Rune Priest one of least popular classes?

[jackal912]

Seems that pretty much everyone isn't very excited bout the rune priest - am I the only one who thinks it sounds intriguing?

Having buffs and abilities that work by trigger is what the description seems to imply, whether it would be a player activating a heal rune cast on him earlier, or being hit by an attack/some sort of status effect/certain damage type/ecetera, or a rune placed on the ground to trigger later - it sounds like an interesting way to spice up a generic 'priest' class. Anyone else planning to make one? :P

[Kirska]

Rune priest is really the only class that has caught my attention for any worthwhile amount of time.

But then again, I have 2 60+ priests in WoW, so maybe I'm just partial.

I think the problem is dwarfs being so unpopular to begin with, combined with support classes always being unpopular, combined with the likelihood that most people interested in dwarfs are more into the relentless hit the crap outta stuff personality.

[Terranigma]

For me, he sounds like the more classic Supporter-Class. A lot of buffing an' a lot of healing and that's what I want. To be honest, dealing damage to heal - Well, that's nice. For first of all I want to support, when playing a Supporter. Supporting with heals, buffs and other ways to help my team and that's what the Runepriest seems to be about. I've never played a Dwarf in my whole life and always played Elves (Elfs?) but to be honest, these dwarfs just look great and beside the Engineer the Runepriest is currently one of the most exciting classes for me - ... Runes and so on, that's sounds nice.
Gonna play one for sure. Just maybe not as the Main-Character, because the elfish (elvish?) Supporter's not revealed yet.

Have ever been a Supporter and I think, this time I'll be one again.
And the Runepriest is one of the most Support'ive-Classes right now.
Especially beeing able to cast runes on the ground remembers me a bit of the cricles of GuildWars - ... and that's never a bad approach.

[A55kicka]

Priest type classes just aren't very intriguing, I think it's just the word "priest" I mean when a new players sees "Rune Priest" and "Warrior Priest" which one you think he will pick, most like Warrior Priest, people like what sounds cooler, and the word rune and priest just don't sound that cool, when you compare them to something like Witch Hunter, Chosen, Marauder, or Knight of the Blazing Sun. I think the Zealot kind of falls into this category too of unpopular classes.

[dynamo112]

At the moment the Runepriest is my second class choice under Ironbreaker. I've always liked playing support roles, but I think in this game title im going to dedicate myself to a different role..preferably a tank. :cool:

[Selendor]

Zealot and Runepriest are looking like the unpopular careers right now. Healers/support classes are always unpopular. Most people want to play a heavily armored hulk with a massive weapon so that they can shrug off damage and do 1337 DPS. I call it "Chosen Syndrome". :-P

[Kikuchiyo]

Yea but healers in this game wont just heal. They will also do (possibly) "leet" dmg.

[Arcadox]

The problem with the rune priest lies in stereotype mix-ups.

People who want to play dwarves want to be ultra defensive tough guys pwning the crap out of greenskins. Or possibly an engineer, as they are very interesting and popular in the warhammer world

People who want to play a support class don't really want to be something "normal" when options such as the shaman and zealot exist.

Now, I love the runepreist, but it's unfortunate that I don't like dwarves or really anything about them. I love how they work and their abilities shown so far, and think their clothes are stunning and amazing, but there is little chance I will play dwarves due to their lore and look.

I look forward to fighting alongside and against the thrilling runepriest.

[Beeb0]

In WoW the only character I got passed level 30 was my level 65 NE Arms MS warrior, and any caster classes I made I barely got past maybe 20. Even hybrid classes like pallies and shamans I got up to 20 and I just stopped those chars to go play on my war.

Regarding the Rune Priest, first of all, I don't really like how the dwarves look :D, if I was gonna make a dwarf, it'd be an Engineer. Support classes don't seem interesting to me, since melee classes are the only thing I've ever been good at in any game ever. Kiting is really not my thing.

[Zeb]

The Runepriest just looks gorgeous !

I have always loved Dwarfs, even more in Warhammer where there lore is so developped. And I really like the concept of Rune magic, not to mention their amazing visual effects seen on the recent videos.

No, I really understand why they aren't popular... but finally, is that important ? That makes you more unique !

[heavyhebrew]

I think Rune Priest will be the Dark Horse among the classes for Order (have to wait and see what High Elves have tho).
At first it will be unpopular but as time goes by, the strengths of the Master Runes in addition to the class's survivability in addition to the damage output will show this class to be one mean as hell Dwarf. This class will be the rallying point to any group on the RvR battlefield.

Do not let all the speculation about the class dissuade you from playing it. Wait and see or make the pilgrimage to a Gamesday and find out for yourself what the class is like in early beta.
This same sort of thing was discussed about the Warrior Priest. Some people asserted that the Warrior Priest would have to heal and heal alone since the class was "the healer class". This was said irregardless of what the devs said. The devs say that the Rune Priest will not be a heal/buff bot but that doesn't stop the pessimists among us from stating the opposite.

[Weld]

I finally registered so I could respond to this,, the reason I really started looking at the game was to play a rune priest. :)

[Mirac]

Runepriests rock!

