Returning and overwhelmed

[Ragecaller]

<p>After a looooong hiathus from the game (only having played it casually to begin with) and working trough a variety of other games (again all played in casual mode. I just can't figure out how someone with a full time job could play with the sheer dedication i see in end game guilds so often), i noticed the summer invite and decided to give this game a whirl again. Of course, between me never having fully come to grips with the game in the first place, and all that has changed since i played (literally the first 2-3 months after beta, i still read about the full class assignment), i am at a loss about how to play.</p><p>As said, i am a casual player. I first and foremost want to enjoy what i do in my game, and i don't have much time to do it in. However, i am not adverse at all against playing with others and would love to be able to just pick up some people and go kill monsters, or maybe do some joint crafting to beef each other's character up so we can kill monsters better. Just how feasible is it for me to play and enjoy this game given the current state of the game and its community, and what would my chances be to find a guild of players that although being smart and skilled enough to make grouping fun, also won't mind me not joining heads over heels in the gearing up arms race grind?  Because, as i said, i like to have fun during my few hours of play. Not pretend that my real world life depends on 40 hours of grind over one measly stat point. I have seen enough of that from the end gamers i have dealt with in the past. It didn't look like they were getting much enjoyment out of the game. I'll pass for that, thank you!</p><p>My main at present, and pride and joy,  is a high teens character of a not normally possible race/class combination (originally you evolved into your subclass and before that happened it was possible to betray your alignment. Not sure if that is still possible and if it is, if your subclass changes with your alignment), currently a scholar who i intend to make an alchemist. I got a newbie room, but due to my betrayal i am very low on storage containers so that is one of my first goals. I only have one AAP so far as that system didn't exist when i last played. I am currently getting my bearings and picking up any quest i can grab to build up my standing with a town that at present is still scowling at me and sending me emotes that i don't belong(even though the guards let me be because i am aligned to that town and got Call of the Overlord to prove it). And no, since i am now a Freeporter i am NOT YADRU. In fact i am not even a scout (although one of my alts is an Assassin). </p><p>My biggest problems right now are getting a steady enough cash flow to pay the rent as well as any upgrades i'll need and funding my crafting efforts, working my crafing up to Alchemist, and figuring out how to advance my character as an adventurer.</p><p>Can anyone give me some tips on what course of action i could do best? Should i freeze my XP bar (not that it is moving much outside of quests now anyway) and grind treasure chests? Do this on my alt as he is still low teens? Just grind cash, buy what i need that way and just level up? Should i turn in the status items i got myself or sell them on for gold? Does it pay for me to join a guild? Would any guilds be interested in a very casual minded disoriented player who on one hand likes playing in groups enough to appreciate teh assurance of one always being ready for him, but on the other does not want any of the drama often involved in the end game?</p><p>Sorry if this is a bit rambling. I hope it portrays how disoriented i am coming from other, vastly different but in many ways more straightforward games(yes, WoW is among them, but so is EVE Online) and now trying to get to grips with this one again. Any advice would be appreciated.</p>

[Castonu]

<p>I can understand how overwhelming it could be coming back after so many changes have taken place in the game. Have you considered leaving your main sit for a bit and start a new, fresh character to get the feel from the beginning? I would think that would help a bit. Starting anew and leveling from the beginning would be somewhat easier to grasp everything . </p><p> And a recommendation..even if you don't keep the new character you start...try starting or going to the Timorous Deep zone. The quest progression and leveling progression will give you a good idea in a short amount of time. </p><p> Concerning guilds...bring up the guild window by hitting the "U" key. I think that is the default for it. There should be a good number of guilds that will fit what you want. Don't try to change what you want to do...try to find the right guild that fits what you want to do and how you want to play. There are a huge amount of guilds in the game that will be very helpful to someone basically starting out again.</p><p> And in closing...WELCOME back to Norrath!</p>

[Aurumn]

