Dual-boxing suggestions

[Virulence]

<p>Have multiple laptops running EQ2 and am considering 2-boxing. Have limited experience with it in EQ1, none in EQ2.</p><p>I was considering either a necro/illusionist combo or necro/defiler.  Any other options make sense given my main is a necro?</p><p>Also have some general ?s on multiboxing:</p><p>~If possible is it better to run on same machine if able (I have a very powerful desktop system) or are 2 computers side-by-side easier to manage?</p><p>~How do you determine dominant/main focus toon? I would think the necro would be in this example, but not sure.</p><p>~Of my necro dual boxing options, which would be the simplest for a neophyte multi-Bx'r to pick up and learn with?</p><p>~Are people 2-boxing in EQ2 happy with their experience? If so or not, which 2-boxing combos are you using?</p><p>Thank you.</p>

[Jai1]

<p>I'm thinking about leveling my Mystic to box with my necro.  I think a defiler would be fine.  EQ2 is a lot more complex, I feel, and less time consuming than EQ original. The graphics are definately better.  It's not a hard game to pick up just use the hints. I run on one machine usually for convinence.  With 2 machines, you can multi-task and be a little more effective.  A necro+defiler would go something like send pet/pet pull, defiler slows/debuffs and then damage+heals.  I tried a necro+troubador and that didn't work out so hot.  Tank + healer like a bruiser/fury combo is pretty easy.  I like boxing EQ2 because it's pretty straight forward.  Progression is really fast when killing heriocs, even green.  If you want to work on quests turn off ADV exp and build up some AP's.</p>

[Arakonn]

<p>I play with 2 accounts all the time, on 2 different PCs (not dual-boxing, as this would running 2 accounts on one machine). It works well, and I love it. The combos I play with:</p><p>Paladin / Wizard</p><p>Shadowknight / Inquisitor</p><p>Berserker / Defiler</p><p>As you can see, I do not rely on the best available combo to level as fast as I can. I tend to build combos that make sense, in a roleplaying way, and that the chars fit together, story-wise.</p><p>If you play on different PCs (which I find the best and efficient way to play), I absolutely recommend using a tool like <a href="http://synergy2.sourceforge.net/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Synergy</a>, which allows you to use one keyboard and one mouse with different PCs over a network. Just move the mouse at the edge of one of your monitors, and it will switch over to the next monitor/PC and vice versa. Nice tool, free to use, and makes life a lot easier.</p>

[Lana]

I also run two accounts, all the time. I have several combo's that I play with... My main focus is a 61 Berserker with a 56 Defiler. This combo works GREAT! Only wish the Defiler had a bit more DPS... I also run, oddly enough, most of the same that Arakonn runs! They are... Paladin / Warlock (works great, paladin is a freakin rock) Shadowknight / Inquisitor (Great Combo, Inquisitor is melee spec, it's kinda rough getting the hang of keeping them both in Melee range. I am getting better at it though!) Bruiser / Warden (Still low level, but Warden is quite the awesome healing machine.) Brigand / Dirge (Dirge is level 40, mentoring the 22 Brigand, so it is hard to tell how well this will work out later. But so far it is amazing! The Dirge boosts the crap out of the Brigands DPS, things die fast and I do mean really fast.) Oh! Another good combo I think would be a necro/conj with a warlock/wiz. I haven't tried it, but I imagine that would be a pretty good setup Hope you have fun with boxing! I love it!