[Grimfell Gromgear]

I too think you have to accept that a lot of posters these days are Dwarf lore nuts... and though we're all for Runepriests, they're a bit too... magicky for the average Dwarf fan in my opinion.

Not at all saying that we won't end up playing them. It's just if a year before the info came out you went and asked Dwarf fans what kind of class they'd want to play, you'ld hear a lot of calls for engineers and warriors and miners etc. etc. etc.

When the game comes out and you see a lot more average joes rolling the game, I think runepriests will get a lot of love, they look like a great class. (But I want mah shiny gromril armor!)

[Thoden Firehammer]

I too think you have to accept that a lot of posters these days are Dwarf lore nuts... and though we're all for Runepriests, they're a bit too... magicky for the average Dwarf fan in my opinion.

Not at all saying that we won't end up playing them. It's just if a year before the info came out you went and asked Dwarf fans what kind of class they'd want to play, you'ld hear a lot of calls for engineers and warriors and miners etc. etc. etc.

When the game comes out and you see a lot more average joes rolling the game, I think runepriests will get a lot of love, they look like a great class. (But I want mah shiny gromril armor!)

I remember we had a poll on this and ironicaly out of the 4 classes the runepries was up there with the Ironbreaker and Hammerer, the Engineer was the highest though.

[Grimfell Gromgear]

I remember we had a poll on this and ironicaly out of the 4 classes the runepries was up there with the Ironbreaker and Hammerer, the Engineer was the highest though.

I'm saying it's not that we have anything against them, it's just we've been immersed in an anti magic culture for so long we weren't necessarily looking for a 'magicky' kind of class right off the bat, if you understand my meaning. Before release of information dwarf fans were hyping themselves up to blow stuff up and hack stuff to bits up close.

[dynamo112]

I remember we had a poll on this and ironicaly out of the 4 classes the runepries was up there with the Ironbreaker and Hammerer, the Engineer was the highest though.

Yeah your right. There was a poll in the Dwarf section and all the careers were in the 120-128 range with the engineer at 158 or so.

That was really nice to see I thought, but since the uproar over Runepriest possibly being the healiest of all heal careers it sunk a bit. But I wouldnt worry over it to much, with the attention WAR has been getting over the pass few months I'd expect to see a really big number of people playing at launch and possibly more afterwards. But I think people are over reacting...Mythic did say afterall " NO HEALBOTS ". :D

[Barak]

For me it will depend upon how much mixing it up the runepriest can do.

From the vids it looks like he can get stuck in there right behind the tank and DPS/Buff/Debuff/heal which means hell yeah I will play one.

Still un decided between runepriets/Iron breaker/Hammerer as I love the GW Dwarf lore and general IP.

Engineers to me will be not be a class I can see my self rolling.

biggest problem with the runepriest will probably be how much micro managment it requires for all the runes etc. Not a class to play tired/drunk I would imagine :)

[dynamo112]

For me it will depend upon how much mixing it up the runepriest can do.

From the vids it looks like he can get stuck in there right behind the tank and DPS/Buff/Debuff/heal which means hell yeah I will play one.

Still un decided between runepriets/Iron breaker/Hammerer as I love the GW Dwarf lore and general IP.

Engineers to me will be not be a class I can see my self rolling.

biggest problem with the runepriest will probably be how much micro managment it requires for all the runes etc. Not a class to play tired/drunk I would imagine :)

If this statement is wrong, i'll probably be playing a Runepriest. :p

[Barak]

If this statement is wrong, i'll probably be playing a Runepriest. :p

Weird fact but I actually seem to pvp in most games better after a few weee dram's of whiskey than sober.

Sad but true ;)

Edit for spelling due to a few to many wee drams of whiskey

[vehemoth]

Alot of people have been saying that the other healing careers have to do damage to heal.

-Not all heals they have require Righteous fury/Waaagh!/etc.. Thier more powerful abilities do though
-These mechanics are earned not only through damage but through supporting as well. You need to balance both in order to maximize your access to righteous fury/Waaagh.
- This probably sounds familiar to the Runepriest's system of morale. Remember that the healers are all different. The Runepriest may be more buff and heal oriented than the others, but doesn't this just make it a better career in terms of team play situation? Not necesarily! All of the healing careers have many useful abilities for controlling the battle, supporting thier allies, and supressing thier enemies. Some may be more supression oriented, some may be more well rounded, but all of the healers get thier job doen in group combat.

Runepriests are fantastically awsome. I look forward to playing mine (Stevig Mortigsson), and I have sworn an oath never to stray with alts of any kind. :cool:

[Ronkar]

I've been playing WoW for quite awhile and I've been the DPS type for so long. After being in several PvP matches I noticed that healing classes were by the far the less picked so I felt I needed to switch to be more effective in PvP. I noticed a great change as a healer as I won match after match and I even enjoyed "healbotting". I found it funny to watch 3 enemies try beating up this one guy and then I would show up... healbot and save the day. :razz:

[Spikenog]

I've always been fond of the Runepriest in the table top game and will probably be making the class my first toon in WAR. My last toons in MMOs have been tanks or DPS...time to take a different approach and it seems that WAR will be better setup for folks who want to play support type classes yet not feel like heal/ buff bots.

