The battle of the characters

[Ratsmack]

Allright people, call me just a person who tries to get as many posts in his threads, but here's something I've been thinking about. Just what IS the best character? Speaking RAmars, RAcasts, FOnewms, etc., of course, not which of the characters owned by the PSO world people is the best. So, reply with your boasts about your character type (no stupid "HUcasts r0l3 d00d!" stuff), and maybe your take on a couple of the types. Here's my take on the types:

RAmars: Love 'em. Well...being one. I find when playing as a Hunter, only the really good ones can do enough to be useful. They cast spells too, so they're pretty much a long-range powerhouse that run out of TP faster, but can use their guns instead.

All something-cast chars: I'm sorry, I know a lot of people love their androids, but I just can't stand being one. I feel naked without my resta ready and willing. I played a HUcast for a while, but kept running out of mates so quickly and didn't seem to be much better than a HUmar at that same level.

Forces (all of 'em): Ugh. And ugh some more. It's fun to use such a variety of attacks, but come on! You drain your TP like nothin' at all even when you focus ONLY on MST. And one hit takes about half your HP way, even when you're level 11 in the Forest. Criminy!

HUmars: Love 'em too. They have the spells, so they can weaken a whole gang then slice 'em down like ripe corn. HUcasts may have them in attack power and other stats, but I find my Resta more useful than extra strength.

HUnewearls: Fun. They move damned fast and they attack with quite a bit of style. They're a bit weaker than the HUmars, but it seems they have a better MST, and therefore can rely a bit on spells, then jump on in and kick some ass. Plus, it's damned hysterical to see one of the small newearls with a sword. Hee hee.

[LastUtopia]

I disagree with you on the android characters. Sure, you may not have Resta, but that's not such a problem when you're using a RAcast. Sure, HUcasts need to be up close so they eat up the mates faster, but a RAcast can stand back and blast away at the enemies, picking them off one by one.

[Ratsmack]

True, but I with my Ranger, I find him being beaten around quite a bit, as I rarely snipe. I like to run into battle, fire off some heavy hitting shots to slow down the baddies and skeedaddling before I get hit. Still, I DO get hit, and it's no problem because I just resta and have to restore my TP...rarely, though. Still, I admit it would be easier to be a RAcast rather than a HUcast. Oh, and also *bump*

[-Matrix-]

Its quite fun being a HUcast, in my opinion.
But I dodge alot, and for some reason, when I equip my Orotiagito, I dont get hit alot when i'm doing y 3 hit combo, even if I'm in the middle on a bunch of Demians. When I try to do that with my Twin Brand, I get stopped before I get my 3rd hit landed...

But I also use tactics, like run around the monsters a few times, then smack em in the back. And it's always fun playing with forces, since they heal me everytime i';m down... http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/icon_biggrin.gif

Maybe it's cuz i'm friendly and all. http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/icon_smile.gif

[Zephyr]

I *lub* playing with casts! http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/icon_eek.gif http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/icon_razz.gif

[Seutekh]

I'm currently playing a HUcast and a HUnewearl.

I'm getting close to maxing all my stats on the 'cast, and I do find the lack of techniques kindof a let down... But I have fun with him anyways. He whoops butt and takes names, and looks good doing it.

The 'newearlis still pretty low lev, but also great. It's one of the best characters in the game IMHO, but then again, there's something to be said for playing the "lower tier" characters.

Props to all you forces out there. You heal me, zap the baddies when they're at my back, and throw on a shifta & deband just for some flavor. Most of you understand you're a supporting character (just like I realize I am due to a lack of techniques) and you're not unhappy about it. I love ya all.

[Isamu64]

It sounds to me like the only reason you don't like playing as android characters is because you don't conserve items. I play as a Racast, and with dimates, trimates and star atomizers, thats 30 heal items, 20 of which are full health restore items. If I get whacked I don't heal right away, as soon as my health starts gettin low I start using items. Not every hit requires you to heal, so I don't. I only heal when I have to because I need to conserve items. The only times I really wish I could use techniques are when I'm in the ruins on v hard by myself, or when i'm running low on heal items at dark falz, other than that I'm good.

