Please can someone cement over Nek Forest? (RANT) :)

[Guy De Alsace]

Or slam a piece of Luclin into it? This zone, aaaargh....i hate it so much its untrue. Its supposed to be an atmospheric, spooky haunted forest which the ambients do well trying to convey...however the inhabitants and the design of the place make it one long drawn out reason why people invented the word 'frustration'.B is 5 yards away from A. To get to B you need to go 500 yards in the opposite direction blocked by a 3 foot high earth wall you can practically see over. On the way you have to dodge mutiple roaming heroic or solo mobs that just never ever seem to stop finding you mid battle. I swear someone fitted them with radar <span>:smileymad:</span>At least they put the Griffon Towers in, even though one is 1 inch away from a death drop down n'marr's ascent and is regularly patrolled by a triple up treant that casually swats anyone getting off the griffon...full marks for placement there.You get lots of chest drops...all of which seem to be parts of Private Doopy. I'd hate to have ever seen him alive, he must have had more arms than something with an unhealthy amount of arms (and legs). Ones which arent bits of Doopy are the fifteenth time the same quest starter item has dropped...arrrgh!'Kill Owlbears' says random quest in Nek. What it really means is kill fred the owlbear on a tueday night with a north easterly prevailing wind behind you while swallowing a fresh lemon. Klerons Leggings I thought was bugged since I seemed to kill all the solo owlbears (said solo quest) and got no update. Was only by accident I happened to kill one of the two solo Ash Owlbears that I finally got an update. Next time I see Kleron I'm going to hang him off n'marr's ascent.I hate this zone so much I've deleted all my pending quests in it and moved on to Zek...zek is supposed to be a war zone yet I just want to kiss the dirt when I finally get there if I've recently been in Nek Forest.Ever had one of those teeth grindingly frustrating evenings?<div></div>

[Hollywood]

<div></div><p>Couldn't agree more, I despise this zone, and everything associated with it... the mobs, the quests, the NPC's even.  I dunno what it is about Nek, it just irritates the heck outta me.</p><p> </p>

[MrMartin]

<div></div><p>Same here. Really hated this zone and Nektropolos Castle especially.</p><p>When a guildie ask me if I want to do one of the HQs in Nek Castle I suddenly need to do something important and log out. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>I hate that place, cant you let the sun shine sometime!? <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[electricninjasex]

With exception to the dirt mounds you cannot climb, I personally love the zone... I wish they'd made it even gloomier, creepier, and more dangerous than it is.  And no matter how you squint and angle yourself at the sky, the sun will not give you the simple grace of a hello.  I like that.<div></div>

[Jal]

Annoying to travel around definatly but i love the style of the zone.

[Uanelven]

<div><span><blockquote><hr>MrMartin wrote:<div></div><p>Same here. Really hated this zone and Nektropolos Castle especially.</p><p>When a guildie ask me if I want to do one of the HQs in Nek Castle I suddenly need to do something important and log out. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>I hate that place, cant you let the sun shine sometime!? <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><hr></blockquote><span>:smileyindifferent:</span>    I think the castle is still the best designed dungeon in the game.    <span>:smileytongue:</span></span></div>

[Feltrak]

<div>There's actually ways to get over some of the mounds, try hoppin on some 'shrooms.</div>

[Yirk]

I guess just to balance things out, I'll post that I really like the zone. Finally completing the race in Nektulos without cheating was quite satisfying.

[Yodaya]

<div></div><p>I love Nektulos Forest. This is my favorite zone so far.</p><p>It is tough, yes, but it is fun at the same time.</p><p>You should have seen the original Nek zone with only heroics and even the Cackling Cadaviers were aggro and there were no Griffin Towers back then. Even the rivers were infested with flesh eating piranhas. No place in Nek was safe and I loved it.</p><p>BTW, have u done the private doopy's quest? You give him the bones and you will get a good amount of silver for each bone with a nice surprising reward (8g) on the final part of that quest which doesn't even take 10-15 mins to complete.</p>

[Zmobie]