[vehemoth]

Indeed to that! My favorite peice of rhetoric we have been handed is "All healers are meant to be played by human beings."

It should also be noted that careers of the other archetypes will be equally as involved and exciting.

I look forward to doing my part in the exciting team play.

[mongoose]

I think Rune Priest will be the Dark Horse among the classes for Order (have to wait and see what High Elves have tho).
At first it will be unpopular but as time goes by, the strengths of the Master Runes in addition to the class's survivability in addition to the damage output will show this class to be one mean as hell Dwarf. This class will be the rallying point to any group on the RvR battlefield.

I think this is the correct idea. People are not all that thrilled with the class because it might be a bit more 'classic' than some other classes but as time goes on I will bet you more than anything a group will not want to roll out unless it has its one RunePriest; they buff, heal and can kick with their staves, and are difficult to take out.

So I predict the RP will be the IT class for every group and will almost singlehandedly raise the Dwarf population to respectible numbers.

[Silver]

for now I am going for runepriest (just waiting until the elves get their healing classes before confirming that)

it seems to be very much like the healer class on DaoC (I had one of those)

very heal and support oriented, note that this doesnt mean boring, quite the opposite, but it means it doesnt have mad damage.

it will probably be crowd control/healing, which beginners/noobs/1337 hcgs find boring, because it doesnt hit hard/solo/play easily/pwn da logs.

However it is looking like the most support oriented class in the game, and as such it should be essential to groups and good runepriests will be rare and sought after.

I played a healer in DaoC and grouping was never a problem, most fights were very much linked to how well the healer performed.

as a casual gamer I really like the ability to group and I like support classes. I also have a little brother who will be making some form of damage dealer, so we can duo nicely.

The population will however be low for runepriests, because they are the most support oriented class, so generally the least popular, hardest to play and most necessary for a group. This makes the good ones very popular amongst groups, also makes leading anything easier as you have a healing class to bring to the group and you have the ability to tell people to get lost if you need to (with great responsibility comes great power?).

note that I dont think there will be a raise in dwarf population because of them, because chances are a bad warrior priest will be better for a group than a bad runepriest, because at worst he will deal damage, whereas the runepriest could be simply useless. I would think good runepriests will form, like healers in DaoC, a small circle of very very usefull characters.

My DaoC experience is on European servers, where midgard is regularly underpopulated (as I recall they were overpopulated on NA servers) so that played as well in having a collection of decent to good players, the bad ones having given up because of the numbers.

I am actually kind of sad there is very little separation within a faction, because chances are if the numbers are very uneven, Empire or High elves will end up invading the dwarf zones :/

[Yarilo]

I can't see this class to be very popular. Rune priest is:
1. A healer
2. A dwarf
3. A dwarf that doesn't melee and can't wield usual dwarf weapons
4. A traditional healer by the looks of it (unlike WPriest or Zealot)

In addition to the above they Rune priests wear medium armor, so to make it balanced they will probably have less DPS than all the other healer classes.

Still I think I like the class.

[Blitz]

Take a peek, if yer so inclined, to our membership rolls...and see how unpopular Runepriests are. If yer a friend, pop inta the Foamymug fer a pint. If yer a foe, pop inta the Foamymug to git yer skull bashed. Either way, we'll enjoy yer company.

[dynamo112]

I found it funny to watch 3 enemies try beating up this one guy and then I would show up... healbot and save the day. :razz:

Ahhh, the fun things about healing always did put a smile on my face... :)

[Kinin]

I am hoping that the actual play of the Rune priest will be a function of the player and character developement. I hope the Rune Priest will blend healing,buffing,damage, and perhaps crowd control with a touch of survivabilty. Healers/Buffers are usually the main Targets in PVP as they affect their groups survivabilty and effecectiveness. The days of Pure Healers and the advent of Buffs bots are gone, I hope. Since each faction will only have 4 professions, the support class cannot be boring to play or that faction will eventually be at a huge disadvantage.

[Jest]

I hope the Rune Priest will blend healing,buffing,damage, and perhaps crowd control with a touch of survivabilty.

So far, from the skills that have been released (Core Abilities & some Morale Abilities; Tactics have yet to be released), the Rune Priest can do all of those except for survivability. They have some snares, but to be honest, I've seen nothing to bolster their personal defense. I think Rune Priests really need more defensive runes for when they do get targetted (it is inevitable).

A couple Tactics that allow the Runepriest to increase his defensive abilities would be nice. Things he can take into a Scenario or Siege. Maybe something like..

