Nektropos Castle, this time for level 70s

[Wrapye]

From the 7/26 notes on Test:<p>*** Nektropos Castle: Tribulation ***</p> <p>- Whispers abound of strange occurrences near Nektropos Castle. Some claim to have heard the spirit of Lord Everling himself calling out.</p> <p>- Rumor has it that recent earthquakes have uncovered burial chambers near this haunted ruin. Perhaps exploration of one such unearthed crypt near the castle could reveal more information.</p> <p>- Venture through Nektulos Forest to Nektropos Castle and unravel the mysteries... if you dare!</p> <p>- This new journey through one of our most popular landmarks is intended to provide a challenge for a full group of level 70 characters.</p> <p>That 'challenge for a full group of level 70 characters' sounds much like The Return was for level 50s.</p><p></p><p></p><div></div>

[andersonim]

well hopefully the risk will be worth the reward.

[Falcogen]

<blockquote><hr>andersonim wrote:well hopefully the risk will be worth the reward.<hr></blockquote> We can only hope

[MexStrat]

<div></div><div><blockquote><hr>andersonim wrote:<div></div>well hopefully the risk will be worth the reward.<hr></blockquote>OR the reward be worth the risk(or the time and effort).</div><p>Message Edited by MexStrat on <span class=date_text>07-27-2006</span> <span class=time_text>08:47 AM</span>

[EQ2Playa432]

Lol upgraded the sig I see Falco.<div></div>

[standupwookie]

Why they keep re-doing Nek castle is beyond me.  No one EVER goes there, whether its the level 30 version or the level 50 version. The loot is garbage, the quests are horrible.  The place is bugged and extremely laggy, the HQ there is one of the most frustrating quests in the game, making you zone in and out repeatedly until the mobs you need are up. Lame epic monster that derves no purpose.  Cramped and cinfined corridors that make AEing a no-no. Just wipe it out of the database. 

[Pins]

<P>Nek castle rocks, period.  It is the best designed zone in the game.  Back when it was put in, it was great, the loot was perfect!  The quests were great and everything else.</P> <P>When the Nek Castle: The Return got put in, it was also a great zone, with approriate loot.</P> <P> </P> <P>I just don't see how people complain about the zone, when it's great.  Cramped and Confined corridors make it so you have to think before attacking.  The lame epic mob is there to annoy you, that is its purpose.  And so what if the zone's loot isn't up to par with everything else now, it hasn't been revamped yet to match other dungeon zones.  I'm sure they'll revamp both Nek Castle and Nek Castle: The Return soon enough.  Loot is considered to be the driving force too much in this game.  Go have fun fighting the encounters in here.  I used to do this zone daily when I was leveling up, heck it drops fabled loot(or used to).  It's a great zone.</P>

[vinterskugge]

Nek castle rocked.  Back in T5 in your thirties it was the best and most enjoyable zone in the game, period.

[44Dragon]

<P>zone...check for billy...zone...check for billy...zone...check for billy does get old.</P> <P>Other than that I really love the zone.  It is a little hard to get groups up for the normal castle version now, but it seems to be a growing trend with many of the old world areas.  The game is growing fast.</P>

[Nevar]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> 44Dragon wrote:<BR> <P>zone...check for billy...zone...check for billy...zone...check for billy does get old.</P> <P>Other than that I really love the zone.  It is a little hard to get groups up for the normal castle version now, but it seems to be a growing trend with many of the old world areas.  The game is growing fast.</P><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Well sir I hope they put a mob named Billy bob in there for ya!

[Meniphisto]

<blockquote><hr>44Dragon wrote:<div></div> <p>zone...check for billy...zone...check for billy...zone...check for billy does get old.</p> <hr></blockquote>I can't describe how happy I was to read that there was going to be a lvl 70 version of Nek Castle. That place was awesome back in the day. The twists, the turns, figuring out where the secret walls were and running in circles on the top floor trying to find the last sister. Watching golems and dolls running out of trap walls, with the final wall failing to function right. And then Everling himself... I believe that was the first scripted encounter I ever faced. And dragon, be glad you can do that. I remember back when you got the 18 hour lock-out just for zoning in. You think Billy is annoying now? Imagine camping the game room for 5 hours and have him not spawn. Not that I minded though, we kept ourselves entertained and grew to be great friends. Pitty that its hard to find people willing to just hang around and make jokes now-a-days, everything is so rushed.<div></div>

[Xadius]

I still get lost trying to get to the basement. However, Nek Castle has always been my all-time favorite instance. Although I do miss the reward for the Aroma Quest. <div></div>

[Rorrak]

<P>Definitely one of my favorite zones, I can't wait to check the new version out.  I never had a problem with adds or AEing there...but I guess it depends on how and where you pull.  </P> <P>- Rorrak</P>

[Ixnay]

Woot, bring on the challenge!

