Love this game - a plea to Developers

[Blintok]

Plea to EQ2 team - There are so many things i love about this game. The lore, the sense of history and the old and familiar (played EQ Mar1999 - Sept 2004) Started EQ2 at launch but quit soon after. Since then i have come back and quit EQ2 several times I have also gone back and quit wow several times. wow has its annoyances too <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> People who say wow is easy mode, not true. the grind to top is just as hard or even harder than EQ Do not misunderstand... i am not looking for a " /I win" button. I do not mind slogging towards what ever goal i have set... example..in EQ from aug2002 - sept 2004 i leveled a Troll beastlord 95% solo to 65...did not mind that it took a while..just that i could make progress...alot of spots in EQ..mobs were linked(in a sense) but with tactics you could split up groups to single pull.. The main thing i see (my observation and opinion) is mob placement and mob type in most zones EQ2 to WoW the  mob density is similar in most over land zones. The main thing that gets me in EQ2 is the abundance of heroic (of all types..mostly ^ to ^^^ arrow and linked) - this is the reason i give when i eventually quit EQ2. I have read it said that those mobs are there for groups..but i rarely see a group fighting them..most prefer dungeons for groups. I have seen it said that soloers just want it easy mode and there shud be risk vs reward..this is like some bizarro land thing. A soloist in most areas and especially dungeons is HARD (compared to groups=easy mode) A soloist IS taking the most risk for the least reward.(and that is ok - i do not expect to get the same things a full group or raid can get)  I have been in groups where the exp is flying by..chaining mobs..can almost just go to sleep playing...solo u have to be on your toes at all times. (and do not want to open that can of worms about why solo in a mmog..the reasons are many and have been talked about in other threads) To me, this game is almost perfect. I want to play EQ2..but i keep running up against the heroics every where (L45 bruiser is main now...but also have 45 nec and a couple other alts in 20's) Heroics shud be in dungeons(boss mobs) and in overland zones (quest mob-boss mob only) not every 10 feet and linked I know i am just one little cog in the big machine and this note is probably pointless but i have a small hope someone will see it who can atleast think about changes...(there is no spot for comments when you quit game) I really like EQ2 for the most part...i am pretty sure that the powers that be (SoE) would love to have more people playing their games...if you read this far..thanks for listening...just wanted to vent..and let my opinion be known for what its worth <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> edit to add just want to mention that i think there should be "spice" mobs in most zones.. example..DoomSquall .. they add a bit of "spice" to the zone and add to the excitement and danger. Most games have this type of danger..Wow. EQ2..EQ.. Was great fun gating into wakening lands(i think it was) in EQ as a Druid wondering if the big bad Dragon Wuoshi would be up <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> just (again) EQ2 over does it with Heroic mobs every where.

[interstellarmatter]

<p>Actually, for a while, they had ripped most of the heroics from the overland zones in TS, Antonica, etc.  It was the players who asked for them back.  So, the devs put them back.  </p><p>As a person who mostly solos now, I don't find the heroic placement in the overland zones too bad.  You just have to be careful and watch your pulls.  In fact, it adds a certain amount of challenge to the pulls.</p><p>WoW is more annoying to me with their social, "I'm going to call every friend with 50 m" pulls. </p>

[mellowknees72]

I don't know where you've been playing, but there is SO much solo content in this game...holy cow...there are SO many places you can play solo/duo...maybe you didn't spend a lot of time running around? I don't mean to be critical, but most of my time in game is spent solo or duoing with my husband, and I have yet to run out of things to do. And I mean I solo on ALL of my characters - monk, bruiser, swashbuckler, ranger, conjurer...some are easier than others, but I can solo on each and every one of them.

[Melchiah]

<p>Well, the idea is that you have to watch your step. I soloed a huge portion of the way to 70, and dodging heroics helped break the monotony. Having to invis and/or (the and is the killer) hug walls and find alternate ways to get to the one ^ mob I needed in the middle of a bunch of ^^ pairs and ^^^'s added some fun to what was essentially working a shift on an assembly line. Trying to get mobs away from an area roamers were about to get to was always neat, too.</p><p>This is a game that, in every sense, rewards grouping. Soloing can be done effectively (especially with the bruiser and necro you mentioned), but you just have to be on your toes.</p>