Rune of Luminance

Cast Time: Instant
Duration: 15 seconds
Cooldown: 2+ minutes
Target: Self Buff
Description: The runes inscribed on the Runepriest's armor begin to glow brightly, blinding attackers for 30 seconds. All affected attackers suffer a penalty to their chance to hit when attempting to attack the Runepriest.Rune of Tempering
Cast Time: 1 Second
Duration: 15 Seconds
Cooldown: 2+ minutes
Target: Self Buff
Description: The Runepriest's armor hardens preventing physical damage taken over the course of 15 seconds (by a pre-set amount). The Runepriest's defense is also increased the more damage he receives over the course of 15 seconds (by a pre-set increment). Magic Damage is not affected by Rune of Tempering.Just a couple of my ideas. :???:

[Nezumiiro Kitsune]

I'll be playing a Runepriest as my first or second alt, if I stick to my plan of playing an Engineer first. First alt, probably going to be a choice between pwning empire witch hunter fanbois as a Chosen, creating runes of mass carnage endowed power as a Runepriest, or crushing Chaos fanbois with the might of Sigmar and my faithful hammer as a Warrior Priest.

[Derfel]

I'm looking forward to the runepriest, I like the idea of inscribing runes (Not magic!) as opposed to casting spells, it's a nice, different, idea. And the support role is always useful.

I'll probably make an IronBreaker and Engineer too, though I think Runepriest will be first.

Runepriest probably won't be the kind of class people new to MMO's and that will play, they want the big hitters, but I think you could see a lot of more experienced players choosing the class. I think Warrior priest could get the same attention, getting into melee and supporting a group is no easy task, and both classes could require a bit more thought and prep to play well.

The biggest problem Runepriests might get, is the way it seems they can buff people, but the buffs only get activated when the other players chooses to activate them. New players might need a bit of encouraging to learn that, and remember it in the heat of battle, and some may not like Rune Priest support for that very reason.

Of all the current Order classes, the only one I'm not too fussed on is the Bright Wizard, I think the other 7 all look quite intruiging in their own way :) I think the Greenskin/Dwarf pairing could be a great zone, because they've both got 4 great looking classes. I think they will produce some of the grittiest PVP personally.

[Bashful Runeheart]

Of all the current Order classes, the only one I'm not too fussed on is the Bright Wizard, I think the other 7 all look quite intruiging in their own way :) I think the Greenskin/Dwarf pairing could be a great zone, because they've both got 4 great looking classes. I think they will produce some of the grittiest PVP personally.

As simple as the class might seem, the Bright Wizard will be able to litterally melt their opponents. I think we are very spoiled on the Order side, because of them.

In order to give my 2 cents on the subject, I think the reason why the Runepriest seems to be unpopular isn't about what it offers, it's simply the race itself. You would see so many of them if the Runepriests were High Elves. The reason why I think so is because of the past experiences I've had in games. For example, In World of Warcraft, the Dwarf Priest was spoiled compared to the Night Elf Priest (Instant Heal + Fear Ward VS Range Def./Dodge 10% buff(15seconds) + Channeled Spell), but still the population of Night Elf Priests was higher by a lot compared to the Dwarf Priests one. Same thing happened in EQ2, I would barely see a Dwarf around. The problem isn't the class itself, it is the race.

Some people said support/healer class isn't popular, but I have to say, in WAR, the devs specified clearly that there isn't such a class. The EQ Cleric does not have a place in this game. Everyone is entitled to have great damaging powers, some though, will have the choice to focus more on healing capacities.

It is true though, that feeling like you can crush an enemy with one big bad axe sounds more interesting and fun than spitting runes all over the battlefield, but the game would not be fun at all if it was just about classes that can break your skull in one hit. Maybe that's why there will be more IronB. Hammer. and Engin.

Overall, I think the class has a lot to offer and if it is faced with unpopularity, it isn't because of what the class can do, but mostly because of the race. The specialization might play a role too, but the race has a bigger role in this conflict, in my opinion.

Bashful R.

[LordSoth]

I think the rune priests need alot of refining. I played a rune priest at pax and I didn't like many of the runes that we had.

The master rune was a 30 min duration/ limited area affect. cool but i'd rather put it ON someone rather than stamping a big 'A' on the ground.

The Oath runes were pretty cool. only 1 per person and they had cool effects. They didn't last as long as master runes ( i can't remember the duration).

The remainder of the "runes" work like spells that we cast on friends and foes. Did not like that AT ALL. :(

To quote mythic “This is the las’ time I’m goin’ to say this – runes are NO’ magic! Magic is fer silly buggers in robes and poin’y ‘ats! Do you see a poin’y ‘at on me lad?”
– Grumhilde, Venerable Rune Sage

Except the "runes" felt just like "spells" and rune priests wear robes. slap a pointy hat on our heads and we'd look like short wizards :mad:

[LordSoth]

Honestly. I'd rather they call us rune smiths and let us 'craft' our runes onto allies/equipment. Better to craft temp runes into weapons, armor, and allies BEFORE battle and just be a tank/dps.


Flame me if you like but the rune priest just seems pretty weak to me. In the lore, a rune smith is a frightening sight. runed armor that resists damage. runed weapons that strike harder, more accurately, or ignore armor all together. Runed helms that raise your allies spirits so they fight harder. Runed horns that strike terror into your enemies hearts.

A rune smith would be (should be) a front line terror. A Rune Lord? nothing short of a nightmare.

[dutch_gamer]

Honestly. I'd rather they call us rune smiths and let us 'craft' our runes onto allies/equipment. Better to craft temp runes into weapons, armor, and allies BEFORE battle and just be a tank/dps.