[Mareth]

<div><blockquote><hr>Pinski wrote:<p>Nek castle rocks, period.  It is the best designed zone in the game.  Back when it was put in, it was great, the loot was perfect!  The quests were great and everything else.</p> <p>When the Nek Castle: The Return got put in, it was also a great zone, with approriate loot.</p> <p>I just don't see how people complain about the zone, when it's great.  Cramped and Confined corridors make it so you have to think before attacking.  The lame epic mob is there to annoy you, that is its purpose.  And so what if the zone's loot isn't up to par with everything else now, it hasn't been revamped yet to match other dungeon zones.  I'm sure they'll revamp both Nek Castle and Nek Castle: The Return soon enough.  Loot is considered to be the driving force too much in this game.  Go have fun fighting the encounters in here.  I used to do this zone daily when I was leveling up, heck it drops fabled loot(or used to).  It's a great zone.</p><hr></blockquote>I love the zone. I still think it's sad that the first times I was there it was a guild group who just rushed through everything so I didn't get the whole story of the Everling Lockets (and this was after they changed it so you didn't have to repeat it) but I've got a few alts coming into their 30ies now so <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />And I was quite lost in the zone until I got the map plugin <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> after it greyed out, I've gone back there many times just to do quests and explore. It's an awesome zone.Shame I can't get anyone to do the Return one though, everyone says the loot sucks and don't wnat to come :/</div>

[Loranthala]

I finished  a quest in the lvl 30 version the other day...  at least when you do the access quest to the basement you don't need to do it everytime anymore.  I still get lost every once in a while.

[BrizaOr]

<P>Hopefully the movement inside the castle won't be too limited by the collapsed tunnels & walls blocking the routes. At least I enjoyed the exploration aspect of the original Nek castle a lot, never knew what was waiting you around the next corner or in some room (except after a few visits <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> ).</P> <P>I think out of all dungeons/instances Nek castle still is my favourite, huge castle to explore, plenty of quests and in general the non-linear aspect was neat. I guess Return version kinda cut out the movement freedom - but it was still a great zone with some rather nice loots that kept you coming back.</P> <P>Makes me wonder though that how is this new version, is it more linear as well, how is the designed difficulty... Can those with fableds/good legendary run through the zone or maybe mobs do fight back like certain stuff at Nizara. Hopefully someone who plays on test server could comment on those a bit.</P> <P>Definately looking forward to visiting the zone.</P>

[Atmosphear1993]

<P>Nek Castle is one of those few (and there are not many) zones in the game where you actually progress through a story and a script.  It wasn't about killing crap mobs until X named popped, then killing more crap mobs until your group reaches another named.  Instead, it was about unlocking the zones secrets, solving puzzles, and even strategizing your moves as there were many traps inside the castle.</P> <P>It is too bad not every instance is designed in this manor.  Yes, Nek Castle was buggy, lags computers, and had scripting errors.  But if you worked around all of that, it was a very rewarding experience.</P> <P>I am very excited about the new lvl 70 version of Nek Castle.  And I hope the zone will continue to be revamped for level's 80, 90, 100 (Naggy, I will kill you when I am 100) and anything after that.</P>

[Cowdenic]

<P>Easily best information I have heard in a Live Update in a long long time. I hope the difficulty is right up there with Nizarra. I also hope Billy is an Epic x2 (yellow) right in the front of the zone so I can really kick his butt. I have been hoping for a revamp of this zone for a long long time. My templar absolutely loved this zone through tier 3 and tier 4.</P> <P>Would love to see some very good loot coming out of this zone, even if it requires a 2-3 day lockout. </P> <P>I hope some people on Befallen are up for this zone.</P>

[Methesa]

Yeah bring on some very good loot. Have the normal crew complain about how good the loot is compared to the challange...then have those with less time complain that you nerfed the drop rate and/or drops and its pointless going there anymore.I CANT WAIT for the drama <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Koehianna]

