by Valdemar » Wed Dec 10, 2008 3:45 pm
Blada;
I'm not going to say the other suggestions here are "wrong" because certainly a MAG brings lots of DPS to your duo and a stunning pet is nice - against mobs that can be stunned.
So, since I play a SHM, have adventured extensively with a RNG in a duo (one of my wife's earlier characters), and think the combination is strong, let me go ahead and say you should box a SHM. Khauruk's suggestion of a DRU is also a good one, but the synergy with a SHM will be greater - if for no other reason than the buffs stack.
As you level up, you're going to find that tanking and pulling will be issues with a RNG as your MT and puller. A SHM or DRU are going to be much more effective at mitigating those weaknesses than any other class. Yes, slow may be mitigated at high levels but its not eliminated. Likewise, the slow proc from weapons - which is a less powerful slow to begin with - will be resisted and mitigated also. In short, you NEED slow. Your tanking ability will mean that you're going to need plenty of healing power too. It's fine to use a CLR Merc in most trash/XP grind mobs, because that will free up your SHM or DRU to forget healing and concentrate on debuffing and DPS. Against quest mobs or loot droppers, you'll need both the CLR Merc and your other SHM or DRU to keep you on your feet. If you doubt that, go to any level appropriate zone from GoD onward, try a simple quest mob, and you'll get a dose of reality - right quick.
There are many other reasons to choose a SHM over some of the other suggested classes, but my strong advise to you is to try several partners. It shouldn't be too much of an investment to powerlevel a SHM up and see for yourself. I'd also recommend doing that with a DRU and a MAG, even a BL. If you do level a MAG and decide after testing him/her out that you don't want to box that class, it won't be a waste because you can still use the character to summon gear for your SHM. (Log the MAG, hand summoned gear to RNG, log SHM, hand gear to SHM.)
Long and short, go with a SHM, you WON'T regret it.
Regards,
Valdemar