Goodbye Rangers!

[LoreLady]

<div></div>I am not letting my account run dry because of mechanics, this game, boredom, class ballance, etc.. I am letting it run dry because of reallife, currently I have college on an average of 10 hour days, and my raids are left on weekends only.. Currently I have a 4.7 gpa and wish to maintain that for college, as well I have a rapidly expanding social life that my college schedule/social life doesnt allow for.. Its just a question of what I enjoy more and where my obligations lie.Now I will write abit about myself and my EverQuest history/experiances..I joined this game to play with my dad, the two of us have always been distant and he was the type of person who dident like to be close but wanted to be thier.  So this was the perfect arrangement for us where we could talk, have fun, socialize, without being pushy etc. Also, for those of you who dont know - this was my sisters meddeling for this name to come out on my fourm handle, I am a guy in reallife and make sure EVERYONE I talk to on the fourms and EQ2 knows that well (and have said that on here many times). Anyways, due to EQ2 my dad and I were never closer and this was a game I enjoyed comming on to day to day.The start of playing a ranger was always intersting too, he always had his shaman going - I had my ranger.. It was a good mix of classes, while before lu13 I found myself CONSTANTLY out of power with food. So I keptup my woodworking, any group that we got going in RoV etc I was always the first one oop - and yet the lowest on the parse.. And for those of you who think that I am bad for doing all the stuff I have done - before LU13 he put up a damage/heal/hate to power chart on each and every class out there at level 9 with the same stats, and found out why I was draining power so fast and doing so little dps <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> This was never published to the public, or sony. I have always maintained that crafting as a ranger isent something I as a ranger have done out of the idea of fun, but nessessity.During this time I was in a guild called renaissance, and had one hell of a time trying to lead the simpelist raids due to lack of willpower and willingness, however they were a great batch of people and I would have joined them for my first guild anyday.. If anyone is looking for a just a place of belonging - I would suggest renai... It was a great time grouping, doing all the zany stuff we did, we even had a monkey diving contest. The object of the game was to go to the top of the SQ tower and hit the bottom first - and ontop of a particular person, then everyone had to try and follow that person down on the same spot.. Its alot of fun if you and your guild are bored <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> (and remember to bring the casters! <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />)..During the end of my time in renai - Oakleaf (my dad) died.. And I stayed on EQ for the moral support, and the people who have helped me out with that (you all know who you are). And this has easilly been a trying period for me, and it still is. His death is just one of many things that has gone in this year, and drove me to being pretty close to isolation (one major thing happening after another once every few months).. For those of you who I have attacked on the fourms - or in game.. I am sorry.Shortly after this time I joined a semi hardcore raiding guild to keep myself bussy, it was great because when I joined we were doing a labs trash run twice a day (one in the morning one at night) - and within two weeks.. We were at raid status, taking down labs, a good chunk of lyceum, and most of hos within the first two months of being a guild.. Then things got really stale - summer hit.. For those of you who are in raiding guilds know what its like, people do things in the summer - people go out - people have fun.. Summer is great for life, but BAD for guilds.. It was nearly 3 months since we were able to get even 3 groups together and being hard cutt for recruiting simply because  everyone having the same problem.. Then once the end of aug hit BAM, we were in deathtoll within two weeks. The main diffrence between then and now though is people - I continue to maintain that my guild has taken down a good chunk of the dragons with 3 groups - however, harla darr, and talendor we used four (yes I cheat <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />) due to new recruits etc..Now things in my RL are going great, I always have something to do in RL and some goal to reach (yes, getting a particular woman within a particular amount of time IS CONSIDERED A GOAL [Removed for Content] <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />) College hit, I took mechanical engineering and I am currently loving it, although I hate the hours I am there - I really enjoy being there.. For those of you who are younger and are getting harassed in highschool and wonder if college is diffrent.. THERE IS A HUGGGEE DIFFRENCE people at college are considerate, you can talk to a random person without getting some smug look.. I really wish that highschool was diffrent, and gave a diffrent atmosphere then maybe I might have done alot better there..<hr size="2" width="100%">My suggestions for sony:First, I consider EQ2 part action game, part rpg with the way things are setup.. Keep things setup where the more effort you put into things the more returns you are going to get.. Even at a slow progression - it is very easy to learn how to button mash effectively in this game..Second - Have a ingame option to get rid of THE DAMNED WINDOWS KEYS!! (fyi - there are ways on the net to remove them without poping them out)Third - Change the sound scheme to EQ, so that everywhere you travel there is music that keeps you pumped up.. And add a more industrial style with better beats to it, a mix between EQ2 music and blueman group will do wonders for interest.. Remember sony, life is only half what you see - you have got that part right.. Its what you hear you need to work on.Fourth - Ballance everything from the ground up, avoid ballancing through itemization.. This will lead to bigger and bigger problems as the game progresses.. It is alot easier to ballance some abilities, than it is to ballance abilities when some classes are getting an added bonus that only "they" get. - Currently I feel that rangers are starting to be ballanced on itemization - due to t8 ammo..Fifth - If you buy an adventure pack and use a gamecard, or go from credit card to game card.. Allow me to keep my $#@! adventure pack!! - I baught it in the first place, I cant count how many petitions I got - and how many "no you dont have it's" I got.Sixth - If you buy a gamecard, make it all access - the price on a gamecard is 20$ a month - the same price as your allaccess card.. This will solve the problem#5Seventh - Allow for each guild to have its own form of "teamspeak", as well as a built in MP3 player.. This will minimize the need for minimizing..8th - Fix the god [expletive haxx0red by Raijinn] cost for arrows for rangers!!9th - Keep the community constantly updated on promises you have made in the past - and the results you have come up with.. If you say something is being looked into (forinstance arrows) - keep us informed on whats going on with those changes.. Forinstance - beign announced sometime last january that he was going to go to the combat department and look into ways of ammo becomming a use for woodworkers to sell.. We have not heard a thing other than "its in deep thought". Also - post dates or goals when major changes are expected to be underway, it is better to be waiting for a date thats going to show up in 10 mins than a date that just "might show up".What I like about this game, is it being a RPG and being fast paced, that is a rarity in ALL rpgs - and its something that many rpgs strive for but fail. Sony has done an amazing job with this game visually, the effects in this game are second to none.. And it will take years before another online game tops this one, the developers of this game should give themselves a pat on theback on their artistic abilities, doing all that graphic design to this caliber really is an art and something that everyone reading this should appreciate.Ballancing is a touchy one for everyone, a game with 24 classes is nearly impossible to ballance well.. And everyone thinks they can do it there way, unfortunatly the reality is - what you change to one group of people another feel left out in.. I know there are many variables to many classes and where they stand, I know that there are many classes out there that are ment to blurr upon other classes.. However, I still stand where I say that there is a 20-30% diffrence in CA dps between rangers/assassins and the casttimes need to be reduced to limit this gap.. I also believe that assassins need some form of auto attack boost to be inline with our t8 ammo.. Espessally with this new expansion comming out.    However with that being said - sony has done an excellent job ballancing this game, everyone has a role, everyone has a place, everyone can go anywhere, anyone can do what they want, no one gets left out.Sound - sound is where sony is very weak in, yes sony has payed big money for an ochestra to play.. However the music that is being played is geneally not very appeasing to the ear, and this is comming from someone who plays fingerstyle guitar almost as much as I play EQ2 - I like to think I know what works in what situations and what doesnt.. The unfortunate truth is, that the current sound sony has at the moment needs improvement. This is IMHO though..<hr size="2" width="100%">Everyone its been a pleasure each and every one of you, the people at sony - give yourselves a pat on the back.. The people in MoFo's(misfits of forgotten order) - I hope things get alittle lighter soon <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />, for the rangers on here - keep hitting your mark and keep your archery skills up <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />.. Again - EQ2 has been a great experiance for me and I have had fun with it for various reasons.For anyone who wants to get ahold of me - my msn is [email protected] (as well as my email) - this is something I actively check.Signed - Mortred<p>Message Edited by LoreLady on <span class=date_text>10-05-2006</span> <span class=time_text>06:21 PM</span>

