Alchemy vs. Poison as JC companion

[buckyballC60]

Hello, long time reader, first time poster.

My chanter JCer is rapidly approaching 250 skill (and beyond) and I was thinking about PLing a rogue or shaman to accompany him. The primary purpose of this char would be to master poison making or alchemy for the new OoW augments. I know from experience the etching/inlay drops are rare but have a fairly large budget to sink into acquiring them.

So, my question is this: which should I choose? The difference in classes outside tradeskill is not really an issue since both would be equally interesting to play and equally easy to PL & equip. Since the rogues get a higher skill cap at a given level, should I go with them?

Thanks in advance for the input,
bb

[Bolas]

Rogues have a higher skill cap, but also have higher trivials to balance it out.

If you can get "Umbracite Swarm Orb" from Vex Thal, then the shaman has the advantage in OoW augment construction. If not, it's about even. So if you'll be able to get your shaman a VT key and get him that drop -- shaman is the way to go. Otherwise it doesn't matter.

-Bolas

[mewkus]

While the rogue can get a higher skill cap (250 vs. 200), the trivial level for the rogue's combines are such that at skill cap with 5% modifier they have the same sucess rate. The only difference (augment sucesswise) between them is that there is a 10% alchemy modifier that he might be able to buy (it no longer drops and is probably more rare to see than manastones), or if you get him VT keyed, I think there's a 15% alchemy mod item that drops off of one of the mobs in there. Either of those two items would give the shaman a distinct advantage. But, the odds of getting one of those two items is pretty darned rare. I don't recall if poison making is level restricted, but for alchemy, your shaman would have to reach level 64 before they can get skill up to 200.

Probably the most determining factor is which type of character would you rather play. If you're boxing both of them together, keep in mind that a fair chunk of the duties for shaman and enchanters overlap (haste buffs, slowing mobs, resist debuffs). The other thing to consider is if you'll get benefit from making other potions.

[Nolrog]

I don't recall if poison making is level restricted

Yes, it is level restricted.

[Cerpicio]

I haven't played either class to any reasonable level, but it seems to me making potions has a wider market than making poisons.


-- C.

[Liwsa]

Have to be level 60 to hit 250 poison but with 5 percent geerlock you can reach cap 252 modified at level 55 I think.

240 skill + 5 percent for geerlock = 252 modified skill.

[Humlaor]

Need to be 65 to hit 200 alchemy, 60 will only get you to 180, so from that standpoint, it looks like a rogue might be the better way to go, it'd save you 5 lvls at least.

Boomlaor

[Grozza]

Have to be level 60 to hit 250 poison but with 5 percent geerlock you can reach cap 252 modified at level 55 I think.

240 skill + 5 percent for geerlock = 252 modified skill.

Level 58 actually. The pre 50 cap is 200, and it goes up 5 points every level from 51-60.

[buckyballC60]

Thanks all for the input. Since it's unlikely that I'll get an alt VT keyed and rogues can hit their cap a few levels earlier than the shaman, I think I will go with the rogue.

Time for some 2-boxing...