so how do i gear this guy up and gem him? i read physical crit for gems and then HP whereever i need it.

what kind of armor? chain?

also, how can i train a different weapon skill? staves are for pussies and my damage is so dismal compared to my buddy

you learn new weapons over levels they are your skill books if there are even any extra for chanters to learn and you use highest type of armor you can use which is chain as a chanter i believe

Phy Crit is the best for manastones, that's right. You shouldn't need HP for leveling though.

Yes, chain whenever possible. Don't feel like its absolutely necessary though, sometimes you'll see a Leather piece with nice stats, so you can grab that as well.

Afraid you're stuck with staves. Chanters aren't a heavy DPS class. They're more like a hybrid DPS/Offheal/Support class. They're really good in PvE, strong at soloing, and good support in group PvP. Don't expect to be dishing out the same damage as a Sorc or Ranger or something though.

Do it like this.

The build on a PvP oriented chanter would be to stack crit stones on a staff. The idea is that if a 2-h weapon were to crit, it knocks whatever you're hitting down. That's really the only reason you'd slot crit, so if you've got money to burn pre-30, slot hp.

They're worthless as an off-heal class, they just have a decent cast-and-forget heal over time. Decent dps to 35ish, in PvE. Good enough for people to want you to run Fire Temple or whatever.

There was a theorycraft thread on leather vs chain on AionSource. I don't feel like finding it again, but if I recall correctly, the numbers worked out for a slight advantage to gearing with leather if you don't slot parry.
Edit: http://www.aionsource.com/forum/chanter/57095-eikois-sensational-thread-give-chain-clerics.html

Don't use mace+shield, unless your cleric dies or something.

Edit:
Also, remember to weave your attacks. Maximizes your dps while nearly halving mana consumption.

Best place to read up on general chanter info:
http://skychanter.com/

This post was edited by PsycTint on Oct 12 2009 10:10pm

THIS!