I get it now.

[Velorn]

To my fellow Clerics,

I never truely understood what the big deal was with playing clerics. All the complaints about zerggers, expenses, resource management etc....but all that changed when I rolled one up...now at L5. I have only pugged with him 3 or 4 times and after yesterday....I get it. From the twin zergging dwarves (one was a ranger!!) to the squishie wizard and sorc.....I get it.

Went through 3 CSW wands 22 CSW scrolls (probably not a lot but still) and tons of mana in 1 elite TR run. Don't get me wrong. It was absolutely fun, great XP but resource intensive and I'm still learning the class. Good thing I was funded by someone higher up or I'd never be able to afford it:D Tacticians they were not. I found myself talking alot...to myself. Here are a few of the tamer highlights....many were repeated to myself over the course of the run.

"W*F...stay in range"
"Yer gonna die before I get there"
"Geez bud...do you have any AC at all"
"Critted again were ya"
"Where the **** are you going"
"I guess you guys don't want my buffs huh...OK"

Were we ever in any serious trouble...nah...but what an eye opener.:D:D Experiences like this can only make my melee characters play a little better....i.e. smarter. I'm looking forward to the next PUG run because I think pugging is where I'll up the learning curve....

Another sidenote...Why the **** am I so slow!!!!!?....even with 10% striders.:D

Perseus

[Gol]

Play a battle cleric, zerg with them :D

[Zenako]

Can we get an AMEN to that brothers and sisters...

Another one saved...

There is hope still for the world and the vision of the world that clerics see to reach the masses.....

I have often felt playing a cleric was like the mom with 5 kids trying to get them all dressed for sunday activities at once - AFTER snack time and sugar kicked it...:D

[Velorn]

Play a battle cleric, zerg with them :D

Hiya Gol,

He gets his fighter level at L10 - 14:D:D. I haven't quite decided at what level yet but he does have a starting 15 str for when that day comes. For now, I use the Sovereign Host enhancement for long sword proficiency and Bull's Strength spell.

[Arianrhod]

Clerics always seem too slow. I like dragonmark of passage on humans, or clickies of expeditious retreat. Really helps keep up with those groups that set out at a run and never stop.

[Ringos]

Amen.

Funny, but I've capped a Cleric at 16 and none of my guildies (small guild mind you) have taken one above 8...and nobody else in the guild even had one. They get deleted a few levels in when they realize how much 'fun' it can be at times. When I run with my guild, I'll let them know if I get tired of catching up, only to throw a few heals in the middle of a fight before they take off again. Once, after repeatedly asking them to slow down so I could actually see what the heck they were fighting and participate in the battles, I just stood where I was. After a while, and a verbal lashing, they got the hint. I play other classes to, so I know how it is when you have a good Cleric. You tend not to worry about heals because you know you'll always get them. Sometime you just have to get the group's attention though. When I pug one of my Clerics, I stay away from parties that seem to be under-powered for the quest at hand. Saves me money and grief.

Take care!

[lostinjapan]

My L16 cleric's motto:

"I can't heal stupidity."

My lowbie cleric's bios:

"Just because I know a quest like the back of my hand does not mean I intend to throw away plat in the form of wands, scrolls and mnemonic potions for YOU to play stupidly. You want me to have any of these items so you can play the moron? You provide them before the quest begins."

Oddly enough...whenever I pug my lowbie clerics....people don't give me stuff they just play smart...and I use only spell points. :p

[issiana]

hehe i like it lost.

I put in my bio ....

"just because i'm a cleric dosne mean i HAVE to heal you. I actualy need more soul stones for my magical experiments, Oh and who ever said a cleric HAD to be good? muhahaha"

oddly much like you i dont really have to many issues. i wonder if it is our bio messages that makes the point?

As for op. yeah i was once like that. my clerics where dirt poor (i started out as clerics with no one higher to "fund" me) and it annoyed me to see others waste my plat get annoyed at me for "slow" heals aka they zerged to somewhere only they now where, lol, then complain about getting yet another vorpal as end reward while i got yet another set of armor.

Let the zergers die, its the only way they will learn, oh and if they drop group due to "bad clericing" then your better off anyway :)

[Velorn]

Amen.

Funny, but I've capped a Cleric at 16 and none of my guildies (small guild mind you) have taken one above 8...and nobody else in the guild even had one. They get deleted a few levels in when they realize how much 'fun' it can be at times. When I run with my guild, I'll let them know if I get tired of catching up, only to throw a few heals in the middle of a fight before they take off again. Once, after repeatedly asking them to slow down so I could actually see what the heck they were fighting and participate in the battles, I just stood where I was. After a while, and a verbal lashing, they got the hint. I play other classes to, so I know how it is when you have a good Cleric. You tend not to worry about heals because you know you'll always get them. Sometime you just have to get the group's attention though. When I pug one of my Clerics, I stay away from parties that seem to be under-powered for the quest at hand. Saves me money and grief.

Take care!

Funny you mention that. As I was setting up to pug last night...the first group I see in the LFM's is Delera's that already has 5 in the group....3WF and 2 dwarven barbs and NO wizard. I think to myself..."uh-huh..not going near that one":D:D

[Velorn]

My L16 cleric's motto:

"I can't heal stupidity."

