Curse

Lord Sabir · Sep 10, 2007, 09:24 PM // 21:24

I just got Nightfall recently, but havent played it much, so I was wondering: If i do make a character for Nightfall, which do you think I should pick? Im looking for a prof that's fun to play, and im looking forward to the new skills.

free_fall · Sep 11, 2007, 12:15 AM // 00:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord Sabir

If i do make a character for Nightfall, which do you think I should pick?

I'm assuming you mean which of the 2 new NF proffessions - Dervish or Paragon.

Depends.

If you're thinking about trying for (at least) rank 1 of Survivor on this new char, then it will be much easier on the Para than the Derv; same for rank 2.

I've got a rank 2 Para (thanks in part to the last double XP cap w/e) that's now just sitting unplayed. I have a Derv that's just over 100k XP shy of rank 2 atm and it was nerve-racking getting rank 1, even more so now.

If that's not a consideration, there's the question of armor.

You didn't say if you're planning a male or female toon. (You didn't say if you're a guy or a gal, either.)

A lot of guys think the male Para armor looks "gay", by implication making them look gay by wearing it, I guess. If that's a consideration for you, make a female toon, then. I happen to like my gleaming white armor (well, ok, the nipples are maybe a bit much).

On the other hand, both male and female Dervs wear ankle-length shirts. I must admit that on my male Derv, it feels/looks just a bit ungainly/unwieldy and I have a buddy who won't play a male Derv because he doesn't want to wear a "dress". Again, it this bothers you, make a female toon. One thing, too is that the armor seems like it's made of either heavy wool (in this heat!!!) or a heavy muslin - not very chic if you tend to a more modish look.

As far as which is more fun to play, hmmm, that's a tough one.

I had a lot of fun with the Para getting the ranks, I like the armor and I like the skills Paras get. There really isn't room for a lot of variety in the weapon designs because, basically, it's just a long, pointed stick - differences do exist but they're not as readily apparent at a quick glance as, say, the very distinctly different types of swords.

I would have to say, though, that I'm finding the Derv a bit more fun to play, despite the rather sack-cloth look of the armor. Nice damage output, nice skills; there are Avatar skills that completely change your appearance and the use of a 2nd skill (Eternal Aura) lets you pretty much keep the change going indefinitely. The weapons also allow for a greater variety in appearance, my two favorites being the Nightmare scythes and Grenth's Grasp (looks like a bird talon shooting the finger - the "bird", get it? - yuk, yuk, I kill myself sometimes).

Let us know which you picked and how it goes.

KiRi · Sep 11, 2007, 01:34 AM // 01:34

free_fall pretty much nailed it,
i've got a Paragon rank 2 as well sitting, and it was a lot easier to get his rank 2 survivor than dervish simply because you get some nice armor stats + range.
So if you're someone who likes ranged battled with a lot of pretty cool support type spells/skills then go Paragon.
If you like being up close and personal go Dervish, and the avatars are really cool o.o but like mentioned weaker armor means you need to be more aware of what skills/buffs you're using to stay alive :P

Roshi_ikkyu · Sep 11, 2007, 02:20 AM // 02:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord Sabir

I just got Nightfall recently, but havent played it much, so I was wondering: If i do make a character for Nightfall, which do you think I should pick? Im looking for a prof that's fun to play, and im looking forward to the new skills.

Well since the other two people seem to want to force you to do the damned survivor crap, I'll give you some advice on actual game play.

Personally I like Dervish, since the new PvE only skills the dervish avatars have become a useful skill. What I mean is now you can maintain an avatar for well... forever. ok but that my personal opinion, actual game play breaks down like this.

Dervish is a warrior with elements of a smite monk I guess, they hit more foes in a single sweep, but they attack slightly slower. Most of there enchantments and spells are to assist or benefit them, and alot depend on conditional elements (Lose an enchantment, foe loses one. Weakness for 10 seconds, foe suffers bleeding for 15sec), in a group dynamic Dervish are really just dmg dealers and over rated shields for the monks. Good tanks too.

Paragon appear to be more of a ranger/ buff shouter, they attack from a distance and have plenty of skills that assist "in the area". Now don't think that the can't be a solo class. I'm just pointing out that in a group dynamic there more use full shouting buffs for the entire group that tanking the mob.

I love my dervish, mainly for the tanking, interchangeability (I think I just created a word), there are a lot of useful secondary classes with Dervish. And the running skills

Cobalt · Sep 11, 2007, 10:51 AM // 10:51

I would go Dervish as the Paragon have been neft batted to near uselessness, it is the least played class in Guild Wars for a reason.

- Tain - · Sep 11, 2007, 02:13 PM // 14:13

Simple answer: go with the Derv, mostly because of its versatility - You're more likely to find something you can enjoy doing with it. Paragons are fun, but have a very limited role, comparatively.

free_fall · Sep 11, 2007, 09:49 PM // 21:49

I don't think we were trying to "force survivor crap" on anyone - surviveability was discussed in context of whether that might be a consideration for the OP when choosing a profession. IF that is a consideration, then para wins, hands down.

Paras are ranged fighters with base AL80, dervs are melee fighters with base AL70 - go figure. What was Anet thinking?

Our characters are more than just the sum of their skills.

To a lot of people, looks count, too. After all, we spend untold hours looking at our char's backsides as we wend our way through the game and, as these toons represent a small part of ourselves, we want to look stylin' while we're doing it. So, I tried to touch of those aspects, as well.

Paras have cool-looking armor but rather non-descript weapons, dervs have rather non-descript armor and cool-looking weapons. IMO, YMMV.

A lot depends, too, on play sytle - if you prefer to do your thang at some remove from the front-line action, then para is for you; if you're more the in-your-face type, then derv is the way to go.