[Blintok]

well i keep seeing this... "I don't know where you've been playing, but there is SO much solo content in this game...holy cow...there are SO many places you can play solo/duo...maybe you didn't spend a lot of time running around? " and from the Scott Hartsman interview on Warcry "Moving forward, Hartsman told us what he sees as the true strength of EverQuest II. It is a solo friendly game, very much in contrast to its predecessor. The emphasis on solo play has been intentional and he adds necessary for the game. Hartsman went so far as to say that EverQuest II is actually geared towards solo players." then from my own observations and this post just confirms what i have been saying..one measly ^ in crowds of ^^^ heroics. "Well, the idea is that you have to watch your step. I soloed a huge portion of the way to 70, and dodging heroics helped break the monotony. Having to invis and/or (the and is the killer) hug walls and find alternate ways to get to the one ^ mob I needed in the middle of a bunch of ^^ pairs and ^^^'s added some fun to what was essentially working a shift on an assembly line. Trying to get mobs away from an area roamers were about to get to was always neat, too." more solo friendly than EQ? ..that game did not have linked heroic mobs everywhere and if there were social mobs you had ways or could split the groups up. I have all the expansions and adv packs. my highest char's are L45..it seems that the higher level i get the more and more zones are packed with linked heroics. Bloodlines? forget it. Splitpaw can be fun and i run harclave each level. Zek..enchanted lands..everfrost..except for a few areas mostly linked heroics. Was in Lavastorm last nite...the entrance wurms and entrance tunnel ok..but as soon as you get to other side of tunnel linked heroics out the ying yang. ..Feerott not bad but still alot of heroics. Wow is a solo friendly game. EQ2 is not (comparitively) I do not want to play wow. hate pvp. hate the interface. most players are annoying, grey mobs still aggro. I keep seeing people say they can solo quite well in EQ2 so i will keep plugging away trying to figure out where these areas are.

[sah]

<p>There is a lot of solo content in EQ2.  I pretty much solo'd my first fae into the 60's and I have a 2nd fae in the 40's that's never been in an exp group yet...</p><p>Bloodlines and Lavastorm were both designed to be almost entirely heroic content so if you're soloing you should stay away from them...zek, enchanted lands, and feerrott are both full of solo quests you can do...also, the outdoor eof zones are very solo friendly...</p><p>I personally think that EQ2 is much more solo friendly than EQ1...</p>

[interstellarmatter]

<cite>Blintok wrote:</cite><blockquote> Wow is a solo friendly game. EQ2 is not (comparitively) I do not want to play wow. hate pvp. hate the interface. most players are annoying, grey mobs still aggro. I keep seeing people say they can solo quite well in EQ2 so i will keep plugging away trying to figure out where these areas are. </blockquote><p> WoW is only solo friendly when it comes to itemization.  It's easy for a solo player to get nice gear up to lvl 70.  EQ2 by far beats WoW in ease of fighting mobs.  </p><p>1) Social agro in WoW is harder to deal with than chain mobs in EQ2</p><p>2) Most classes in EQ2 have stealth or invis and the rest can buy a totem.  You don't have close to that ability in WoW.  You literally have to fight your way through a maze of social agro.  I remember having to work for 3 hours with my 26 mage in WoW trying to get up a tower for a mage quest.</p><p>3) Mobs grey out in EQ2.  You don't have to fight them again.  Mobs in WoW reduce their agro range but never not attack you. </p><p>I'm just pointing out that EQ2 has become a much more solo friendly game.  More so than WoW in many departments.  Especially end game.  The only thing lacking is good itemization for the solo casual player.</p>

[Blintok]

