Hi everyone i am new to L2 and i want to make a healer but not sure which one to choose so i was hoping i could get help from someone with more experience. Thanks :)
Well bishops are THE best healer, best heals, most heals (greater and major) purify, best rez skills, only one with mass rez. We get some crazy stuff in Interlude too like the 100% buff rez, the mana regen skill, and a shield that makes you invincible for about 15 seconds.
Shillen elders have the best buff set of all the healers (might 3 shield 3, focus 3, death whisper 3, VR, guidance 3) , two of the greater heals, purify, recharge. Bad rez. Almost everyone has one of these dual boxed.
Elven elders only have 1 greater heal, 1 major heal, second best rez, recharges, mostly defensive buffs, someone else will have to list all those :) Like clarity, pow, advanced block, agility, decrease weight, etc. Overall much less "useful" buffs than the SE.
DON'T GO:
Shilen Elder: you have some buffs, and some heals. Yet you are not ultimate buffer, and not ultimate healer. Your buffs are enough to keep party alive and going, but your heals are nerfed to the point you can ignore shouts "Grp LF healer". You do not have needed masteries to solo like Prophets - you have light armor masteries, but when you use light armor, you do not have enough manaa and cast speed for grouping. When you use robes, you do not have enough defense to stay alive. You are doomed to tag along some mage and serve as battery - which can be nice XP, but very boring after a while.
That's all beside the fact that every kid and his dog has SE boxed.
Prophet: Pure buffer, buff and sit 18 minutes - unless you have some nice expensive weapon and second set of armor to help whacking mobs. Every dog and it's kid boxes you too. But here are better persons to explain why not going prophet anyway (Nya?)
Conclusion: Current situation is that you'll be all on your own till maybe high 40ies, because most lower level characters are alts and have some sort of buffer nearby. And solooing is faster and more effective than party with some low level cleric leecher :( And you are heavily party dependent class...
Don't go healer. Go some damage dealer and box your buffpet.
Bishop/Shillen Elder/Elven Elder - your 3 healers available
Bishop is indeed the best healer in the game hands down, if you want to just be a healer, then Bishop is your route.
SE/EE are both basic buffers and decent healers.
As for which is better of the two, well that can be debated all day long in another form, cause thats not what you asked ;)
Anyway, i have a boxed EE and love him to death and kick some serious butt with him tagging along.
SE/EE is more of a personal choice of what you want.
I would suggest going Bishop, cause you sound like you want a dedicated healer, and that is what a Bishop is, and you will have no trouble getting parties once you do your 2nd class change, before that you can really solo.
Sigh. SE's have all the basic heals, heal, battle heal, group heal, and greater heal, and greater group heal. It is still more than an EE gets, so if anyone is not "really" a healer it's a EE.
The amount of heals doesn't make you a healer, just like the amount of buffs doesn't make a buffer (EEs have more buffs than SEs, but they are still not buffers, and nobody in their right mind would claim so). SEs don't have strong point heals, period.
If someone is 'looking for a healer' they are either looking for VR, or for a bishop, EE or PS.
EE are great healers when something quick is needed. They have greater heal, major heal, and vitalize. The last two are instant heals. Bishops are great for big parties or healing orcs.
I'd still call EE a secondary buffer. They have some good buffs, but these days they don't cut it if there isn't another buffer. back in the day might and holy weapon were enough to kill mobs in dvc at a decent speed (but that speed isn't decent anymore).
As warlord i would suggest go SE not great heals as EE or Bishop but who needs healer when have vampiric(talking for pole parties). Also SE can be usefull to meele parties as well to mages parties
Now if you want something more healing oriented i suggest go EE, bishop is true unique when it comes to healing nobody can save u as a bishop can but who party bishop unless you want to go to rift. EE can get party from mages as recharging battery and for clarity and tank can party you as well(although party with tank, who wants to party a tank unless you want to go rift).
And please, please , please don't go bot mode we already have enough. Now if you go avoid the catacombs that i am in. I will simply train you- best regards.
I've never seen anyone take a PS out as a healer. Ever.
And I'm a she, thanks XD
SE will only be tough because at one point they were the ONLY choice in healers (c3, C4) so there is a super glut of them, and it got so bad most won't play it as a main any more.
Well, Shillien Elders have good buffs for melee and mystics. For example, when I was partying my Elven Elder with two dwarves they would always ask a SE for Vampiric Rage as soon as they would find one.
