Returning Player Overwhelmed

[Camalott]

I could write a book in response to your question. I left just before 2.1 came out. I came back ten weeks ago. Everything you are worried about, I was worried about too.

I ended up starting a new character. Thing is, you haven't missed as much as you think you might have missed. I didn't miss nearly as much as I thought I missed.

I earnestly regret starting a new character. I could have picked back up where I left off easily. Sure, I didn't want to nosedive right into endgame content right out of the gate. Give me a week or two and I would have been back up to full speed.

I feel it is my duty to warn you: DRG aren't the most liked lot right now. They have a branding issue brought about by two things:

1) Idiots seem to like playing DRG. Not all DRG are idiots, but it does seem that most idiots are DRG. It gives the good DRG a bad name. I think it's because DRG are shiny and so cool looking that attracts them.
2) DRG have low M.DEF. A lot of endgame content is heavy on the incoming magic damage. Makes DRG a soft target. It has created a stereotype that DRG spends most of its time eating dirt.

I hope that 2.5/3.0 fixes these issues for them.

[Asheilin]

...
I ended up starting a new character. Thing is, you haven't missed as much as you think you might have missed. I didn't miss nearly as much as I thought I missed.

I earnestly regret starting a new character. I could have picked back up where I left off easily. Sure, I didn't want to nosedive right into endgame content right out of the gate. Give me a week or two and I would have been back up to full speed.

...
I hope that 2.5/3.0 fixes these issues for them.

@ above, dragoon changes are coming Dec 9th. as stated by the latest live letter.

@OP
As with the above poster, I was in your place myself. I came back around 2.35 from before 2.1. My main, was a 39 SCH. I deleted her; struggles with classes, and then eventually chose to level it again (as smn) but after 50, I returned to SCH. I spend more time leveling up other jobs then working on the 50 Questlines. I regret deleting my character when I came back. Currently, I have smn/sch at 50, Ninja at 41; cnj at 34, thm at 30 (and that was a grind for me!) Arc at 26, LNC at 27, PGL/MDR/GLD at 15; Miner at 36, GSM at 40. I see people with FULL 50s and feel left behind. However, just remember; its a game. Go at your pace, have fun. try out other classes, work on the dungeons at 50, dailies, etc; you'll find your niche and then most of the worries wont feel so overwhelming.
The only reason I'd say start fresh is to do quests again for story or to leave your server as most people dont want to pay the 18$ for a world transfer.

[Camalott]

@ above, dragoon changes are coming Dec 9th. as stated by the latest live letter.

Didn't even notice the live letter was published. Thumbing through it now. Glad to see DRG is getting the attention it deserves.