<p>First of all, welcome back! Many folks (myself included) are far more casual minded. While there is obviously a healthy population of folks that live for the end-game and all its glory you will find plenty of folks that enjoy the ride. With 80 levels to get through that can be quite a long ride indeed. As to a few of your points:</p><p>Race/Class combinations: It is now possible to choose your subclass from the start. If you want a paladin, roll one. No more Warrior > Crusader > Paladin. Some classes are alignment restricted, some are neutral. Some races are initially alignment restricted, but there is a betrayal quest you can do that will allow you to, for instance, have an iksar paladin, if you so desire.</p><p>Guilds: While there certainly are raid guilds, there are also plenty of family friendy, casual and newbie friendly guilds out there of varying sizes. I would pick a server type you prefer (Roleplaying, PvP, PvE, or Exchange) and then check the server forums for guild recruitment postings. Also once you have a character logged in you can hit U to bring up the guild window and see who's recruiting. Chat some folks up and see if you can find a fit. I would recommend finding a guild, at least to give you a boost in getting your bearings. Having someone around to ask a question or give you a hand now and again can be immensely valuable. </p><p>Broker: The economy is rather inflated these days for the new character. The quickest money making ideas are to do the following:</p><p>Harvest Everything: Many common ingredients (mainly roots, ore and the occasional loam) can sell for some healthy coin. The rares will go for a bit more (Ores and Loams seem to have the highest prices overall). You can also hoard some for your own gear and spell upgrades to save cash. </p><p>Harvest shinies: Those little golden glowies with '?' on them are collectable items. Some are rare and can go for a healthy chunk of coin. Once you've collected your own copy of one, sell the rest.</p><p>Sell Treasured+ Items: Any loot you get that is labeled as Treasured is worth coin. Due to the secondary tradeskill, transmuting, their prices are rather inflated since they are needed in bulk. For this reason even a low level Adept 1 or piece of gear could go for a couple gold. Always check the going broker price for a treasured item before you resort to selling to an NPC. You're almost guaranteed to get more cash from a player than the NPC. Items that are labeled as NO TRADE cannot be sold on the broker, so they can only be transmuted by you, sacrificed on a deity altar or sold to an NPC if you can't use them.</p><p> Leveling: Unless you're on a PvP server it isn't really do-or-die to lock your xp. Depending upon your class you might have a better time of it to do so and get a few skills under your belt. Since you're trying to get your bearings, as you say, doing this for a while might help slow the pace a bit for you. This way you won't outlevel your gear quite as quickly (save a little cash that way). You may also want to consider picking up some quests in the newer zones like Darklight Wood or Timorous Deep. The rewards will be a bit better than the traditional Freeport tier 2 zones (esp. Timorous Deep) and who doesn't like exploring? <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>Well, I hope that helps a bit. Happy hunting!</p>

[apasserby]

<p>Do yourself a favor and start another char,the same as what you have...if good,take boat to quenos,go to harbor,set recall there,go to bank and get 60 silver from shared slot(log main in first,toss some gold in shared slot)take carpet to sinking sands,from sands right click carpet,select Butcherblock,from docks there head left along beach,sandy ramp on right side leads to a camp with a griff,take to Tim deep.Once there ooc for an escort to starter area.A great design for a starter area,awesome gear,well done..the city is confusing,but thats a small pain considering the rewards.From that point you can decide on keeping main or not,but the gear you obtain and things you learn will carry you easily into the 30's.</p><p>If bad char,leave for freeport,get to East port,set recall,buy ticket on dock to nec,take boat to Butcherblock.Have fun.....</p>

[Ragecaller]

<p>I actually did roll up an alt for Greater Faydark and one for TD just to see what their newbie zones were like (well, actually how tutorial zones would be handled for them as they were rather polarized when it was just Qeynos and FP) and rolled up a char on test for Neriak (because i feared i was running low on slots). I guess TD is the current hotzone and i will work on my alt there for a bit.</p><p>So if betrayal is still in place (probably those "squires" i keep running across in FP), does it convert your class to the opposite subclass if it's alignment restricted? In other words, if i were to roll up a Bruiser, would he become a Monk if i converted him to Qeynos (not going for the typical Drizzt scenario as that no doubt plays a part in Ranger being listed on its own <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />)?</p><p>How close are the cities of the same alignment affiliated anyway? Can a Qeynosian move freely around and build faction inside Kelethin or does he still need to transfer his allegiance someway? In FP i did see a Sarnak ambassador suggesting the latter if i wanted to fully benefit from TD quests if i used one of my FP based chars. </p><p>At the time that i started playing, Runnyeye was the only european server. I now stick with it because i like to hold onto my main and because shared bank now seems to carry over across all factions(used to be limited to your faction), making it highly beneficial to put all characters on the same server. So i guess i will look for a guild on that server. Should i do that on my TD alt, or with my FP main? I have no clue at all about the common expectations guilds may have of players in this game. Things were a bit more straightforward in my other games in that regard(but then, the open socializing was always what gave EQ a special place in my heart. The other games just don't seem to have that).</p>

[Buz_Weaver]

I'm returning after 4 years and it can feel overwhelming. Its always a bit of a challenge finding good if not accurate information on fan/spoiler sites. There are a few that seem 'current', however its not like the fan sites of old. There is some good information here though, at least covering the basics.

