20-something paladin angsting-out

[Ataxiccat]

i'm a 21 paladin (guk, US)...i love eq2 and have been playing for quite some time now (well, i've had the game installed on my computer for at least a year...but i don't actually get to play all that often and i've never managed to level over 26 or so), but recently i've been gettting frustrated with it. here's my question: how do all you more experienced players out there keep things from getting, well, monotonous? it just seems like, you know, i spend all my time loping around antonica or thundering steppes killing stuff...yawn. please help me out. i want to enjoy this game. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. thanks. *bipolaris*

[Slapfish]

<p>Well what I do is pick up lots and lots of quests. I don't worry so much about what I get, I just grab the quest and go. What I like best is when I can have 6-8 running at the same time for stuff in apprx. the same area. Then I'll finish them and run around doing the turn ins.  Doing quests is also a great way to find places in the game I might not go otherwise. Forces me to get out a bit. </p><p>If you haven't played much, or haven't played consistently you probably haven't had time to make in game friends. Once you get to know people the game as a whole is a lot more fun. On nights when you might not have much to do, you can help out other players and such. </p><p>Also, if you don't have the expansions, get the latest set that includes all three. That way you will earn AA points. These are a lot of fun as it allows you to customize your character a bit to max him out for the way you like to play. It also means that just running around and exploring can get you experience. </p><p>Try crafting to see if you like it. </p><p>Decorate your apartment. </p><p>Set some goals, such as complete ALL quests in a certain zone, finish ALL L and L quests, finish ALL shard collections, get Hunter of..... titles etc....</p>

[Kriki]

<p>Well, here's a couple of suggestions.</p><p>Instead of sticking to Antonica and Thundering Steppes exclusively - head to Commonlands and Nektulos - completely different quests and landscapes.  If you have EoF, there is good lower level areas there - try Butcherblock for the 20's.  If you have a bit of time, it's always an adventure to join a pick-up group if you mostly solo - even if you just have an hour or 2, they're a great break from the ordinary if you're used to bumping around on your own.  Even just picking up a random who's /lfg and duoing a bit will allow you to take on much more than you can solo.</p><p>There are solo instances that I've always enjoyed when leveling up an alt.  I've inserted a link to that thread below - they're very fun and different than your standard overland zone.  Be sure to do the quests in an area as well, they can take you to different spots within a zone that you may not end up in if you're just hunting.</p><p>Also, as much as I hate to say it, leveling up will help immensely.  At high 20's (level 26 or so to start) you can begin poking around Zek and Enchanted Lands which each have great quests at the docks.</p><p><a href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?topic_id=306080" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/...topic_id=306080</a></p><p>Hope that helps!</p><p>Kriki, Swashbuckler of Paragon</p>

[Spyderbite]

<cite>Ataxiccat wrote:</cite><blockquote>here's my question: how do all you more experienced players out there keep things from getting, well, monotonous? </blockquote> I play with other people. Yup.. that simple. I eagerly agree to run off and help people do whatever they need to get done.. quests, etc. It gives me an opportunity to experience areas I've never been before. Fight mobs I've never seen before. And, best of all.. meet a lot of new people. As a result.. I've never experienced this malady you call "monotonous". <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[dr4gonUK]

Play on a pvp server <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Didi]

