Help me pick a class!

[Dazliare]

Hey everyone!

I haven't played in awhile, and last time I played, I played a conqueror, but the monotonous playstyle got boring fast. So this time I want to try a ranger/spellcaster type, and since it's been so long, I don't remember much of what any of the classes are called or how they play. So here's what I would like:

Good looking spells
Possibly the ability to melee or range/cast based on situation, but not necessary
Won't be massively gear dependent (I don't have any other characters to give this one gear)
Will be reasonably strong in higher difficulties (I don't want something super underpowered without perfect gear, but grossly overpowered isn't great either. Although between the two I'd rather be overpowered)
Can boss reasonably well. I'm not looking to wreck bosses, but I don't want to be a class that will take ten minutes per boss.

What are your thoughts guys? If you suggest a class, please add in why you chooses that so I can choose tonight :)

[jaelrin]

If Squall + Ternion spamming doesn't look monotonous to you, I recommend Oracle (Storm +Spirit). It's good both again bosses ( Lich King + Outsider), and against monsters (Squall + Ternion).

I'm playing one un-twinked right now, currently in Act3 normal, with maxed Squall everything dies in seconds, it looks quite overpowered. Soon I'll start maxing Ternion attack, and from Epic - Lich king and Wisp.

In higher levels it should be strong even without uber gear, as a last resort you can use a staff of Harrowing.
Right now my build looks like this: http://www.titancalc.com/TitanCalc.asp?mastery=Oracle&master1=2&master2=8&sa=5&m1=32-0-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-1-1-0-0&m2=24-0-1-0-0-0-0-0-12-0-0-0-3-1-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0

Final build - something like this: http://www.titancalc.com/TitanCalc.asp?mastery=Oracle&master1=2&master2=8&sa=21&m1=32-6-0-12-8-1-0-0-6-16-0-6-1-0-12-8-12-0-1-1-0-0&m2=32-0-1-6-0-8-8-0-12-0-0-0-6-12-0-0-1-1-0-8-0-0

[Dazliare]

That looks like something I could do, any other suggestions?

[Zaptue]

Jaelrin's suggestion about the oracle is a good one-- oracle is probably my favorite pure caster :). If you'd rather go melee, but with more choices and a more active playstyle, why not try corsair (rogue + defense) or dreamkiller (rogue + dream)? Neither one makes many players' lists of "uber builds," but they are certainly viable, and require you to fight smarter for maximum success. Both builds tend to do well with spear & shield on one of your weapon combos, but dreamkiller is probably the better boss nuker.