[Elorah]

Welcome back to the both of you! Mezzmyrelda gave a lot of good help on gaining coin in game (especially about the transmuters!)  They will buy your low level items for about 5 gp on my server.  The only downside is that your items that you want for your class will be more pricey too.  But if you make enough coin from sales, you shoudl be ok.Also, make friends with crafters.  Be vocal in the channels.  Try not to buy crafted items on the broker.  In many cases, if you have the rares and contact a crafter, in many cases they will charge you very little.  If you take the time and effort that is, crafters can be quite nice!  The prices of the MC items on teh broker are more for convenience of those that dont want to do some work on it *wink*.Again, welcome back!

[Karlen]

One of the most important things to remember is that you don't have to do everything.  Just take the quests as they come to you.  Early on in the game, you had to do just about every quest in order to level because there weren't really all that many.There are a lot more zones now with 2-3 alternate zones at any given level range.    There are more than enough quests that even f you miss a few, you aren't going to have trouble advancing.Also, if a quest you are on is annoying you, just delete it or leave it to come back to in a few levels.

[Aurumn]

<cite>Ragecaller wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>...</p><p>So if betrayal is still in place (probably those "squires" i keep running across in FP), does it convert your class to the opposite subclass if it's alignment restricted? In other words, if i were to roll up a Bruiser, would he become a Monk if i converted him to Qeynos (not going for the typical Drizzt scenario as that no doubt plays a part in Ranger being listed on its own <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />" width="15" height="15" />)? <span style="color: #99ffff;">If you betray you will be changed to the opposite aligned subclass (so bruiser > mon k) or be given a chance to choose between associated neutral classes (ex. Wizard vs Warlock). Even if you keep the same subclass and only want to change alignment all your spells will reset to Apprentice 1. Bear in mind that any class restricted gear will no longer be usable if it does not include your new subclass in the "usable by" list.</span></p><p>How close are the cities of the same alignment affiliated anyway? Can a Qeynosian move freely around and build faction inside Kelethin or does he still need to transfer his allegiance someway? In FP i did see a Sarnak ambassador suggesting the latter if i wanted to fully benefit from TD quests if i used one of my FP based chars. <span style="color: #99ffff;">Good characters needn't fear the guards in Kelethin or Qeynos. Evil characters are tolerated equally in Neriak or Freeport. Everyone is welcome in Gorowyn. If you want to move to another city of the same alignment you need only complete a citizenship quest. If you want to move across alignments you must betray. (see above).</span></p><p>At the time that i started playing, Runnyeye was the only european server. I now stick with it because i like to hold onto my main and because shared bank now seems to carry over across all factions(used to be limited to your faction), making it highly beneficial to put all characters on the same server. So i guess i will look for a guild on that server. Should i do that on my TD alt, or with my FP main? I have no clue at all about the common expectations guilds may have of players in this game. Things were a bit more straightforward in my other games in that regard(but then, the open socializing was always what gave EQ a special place in my heart. The other games just don't seem to have that). <span style="color: #99ffff;">You can search for a guild on any character you have. Most guilds I know of don't restrict you to one character as it's pretty common for folks to have alts. Especially crafters. <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> Just chat up the folks on your preferred server and find a good fit.</span></p></blockquote>

[Donilla]

<p>I completely understand where you are coming from. I am exactly the same kind of player. I've been playing three years now, have 7 alts and my main is only now up to level 76. I'm doing some raids with the league my guild is part of, but only when I want to. I group some, with PUGs, or with the league or with my own guild. I solo, I craft, and I decorate my house etc. My levels seem to happen all by them selves. I can't say that I have ever grinded a level, it's always a byproduct of my doing. In other words, I play the game exactly as I choose to, and belong to a guild that is happy to let me do so. I know there are many many guilds who are the same. Just make sure you find the right one. </p><p>I often play for only an hour or two at a time. On those occasions I craft, distribute collectables amongst the alts, harvest, finish the odd quest, jump around to a few alts to do the same.  When I have more time, I group, raid, finish an HQ, etc. I think you can handle the overwhelming bit by just taking it at your own pace. There is some much in this game that you can do and that doesn't require hours of time, tons of expertise, or end game knowledge. </p><p>Going to TD is good advise, but you get experience and AA from grey quests now, so there is no reason you couldn't go through Qeynos and Antonica/Freeport and Commonlands and pick up whatever you missed and get into the groove that way. Neither Kelethin nor Neriak require that you betray from Qeynos or Freeport respectively to be able to function there, so visit, take on quests, get the feel for it. And Gorowyn is open to everyone as previously mentioned.</p>

[Dulwin]

Returnee here as well, played in 2004 and hated the game. Came back now and I have to say that I am enjoying the game. Very new feeling, good changes, though so far I still hate the crafting stuff, makes no sense to me.So, I made a ranger, he is in Kelethin, I am reading so much about TD that I am wondering if I should go there before I am too high a level. I am a level 12 ranger, so I don't care where I am or going.  So is it advisable to just head out the butcherblock zone line and find my way to TD or is that not how I would do it? Or for that matter is it really worth it. Any advise would be appreciated!!!