[bensilvi]

I have 2 boxed for a long time. My current is Zerker/Fury and am seeing a great success with this. My other successful ones were Bruiser/Defiler, SK/Inquisitor, SK/Defiler, Swashy/Warden. Necro/Warlock

[Virulence]

<p>thanks for all the suggestions. This is a great community I have to say.(recent Vanguard refugee here)</p><p>I spent a good deal of time with different combos (necro/illus, necro/sk, necro/wiz and necro/assassin) limited by the fact they were in the 10-20 level range, but found the combo of necro with tank pet and defiler debuff healing to be the easiest so far to manage but I will give an update once both in the pair are 40+. [In retrospect, a bruiser+debuff healer may very well be the most potent combo]</p><p>I decided to get EQ2 loaded onto 2 systems  (one laptop, one desktop) and am very interested in the Synergy software. Has anyone found other 3rd party 2-box friendly software kits that abide by the EULA? I would imagine software that automated the healing function of the defiler might be borderline sketchy, but perhaps there are macro kits people are using to simplify this function.</p><p>(Would seem like a natural marketing niche for Sony to produce their own brand of compatiable multi-box friendly software and sell it as an additional service)</p><p>thanks again.</p><p>~Vir</p>

[bensilvi]

<cite>Virulence wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>thanks for all the suggestions. This is a great community I have to say.(recent Vanguard refugee here)</p><p>I spent a good deal of time with different combos (necro/illus, necro/sk, necro/wiz and necro/assassin) limited by the fact they were in the 10-20 level range, but found the combo of necro with tank pet and defiler debuff healing to be the easiest so far to manage but I will give an update once both in the pair are 40+. [In retrospect, a bruiser+debuff healer may very well be the most potent combo]</p><p>I decided to get EQ2 loaded onto 2 systems  (one laptop, one desktop) and am very interested in the Synergy software. Has anyone found other 3rd party 2-box friendly software kits that abide by the EULA? I would imagine software that automated the healing function of the defiler might be borderline sketchy, but perhaps there are macro kits people are using to simplify this function.</p><p>(Would seem like a natural marketing niche for Sony to produce their own brand of compatiable multi-box friendly software and sell it as an additional service)</p><p>thanks again.</p><p>~Vir</p></blockquote>Multiplicity by thinkdesk is awesome. You only need 1 mouse and keyboard but need 2 monitors.

[Lana]

Quick question, off topic (sorry!) When you run either Synergy, or Multiplicity, do you have to play in windowed mode? Or can you run fullscreen?

[Silverpaws]

Better question, is it acceptable by the EULA to have 2 accounts running on one keyboard/mouse. 

[bensilvi]

Denuve@Mistmoore wrote: <blockquote>Better question, is it acceptable by the EULA to have 2 accounts running on one keyboard/mouse.  </blockquote> YES! Cause we actually need to be at the keyboard it has been used forever and stated hundreds of times on these forums.

[bensilvi]

Lana@Crushbone wrote: <blockquote>Quick question, off topic (sorry!) When you run either Synergy, or Multiplicity, do you have to play in windowed mode? Or can you run fullscreen? </blockquote> Either or is fine., I have one in windowed and one full.

[Virulence]

<p>Mondary, thanks for the Multiplicity heads up, it looks very nice. How are the 2 computers linked? I have one desktop and one laptop, the laptop lacks a firewire input. Is there a USB-type connector that works with this? And if so, what is the name of it?</p><p>THANKS</p>

[L]

I dual box my defiler and SK frequently.  IMO, this is the best boxing combo of all, I can do many high level x2's no problem.

[bensilvi]

The computers are connected via your LAN. When you setup the software you need to setup the IP addresses for each computer.

[Bawang]

