So, I try some character to check how they cast, how they hit, one thing is, I really dont like Orcs (female/male), and human.
I lvled quick an elf mystic, quite fun, but, really, I think i'll go for a fighter.
So, my question is, what about the swordsinger? For duo? for group? for raid?!
Is it fun, it is useful, hard to play? beautiful ?
I'm totally lost, and I dont want to make the same mistake I did on WoW. On CoH i tried a tank, and I really enjoy it.
Thanks a lot in advance, and sorry for all those questions, but, really, I dont want to be lvl 45 and reroll :/
Well im pretty new to the game too, but at least i heard that the SwS is a buffer class, and is very usefull in groups. But you guys can proove me wrong though.
not so much buffer as a party support class, at level 49 they get a song called hunter, it increases the crit rate of all figher attacks (melee and ranged) so it is very very useful in archer parties, melee parties etc (later on they get a song for pdef, mdef, evasion and many others) so also useful at raids, sieges in addition to PvE. (though, dont expect a large pvp count with a sws, most of the counts will be attributed to those in your pty at any non siege pvp instance as you dont really have a range attack)
sws are also given the ability to have a variety of gear setups. unlike BDs they can sing with any weapon, so if you want a 2h, dagger, sword and shield or blunt and shield, it all works well, just depends on what suits you best.
At 66 they get Song of Vitality that makes your HPs go through the roof. They are REALLY REALLY good for raids in the tank party or with the focus buff they are realy good to supplement the BD .. with a BD, focus, DW and SWS dances you'll be critting and maxing damage .. and thats always a good thing.
they are a utility melee class, very useful in parties and raids and very sought after by dagger/archers. they don't level well solo as they don't have a high damage output but that won't be a problem for you.
and yes they can look beautiful - the heavy armour skins look awesome (except for Blue Wolf with those ridiculous shoulder plates).
SwS are rare because BD's are useful in a larger variety of situations, and they level faster. SwS rarity and usefulness means though, you will be in demand. In 50 person raids, I am usually the only SwS. That's not to say SwS are bad. They are just one of the useful classes that levels slower (like bishops, warsmiths, and overlords).
SwS is probly the most under represented and gimped classes. Ive had a fair amount of discussions with people about sws and some higher level ones manage to figure out a way to operate well. As a sws you are worthless until the 50+ Also, once your 50+ you'll find it nearly impossible and expensive to solo. I manage to solo, and do very well in duo grps with any dagger or archer, and absolutly pwn everything in an archer party, these groups require alot of organization and time commitment to be apart of.
In PvP, you'll die alone simple. Your role is to buff buff buff every 3 minutes.
As you level, you will also be plauged by the fact that BDs who serve a simular purpose, are also able to be effective in PvP, and are needed in more situations.
SwS have next to no effective combat skills, espcially in pvp, these things may change. I personally would say roll a BD if u want to be a support fighter class or somthing more damage oriented.
As far as weapson go, SwS do get shield masteries, however ive found that its futile to try and tank or solo with a sword and shield, some sws use a bow to kite mobs, but even that seems abscure and in effective due to the mana strains. Ive heard some useing daggers which i think would work well, I havnt tried it so i cant say. I personally use a 2 handed sword for the added damage and being able to utilize the little masteries we have.
Next to dwarfs, I'd really like to see the SwS get some luv from the developers at some point. It's an intriguing class that I'd consider rolling, if only....
At 66 they get Song of Vitality that makes your HPs go through the roof. They are REALLY REALLY good for raids in the tank party or with the focus buff they are realy good to supplement the BD .. with a BD, focus, DW and SWS dances you'll be critting and maxing damage .. and thats always a good thing.
Song of Vitality increases your HP cap, not your HP. It's similar to BTB5, iirc. However, you need a healer to actually heal your party up to the new cap, and the benefits are lost immediately if the song drops, making this a very, very MP-expensive song (as it can never be allowed to drop, it will start off as your 1st song for 60-90 MP, and thereafter be your 6th, costing 400ish MP every 2 minutes by itself).
It'd actually be useful if it a) lasted longer or b) actually healed you.
As far as weapson go, SwS do get shield masteries, however ive found that its futile to try and tank or solo with a sword and shield, some sws use a bow to kite mobs, but even that seems abscure and in effective due to the mana strains.
Depending on the mob, the sword-and-shield or the 2-hander might actually be better for soloing than any other weapon combo, perhaps with the exception of dagger and shield. With the amount of shield masteries we get, our shileds do absorb a fairly large amount of punishment.
I carried a Soul Separator for quite awhile, which I enjoyed, as it landed a crit roughly every 3 swings, but now I carry a Dragonslayer, simply for the aesthetics.
Vitality is pretty bad at lower levels. Until you get 76 where you are able to enchant the song for +3(or more) time, you won't be able to keep it up for more than 2-3 song cycles.