Alright, I've been pondering this for a while. I'm a level 86 Celestine Merian at this moment, in case you didn't know. I enjoy the rp of being merian, but merians fall short in a lot of areas, especially as I can barely handle astral with a life blessing, splendor robes, and trans resilience. I also crumple pretty fast in any combat situation where warriors are involved. Very annoying. Acrune's wife is a merian, and I'd like us both to stay merian, but she's *rarely* here anymore, so thats becoming less and less of a factor.

Taurian and Loboshigaru seem to both be decent. Both have 16 con and 10 int. Bashing would be a lot slower, but I'd be a lot less likely to die, and with criticals, the weak attack wouldn't be a huge deal. Taurians have a level 1 health regen (95 health a tic for me, says this website), level 2 cutting resist, and level 2 electric resist. The cutting resist would be nice I think, on top of splendor, trans resilience, and my symbol which cuts on cutting damage as well. Plus electric is probably one of the more common elemental runes on weapons. Taurians also have a level 1 weakness to magic, but eh, who cares. Loboshigaru have a level 3 health regen (382 health a tic for me, says this website), and a level 1 resistance to fire, cold, and poison, none of which are particularly exciting. They also have a level 2 weakness to magic, which is also not terribly exciting. Out of the two of these, I'm leaning towards taurian, because regens don't really feel like they do too much, though Shamarah and Amaru are both Loboshigaru, and considering that they are two of the best fighters the Celestines have to offer, maybe I'm missing something.

Human always seems to be a (safe) choice these days. The experience boost would be really nice, though it doesn't really weigh into what I want out of a race. I went human on the test server, and my con/int was either 13/14, or 14/15, probably the last one. Nothing to get terribly excited about when it comes to human guardians, in my opinion, but it is a nice safe choice.

My priorities are group combat, hunting, 1v1 combat in that order.

So, as much as I dislike those what do I do threads, I figure I'd give it a shot and ask for your opinions.

For bashing, I suggest Loboshigaru. For combat, I suggest Taurian; however, either is signficantly better than Imperial Merian (for Celestines).

I personally cannot wait to be a Titan Imperial Merian Aquamancer with Telekinesis (go go 22-23 intelligence ftw).

Yeah, that was fun. Wait 'til you get titan on top of that

also, Amaru started as lobo-but he's now taurian. So, both are good combat choices.

Also, I'm kinda partial to Aslaran if you use tarots. It's a great help in group combat especially.

I think bashing damage for a Celestine is int-based. I have bashed with Shamarah before - his damage has led to extremely slow kills. I'd go human myself.

Yeah, human is probablyt he best choice. You can be relatively tanky while retaining a nice amount of intelligence and health. So, yeah...there's a reason I never use my cameo anymore.

Lobo for bashing? Wtf? Lobo has 10 int, it is HORRIBLY SLOW. Go human if you want a good balance between combat/bashing.

Think criticals at level 86 would make bashing with 10 int tolerable?

Edit: Will probably maintain a knowledge blessing most of the time too.

For someone who is used to merian bashing, I think you'll hate it.

Bashing as a merian Aqua = awesome.

No.

stay Merian and Go back to the Aquas with Telekinetic Powers ZOMG BASHIG COMBAT PVP COMBO FGJ!

Mugwump is insane cause of their EQ recovery, though I don't really see a difference in Tarot balance unless what Talkan says is true that Aslarans recover a little faster in Tarot flinging.

Go elfen and come to the serenwilde, we have cookies!

Tarot has always been made for the furries..err.. cat people... Achaea Jesters? Cat... Lustie Tarots? Cat... Imperian? Snake(cat)...

it's always fast balance, damnit!

I voted Human for the potential if you change, Humans really do have really good potential if you use them right. Theyre a good mix between hunting and fighting, Im only level 74 and I can survive all right against things. Theyre not squishy like Merians youll notice.

Go human.

And Titan Imperian Merian with telekinesiss isnt that great.
I prefere faeling. Im much more tanky now then as merian.

Merians hit harder though. With 20 int, or 22 with knowledge, hailstorm and staff are beastly. Plus 18 cha, 20 with beauty, 21 with throne makes for a bitchin forcefield.

Anyway, thanks for the input all, I'm now human and I think its going to work out well. Enjoy my frozen lifeless body outside the portal of fate. I think it looks pretty cool

Yay more Humans! We'll soon grow in enough numbers to dominate the Basin!