>And while it seems like you are 'forced' into a niche, it really is an
>important role. Once you get to the point where you are in a
>group that has synergy (the whole is greater than the sum of the parts), I

think you will

>be happy with the results. A good, well balanced group that has experience
>working together can do some amazing things (like survive so hairy fights
>['OMG! we lived!!!']) And 2 or 3 good groups working together can do some
>amazing things. Dungeon crawl the old fashion way: Kedge Keep - 3 groups,
>clear to the boss, win and gate out.

Talk about synnergy.
I was in a group with a level 18 Shadowknight, Zxyyr, and a level 17 cleric,
Acme.
The three of us BROKE the three-spawn in Lake Rathe (with the help of a
clarity
cast on all three of us by a passing high level enchanter) Zxyyr would fear
one
of the aviaks, I would assist her and played Lullaby ALL the time until we
were
down to just one aviak we were fighting. Acme healed and medded. We broke
the
spawn. And then held the spot for the next four hours, killing one at a
time. The
cleric was EXCELLENT at mana management, rarely ending a fight at less than
60 mana,
so we were always ready for the almost constant spawn. After we broke it, it
was not
really a dangerous place to camp, either. Although most of the birds were
red
to me. But there was an elation to being able to break it ourselves, and
hold it!

Sarah Heacock sarah@...
Meara, level 13 Enchanter, Master Jeweler, owner Meara's Boutique of
Mystiques, Phoenix, Solusek Ro /
Faerain, level 18 Soldier of Tunare, Phoenix, Solusek Ro /
Faesong, level 16 Songweaver of Solusek Ro, Mythical Alliance,Test /
Feyre, level 8 Dark Elf Wizard of Solusek Ro, Mythical Alliance, Test /
Fyere, level 1 Gnome Wizard of Solusek Ro, Test