Cleric, Mystic or Stormborn

Satyrion - Sanctuary wrote: »

You can still change your cleric with earthguard eyes and other type hair and such.
Same goes for other classes, its called ini editing.. You can learn more about that in this thread: http://pwi-forum.perfectworld.com/showthread.php?t=1512531

Also every race have same starting area now with new quests, so no matter what you'll pick it will probably be the new questline and area. In the new starting area you get a flyer already at Lv10, so you should be able to fly almost instantly no matter which class you pick. I guess I should mention the stormbringer can cast while moving, that is unique for that class.
Since you said you never been at higher level there also still plenty of skills you havent tried out yet. So much changed, so i'm sure no matter what you pick you'll feel its all new for you.

Annalyse - Heavens Tear wrote: »

Like others have mentioned, mystic pets don't need fed or levelled. My mystic doesn't even use a pet when doing things like questing because she's strong enough to not bother.

Mystics have a few heal types. They have one that is a full heal, like Wellspring but stronger, that people tend to use the most. The second one (that I use a lot soloing stuff) is similar to cleric's IH but weaker, and is used a bit like a buff - you cast it but it doesn't actually heal until the character is struck by something. It's really handy for a lot of situations. There is also an AOE heal, similar to Chromatic but possibly not as strong. Then they have two healing plant skills as well - healing herb is a bit lame, doesn't do enough to be all that useful, but vital herb (higher chi cost skill) is pretty useful. They constantly heal a squad within radius (like BB, but weaker and without the damage reduction) until they die and you have to cast a new one.

I believe there might also be a healing skill that is from AEU or maybe Morai - something I don't have so I can't comment on it.

I play all three of those classes. Cleric was my favorite for awhile, and as a result I have several (two of them 100+). But mystic is my current favorite class. I find them more versatile than clerics but, like you, I love the heal ability and enjoy playing support classes. Mystic gives me the opportunity to play in a variety of ways, which I enjoy.

CapnK - Sanctuary wrote: »

Mystic single-target healing is actually better than cleric's. Cleric group healing is slightly better. Cleric buffs are better. Mystics outdamage clerics until extreme endgame.

Mystic can solo content better in pve. Clerics are more widely requested in squads in pve.

Mystic is stronger in pvp taken on their own, although clerics are great in group pvp with their buffs.

They're both great classes, so obviously you should choose based on which one dances better.

oVenusArmanio wrote: »

Go to certain areas on the map and then start dancing. While you are dancing, press: up, down, up, down, left, right, left, right, a, b. Then you will understand the meaning of PW life and understand which class you should pick. Or you could go with whichever is the most fun.

ProudAngel - Archosaur wrote: »

It's so hard to call one class better than the other. As a cleric, I've never had any problems with PvE content. Anything that can't be soloed is very easy to get help with (especially for clerics). At lower levels, I find that a mystic has to work a lot harder to match up to the healing power of a cleric. That's not a bad thing, but it's something to consider. Healing as a mystic is a lot of fun, and you do have more flexibility in your role than a cleric does. At end game though, clerics are allowed to fill the dd role as well, especially with primal cyclone.

You really just have to pick what you like. I've only ever played a mystic to the 70s, and I love it, but cleric is my main, and I think it'll always be my favorite.

Colum - Raging Tide wrote: »

I have played all 3 classes - Cleric for years, Mystic since it came out and Stormbringer since it came out. My main is a demon Barbarian, but my demon Cleric has full g16 gear (good and rather easily obtainable 100+ gear better than original r9) and he is level 102/102/101, my demon Mystic shares the same gear and is 101/101/101, my demon Stormbringer will use the gearset as well and currently he is level 98. In other words, I have high level experience on all except Stormbringer in some aspects.

I'll go class by class how I feel about them.