My lowbie cleric's bios:

"Just because I know a quest like the back of my hand does not mean I intend to throw away plat in the form of wands, scrolls and mnemonic potions for YOU to play stupidly. You want me to have any of these items so you can play the moron? You provide them before the quest begins."

Oddly enough...whenever I pug my lowbie clerics....people don't give me stuff they just play smart...and I use only spell points. :p


I like those....I guess I'll just have to think of a good one to put in my Bio. How about....
"Please play smart. My backpack is already overflowing with the Soul Stones of your predecesors who lost at the game "Kill or be Killed". Donations are accepted...no refunds or tax reciepts supplied.":D:D

[CrazySamaritan]

Experiences like this can only make my melee characters play a little better....i.e. smarter.
Yes, three things that everyone should do;
1) Solo three quests with their main (one on normal/one on hard/one on elite)
2) Play a rogue for half of the cap
3) Play a cleric for half of the cap

I'll add to the list as classes get unbalanced, but I don't see a significant play change with DPS/AC fighters or DPS mages.




Another sidenote...Why the **** am I so slow!!!!!?....even with 10% striders.:D
I KNOW!!! Got 20% on Cijeorge.

[Crud]

Funny you mention that. As I was setting up to pug last night...the first group I see in the LFM's is Delera's that already has 5 in the group....3WF and 2 dwarven barbs and NO wizard. I think to myself..."uh-huh..not going near that one":D:D

Aint the annon button great :-)

[Velorn]

Aint the annon button great :-)

:D:D

[Zenako]

Funny you mention that. As I was setting up to pug last night...the first group I see in the LFM's is Delera's that already has 5 in the group....3WF and 2 dwarven barbs and NO wizard. I think to myself..."uh-huh..not going near that one":D:D


Was that group forming on all servers last night. :eek: I swear that is so much like one I saw on Sarlona when on my 8th Cleric that it is scary. Delaras will be fun with her, but man, that group looking for a cleric and only a cleric sure had sink written all over it.

I will join pugs if it is a quest I know I could solo on normal with my Cleric. More warm bodies should make it work on Hard or even Elite.

[samho]

Was that group forming on all servers last night. :eek: I swear that is so much like one I saw on Sarlona when on my 8th Cleric that it is scary. Delaras will be fun with her, but man, that group looking for a cleric and only a cleric sure had sink written all over it.

I will join pugs if it is a quest I know I could solo on normal with my Cleric. More warm bodies should make it work on Hard or even Elite.

*sniff*

Delera Part 2 was un-soloable :-/ (thought it's the second time I'm forced to group for my young cleric. Fortunately, I just find another cleric and duo the rest of delera until his friend showing up before the final fight of necromancer's lair :p)

Currently try to keep soloing and see how far he can be (at level 8).

[lostinjapan]

I KNOW!!! Got 20% on Cijeorge.

I know! My L16 has 30% striders and still runs slower than anyone else in the party. :confused:


Aint the annon button great :-)

Absolutely. My bards and clerics all run anon. Too bad it doesn't stop the plat farmer tells too. :mad:

[Kronik]

Welcome to our world Velorn.

Althought there are some real bad PUGs, you will learn to appreciate a good group that can handle the quest without you, but will bring you along for the insurance. From my experience, you only get a bad PUG about 1 out 5 quest.

On the positive side, you will always be able to get into a group.

[Zenako]

*sniff*

Delera Part 2 was un-soloable :-/ (thought it's the second time I'm forced to group for my young cleric. Fortunately, I just find another cleric and duo the rest of delera until his friend showing up before the final fight of necromancer's lair :p)

Currently try to keep soloing and see how far he can be (at level 8).


Have sometimes called in a free guildie to pull the lever a few times, then pop a chest or two with them. Usually bring in a lower level toon so they don't bork the EXP, they can then leave before finishing the part so they don't lose the shot at first time EXP. Done that a few times. First time was with my Bard and he was working on his new Song of the Dead tune. Checking out its area of effect, reach and things like that. (Plus he had never done some parts on elite so he was favor grubbing).

[transtemporal]

Welcome to the fold Velorn! There are plenty of people out there that know how sucky it can be as the cleric and don't care, but there are few who are prepared to walk a mile in a clerics shoes to see what its like. Good on you. :)

[Drider]

Clerics always seem too slow. I like dragonmark of passage on humans, or clickies of expeditious retreat. Really helps keep up with those groups that set out at a run and never stop.


Even with 30% striders on or haste, it still feels like I'm running slower then eveyone else.

[Kronik]

Even with 30% striders on or haste, it still feels like I'm running slower then eveyone else.

You need to get the dragonmark and 30% striders. I did and am usually running in the front with the zerging tanks! Better Shield up though, cause it can get messy in the front lines.

[Ringos]

Was that group forming on all servers last night. :eek: I swear that is so much like one I saw on Sarlona when on my 8th Cleric that it is scary. Delaras will be fun with her, but man, that group looking for a cleric and only a cleric sure had sink written all over it.