[Ratsmack]

That IS true, I'm a bit less cautious with my Resta at my side. I don't use mates for anything but mag food, though. Still, Resta takes 12 tp, which is easily restored, and in total can provide hundreds of full-heals without counting the fluids I pick up on the levels. Also, new 'casts can't buy Star Atomizers...even if they could afford them, and have to rely solely on monomates at the beginning....ouch.

[Samuel-Vimes]

"The Monks of Cool, whose tiny and exclusive monastery is hidden in a really cool and laid-back valley in the lower Ramtops, have a passing-out test for a novice. He is taken into a room full of all types of clothing and asked: Yo, my son, which of these is the most stylish thing to wear? And the correct answer is: Hey, whatever I select."
-- (Terry Pratchett, Lords and Ladies)

You know, I never really have a problem running out of mates being a Hucast. All you need is a need is some good tactics and a sword or long sword. For example, circling around the enemies to get them in a group and then using your sword. Hucasts can also use guns very well, so you can also pick off enemies from afar if you need to. Anyhow, I really get a thrill being up close instead of just blasting away by the door.

I usually play with a Force for my partner so I don't really worry too much about mates. I watch her back and she watches mine. Works very well that way.

[Seutekh]

"That which does not kill us makes us stranger."

I really wish I could remember where i got that...

[BlitzGott]

I prefer the saying: "That which does not kill me.... better run like hell."

But anyway, I don't have a problem with running out of healing items for my RaCast. I carry 10 Monomates and 10 Dimates, these are just fine, in most cases I rarely use them.

[KLin-304]

Likely the actual biggest advantage that androids have over the other characters is their ATA. Even the HUcast has an ATA stat comparable to that of a RAmar while it has an attack that is higher than any Ranger class character. A skilled HUcast with a decent mechgun can take out almost any minor enemy with maybe one to two combos at most. Also keep in mind the weapons with special HP stealing properties. These weapons were made for the androids, once you get ahold of them, the need for mates is virtually eliminated since you've got a readily available renewable source of HP heading your way all the time. (The battery liquids of the Grants taste best http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/icon_wink.gif After getting a crush bullet, my RAcaseal never uses mates or stars except for MAG fewd also. Although this habit has gotten me into trouble a very few times I got surrounded and couldn't fire the special attack. Also, anybody who has played through the offline game and fought the androids and Kireek can tell you they are fearsome warriors, probably some of the toughest enemies you can find in PSO. It is also rather fun to roleplay an android and say silly things like "Sorry I was low on Ram." and it is easy to find twins or siblings from the same "manufacturing plant" http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/icon_smile.gif

[Azarath]

I myself use both a HUmar and the female force with out the heavy robe dont remember her name only lvl 15...lol. Anyways i just wanted to say that they both take a different lvl of skill and that with proper training in their stong points and a lot of work on their weak points both have become leaders in battle. you just have to know when to fight and when to run. There's no such thing as a bad character just inexperienced players who get cocky and get killed...i have seen many the lvl 100 fall to the dreaded ruins and the lvl 40 make it to dark falz unscratched...but then he just kicks their azz...lol

[Holocaust]

I dont feel there are any "Weak" characters in the game. Its all a matter of preference I feel. I play as HUcast and prefer Partisan or Dual Bladed class weapons. Keeps me in safe range to hit without getting in hopelessly close. Also I dont really care for techniques. I tried to use a force character but Im not feeling them, I wanna jump in and do serious damage, but thats just me. Also I like being able to see traps and not be poisoned or paralized. That stuff annoys me to hell, but thats just me http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/icon_smile.gif .

[Farenfal]

I've played all 3 Hunter types to respectaple levels: Humar - 73, Hucast - 55, Hunewearl - 55. Out of the 3, I found the Hucast to be the weakest of the 3 here's why:

1. Nomagic - This ok in the begnning but I quickly realized how important having a few spells for backup is when I got to Ruins on Hard. Creatures like Dark Gunners are taken down much faster and effectively with the othe two hunter types due to magic. You also have an almost endless supply of healing with the magic using Hunters. If you run outta TP, then pop a Trifuild. I have so many TP's hat 73rd level that my Humar rarely even uses them.