<p>I've had surprisingly good results with an illusionist and a templar. This particular couple has the following strengths:</p><p>1. Illusionist has mezz and mana regen.  Since templars' spells tend to be mana inefficient, the mana regen help plug that weakness.  Having a mezzer works wonderfully against the inevitable adds and also helps with encounters.</p><p>2. The templar has plate so he can tank.  The templar can also heal.  Heals come in pretty handy in fights <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />.  And since he's been fed mana, the templar can heal for a long time.</p><p>3. The illusionist's pet generates a great deal of agro and can tank himself.  He's also great at casting CC spells which lower mob's damage.</p><p>This is the way a fight usually goes against a named:</p><p>a. Templar pulls.  He heals himself and casts a couple of damage spells.</p><p>b. Illusionist throws pet against mob.  After a few seconds, almost invariable, pet grabs agro from templar.  But by this time the mob is more than 1/3 down.  Templar heals pet.  Templar heals are reactive and last for a long time.  So no need to spend much time on templar.</p><p>c.  Illusionist goes full blast immediately after sicking pet on mob.  at some point, the mob switches target to illusionist, but by this time the mob is almost dead.  illusionist can either stun to prevent damage, cast a deagro spell which will throw agro back to pet, or simply burn the mob down since it's so close to dead that it won't be able to do much damage.</p><p>I've been in situations where encounter after encounter jumps us and they just can't kill us.  Between mezzing, healing, and DPS, we seem to have enough to stave off death for a long time.</p>

[fy20]

<p>Necro/illusionist might not be a good duo for the following reasons.</p><p>1. Necro uses DOT. It's hard to CC when dot is running.</p><p>2. Necro's tank pet has mind of its own. Aggro control will be a huge problem at higher level.</p><p>3. Both necro and illusionst are relatively complex classes. It's hard to pay attention to both characters in the heat of the fight.</p>

[Ardnahoy]

<p>Two boxing is a little bit different in EQ2 than it was in EQ1. I used to 3-box EQ1 and found it easier than 2-boxing in EQ2.</p><p>EQ1 was a lot simpler to play in terms of button mashing. EQ2 heavily requires constant button mashing, along with timing and spell/arts sequence to realize maximum effectiveness.</p><p>In an EQ2 2-box, one toon will have the focus, and you want the second toon to require the least amount of button mashing possible. For this reason, pet classes are a great 2-box member in EQ2 - the pet does half the work for you. Similarly, scouts are the worst classes for 2-boxing since they have to worry about posistioning so much.</p><p>For your necro, I suggest a healer as the second box. Just about any healer will do so take your pick.</p><p>As for general 2-box options that I have found to be very effective, the best is an illusionist with a healer (Fury). For this combo, I just send in the pet and let 'er rip. The fury targets the pet and cycles through 5 spells - big nuke, big DoT, three heals. The pet does a really good job of staying alive while the illusionist cycles through every spell in his book. If things get hairy, the illusionist simply mezzes the encounter to regroup. Single yellow ^^^ heroic encounters last about 15 seconds. For encounters with multiple mobs, I simply mez the hardest mob, and then AoE the rest down using my AoE spells and the Fury AoE nuke. Adds from most multi-mob encounters do not last past the first volley of AoEs from the illy/fury.</p>

[Devilsbane]

<p>The healing class I am most partial to is Fury. It is the best all around class. It has In combat health reg (group), in combat power reg, the most group buffs, good HoT spells, powerful nuke/DoT, and the AA ability to share their basic healing spells. That is just a brief summary. Other abilities include but limited to group invisibility, AA pet charm, and the ability to increase spell DPS by 40% (previously 50%) instantly.</p><p>Currently, I am trying out a dual Fury/Mystic. I have been soloing everything with my Fury. Just wanted to add a secondary healing/ward option, so my Fury could go all out spell DPS. In the future I will be adding a Berserker. The Berserker's in combat health reg stacks with the Fury's. Thus the Berserker can tank, the Fury can DPS, and the Mystic can debuff and heal/ward. </p><p>I plan only to add one box/hydra every six months to a year up to a full group of six. Trying to Running a full group would be an extremely fun activity.</p>

[erin]

<cite>Arakonn wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>I play with 2 accounts all the time, on 2 different PCs (not dual-boxing, as this would running 2 accounts on one machine).</p> </blockquote>Its dual boxing whether its on one machine or 2.  Not sure where you are getting this tight definition from. Dual boxing, as in, running two accounts. I duo or trio, on 3 machines.  I've found very few combos that don't work, some just take a lot more effort. Easiest is tank/healer, max survivability there.  Almost any tank/healer works, but I found that mystic and paladin don't stack as well as some of the others. Try stuff out, see what works for you.  Personally I prefer multiple computers, a single computer is more cumbersome to me, but different approaches work for different folks!

