IRL - 3 Characters what for the 4,5, and 6th spot?

[Raelvictus]

Morning all — I’ve been playing for a while, but due to some recent circumstances, I’ve had to cut back on spending. I’ll now only be running three main accounts.


At level 125, focusing on group content, I’m trying to decide the best setup:


Option 1:

• 1 × Healer (cleric, probably)
• 1 × Tank (SK probably)
• 1 × CC (bard probably)
• 3 × DPS (free accounts)

Option 2:

• 1 × Healer (cleric, probably)
• 1 × Tank (SK probably)
• 1 × CC (bard probably)
• 3 × DPS (mercenaries)

Which approach would you recommend for consistency and efficiency in group play at this level?

 

[Sic]

i like the free accounts - krono them and max AAs at some point - a f2p toon is better and more flexible than a merc - plus if you change your mind later you're not starting at 0.

imo, i would all access tank and 2 dps, and f2p cleric/bard

 

[RobRenfro]

The free accountts

 

[Redmonkey]

I like your option #2. That way your mercs are Journeyman. Cause when you drop to F2P/Silver your mercs will drop to apprentice.

I run a healer, tank and wiz merc on paid accounts. They are doing well in current content. Keep in mind I do not raid and am not pumped up like Arnie so my idea of them doing well is strictly in a group setting.

I mention this as an alternative to just using DPS mercs. If your doing group stuff then try out the healer merc or even the tank. After all a lot depends on your play style.

 

[BobGrabber]

I also vote f2p. I did the 3 paid, 3 merc combo for years. Popped a Krono on a f2p cleric and it was game changing. Even after the month of paid drops, f2p is still a winner.

 

[Scharnhorst]

Wizard dps is mostly the same between FTP and Gold - so if you want to cut on costs, make all your dps caster based

I am currently using a SHD, SHM, BRD, ENC and WIZ x2 and at lvl 130 I can do all content (including saviour achievements for group missions). Only the SHD is gold, the others are FTP now (but with max AA).

I will replace the SHM and BRD eventually and see if that works better (with a DRU and a MAG), but this group already melts stuff (the BRD and SHM boost SHD dps a lot, and the ENC helps both Wizards, plus I like the run speed).

Also if you want to go FTP, I recommend getting all 125 gear from the Anniversary tower (and then replace what you can with HH CoM gear, which also has luck and is not prestige). Also you can buy the rank2 unlocker from the marketplace if you are FTP (costs 750 DB cash).

 

[fohpo]

I’m with Sic on this one, FTP is stronger/more flexible than mercenaries. Personally, I’d pick between melee or caster group and pick from there. SK tank and bard in both, I personally prefer shaman over cleric too. If going melee, add bst/zerk/monk and casters mage/wiz/enc or 2nd mage/wiz (enc gives group higher ceiling but complicates the gameplay). A caster group can realistically have 5x FTP and not be impacted *as much* (with Spell Damage changes, they definitely benefit from sub more than they used to).

Wizard dps is mostly the same between FTP and Gold - so if you want to cut on costs, make all your dps caster based

I am currently using a SHD, SHM, BRD, ENC and WIZ x2 and at lvl 130 I can do all content (including saviour achievements for group missions). Only the SHD is gold, the others are FTP now (but with max AA).

I will replace the SHM and BRD eventually and see if that works better (with a DRU and a MAG), but this group already melts stuff (the BRD and SHM boost SHD dps a lot, and the ENC helps both Wizards, plus I like the run speed).

Also if you want to go FTP, I recommend getting all 125 gear from the Anniversary tower (and then replace what you can with HH CoM gear, which also has luck and is not prestige). Also you can buy the rank2 unlocker from the marketplace if you are FTP (costs 750 DB cash).

This isn’t true anymore, Gold on casters is going to be a bigger damage increase than min/maxing FTP stuff. SoR T1 is better too afaik.

 

[joshuag]

I personally have a ftp 6 box atm all 130 max aa. seem to do just fine in group content have on just t1 group gear with the free augs from the heroic 115 set up, 125-130 t1 non prestige gear. went silver on all my toons when things became uncertain and will give it another few weeks before activating and playing on my accounts with pay-ed for content. I would go full 6 box over merc, just imo. playing some ftp toons atm full 6 box started at level one want to be safe for a bit...