[Elorah]

<cite>Dulwin wrote:</cite><blockquote>Returnee here as well, played in 2004 and hated the game. Came back now and I have to say that I am enjoying the game. Very new feeling, good changes, though so far I still hate the crafting stuff, makes no sense to me.So, I made a ranger, he is in Kelethin, I am reading so much about TD that I am wondering if I should go there before I am too high a level. I am a level 12 ranger, so I don't care where I am or going.  So is it advisable to just head out the butcherblock zone line and find my way to TD or is that not how I would do it? Or for that matter is it really worth it. Any advise would be appreciated!!!</blockquote>The armor rewards in TD is the best in game at that level (even better then MC).  However, it is not needed to play the game.  The choice is yours on where to level.  TD also has the simplest of progressions that I know of. I heard that Neriak is easy as well now.If you choose to get to TD, You just need to go through Butcherblock.  get to the docks and follow the whorelin til you see a hill on the right and the Griffin.  Take the Griffin to Timorous Deep.

[ZThoth]

<p>Park your main character and start a new one.  Your best bets are to start in Timorous Deep or Neriak since those are the best starter areas in the game, have better quests and better gear to boot.</p><p>Welcome back, hope the game works out for you.</p>

[Grimjakk]

<cite>Dulwin wrote:</cite><blockquote>Returnee here as well, played in 2004 and hated the game. Came back now and I have to say that I am enjoying the game. Very new feeling, good changes, though so far I still hate the crafting stuff, makes no sense to me.So, I made a ranger, he is in Kelethin, I am reading so much about TD that I am wondering if I should go there before I am too high a level. I am a level 12 ranger, so I don't care where I am or going.  So is it advisable to just head out the butcherblock zone line and find my way to TD or is that not how I would do it? Or for that matter is it really worth it. Any advise would be appreciated!!!</blockquote><p>As I saw someone point out in another thread, you don't really HAVE to craft to get ahead anymore.... but you should harvest.  At least enough to keep your skill maxed.  You can sell any rares that turn up or comission a crafter to turn 'em into some of the better gear in the game.  </p><p>And the path from Kel to TD... I'm not sure.  Is there a carpet to Sinking Sands in Kelethin?  If so, I'd take that route.</p>

[Ragecaller]

<p>I finished the crafting tutorial. They seem to have done a good job of simplifying the process. While the previous process was more realistic, i can definetely understand how the many steps, intermediate products and the need to keep everything pristine even when there was no info on how to control the minigame to do that could intimidate people into going far in crafting. And of course the intermediate products gave too much influence to alchemists who were responsible for many of the refining agents, despite already having an expendable resource in their recipe lineup (potions). I do like being able to actually make some good stuff myself though without having to figure out why i kept losing do much durability despite the recipe being green.</p><p>And yeah, commissioned crafting seems to be the perfect answer to the problem of having to trust a stranger with a valuable rare resource (although i did notice that at least the tier 1 nodes seem to be dropping significantly more rares. Or more accurately, i actually HAVE rares now while that was originally left to the most connected and the most agressive). Literally a "pay to press combine on your materials" option. Very nice.</p><p>At present i have frozen my combat experience and am alternating between stripmining some level 1 areas for rare resources, and farming undead orcs near wailing caves for treasure chests(i want those advanced scholar recipes!). In my drive to get some copper clusters for spell upgrades (one of the above posts explains why my pet spell had dropped back to Apprentice I even though most of my stuff was Apprentice III, mind you this was back when Apprentice IV required a pristine craft) i also got some rare wood and leather that i intend to craft into some decent containers. I still have to figure out what sells and what doesn' but for the moment i am enjoying myself.</p><p>Looks like i'll definetely be visiting this game more once the promotion runs out and i switch to Station access to enable my PS and POTBS accounts as well(unless another promotion holds me back from that. Trust a dutchman to get the most out of a bargain <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />).</p>

[Donilla]

Glad to hear you've figured things out and have come to a point where you are having fun! Seems like you have figured out quite a lot of what has changed already. As a fellow Dutchman (well woman, and it's my parents really, but details, smetails), I get that last bit. I spent alot of time just building up my coin and now I'm too cheap to spend it, I keep saying ..but I might need it for something I really want?, gek.... /grin

[Luier]

I came back for the promo and I was really lost, so I just removed everything from my hootkeys and went through every single spell and ability I had and read them and relearned the game.  Then I rolled an alt for the rok expansion and have been switching back and forth.

