Arms or Merc ? - Phoenix Freeshard

I love the melee DPS chars in all MMORPG games.

But I have no idea what is the difference between these two classes.
I think the difference is only the weapon (Polearm or left-handed).

Could anyone advise me about the role of two classes in the group (PVE and PVP)?

Mon 18 Feb 2019 11:38 AM by DinoTriz

Merc is the dual-wielding DPS class

Arms is the defensive tank

In PVE, Merc assists the Arms and kills the target. Merc can also place a Protection buff on a healer or spell caster that will transfer 20% of their aggro to you.

In PVP/RVR, Merc is usually the one being assisted and they choose the target for the group to focus on, but still, the Merc just kills.

In PVE, Arms usually just taunt and block and use Protection and Guard (which can block for a groupmate if they are near you and attacked). If you're an extra tank, you can switch to polearm and DPS.

In PVP/RVR, Arms typically "peels" for the group. So you essentially stun and snare any enemies that are chasing after your healers, etc. Of course when that is no longer an issue you can help kill off the stragglers.

I always like meleeing in DAOC compared to other MMOs, especially tanking. Tanking is fun here.

Tue 19 Feb 2019 5:53 AM by dancingvicpie

Good day,
Thank you for your information.

You were a big help.

Tue 19 Feb 2019 9:15 AM by Koljar

You should check out the reaver aswell. Thanks to the proccs (especially the lvl 50 flex style leviathan) this class can dish out some serious dps. Slam + levi is a nasty combo.

Tue 19 Feb 2019 8:32 PM by Brokenstring

Merc is the melee DPS with dual-wielding class. They wear chain armor.

Armsman is the heavy tank with polearm 2H spec line and plate armor. Armsman probably have the biggest single melee hits on Alb (outside of critical strike via infiltrator). So if you want those big 2H hits, Armsman is the class.

However, if you want faster more sustained damage, Merc is what you're looking for.

Tue 19 Feb 2019 9:59 PM by Greenangel

Hibs gone have Wardens with Determination purge twisting blade turn and Damage add.

Mercenary will have advantage were as Armsmen be best swap to sword sheild as you won't hit jack all in less Mercenary reaver is brakeing the blade turn for you.

I killed two handed skald with healer Warden 1v1 as he did not swap from his two handed wepon to single handed wepon,

He just constantly hit blade turn.

That was on Uthgard

Thu 21 Feb 2019 11:38 PM by Jingo NZ

Regarding Warden and PBT... PBT is worse here since there is a 3 sec bubble immunity after it breaks.

So 6 sec PBT here will be applied between 3 - 9 sec (average 6 sec) after a hit, whereas without the 3 sec immunity the blade turn would be applied 0 - 6 sec (average 3 sec) after a hit. That is a lot worse for PBT classes.