[Nak]

I think you need to make 11 more posts before you quit... just because <div></div>

[LoreLady]

<div><blockquote><hr>Naku9 wrote:I think you need to make 11 more posts before you quit... just because <div></div><hr></blockquote>[Removed for Content] - I still have like 12 days on my gamecard <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></div>

[Prandtl]

<P>10 posts to go!!  :smileywink:</P> <P>Hope school goes well.  As an engineer RT i can say that its an ok way to make a living</P>

[Zaviur]

<P>I don't understand how you can say balance the classes without using itemization then say "hey bring up the assassins in dps because rangers have access to T8 ammo."  Not every ranger has access to T8 ammo.  And to raise the dps of every assassin because a small % of rangers do have access to such ammo is asking for them to break the game for rangers more than it already is.  </P> <P> </P> <P>BTW sorry about your dad.... and good luck in school..</P>

[Shaulin Dolamite]

Best of luck to u and what ever life gives u im sure u will make the best of it : )

[Gnome mercy]

Please explain how you cna have a 4.7GPA when the highest possible is a 4.0 and thats an A straight downt he list, last i remember best grade in the book unless theres like an S now or something, I mean, I had an A in college all the way only caus ei knew everything there was to know and the field i was in and never got past the 4.0

[Kiluvi]

Depends on where you go to school... some have a 4.0, some 5.0, others go up to 7.0.

