New Player, Elemental Summoner Help

Hi All,

I played a looong time ago in beta and prelude and have just recently rejoined the game. I am going to go ahead and start from scratch as an elven mystic and go for ES. I was curious if someone could point me towards a guide, so I don't make any major mistakes. Also, I have a friend starting too... what would be the best class for a duo? Thanks! :)

Let's see, my recommendations:

Do your first 40-42 levels as a Nuker. Your summons aren't really worth much until you become a true summoner.

Once you hit 40 and complete your class change quest, your personal choice for armor and weapon isn't a big issue. Buy something reasonably priced, but save up for Beast Soulshots and Beast Spiritshots. They make a huge difference. I usually don't even carry Soulshots for my toon.

As for your friend, I highly recommend one of the other Summoner classes, either the Warlock or Phantom Summoner. The PS has one of the best cubics in the game, aside from the ES's high level cubic. However, the big drawback to the PS is the curse (Drains MP) put on them by their main PvE summons. You'll find that multiple summoners really can take down mobs quickly.

Your summons aren't really worth much until you become a true summoner.

There is no reason not to pull out at least the merrow after 40 to do some damage - mana management between nuking, healing the merrow and such can be difficult, but if in doubt there's always unsummoning and calling up a boxer to go back up to full.

The combination of reduced experience penalties while using the merrow and beast SS makes it utterly unreasonable not to use servitors right after 40.

The class I personally love duoing with best are prophets - but that's not necessarily very interesting for your firend. :p Another summoner (especially ES for absolute AoE love) is an awesome duo though.

Maybe I should have said 1-40 (up to 42).

Interesting, thanks for the tips guys. How well does money management go from 20+ In other words is it feasible to be able to play with pets 20-40, or is it pretty much just for show until you get to 40+?

from what i've seen...don't summon till you're 40+, and grind/seed from 10-40, so you can afford shots for you're summon

Don't worry too much about money 20-40 - you become infinitely better at making money at 40, being the bestest manorer of the world.

It used to be worthwhile to summon the boxer for grinding with nukes, but I honestly don't think it's really worth the effort anymore now.

from what i've seen...don't summon till you're 40+, and grind/seed from 10-40, so you can afford shots for you're summon

Seed? Is that related to the manor system?

40->52 deamon set, accu weapon and go nuke in aligator island, dont forgett the quests, u only need the horse for recharges, take him/her/it away when u are xping.
52 now ure own 35 nukes dont do jack ^^ so swap to bw robe set and go aoe outside oren.
u will be very happy with a prophet friend.

I like SEs for duos. VR makes for a very happy pony.