Runepriest vs archmage please!

[shadow9d9]

Anyone have in depth comparisons?

[Flash Gitz]

I have both an archmage and a rune priest, both currently level 10 and in reknown rank 6 gear.

I'm not far enough into the game to do a really in-depth comparison, but I have done a healthy amount of RvR with both and can give you a general idea of what to expect from my experiences so far.

Archmages are different from rune priests in one really big way and that is the high magic mechanic. When you cast a heal you get a point which increases the effectiveness of damage spells and vice versa. This means the archmage is actively encouraged to do both damage and healing. Archmages have a lot of damage over time and healing over time spells. At my level I have only one direct nuke and its pretty mediocre. My best damage spell right now is searing touch, which does excellent damage and is channeled.

I can consistently place high in both dmg and healing done in scenarios and I've seen a few archmages manage to get both in the same match.

The rune priest has many instant cast spells and is tougher than the archmage. They definitely don't have as many damaging spells but they are a force to be reckoned with. It is much easier to keep your team alive with a rune priest because they have better and more direct heals, while the archmage must wait for HoT ticks to help his teammates. Their buffs can be triggered to cause damaging effects to enemies, which can easily turn the battle if used correctly.

In solo RvR (it does happen) I am a menacing force and though my nuke is mediocre, I have a few DoTs and can easily outlast my opponent while they are taken down by DoTs.

With rune priest I am almost always number one in healing in scenarios by a healthy margin.

In Summary:
Archmage


Lots of Dots and Hots
Lighter armor than rune priests
High magic encourages using all your abilities (dmg and heal)
Better damage than Rune Priests

Rune Priest


Lots of instant cast abilities
Better armored than Archmage
Better heals than the Archmage (direct heals)
Buffs can be triggered for extra damage in a bind.
A small target in RvR;)

[shadow9d9]

I appreciate it, thanks!

[Flash Gitz]

No problem hope it helps some.

I'll try to go more in depth once I get them to rank 20.

[Xvvt]

Very nice summary, Flash. You seem to have broken both classes, in early game, down quite well.

[HEATHEN]

I have played both an Archmage and a Runepriest as well. The Archmage has the added benefit of draining AP from foes and the ability to launch an INSTANT heal that would normally be 3s if you cast 5 DPS spells in a row.

It comes down to playstyle. The AM is more original in terms of mechanics, and requires you to weave both dots and hots to succeed. Runepriests can basically play healbot most of the time.