things, two new professions: assassin & ritualist. While assassin plays with speed & stealth, ritualists summon different kind of spirits to aid in battles. Ritualist could be good choice for you as well because they have spells that gives enemy very hard times ^^

Rancour

Rancour

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Aug 2005

Camp Rancor (Rancour :D)

I'm a free spirit (that's not what the guild is called, I just am)

W/R

You could play a pressure build. Tons of health degeneration hexes can be very annoying.

As mentioned, Me/N or N/Me is the way to go if you wanna be annoying. Me/N is your best bet. You COULD go Me/E and use Maelstrom (group interruption while your enemy stands in the area of effect) combined with some snares (slows down enemy movement) and be annoying that way.

The possibilities are endless!

Viruzzz

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2005

for PvE any class is equally hard to play, except the mesmer, it is hard as hell to make a nice Mesmer for PvE, but any other class is simple. warrior beats stuff, ranger shoots stuff, ele bombs stuff, nec hexes stuff, monk heals stuff.

PvE isn't challenging compared to PvP, but you will find that in PvP any class is hard to play well(notice well).

GranDeWun

GranDeWun

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: May 2005

Be warned that if you use a mesmer for PvE missions, you may spend a lot of time spamming 'LFG'...

Skawtt

Skawtt

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jun 2005

Oregon

W/N

Lots of good suggestions here. Just remember there are NO bad combinations of classes or even bad classes for that matter. It all just depends on how you play them and how much your willing to learn and look into them.

Silent Kitty

Silent Kitty

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Mar 2006

Netherlands

[TYW] "The Young World"

A/Me

If you like to be the last one standing, try being a monk. Monks stay way on the back, and prefer to rather support people than lead them into ambushes, like Warriors often do.

Ado

Ado

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Nov 2005

Den Haag

[cute]

Mo/Me

Quote:
Originally Posted by GranDeWun
Be warned that if you use a mesmer for PvE missions, you may spend a lot of time spamming 'LFG'...
Hmmm, I didnt have that problem when I played pve with my mesmer. That was about 3 months ago. I did all the quests with hench, but I did all the coop-missions with PUG's. I finished the game in 2 weeks doing all quests and missions.

I have no idea how it is now, but I do think that the mesmer is more respected and understood in pve atm. This mainly has to do with the fact that most ppl who are doing pve now, are doing that with their 2nd, 3rd or even 4th char. So most of them know the value of having a mesmer in your team.

(THK with a good mesmer on your team is total ownage )

Snowman

Snowman

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Apr 2005

Wales, UK

Devils Scorpions

W/E

Welcome to Guildwars!..

Man have you got alot to do

Although you say your new to GW you seem to be very knowledgable on 'build types'..

"shut down mesmer" for example, this really is a specialist PvP Build and not something you can do for along time if your planning on playing an RPG Character.

Whatever you decide I would certainly reccomend the ranger class in there somewhere! my second RPG Character was a mesmer Ranger.. but would reccomend ranger/mesmer tbh.

chimpy11

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Dec 2005

Well given that u like irritating things and u suggested Me/Ne, I would suggest you switch the other way round and go for Ne/Me. U can still irritate ppl with your builds but this would help you through the game a lot more 1st time around.

As Me/Ne u'll often struggle to get into PUGs (pick-up groups) but u should have no problems with Ne/Me. Minions work well on most missions as well as curses which just about irritates the hell out of Ws (something I'm sure u'll enjoy).

Anyway HF and Gl with the game.

lg5000

lg5000

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jul 2005

Australia

I'm in that position where my mesmer had no problems finding groups a few month ago, but my ranger had problems finding a group.

The problem of mesmers not finding a group is a thing of the past. These days, people actually search for a mesmer to join their team.

Mesmers have fast casting, that means you can empty your entire skill bar before the first skill has recharged, and that's fun. Necros don't have an energy problem, but cast slow. Both are good to annoy others with

Oh, and shut down mesmer in pve... monsters seem to have an endless amount of energy, not the easiest to shut down.

Viruzzz

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by lg5000
I'm in that position where my mesmer had no problems finding groups a few month ago, but my ranger had problems finding a group.

The problem of mesmers not finding a group is a thing of the past. These days, people actually search for a mesmer to join their team.

Mesmers have fast casting, that means you can empty your entire skill bar before the first skill has recharged, and that's fun. Necros don't have an energy problem, but cast slow. Both are good to annoy others with

Oh, and shut down mesmer in pve... monsters seem to have an endless amount of energy, not the easiest to shut down.
the hardest class to find groups with is warriors. simply because there is just a thousand of them. mesmers are rare, a good one is even harder to find.

Kurow

Kurow

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jun 2005

Seattle

Faces of Death [Tye]

R/W

Blue in magic is the epitome of mesmer in this game, except they do damage comperable to other classes as well. I suggest you go mesmer.

RaD

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Mar 2006

Wow, thanks for all the tips guys. Really helpful. As some of you mentioned, I am interested in the PvP side more than the RPG side but I'll play my character through the RPG first. I'm definitely leaning toward a Me/Ne after all this. I think that in PvP fast casting > soul reaping. Someone mentioned factions as well, which I have actually pre-ordered already. In South Africa it's kinda hard to get games that are older than 2 months old. Bleh. Also, I was still at varsity today when the courier came to drop off GW so I had to phone them and arrange to meet the guy tomorrow. I'm so keen for this game!!

Thanks again for all the help and support. Ta.