[Arakonn]

<p>@erin: in the context of multiboxing, "box" means an instance of a game - and so running multiple instances on one computer. No need to discuss the definitions, as today many just use "...-boxing" as a general term. Reason I mentioned the difference is, that it requires very different types of setups in regards to hardware and software - and I did a lot of "boxing" in one form or another in different games in the past.</p><p> If you need further info, go to <a href="http://www.dual-boxing.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.dual-boxing.com</a>, especially the forum is worth a read for anyone heading this way.</p><p>One more: reason I mentioned Syngery instead of Multiplicity is, that Synergy is free, and Multiplicity costs you money. And Syngery is cross-platform, so you can even use in on different OS on your PCs (if you want to use it for some other purposes besides gaming, like I do).</p>

[Dolphini]

I noticed several people mention Synergy. I recently returned to the game from WoW. I dual boxed in wow very well with Synergy but since coming back to EQII (I didn't dual box EQII previously) I am having a problem.  Whether I am in windowed mode, or full screen, and whether or not the window key is allowed, EQII will not allow my mouse pointer to cross over to my second PC. Once I minimize EQII though it returns to normal and I can cross over. Since so many say they use Synergy it has to be a setting I'm missing. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[azekah]

<p >I started two boxing and freakin love it. I have my own personal group whenever I want and don’t have to depend on others being around to do quests and take on named and such.</p> <p > </p> <p >Anyway, I two box with two windows on one computer. I alt tab a lot, in fact the first few days I started two boxing my thumb got sore…but now I’m used to it…</p> <p > </p> <p >I’ve tried a lot of combos, but the one I’ve stuck with the longest so far is my warden/brigand combo. Warden is a great healer, and can put out ok damage too. The brigand puts our very good dps and can tank farily well also. I focus mainly on my brig so positional attacks aren’t too much of an issue. I’ll switch to my warden if I’m runnin low on health or waiting for spells to refresh. I made macros to combine attacks and heals to make casting on my warden fairly simple.</p> <p > </p> <p >I will usually pull with my warden and have my brig facing her. I’ll then switch to my brig who is in position for its attacks from behind. I’ll get aggro in one or two hits almost never lose it the rest of the fight…</p> <p > </p> <p >As for a necro combo? That would prob be very good. I’ve soloed/grouped a necro to level 54 and it is one of the best soloing classes. Add a healer and I can’t imagine much they couldn’t conquer. Any healer would do, though with a necro you get so many spells you would prob want a healer that needs the least amount of attention. I’ve only played a mystic/fury and warden, and I would say as far as I know the mystic is the easiest. You could set a macro for your group and single target ward and would mostly only need to use that one macro. Defiler would prob be similar, and maybe better because of more compatible buffs…</p>

[Mikkahl]

<p>Unfortunately 2-boxing has gotten a lot harder since the OP, and nearly impossible in water, because of the auto-follow bugs they introduced 2-3 GUs ago.  In water, the follower goes off in some other direction entirely, and keeps going even if the lead toon stops completely.  Of course the follower invariable gets in to aggro and dies! <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>Even on land, the AF has gotten much worse, as the follower now tends to start his "follow" by swinging off in a wide circle (usually through aggro of course), before he comes back to his place directly behind the lead.  And it seems to me that the follower now gets stuck a lot more, on corners in dungeon, stairs, etc.  And don't even try to climb with AF (or the chain links in KoS!) <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/385970365b8ed7503b4294502a458efa.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" />.   So I am constantly stopping the lead character, and switching to the follower, to get him back on track.</p><p>I have enough trouble with 2-boxing.  I can't imagine how "hydras" of 4-6 toons can manage if they use auto-follow. </p><p>I really wish they would fix AF to be at least as good as it was last summer.  My preference would be that they use the same code for auto-follow as they use for pet follow:  the pet never gets stuck or corners or stairs or behind doors.</p><p>BTW, I use Stardock Multiplicity across 2 computers, plus a Nostromo n52 for the "left-hand" computer running the Fury.  I use Pally or Conj (with tank pet) on the right hand computer.</p>