Nek Castle brings back so many memories.  I just hope they learn to not have quests that involve camping or zoning in and out for a named for hours.One of the best dungeons in the game ever.  I remember getting nightmares of Nek Castle, it's that scary, which is a good thing.  (Try playing there at night with the lights turned off and no one's home or everyone's sleeping.)  :p<div></div>

[justright]

For me Nek castle was one of the the games most painfully boring (and buggy) zones. Always dreaded the place. I wish they would implement new zones for high end game instead of introduce revemped instances of old ones.<div></div>

[Ixnay]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> justright wrote:<BR>For me Nek castle was one of the the games most painfully boring (and buggy) zones. Always dreaded the place. I wish they would implement new zones for high end game instead of introduce revemped instances of old ones.<BR> <BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>But dude, just think:  A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN USE YOUR VAMPIRE ONLY SPELLS FROM BLOODLINES ONCE MORE!  WOOT!  =P

[svek]

<FONT size=2>"I just don't see how people complain about the zone, when it's great.  Cramped and Confined corridors make it so you have to think before attacking.  The lame epic mob is there to annoy you, that is its purpose.  And so what if the zone's loot isn't up to par with everything else now, it hasn't been revamped yet to match other dungeon zones.  I'm sure they'll revamp both Nek Castle and Nek Castle: The Return soon enough.  Loot is considered to be the driving force too much in this game.  Go have fun fighting the encounters in here.  I used to do this zone daily when I was leveling up, heck it drops fabled loot(or used to).  It's a great zone. <P>Calaglin, Illusionist of <A href="http://dissolution.guildportal.com/" target=_blank><FONT color=#c8c1b5>Dissolution</FONT></A> on Nektulos"</P> <P>I totally agree, I never even went to RoV be because of the castle.</P> <P>And back then the drops in Nek castle was awesome, guess they still have</P> <P>the same good old drop rates now though since people dont get metal chests</P> <P>every 10 minutes in there.</P> <P>Why revamp the castle, revamp the whole world back to the good old drop rates</P> <P>we had before they decided to give everyone masters and legendary/fabled gear <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></P></FONT>

[Manyak]

<DIV>oh hells ya, nek castle is one of the best dungeons in the game. of course now EVERYONE knows how to fly through it, what to click, what not to, etc.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>First time i went it there we were a group of 5 ppl lvl 28-30, which made some of the mobs red to some of us....none of us ever been in there before, so we actually had to exploore the place and figure it out. Took us 8 hours to finish the zone, but goddamit it has got to be one of the best group instances ever. Dont think i ever had that much fun in a group instance since then.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I mean, Nizara is cool, but the aggro in there is SO buggy and mobs have SO many [expletive haxx0red by Raijinn] HPs that it makes it more of a chore than anything.</DIV>

[Feydakeen]

<DIV>I have to agree with most people here. Nek castle is a GREAT zone. </DIV> <DIV>The progressive quest to get down to Everlings basement was moody, creepy and puzzle /3D map challenging at the time. (I still know lots of level 70 people who can't find their way in there)</DIV> <DIV>The lore of what happened to the Everling family is VERY VERY interesting (and recently a new quest added in Nek gives a nice status reduction statue with some new clues likning Everling with possibly Obelisk of Lost Souls)</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I can't believe people diss this dungeon. But I believe it has something to do with actually having to THINK before you pull, and watching out for adds and positioning. Some people just want mindless mobs bashing, where the mobs follow up in nice lines to be killed like space invaders, and each easy kill should be followed by a giganic upgrade fabled item in chest.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I'm really hoping they make the zone HARD, very HARD !! And fun <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV>

[Ishbu]

Nek castle was the best zone for lore, adventuring, and loot back in the t5 days.Im not sure how anyone can really complain about it. Sure it had some bugs/lag, but what doesnt? Beats the hell out of kill mob_001 for the 10000th time.