The downside though is a lot of people have a second account with SE on it (I am guilty of that. :o). Also I hear complaints from a high level SE on our clan about the heals not being that good anymore.
Elven Elders have good heals. But their buffs aren't that popular. There are less Elven Elders than SEs too.
Its funny how the 30 somethings say you don't need a 2-box. while people 60+ are more likely to say, yes, you need a 2 box.
On my second account, I use a pp to buff, then a se to heal. my first healer was an ee. cause i like elves. but I have to have VR. I just have to. I want to level him in, but having to drag 3 people to the same spot might get irratating.
ok so i didnt want to do it, but i will jump into the SE/EE battle :P
i have a dual box EE that lvls with my BD most of the time
with casting clarity on myself and having the right gear i can /walk and never ever ever have to have my EE sit and wait for mana
which brings the question, why would my BD need VR if i can just use heals and never have to rest anyway
EE is in Majestic Robes and BoMT/Acu
MP around 2700-2800 and casting the buffs i need (not bless shield and other ones that will do nothing at the time) i can buff both my BD and EE and heal and never ever stop grinding
yes SE's have their strong points too, but you do have to admit that EE's kick *** in their own ways
with my bumped WIT tats and such, my EE throws a **** nice rez out there too
i am in the middle of raising an SE and WC for buffs and such too, but i still think my EE with rock my SE anyday, maybe its just cause i love my EE, or maybe its cause my EE is A grade and started to get some nice buffs (clarity, wild magic) and will continue to be awsome with my main
either way, its just what you like, every character has its ups and downs, and i agree there are more SE's than EE's but thats not reason to say SE's are better. an SE might be better for what some people want to do, but for others EE's work perfectly :)
p.s. with clarity 2 i can hold an extra dance on my BD and never be below full MP after that 2 min dance round is up, so yeah i would say i'll take an EE over SE anyday
I've never seen anyone take a PS out as a healer. Ever.
It's not that common a class, since most chuchu reroll summoners went ES for the AoE or WK for buff*****ing in archer groups.
No, they don't have as high HPS as bishops or EEs, but they do have faster HPS on single targets than SEs and don't run out of mana - in short, the perfect raid and rift healers (IMHO). They are incomplete with just the heals as a class though, just as the other healer.
An SE is better to have around, but an EE is simply much more fun to play IMHO - I know a lot of SEs that are beyond frustrated at their heals and buffs (yes, VR and Empower are great, but that's all you get. You're done at 58), I don't see that nearly as much in EEs.
That's another point I forgot... Elven Elders have better resurrection.
And having more or less of a given class doesn't necessarily means better or worse. It depends on the person. For instance I prefer those classes that aren't that popular. I am just weird like that. :p
Just remember that grouping will be rough unless you have a big, supportive and preferably AoE-centric clan. It'll also be a good idea for you to make friends with some SEs and/or WCs as early as you can. ;)
In interlude shield get an upgrade by blocking magic. That's a plus for EE not mention that in pvp a mage that holds a shield can be saved from archer by bless shield. but in minus no dd buff(no empower no focus or dw). anyway EE is good healer in pvp + a lot of defensive spell, SE suck on that part.
I have a video with an sps(holding shield) a bd and an EE take a 6 archers party mostly due to EE ability to keep his party alive, the guy realy knew how to play a healer.
p.s raise your wit it increase casting speed and rez bonus
Everytime I am in GC with the Kranrot bears, even with my high-Con Destroyer, I really would love to have an EE with me, because I've heard they have a good buff against stuns. And an SE is nice in many ways. But even with VR, they can't keep my Destroyer's HP fed in demanding poling situations. I always ended up having to sit the Orc and SE down periodically. It gave me one more reason to relegate the SE to general support for alts, and grow a WC to go with my Destroyer.
I have a video with an sps(holding shield) a bd and an EE take a 6 archers party mostly due to EE ability to keep his party alive, the guy realy knew how to play a healer.
Wow, those archers had to suck. All they had to do was get buffed and double-click on each person once.
1st all 6 archers fire at EE... EE dead instanty, her heals do nothing, as she is hit for upwards of 15k damage all in one burst... and thats asuming the EE's shield blocks EVERY arrow.
next all 6 fire at Sps... Sps dead (Sps kills one archer in the meantime)
Remaining 5 archers make short work of the BD. (no offense to the BD, but frankly no one class is a match for 5 buffed and skilled archers.)
