ROGUE

NDA lifted so guess we can talk a lot mroe freely now. So if anyone wanted to write up a bit about their experiences with a soul they played with a fair bit go ahead.

Riftstalker Calling: Rogue. Role:Defensive Fighter/Tank

Unusual to see a Rogue type class which doesn't lose half his HP from a hard stare. But believe me when I say that a heavily invested Riftstalker can tank every bit as well as a Paladin, Reaver, Void Knight or Warlord.

Riftstalker's are all about putting up strong defensive self buffs on themselves via their damage attacks and then holding the aggro of their target so others can kill it (aka: a tank). For example their main finisher is called Guarded Steel which damages the Riftstalker's target for a decent amount and gives the Riftstalker a large buff to armour for a while. Keeping all of these buffs refreshed is critical to success, but it's a lot like spinning plates trying to keep any of them from running out on you. Not an easy class to play well but worth it if you get the hang of it.

Their signature moves are their various "plane shifts". Fancy name for teleports. They have loads of them: Shadow Shift, Shadow Stalk, Shadow Assault, Shadow Blitz and Flashback. If you've got quick fingers you can keep bouncing from target to target to intercept incoming adds (Riftstalkers are unmatched at this) or bail out a squishy who has gotten into trouble by teleporting to the group member being attacked.

Yea I did have a very brief go at Riftstalker for the instance as we needed a tank so I went and bought the role etc. Was a lot like Shad with the tele's and liked that aspect.

I really had a blast with the Sabateur, pun intended and would really like to play that as my main. Figured Riftstalker would be a handy second soul maybe, for just the occasions we are a tank light in group, on a rogue toon, maybe backed up with Bard as a 3rd for CC as and when needed. All three skills pure, should make for quite a versatile setup, with skills to fill in slots in any group if we are short. I'd really like not to tank at all this time round, but do worry we'll be short. Of course, I could make a rogue and a tank class, depends on the levelling curve at higher levels really.

Although Moonie reckoned that Riftstalker did actually take significantly more healing than my previous plate wearer, stands to reason, otherwise it'd be pointless making a full on tank class, so I may have to stick with my more traditional tank if we are in fact short, just for any really big hitters.

Shame though as I REALLY enjoyed blowing stuff up. Although the gameplay on Sab' was a bit samey to say the least.......Press 1,1,1,1,1,2; Boom. Rinse and Repeat. Great aggro catcher though, Drop a DOT AE chemical bomb at a rift and you have mass aggro as they pop. Then just sit back and let others finish your kills for you. Was completing the 14 and 16 rift mob kill daily quests in two or three rifts or invasions. Easy life.

I've also tried Nightblade, found it pretty standard hack n slash although the sneaking could be handy, and Ranger, which I didn't really enjoy.

Maybe... but bare in mind that since you;d just swiched to it quickly you maybe hadn't geared yourself up with tank statted equipment before hand (kind of need +endurance instead of +strength and +dexterity). Still I intend to make it my main (and dabble in Nightblade for if I need more of an offensive punch now and then) so will see how it goes.

I can say for sure my Rogue Riftstalker could take a hell of a lot more of a beating than my Warrior Riftblade though, heh. Now HE was squishy as hell.