Flame me if you like but the rune priest just seems pretty weak to me. In the lore, a rune smith is a frightening sight. runed armor that resists damage. runed weapons that strike harder, more accurately, or ignore armor all together. Runed helms that raise your allies spirits so they fight harder. Runed horns that strike terror into your enemies hearts.

A rune smith would be (should be) a front line terror. A Rune Lord? nothing short of a nightmare.

And that is just it, you are comparing Rune priests with other units, the Runesmith and Runelord.

I also think your idea is not such a great one. The last thing I want to see in this game is a class that is FORCED to put runes on everyone before the battle even starts. They had this in EQ as well and it was horrid. I wouldn't want to see this being repeated for any career in this game. There is also a reason why they are priests and not runesmiths. A runesmith is basically nothing more than a "crafter". When it comes to Runes, gameplay beats lore. Because you can't implement true runes as a class mechanic without having to craft the runes beforehand. The main gimmick of a class shouldn't be only usable before battle but also during.

[dutch_gamer]

Honestly. I'd rather they call us rune smiths and let us 'craft' our runes onto allies/equipment. Better to craft temp runes into weapons, armor, and allies BEFORE battle and just be a tank/dps.


Flame me if you like but the rune priest just seems pretty weak to me. In the lore, a rune smith is a frightening sight. runed armor that resists damage. runed weapons that strike harder, more accurately, or ignore armor all together. Runed helms that raise your allies spirits so they fight harder. Runed horns that strike terror into your enemies hearts.

A rune smith would be (should be) a front line terror. A Rune Lord? nothing short of a nightmare.

And that is just it, you are comparing Rune priests with other units, the Runesmith and Runelord.

I also think your idea is not such a great one. The last thing I want to see in this game is a class that is FORCED to put runes on everyone before the battle even starts. They had this in EQ as well and it was horrid. I wouldn't want to see this being repeated for any career in this game. There is also a reason why they are priests and not runesmiths. A runesmith is basically nothing more than a "crafter". When it comes to Runes, gameplay beats lore. Because you can't implement true runes as a class mechanic without having to craft the runes beforehand. The main gimmick of a class shouldn't be only usable before battle but also during.

There are however some thing I would want to see, more ways to do actual damage (even low DPS would be fine, as long as there are more choices) and some more defense, because they are Dwarfs afterall.

[LordSoth]

I also think your idea is not such a great one. The last thing I want to see in this game is a class that is FORCED to put runes on everyone before the battle even starts. They had this in EQ as well and it was horrid. I wouldn't want to see this being repeated for any career in this game.


But thats what the rune priest is currently being billed as! "Advance preparation makes it easier for you to split your attention between supporting your friends, and assaulting your foes."

The rune priest places his rune/'spells' BEFORE the battle and reapplies old or new as the battle progresses.

[LordSoth]

There is also a reason why they are priests and not runesmiths. A runesmith is basically nothing more than a "crafter". When it comes to Runes, gameplay beats lore. Because you can't implement true runes as a class mechanic without having to craft the runes beforehand. The main gimmick of a class shouldn't be only usable before battle but also during.



Honestly I'd rather be required to 'craft' the runes before hand and be a dps/tank rather than a 'priest' who wearing robes 'casts' his runes around the field of battle. :(

[Dawi_RP]

They look bloody great! AOE Knockback, great heals, some damage. Just probably not the class for the "I WONT HAEL NO BODY CEPT MAHSELF"

[Garthilk]

I love it whenever anyone says that X career is the least popular.

I always ask myself, just where did they get this information because they obviously didn't get it from people who actually play the game on a regular basis. Or that use abilities seen at a road show to make a determination about the career, when in reality, the abilities, tactics, you see at the road show very likely won't be completely included at release.

The runepriest is fun IMO.

[Eldrik]

I love it whenever anyone says that X career is the least popular.

I always ask myself, just where did they get this information because they obviously didn't get it from people who actually play the game on a regular basis. Or that use abilities seen at a road show to make a determination about the career, when in reality, the abilities, tactics, you see at the road show very likely won't be completely included at release.

The runepriest is fun IMO.

QFT, Lets wait till we can get some solid and reliable information on the subject before we start saying who needs nerfs and who needs bolstering! *Getting into the BETA is one way!* "Who said that?! What a marvelous idea, lets talk about how cool it would be to get into the BETA and discover for ourselves which classes has certain weaknesses and strengths!"

[Dawi_RP]

I agree, no body really knows, it's just a bunch of bored people speculating...

[LordSoth]

I agree, no body really knows, it's just a bunch of bored people speculating...


lol yes thats true.
If these forums were nothing but posting the facts this woul be a very empty and boring forum. everyone has an opinion. and mine is: "The rune priest isn't what I was hoping it would be."

[LordSoth]

my hope was for something closer to the runesmith. The rune priest...meh, just doesn't call to me. but as i've and others have said before...the game is still in beta and we don't know what things will be like when it's released. The rune priest might get taken back to the drawing board. Here's for hoping.

[Dawi_RP]

lol yes thats true.
If these forums were nothing but posting the facts this woul be a very empty and boring forum. everyone has an opinion. and mine is: "The rune priest isn't what I was hoping it would be."