Cleric

They are most reliable and easiest to play when it comes to healing. Getting their heals to full potential takes a while (stacking IH or slower casting skill like Stream of Rejuvenation to get up a bunch of HP). BB is great (regeneration aura, reduces 50% of incoming damage of party members and constantly AOE heals) but maybe bit overappreciated. With decent good set of gear at 100+ you'll find that healing others is usually very easy and you find time for something else like debuffing or DDing.

You have Wings of Protection you can give to others to shield them a little, and you have 100% working purify which is a very important support skill. People will also love your buffs. As a demon cleric you can also restore your own and other people's mana. You have seals for debuffing and controlling the enemy when necessary.

Cleric's damage is fine, but not glorious before you get primal great cyclone and ultraviolet dance. This will take a while to achieve.

Clerics can solo PV and other instances if they know their class well. By using genie and your control skills right you get far and can keep yourself alive for a long time - you have three different shields you can use on yourself, not to mention the greatness of IH stack and fast purify. Clerics are wanted in squads for heals and supportivity, but as a DD they might not want you. Aesthetically speaking clerics can look kinda cool in violet dance form, and some of their newer skills have pretty neat effects.


Mystic

Their single heals are STRONG. A mystic can keep themselves alive simply by spamming their basic heal if they do not get one shotted or interrupted. They have a non-stackable, however still very handy heal-over-time skill that will give a buff on the player and be triggered when the player gets hit (Falling Petals). Their AoE heal has rather long channeling and cast time but they get another AoE heal at 100+ that will heal a chunk of HP over time at the cost of one spark and you can move around while using it, the heal will affect players nearby you (Gaia's blessing). You can also use two different types of plants for AoE heal.
As a mystic you can put a shield on target with Salvation summon, and you can reduce incoming damage with spidervine plant. These two aspects help mystics to counter the loss of skills like BB and wings of protection. A skilled mystic can heal you through Wraithgate without needing a purify.

The biggest con in mystic healing, imo, is the lack of purify. Itis not necessarily needed in most places, but it still could be helpful. A sage mystic can purify with a 25% chance on their basic heal Break in the Clouds, whereas Demon mystic has a 33% chance to purify on their AoE heal but cannnot decide which target gets the purify. Best to not rely on the purify, instead take advantage of your strengths.

Mystics have useful buffs. Their self-buff increases some of their defenses, their group buffs at 100+ will increase skill damage, heal effect/regeneration/charm cd reduce and they have the resurrection buff. Mystics also have their plants for debuffing purposes mostly, and their summons to assist mystic with DD or supporting. Summons will consume mystic's own mana, but I found it lot easier to control your mana after the 79 skill.

Damage-wise mystics are good, very good. They have a skill to boost their damage and channeling, skill to leech their summons off and give them specific boosts - these aspects and the fast channeling makes a mystic have a good DPS.

While playing a mystic even in the healer's role you will find yourself dealing damage at the monsters while at it, at least most of the time. A mystic can also easily heal themselves while fighting against monsters and bosses. They can solo PV easier than clerics and I find them more regenerative.


Stormbringer

I doubt no one has still fully mastered this class. They cast while moving and depending on the amount of ice or thunder charges they have in use their skills have different boosts and effects. They channel fast and they have excellent control ability, including a paralyze. They also got plenty of AOEs. In my eyes theyre pure DDs with a lovely magic defense debuff.

Survival-wise they dont shine as much as clerics and mystics. They have one rather powerful self-heal that will not allow you to move, and they have a passive that will help a bit with their defenses but they are not exactly... regenerative or tanky. SBs best defense is to avoid being hit, which is easy on this class in most situatons. Their 79 skill lets them to create a clone of themselves that will be available for 20 seconds, deal decent damage and the summon is rather tanky. It is a great distraction.

SBs have few interesting skills which make them fun to play. For example electrostatic discharge, which damages the target as it moves. It is simply fascinating.

Dont forget SBs have a beautiful meditation, and they can turn into their reaper form which also looks absolutely gorgeous. It is aesthetically very good class. As an SB you will not have to deal with the stress of healing others, just damage away.