2 boxing?

[Nemien]

I have read this term being used and assume it means playing 2 characters at the same time but am unsure. Could someone please explain this and how to do it? Do you need 2 computers or is it possible to play 2 characters at the same time on 1 computer? Thanks.

[Tolly]

<p>2 boxing is playing two characters at the same time. You need to have 2 accounts. You can play them both on the same computer but its not advisable because of the stress on the single machine. </p><p>I'd recomend using two computers. The Idea is to have your main character that you play activatly on main PC with support character on second Pc. Have the second character on autofollow on your main so you don't have to steer it. then have all your attacks, spells, assists hotkeyed so you can just push buttons on your second pc.</p>

[~Avison~]

It's basically making another charactor a pet/bot you can use from one account. There are programs that fully autonomize it too. But I wouldn't reccommend it to someone, it's kindof...silly?

[Nefania]

If a third-party program is doing your work for you, that's against the EULA and you'll get banned from the game.  Boxing and botting are very different things.  2-boxing can be fun--some people want more challenge from having to balance two characters at once (or more for some people), or maybe just want the benefit of groups without having to always look for other people.  If you're interested in it, I suggest doing a search on these forums.  There's tons of info on both the technical details and different strategies for playing this way.  Good luck!

[Rqron]

Minor difference,You can use a 3rd party program to do the coordination of your characters..that  is NOT against the EULA. as long as you are physically at the control point of your computer. SOE does not ban 2 boxing and the available software to make it happen. This has NOTHING to do with botting or other illegal ways. Many small guilds use 2 boxing to lvl the guild. Personally I think it takes away from the game experience but if someone needs the extra thrill, make my day I don't mind. There are people that just cant find a way to group with for whatever reasons sometimes there are medical or mental reasons or they just can't jump over the shyness and for them the next best thing besides soloing is 2 boxing.J.C.

[ratdeath]

2 boxing is fun <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />I made a Necromancer as my "box" character, together with my Shadowknight it works out pretty ok, have a friend who play a Warden so didn't go for a Tank/Healer combo.Why? There is many reasons, some like to be able to do more content without having to group.For me it was most fun to be able to mentor down and go do content I had grown out of with my "main" character, also make you feel like a demigod when you mentor.Two computers is probably best. I use my laptop for the second account, bought a usb numkeypad that I placed infront of my keyboard and bound the most used spells/pet attack to numkeys. Works pretty good, there is other tools/utilities to make it work with one keystroke and on the same computer.I don't roll with my second char on items unless it's a class specific drop, also a good thing to inform those you might group with that you're 2-boxing. Sometimes the second char gets stuck/lost and you have to stop and move it or something so just be informative and people will probably not mind to much.

[Leucippus]

I 2-box all the time. I have 2 keyboards and 2 monitors next to me. It takes some getting used to, and the 2nd toon is not being played at 100% of its potential, but it is fun. Remember you must be in direct control of both toons at all times or you are in violation of the EULA. As far as I can tell, all who are caught violating that rule are banned, but it is somewhat hard to tell.I would suggest two computers. I have heard of people using one computer to 2-box, but doing so must be very hard on that computer.If you have more than one toon on auto-follow, expect to get /petitioned a lot. (3-boxing, 4-boxing, ... 6-boxing)I would look with extreme suspicition upon using some third party program to control one of the toons. You ARE noticed when you are 2-boxing, and people are scrutinizing your actions heavily. Be sure not to monopolize any particular set of mobs when doing so; i.e. if someone is questing, let them quest, move along and find another batch of mobs to farm.If you are grouped when 2-boxing make sure everone knows you are 2-boxing, and declare when you join the group which toon you are rolling for. In general, your 2nd toon should not roll on loot; i.e. the person behind the keyboard is rolling on loot, not the toon. Many are quite good at noticing when two toons are being 2-boxed in a group. There are many that will refuse to group with a 2-boxed toon, and are right to do so; the 2nd toon is not being played at is full potential, nor is the 1st actually, when 2-boxing. (Also, having two lotto loot dialog boxes pop up is a PAIN.)I would not assume macro programs, programmable keyboards, and the like are in agreement with the EULA. I would suspect a keyboard-video-mouse switch (KVM switch) would be in agreement with the EULA, but expect the 2nd toon to be nothing more than a buff-bot if using one of those KVM switches.Remember, one of the reasons people dislike those who 2-box is because the relative ease at which the technique can be used to monopolize content. Make sure to look for toons around where you are adventuring, and let others have their quest mobs when you are farming.A combinition of a dps class and a healer makes a rather power combination that is  used to farm mobs.When using that combination, do not be surprise if you are labeled a plat farme r at times. -Leucippus

[Amalthea]

When in doubt, consult the EULA, which can be found in its entirety <a href="http://help.station.sony.com/cgi-bin/soe.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=12449" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>.  <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />The OP's question has been answered, so I'm gonna lock 'er down before the mud starts flying.