 

[fohpo]

I personally have a ftp 6 box atm all 130 max aa. seem to do just fine in group content have on just t1 group gear with the free augs from the heroic 115 set up, 125-130 t1 non prestige gear. went silver on all my toons when things became uncertain and will give it another few weeks before activating and playing on my accounts with pay-ed for content. I would go full 6 box over merc, just imo. playing some ftp toons atm full 6 box started at level one want to be safe for a bit...

I didn’t even consider the heroic 115 augs being FTP for a tank…

 

[Scharnhorst]

I’m with Sic on this one, FTP is stronger/more flexible than mercenaries. Personally, I’d pick between melee or caster group and pick from there. SK tank and bard in both, I personally prefer shaman over cleric too. If going melee, add bst/zerk/monk and casters mage/wiz/enc or 2nd mage/wiz (enc gives group higher ceiling but complicates the gameplay). A caster group can realistically have 5x FTP and not be impacted *as much* (with Spell Damage changes, they definitely benefit from sub more than they used to).


This isn’t true anymore, Gold on casters is going to be a bigger damage increase than min/maxing FTP stuff. SoR T1 is better too afaik.

I was not aware of changes done to spell damage, do you have any links to read up on that? The SoR T1 does not have any luck in it and the OP said his group is lvl 125 - so not sure how this gear would be better?

Edit: I still think the dps difference will be minimal, but yeah better on a gold account. I can easily test that too (one of my wizards has a full set of prestige gear with Augs and evolving mask / ring - so I can compare that with a FTP wizard with non-prestige stuff).

 

[fohpo]

I was not aware of changes done to spell damage, do you have any links to read up on that? The SoR T1 does not have any luck in it and the OP said his group is lvl 125 - so not sure how this gear would be better?

Edit: I still think the dps difference will be minimal, but yeah better on a gold account. I can easily test that too (one of my wizards has a full set of prestige gear with Augs and evolving mask / ring - so I can compare that with a FTP wizard with non-prestige stuff).

I've been trying to find the documentation for the change, a few of the numbers addicts have been talking about them in a private Discord.

 

[durango773]

I've been trying to find the documentation for the change, a few of the numbers addicts have been talking about them in a private Discord.

I think the discussion and notes are on Beta forums. However this alludes to them: https://forums.everquest.com/index....3-03-2026-patch-notes-and-discussions.309074/

 

[pasthiml]

If it was me, I would:

Go the 3 FTP DPS with SK, bard and healer

If you want to go with mercs, I would go with paid accounts SK, Bard and a DPS(BL) with DPS and healer mercs.

 

[reedreddington]

If you are running group content you want to have as much burst DPS as possible. I would steer away from DOT classes. I would recommend either a melee combo with monk/zerk/rog or a caster/range combo with mag/wiz/rng to go with SK/CLE/BRD. Also, SK has a very high max aa amount where WAR maxes with a much lower AA count. I have personally found that my WAR is making things die faster than my SK, but you do lose out on some awesome Knight abilities.

 

[Meyrr]

If looking to FTP for the remaining three I would sub the driver (tank) and DPS of yoru choice. I have either two rogues/zerker. Not sure about FTP bard but a cleric/shaman or the like work just fine. Cheers mate//

 

[fohpo]

I think the discussion and notes are on Beta forums. However this alludes to them: https://forums.everquest.com/index....3-03-2026-patch-notes-and-discussions.309074/

Makes sense, I know it had to do with coefficients and how the added damage was calculated. My general understanding was that there was a multiplier or something added for the cast time, effectively making SpD the go-to stat for scaling casters.

 

[Gekko]

With a bard as your CC, I would say consider building a melee oriented group. I also like the idea of using actual accounts, and down the road as Sic mentioned consider a krono or two or three.

 

[fohpo]

With a bard as your CC, I would say consider building a melee oriented group. I also like the idea of using actual accounts, and down the road as Sic mentioned consider a krono or two or three.

We don’t need no stinking CC, cleave it all down

 

[fohpo]

If looking to FTP for the remaining three I would sub the driver (tank) and DPS of yoru choice. I have either two rogues/zerker. Not sure about FTP bard but a cleric/shaman or the like work just fine. Cheers mate//

Better off not stacking two of the same DPS unless you’re doing something incredibly dumb with zerkers and blowing up a boss or AEing

 

[reedreddington]

We don’t need no stinking CC, cleave it all down

With group content the only time you might need CC is on missions, but those mobs are usually immune to mez or the mechanic that spawns the adds is easily worked around. So I personally don't even load a mez song on my bard. I just keep the tank alive and power thru. If you run a SK and can't get single pulls you are doing it wrong or relying on automation.