<cite>interstellarmatter wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Blintok wrote:</cite><blockquote> Wow is a solo friendly game. EQ2 is not (comparitively) I do not want to play wow. hate pvp. hate the interface. most players are annoying, grey mobs still aggro. I keep seeing people say they can solo quite well in EQ2 so i will keep plugging away trying to figure out where these areas are. </blockquote><p> WoW is only solo friendly when it comes to itemization.  It's easy for a solo player to get nice gear up to lvl 70.  EQ2 by far beats WoW in ease of fighting mobs.  </p><p>1) Social agro in WoW is harder to deal with than chain mobs in EQ2 2) Most classes in EQ2 have stealth or invis and the rest can buy a totem.  You don't have close to that ability in WoW.  You literally have to fight your way through a maze of social agro.  I remember having to work for 3 hours with my 26 mage in WoW trying to get up a tower for a mage quest.</p><p>3) Mobs grey out in EQ2.  You don't have to fight them again.  Mobs in WoW reduce their agro range but never not attack you. </p><p>I'm just pointing out that EQ2 has become a much more solo friendly game.  More so than WoW in many departments.  Especially end game. </p><p> The only thing lacking is good itemization for the solo casual player. </p></blockquote> yes. thanks for the reminder of wow hates <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />and i think i touched on that in previous posts. (grey mobs in wow still attack) Feign Death? in EQ2 u can FD and go afk for emerg or what ever... WoW u have 6min to get back or you dead in game for real but do not want to turn this into a wow vs EQ2 thing....just a bit frustrated as i see others can solo and say they can and i am not saying they misleading ..just i have not found the spots yet... I did a lot of quests in Feerott but ran out of them or most left have heroic parts or have to pass thru heroic mobs I am a 90% EQ  person at heart and prefer to be playing this game. anyone does alot of solo work ..can you give me hints of where i shud be? (not asking for a walkthru or anything <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> ) just areas i shud be and areas i shud avoid..like stated above(Lavastorm mostly heroic) and as i said.. i have all expansions and adv packs. I guess i will have more of a look around Steamfont. The areas i did see seemed to be nice for solo..

[Savanja]

Hrm.  Heroic mobs have been fiddled with in overland zones a lot.  They have been thinned out, moved away from paths, and grouped in obscure areas, and at this point, I think most overland zones are pretty safe for the soloer adventurer. Generally when you see heroic mobs, they are lumped in an area together out of the way.  If you see some heroic mobs, chances are there are more, so change your travel accordingly. I worked on a <a href="http://www.eq2.tentonhammer.com/index.php?module=ContentExpress&func=display&ceid=960" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">tier leveling guide</a> over at Ten Ton Hammer.  It will give you some basics for soloing vs. grouping areas.  Its mostly from my own experiences, so its not hugely all inclusive of everything the game has to offer, but it has some ideas.

[noetici]

<p>I can't think of many zones that don't have significant solo content that's explicitly solo. Sometimes there will be heroic mobs nearby but... this game is so solo friendly that I have a hard time taking your post seriously. (no offence)</p><p>What levels have you specifically had issues at? The only level bracket I have problems at all finding solo content for is the high 40's, but it's there, it's just sparser. I've levelled about all my characters except maybe the first one, my warden, solo... occasionally grouping but I worked evenings until recently so even when I wanted to group, I usually ended up soloing.</p><p>The only zones I can think of that have 99% heroic mobs are Permafrost, Lavastorm (and even then Lavastorm actually does have solo mobs in the front), umm... that's about it.</p><p>Some suggestions...</p><p> The Feerrott is a great place for the proper level soloer. If you have been playing much then you should understand aggro range and realise that you can sneak by heroic mobs VERY easily in most cases. It takes some practice and you may die a couple times til you get the hang of it, but once you are used to it, you can go just about anywhere. </p><p>Steamfont is also an excellent place. Everfrost as well. There are a fair number of quests there... but beware that a few of them are still marked as solo when they're not. LOTS of solo mobs tho and repeatable quests for them. They are intermixed with heroic ones but you shouldn't have any trouble pulling them out at all. </p><p>Once you're 45 or so, you can head to Sinking Sands and do the quests there, LOTS of aa and the quests are crazy easy. Various bunches of ^^^s but nothing to worry about if you watch where you're going. There are various quests in MajDul as well, tho some of them will be tough to solo until you're 50 ish.</p><p>Once you're 48 or so you can head to Lesser Faydark, and I actually do genuinely suggest getting a group, or partner, to go to do the questline at the top of Sol Eye with. Fantastic AA, and the mobs are fairly easy. I hate grouping, but it really is a great zone. There are also various HQs, signature quests, etc, that most classes can solo mostly once they're low blue or green, and it's usually pretty easy to find a few other soloers to help finish up the harder parts.</p><p> Also check out <a href="http://www.eq2i.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.eq2i.com</a> and select the solo quest lines. That can clue you in on any ones that you've missed - it's a pretty valuable resource.</p><p>btw, what happened to the preview button? /cry</p>

[Dasein]

Nearly every major overland zone has relatively safe solo areas. The exception are the overland 'dungeon' zones like New Tunaria and Rivervale. Lavastorm is also fairly densly packed with heroic mobs.