The sps and EE would be hit for 5k+/shot even THROUGH the shield block. At BEST a shield is ONE extra arrow an archer has to fire at a Sps. (No it doesn't matter whether it crits or not.)
Shield buffs are indeed nice, and even nicer in Interlude, but you massively overestimate robe users' skill with one... even buffed.
Exaggerations aside, EE is a solid healer with a number of great abilities... note the EE can even solo as a nuker (vs undead) up to about 73. (past that is possible, just massively more annoying) EE solo roughly as well as a spellsinger (meaning not that fast, but possible) as they have the same problems in mana recovery and inefficiency.
FYI, a PS is indeed a perfectly capable healer... they just have no direct party buffs and it requires a resourceful and skilled player to make it work, and a party who understands the PS's weaknesses in healing.
Hmm, an EE? Although a good buffer for melee, and useful to mages with clarity, it is one of the least desired buffers for every day exp grinds. Your gonna have some troubles. I guess a pole arm user if they have an SE wouldn't mind having an EE for things such as stun resist, evasion, and fast heals to save their ***.
I would have advised you to go War Cryer. This class has many buffs, no heals really, and can assist in dealing damage by using the use of damage over time spells and melee weapons. You can buff a whole party with a buff with one click of a button. It is also possible to solo more effectively than most healers/buffers but definitely not a solo class. This class is also good in pvp situations.
The EE isn't a bad choice, it is just a hard road. Whenever I go polearming on my destroyer sub I always try to bring an SE and an EE; luckily I am friends with each. They get awesome experience and I get good heals, VR, focus, death whisper, stun resist and evasion buffs. And of course if I ever screw up and pull to much I always have party return, thanks to the EE. :p
But anyway, if you are on the kain server, let me know. I would love to help ya out and party with you sometime.
BTW, I think until interlude once you get clarity it is possible to recharge yourself. With the clarity buff you spend less MP than it restores. So if you do try soloing undead mobs, keep this in mind.
For the most rounded healer go EE. They have the fastest casting speed of any healer (+3 WIT base over Bishop) and the best MP regen speed (+1 MEN base over Bishop). They have the ability to recharge, whereas Bishop does not.
The advantages of Bishop over EE:
Purify
Restore Life
90% rez (EE only has 80%)
Major Group Heal
Greater Group Heal
Greater Battle Heal
The advantages of EE over Bishop:
Party Recall
Return
Recharge
Clarity buff
Resist Shock buff
Bless Shield 6 and Advanced Block 3 buffs
Agility buff (seldom useful, but nice in pole party)
Standard buffer buffs (Might 3, Shield 3, Concentration 6)
Common abilities (both Bishop/EE):
Greater Heal
Vitalize
Major Heal
Wind Walk
Holy Weapon
Might of Heaven
The advantages of Bishop over EE:
Purify
Restore Life
Body of Avatar
Prayer
Balance Life
90% rez (EE only has 80%)
Mass Rez
Major Group Heal
Greater Group Heal
Greater Battle Heal
Acumen 2
Zerk 1
The advantages of EE over Bishop:
Party Recall
Return
Recharge
Clarity buff
Resist Shock buff
Bless Shield 6 and Advanced Block 3 buffs
Agility buff (seldom useful, but nice in pole party)
Standard buffer buffs (Might 3, Shield 3, Concentration 6)
Common abilities (both Bishop/EE):
Greater Heal
Vitalize
Major Heal
Wind Walk
Holy Weapon
Might of Heaven
Resist Unholy is a great PvE and PvP buff and should be on the list of advantages of the EE.
The Bishop is undoubtedly the better healer, but which of the two healer classes is preferable is really situational. The EE has vastly superior damage reduction, the bishop is better at fixing damage once it's done.
It's quite hard to assist around corners if all you know how to do is to get buffed and to doubleclick. Especially when your enemy spams CP pots and has EE heals.
Sure a smart person can make it more annoying, but 6 buffed archers are pretty much walking insta-death for any non-knight class.
EE's who are healing are not running.
if they stop once to heal, they are dead.
(EE's will be targtted first)
With 6 possible hits for 5k+ (especially 3 or 4 of them) CP pots and heals will not help. Do you ever PvP? You just took in excess of 20k damage and you think a CP pot is going to help? Hello?
EE's are very powerful healers, but NO healing in the game and no amount of pot spammage will help against a buffed-stacked group of 6 archers.
