Description
Warriors are the backbone of Norrath's great armies, while the races that employ them vary the training rarely does, mighty strength and courage has to be demonstrated just to join the ranks of a Warrior guild. Practically every civilised and many of those more primitive races of Norrath produce and support Warriors. They are always thoroughly trained in close combat and familiar with all the common weapon types, they are expected to get right up to their opponents and stand toe to toe regardless of their enemies armory.
Not only are they expected to use their strength to dish out damage in very close quarters, they are to withstand a greater amount in return. Warriors are the most experienced and battle hardened troops and the grizzled veterans on any expedition are usually of this class. They have the greatest endurance, strength and toughness of any who specialise in melee combat, capable of lasting longer than even the most noble knight in a drawn out battle. Only the Warrior has the skills to physically shield others from melee damage and they are the only class capable of developing such a high level of proficiency in every weapon type.
Though a Warrior is a true expert in melee combat and a somewhat self sufficient class, they are not suited to adventuring alone. Warriors rely on magical healing to regenerate after battle which restricts their abilities when fighting solo. They are often capable of beating creatures only slightly less adept than themselves but getting back to full health afterwards can be a significant barrier to advancement. In a party Warriors are a valuable ally and are usually very aware of how to best make use of their limited but exceptional talents. They are not a class that can fit any other role but make an excellent choice for filling that single role they do fit in.
Warrior Races
Barbarian, Dark Elf, Drakkin, Dwarf, Froglok, Gnome, Half Elf, Halfling, Human, Iksar, Ogre, Troll, Vah Shir, Wood Elf
Stats
Warriors are melee combatants through and through, they need to be very strong and very tough, which is determined largely by their strength and stamina. These are the two most important statistics and every effort should be put into developing them beyond their starting values.
Warriors will usually deal with incoming damage by absorbing it rather than avoiding it but being able to dodge and parry well is a great asset to their abilities. Agility determines much of their proficiency in those skills but a high dexterity can also be useful in some areas, such as the Warriors ability to inflict critical hits and master archery.
Tips
- Strength is a determining factor in how hard a Warrior can hit and the average damage they inflict over the course of a fight. Increasing it is of great benefit to the Warriors damage dealing abilities.
- Stamina is really the Warriors primary statistic, Strength is important but the damage they dish out is only secondary to their ability to take it. At creation its advisable to place all points in Stamina as it is tends to be harder to increase with items than Strength.
- A Warriors equipment has a greater influence on their abilities than pretty much any other class. With no significant unique abilities or spells ultimately they can only be as protected as the armour they wear and as dangerous as the weapons they carry. Investing in better equipment should be a Warriors number one priority when it comes to spending.
Screenshots
With thanks to Keruptt (Barbarian), Norkon (Barbarian), Suulloo (Ogre), Torementor (Ogre) and ??? (???) of the Karana server for being the Warrior screenshot models!
Sites
Casters Realm
http://eq.crgaming.com/menu/warrior.aspIncludes information on combat disciplines, tomes, alternate advancement, skills and strategies and the Warrior epic quest blades.
The Steel Warrior
http://www.thesteelwarrior.orgHuge EQ Warrior community where you can find advice and information on virtually everything a Warrior encounters during their career.