I havent really done much casting before but recently bought a 160ee 55 lightning.

Considering trying out casting on paladin if I stop failing samurai mqs, however curious if its worth it compared to just melee (55 128ee axe).

Lets assume I can get say 40 int offcast gear, and probably melee most of the earlier levels (solo).

Should I expect a smoother run or is it going to be pretty much similar but now with immunes and mana management?
Is there a significant damage difference between melee and charms?

Casting damage is better due to much higher crit chance assuming similar quality gear i.e. similar + stats on gear and 160ee melee wep vs 160ee caster charm, but you’ll be perpetually out of mana multiple times a level until level 55+, even with really good int + mana gear, so you’ll have to shrine alot. If you have similar melee gear, its better to do that unless your casting gear is really really good imo. The easier levels are worse, but the later levels are easier as caster since you also have the ability to heal.

tldr - off casting solo is slower unless insane gear

This post was edited by Pick on Jan 29 2025 08:46am

in short, pull all points into vitality/intelligence but still melee to level 30.
unless you have super duper int/mana gear, the melee will be faster.

at 30+ can consider casting, but you'll still run out of mana very quickly at 30.
your first run with that sort of mq charm will be unimpressive.

Ty both, sounds like I should probably just stick to melee unless I ever reach warlock.