[ScottAdams]

<p>If you are using 2 machines then mutiplicity is amazing. At the time I tried Synergy I found it had quirks that did not allow me to run my hydra well, but mutiplicity did. Not sure what synergy is like now.</p><p> My setup is 4 accounts so I have a different idea of what works. Trobadour (I refuse to use SOE spelling!), guardian, fury, conjurer. Mostly I picked my group to get as many of the utility spells as I could. Mana regen, ports, escape, call of hero, group invis etc.</p>

[ScottAdams]

<cite>Mikkahl wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Unfortunately 2-boxing has gotten a lot harder since the OP, and nearly impossible in water, because of the auto-follow bugs they introduced 2-3 GUs ago.  In water, the follower goes off in some other direction entirely, and keeps going even if the lead toon stops completely.  Of course the follower invariable gets in to aggro and dies! <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />" width="15" height="15" /></p><p>Even on land, the AF has gotten much worse, as the follower now tends to start his "follow" by swinging off in a wide circle (usually through aggro of course), before he comes back to his place directly behind the lead.  And it seems to me that the follower now gets stuck a lot more, on corners in dungeon, stairs, etc.  And don't even try to climb with AF (or the chain links in KoS!) <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/385970365b8ed7503b4294502a458efa.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" />.   So I am constantly stopping the lead character, and switching to the follower, to get him back on track.</p><p>I have enough trouble with 2-boxing.  I can't imagine how "hydras" of 4-6 toons can manage if they use auto-follow. </p><p>I really wish they would fix AF to be at least as good as it was last summer.  My preference would be that they use the same code for auto-follow as they use for pet follow:  the pet never gets stuck or corners or stairs or behind doors.</p><p>BTW, I use Stardock Multiplicity across 2 computers, plus a Nostromo n52 for the "left-hand" computer running the Fury.  I use Pally or Conj (with tank pet) on the right hand computer.</p></blockquote><p>If you roll into first person mode on your alts, while in the water, you will find that auto follow will then work properly. I discovered this by accident and it makes a BIG difference!</p>

[Darsat]

Nice to see you still on and playing Scott.  Your suggestions have helped us out greatly in the 3 boxing me and my wife do. 

[erin]

<cite>Arakonn wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>@erin: in the context of multiboxing, "box" means an instance of a game - and so running multiple instances on one computer. No need to discuss the definitions, as today many just use "...-boxing" as a general term. Reason I mentioned the difference is, that it requires very different types of setups in regards to hardware and software - and I did a lot of "boxing" in one form or another in different games in the past. </p></blockquote>That isn't the "modern" use of the word.  And yes "box" means an instance, but even when only running 1 account on a computer, that's an instance.  Thus the term single boxing.I also am not sure what you mean by"very different types of setups in regards to hardware and software".It requires more than 1 account, but that's true whether on one computer or 2.  Requires a good amount of memory, but again, that can be true on a single computer/single account if you want to run high end graphics.  Its just an odd thing to bring up.  Maybe you can explain what you meant?  I'm always interested in learning something new, may be refine my approach.I've been boxing for many years, both on a single computer and on multiple computers.  Current setup is 3 comps, 3 keyboards, 3 mice etc.  But I've run up to 3 accounts on a single computer as well.Nice thing about this thread is it made me take another look at multiplicity.  I could swear last time I looked it didn't support vista, which is why I didn't buy it, but it does today (or I really totally missed it).  So I think I'll be trying that out soon, its only $50!Synergy is nice since its free, but I vaguely recall there was a lot of setup to it, and its not super friendly that way.  I'd rather be lazy and spend 50 bucks <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[ScottAdams]

<cite>Darsat wrote:</cite><blockquote>Nice to see you still on and playing Scott.  Your suggestions have helped us out greatly in the 3 boxing me and my wife do.  </blockquote><p>Always happy when I can assist! </p><p>I am still greatly enjoying EQ2, I took a slight detour for a month or so with LOTR but that fling is pretty much over now.</p>

[Toskrin]

Just wondering if anyone is willing to share their accomplishments with any level 80 two boxes.  I am currently boxing a Bruiser and Defiler at 75 and wonder if they will be able to make much progress in the heroic zones.