Bah.Back in my day, we had superaggro fish that could levitate over land, and would pursue you like killerdeathrobots until they either shredded you to ribbons or you zoned.You young whipersnappers have it easy!Honestly, though, the thing you hate about it are the things I love about it. It's spooky. It's dangerous. It's... fun.Unlike TS, which is just a big open field. *Yawn*Although, if all wisps disappeared one day, I wouldn't shed a tear.--Plague

[Sarkoris]

<div></div><div></div><p>The Voracious Bleeders (commonly referred to as the superaggro land crossing piranhas) were removed a long time ago, mainly because they use to all end up trained to the CL zone line bridge. And the moment you zoned in you would be getting killed even while the zone loaded. They never could get them to stay in the water.</p><p>Enter the far more annoying flaming bats (shrillers of various flavours). If these aren't the most annoying mobs in all of Thules creation I wonder what is. They spread out in a huge formation, usually spanning the bridge or the path etc. Don't bother trying to clear them with an AOE attack as they start out so far seperated you will only ever hit one. For social mobs they aren't very social to each other, until one spots you of course.</p><p>What I would like to see is the ability to destroy the forest flares (I think that is their name, the glowing fire the shrillers seem to circle) and lessen the spawn of these mobs for say 30 mins. Give you a chance to fight the owlbears, sentries etc without having to constantly look up.</p><p>Don't get me wrong, I have no problems with Nektulous Forest difficulty wise. Yes the travel is annoying but can now be easily bypassed by completing the Griffon Egg quest.</p><p>I also second the opinion of the OP though that the treants pathing through the N'Marrs ascent tower, and often stopping inside it is bad design. Remove that pathing and have them patrol the path or valley to either side. No station in TS is even remotely hindered by mobs, why does this one get special treatment.</p><p>And while I am on a roll, what genius decided to add a spawn point for bears and treants in the middle of the rivers (hint A slow but previously reliable way to bypass a lot of the aggro land based mobs). I think that is Nek's main problem, way too many mobs with overlapping pathing, huge aggro radius and group mobs spread out over too large a distance. The atmosphere is appropriate but the zone will always be an underutilised version of TS due to the fact it contains way to many ways to become frustrated just trying to play.</p><p>Sark.</p><p>Message Edited by Sarkoris on <span class="date_text">03-31-2006</span><span class="time_text">07:47 AM</span></p>

[Leafkiller]

Probably the most terrifying two hours I have had i this game was running through Nek after betraying to Quenos waaaay back when, and trying to get through this horrible evil twisted demented zone - without any sort of map or guidance. Between the radar-equiped owl-bears that would then build a condo over your well-chewed shard, to the Bleeders in the water that would hover after you until they ran you down (bright red at 16th level too),  I must have left 5 shards in there at 16th level.Walking into TS was like stepping from hell into paradise, but it was a [expletive haxx0red by Raijinn] fun evening. I wanted to burn it down after that trip though, so I can sympathize with ya.Prelate Toxx List64 Ogre PaladinGuk<div></div>

[Sassinak]

By far the best quests and instances from 20-28 are in Nek Forest. I really enjoyed that zone a lot. It is not a fun place to try to grind XP, though. Do the quests. It has TS beaten by a long shot when it comes to that.

[SageGaspar]

<div><span><blockquote><hr>Sassinak wrote:By far the best quests and instances from 20-28 are in Nek Forest. I really enjoyed that zone a lot. It is not a fun place to try to grind XP, though. Do the quests. It has TS beaten by a long shot when it comes to that.<hr></blockquote>I like it for grinding, too. Nightfall giants up north are the best way to finish Giant L&L and Giant language, and trust me, you have the whole place to yourself. I really hate the Thundering Steppes with a passion <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></span></div>

[Kleitos]

I liked the place when I was there, too bad they removed the Voracious Bleeders and made the zone easier... Doing AQs in that zone was a blast and really thought you how to group well. No standing around and slacking cause those evil wisps will get you!<div></div>

[Dazzler_Twodir]

<div></div>Someone actually likes that lag of the zek docks???