[FuRiouSQ]

Wonder if they will make the Nightblood in there a 75^^^X4 <span>:smileysurprised:</span> <div></div>

[Ixnay]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> FuRiouSQ wrote:<BR>Wonder if they will make the Nightblood in there a 75^^^X4 <SPAN>:smileysurprised:</SPAN><BR> <BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Ya, make him like the Nizara x4 named, but at least put some [expletive haxx0red by Raijinn] loot on him this time!  <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Vukota]

<DIV>I loved Nek Castle...it was a blast back then. But WHY does SOE insist on re-hasing the same zones over and over? This was never done on EQ1 and it is a practice that just wreaks of laziness. If they want to add a new level 70 dungeon...then DESIGN a new level 70 dungeon. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Clicking on a zone in door and seeing 4 different versions of a zone is rather blah. </DIV>

[Krontak]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Ixnay wrote:<BR> <BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> FuRiouSQ wrote:<BR>Wonder if they will make the Nightblood in there a 75^^^X4 <SPAN>:smileysurprised:</SPAN><BR> <BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Ya, make him like the Nizara x4 named, but at least put some [expletive haxx0red by Raijinn] loot on him this time!  <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P>And let him roam zone wide!</P> <P>Seriously though, Nek castle is a great zone.  I'd like to see more castle, inside house or building zones out there.  Possibly a small city with multiple complex houses to roam around in would be great.  I enjoyed all the halls/multiple levels n all, the whole zone seemed linked together. <BR></P>

[Pins]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Vukota wrote:<BR> <DIV>I loved Nek Castle...it was a blast back then. But WHY does SOE insist on re-hasing the same zones over and over? This was never done on EQ1 and it is a practice that just wreaks of laziness. If they want to add a new level 70 dungeon...then DESIGN a new level 70 dungeon. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Clicking on a zone in door and seeing 4 different versions of a zone is rather blah. </DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Would you rather have it so it took them 6 months to create a new dungeon, or rather have a dungeon now?  With the lack of content, I'd rather have the dungeon sooner, rather than later.

[Ishbu]

Not to mention a new zone would probably be boring in comparison to nek castle and at the heart of all this there is a lore story.

[Gaige]

Chicks dig guys who do Nek Castle.  True story.  I got a kiss last night from a hot chick from that update note alone!

[Cowdenic]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> DaMutation wrote:<BR> <DIV>oh hells ya, nek castle is one of the best dungeons in the game. of course now EVERYONE knows how to fly through it, what to click, what not to, etc.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>First time i went it there we were a group of 5 ppl lvl 28-30, which made some of the mobs red to some of us....none of us ever been in there before, so we actually had to exploore the place and figure it out. Took us 8 hours to finish the zone, but goddamit it has got to be one of the best group instances ever. Dont think i ever had that much fun in a group instance since then.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I mean, Nizara is cool, but the aggro in there is SO buggy and mobs have SO many [expletive haxx0red by Raijinn] HPs that it makes it more of a chore than anything.</DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Why is Big only 65 bro. Get him up to 70 before this update. Maybe we can get the old group in there. You tank, I will heal.

[Vukota]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Pinski wrote:<BR> <P><BR><BR>Would you rather have it so it took them 6 months to create a new dungeon, or rather have a dungeon now?  With the lack of content, I'd rather have the dungeon sooner, rather than later.</P> <P> </P> <P></P> <HR> <P> </P> <P>Actually I would have no problems waiting for fresh new content, rather than delving back in to the same re-hashed zones time and time again.</P></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>

[Tomanak]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> justright wrote:<BR>For me Nek castle was one of the the games most painfully boring (and buggy) zones. Always dreaded the place. I wish they would implement new zones for high end game instead of introduce revemped instances of old ones.<BR> <BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P><BR>LOL anyone who thinks Nek Castle was one of the buggiest zones in the game apparently never spent any time in Deathfist Citadel..now that zone was (and is) a nightmare.</P> <P>Bottom line to all who dont like them reusing Nek Castle..its free content, so feel free not to use it. </P>

[justright]

<blockquote><hr>Gaige wrote:<div></div>Chicks dig guys who do Nek Castle.  True story.  I got a kiss last night from a hot chick from that update note alone!<hr></blockquote>well if this is true i might reconsider<div></div>

[dacat]

<FONT size=2>Nektropos Castle: Tribulation is a blast, there are lots of things always poping up, not annoying hunt for Billy but our beloved miniature Billy is there.  There is alot going on in NPC say so make sure you have it turned on.</FONT>

[MeridianR]

Such a waste of time, wasn't fun.....wasn't hard, just pretty much a waste of time.<div></div>

[EQ2Playa432]

I have to agree with the majority here. Nek Castle is a great zone and why not reuse it?<div></div>