Haha, yes very true. (But I hope no the RunePriest part). I wonder if the Runepriest will be more PvE oriented or something, hmm

[Blackmoon042]

I don't know about one of the least popular classes, but when compared to Chosen, Black Guards, Witch Elfs (Elves?) and Witch Hunters, I think it's a bit less "cool" to most people than the others. Not that how "cool" most people seem to find it is always the determining category of the popularity of a given thing, but it's usually a large factor in it.

I'm sure a fair amount of people see Rune Priests as "cooler" than the other four classes I've just mentioned, yet, to the masses, imo, a class that has some similarities to Van Hel Sing (sp?) and another class which can wield swords with eyes on them would probably have more people interested in them than dwarfs (a race that doesn't seem to be popular as the others. Of course, I have no source to prove this :), which is why I said "doesn't seem") who can create?/use? runes.

[Varking]

I tend to think they will be middle of the road in popularity. They seem to play like a Red Mage in Final Fantasy XI. They heal very well, they will have okay nuking abilities, and while they can melee, it is a last resort. They are used to heal and buff/debuff the enemies and groups. They are characters that make battle easier.

Yet for some reason it is one of the more popular jobs to play as in FFXI. I can see the same thing happening here.

[LordSoth]

They heal very well, they will have okay nuking abilities, and while they can melee, it is a last resort. They are used to heal and buff/debuff the enemies and groups. They are characters that make battle easier.



from what i've read and what I saw while I played them..... their nuking abilities are...little better than their melee abilities. Which is to say...weak and a last resort.

The heals...meh. I didn't understand the ui well enough to be an effective healer. What healing I tried was...not very effective or I was killed before I could effect my healing.

buffs? the master runes were nice group buffs but you HAVE TO stay near the rune. so it's not very effective if the enemy has half a brain attacks from range or uses hit and run tactics to pull you away from the rune.

No, imho I just don't see this class as...valuable. He casts his buffing runes before combat (which is good). Then to heal, rebuff/debuff, or nuke (I use that term extremely loosely) he has to run INTO combat where he is all but useless. :rolleyes:

[Varking]

It seems like you have long ago decided this was not the class for you. You said it yourself you did not understand the UI enough to be effective and yet you claim you can not see the value in them. Odd.

[LordSoth]

You said it yourself you did not understand the UI enough to be effective and yet you claim you can not see the value in them. Odd.

Was part of the problem in part due to my lack of knowledge of the UI? yup you betcha! Thats why I said " I didn't understand the UI." I'm not saying "rune priest is the suxorz" I'm just stating an opinion.

And have I decided against the rune priest? yup. shortly after playing it....about 2-3 weeks ago. not exactly "long ago".

[LordSoth]

In regards to their value...where is the value? :confused: explain to me where YOU see the value?

Like I said before, it's cool they can lay their 'runes':rolleyes: before the fight. yup thats cool alright!
BUT, their MASTER runes (the big guns) are stationary and of limited range!
Their heals seem...only moderatly effective.
Their melee skills are sadly lacking.
their offensive runes...didn't seem to do much.
And to use most of your abilities (certainly any healing) you have to be 'in the thick of it'.


This is solely based on what I experienced. in the short hour I played. with no assistance understanding the UI or the game. The attendants were too busy chatting it up in a big group to the back. And of course this is STILL beta, so likely to change.

[Varking]

There is a difference in not liking a class, or not having fun with it, than not having value...

You do not see the value of a healer or a buffer? Then that is on you and honestly deserves no further explanation. Sorry.

[LordSoth]

There is a difference in not liking a class, or not having fun with it, than not having value...

You do not see the value of a healer or a buffer? Then that is on you and honestly deserves no further explanation. Sorry.


And yet you don't explain what value you see. If you don't wish to discuss than thats your choice and welcome to it.

Anyone else see a value to the rune priest?

[LordSoth]

definately wish they hadn't gone the spell caster route with the rune priest. The main quote on the rune priest is...

“This is the las’ time I’m goin’ to say this – runes are NO’ magic! Magic is fer silly buggers in robes and poin’y ‘ats! Do you see a poin’y ‘at on me lad?”
– Grumhilde, Venerable Rune Sage

And yet thats exactly how rune priests appear....magic-users. I would much rather have them 'craft' their runes onto items or ppl. so at least they would seem different than EVERY other spell jocky out there.

[LordSoth]

Going back to the original topic...why are they possibly the least popular? Thus far they don't seem to have any advantages that warrior priests or perhaps archmages don't have. The description of the rune priest sounds cool. but thus far doesn't see much to match the description they gave.

[Lucifrank]

I remember we had a poll on this and ironicaly out of the 4 classes the runepries was up there with the Ironbreaker and Hammerer, the Engineer was the highest though.

Yes, the last "What Dwarf class will you play" poll I saw posted here ranked Ironbreakers as the least popular class, which really surprised me. If I remember correctly, engineers were #1, hammerers #2, followed by runepriest. I tend to play dwarf healers in RPGs and was actually going to stray from my usual patterns and try an Ironbreaker this go round. I'm not a big role player, but there's something I like about the dichotomy of a grizzled, tough dwarf who is also a healer. So if there's a shortage of runepriests, I may veer down that road again.