[Ragecaller]

<p>Actually that's how i found out about the Living Legend program. I was setting up Station access for POTBS and PS, and then saw that i got days added, so i decided to look into that and noticed the non renewing days on my EQ and EQ2 subs. Here's a tip SOE: When running a veteran's return program, keep in mind that many of them will no longer be subscribed to any of your mailing lists so running some ads about the program on mainstream gamezines for high profile exposure might be a good idea. </p><p>Anyways, one thing i haven't yet figured out. Can, outside of vendor cases, the broker fee still be circumvented by visiting the selling player in his house and buying directly from him (provided he is online and in his house of course)?</p>

[StormQueen]

<cite>Ragecaller wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Actually that's how i found out about the Living Legend program. I was setting up Station access for POTBS and PS, and then saw that i got days added, so i decided to look into that and noticed the non renewing days on my EQ and EQ2 subs. Here's a tip SOE: When running a veteran's return program, keep in mind that many of them will no longer be subscribed to any of your mailing lists so running some ads about the program on mainstream gamezines for high profile exposure might be a good idea. </p><p><b>Anyways, one thing i haven't yet figured out. Can, outside of vendor cases, the broker fee still be circumvented by visiting the selling player in his house and buying directly from him (provided he is online and in his house of course)?</b></p></blockquote><p>Aye, ye can go visit the person's house. He does not have to be online and in his house, only have his rent paid (ye will see an address when ye look at his wares at the broker).</p><p>Jot down the address, then make a trip to that home and type in their name at the door. Zone in and find their sales container(s).  When ye purchase the item in house there will be no broker fee.</p><p>If they have no address listed at the broker for that item, they have not enabled in house selling for that container which holds the item ye want. Or they simply have not paid their rent. Best bet is to contact them in game and make yer interest known. </p>

[Blakkmantis]

<p>Not sure what server your on, not that it makes a huge difference I guess unless you ended up on a PVP one, ACKK!  One other suggestion would be just ask in your 1 to 9, and 10 to 19 chat for advice and answers to any questions you got.  It also might not hurt to just proclaim yourself a returning player who never did play much, and is looking for someone to show you the ropes.  I bet you would find someone to help you with spell upgrades, and stuff too.  There is quite a few people out there that don't mind spending some time with new players to help get their feet wet so to say.  And give them advice on how to make cash and all that jazz.</p><p>Good luck friend, and welcome home! <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/e8a506dc4ad763aca51bec4ca7dc8560.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /></p>

[WintermuteSpoke]

Thanks from another renewbie.  These threads have been so helpful.  I haven't played since the desert expac.  Man, the best thing about signing up for AoC was beefing up my PC, being sorely disappointed, too burned out and hateful on WoW to go back, and finding this promotion in my mailbox for EQ2.  The game just looks glorious now and what a blast to be back.  =)

[Twitchie Hamster]

Yep I love all the information that has been presented here. Count me in as another happily "returned" player. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Amnerys]

Welcome back!Just a note for those who have returned and are looking to join a guild.  We have news bits <a href="http://eq2players.station.sony.com/news_archive_content.vm?id=1726&section=News&locale=en_US" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here (Guild Recruitment Fair)</a> and <a href="http://eq2players.station.sony.com/news_archive_content.vm?id=1721&section=News&locale=en_US" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here (in-game Guild Recruitment Tool)</a> that might help. We've already had over 100 guilds submit their information to be included in the Guild Recruitment Fair (total for all servers) so hopefully we'll be able to get a lot of people guilded and help the ranks of those looking to have spots filled! <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Ragecaller]

<p>Yes, i did notice the LFGu tool and that fair sounds interesting too. I'll definetely take a look.</p><p>Another question: As i mentioned before, i am a traitor who did the old style (pre Haven) betrayal quest to switch allegiance. I have my Mark of the Overlord and my city faction as well as Dismal Rage are Amiably. Yet i still get bombarded with challenges and emotes that i don't belong in the city whenever i walk trough Freeport Proper. What do i need to do to be fully accepted as a Freeporter?</p><p>Did the current class system do anything to disrupt the old archetype based balance model? IOW, could a Guardian still be exchanged for a Monk, a Brigand be exchanged for a Troubadour and a Sorceror be exchanged for a Necromancer, with only minor changes in the tactics followed to take subclass specific specialties in mind?</p><p>I got some more questions but those are specific to playing a Necromancer so i'll ask them in the Necro forum. </p>

