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EverQuest II Sample Alternate Advancements

Alternate Advancements are the best way to tailor your character to meet your game needs. Picking which AAs are useful and which you can live without can be quite the daunting task so we are here to lend you a hand. I have scoured the web, asked all my friends, and researched AA abilities into the wee hours of the morning to bring you these AA recommended specs. Use them as is, or make changes to suit your personal playstyle either way you get a solid foundation in which to build your perfect Crusader spec.

Crusaders are great tanks, very useful in PvP, and capable soloers. While their alternate advancements don't leave a lot of room for variation, there are some must-have abilities and upgrades that can take the raw talent that they are created with and turn them into a powerhouse of destruction. Below are two sets of specs for each of the Crusaders, the Paladin and the Shadowknight. You'll find one geared towards tanking and another more suited to DPS and solo play.

Paladin

Paladin Tank

Crusader Line (100 pts)

• STR (10, 8, 10, 1, 8)
• AGI (1)
• STA (-)
• WIS (4, 10, 10, 1, 8)
• INT (4, 8, 10, 1)

Paladin Line (100 pts)

Paladins rock in AoE damage and part of this is the wide variety of AA AoEs. Put your points into all of your AoEs here, max out your Hero line, and grab Intercept, Demonstration of Faith, Raid Armament, Blessed Weapon. You should work towards picking up the SF upgrades Devout Faith, Heroic Leadership, and Heretic's Destruction.

Paladin Shadows Line (70 pts)

General line fill health first, then power. For the Fighter line, upgrade your Rescue and choose Battle Hardening. On the Crusader line grab Cavalier's Call, Knight's Stance, Phalanx, and Aura of the Crusader. On the final Paladin line you'll want to pick up Blessed Warding, Knight's Counter, and Stonewall.

Paladin DPS

Crusader Line (100 pts)

• STR (10, 10, 2, 1, 8)
• AGI (-)
• STA (5)
• WIS (10, 10, 10, 1, 6)
• INT (10, 10, 2, 1)

Paladin Line (100 pts)

Focus on your damage spells, AoEs, and direct heals. Also grab your Blessed Weapon, Demonstration of Faith upgrades and the final SF option, Heretic's Destruction.

Paladin Shadows Line (70 pts)

General line you will want health and likely power, especially if you like to solo. Fighter line pick up Swinging Strike and Offensive Prowess. In the Crusader line put points into Cavalier's Call and Valor in Battle. For the Paladin line, you'll want Forced Following Divine Empowerment, and Blessed Warding. With the left over points, plop those into shield damage options if you plan on using a shield when playing offensive.

Shadowknight

Shadowknight Tank

Crusader Line (100 pts)

• STR (10, 10, 10, 1, 6)
• AGI (10, 4, 7, 0, 8)
• STA (-)
• WIS (4, 8, 10, 1, 8)
• INT (-)

Shadowknight Line (100 pts)

Sink your point into the Hate line. Pick up Grim Harbinger, Devour Vitae, Mana Sieve, Tap Veins, and Reaver from the Reaving line. From Decay, grab Blasphemy, Cleave Flesh, Doom Judgment, Devouring Mists, and Siphon Armament. The end SF abilities, Dreadful Nightmares, Essence Siphoning, Unholy Sacrament plus the end Blood Siphon are all good choices.

Shadowknight Shadows Line (70 pts)

General line choose health and power. In the Fighter line fill Swinging Strike, Battle Hardening, and Sneering Assault. You have some great options in the Crusader line. Take Cavalier's Call, Knight's Stance, Valor in Battle, Phalanx, and Aura of the Crusader. In the Shadowknight row, grab Malevolent Tormenting, Malevolent Protection, Dark Knight's Protection, and Shadowknight's Furor.

Shadowknight DPS

Crusader Line (100 pts)

• STR (10, 10, 2, 1, 7)
• AGI (4, 10)
• STA (6)
• WIS (4, 10, 10, 1, 8)
• INT (4, 10)

Shadowknight Line (100 pts)

Work on filling damage abilities first, primarily your Reaving and Decay lines. If you solo a lot, upgrade your Mortal Embrace, which can be a life saver. SF abilities, be sure to pick up Dreadful Nightmares and Unholy Absorption.

Shadowknight Shadows Line (70 pts)

General take health and power (unless you can really use something else in place of power). In the Fighter line, put your points into Swinging Strike and your offensive stance first. For the Crusader line pick up Cavalier's Call, Valor in Battle, and Aura of the Crusader. In the Shadowknight line, pick your damage abilities first; Unholy Voracity, Siphon Essence, Rancorous Spite, Shadowknight's Furor, and Essence Siphon.

Do you have a favorite spec that works great for you? Be sure to share on our forums the magical combo that you have come up with to get things done!