[The_Patchwork_Rogue]

<p>I too solo quite extensively with a templar no less.  I have found that the greatest amount of solo content can be found where you dont think to look for it.  For example areas that have heroics around the edges but if you invis past them you can find they are "guarding" the solo content.</p><p>Also for solo content dont just go after the "sexy" mobs.  By that I mean the ogres, orcs, goblins, giants, etc.  Many of these are the ones that are heroic.  However, those 20 non-aggro beetles you passed are not heroics.  Often your solo mobs are hidden right underneath you - yup in the water!  When the game first went live the majority of the Commonlands and Antonica was all heroic, I leveled right past it by hunting fish in the rivers.</p><p>So, dont despair the xp is there!  It may not be as cool or sexy as you would like your fights to be, but they will get you the xp you desire.</p>

[Blintok]

"I can't think of many zones that don't have significant solo content that's explicitly solo. Sometimes there will be heroic mobs nearby but... this game is so solo friendly that I have a hard time taking your post seriously. (no offence)" no offence taken. The game may be some what solo friendly but as i said - from what i have found so far i am finding it harder to solo as i run across more and more heroic mobs. And i was on the basic level comparing wow-EQ2 overland zone mob placement ..mob density in both games are similar with the main diff is again ..heroic mobs every place in EQ2 "What levels have you specifically had issues at? The only level bracket I have problems at all finding solo content for is the high 40's, but it's there, it's just sparser." exactly what i am running up against now and thus my frustration. (L45 Troll Bruiser + L 45 DE necro) My frustration grows when what i see in game runs up against what i keep reading about EQ2.. "game is so solo friendly " just have to work past the masses of ^^^ linked heroics <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> This is the one aspect i really like about wow ..it IS solo friendly..just the bad thing is i hate just about everything else about that game. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> From what i am seeing its like every zone in EQ2 is like wow Gnomeregan.. all epic(heroic) all the time. EQ2 does have alot going for it and i like alot of things in the game..is why i keep coming back to it. especially when i read things by Executive Producer Scott Hartsman saying about EQ2 "It is a solo friendly game, very much in contrast to its predecessor. The emphasis on solo play has been intentional and he adds necessary for the game. Hartsman went so far as to say that EverQuest II is actually geared towards solo players." maybe the key word here is that it is solo friendly compared to EQ...compared to other games it is alot harder. I guess i just have to get past this ..kind of like the old EQ "hell levels" Time to bring out..as an old EQ friend used to joke.. my Stalinist 10% plan <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> Briefly, EQ Troll beastlord... when i got to 50+ i instituted a 10% exp plan...each day i made sure i got a minimum of 10% exp.

[Haphasto]

I find it funny that two of the zones you mention (Zek, and Enchanted Lands) really are very solo friendly.  I've been soloing in Zek for almost 3 levels now doing almost all of the quests by myself, I was even able to do a decent portion of the SBS HQ by myself.  I have only ran into maybe 1 or 2 roaming heroics that actually gave me trouble, and the rest are put in places where you would have to run directly into them to draw aggro.  Enchanted lands is almost the same way, though I haven't hunted there as much as I have Zek.  I've been essentially soloing from 1 - 39 and have had no problem finding solo mobs, and avoiding heroic mobs.  Just watch your step, be careful what you pull, and if you accidentally run into a heroic mob, or heroic group, then just run, chances are you can escape.  At least in my opinion the balancing of heroic mobs to solo mobs are pretty balanced.  The only zone I had a little problem with was Antonica, and the only problem there was I couldn't really find any solo gnolls. Just be a little more patient, and watch your step <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Armawk]

<p>If you get quite well geared you can take many many 'heroic' single and double mobs, greens especially, and there are lots and lots of one and two up heroics. </p><p>Where I think there is a problem is simply in communication.. heroic means nothing in this game really, the arrows mean far far more. A straight no arrow heroic is manageable by a level con average player for sure. I guess mine could take a level con 1 up alone.</p><p>In a Duo we take level con 3 ups and regularly 3 level below 3 ups with support mobs (note how often support mobs are non heroic downs)</p><p>And there are OH so many mobs of 3-4 level con 2-3 downs out there easily soloable.</p><p>I cant see it at all, if you get out of the "curly brakcets means group only" mindset. It doesnt have to!</p>

[Armawk]

oh and steamfont area is nice for 40s. lots of non heroic stuff there!