[DwarvesR]

<cite>Ragecaller wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Yes, i did notice the LFGu tool and that fair sounds interesting too. I'll definetely take a look.</p><p>Another question: As i mentioned before, i am a traitor who did the old style (pre Haven) betrayal quest to switch allegiance. I have my Mark of the Overlord and my city faction as well as Dismal Rage are Amiably. Yet i still get bombarded with challenges and emotes that i don't belong in the city whenever i walk trough Freeport Proper. What do i need to do to be fully accepted as a Freeporter?</p><p><span style="color: #ffff00;">You never will.  It's kinda funny -- my level 80 high elf coercer will walk by a guard and he will salute her, yet also emote that he senses she doesn't belong there.  I think the emotes are based solely on your race, not on your status/faction/whatever.</span></p><p>Did the current class system do anything to disrupt the old archetype based balance model? IOW, could a Guardian still be exchanged for a Monk, a Brigand be exchanged for a Troubadour and a Sorceror be exchanged for a Necromancer, with only minor changes in the tactics followed to take subclass specific specialties in mind?</p><p><span style="color: #ffff00;">Nothing was disrupted.  If you were a high-teens Warrior before you would get the option the be a guard or a zerk, but that's it.  So far as the old "progression model" goes -- you start as your class at level 1 anymore, and your abilities are all based on the class.  No more "shared" abilities within the archetype (well, except rescue for the fighters, and evasion for the scouts. . . )</span></p><p>I got some more questions but those are specific to playing a Necromancer so i'll ask them in the Necro forum. </p></blockquote>

[EvokeNZ]

<p>I too am tempted to return. </p><p>I saw the summer promotion, when someone linked it on AoC forums, but I couldn't figure out how to sign up for it - does it work if I already have an account?</p><p> According to my account, last time I played was 3/2/06. Not sure if this means March or February, but about that time anyway. </p><p>I'm sure it'll take about a week just to patch.</p><p> My main concern is server pop. When I played last, I didn't see another person the entire two weeks (even though I played EQ at launch for about a year, EQ2 didn't keep me for very long because of this). What is the best server for me to start on? Are LiveGamer servers worth it? It would be nice to think that I can make something IRL from the time spent in game. I see Bazaar is low pop though, and Vox is the place to be if one wants that. But is PvP FFA or in certain areas/zones/factions?</p>

[Seidhkona]

<cite>EvokeNZ wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>I saw the summer promotion, when someone linked it on AoC forums, but I couldn't figure out how to sign up for it - does it work if I already have an account?</p></blockquote>The details will be at <a href="http://livinglegacy.station.sony.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://livinglegacy.station.sony.com/</a> <cite>EvokeNZ wrote:</cite><blockquote>I'm sure it'll take about a week just to patch.</blockquote>Only if you have a REALLY slow dialup.  Several hours, yes. Days, not usually.<cite>EvokeNZ wrote:</cite><blockquote><p> My main concern is server pop. When I played last, I didn't see another person the entire two weeks (even though I played EQ at launch for about a year, EQ2 didn't keep me for very long because of this). What is the best server for me to start on?</p></blockquote>When you create a character, do so at whatever will be your peak playtime.  Then look for the servers with the heaviest loads at that time.  I play on Lucan D'Lere (PVE RP) and while we're a lot lower population than Antonia Bayle (probably one of the highest population servers), I always find folks to play with.<cite>EvokeNZ wrote:</cite> <blockquote><p>Are LiveGamer servers worth it? It would be nice to think that I can make something IRL from the time spent in game. I see Bazaar is low pop though, and Vox is the place to be if one wants that. But is PvP FFA or in certain areas/zones/factions?</p></blockquote> I don't know if the real money servers are worthwhile or not. PVP servers in EQ2 are free-for all. You must love to be ganked and laugh in the face of death and all that while you are learning.

[EvokeNZ]

I went to that link and, if I understand correctly, all I have to do is reactivate the payment method? There's a link to download the installer. But if I still have the discs, can I just install through those? My bf installed it and tried to launch it, it says it's going to look for updates and then just quits. Is there some trick?

[Wilde_Night]

<cite>Sigrdrifa@Lucan DLere wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>EvokeNZ wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Are LiveGamer servers worth it? It would be nice to think that I can make something IRL from the time spent in game. I see Bazaar is low pop though, and Vox is the place to be if one wants that. But is PvP FFA or in certain areas/zones/factions?</p></blockquote>I don't know if the real money servers are worthwhile or not. PVP servers in EQ2 are free-for all. You must love to be ganked and laugh in the face of death and all that while you are learning.</blockquote>Actually, the PvP Servers are Faction based, not Free For All.  Good vs Evil vs Neutrals.  The Neutrals (Exiles) are FFA however.  Anyone of any level and alignment (including their own) can attack them regardless of zone rules.  The zones all have level limits 4, 8, 10, Unlimited.  The higher level of zone you are in the higher the level limit is.  You'll want to check out the PvP server forums for more information on the rules.

