Yes, another noob asking a silly question, but hear me out!
I've been playing Dragonica since Open Beta, but I never got around to making an archer. At the end of the THQ*ICE server I'd just gotten one to level 20, and it closed -__-. Anyway I realized that I had no idea which one I was going to choose. And I mean don't think I haven't done any research! It just seems to me that in youtube videos and the like on the subject, there are subtle differences in the playstyles that just go over my head. And every single time I decide, it seems that I learn something I didn't know before that changes my mind! Argh!
So the task falls upon you all! Help me out?
I'm aware that Pathf...er...Hunters... are supposed to be easier, but difficulty has never been a problem for me. And if they are supposed to be easier, then what's the point of playing a Marksman, anyway? Bragging rights?
I'm concerned with both PVP and PvE, but more PvE. I don't mind much, losing at PvP, because you don't lose much, other than some points. And if you're skilled enough (or persistent enough, in my case) there's always ways around certain limitations. The same goes for PvE, but I place its important slightly above PvP since PvE is where the majority of the game takes place, yeah?
So...yeah. Help me decide! I'll be your friend.
PvP: Easier wouldn't be the right word to describe it. They were more effective and useful compared to rangers. However with the patch, Destroyers can also become a vital part of the team with N2 Ammunition.
I guess you can say they have different roles in PvP. Sentinels have traps for disable and a lot of mass launches for crowd control. They can dish out more damage with their higher critical rate.
I can't say with certainty that the role of Destroyers are the same as before. Pre-patch Specialists served as a support to the team, continuing their combos and saving them with Gatling/Carpet Bombing.
PvE: I've grinded on both a Specialist and a Pathfinder, I'm not sure if I was more active in my PvE as a Specialist but I was able to get more kills as that class. Gatling would probably be the factor here.
For bosses, they can both deal good damage to bosses. Pathfinders will mainly use their skills while Specialists will use gatling/tank and then X spam the rest of it.
X spam taking more effort than s,d,f or where ever you decide to place your skills.
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I re-read your title, Hunter vs Marskman. I'll comment on those two classes alone and ignore their job advances.
Marksman definitely wins in both PvE and PvP at this stage of the game. Gatling is learned at 23, while Wolf Rush isn't as effective until level 39. As a Marksman, you also already have your two main launches, Rising Arrow and RPG-7 so you would have enough skills to deal damage or juggle in PvP.
Hunter skills are pretty weak at this point and lack a good AoE. Wolfrush has a shorter cooldown but cannot launch at maximum height yet and is limited by its smaller(compared to gatling) vertical hitbox.
Edited by to0n, 23 October 2010 - 12:20 PM.