2. Detect Traps/Immune to ailments - Whoopee do. This is pointless in the long run as you ca obviously find armor and items that do the same thing (which my Humar uses).

3. Poor Defense - The Hucast has a terrible defense when compared to the other Hunters. I was critically hit so much with my Hucast, as well as not being able o block worth a damn. Sure they have extra hp's, but it's not worth having petty defense/evasion (not to mention that they don't even have much more than a Humar, it's simply negligable).

4. Higher ATP - Like the Hucasts extra hp's, this again isn't worth it because a Humar nearly catches up in the later levels, and the Hunewearl simply doesn't need the few extra points with her more proficient use of technique. I'd rather be a more balanced character by way of Humar, or have the best defense in the game by way of Hunwearl over being able to deal out a very minute amount of extra damage with weapons. At 72nd level my Humar has maxed 999 ATP with every weapon except my Vulcans (which is NEARLY maxed with Shifta).

Sorry, but the 'extras' of a Hucast, IMO, just aren't worth the costs of lower defense and lack of magic. There are obviously a lot of peole who love Hucasts and more power to you. I just don't think they're for everyone (like me! http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/icon_smile.gif)).

[Holocaust]

Interesting. I dunno, Ive thought about this 'cause my friends use HUnewearl and he says the same as you. Makes me think why didnt they diversify the characters more? Why use a force if you can learn all the same Techniques with a Hunter class?The should have a whole set of Force only spells. I also wish the Rare Weapons were more class specific. Rangers shouldnt be abe to use Double Sabers etc. What do you peeps think?

[Ratsmack]

I'd also have to disagree with people saying that the casts can run into battle and knock down baddies by the hundreds unscratched. I've played with equal and higher level casts with my HUmar, and I've been dishing out just about the same damage and have also been casting Resta to heal them when they're very damaged. I'd say a more well-rounded character is best.

[Holocaust]

All that being said, does the same hold true for Rangers? I also have my Ranger HOLOCAUST and hes human but low lvl 14. Is the game unbalanced then? Does anyone agree with my second post about diversity?

[Badguy]

Andriods are better hunters and rangers.
You can see all the traps, so you dont have to use a trap unit that
takes up an armor slot that you can use for god/legs. Biggest advantage is:
no magic! magic is useless. Especially resta. With the items, I can heal on
the run. With resta I have to stop and do a stupid casting animation, and by
that time, those super fast dimenians i was dodging have caught up with me
again and !!BAM!! I'm hit again. High level charcters who have to retreat to
the doorway is shameful.

[Ratsmack]

Heh. Ho boy. "Magic is useless." I've got to say that is just so wrong in so many ways. So...by your logic...Forces are crap? Well, seems a bunch of people don't think that way, friend. First of all, you can cast shiftadeband and up both attack and defence so your hit for less and you can clear a room much faster...WITHOUT sucking down the mates. Oh, and I have yet to see someone, even newbies, who retreat to the doorway to use resta. THAT'S stupid. Get this, if you're hit and you fall, as soon as you get up, cast resta and you CANNOT get hit until after you're healed. And by that time, you can have moved out of reached, whirled around and kicked ass. As for all magic useless? Were you EVER fighting vhard Dark Falz? You run out of atomizers like that, especially when you're playing with low levels or *ahem* androids who are out of mates. So, you use reverser, and all is well. As for the trap argument? Who cares! Just pull up the start menu in a hallway, OR just resta after getting hit!! I never use trap vision, I just heal after I get hit with a trap, plain and simple!

[Isamu64]

Um no, magic is not usless. And no androids are not worse at being rangers or hunters either. I have played in a group with *only* androids and we did just fine, I have NEVER run out of healing items or atomizers at Dark Falz on V hard, even with a group made entirely of androids. If you're dying that much, you are probably in over your head anyway. There is no one class that is the supreme ruler of all, play whatever you want and don't worry about what everybody else is doing.

[Whatley]

I am a Racast and I can sometimes buy Star Atomizers from the shops when they have them.