I love EE's... but the EE's best play in this case is party return.
And don't forget healers can't heal around corners so unless you are around a corner from the enemy and still have line of sight of your party, it does you no good. (since ee's don't have a good group heal, or balance)
Assuming your opponents are complete idiots and thereby underestimating them is not a wise way to strategize.
Any reasonably intelligent archer party will catch you and will fire and you will die unless you hit the party return button.
You might die even then...
I still don't understand how you think someone with 159 runspeed is outrunning a class with a MINIMUM of 175 runspeed. (and that provided the archer gank squad doesn't have Song of Wind)
Note that apparently this EE is doing all this running while spamming heals too...
If you want to be a healer, be a Phantom Summoner: Nightshade is the best healer in the game and you can grind solo ohhhh so easy. You don't always have to be a healer either, can always change it up. His heals heal all at once while greater heal only heals half at once while the other half slowly regenerates HP... no mass heal though.
Phantom summoners can obviously give no other buff to players besides concentration lvl 2, might lvl 1 and shield lvl 1 and their mass summon Phantom Cubic (Wonderful buff). So you won't get the cool buffs of a true healer, but you get a crap-load of offensive abilities instead.
The nightshade is the best at long-term decent HPS, but the bishop has the most flexibility between fast and cheap heals, has the most nifty tools (BoA, Balance Life, etc.), and of course has considerably better cast speed than the nightshade.
The nightshade is probably the best rift and raid healer, but even that depends grossly on what kind of party you are in and stops with the arrival of Balance Life.
Assuming your opponents are complete idiots and thereby underestimating them is not a wise way to strategize.
A little advice to you: don't try to pull Straw Man here, at least against me. You said:
All they had to do was get buffed and double-click on each person once.
Which would be generally false, if it wasn't an open space. Still going to object?
I still don't understand how you think someone with 159 runspeed
I see.
EEs have 164 runspeed just with standard tattoos and WW2, and 171 runspeed in DC robes. SpS have 166 runspeed with WW2 in DC robes (they rarely go for +Dex tattoos).
Note that apparently this EE is doing all this running while spamming heals too...
If you need to spam Major Heal against 6 buffed archers, you'd better PR right now, because you've already lost.
A little advice to you: don't try to pull Straw Man here, at least against me. You said:
All they had to do was get buffed and double-click on each person once,
Which would be generally false, if it wasn't an open space. Still going to object?
You are not in a position to give advice.
You obviously don't have the slightest clue in this condition.
Inside or outside dungeon or not the archers are gonna wipe you very VERY quickly with little effort. I already conceded that they might have to double click a second time... the result of 1,2 or 3 double clicks is still the same. The little fairy tale of a single EE healing a Sps and BD through an assault of 6 archers is giving false hope period.
NO matter how you slice it or try to splice stories, you are still dead wrong that your little manuevering is going to do anything more than get you killed because you were too silly to hit the PR button.
EEs have 164 runspeed just with standard tattoos and WW2, and 171 runspeed in DC robes. SpS have 166 runspeed with WW2 in DC robes (they rarely go for +Dex tattoos).
You are having a bit of trouble with your math...
171 < 175.... even with an EE designed for this very purpose, she isn't outrunning the SLOWEST archer... not this is if the archer gank party somehow doesn't grab Song of Wind as well.
If you need to spam Major Heal against 6 buffed archers, you'd better PR right now, because you've already lost.
The partymembers in question are a Sps and a BD...
How long do you think they will last even WITH you spamming ANY heal you can think of?
The EE and Sps will be taking 5k+ crits 50% of the time... two of those is plenty to kill either even at 78!
The BD has heavy armor, but is no titan for HP.
6 archers can and WILL insta-kill any of those classes if they all fire in a stream.... no running or manuevering is going to do much more than delay the inevitable.
If the archers are buffed and there are 6 of them you hit the PR button or die.
A little advice to you: don't try to pull Straw Man here, at least against me. You said:
All they had to do was get buffed and double-click on each person once,
Which would be generally false, if it wasn't an open space. Still going to object?
You are not in a position to give advice.
Ah, I see you aren't in a position to hear any advice. GL then.
You obviously don't have the slightest clue in this condition.
Well... have you ever been in such an archer group?
EEs have 164 runspeed just with standard tattoos and WW2, and 171 runspeed in DC robes. SpS have 166 runspeed with WW2 in DC robes (they rarely go for +Dex tattoos).