[Mikkahl]

<p>Yeah, we just can't get rid of Scott! <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  He's the founder and fearless leader of our Vindicators guild, and our multi-boxing guru! <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>Since I was still having the "loop-out-way-wide" problem when engaging AF or reversing directions quickly, Scott and I brought our "groups" to the TS docks to experiment in the sand.  His hydra didn't have the problem, my duo did.  First person or third didn't matter, nor did mounted or not mounted.  Then we compared options, and we found that the looping problem was caused by this setting in Options:  Controls, View Options, "Free look controls" set to "View relative".  When I changed that to "Avatar relative" the wide loop went away.  Now my follower turns around in place and then follows directly behind me!  A great improvement!  And maybe this explains why no one else seemed to know what I was talking about! <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>Then I tried the duo underwater.  Again, the View relative setting was making the follower zoom off in completely the wrong direction!  Avatar relative fixed that part.  But, as Scott said, first- vs third-person makes a difference too.  In third person, when the leader dives down deep in the water, the follower stays at the top of the water, settling directly above the leader when he stops.  The follower also seems to jump around in a funny way.  In first person, the follower dives down with the leader, and stays right behind him!  Much better! <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>Now, I would still consider both of these bugs, but now I have ways around them.   But what I thought was a bug introduced a few LUs ago, might have been me changing the option to View relative.  Perhaps View relative has had this AF bug all along!</p><p>Maybe this will even help me not get stuck on corners so much! <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[skinandbones]

<p>I went from 1 account (templar) to 2 accounts (templar/Guardian).  Did good to a point as it lacked DPS or a way to recover mana/hp during battles.  Thats when I went in with a third account(bard).  </p><p>I had great success with this trio as I can tackle higher end stuff now with out the worry or running out of power.  I get a slight DPS increase but I also get a small crowd control along with it.  I can tackle ^^^ white,yellow of my level even group encounter of ^^, ^^, ^^^ white, yellow.  I just recently did a silent city ^^^ group X2 mob was green at the time.</p><p> I use the correct heroics at the right time from haste, heals to more DPS.  Who to start it and what spells to use with it to get what I need at the time in battle.</p><p>No outside program to even help with it.  3 monitors, 3 PC's, 3 keybords, 3 mice.  I even got in a group once and the group couldnt even tell I was 3 boxing.</p>

[Iseabeil]

<cite>Mikkahl wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Now, I would still consider both of these bugs, but now I have ways around them.   But what I thought was a bug introduced a few LUs ago, might have been me changing the option to View relative.  Perhaps View relative has had this AF bug all along!</p></blockquote><p>From what I remember this issue isnt an 'original' issue, I think it was during KoS that they either changed somethin or added something that messed it up. I saw plenty of people talk of it on the forums during that time and making the changes you did fixed it back then too. The only time I have issues with autofollow nowdays is if one of my /af chars for some reason has autoattack on outside a fight.</p><p>My latest favorite boxing set up is illusionist/troub. An illu can solo extremely well and the extra buffs makes from the troub makes it quite enjoyable, the addition of selo and tracking helps a lot too. Otherwise I tend to run with monk, warden and either illu or swashie, and recently with SK, troub and templar but I really miss group invis in that set up. Some tools like invis and track can become a habit very easie and doing without it when used to have it can be annoying :p</p>

[NiteWolfe]