<cite>Ataxiccat wrote:</cite><blockquote>i'm a 21 paladin (guk, US)...i love eq2 and have been playing for quite some time now (well, i've had the game installed on my computer for at least a year...but i don't actually get to play all that often and i've never managed to level over 26 or so), but recently i've been gettting frustrated with it. here's my question: how do all you more experienced players out there keep things from getting, well, monotonous? it just seems like, you know, i spend all my time loping around antonica or thundering steppes killing stuff...yawn. please help me out. i want to enjoy this game. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. thanks. *bipolaris* </blockquote><p> Well, generally you level up, and then you get to new zones.  As you enter your 20s, you definitely shouldn't still be hunting in Antonica; I'm not surprised you'd be finding that boring!</p><p>If you mostly solo, I recommend doing the <a href="http://www.eq2i.com/articles/Soloing_Timeline" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">solo quest lines</a>.  Bored of Thundering Steppes, you say?  Start with the ones in Nektulos Forest then!  I actually like that quest line better anyway.  Or if you have the EoF expansion and are feeling adventurous, why not catch a boat from the docks in the Steppes or Nektulos, and go try out the quests and explore in Butcherblock Mountains?  You might also visit the South Qeynos mage tower and find Indis Surlon who sells books - buy the 'History of the ....  {race}' books from him and do those quests, they'll have you running around exploring all over the world, and are good XP also.</p><p>If you like grouping, Blackburrow, Stormhold, and Firemyst Gully are all good grouping zones around level 21.  If you have the Splitpaw adventure pack, you can also do the access quest and play around in those zones from 20+.</p><p>By your upper 20s you should be able to get groups for Ruins of Varsoon, which is a fun dungeon in the Thundering Steppes.  It really shouldn't take you that long to level up into your 30s and then a whole new set of zones opens up again - Enchanted Lands, Zek, Steamfont Mountains, and various dungeons therein.</p>

[Eigenheit]

<p>Dont fret im in the same boat. I have a 39 Zerk and I dont know how many quests ive deleted because I grouped up to go to Rov or SH and just propel through lvls only to find 40% of the quests I have are now moot because I lvl so fast. I usually solo till about mid 20's. Honestly I have skipped the CL and all zones in it. Just make sure you do your HQ/writs/access </p><p>Palys are also kinda numb untill you get over 30 then the fun begins >I have a 33 on a pvp server< Wait till you get to Zek and EL you get easy quests for gold.  Just try and find someone in the same boat as you and pump out those old quests. It drives me NUTS that I cannot finish what I pick up but there so much to do! </p><p>I kinda enjoyed Ellrosi Day it was a break from long quests and you got a funny item at the end. I hope SOE EQ2 does this with every holiday to break from the Norm.</p><p>You could lock your XP to remedy this situation. Youll gain AA thats for sure  <img src="/smilies/908627bbe5e9f6a080977db8c365caff.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Cathars]

Spyderbite@Venekor wrote: <blockquote><cite>Ataxiccat wrote:</cite><blockquote>here's my question: how do all you more experienced players out there keep things from getting, well, monotonous? </blockquote> I play with other people. Yup.. that simple. I eagerly agree to run off and help people do whatever they need to get done.. quests, etc. It gives me an opportunity to experience areas I've never been before. Fight mobs I've never seen before. And, best of all.. meet a lot of new people. As a result.. I've never experienced this malady you call "monotonous". <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> </blockquote> Definitely give this a try.  Group up, do some heroic quests, see some dungeons.  Some people really enjoy solo play, but for most group content is far more engaging.  Make some friends and experience what sets MMORPGs apart ... synergy of multiple classes working well off each other.

[Ebjelen]

<p>Loping about? Did you buy your horse yet? If you haven't, go see the Paladin Trainer near the palace steps in North Qeynos and fork over 14 silver for your steed. Paladins/SKs get the cheapest and easiest to get mounts in the game. Makes for less loping.</p><p>Questing is paramount in this game, hence the name EVER-Quest. If you don't like the quest styles, you won't like the game. There isn't much we can do about that. </p><p>Quests give you goals: some are short term, some are long term, some can be done alone, some need groups, some need raids, some need tradeskills.</p><p>I'd suggest that after you get your steed, you go see the "Watcher of the Plains" in Thundering Steppes. He's a cenatur[sic] out by the western ocean that gives 5 quests which involve more than killing.</p>

[Ataxiccat]

hey everybody - thanks for the great ideas... i'm definitely going  to try them out (right now, in fact). i wasn't even aware of a lot of the stuff mentioned. i think your suggestions will definitely make for more engaging and rewarding gameplay. so, back to norrath! (maybe this will get my mind off of the double root canal i just had...uugh.) thanks again!