I will join pugs if it is a quest I know I could solo on normal with my Cleric. More warm bodies should make it work on Hard or even Elite.

Good point on the solo thing. Sometimes it's easier on the Cleric if you short-man a quest since he/she has to worry about less people doing there own thing or causing more bad guys to attack the party than you really want.

[QuixoticDan]

Yes, three things that everyone should do;
1) Solo three quests with their main (one on normal/one on hard/one on elite)
2) Play a rogue for half of the cap
3) Play a cleric for half of the cap

I'll add to the list as classes get unbalanced, but I don't see a significant play change with DPS/AC fighters or DPS mages.

1) Done quests on normal, fail all the time in hard and elite. :)
2) Almost
3) Done it

To the OP, I know what you mean. I pretty much only PuG because of my really odd playing hours. I usually hit pretty sensible groups, and I'm learning the balance between heals and CC (Khaz is a 22 WIS/18 CHA/10 everything else support n00b) so I don't fall back on wanding that much. The simple fact is, with a low-level cleric main, I gots no money, so I usually have to like the people in a PuG as people before I'll crank out the scrolls (on the weeks I can afford them ;) ).

And to your list of statements, I've said them all out loud as I play (no mic, so my party was spared). I'll especially agree on the "Where are you going" one, for that one zerger who always manages to infiltrate my decent PuGs. They always run off where you have to pull up your map just to find the blue dot--it's especially bad in explorer areas--and then their health starts to drop. That's when I automatically target them and pop a heal, restoring myself from full health to full health and usually bruising my forehead (from the self-smacking). In their defense (most of them), they don't wander off and then shout for heals. :)

[JaeBeam]

That's when I automatically target them and pop a heal, restoring myself from full health to full health

I hate that.

[Zenako]

Originally Posted by QuixoticDan
That's when I automatically target them and pop a heal, restoring myself from full health to full health

I hate that.


You know, that is why clerics don't die as much...kinda a self protective reflex action. Too bad we can't store extra for when we need it....

[CrazySamaritan]

1) Done quests on normal, fail all the time in hard and elite. :)
You make the effort, which is a mark in your favor.
(hint: try missing ward at third/fourth level)


I honestly believe that a party of solo-only players is better than even a static group. The skill needed to complete quests on elite, even hard, mean that you know what you can handle yourself, and if the group stays to that max, you'll breeze through it, even elite.

[Beherit_Baphomar]

Been stated a bajillion times before, being a cleric at low to mid levels is not fun. But once you get past those painful levels you get to own everything and everyone.

Oh as for people running off before you buff, do like I do and dont buff. I have Death Ward - Mass at 16 because, well, I dont need a cat that claws midair.

[Yaga_Nub]

I know! My L16 has 30% striders and still runs slower than anyone else in the party. :confused:

QFT

[Heladron]

:D:D

Ninja cleric'ing rules. I run anonymous on both my clerics so I can scan for the stuff I want to run. Cleric's can be an gravy train to XP ville if you pick your groups carefully or group with guildies whenever you can.

Remember, parties don't know what kind of inventory you have so if the group is not playing smart, don't break out your goods to waste on them. When mana is out it's out. I only use my supplies on groups that are playing well or if the group is so fun to be in that even if I go broke it was worth it to be around fun people.

[Velorn]

Ninja cleric'ing rules. I run anonymous on both my clerics so I can scan for the stuff I want to run. Cleric's can be an gravy train to XP ville if you pick your groups carefully or group with guildies whenever you can.

Remember, parties don't know what kind of inventory you have so if the group is not playing smart, don't break out your goods to waste on them. When mana is out it's out. I only use my supplies on groups that are playing well or if the group is so fun to be in that even if I go broke it was worth it to be around fun people.

Ya, I'm thinking along these lines as well.

To everyone, this thread has been a lot of fun to read. Thanks for all your input. Knowing that I will be slower than most is OK with me....just a little revamping. Expedious Retreat clickie....hmmmm. Off to rummage through my bank accounts.:D

I have a feeling that my lowbee cleric won't be low for long with the upcoming week of +25% XP.:D:D

[Hvymetal]

Ninja cleric'ing rules. I run anonymous on both my clerics so I can scan for the stuff I want to run. Cleric's can be an gravy train to XP ville if you pick your groups carefully or group with guildies whenever you can.

Remember, parties don't know what kind of inventory you have so if the group is not playing smart, don't break out your goods to waste on them. When mana is out it's out. I only use my supplies on groups that are playing well or if the group is so fun to be in that even if I go broke it was worth it to be around fun people.
Reminds me of a group I got into doing sc today:) I join this human Barbs group, there's two of em so far a Human and a Elven Barb, I am on my new WF Barb and am thinking well at least things will die really fast.... We then add a dwarven Barb (when they show up I notice that they are guildies), and I think to myself ohh ohh, if I was on my Cleric I probablly wouldn't go anywhere near this group. I ended up switching to my Rogue (they wanted the chests I guess:)), we got a sorc and they then picked up a Cleric.

Just reading about groups you wouldn't touched reminded me of a group I was in today:)