[swartt-cm-]

Alright, the whole argument about RAcasts needing lots of 'mates etc. is rediculous. At level 62 with a RAcast i can fight on very hard ruins and i have my inventory filled with "SPECIAL WEAPONS" before i have to go to town, and i usually have 3-4 Dimates and Trimates, playing online i use even less. Anyone who has played with me sees the HEAL PLZ! message quite alot, but seeing how you make healing spells sound so easy to cast and use so little mana people cant complain http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/icon_razz.gif

[AAnderson]

"That which does not kill you makes you stranger" - comes from Aeon Flux's Trevor Goodchild, I think in the first long episode.

[Samuel-Vimes]

?2. Detect Traps/Immune to ailments - Whoopee do. This is pointless in the long run as you ca obviously find armor and items that do the same thing (which my Humar uses).

3. Poor Defense - The Hucast has a terrible defense when compared to the other Hunters. I was critically hit so much with my Hucast, as well as not being able o block worth a damn. Sure they have extra hp's, but it's not worth having petty defense/evasion (not to mention that they don't even have much more than a Humar, it's simply negligable).

Sorry, but the 'extras' of a Hucast, IMO, just aren't worth the costs of lower defense and lack of magic.?

Can?t say I agree with you regarding the Hucast?s defense and evasion. How do you define ?terrible defense?? Does being outclassed in a stat category by 5 to 10 points constitute being classified as ?terrible?? Are the Hunters you?re comparing the Hucast to have the same armor, using the same units, fully maxed, using the weapons, etc.? My Hucast?s defense and evasion is pretty high and I don?t get hit that much (maybe its cause I?m using sound tactics, I dunno). In any case, using your point about slots, if you can use a trap vision unit on one of your slots, you can also use units, such as the gen/body (which adds 20 def), to beef up your defense as well if you feel that it is lacking. Magic is your thing, then obviously you should stay away from androids.  Me, I don?t mind lacking magic, cause if I did I sure as hell wouldn?t have picked a Hucast. I also find that the lack of magic is sure makes if easy for customizing my buttons and allows me to react much faster during battle: heavy attack, light or special attack, and trimate on the 1st set. Dimate, Moon Atomizer, and Star Atomizer on the 2nd set.

?Yo, my son, which of these is the most stylish thing to wear? And the correct answer is: Hey, whatever I select."
People who love Hucasts will probably never sway those who dimiss the Hucasts and vice versa, but that?s all right. I don?t lose any sleep over this. Which is the best character to use? Whatever you select.

[Ratsmack]

I said this shouldn't be a vicious battle of "Oh, I'm cool, oh I'm cool" I just wanted people to put what they think is best and why. As for the thing about HUcasts with low defence, it is VERY true. I had a HUcast at level 1, no special stuff, and he was getting his ass kicked all over the place, while my HUnewearl was blocking almost every attack...even without a shield!

[swartt-cm-]

I believe that evasion is how much you block, and defense lowers the damage you take... correct me if im wrong.

[Samuel-Vimes]

Sorry Ratsmack, but when a post is almost entirely ?why Hucasts sucks? , I feel compelled to reply. And it wasn?t meant to be a, as you call it ?visicous battle of "Oh, I'm cool, oh I'm cool"?. In any case, you have my apologies if it was read that way.

Regarding defense, while that may be true when you start out, but does it hold true at the higher levels? Some have contended that Humars (for example) catch up in terms of hp at the higher levels. If this is the case, who?s to say that the Hucast?s defense shouldn?t catch up at the higher levels?

BTW Ratsmack, shouldn?t evasion account for ?blocking? and defense account for the amount of damage you take? (Yes, I realize Swartt-cm- had asked this, but it was also on my mind.)

[VampireLR]

It's true that being a Force is majorly depressing in the beginning because you die more often than anything in the whole world. But if you progress and reach the high levels, they are quite an enjoying character. You can cast spells to your heart's content. Having 1200 TP and 10 trifluids at your disposal you can pretty much clean enemies as easy as having your very own spread needle.

[forte]

Forces also have to get discs which can be harder to get than weapons http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/icon_frown.gif
My force is on hold for now because he was around lvl 50 had lvl 0 grants (!!) and lvl 1 megid! lol http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/icon_razz.gif

[VampireLR]

My Grant is on level 14, my friend Cifer EX got it legitly playing online with me and other people. Hhe gave it to me being he's a HUcast. Its friends like that, that makes PSO such a wonderful game.