 My fav combo for boxing is swashy, dirge, mystic. Swashy/brigs do NOT suffer from not being able to get positionals off due to a aa ability to turn the mobs back to us. It has the same refresh rate as all  the swashies flanking /back attacks and stays up long enough to get them all off. The mystic  brings  great tanking bufs and wards/heals ( wards rock for a swashy since it stops the hit from even happening allowing for our bravo proc to stay up much longer and if its a tough mob well between the swashy and the mystic i can turn the mobs  damage into the dust Add in the dirge and the swashy really shines with all the bufs they bring to a melee class. As far as what i have done? every thing in eof at level 70 with the exception of mistmoore castle. Iam looking into adding a 4th account and working up a illy to go with my team. there all 80 now but due to guild issues and raiding i have not had the chance to try and box and of the rok instances.  Oh and yes the swashy tanks any thing in eof just fine and does more dps while doing it!

[Zoobecca]

I 2 & 3 boxed in EQ 1. In EQ 2 I stick to 2-boxing. My preferred pair is my monk and mystic closely followed by my berserker and templar.

[Mikkahl]

<cite>Joppa@Everfrost wrote:</cite><blockquote>. . .  I even got in a group once and the group couldnt even tell I was 3 boxing.</blockquote><p>In this thread you are preaching to the choir (about liking to multi-box).  However, you posted the same thing to the mentoring thread, and the reactions there show there are still a large number of single boxers who hate multi-boxers, especially stealth ones!  You may be able to hide for awhile, but there are usually signs that show you're boxing, and if they find out later they could be very angry.   The signs?:  All in the same guild (not a definite tip-off, but starts them thinking), if the characters are all similarly named (in my case they all start with "Mikk" <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />), and one or more toons on auto-follow and not chatting.  Then, when you come to a place where auto-follow doesn't work (like climbing a wall, crossing a very skinny bridge, climbing the giant chains in KoS, etc.), it becomes obvious that the toons are having to go one at a time.  So I think it's worth repeating the "rules" for multi-boxing in a group that have been proposed several times in these forums:</p><ol><li>Always let people know that you are multi-boxing.  This lets the group leader decide if this is acceptable, and other members to decide if they want to participate.  (Of course, if you are the group leader, because others are joining your multi-box "group", then it's up to them whether they want to join or not).</li><li>If the group is full, and other "real" players want to join, then you should let one or more of your "alts" drop out to make room. subject to the group leaders decision.  (Again, it's different if it's your "group" who just invited a few more to help with some goal you have).</li><li>Only one member of your multi-boxing team should roll on any given piece of loot.  Doesn't have to be the same one every time, of course, since some gear is class-specific, and you may have limited bag space.</li></ol><p>I usually only group with my guild anyway, and, since our fearless leader (Scott) is a dedicated hydra, our guild is pretty multi-box friendly.  But, I still apply these same rules.  And, I only even suggest 2-boxing if the group/raid is not full, or if 2 of my toons need the same boss kill for a quest (especially HQs, which help the guild). </p>

[azekah]

I don't think people "hate" dual boxers per say...They just don't understand how we can do it : )I find that anymore I get more easily bored when playing one character...There is almost always downtime when playing one. Why not use that downtime to heal/dps on another character? : DAnyway, just thought I share my new 2 box heroes.So I've tried a lot of combinations, but I truly love my brigand/wardenWhat I get with them:Warden: Specced for melee, can just sit there and whack away and still do reasonable dps45% run speedportsand of course great heals.Brigand:Group invisEvacGreat at dps and tankingtrackingAll these make getting around, questing and killing named so much easier.My 2c

[Tarvos]

<p>My question about multi-boxing is just this, Do you need multiple unique copies of the software if your using seperate machines?  If I understand it correctly you would need a seperate copy of the EQ2 for each machine (and of course the necessary accounts).</p>

[erin]