[mellowknees72]

<cite>Blintok wrote:</cite><blockquote> Was great fun gating into wakening lands(i think it was) in EQ as a Druid wondering if the big bad Dragon Wuoshi would be up <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> </blockquote> It was even more fun if Wuoshi was your ally.  I used to sit underneath her and take tons of screenshots until someone she didn't like would pop in...

[noetici]

<p>If it's only the level 45-50 bracket you're having issues with then you should prrroooobably reword your OP. Yes, the solo content is a little sparse in those levels... You will find some solo quests in various zones - and then the rest in the zone will be heroic - largely due to the way the 'old' world in this game is/was set up. My advice would be to do the solo content you can, at least TRY the "heroic" content (as mentioned, just cause it's labelled as heroic doesn't always mean it can't be soloed), and then do the solo content in the next zone, etc. You'll have to hop around some, I always do in those levels. A bit in EF, a bit in LS, a bit here, etc.</p><p>But you are not wrong that those levels are relatively sparse for solo content. It's basically the only level bracket that is, tho, so don't get discouraged.</p>

[Jerr]

<p>If you play your Necro much then a lot of the heroic content you should be able to do.</p><p>Root/fear 1-2 of the linked mobs and burn down the other.  Burn down the next one while root/fearing the last mob-then take him down .  My Necro feeds on heroic content.</p><p>Make sure your Root/fear are at least Adept3.</p>

[Kri]

<p>At level 45 both Necromancers and Bruisers will do fine in the Sinking Sands. There are several solo questlines at the docks and in the nearby crocodile hunter camps. Most of the writs for that tier are easy to solo as well. Very little see through invis. I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around someone having problems soloing with two of the easiest classes in-game. If you don't like the desert there is always Steamfont Mountains where there are also lots of named mobs that can be soloed. Between levels 45-60 I'm quite sure I did somewhere between 100-200 solo quests and a bunch that only required a little extra help. At first I did Steamfont and Sinking Sands. Then in my Bruiser's mid-50's both Lesser Faydark and Tenebrous Tangle opened up for amazing solo xp.</p><p>Brief solo guide (20-60):</p><p>20-30 Thundering Steppes/Nektulos Forest/Butcherblock 30-45 Enchanted Lands/Zek/Steamfont Mountains 36-45 Feerrott 42-55 Sinking Sands/(Steamfont Mountains)/(Lesser Faydark) 50-60 Pillars of Flame/Lesser Faydark/Tenebrous Tangle 55-60 Loping Plains (some quests)/Barren Sky/Bonemire (some quests)</p><p>Edit: Can't believe I forgot Feerrott.</p>

[Armawk]

In the 40s theres also Everfrost and Lavastorm of course

[Kri]

<cite>shaunfletcher wrote:</cite><blockquote>In the 40s theres also Everfrost and Lavastorm of course</blockquote>Aye, but unlike the other places, the heroics vs. solo mob ratio is slanted towards the former.

[Blintok]

My main complaint is not that there is no place to solo but that there seems to be a over abundance of heroic mobs thru out the zones, especially as i level. keep seeing folks say things like " I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around someone having problems soloing with two of the easiest classes in-game." then, "in the 40s theres also Everfrost and Lavastorm of course" "Aye, but unlike the other places, the heroics vs. solo mob ratio is slanted towards the former." on the one hand people saying they can solo..and then others confirm what i am saying about the heroics. My main complaint is just that..too many heroics in the outdoor zones. and as i said earlier...I played WoW..dont like that i had to play it..I am 90% for EQ2 and 20% for WoW The tough mobs in wow are relegated to mostly dungeons with solo ..non epic(heroic in EQ2) in the overland zones. I looked in both LavaStorm and Everfrost..LS is ok at the start. beach wurms ..and entrance tunnel.. but as soon as you leave the tunnel ..linked 3up heroics every where. I have a hard time believing EQ2 is geared toward the solo player.(as per Scott Hartmann) when i run accross these heroics all over. I would much rather have the zones with mostly normal mobs with heroics as bossend quest mobs only. have scarey mobs at times wandering around..(like DoomSquall in TS) to add spice and danger. Been doing some of the HQ last few days..did the EE bag (Foomby) finished it last nite with friendguildy help Did most of it solo(end boss needed help) Started working on Haddens earring now. Did most of the Nek castle preliminary quests and earring quest. lotsa fun only part i will need help with is the final lord everling battle. thanks for help and advice everyone..(and thanks for no flames or insults that this type of discussion seems to bring in other game forums  <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> ...one of the reasons why i love EQ2 most folks are just nice people <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> )

