Two-boxer going to three need new partner

[Filudan]

I have been experimenting with two-boxing.  I finally found a combo that worked for me by starting from scratch with a mage/cleric combo.  This was simple enough for me to get to 23/24 easily.   It is a lot of fun too.

So I was thinking about adding a third.  I could account transfer my 26 BL who is feeling ignored anyway and add him to the mix.  This would get me a few things:

 - Slow (useful indeed)
 - A more durable puller.  Also cool, and pulling with slow sounds like fun.
    I would still use the cleric pacify line but via assist targeting.
 - Nice buffs including SoW and eventually Spiritual Light
 - A rockin' pet.

In this way I can switch back and forth between the mage/beast and have the cleric be healer/pacify/rez.

Both the beast and the mage would buff.  What do you all think is this a good way to go.  I also have a necro available and she would provide a snare as well as FD, a pet, etc.  She could also be everyones mana battery.  

Please comment
-Filudan

[Tastian]

I really like bst/clr/nec trio.  bst/clr/mag works wonders too.  I know atleast one bst on the boards working up a mage to box atm hehe.  You've got nice dps with that group, paci, rez, lots of buffs, pet toys/focus and what not.  Be a lot of fun and could do LDoN with that group.  Snare the only real thing missing and if your cleric follows inny that might not even be an issue.  8)

[Filudan]

I really like bst/clr/nec trio.  bst/clr/mag works wonders too.  I know atleast one bst on the boards working up a mage to box atm hehe.  You've got nice dps with that group, paci, rez, lots of buffs, pet toys/focus and what not.  Be a lot of fun and could do LDoN with that group.  Snare the only real thing missing and if your cleric follows inny that might not even be an issue.  8)

Ya, wish I had thought of that at the time.  My cleric is a dwarf.  I will be using stuns and roots for snare-like effects.  If I were to start from scratch it would have been DE Cleric, DE mage, and Iksar BL but the combo of Gnome Mage, Dwarf Cleric and Barbarian BL has got some character.  The gnome is evil as well (worships Bertoxxulous) and in my mind has enslaved the Barbarian and Dwarf.  This should be a blast.  Thanks

[Tastian]

Yeah it's a blast imo and very viable.  Root helps, stuns from pet, you can also throw pet snare weapons if you are really going to be in a "need snare" type of area for awhile.  With the dps you have there not like mobs should make it far anyways, especially if you are good at timing your nukes.

[Phanq]

The gnome is evil as well (worships Bertoxxulous) and in my mind has enslaved the Barbarian and Dwarf.

Just had to say that cracked me up.

[Incite]

I'm running beastie/cleric/necro at the moment, but I'm working up a mage to take the necro's place.  

The two concerns are:

Mana regen on the mage.  Necros have stupid mana regen capability, my necro runs archlich all the time, so every mob gets a full helping of dots and nukes.  Mages have limited mana regen by comparison and thus for LoDN at least will also require KEI.  Modrods help somewhat, but I'm not convinced of the practicality of remembering to click a modrod on all 3 characters every 5 minutes.

Snare.  At the very least snare can be replaced with Hobble.  This is not ideal due to the loss of stun on the beastie pet.  I have a feeling however that either the combination of stuns from the warder & 61 air pet or 61 earth pet & stuns from warder will take care of runners fairly well.

What do you gain taking a mage over a necro?  

Group utility; mages have a whole bunch of summoned toys which increase effectiveness, and while some of these decrease in value as you get better gear some retain their effectiveness permanently.  

Scouting ability; this is the biggie for me, as my current group set up has no means of scouting, Eye of Zomm is very handy.  

Burst DPS; mages can knock out a large amount of DPS in a short time, while retaining a steady mana free DPS output from pets.

[Noriko]

Slow/snare is nice but it would really help if you have a porter.  Once you have one, you won't ever go without.  :D

[Tastian]

"Slow/snare is nice but it would really help if you have a porter"

Port is handy and it just so happens that both classes that can port can snare, but SLOW is defining.  Slow makes some fights go from "Can't win" to "bring two of them" lol.  There's no way I justify anyone running a trio (possibly even duo) with plans to get up into the higher levels without having some form of slow.  Even a bard I could see (what fun to box!! lol).  Anything will work, but later on in levels if you don't have slow you will be limited on options.  You could try to go for more of a kite type of group or something, but I think bst is a great fit for your group.

[Filudan]

Snare.  At the very least snare can be replaced with Hobble.  This is not ideal due to the loss of stun on the beastie pet.  I have a feeling however that either the combination of stuns from the warder & 61 air pet or 61 earth pet & stuns from warder will take care of runners fairly well.

I believe I can get by as well.  Makes me wish I had a DE cleric though for the clicky snare item.  Since my group is only in the twenties I am definately considering it.

Scouting ability; this is the biggie for me, as my current group set up has no means of scouting, Eye of Zomm is very handy.  

With your mage pick up the Clay Bracelet  .  This is an insta click Eye of Zomm for mages only.  Sweet and saves a gem.

Port is handy and it just so happens that both classes that can port can snare, but SLOW is defining. Slow makes some fights go from "Can't win" to "bring two of them" lol. There's no way I justify anyone running a trio (possibly even duo) with plans to get up into the higher levels without having some form of slow. Even a bard I could see (what fun to box!! lol). Anything will work, but later on in levels if you don't have slow you will be limited on options. You could try to go for more of a kite type of group or something, but I think bst is a great fit for your group.

This comment from Tastian is the reason I am going beasty.  I have a wizard and the ports are amazing but I must have slow if I want to do PoP content and so...

Beastlord it is.

-Filudan

[Incite]

I believe I can get by as well.  Makes me wish I had a DE cleric though for the clicky snare item.  Since my group is only in the twenties I am definately considering it.

Well my cleric has it perma equipped, but she rarely uses it.  The long cast time combined with the short duration make it a complete pain to use effectively.  It's good as an emergency stop-gap, but it's not to rely on.

With your mage pick up the Clay Bracelet  .  This is an insta click Eye of Zomm for mages only.  Sweet and saves a gem.

Yup, already have one of the clay runes for that one.  ;)

[bham]

Mana regen on the mage. Necros have stupid mana regen capability, my necro runs archlich all the time, so every mob gets a full helping of dots and nukes. Mages have limited mana regen by comparison and thus for LoDN at least will also require KEI. Modrods help somewhat, but I'm not convinced of the practicality of remembering to click a modrod on all 3 characters every 5 minutes.

I use a beast/cleric/mage combo

Until the recent patch I would burn thru my mage's mana bar with about 10 mins to go in an LdoN.

In the recent patch the damage and duration of damage shields were improved. Also the mana cost of black steel and sun vortex were reduced. I dont have any numbers but using the exact same play style I maintain max DPS on my mage for an entire mission, usually with 30%ish mana to spare. Also elemnetal draw adds some extra mana regen now that pet canni is gone. In an LdoN I run:

kei 14
SD 9
water elemental illusion 4
phantasmal armour 8
Mental clarity 3
elemental draw 3
flowing thought 10
mod rods ??

thats... umm... lots of mana regen. A necro gets more, but a mage gets plenty.