The fact is the 'idea' of the race is popular but the mechanics of them compared to the other races completely blow.

I don't think that's accurate either. It might have been a few years ago, but they've gained from a number of recent changes, especially when we revised mana gains about a year ago. They're a very solid pick for at least three of their classes (invoker, healer, transmuter), and decent angles for several others.

I think a dark-elf shaman would play very differently than a dwarf shaman, but there's a lot to be said for a deep mana pool, fast regen, and sneak. It might not be enough to offset the resilience of a dwarf, but that might depend on player style.

As fighting classes, they stack up well against magi/communers in general- mithril isn't a big concern there, especially given their dodge/etc, and they don't have elemental vulnerabilities that an invoker/conjurer/etc. can punish them with. And being smart never hurts- a lot of players underestimate the value of mental stats.

I haven't seen too much of how they play out as APs since the (rather significant) changes went in recently, but the gap between duergar/fire APs and the rest of that pack closed as well. I wouldn't say they're my top choice, but they aren't my bottom one either. Another immortal approached me recently to discuss the possibility that they might even be too good in a certain level range, but we're taking a wait-and-see approach there.

I admit a year ago I would have been singing a different tune. But I've seen a lot more, especially through some tough dark-elf characters that played to their strengths.

valguarnera@carrionfields.com