I'm new to Stormreach and still learning my way around. I've decided that I want to play a drow, but I'm lost as to what class I want to play. I'd like to be able to handle explorer zones and quests on solo/normal by myself. But at the same time I'd also like to be welcome and at least semi-useful in groups all the way up to the raids ( at least the easier ones). I'd like to have an alignment of Chaotic Neutral, which kind of rules out paladins. I also have an innate dislike for multi classing, but I am willing to take 1-2 levels of a class then switch to another for the rest of my levels ( so I can play it off RP wise as a switch in my life's calling) if need be.
I don't want to be incredibly squishy or have to spam multiple clickies for every encounter.
Any advice or pointers would be appreacited.
Rogue/Ranger multi-class - again higher starting points for int/dex/cha make this a good choice.
As far as being squishy - ever heard of the rogue assassin?? You will have to boost up str and con as you take hits in those areas, but its a good tradeoff.
You'll be able to solo (carefully) at low level as long as you take Charm Person as a first-level spell (I'd take it when you are first level). Just recruit extra help when you need it.
Spellswise, I'd take Charm Person and Niac's Cold Ray at level 1. At level 2, pick another damage-dealing spell (Burning Hands is mediocre, as is Magic Missile - nothing really stands out). Later, consider Hypnotism, Scorching Ray, and Resist Elements.
I'm not much of a musician or a storyteller so I'd be very disinclined to play a bard.
I know drow make great wizards but my brother is a wizard and I dont want to copy him. Their also a tad to squishy, and I'd like to smack things upside the head at least occasionally.
Please tell me more about rogue assassins and rogue/rangers. What they do in combat, how they compare to other classes etc.
" I'd like to be able to handle explorer zones and quests on solo/normal by myself"
That is a tough act. The best class for self reliance is a caster, unless you want to take things really slow and use a lot of resources on potions.
If you want to do some fighting, I suggest ranged combat (heavy repeater) on a wizard or sorcerer.
A fun solo build could be 1 rogue - 15 wizard.
There is no roleplay reason for this build if you think in the classic definition of classes, but the role you will play is a highly survivable, high AC, high save, strong, decent HP, multi purpose fighter. If you think of drow as highly agile intelligent finesse tactical builds, this will work. You are just taking what we refer to as "classes" to get the appropriate abilites. Start off as a ranger, train as a monk to gain insights into unarmored combat, then continue your ranger path. Finish things out as a fighter, where you decide to focus on your raw fighting ability. This will make an excellent tempest ranger build.
My recommendation is Charisma-based, so Bard, Sorcerer or Paladin.
I'm a fan of Rgrs.
But Rogs are very good.....just not good solo IMO.
You need someone to take the agro off you (willingly or otherwise :) ) so you can get in those awesome SAs!
I have to disagree with some of this. At level one, I'd avoid niacs as your only 'damage' spell. Most things will save, and save frequently. Especially kobolds. In fact, the only thing so far that hasn't saved half the time vs it low levels are trogs. If an enemy makes the reflex save, niac's is a wasted use of SP since they avoid the damage. ray spells are also easy to miss with until you've gotten practice.
Magic Missile however is a decent starter spell, and get gets fairly powerful as you level. It's not a main damage spell after level 2, but it's still good. At level ten your doing 5d4+5 damage to a target, no miss chance. It's also dang good vs slimes/oozes, and almost required for STK. I'd also consider Hypnotism before charm person at level one. As for scorching ray, get it as soon as you can.
For my sorc I took magic missile and mage armor at level one, and burning hands at level 2. While BH is only so-so later on, it's still useful enough. For soloing against kobolds having an early aoe damage spell is also handy. I will recommend taking niac's though. It is a nice spell, just not one to rely on for early levels.
To be sure, the roll does rely on a +2 Dexterity Tome at creation (the second, Constitution, is for Favor), but it's worth waiting for.
As an experiment, I tried a Drow pally/sorc and a Drow pally/wiz. 3 levels of pally for the benefits and immunities (e.g., 2 LOH, Smite Evil, Immunity to Fear and Disease) then run the rest of the way with the caster. Each has TWF and Weapon Finesse and a level of arcane fluidity to cast from light armor. Now, I know that these are not the most potent/impressive builds, but I have more *fun* playing hem than any other build I've done. And to me, its all about having fun!
I've had a good time playing my Drow Wizard/Rogue. I've done solo with him more than half the time and I usually get through the quest fine. Being able to sneak up, cast Charm Person and hide again quickly can clear a room fairly easily. Rogue skills are handy to have for solo work and one level at start is enough Rogue to run on for a long while.
I like Drow for making Sorcerers or Rogues. It is helpful to consider Drows to be like a 32 point build that has the extra points allocated already.
Sorcerers are somewhat squishy at low levels (and at high levels but by that time they can kill fast so it isn't much of an issue), but by end game they are capable of soloing most of the game.
My Drow sorc is currently level 14 (20K from 15) and I spent most of yesterday, on and off, solo running the Vale for slayers and rares. My Barbarian 13 has a really hard time doing that without backup.
check out the barb forums for specifics, but your low con is offset some by rage & dual wielding can be fun with nasty rapiers.