 

[fohpo]

With group content the only time you might need CC is on missions, but those mobs are usually immune to mez or the mechanic that spawns the adds is easily worked around. So I personally don't even load a mez song on my bard. I just keep the tank alive and power thru. If you run a SK and can't get single pulls you are doing it wrong or relying on automation.

I don’t single pull on my SK tbf, but I also have raid gear

 

[Robban]

Anyone seen any difference since they upgraded the dps and healing on the mercs?

 

[Koko]

If you run a SK and can't get single pulls you are doing it wrong or relying on automation.

Automation ftw!!!!

 

[Meyrr]

Better off not stacking two of the same DPS unless you’re doing something incredibly dumb with zerkers and blowing up a boss or AEing

Very true it was literally more of a lazy thing when I first started with MQ. I useually run one of each, sprinkle in my BST experiment when I change the group comp up. Actually looking to try a caster back end of one each just to check it out. Got some of the 115 boosts for coming back and as long as the "tools" are available will definitly have some fun with the robes. My standard three are always SK/BRD/CLR unless i swap into the WAR or sub in the SHM. Even with the couple of years break still great fun. Cheers mate//

 

[Ephraem]

i like the free accounts - krono them and max AAs at some point - a f2p toon is better and more flexible than a merc - plus if you change your mind later you're not starting at 0.

imo, i would all access tank and 2 dps, and f2p cleric/bard

I never thought about this... Does it means (sorry my noob mind) that a free account is better than a merc ? I see lot of stuff in red on my free accounts, it is a true issue for me. Do I have to Korno them ? Explanation about this plzzzzzzz !

Thx

 

[ChatWithThisName]

I never thought about this... Does it means (sorry my noob mind) that a free account is better than a merc ? I see lot of stuff in red on my free accounts, it is a true issue for me. Do I have to Korno them ? Explanation about this plzzzzzzz !

Thx

Free accounts - by default cannot:
- Wear prestige items
- Cast Rk. II or III spells*
- Gain over 1k or so AAs**

* you can buy a Rk. II unlocker from the marketplace for a permanent unlock to Rk. II spells
** You can use a krono to get a month of gold, get AA's (must spend them while gold) and then let the gold lapse.

The only thing you can't really work around for free accounts that I'm aware of is prestige gear.
Prestige gear includes T3 gear (Raid gear basically)
Most augmentations

There may be other things I'm just not thinking of atm. But I'm not thinking of them.

 

[zarroth]

nobody ever goes bard/sham/4xwar like god intended

 

[Ephraem]

Free accounts - by default cannot:
- Wear prestige items
- Cast Rk. II or III spells*
- Gain over 1k or so AAs**

* you can buy a Rk. II unlocker from the marketplace for a permanent unlock to Rk. II spells
** You can use a krono to get a month of gold, get AA's (must spend them while gold) and then let the gold lapse.

The only thing you can't really work around for free accounts that I'm aware of is prestige gear.
Prestige gear includes T3 gear (Raid gear basically)
Most augmentations

There may be other things I'm just not thinking of atm. But I'm not thinking of them.

Understood, thx for infos. All the AA gained in gold are still available in free then. I'll give it a try today.

Cheers

 

[ChatWithThisName]

Understood, thx for infos. All the AA gained in gold are still available in free then. I'll give it a try today.

Cheers

All the AA that you ASSIGN are still assigned when it goes back to free*
They must be assigned.

 

[Maul]

I’m with Sic on this one, FTP is stronger/more flexible than mercenaries. Personally, I’d pick between melee or caster group and pick from there. SK tank and bard in both, I personally prefer shaman over cleric too. If going melee, add bst/zerk/monk and casters mage/wiz/enc or 2nd mage/wiz (enc gives group higher ceiling but complicates the gameplay). A caster group can realistically have 5x FTP and not be impacted *as much* (with Spell Damage changes, they definitely benefit from sub more than they used to).


This isn’t true anymore, Gold on casters is going to be a bigger damage increase than min/maxing FTP stuff. SoR T1 is better too afaik.

What's changed recently for Silver -> Gold for casters? I understand Dex augs for melee but whats the benefit of gold for casters?