[TerriBlades]

<P>Its gonna suck to see you go, and I have a feeling the withdrawls will kick in soon... or maybe thats just wishfull thinking. Good luck to ya just in case ya dont make it back.</P> <P> </P> <P>Edit: Almost forgot... Can I have your stuff :smileyvery-happy:</P><p>Message Edited by TerriBlades on <span class=date_text>10-03-2006</span> <span class=time_text>10:26 PM</span>

[LoreLady]

<div></div><div></div><div><blockquote><hr>Gnome mercy wrote:<div></div>Please explain how you cna have a 4.7GPA when the highest possible is a 4.0 and thats an A straight downt he list, last i remember best grade in the book unless theres like an S now or something, I mean, I had an A in college all the way only caus ei knew everything there was to know and the field i was in and never got past the 4.0<hr></blockquote>Im canadian - things are done alittle diffrently down(rather up) here.. Here the highest GPA is 5.0 - 100% a 4.0 is 80% and so on.I may yet get 9 more posts <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />and terri - my stuff is all yours.. Just good luck getting my guild to agree <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></div><p><span class="time_text">and about that itemization comment earlier.. Currently rangers are dependant on "fabled bows + t8 ammo" to be considered "ballanced", if the game progresses the way it is and uses particular itemization there are going to be major problems in the future.. It is much easier to give assassins some kind of extra aug for there weapon damage that equals the diffrence in the damage boost of t7 to t8 ammo, and adjust our CA's.. Then it is to come out with a completely new system in the next expansion and adjusting things around that.</span></p><p>Message Edited by LoreLady on <span class=date_text>10-04-2006</span> <span class=time_text>02:33 AM</span>

[xandez]

Happy huntin in RL! <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />++Xan<div></div>

[Nimana]

If there's anything this game always could use, it is focused and dedicated players like yourself. I'm sorry to see you go, and wish you all the best!

[Zholain]

<div></div><font size="2">Take care of yourself.  Best of luck in everything you do.And enjoy your time in college.  It is the greatest opportunity for fun that you'll ever have.  The friends I met in college are to this day still my best friends...and I won't tell you how many years ago that was.  LOLTake Care.Cat.</font><div></div><p>Message Edited by Zholain on <span class=date_text>10-04-2006</span> <span class=time_text>08:34 AM</span>

[Jay]

<DIV>Mortdred,</DIV> <DIV>Sorry to see you go, but I think you're doing so for all the right reasons. You need to be out there partying, hooking up with hot chicks, making lifelong friends, and getting good grades - in that order. <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  So big ups on making the right choice for your life right now, I'm glad to see you taking that step.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I know we've locked horns a few times and didn't always see eye to eye, but I hope you know I've never questioned your dedication to the class. And I like to think that we both learned a bit from exchanges.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Best of luck in you future endeavors. Be good, be safe, and keep it real!</DIV>

[Teksun]

Enjoy school... get good grades, get a good job for lots of money, see you in EQ3 <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /><div></div>

[Deml]

Take care of yourself man.  Sorry to see you go but like Jay said, it's for the right reasons.  Best of luck to you and enjoy college as much as you can.

[TaleraRis]

<DIV>Good luck in school! I'm doing the full time school/full time work thing myself so I know exactly where you are. But it's all worth it in the end when you're out there doing what you enjoy, rather than just what pays the bills.</DIV>

[Saihung23]

<P>Lore</P> <P> </P> <P>It is good to hear that you are leaving the game for mature sensible reasons.  College is a great reason...hell...how are you going to have time to drink all that Milwaukee's Beast beer if you are playing EQ2?</P> <P> </P> <P>I hope the best for you at school, and wish you safe times and fun.  I am not sure what I will miss the most....people always mistaking you for a girl because of the name your sister cursed you with <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  or the fervor you display for your opinions on our class. </P> <P>For both reasons you will definitely be missed friend.  I hope you do well, get a great education and make oodles of money after college and buy SOE and implement some of your changes lol.</P> <P>Until next time <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></P> <P>Peace Health and Happiness to you and yours.</P>

[Sulas]

Best of luck, LL.You have been a great contributer to the community and you'll be missed.  Thanks for a great parting post as well. Keep the GPA up - just don't forget to have a little fun too.<div></div>

[Katsugen]

<DIV>Good luck man, hope you find better balance irl than you do ingame. I too am starting to feel the real world calling. But when I leave I'll still be blthching, regardless of my motivations. College is the best for geeks who like to play games all day, but if you ever plan to have a real life after college, you need to keep a real life during school. I wish you the best.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>-Katsugen</DIV>

[Storm_Runner]

Sorry to see you go but you gotta do what's best for you.  Good luck and I hope we'll see you around again in the future.

