Returning after a 4-year – Looking for a fresh start (DPS/Utility advice)

[Lupin12]

Hiho,

It’s been about 4 years since I last touched Return of Reckoning, but I’m officially making my comeback now. Honestly, the modern MMORPG market has become incredibly stale and boring, and absolutely nothing out there scratches that genuine PvP/RvR itch like this game does.

I’m looking for a fresh start, but my playtime is somewhat limited now—usually around 3 hours a day. My absolute main priority is just having pure fun and enjoying the progression. Since I only have a few hours a day, I wanted to ask how the current gearing progression looks? Is it doable to get competitive gear nowadays mostly through scenarios and casual RvR?

Before diving in, I did some reading on the forums and narrowed my interest down to four specific classes that look really fun to me:
Engineer
White Lion
Squig Herder (specifically ranged)
Witch Elf.
I don't mind a class with a higher skill ceiling or unique mechanics, as long as the gameplay feels rewarding once you get the hang of it.

I already know that I want to stay away from tanks and healers, as those playstyles have never really clicked with me. I’m looking for a DPS class that can hold its own across different types of content. I enjoy everything from large-scale warbands (unorganized) to small group skirmishes, but it’s a huge plus if the class can actually survive and perform well in a 1v1 scenario. It doesn’t need to be a perfect all-rounder that excels at everything; I’m totally fine with a class that has varied strengths depending on the situation.

I'm also not hunting for the absolute 'flavor of the month' or a broken/overpowered class (though if one of these happens to be very strong right now, I won't mind!). I’ll most likely be playing solo at the start, but I’d love to join a community later on. Are there many casual-friendly guilds active during European evenings?

With that in mind, I’d love to get your thoughts on a few questions:

How is the current meta looking for the classes I mentioned?
Which faction (Order or Destruction) is currently lower in population and genuinely needs more active players?
Specifically for the DPS role, which side is currently in greater need of more DDs right now?

Thanks in advance for any tips.

[Bankei]

Don't worry about population control, your single character will not make a difference. Play whatever is more appealing to you. Join a guild that plays in your timezone

Engineer has a very high skill ceiling and the difference between a good engineer and a mid one is massive
White Lion has a spec for everything but it's melee so having a healer or guard is ideal
Squig Herder is a really interesting class with good solo/small man/SC spec with ranged and a good melee spec for warbands
Witch Elf is also high skill ceiling, it's the stealth class if you're into that type of gameplay

There's a ranged patch incoming if you're worried about that kind of thing.

I suggest that you follow the rule of cool, whatever you find more appealing, go for that. And like I said, join a guild that plays in your timezone and you'll have a much better RoR experience

[Lupin12]

Hi there,

It’s really cool to get a reply so quickly. My best buddy just told me, “Go for it—RoR is currently the best option for PvP players like me.” And here I am.

I still have one class at RR 80—my DPS shaman—but I don’t want to play that one. Then there are a few others at various RR ranks. But the classes I’ve always really liked are Engi, White Lion, and—on Destro—Witch Elf and Rangen Squig.

I’d love to play them all at once, but my wife, job, dog, and my hobby of playing PvP games don’t really allow for that. That’s why I’d be really happy to get some good advice from you guys on which class I should use for my comeback. As I mentioned before, the class should also be fun—which is, of course, a personal preference. But hey, I like all four, and I’d love to hear your thoughts on why you enjoy playing one class over another. That’s much more important to me than playing a “meta” class.

[Martok]

White Lion...Witch Elf...

White Lion is a good utility class, and if you play in AOE Loner Spec EVERYONE will love you for it.

However, if your goal here is truly just to have some fun, play a Witch Elf.

How is the current meta looking for the classes I mentioned?

The current Meta is Blob Blob Blob Blob Blob and then Blob some more. In that context, play whatever class you want. It won't matter.

Which faction (Order or Destruction) is currently lower in population and genuinely needs more active players?

With all the cross-realming this isn't really an issue anymore either. Typically one side or the other dominates on numbers based on who decided which side to play that day. Or night.

Specifically for the DPS role, which side is currently in greater need of more DDs right now?

See above. Both factions are heavy with DPS, therefore my best advice is just play what you enjoy.

[Cruor34]

As for your gearing question, I highly recommend you do PvE and save your PvP coins for the best stuff. I came back to the game like 3 weeks ago after a 10 year break and I did my first Lost Vale yesterday. I didn't know my ass from my elbow my first few days back. The PvE gear is really good, and a Crypts is like 30 mins, if that. Bastion Stair is like 70 mins with a normal group. You run 4 times you 100% get all your gear.

[Lupin12]

Thanks for the awesome feedback, guys! Really appreciate the detailed breakdown and the tip about PvE gearing through Crypts and Bastion Stair—definitely going to save my PvP emblems for later if PvE gear is that fast to get.

I get the 'rule of cool', but since I’m strictly limited to 3 hours a day, I really need to narrow it down to just one class to make any progress. You mentioned that Engi and Witch Elf have massive skill ceilings, and White Lion needs a pocket healer. What about the Ranged Squig Herder?

Since time is short, what are the small, fine differences between these classes when it comes to efficiency? Which of them is the least frustrating and most rewarding? If you could only give me ONE specific recommendation for my situation, which class should I log into tonight? Just give me a name!"

[Martok]

...I really need to narrow it down to just one class to make any progress.

Leveling in this game isn't what it used to be. Meaning the overall process is much easier now than in years past. In that spirit:

1. Use Tier One to help choose that particular class you want to play. My point is if you spend a couple of days play time on a White Lion or Squiggy and it doesn't click, you haven't lost much. Roll up another class and go again.
2. With that as a bench mark my suggestion is, for that 'one class' to play is: For Order: The White Lion. The class is versatile enough to be successful alone, in small groups (which is the best play anyway), and in warbands. It has good burst damage, a pull (which actually works now), and decent escape tools if it comes that.
3. For Destruction: The Witch Elf. You want to have fun playing this game? Play a Witch Elf. The Witch Elf Mafia is always recruiting, and they can cause more anguish in three hours than most people do all week.
4. One other class I would suggest giving a look is the Shadow Warrior. The most fun I ever had leveling a class through the lower tiers was on my Shadow Warrior. Once I got into Tier BillyJoeBadAssWereAllInSovGearFarmingLowbies I kinda let it go, but still.
5. Play Scenarios, play scenarios, play scenarios. Combine playing Scenarios with your PVE activities and you will both level fast and learn the class.

If you could only give me ONE specific recommendation for my situation, which class should I log into tonight? Just give me a name!

Within that confine, Witch Elf. That is a sincere answer.