[Bozidar]

<p>I'm actually a little shocked about this post.</p><p>When my lowbie assassin was around lvl 8 i was harvesting in Feerrott, and sinking sands.</p><p>And this guy has a 45 bruiser that he's worried about the overland placement of heroics?  Seriously?  I was in places where if a quintouplete down-arrow non-heroic farted on me i'd be dead, and he's playing the best avoidance toon in the game!</p><p>Just.. wow.. i'm going to have to go back and read the whole thread, but that first post was a shocker.</p>

[Bozidar]

<p>Alright, so knee-jerk reaction aside, i've gotten a better look at his problem.</p><p>I won't say "splitpaw" because as much as you can easily level there, it's boring boring content.  At 45 have you tried DFC?  Much of the heroics in Zek and EL should be soloable by you. </p><p>You can DO heroic content solo, it's pretty easy on a monk, it's the most popular farming toon that i've seen.  You just have to wait till it's green to do it.  So what's the big deal with that?</p>

[Kri]

<cite>Blintok wrote:</cite><blockquote> I looked in both LavaStorm and Everfrost..LS is ok at the start. beach wurms ..and entrance tunnel.. but as soon as you leave the tunnel ..linked 3up heroics every where. I have a hard time believing EQ2 is geared toward the solo player.(as per Scott Hartmann) when i run accross these heroics all over. </blockquote><p> Like I said, those are the only two overland zones where there are more heroics than solo mobs (maybe Bonemire too but I haven't been there enough to tell for sure). The rest of the zones only have smaller areas where the heroics dominate. As a Bruiser, those are dead easy (no pun intended) to go through anyway by using Feign Death. Your Necro can invis past most of them.</p><p>Do you have any of the expansions? Sorry if you have replied to this earlier. If you don't, then I can understand why it's tougher after level 45. </p>

[Bozidar]

don't necro's get FD also?

[Finora]

<cite>Blintok wrote:</cite><blockquote> well i keep seeing this... "I don't know where you've been playing, but there is SO much solo content in this game...holy cow...there are SO many places you can play solo/duo...maybe you didn't spend a lot of time running around? " and from the Scott Hartsman interview on Warcry "Moving forward, Hartsman told us what he sees as the true strength of EverQuest II. It is a solo friendly game, very much in contrast to its predecessor. The emphasis on solo play has been intentional and he adds necessary for the game. Hartsman went so far as to say that EverQuest II is actually geared towards solo players." then from my own observations and this post just confirms what i have been saying..one measly ^ in crowds of ^^^ heroics. "Well, the idea is that you have to watch your step. I soloed a huge portion of the way to 70, and dodging heroics helped break the monotony. Having to invis and/or (the and is the killer) hug walls and find alternate ways to get to the one ^ mob I needed in the middle of a bunch of ^^ pairs and ^^^'s added some fun to what was essentially working a shift on an assembly line. Trying to get mobs away from an area roamers were about to get to was always neat, too." more solo friendly than EQ? ..that game did not have linked heroic mobs everywhere and if there were social mobs you had ways or could split the groups up. I have all the expansions and adv packs. my highest char's are L45..it seems that the higher level i get the more and more zones are packed with linked heroics. Bloodlines? forget it. Splitpaw can be fun and i run harclave each level. Zek..enchanted lands..everfrost..except for a few areas mostly linked heroics. Was in Lavastorm last nite...the entrance wurms and entrance tunnel ok..but as soon as you get to other side of tunnel linked heroics out the ying yang. ..Feerott not bad but still alot of heroics. Wow is a solo friendly game. EQ2 is not (comparitively) I do not want to play wow. hate pvp. hate the interface. most players are annoying, grey mobs still aggro. I keep seeing people say they can solo quite well in EQ2 so i will keep plugging away trying to figure out where these areas are. </blockquote><p> EQ2 is an EXTREMELY solo friendly game as it is. It conviently has good stuff for groupers and raiders as well.</p><p>Dungeons in generals are 'grouping zones', Bloodlines is pretty much a dungeon and if I remember correctly (it's been a long time since I did the quest line) they were all nicely labled herioc, letting you know exactly what you were getting into before you started.</p><p>It is incredibly easy to move around most of the game without running into heroics. Nothing wrong with them being there, they do not stop anyone from doing solo quests or ruin anyone's ability to get to solo content.</p><p>Social mobs aren't hard to split at all, you just have to do it differently than you did in old EQ. Linked mobs are pretty obvious as well, what with the large colored circles under their feet and all. Linked mobs are there for a reason, they are SUPPOSED to be fought together as an encounter. </p><p>You can get just about anywhere in the overland zones that you want to. I've personally harvested raws while I was in my 20s in Everfrost, Rivervale, Feerrott. It was dangerous because of the level difference, but it certainly wasn't impossible. I find it really hard to believe that I could wander around (carefully!) in those zones at 27-29 and people are having trouble doing it in their 40s (the appropriate level range for those zones). I ran a lvl 23 fury all the way back to the cave behind the temple of Cazic Thule when the pre-EOF diety quests were running. I didn't die even one time in several trips back there.</p><p>Zek and enchanted lands are FULL solo mobs. The whole of the beach in Lavastorm is solo (save for the named that can pop) all the wandering goblins on the other side of the cave are solo. Solo sharks, wolves, lizard things,explorers, pioneers, skeletons, spiders etc in Everfrost. All easy to get to.</p><p>You also have to remember, not ALL groups want to do the dungeon thing all the time. Instances get boring after you've done them so many times and non-instanced dungeons can get pretty crowded. Sometimes you just don't want to deal with all the mess that comes from dungeon crawling and want to do some out of doors fun stuff. And while instances are boring, taking six people and walking around out of doors evaporating solo mobs is even less fun.</p>