It makes sense that tanks and healers would be at the bottom of the list, just because stereotypically it's relatively stress-free to run around doling out DPS, whereas tanks and healers usually get the brunt of the insults when things go awry in a conflict.

[Varking]

I didn't try to explain their value because I thought it was blatantly obvious. They heal, they buff. Thus, making fights easier for everyone. How is this not value?

[LordSoth]

I didn't try to explain their value because I thought it was blatantly obvious. They heal, they buff. Thus, making fights easier for everyone. How is this not value?

LOL you're just not even going acknowledge my comments, let alone discuss them are you? have it your way. :rolleyes:

[Skurk]

And yet you don't explain what value you see. If you don't wish to discuss than thats your choice and welcome to it.

Anyone else see a value to the rune priest?

Cause of things like this

Oath Rune of Healing
Heals your target every 5 seconds (amount unknown), and all heals on that target will be 20% more effective. The bearer of the rune can break it, instantly healing them but ending the effect.

I think the fact that Runepriests can give allies a buff like that is pretty awesome. Cause it's a buff that will benefit heals towards them coming towards ANY healer on the order side. But what I think is really cool, is that this gives the player that receives the buff the control to release it's power as they see fit.

Personally, I think that's pretty badass.

[LordSoth]

Cause of things like this

Oath Rune of Healing
Heals your target every 5 seconds (amount unknown), and all heals on that target will be 20% more effective. The bearer of the rune can break it, instantly healing them but ending the effect.

I think the fact that Runepriests can give allies a buff like that is pretty awesome. Cause it's a buff that will benefit heals towards them coming towards ANY healer on the order side. But what I think is really cool, is that this gives the player that receives the buff the control to release it's power as they see fit.

Personally, I think that's pretty badass.


Thank you skurk. :D

I certainly agree. that is a pretty cool rune. (FYI each char can only have 1 oath rune at any time)

definately make healing easier.

[Varking]

LOL you're just not even going acknowledge my comments, let alone discuss them are you? have it your way. :rolleyes:

I did acknowledge your comments I just honestly was flustered that you could not see the value in a career that keeps the rest of the group healed. They make healing easier for other healers. They buff your entire group. I thought you were just trolling when you said you could not see the value in a healer/buffer, this is why I didn't post any of their pros.

[Prep]

To answer teh OP.

Go check out the WP forum compared to this one. Runepriest will be one of the least played classes.

[Phorne]

I would play a Rune priest but.. even though it might have the lowest race population and therefore most skilled players, it's still on the order which might end up having the most younger players because of the pretty empire and high elf races.

I don't want to end up how it was like in WoW with me on the alliance losing pretty much all battlegrounds. No one working as a team.

Remember these are all guesses im making, for all I know destruction may end up being a higher population. I'll jsut have to wait and see.

[Varking]

I think the children will get spread out. The Destruction look far superior to the Order characters, but the Order has pretty elves. Shiny armor vs Pretty elves. I think it may be a 45/55 ratio.

[Saintofnowhere316]

Thank you skurk. :D

I certainly agree. that is a pretty cool rune. (FYI each char can only have 1 oath rune at any time)

definately make healing easier.

Alright, you've played it you don't like it. I completely respect that fact. But I watched a couple videos and I think they'll have some more places. I think KotBS might be the least played but that's just my opinion. Its really only based off of the fact that nothing has really been revealed about them.

HA, Lord soth you won't believe this when I say it, your conversation has actually got me interested in the runepriest. Way to go.

[LordSoth]

To answer teh OP.

Go check out the WP forum compared to this one. Runepriest will be one of the least played classes.



I'd definately agree on this.

[LordSoth]

Alright, you've played it you don't like it. I completely respect that fact. But I watched a couple videos and I think they'll have some more places. I think KotBS might be the least played but that's just my opinion. Its really only based off of the fact that nothing has really been revealed about them.

HA, Lord soth you won't believe this when I say it, your conversation has actually got me interested in the runepriest. Way to go.

ROFL. I'm glad I've sparked your interest. The rune priest was my primary interest as well. I just don't care for the way they've made them into short/medium range mage/priests (spelljocky).

[Varking]

ROFL. I'm glad I've sparked your interest. The rune priest was my primary interest as well. I just don't care for the way they've made them into short/medium range mage/priests (spelljocky).
This was likely done for balancing issues. If they have too much escapability in battle, or their melee was decent to go along with their powerful healing and buffing ability, then everybody else would be screaming nerf.

[Brynduraz]

My favorite class ever was my inquisitor. I made him one night while being tired of playing Defiler. After factoring AA lines they both played totally differently IMO.

I plan on trying runepriest to see if they play anything like inquisitor. If i dont like the feel of the class I will try engineer.

[Jumpe]

I don't know yet what I'm going to play, but Runepriest does seem quite nice.

And they have badass spell animations.