[Karlen]

<font color="#ffff00">>>>Honestly, though, the thing you hate about it are the things I love about it. It's spooky. It's dangerous. It's... fun.</font><font color="#ffff00"></font><font color="#ffff00"></font><font color="#ffff00">Unlike TS, which is just a big open field. *Yawn*<<<</font>As it turns out, both Nek and TS have mobs of similar level so you can go to whichever one you prefer, especially now that you can zone directly to Nek/TS docks from your home city.  If you don't like Nek, go to TS.  If you don't like TS, go to Nek.  Something for everyone as they say.Personally, I've always liked Nek.  Although I have to admit that I did wish it was easier to get through when I was level 10 -- but then again, I was level 10.<div></div>

[DarkMirrax]

<div></div>Nek castle is one of the most enjoyable dungeons in the game !

[DwarvesR]

<div></div><blockquote><hr>Zotar99 wrote:Personally, I've always liked Nek.  Although I have to admit that I did wish it was easier to get through when I was level 10 -- but then again, I was level 10.<div></div><hr></blockquote><p>Heh.  My Dark Elf Warlock got level 10 in Oakmyst Forest.  Yup. . .ran though Nek Forest with a level 9 Mage back in the day.  Of course, this was after they removed the fishies, but even so. . . I had to do a LOT of flaming bat dodging.  Never caught aggro the whole way through, though.</p><p>My Mystic gained levels 13 and 14 in the Wailing Caves, and that was *before* the fishies were gone. . . .   I'll grant you that having SOW helped, but I did die 1x on my way through with her.</p><p>I liked Nek Forest with my SK.  Did a lot of quests and gained a lot of levels in there with her.  But since then, I generally avoid it where I can.  The 3-foot berms annoy me.  Like the rest of it, but hate the berms.</p>

[NimSul]

<div></div>Old nek with land pirana and everything was prolly the best zone the game has ever had. If mobs wasnt grey to you then you FEARED going here, it had the best "mood" to it ever, danger scary and you felt so little here. Remember the huuuuge giants back then too, that was giants.

[Sarkoris]

<div></div><blockquote><hr>DwarvesRUs wrote:<div></div><blockquote><hr>Zotar99 wrote:Personally, I've always liked Nek.  Although I have to admit that I did wish it was easier to get through when I was level 10 -- but then again, I was level 10.<div></div><hr></blockquote><p>Heh.  My Dark Elf Warlock got level 10 in Oakmyst Forest.  Yup. . .ran though Nek Forest with a level 9 Mage back in the day.  Of course, this was after they removed the fishies, but even so. . . I had to do a LOT of flaming bat dodging.  Never caught aggro the whole way through, though.</p><p>My Mystic gained levels 13 and 14 in the Wailing Caves, and that was *before* the fishies were gone. . . .   I'll grant you that having SOW helped, but I did die 1x on my way through with her.</p><p>I liked Nek Forest with my SK.  Did a lot of quests and gained a lot of levels in there with her.  But since then, I generally avoid it where I can.  The 3-foot berms annoy me.  Like the rest of it, but hate the berms.</p><hr></blockquote><p>I had no clue what a berm was and had to look it up. You learn something everyday.</p><p>Sark.</p>

[Traldan Omegafyre]

<div><span><blockquote><hr>Uanelven wrote:<div><span><blockquote><hr>MrMartin wrote:<div></div><p>Same here. Really hated this zone and Nektropolos Castle especially.</p><p>When a guildie ask me if I want to do one of the HQs in Nek Castle I suddenly need to do something important and log out. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>I hate that place, cant you let the sun shine sometime!? <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><hr></blockquote><span>:smileyindifferent:</span>    I think the castle is still the best designed dungeon in the game.    <span>:smileytongue:</span></span></div><hr></blockquote>Negative, I'd have to go with Soluseks Eye for best designed dungeon in the game...I mean, the place is freaking massive.</span></div>

[Conequis]

