General questions from a newbie

[Megad00mer]

Hi guys. I just started EQ2 and so far I like it. I have some questions about the game past lvl 5 however <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> 1) Is there any PvP at all on non PvP servers? 2) Do the classes have specific sets of armor made for them? I like armor sets that are really geared towards one class in both look and stats. If so, are they varied? Hard to get? 3) So far I can solo just fine. I'm only lvl 5 however. Does it eventually get to the point where you can no longer solo and are forced to group to level? 4) I am coming from WoW, and end game in WoW should be called "Land of the Elitists with no life" In order to participate in interesting end game content, you really need to devote numerous nights a week to just raiding. Is EQ2 endgame like that, or can I be a casual player and still see and get cool stuff? Thanks in advance.

[Leemeg]

Hey and welcome to EQ2! <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> !. Yes, but rarely used. We got Arenas (with DoF expansions), or duels (normal ones or duelbet, where you can bet some coins): 2. Yes, But, they are at higher levels. In the KoS expansion you got some class hats (about every class got a uniqe hat) and some relic fabled armour sets (1 set per class) (obtained by raiding). In EoF they have increased the number of class sets with one Legendary (attained by groups) and a fabled set for the classes. The class sets is good quality, but its not the only equipment you will use. You will always have mulitple type of equipment (when you reach the cap anyway). I got specific items I use in solo, other I use in group or raid. Or even down to specific encounter (lengthy fights = more power regen during fights). 3. You can solo up to 70 if you want to, or group up there. There is plenty content for both type. If you choose to only solo or only group, you will miss alot of the content though. My tip is to balance solo and group content. 4. There is many that plays this game at cap without raiding. And there is also many casual raiding guilds out there, and a single raid can take all from 30 minutes and up to 3-4 hours. Depending on the zone and the raid force. On splitpaw I can almost see Pickup raids every night now a days. This game has so much content before you reach max level that I wouldn't be too concerned about it. This game isn't a race to cap like WoW.

[Skai]

<cite>Megad00mer wrote:</cite><blockquote>4) I am coming from WoW, and end game in WoW should be called "Land of the Elitists with no life" In order to participate in interesting end game content, you really need to devote numerous nights a week to just raiding. Is EQ2 endgame like that, or can I be a casual player and still see and get cool stuff? Thanks in advance. </blockquote> The main complaint in WOW was that the best gear could only be acquired through raiding. This remains the case in EQ2.

[Norrsken]

<cite>Skai wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Megad00mer wrote:</cite><blockquote>4) I am coming from WoW, and end game in WoW should be called "Land of the Elitists with no life" In order to participate in interesting end game content, you really need to devote numerous nights a week to just raiding. Is EQ2 endgame like that, or can I be a casual player and still see and get cool stuff? Thanks in advance. </blockquote> The main complaint in WOW was that the best gear could only be acquired through raiding. This remains the case in EQ2. </blockquote>The gap between raid and heroic gear aint that big in eq2 though. Much to the dismay of the hardcore raiders.

[Calthine]

If you raid, you'll need raid gear and you'll get it.  If you don't raid, you don't need raid gear.  Easy! I am primarily a tradeskiller - I never raid, rarely group, and when I get out I do solo content.  This game easily supports all four playstyles (that's counting tradeskills as a playstyle - some of us crafters are a bit obsessive).  You shouldn't have any problem obtaining great gear for your preferred gameplay style <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Runestone]

I played wow (2 1/2 years) before playing eq2 and you can solo both games to level cap easily.. however, I have found grouping (pugs) far less painful then in wow. You simply don't join a pug in wow. Since I am a relatively new player I haven't grouped a ton, but the few I have been in have *all* been great. I am sure at some point I will group with some terd(s).. thats just inevitable. In wow though, finding a good pug is an urban legend. I am sure there is plenty of 'cool stuff' to get at 70.. however, the best will always be reserved for raiders.. always been that way.. always will be (any mmo). I will note however that there are many raids that are mostly pugs, and quite successful (again very un-wow like). I really hate making comparisons to the two games though. They are both solid games with their own merits and flaws. Just play the game, have fun. Decide for yourself.