[Trumpet]

Im excited for runesmith, the idea of loading your friends up with rune "spells" before a fight and activating them later seems really appealing. It is supposedly dps capable if specced the right way, for instance, rune of burning to the face of the squig then rune of smitting on the tank BAM activate healing rune on the ironbreaker. Cant wait

[Zxae_Sorrow]

Agree with alot of people in this thread, boy.. I think I'll stick to just quoting three.

The problem with the rune priest lies in stereotype mix-ups.

People who want to play dwarves want to be ultra defensive tough guys pwning the crap out of greenskins. Or possibly an engineer, as they are very interesting and popular in the warhammer world

People who want to play a support class don't really want to be something "normal" when options such as the shaman and zealot exist.

Now, I love the runepreist, but it's unfortunate that I don't like dwarves or really anything about them. I love how they work and their abilities shown so far, and think their clothes are stunning and amazing, but there is little chance I will play dwarves due to their lore and look.

I look forward to fighting alongside and against the thrilling runepriest.

Pretty much the way I see it, mix Dwarf with 'Healer', regardless of Mythics drive to promote the fact that no healers will be of the traditional type you still have people steering away from the classes.

I don't know about one of the least popular classes, but when compared to Chosen, Black Guards, Witch Elfs (Elves?) and Witch Hunters, I think it's a bit less "cool" to most people than the others. Not that how "cool" most people seem to find it is always the determining category of the popularity of a given thing, but it's usually a large factor in it.

I'm sure a fair amount of people see Rune Priests as "cooler" than the other four classes I've just mentioned, yet, to the masses, imo, a class that has some similarities to Van Hel Sing (sp?) and another class which can wield swords with eyes on them would probably have more people interested in them than dwarfs (a race that doesn't seem to be popular as the others. Of course, I have no source to prove this :), which is why I said "doesn't seem") who can create?/use? runes.

The name and description definately lacks the, "Holy Cow" factor of some of the other classes.

I think Rune Priest will be the Dark Horse among the classes for Order (have to wait and see what High Elves have tho).
At first it will be unpopular but as time goes by, the strengths of the Master Runes in addition to the class's survivability in addition to the damage output will show this class to be one mean as hell Dwarf. This class will be the rallying point to any group on the RvR battlefield.

Do not let all the speculation about the class dissuade you from playing it. Wait and see or make the pilgrimage to a Gamesday and find out for yourself what the class is like in early beta.
This same sort of thing was discussed about the Warrior Priest. Some people asserted that the Warrior Priest would have to heal and heal alone since the class was "the healer class". This was said irregardless of what the devs said. The devs say that the Rune Priest will not be a heal/buff bot but that doesn't stop the pessimists among us from stating the opposite.

Couldn't agree more, I'm very intrigued by the Rune-priest class. I've always been naturally attracted to Utility Casters (I've always found the advertised utility classes outshine the advertised damage dealers) and to a lesser degree also to support classes. So while I hope the Archmage fills in as my primary character, the Rune-priest and Engineer on the Order side are my other two hopeful picks. All three are coming across as being far outside the traditional sphere that their class archtypes tend to fit. Hell, I don't even like Dwarves.

I think once people get an idea of what the Rune-priest can do (I can actually see RP's being one of the most powerful classes when played right), we'll see alot more being rolled 2 - 3 months post release.

My crummy 2 cents. :)

[LordSoth]

Im excited for runesmith, the idea of loading your friends up with rune "spells" before a fight and activating them later seems really appealing. It is supposedly dps capable if specced the right way, for instance, rune of burning to the face of the squig then rune of smitting on the tank BAM activate healing rune on the ironbreaker. Cant wait

If they were RUNESMITHS and crafted their runes then I'd probably be happier. but they seem to be more runemages.:(

[Loekii]

If they were RUNESMITHS and crafted their runes then I'd probably be happier. but they seem to be more runemages.:(

I tend to agree with this assessment. They seem less dwarf-like, and more like a caster in 'dwarf form'.

It is too late, but I would have prefered that they worked more like 'smiths', and that they also were armor based -- basically, make them more Dwarf-like, and less caster-like.

They should have been closer to the Empire's Warrior Priest, than to the HE Arch-Mage.

Rune-Priest, should have been more akin to a Cleric/ Battle-Chaplins -- an armor wearing, melee-healer/Utility class, where the Priest gets into melee range and heals from there -- instead of acting like an Elf and hiding in the background.

I would not be surprised to see some revisions that tend to go the directio people are mentioning in this thread, but probably not until after release and near the first or third expansion.

[Feigro]

I wouldn't have minded them being essentially exactly as they are now... with the exception of needing to place a mini Anvil of Doom on the ground in order to do their duty.

Basically, make the anvil like a totem, placed/built like an engineer turret. When it's placed, the Runepriest can perform all of these "magical" actions within the radius of the Anvil. So give the Anvil a 100 ft (give or take) radius, and the RP can perform heals and damaging attacks, as well as buffs and debuffs, to any enemies and allies in the Radius of the Anvil.

Oh well, I like them as they are now too. I just wish they incorporated an anvil(s?) into their mechanic. They could've made up a lesser anvil, like "Anvil of Judgement" or something.

[Tro]

it has priest in its name without something cool to go along with it.