[Seidhkona]

<cite>Aeviel@Venekor wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite></cite>Actually, the PvP Servers are Faction based, not Free For All.  Good vs Evil vs Neutrals.  The Neutrals (Exiles) are FFA however.  Anyone of any level and alignment (including their own) can attack them regardless of zone rules.  The zones all have level limits 4, 8, 10, Unlimited.  The higher level of zone you are in the higher the level limit is.  You'll want to check out the PvP server forums for more information on the rules.</blockquote>I bow to the lady's greater wisdom. I have a baby templar on Venekor, but can't say I'm extremely knowledgeable about PVP.  But the PVP Forums do have some excellent stickied topics that are very helpful for a beginner on the EQ2 PVP servers!

[EvokeNZ]

<p>took about 72 hours to download the whole game (no previous install, just from the Living Legacy link) and the expansions required. </p><p>Haven't had a chance to play as I had to go to work, but the first character select screen looked pretty ugly? <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src=" width="15" height="15" /> I guess it's an old graphics engine. Or maybe it's better once in game?</p><p>Hopefully there'll be a clear winner for servers when I log in tonight. On AoC last night, there were 1300 people online on our server, and it seemed pretty barren. I just want something similar to WoW's Ironforge I guess.. </p><p>Any NZ guilds out there?</p>

[EvokeNZ]

<cite>Sigrdrifa@Lucan DLere wrote:</cite><blockquote>I don't know if the real money servers are worthwhile or not. </blockquote>It looks like a 'not' - Live Exchange is not available for players not residing in the US.

[Sassinak]

<cite>EvokeNZ wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>took about 72 hours to download the whole game (no previous install, just from the Living Legacy link) and the expansions required. </p><p>Haven't had a chance to play as I had to go to work, but the first character select screen looked pretty ugly? <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img mce_tsrc=" width="15" height="15" /> I guess it's an old graphics engine. Or maybe it's better once in game?</p><p>Hopefully there'll be a clear winner for servers when I log in tonight. On AoC last night, there were 1300 people online on our server, and it seemed pretty barren. I just want something similar to WoW's Ironforge I guess.. </p><p>Any NZ guilds out there?</p></blockquote>The character select screen is a little dated, yes, and needs an overhaul.  It was last changed in fall 2006.Choose Antonia Bayle for your server for your first character, and choose one of the newer cities to start in (Gorowyn, Neriak, or Kelethin), and you should be pleased enough with the population.  Let us know what you think after a play session.  For some early answers and guidelines try the <a href="http://eq2.wikia.com/wiki/Category:User_Guides" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">EQ2i Beginners Guide</a>.

[Ragecaller]

<cite>Jonna@Befallen wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Ragecaller wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Yes, i did notice the LFGu tool and that fair sounds interesting too. I'll definetely take a look.</p><p>Another question: As i mentioned before, i am a traitor who did the old style (pre Haven) betrayal quest to switch allegiance. I have my Mark of the Overlord and my city faction as well as Dismal Rage are Amiably. Yet i still get bombarded with challenges and emotes that i don't belong in the city whenever i walk trough Freeport Proper. What do i need to do to be fully accepted as a Freeporter?</p><p><span style="color: #ffff00;">You never will.  It's kinda funny -- my level 80 high elf coercer will walk by a guard and he will salute her, yet also emote that he senses she doesn't belong there.  I think the emotes are based solely on your race, not on your status/faction/whatever.</span></p><p>Did the current class system do anything to disrupt the old archetype based balance model? IOW, could a Guardian still be exchanged for a Monk, a Brigand be exchanged for a Troubadour and a Sorceror be exchanged for a Necromancer, with only minor changes in the tactics followed to take subclass specific specialties in mind?</p><p><span style="color: #ffff00;">Nothing was disrupted.  If you were a high-teens Warrior before you would get the option the be a guard or a zerk, but that's it.  So far as the old "progression model" goes -- you start as your class at level 1 anymore, and your abilities are all based on the class.  No more "shared" abilities within the archetype (well, except rescue for the fighters, and evasion for the scouts. . . )</span></p><p>I got some more questions but those are specific to playing a Necromancer so i'll ask them in the Necro forum. </p></blockquote></blockquote><p>I think you are right with the responses being racial. I did recently come across a DE in FP who actually praised Innoruuk for seeing an evil high elf. I still wonder why some of the guards draw their sword when seeing me though. Those should base their decission purely on faction standing with the main city faction.</p><p>As for the archetypes, yes, i know that the classes are still ordered the same way. I was more curious about whether the old statement that in a raid it doesn't matter what subclass you are as long as you are of the archetype that is wanted still held true. I read some stuff about monks being unwanted because they couldn't tank, while a monk is still a fighter and a fighter's role is mainly to tank. Is the old role/archetype balance still in place or does subclass in itself affect your desirability in performance oriented groups and raids(not going to consider raids of social guilds here as they tend to be less rigid in that regard) these days?</p>

