Whats up with Stoneskin?

[DGMart]

I'm kinda shocked at peoples insistence on using caster ability and/or spells along with a melee class, yes I know you CAN but why so insistent? You could sub whm or rdm on a melee in XI but nobody did since it was worthless outside of very few specific HNM fights.

Stop expecting the best of both worlds and you'll understand the system much better.

Maybe he would like to solo without resting much... Who are you to dictate how he plays. The whole point of the cross class system is to do just that, mix abilities/spells. This is not 11 so why even bother bringing it up. Clearly he is new and just asking for some help.

To the Original Poster.. Stats and attributes are a little messed up since alpha. So please wait for 1.19. The devs said they are fixing it and it will be out in 1.19 where you can see what your attributes effects. You also got to remember this is SE we are talking about. A lot of things in the game are still vague. Also the game is still in Beta stage even after release so many things needs adjustments.

As for what you should equip at low level. A healing spell of some form, shocks, all the dps boosts that you can get on your bar. Also pro shell if you are soloing and going for harder mobs.

[Deathgiver]

A little off topic from OP, but since the conversation has turned to cross-class abilities I'll share my observations. There are 4 factors involved in spell casting you need to consider; Cast time, recast time, spell duration and spell effectiveness. In regards to the first three the formula is simple, without affinity you receive a 20% penalty, with affinity you receive only a 10% penalty. For example, Emulate has a 1 minute recast timer, and effect duration of 30 seconds. Without affinity on another class this becomes 72 seconds and 24 seconds respectively, with, 66 seconds and 27 seconds respectively. -n regards to spell effectiveness there are an additional 2 factors that can effect this penalty on top of the base 20%/10% penalty. For all spells, you have to meet the recommended rank as listed in the spell description, and with some spells your attributes play a role in effectiveness ;as well (think cure where both mind and magic potency effect the level of HP recovered.)Spells not effected by attributes like siphon TP will follow the 20%/10% penalty as long as you meet the minimum rank requirement. All of this is regardless of whether you are playing as a discipline of war or magic. With weaponskills you also need to factor in damage type of the weapon being used, ie skull sunder is a slashing attack so it won't be as effective with a piercing or blunt weapon.

[Coglin]

Spells not effected by attributes like siphon TP will follow the 20%/10% penalty as long as you meet the minimum rank requirement. All of this is regardless of whether you are playing as a discipline of war or magic. .

Not to get of topic, but for the sake of accuracy, siphon TP is effected by a stat. Piety modifies the amount of TP, Magic points, and hit points(drain) taken from the target, with siphon TP, siphon MP, and drain, respectiely.