[Spyderbite]

<cite>Dasein wrote:</cite><blockquote>Nearly every major overland zone has relatively safe solo areas. The exception are the overland 'dungeon' zones like New Tunaria and Rivervale. Lavastorm is also fairly densly packed with heroic mobs. </blockquote> Even dungeon zones like Rivervale are easily solo'd if you draw the mobs carefully. Carrying a repair kit with you can save you a few trips back to town to repair armor on those rare occasions that you didn't notice that Tainted Nymph or Mangler hiding behind a near by tree. <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Illmarr]

<p>To adress your current level. Sinking Sands is 85% solo 15% heroic, and that's a conservative guess on my part. Along the beach to either side of the docks you have level 45 and 46 solo mobs everywhere save a very small, easily avoided pack of ^^^ Spectres around the tower at the Oasis of Marr. The two islands closest to the docks are filled with solo pirates. You have to go to the furthest island (The one the carpet will take you to) to find Heroic mobs. You run up the sand ramp to the plateau above the beach. You have solo bugs, spiders, ghouls, skeletons, orcs, mummies. There are occasional ^^^ Heroic Sand giants roaming around. There is Orc Highway with level 46-48ish Orcs all over the place, not a one heroic. Past Orc highway are Dervish thugs and cutthroats, 49-50 no heroics. Tons of scorpions, no heroics aside from a rare spawned named. The Twin Tears are populated by Lizardmen and Gnolls. The Gnoll Tear is clearly segregated, the east half solo groups and the west half heroic groups. I think the lizardmen are all solo, but there are heroic crocs mixed into their oasis. Oh yeah, croc caves off the beach area are full of mid 40s solo mobs as well. Out to the northeast are Sandscrawler goblins, low 50s solo mobs. This is one of the only places where you have a mix of solo and heroic content. There are level 47ish ^^^ Raptors roaming the area between the Gnoll Tear and the goblins. Makes things interesting, and it's always a pleasure to see dqkjfiqureq on her carpet become a raptor's meal. Swinging back south from the NE corner you run into a mixed heroic/solo area with undead and those funky mobs that hide underground with just a glowing stalagmite sticking up to warn you in it.</p><p> You can easily solo from 45-50 here (I did it as a Guardian last year before EoF was released, so no excuse for a Bruiser or a Necro). Hell I stayed grinding and grinding guild writs on goblins and undead until I was in the upper 50s, but I was trying to level the guild, not myself. Then move on to Lesser Faydark (Start from the Greater Faydark entrance, mobs there are 53-55 range) If you get tired of the desert, go to Steamfont Mountains. The whole southern wetlands are filled with upper 40s solo mobs</p>

[Kri]

<cite>Bozidar wrote:</cite><blockquote>don't necro's get FD also?</blockquote>Yes, and it's 100% successful. On a very long timer (5 minutes I think) though. But it's a great compliment for when all else fails.