[Zard]

<cite>Megad00mer wrote:</cite><blockquote>2) Do the classes have specific sets of armor made for them? I like armor sets that are really geared towards one class in both look and stats. If so, are they varied? Hard to get? </blockquote><p>At level 20, you can do a series of quests for class-specific armor. It is better than Handcrafted and most Treasured but not quite as good as Mastercrafted.</p><p>At level 37, you can wear class-specific armor crafted from recipes and ore that drop in Deathfist Citadel.</p><p>At level 67, you can wear Legendary class-specific armor that drops from certain EoF dungeons and instances.</p><p>ps. I am using the original meaning of the term "class."  For example, Crusader is a class with two <i>Sub-classes</i>: Paladins and Shadowknights.</p>

[Norrsken]

Auric@Oasis wrote: <blockquote><cite>Megad00mer wrote:</cite><blockquote>2) Do the classes have specific sets of armor made for them? I like armor sets that are really geared towards one class in both look and stats. If so, are they varied? Hard to get? </blockquote><p>At level 20, you can do a series of quests for class-specific armor. It is better than Handcrafted and most Treasured but not quite as good as Mastercrafted.</p><p>At level 37, you can wear class-specific armor crafted from recipes and ore that drop in Deathfist Citadel.</p><p>At level 67, you can wear Legendary class-specific armor that drops from certain EoF dungeons and instances.</p><p>ps. I am using the original meaning of the term "class."  For example, Crusader is a class with two <i>Sub-classes</i>: Paladins and Shadowknights.</p></blockquote>And on pvp servers, there are quite spiffy subclass specific pvp sets available to pvpers.

[Orsham]

Dalmara@Antonia Bayle wrote: <blockquote>I played wow (2 1/2 years) before playing eq2 and you can solo both games to level cap easily.. however, I have found grouping (pugs) far less painful then in wow. You simply don't join a pug in wow. Since I am a relatively new player I haven't grouped a ton, but the few I have been in have *all* been great. I am sure at some point I will group with some terd(s).. thats just inevitable. In wow though, finding a good pug is an urban legend. </blockquote> I played WoW for about 9 months before joining EQ2 last week. I did my first grouping last night and it was better than any similar experience in WoW. I'm not going to criticise WoW. It has its strengths, but I'm enjoying the depth of EQ2, esp the tradeskills aspect and involved combat. And the community is far better. To a certain extent WoW is a victim of its own success and to some extent its more combat-oriented and simplified gameplay appeals to a more immature element.

[Bloodfa]

Ulvhamne@Nagafen wrote: <blockquote>Auric@Oasis wrote: <blockquote><cite>Megad00mer wrote:</cite><blockquote>2) Do the classes have specific sets of armor made for them? I like armor sets that are really geared towards one class in both look and stats. If so, are they varied? Hard to get? </blockquote><p>At level 20, you can do a series of quests for class-specific armor. It is better than Handcrafted and most Treasured but not quite as good as Mastercrafted.</p><p>At level 37, you can wear class-specific armor crafted from recipes and ore that drop in Deathfist Citadel.</p><p>At level 67, you can wear Legendary class-specific armor that drops from certain EoF dungeons and instances.</p><p>ps. I am using the original meaning of the term "class."  For example, Crusader is a class with two <i>Sub-classes</i>: Paladins and Shadowknights.</p></blockquote>And on pvp servers, there are quite spiffy subclass specific pvp sets available to pvpers. </blockquote>I've heard PvP gear called a lot of things in the past.  Never spiffy, though.  <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Wrapye]

Auric@Oasis wrote: <blockquote><cite>Megad00mer wrote:</cite><blockquote>2) Do the classes have specific sets of armor made for them? I like armor sets that are really geared towards one class in both look and stats. If so, are they varied? Hard to get? </blockquote><p>At level 20, you can do a series of quests for class-specific armor. It is better than Handcrafted and most Treasured but not quite as good as Mastercrafted.</p><p>At level 37, you can wear class-specific armor crafted from recipes and ore that drop in Deathfist Citadel.</p><p>At level 67, you can wear Legendary class-specific armor that drops from certain EoF dungeons and instances.</p><p>ps. I am using the original meaning of the term "class."  For example, Crusader is a class with two <i>Sub-classes</i>: Paladins and Shadowknights.</p></blockquote>The two subclass armors on non-PvP servers (i.e. PvE) are obtained via raids.  There is the 'relic' variety from the KoS expansion that is level 69, where a pattern piece drops (e.g. relic chain gloves).  Using some dropped gems from solo/heroics you go to a particular NPC in a dungeon zone to have him make it into armor specific for your subclass - if that subclass uses that type of armor as their best armor. The 'fabled set' armor from EoF is subclass specific when it drops.  They have it refined now that a piece of armor will almost only drop for a class that is present in the raid that does not already have that piece of armor. As Calthine mention, unless you are raiding, there isn't a real need for either set of armor, though I see plenty of pickup raids for the zones that drop the relic patterns, and even some for the zones that drop the fabled set pieces.  Depending on class, many raiders use items gained from heroic zones, even collection quests, over what is available from raids.