[EvokeNZ]

<p>so I created a char last night, and went to pick a server, but all of them were Light Load. How is one supposed to make an informed choice? lol</p><p>I made one on Ant. B. in Timorous Deep, and the graphics look quite sub-par.. all edges of all objects have this look to them that reminds me of bad blue screen effects in movie. Although, logging into AoC afterwards, I guess it's not that much better..</p><p>Then I created a Fae on Najena.</p><p>Then I logged onto my character (17) that has a house on Butcherblock. All the stuff is still there, but crafting seems weird now - is there no step-wise crafting anymore? And I seem to be able to craft any types of items?</p><p>All the items have a thousand words on them, I felt. It's almost too much information, and the fonts are ugly, flat, and hard to read. Maybe I can fix it with some sort of mod?</p><p>I wanted to join a guild, and I love the guild recruiting interface. Although, the person I talked to only had 9 guildies online at the time. I was hoping there'd be some NZ time active guilds somewhere, but I still can't find them. </p><p>Then I found a butterfly in the sand and remembered how much I loved doing the collectibles. It's almost as if all the MMOs out there have one or two perfect things about them, but no one seems to have figured out to put them all together into one game yet!</p>

[Sassinak]

During the North American prime time, the servers are all greater than light load (or nearly all).  During the off-peak hours, such as NZ time, it'll be harder to make a decision about server load.  EQ2's population is heavily biased to North America.  For whatever reason, this game never took off in Europe etc. the way that WoW or AoC or LOTR did.The graphics will be heavily dependent on the performance profile that you are using.  Try Alt+O -> Display -> Performance and choose a higher quality setting.  If you're seeing strange outlines around characters, then you are probably having some kind of technical issue.  You may want to update to the latest video drivers; I know that the recent Nvidia drivers improved EQ2 performance quite a lot, and the same might be true for ATI drivers.  I recall some early ATI drivers had white-outline issues.If you're not happy with the font, you can change it.  In Alt+O -> User Interface, near the top, there is a choice for "Use Small Sans Serif Font".  Once you restart EQ2 all of the fonts will have switched to a non-serif font.  You can go further and customize EQ2 to use any font through the config files, but I've never done it.  I know that EQ2 can work with any font, because when I run it on Linux, it uses a different font for the whole UI (and all of the windows are still formatted correctly).

[EvokeNZ]

<p>it's not a technical problem. Here, I've found some random screenshot on the internet, and it looks the same - <a href="http://www.eq2online.com/gallery/screenshots/00006_everquest_ii_20040611041034538?full=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.eq2online.com/gallery/sc...41034538?full=1</a></p><p>I assume since it's from a 'gallery', then it's good settings with no issues. As you see all edges look 'edgy'.. It's hard to explain, I guess it's a preference thing. </p><p>I've tried it on extreme and all the way to balanced settings. The only thing in the look that changed was some ground got more blurry, and FPS went up. </p>

[Seidhkona]

<cite>EvokeNZ wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>it's not a technical problem. Here, I've found some random screenshot on the internet, and it looks the same - <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.eq2online.com/gallery/screenshots/00006_everquest_ii_20040611041034538?full=1" target="_blank">http://www.eq2online.com/gallery/sc...41034538?full=1</a></p><p>I assume since it's from a 'gallery', then it's good settings with no issues. As you see all edges look 'edgy'.. It's hard to explain, I guess it's a preference thing. </p><p>I've tried it on extreme and all the way to balanced settings. The only thing in the look that changed was some ground got more blurry, and FPS went up. </p></blockquote>Have you tried the settings information here? <a rel="nofollow" href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?topic_id=17133" target="_blank">The Complete Guide to Display Settings Options</a>

[EvokeNZ]

that link is for 'improving performace'. As I said above, there is no issue with performance, the game just doesn't look pretty. have a look at the screenshot I posted, that's not even my system, it's someone else's.