You are having a bit of trouble with your math...
171 < 175....
You are having a bit of trouble with basic understanding. If I want to run away, I have PR.
even with an EE designed for this very purpose
Which is quite common. After all, EE is a class designed for this very purpose.
not this is if the archer gank party somehow doesn't grab Song of Wind as well.
And not every archer party is a gank party. Mine usually aren't (even when they kill some wartags on our way to IT).
If you're only talking about healing, Bishop is a so much better healer than the other classes it is not even funny anymore. As a EE, all you can do is heal a single target quickly (because of casting speed and major heal). If the whole group gets hit by something (aoe attack in pve, several people being hit in pvp, stuff like that), all you can do is either concentrate on one party member and heal that well, or use the crappy group heal (which is not better than what a prophet has). Bishop has major group heal (which heals for even more hp than single target major heal), greater group heal and the super joker skill balance life.
Balance life is UBER. Not only can you even out hit points of the whole group, it is a super skill to nearly fully heal somebody who is at very low hp - it can heal for far more than restore life. And the very best thing: in pve, this skill does not draw aggro! If you do pole aoe and the puller comes back at super low hit points with 20+ forge of gods mobs on his tail, an EE would have to spam a few heals on the still running puller and most likely draw aggro. A bishop can just hit the balance life button and all is well. Also very useful in special situations where healing power is restricted (e.g. in the 4 sepulchers room where you cannot heal).
SE cannot heal "seriously" anymore, full stop. When we're in a place where a bishop can comfortably heal (but actually HAS to heal, as opposed to doing the "dance" emote and throwing a greater heal every 2 minutes) and he is stunned so I have to do backup healing, the best I can do is spam battle heal until the stun wears off, and hope I can keep the hp up long enough for the guy who is being hit to survive those few seconds. Sometimes I cannot, because 470hp battle heals just do not cut it. And most likely the battle heals will cause me to draw aggro, and the first thing the bishop has to do when stun wears off is to heal ME o.O
Balance life in combo with restore life is also the master healing at raids, we did a 80ish boss once with one tank and me as the sole healer (plus like 3 rechargers on me) and between those two spells, it was like playing a healing God XD
Mass rez has the same effect at epic raids (frintessa, antharas, etc).
Alright, this is my first post on these forums so go easy on me but rather than begin a new thread for this, it's still in relation to the topics already discussed here so I figured I would just seek out your advice in a slightly different direction..
My girlfriend and I will be playing lineage together, and as such we need to balance out having fun playing the game and yet still being able to level somewhat effeciently so we don't get too frustrated..
Right now she is working on a palus knight with the intent of being a blade dancer and my goal is to pick the best accompanying buffer/healer to that in order to make leveling enjoyable for both of us..
From what I've read thus far I'm quite clear that bishop is the best 'healing' class as someone said it quite adequately they are the best at fixing damage once it's done if not preventing it.. ideally I would like to play an SE, they simply appeal to me more as dark elves do but I'm open to playing an EE as well.. a bishop not so much.. I want to enjoy looking at my character as much as playing it (yeah yeah I'm vain)
So everyone's kinda gone over EE vs SE so far in this thread but I'm seeking a little more information on the EE's undead skills and if there are enough viable levelling places to use these skills that an EE could possibly level on their own if needed.. on occaision I do like to solo. It seems to me like SE's have no offensive skills (correct me if I'm wrong please).. And with the low mp regen for an EE would you be sitting too much without recharge and no body to mind skill like the SE?
In the end, I guess my questions come down to, is SE or EE better to pair with a BD and which of the two cleric classes would be better for potentially soloing if need be? Thanks for all your advice..
#1: Warcrier (Some might argue due to WC getting buffs late, SE is better. But as a main char id say WC tops it)
#2: Shillen Elder
#3: Prophet
#4: Elven Elder / Bishop (If your playing with a char using shields, the EE is better due to its shields buffs and also has recharge)
*The ones in red are colored becouse they hardly counts as healer, they got enough healing for a duo, they CAN heal... but they are mainly buffers. Endame healing from a prophet hardly counts, WC only got HoT heals.
*Bishop vs EE in a duo can be argued over and over. But for sheer killing speed. They usually amount to same. Evenly matched almost in buffs, bot great against fighting undeads and so on. The healer that is better here is the one youd prefer more for other uses...