 

[Sic]

What's changed recently for Silver -> Gold for casters? I understand Dex augs for melee but whats the benefit of gold for casters?

increased hps (hsta), and augs that give spellpower + hint --- the new changes make gold toons with absolutely shit all over casters without, but also items like raid 2hander with type type 8 aug slots (for procs)

 

[Maul]

increased hps (hsta), and augs that give spellpower + hint --- the new changes make gold toons with absolutely shit all over casters without, but also items like raid 2hander with type type 8 aug slots (for procs)

Does it have that much of an impact for just group geared casters? I had no idea there were spellpower augs (just starting out in Laurion as I like to complete an expansions group content before moving on)

 

[Sic]

Does it have that much of an impact for just group geared casters? I had no idea there were spellpower augs (just starting out in Laurion as I like to complete an expansions group content before moving on)

spell power augs that fit in type 7 - a lot of eq can be overcome with "moar deeps" so yeah can definitely have a big impact

 

[Maul]

spell power augs that fit in type 7 - a lot of eq can be overcome with "moar deeps" so yeah can definitely have a big impact

Oh i'm an idiot, I was thinking entirely about type 5 +heroic stat augs

 

[Scharnhorst]

spell power augs that fit in type 7 - a lot of eq can be overcome with "moar deeps" so yeah can definitely have a big impact

I've seen this referenced a couple of times, but I still have not been able to find any patch notes or data on these changes. Do you have any link or source where I can look this up?

Someone mentioned the most recent patch notes, but nothing there about spell damage on casters. Also with the new non-prestige augs, the difference between gold and silver would be about 2k spell damage (the multiple procs gold can get on weapons and evolving items - e.g. the type 19 augs - has more of an impact imho).

 

[fohpo]

I've seen this referenced a couple of times, but I still have not been able to find any patch notes or data on these changes. Do you have any link or source where I can look this up?

Someone mentioned the most recent patch notes, but nothing there about spell damage on casters. Also with the new non-prestige augs, the difference between gold and silver would be about 2k spell damage (the multiple procs gold can get on weapons and evolving items - e.g. the type 19 augs - has more of an impact imho).

2k spell damage is a lot after coefficients and focus effects, secondly having the extra procs and heroics is pretty big.

I can’t access the beta forums to get the discussion there.


Wiz, SK, dru, enc, shm, bard - that would have been higher with mage instead of shm. I don’t think I’ve seen a FTP caster break 20m yet.

 

[Scharnhorst]

2k spell damage is a lot after coefficients and focus effects, secondly having the extra procs and heroics is pretty big.

I can’t access the beta forums to get the discussion there.

View attachment 76833
Wiz, SK, dru, enc, shm, bard - that would have been higher with mage instead of shm. I don’t think I’ve seen a FTP caster break 20m yet.

Yeah those are big numbers how much spell damage on the WIZ? and are these changes live yet?

 

[The Ancient One]

I would say to ya, if you do have the chance for max AA: Tank, Bard, Monk and F2p Cleric, Shaman and Rogue.
If you do not, Tank, Bard, Monk and Mercs (Cleric, Rogue and Wiz), might be fun!!

 

[fohpo]

Yeah those are big numbers how much spell damage on the WIZ? and are these changes live yet?

Changes have been live, gear isn’t insanely crazy.

TOB T2 raid focus, SoR T1 staff, rest is SoR T3 group, T2 spells, TOB hInt Type 5s and either BiS/close to BiS Type 7/8s. I’m pretty sure with mage and pots, I can push it to 25m with some decent RNG.

 

[Scharnhorst]

Changes have been live, gear isn’t insanely crazy.

TOB T2 raid focus, SoR T1 staff, rest is SoR T3 group, T2 spells, TOB hInt Type 5s and either BiS/close to BiS Type 7/8s. I’m pretty sure with mage and pots, I can push it to 25m with some decent RNG.

Thanks!

Then I'd say the biggest factor would be how you play or the automation you use to play. My SK and WIZ with similar group composition and gear (also gold) dont come anywhere close to your numbers.

My SK is on SoR t3 group gear with radiance sword, slayer achievement and 8 trophies (6.3k spell damage) and it usually hovers around 7m on a burn (with Bard and Shaman on the group). However, both wizards (one gold, one ftp) are very close to each other on DPS (but again, they do 1/4 of your damage).