<p><cite>Mikkahl wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><cite>Joppa@Everfrost wrote:</cite><blockquote>. . .  I even got in a group once and the group couldnt even tell I was 3 boxing.</blockquote><p>In this thread you are preaching to the choir (about liking to multi-box).  However, you posted the same thing to the mentoring thread, and the reactions there show there are still a large number of single boxers who hate multi-boxers, especially stealth ones!  You may be able to hide for awhile, but there are usually signs that show you're boxing, and if they find out later they could be very angry.   The signs?:  All in the same guild (not a definite tip-off, but starts them thinking), if the characters are all similarly named (in my case they all start with "Mikk" <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" />), and one or more toons on auto-follow and not chatting.  Then, when you come to a place where auto-follow doesn't work (like climbing a wall, crossing a very skinny bridge, climbing the giant chains in KoS, etc.), it becomes obvious that the toons are having to go one at a time.  So I think it's worth repeating the "rules" for multi-boxing in a group that have been proposed several times in these forums:</p><ol><li>Always let people know that you are multi-boxing.  This lets the group leader decide if this is acceptable, and other members to decide if they want to participate.  (Of course, if you are the group leader, because others are joining your multi-box "group", then it's up to them whether they want to join or not).</li><li>If the group is full, and other "real" players want to join, then you should let one or more of your "alts" drop out to make room. subject to the group leaders decision.  (Again, it's different if it's your "group" who just invited a few more to help with some goal you have).</li><li>Only one member of your multi-boxing team should roll on any given piece of loot.  Doesn't have to be the same one every time, of course, since some gear is class-specific, and you may have limited bag space.</li></ol><p>I usually only group with my guild anyway, and, since our fearless leader (Scott) is a dedicated hydra, our guild is pretty multi-box friendly.  But, I still apply these same rules.  And, I only even suggest 2-boxing if the group/raid is not full, or if 2 of my toons need the same boss kill for a quest (especially HQs, which help the guild). </p></blockquote><p>I agree with you and these are the rules I follow.  I usually only box when I'm by myself, if I do it in a group its because my friends or guild need [blank] and we can't find one.  Then when one logs in, I drop my boxed char.</p><p>I generally 3 box, and find that playing a single character ends up being quite challenging because its hard to concentrate on only one!!</p><p>I usually stick with classic combos, tank, healer, dps.  Boxing is a great way to level up a less solo friendly class.</p>

[skinandbones]

<p>Wow blast from the past.</p><p>Well this is no longer a factor  I 6 box now and dont have to worry about pugging.  Even guild members are happy as if we dont have enough I just sign on what we need and our group is ready to kill.</p><p>And still to others</p><p>Dont hate the boxers not all of us are farmers!</p>

[Despak]

For myself I dual-box a Warden and Swashie. Currently happily stomping through SoS at level 64 without any problems (yet). Think the only problem I ran into was trying to kill a 57 epic x2 that was in the way in Permafrost for Speak as a Dragon.

[Jesdyr]

<p><cite>Tarvos wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>My question about multi-boxing is just this, Do you need multiple unique copies of the software if your using seperate machines?  If I understand it correctly you would need a seperate copy of the EQ2 for each machine (and of course the necessary accounts).</p></blockquote><p>You should have started a new thread and not have necro'd this post.</p><p>I am not sure what you are asking but ... Using seperate machines each machine needs to have EQ2 installed locally. Best way is to install it on Machine A and then patch the client by logging in. Then copy the eq2 directory to the other machines and make a desktop icon/whatever. Each instance will need its own account. If you just starting out I suggest using the recruit a friend system as it will safe a little money and will provide a massive bonus XP for the group.</p>

[Yimway]

<p>It sounds like he thought the subscription != software license.</p><p>Each account you have entitles you to have as many copies of eq2 installed on as many machines as  you like.  You however can only play each account on one machine at a given time.</p><p>As long as you have 2 accounts you can place eq2 on 2 machines and 2 box from there.  You don't need to buy multiple retail boxes of the game.</p>