Im currently playing a BD as main, and have played alot with BDs before.
What Nifera said plus, Shillien Elders do not have Body to Mind. Spellhowlers do.
So in the end I think both would have the same MP management problems.
As for nuking undeads... I did it with my Elven Elder on level 45-48, I think. It is doable. But slow. You will get much more XP and use less shots if you are in a party. So only go nuking undeads if you don't have any other option and really want to grind.
Not sure how doable it is on later levels. But others probably can tell you about it.
Right now she is working on a palus knight with the intent of being a blade dancer and my goal is to pick the best accompanying buffer/healer to that in order to make leveling enjoyable for both of us..
1. Warcryer
2. EE/Bishop.
ideally I would like to play an SE,
You would hardly like to play an SE. Boxing is another story.
So everyone's kinda gone over EE vs SE so far in this thread but I'm seeking a little more information on the EE's undead skills and if there are enough viable levelling places to use these skills that an EE could possibly level on their own if needed.. on occaision I do like to solo.
Soloing on EE is somehow doable, but it's not what you would want to do regularly. Soloing on SE is doable too, but you would want it even less. Soloing on Warcryer is... better (I'm not a fan of soloing anyway).
I would like to defend the SEs as main characters abit.
Everyone that is bashing SEs do that becouse SEs have pretty weak heals at 70+ in the big dungeons.
HOWEVER the SE is THE best healer for small parties, they got offensive buffs, Recharge and Heal+Vr. This is more then enough to keep party alive, keep them very good buffed + haste pots and recharge.
Not to talk about beig a recharge for a few nukers in small groups.
Its very doable to play and enjoy a SE even at higher levels. They have there spots where they shine the most. Also their prophecy is pretty good to boot.
It is true that there are ********s of boxxed 58 SEs, but hell there are almost the same amount of boxxed prophets and even WCs to...
Id argue to say there are more boxxed prophets then SEs even but thats just imo.
Just take all the whines about SEs and tone it down abit. SEs used to be the ONLY good healer once upon a time, and everyone and there mother played them and many of them got angry when the standard healers shined more them then again with healing.
Not saying SEs is the [censored] thou but there are alot of whines that is injustified about them that comes from angry my-healers-is-not-imbalanced-anymore-ppl.
And an SE will be a better duo for a shillen knight then a EE/bishop. While EE/Bishop WILL be a better HEALER for a shillen knight tanking in 9 man groups and raids.
Well this SE vs Healers can go on forever really. Just like to defend them abit. They have a great role in this game. Sure many ppl have SEs boxxed. but thats a general problem for all buffers.
Soloing on an EE would be painful, bishop has more undead skills than an EE but it doesn't make it any less horrible and painful and slow.
And what nameless said is about right, it hardly matter who is truly the best healer when 99% of the groups can get along with ANY healer or sometimes just pots.
Thanks to everyone for your input on this, your knowledgeable opinions are very much appreciated. Although I believe the warcrier/blade dancer combo would be super useful.. i just can't bring myself to play an orc (sorry orc people *patpat*)
About the 'boxing', I'm not entirely sure what is meant by that (to make my noobness more aparent). Does it mean making an alternate character to buff a main or is there more to it than that? This character isn't for buffing myself it will be to party with my girlfriend soo.. it is going to be my own main..
Boxing means having a second account and playing it at the same time either on the same computer on window mode or a second computer. They usually use the healer on the second account to buff out of party so they can level faster.
Boxing means having a second account and playing it at the same time either on the same computer on window mode or a second computer. They usually use the healer on the second account to buff out of party so they can level faster.
Thank you Tengu, that was pretty much my suspicion.. I really have no interest in this, it's a somewhat common practice in other mmorpg's I've played and well.. I'd rather play with someone else than myself.. haha..
Thanks to everyone for your input on this, your knowledgeable opinions are very much appreciated. Although I believe the warcrier/blade dancer combo would be super useful.. i just can't bring myself to play an orc (sorry orc people *patpat*)
Play a healer, and try to keep plenty of Warcryers in your friendlist.
This character isn't for buffing myself it will be to party with my girlfriend soo.. it is going to be my own main..
The ingame grind is so long that it can affect the style of your reallife affairs with the other players :D
In BD-SE duos (and BD-SE based groups) the SE's role is mainly submissive, noone expects them to actively control the playing field (it's not impossible with SE's skillset, but Bishop and EE are much better at it).