<div><span><blockquote><hr>Traldan Omegafyre wrote:<div><span><blockquote><hr><hr></blockquote>Negative, I'd have to go with Soluseks Eye for best designed dungeon in the game...I mean, the place is freaking massive.</span></div><hr></blockquote>Not only that but if you died in nek castle, then you could just click the door to get your shard.  If you die in Sol Eye, then you were in for a looooooooong shard recovery if you were down near naggy part <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></span></div>

[Errie_Tholluxe]

I must say, I read RANT and just had to look...the OP gets my vote as the Dennis Milller of the Month on the boards, that was trully funny to read while still saying everything it needed to in regards to frustration *****<div></div>

[Saihung23]

<div></div><blockquote><hr>Errie_Tholluxe wrote:I must say, I read RANT and just had to look...the OP gets my vote as the Dennis Milller of the Month on the boards, that was trully funny to read while still saying everything it needed to in regards to frustration *****<div></div><hr></blockquote><p>Agreed good rant hehe, but I personally like Nek Forest...and actually I liked it when I first started EQ2.  It was sooooo much darker then...they actually changed it in a LU to make it brighter.  I thought it was just too bright after that [Removed for Content].</p><p>I can understand not liking the way you cant just run up a rock face (not cliff face, but a 4 foot rise in the ground ) to get to where you want to be, but I really dig the darkness. It was one of the few places where I actually relied on my sonicvision as a kerra to get around.</p><p>Now you barely need a torch imho. hehe.  And dont even get me started on Nektropos castle....that place is moy spooky <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>Saihung</p>

[Actfive]

<div></div><div>I remember when I first started I did some exploring of Nek and ended up in the far north where the giants are (and not the 1/2 size midgets they are now, these guys were big). Ran into trouble and respawned at Bone Lake. Trying to get from Bone Lake to my original shard was an effort and a half, and I ended up with about six or seven shards spread along the track. Was the most frustrating and enjoyable three hours I have ever had in the game. In the end, I eventually got to my orginal shard only to find a giant was patrolling right over my dead body. After watching the giants movements for 10 minutes, I took a deep breath and ran for my shard, picking up a swarm of shrillers which just happened to pop at that moment.</div><div> </div><div>It was a quick death, and respawned at Bone Lake once again, naked. :smileyvery-happy:  Having become a veteren of dogging agro trees, shrillers and giants by this stage, I was able to get back those two shards without a further hitch, naked and all. I do miss those days, and I for one think it made me a better player. The Nek of today is not 1/10th of the Nek of yesteryear, and personally I think it is to the detriment of the game.</div><p>Message Edited by Actfive on <span class="date_text">04-07-2006</span><span class="time_text">01:34 AM</span></p>

[Uanelven]

<div></div><div><span><blockquote><hr>Actfive wrote:<div></div><div>(and not the 1/2 size midgets they are now, these guys were big).</div><hr></blockquote>Interesting,  I remember a friend of mine talking about those giants and I never got around to going up there soon enough likely.   When I did go up there I couldn't work out what the fuss was about.</span></div><p>Message Edited by Uanelven on <span class="date_text">04-07-2006</span><span class="time_text">08:15 AM</span></p>

[Zolg]

<div></div><div></div>The river is Nek is my favorite graphic in the game.  Other than that, I'm pretty indifferent to the zone. I don't think it is better or worst that TS.<p>Message Edited by Zolg on <span class="date_text">04-07-2006</span><span class="time_text">12:44 PM</span></p>

[Wryth]

<div></div>Nek has always been one of my favorite zones in the game. It's so dangerous and on top of that it's a pain to navigate...I love it in there. I wish more zones in the game were as laid out as difficult as Nek Forest is.

[Ixnay]

<div>Nek is simply a much harder zone than TS.  Getting through levels 20 to 28 in Nek Forest is what makes players from Freeport more skilled, and better players, than players from Qeynos who took the easy road, and are soft and weak because of that.  <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></div><div> </div><div>Please don't change a thing about my evil forest.</div>