[Jowita]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Saihung23 wrote:<BR> <P>It is good to hear that you are leaving the game for mature sensible reasons.  College is a great reason...hell...how are you going to have time to drink all that Milwaukee's Beast beer if you are playing EQ2?</P> <P></P> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P>Sai, I thought it was called "Milwaukee's Breast" beer. And I should know, I used to live in that fine town, and tapped a few myself when I was dead broke and couldn't find an open plasma donor facility.</P> <P>Seriously, though. Mortdred, that was a great post, and I'm glad you took the time to write it. Good luck to you, and as for college life: Drink to the dregs! It only comes around once, ya know. And once is never enough.</P> <P>*hugs*</P> <P> </P> <P>Jowita<BR></P><p>Message Edited by Flidias on <span class=date_text>10-04-2006</span> <span class=time_text>03:12 PM</span>

[LoreLady]

Well, for a second - I thought your sig was just going to say "You were a truth I would have laid"..And btw - its mortred <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Keredh]

<DIV>There are times when RL just has to take precedence and it is always good to see when someone chooses life for all the right reasons... :smileyhappy:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Speaking from across the pond, I wish you all the best... Been a pleasure reading your engagements in the exchanges on these forums and, as Jay says, where we've not agreed, it's been a learning experience.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>If you ever pop back in, I'm sure you'll still find us talking about DPS, nerfbats and the fact that SOE simply don't get rangers! :smileyvery-happy:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Ker</DIV>

[KnightOfTheWo]

You'll be missed around here, it was always good to see your posts because you knew what you were talking about. But the others are right: real life trumps this, best of luck to ya and we'll see you around Norrath again someday...or elsewhere. <span>:smileyhappy:</span><div></div>

[Teksun]

I hope I get a life someday..no, really!!<div></div>

[jarlaxle8]

<P>So, you wanna take a shot at that game called RL? Be careful there, cause there are more nerfs and imbalances there then you'll ever have in an MMORPG. And it's even harder to get the point through with spreadsheets and numbers... :smileyvery-happy: :smileywink:</P> <P>I wish you best and good success in college. Take care. :smileyhappy:</P>

[Huntress Jellica]

<P><FONT color=#6699ff>Good luck, Mortdred. Will miss having you around. But RL definitely takes precedence over EQ2 (shocking! :smileysurprised: )</FONT></P> <P><FONT color=#6699ff>Take care :smileyhappy:</FONT></P><p>Message Edited by Huntress Jellica on <span class=date_text>10-05-2006</span> <span class=time_text>08:05 AM</span>

[Jowita]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> LoreLady wrote:<BR><BR><BR>And btw - its mortred <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /><BR><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P><BR>Bah, i like how i spelled it better <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> You should see people mutiliating my warden's name: Simbelmyne. LOL, no one EVER gets that name right.</P> <P> </P> <P>Jowita</P>

[xandez]

<P>simple WHAT?</P> <P>grr... make simpler names like... Apollo, ABCD, etc <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></P> <P>*edit*<BR>ok it was SIMBLE(myne)... ROFL... im dyslexic maybe, sry <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></P> <P><BR>++Xan</P><p>Message Edited by xandez on <span class=date_text>10-08-2006</span> <span class=time_text>12:01 AM</span>

[Gerdos]

<DIV>Our raid leader is dyslexic.   We spend more time forming raids then actually raiding.    Patience ftw. :smileytongue:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>edited: oooh lala ... 101th post, new title/colour.</DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=time_text></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=time_text>PS. my condolence on Oakleaf, and thanks Lorelady for all your input to the forums.  Have enjoyed reading it.   </SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=time_text>College years ... all a blurr now, just remember having a lot of fun!!</SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=time_text></SPAN> </DIV><p>Message Edited by Gerdos on <span class=date_text>10-08-2006</span> <span class=time_text>08:27 AM</span>

[LoreLady]

<div></div>1002 post! - there any new title and colour for me!?Edit - I cant count!<p>Message Edited by LoreLady on <span class=date_text>10-09-2006</span> <span class=time_text>05:14 AM</span>

[xandez]

iiih... no new title? <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />++Xan<div></div>

[Ethyarion]

First off my condolences for your loss.Take care and may fortune smile upon you in whatever world you walk. While I didn't alwasy agree with some of the things you wrote your passion and determined support of the Ranger class should not go unrecognised.I wish you all the best in life outside of Eq2.