A general guide to being good at what you do

[Rare]

So, I am writing this guide because as time goes by I have noticed that there are MANY end game players that do not have a grasp on the class roles of PVE and what is necessary to be a great contributor. I will attempt to address all 3 classes and hope that if anyone has any comments or additions that they would feel compelled to post them. Maybe there is already a guide for this. I figure with the huge influx of guides, what’s one more?

This list is a general list of do’s and don’t’s that I feel every player should keep in mind during their time on Alterra. I don’t profess to be any expert or to have all the right answers. Also, this guide will focus mainly of pure classes. Multi spec classes add an entirely new dimension. Also will not take into account elixirs as that changes the entire dynamic.

Bears

The Ursans, commonly referred to as bears, are the tank class. The skills available allow this class to not only protect your party but to make progression through maps much more simple. Here are some suggestions.

Do’s:

1. First and foremost, use taunt, often. Not only does it attract attention away from lesser armored party members but gives you a considerable addition to dodge. This is especially important to support mages who's Heal skill may take aggro from mobs (Thanks maiohwmai!!!)
2. Stay ahead of the pack. Bears do not have the luxury of great damage. So hanging around a couple mobs when there are four other members taking them out is really wasting valuable time. When you know your party can safely handle the mobs on thier own, get out of dodge and head to the next group.
3. Learn to use beckon efficiently. The most efficient use of beckon is when you can pin a large group of mobs to a wall. Not only does it make everything pretty when your teammates let loose, but it make clearing mobs much more efficient.
4. Learn to use stomp effectively. There is nothing worse than scattering mobs all over the place when your mage and bird friends are trying to do massive damage to the whole group.
5. Keep a healthy supply of health pots available. Unless you have very high dodge, there is a good chance you will need these.
6. Learn to work WITH other bears. This will be addressed further in the Don’t’s section.

Don’t’s:

1. Don’t go crazy with your beckon. Scattering mobs is probably the single most time consuming way to clear a map. This, along with your handicapped damage, is what gives bears a very bad reputation.
2. If there is another bear in the party, work with them. If you see them beckon, wait to use yours. You don’t have to just mash every skill you have all the time. There is a time and place for everything.
3. Don’t stomp mobs out into the open, scattering them every which way. Its annoying.
4. Don’t wait for the mage(s) in the party to heal you. There is only so much they can do.

I know, a lot of these do’s and don’t’s are one and the same. But its important to drive this home. I think Bears are the most hated, loved, difficult, and fun class to use.

Mages

The role of the enchantress is to support your party using buff and healing skills and to deal a good amount of area damage.

Do’s:

1. Spam heal, especially when going gets tough. As mentioned above, this skill may pull aggro so be aware of your surroundings.
2. Pay attention to your party’s health. If you see someone about to go unconscious, get ready to revive them.
3. Work with the bears in your party. Use their skills to your advantage.
4. Use your party buffs as often as possible. But use them effectively. For instance, since buffs only last a short time, don't use them when you have 10 seconds of running to the next group. Use them wisely, but often.
5. If there is a bear in your party, wait to drop your combo (Ice Storm + Firestorm) until the bear has pulled all the mobs together. This will do the most damage in the least amount of time.
6. Keep a healthy supply of mana pots to help with your Magic Shield.
7. Keep moving.

Don’t’s:

1. Don’t only heal when you need it. Help support your team.
2. Don’t get ahead of your group and don’t take off on your own. ESPECIALLY if you are the only mage.
3. Don’t be counterproductive to other party members, namely bears. Many of your skills will negate the ability of bears to use beckon effectively. Don’t just run into the room and start unloading your skills. It will go faster if you are patient.
4. Don’t firestorm your opponents all over the place. Similar to bears, use this skill appropriately to minimize scattering.

Birds

The role of the Avian is mostly to deal a large amount of damage to as single target. Birds also have a potentially deadly AOE combo (Shattering Scream + Blast Shot). This class will do the most damage and will generally have the highest number of kills. In my opinion this is a fun class, but the most simple.

Do’s:

1. Protect yourself. Keep in mind you have generally lower armor and will be killed quickly.
2. Target the appropriate mobs first. For example, in Mt Fang, it’s a good idea to take out those pesky mages first. Not only because they deal long range damage, but their little pets will die with them. It’s much easier to kite the soldiers without taking much damage.
3. Same as with mages, work with bears and use their skills to your advantage.
4. Keep a healthy supply of mana and health pots.
5. Keep moving.

Don’t’s:

1. Don’t run into the room by yourself, you almost certainly will die.
2. Don’t wait for mages to heal. Use your pots if necessary.
3. Don’t root the mobs until the bear has had the opportunity to beckon.
4. Don’t run into the melee (unless you are a dagger user). With your range you should be able to keep a good distance from the mobs and keep yourself upright.
5. Don’t be afraid to kite.

This is a preliminary list of do’s and don’t’s. I’m sure there is much more to be added and I’ll update when I have more time. I hope it’s useful. Enjoy.