New Player

[emeposk]

I just bought the game two days ago, and I haven't yet got a chance to play more than 20 minutes thanks to a 7 month old baby, but anyhow...

I originally planned to play a monk, but, after doing some research it seems like they're a very complicated class, and I would like something a little easier to start out with to get used to the game.

I was thinking between the following classes, BM, Bard, and Dragoon. Can someone please give me the pro's and con's of these classes? If someone has a suggestion for a beginners class that wasn't of the three I listed, I am very open to ideas.

[Yukagama]

I just bought the game two days ago, and I haven't yet got a chance to play more than 20 minutes thanks to a 7 month old baby, but anyhow...

I originally planned to play a monk, but, after doing some research it seems like they're a very complicated class, and I would like something a little easier to start out with to get used to the game.

I was thinking between the following classes, BM, Bard, and Dragoon. Can someone please give me the pro's and con's of these classes? If someone has a suggestion for a beginners class that wasn't of the three I listed, I am very open to ideas.

I think Blm alot easyer then drg and monk to play.

[Ehayte]

So a couple things before I give my opinions on the specifics of those classes/jobs.

1 - Consider tanking. Tanks are in short supply and high demand, and Paladins are very easy to play. They are a semi-high pressure job, but it is uncomplicated to use. If you don't think you will have large chunks of time to devote to queuing for dungeons, waiting to get into a group, then doing the dungeons without baby interruptions, being a tank will help you get instant queues for almost anything you want to do.

2 - Try everything! Some of the classes in this game function pretty different from one another, and from other MMOs in terms of traditional playing styles. I would recommend giving everything a try until you find something that you enjoy!

As for those classes/jobs:

Thaumaturge/Black Mage - VERY easy to play. The first 15 levels are kind of boring and a little tedious because if your low health pool, but they end up being rediculously fun (1800-2000 dmg crits, and the best AoE dmg spell in the game!). They attack from range, so there is a slight advantage there, but they have low health pools, and 90% of their damage dealing ability requires you to stay still to cast a spell, so as you dodge red circles and AE effects, you will lose some DPS. Overall, it is my 3rd favorite class in the game. In terms of simplicity, it is, in my opinion, the simplest lvl 50 DPS class to play, in that you can maximize your damage through a very simple rotation that doesn't require much innovation or circumstantial changes (i81 BLM).

Archer/Bard - I don't have any personal experience with ARC/BRD past level 15, but it is one of the most in-demand (if not THE MOST) DPS classes in the game at level 50. They have great group utility, and they do decent damage. They are also the most flexible in terms of damage up-time, as they don't ever have to cast spells, so they can be constantly moving and dodging. In terms of simple mechanics, they have a lot of buttons to press, but nothing overly complicated to deal with.

Lancer/Dragoon - OMG I hate Dragoon, lol. But the reason I hate it is because is slow and very simple compared to MNK (my main). You have one main damage combination, a couple DoTs, and a lot of off-GCD abilities. I will say that they do pace the skills you get pretty well for DRG. Meaning it will start off as being BEYOND simple to use your skills, and then they add one or two every 5 levels that you learn to weave into your rotations. My DRG is only level 34 because I didn't like it very much, but I got the general gist of where the class was going from there.

Overall, I'd recommend trying some of every flavor before you put a ton of time and effort into one class.

[Bixby]

I would say BLM or BRD. BLM has a rotation that's pretty easy to understand. BRD has an easy time with positioning and movement compared to, well, any other class at all. DRG's rotation isn't so bad to start with, but it gets kind of hairy later on.

[jabbywocks]

I find tanks are usually the easier for me, personally, to play. Just be prepared to be blamed for everything that goes wrong in a dungeon run and to be the leader of the group.

But it really is a personal preference. Some people find different classes easier than others based on their preferred style of game play.

[emeposk]

Thanks for the information.

My situation is that I have a 7 month old daughter. She doesn't tend to sleep like ever. TBH I wouldn't be playing any MMO's if she slept reliably, because I would be playing League of Legends. But It's simply just not an option for me at this time. So I decided to try some MMO's since I can generally play for 5 minutes at a time, and drop whatever I was doing, and handle real life things.

So basically due to my situation I ruled out tanking because in my experience people get pissed when I either have to AFK for extended periods, or drop group because my daughter woke up(I only play while she sleeps). So I tend to prefer to solo content as much as I can because I don't want to be a liability to my group.

I think I am leaning towards a black mage at this point. Can you tell me about the summoner class ? At least, I think that's what it's called.

[emeposk]

As far as my style of play, I value classes that can solo better than others highest. I enjoy playing all roles dps, tank, and heals. I'd like to say I have a very versatile play style.

[Bixby]

So I tend to prefer to solo content as much as I can because I don't want to be a liability to my group.

There is a significant amount of forced grouping in this game. Starting around level 16, the story line quests will require you to do a dungeon or primal fight every few levels. See this thread this thread for a pretty complete list. Unlike some other MMOs, you also can't outlevel the dungeons, then go back and solo them. You can't enter without a party of the intended size, and the dungeons sync your level down to their intended level.

Not to discourage you from playing, just thought you should be aware ahead of time. There are still other things to do besides the main story, of course, but if you're interested in the main story, you're in for a good deal of instances that require partying.

Edit: All that being said, pretty much any class can solo decently. Healers and tanks kill things a little more slowly, but are hard to kill themselves. DPS kill faster but are squishy. SMN is actually one of the easier soloing classes, because they get tank pets. I personally find soloing easier on my tank classes than my DPS or healing classes, just because I don't have to worry so much about getting ganged up on.

[AzucenaC]

Summoner like the Blackmage is a caster DPS role that relies on pet input. Your DPS mainly comes in from DoTs and ensuring that they are all up. For single player content I believe that it is one of the best out there as you are loaded with your own healing spell, MP regeneration (BLM has to balance Astral Fire/ Umbral Ice procs for their MP regen, and ours is just one button) and tank pet. The only thing we don't really have to start off with is a good AOE and burst DPS.

Plus when you are able to do the job quests you get to have primal's floating around and nor just carbuncles. Arcanist is also currently the only class that can have two jobs.

But I am a bit biased as SMN is my main. It's up to you on how you wish to play and what cracks that cheeky grin on your face when you down content.

[emeposk]

There is a significant amount of forced grouping in this game. Starting around level 16, the story line quests will require you to do a dungeon or primal fight every few levels. Unlike some other MMOs, you also can't outlevel the dungeons, then go back and solo them. You can't enter without a party of the intended size, and the dungeons sync your level down to their intended level.
.

I think I am okay with that, as long as I am playing a DPS class. I wouldn't feel bad about dropping group during an dungeon as a DPS class because there is always a bazillion DPS people ready to take my spot. I was playing the star wars knights of the old republic before I bought this game. However, I found after a month of playing, I just didn't enjoy the game. I think I only played that long because of the genre.