Another noob with a few questions please

[Egoman]

<p>Hello all,  I just started eq2 about a week ago and i really like it so far.  i've been reading the boards as much as I can to learn the basics, trying not to ask the questions that have been asked so many times.  Many of the posts I've read are very informative but are really dated.  I just hit lvl 20 last night, Bruiser class btw.  So here are a few questions I have..</p><p>1) Ive read many of the fist vs. weapons and AA build debate, the posts I've seen are 6 months and older.  Are fists still a good lvling build?  I am leaning towards str AA fist build because the look of it appeals to me.  I don't need to min/max my build, but I don't want to [Removed for Content] myself either.  From what I've read there are fair arguments pro and con to both sides of the fist vs. weapon argument.  If things haven't changed based on recent updates to the game I think I understand the issue.</p><p>2) Class-wise are there any must do quests while I lvl up? As far as gear or skill rewards go?  Are the lvl 20 armor quests still worth doing with all the new stuff added to the game?  ( I know with previous games when they rolled out new updates and expansions, old quest rewards became obsolete)</p><p>I appreciate any help you can give, and sorry if these have been recently asked I must have missed the post.</p>

[Aull]

<p><cite>Egoman wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Hello all,  I just started eq2 about a week ago and i really like it so far.  i've been reading the boards as much as I can to learn the basics, trying not to ask the questions that have been asked so many times.  Many of the posts I've read are very informative but are really dated.  I just hit lvl 20 last night, Bruiser class btw.  So here are a few questions I have..</p><p>1) Ive read many of the fist vs. weapons and AA build debate, the posts I've seen are 6 months and older.  Are fists still a good lvling build?  I am leaning towards str AA fist build because the look of it appeals to me.  I don't need to min/max my build, but I don't want to [Removed for Content] myself either.  From what I've read there are fair arguments pro and con to both sides of the fist vs. weapon argument.  If things haven't changed based on recent updates to the game I think I understand the issue.</p><p><span style="color: #00ff00;">Weapons are the way to go now no matter what. The old strgth line required no weapons but gave 96% double attack. That double attack was figured basically as a two handed weapon so in reality a brawler was never actually having 96% off each hand =(. Now the way strgth line is currently set up it is 21% double attack but figures off both main and secondary weapons. This is a very nice line to use. Besides weapons offer stats and other bonuses that bare hands never did. I just don't like it that SOE removed the 20 dps mod from the strength line. It wasn't a huge number but was better than nothing.</span></p><p>2) Class-wise are there any must do quests while I lvl up? As far as gear or skill rewards go?  Are the lvl 20 armor quests still worth doing with all the new stuff added to the game?  ( I know with previous games when they rolled out new updates and expansions, old quest rewards became obsolete)</p><p><span style="color: #00ff00;">I would just say do as many quests as possible no matter what. The experience both in adventure and aa will be worth it all. I would recommend not to concern yourself with lower lvl gear cause growing out of it is fast. Just try and wait till 70-80 and do some heritage/signature quests then. </span></p><p>I appreciate any help you can give, and sorry if these have been recently asked I must have missed the post.</p></blockquote><p>I would like to mention maybe doing the quest "the teachings of Yuro" for the flowing black silkened sash once you get to lvl 38 I think. I think you talk to Yuro at the windstalker village in Antonica to start it. Also haddens earring from the docks in thundering steppes is a nice earring for underwater breathing that use can equip and use no matter what lvl you are. I think the manastone quest would be a good one to have as well, but I can't remember the starting point or name. Sorry.</p>

[Egoman]

<p>thank you for the help. </p><p>Ok, for clarification weapons are better, are fists alot weaker or just slightly? As in would i be gimping myself because I prefer the look of fists?  And I am speaking in context of lvling up not once I am 80.  As I understand it its a whole different ball game at 80 in alot of aspects.   </p><p>And yeah the wife and I are doing all the quests we can, I just didnt want to miss out on any quests that may be considered "MUST DO" because of the reward.  I will look into the fbss and earring quest, thanks I didnt know the haste item was a quest (long time eq1 player, I assumed it was another camp for item) I don't even know what heritage and signiture quests are <img src="/smilies/b2eb59423fbf5fa39342041237025880.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  I assume when the time comes to do them I will know what they are by then. heh</p><p>Again thanks forthe help</p>

[Faine]

<p>It has been a long time since I used them, but I'm reasonably sure that fist wraps have no graphic - they make you look barehanded.  There are no "must have" items, in my opinion.  You'll do just fine with Mastercrafted weapons and armor (made by tradeskillers), until you get into your 70's.  Then you can focus on instances and look for good drops to upgrade armor and weapons.</p><p>Heritage quests are lengthy quests that result in familiar items from the original Everquest.  Flowing Black Silk Sash, Stein of Moggok, Shiny Brass Shield, Shiny Brass Halberd, Manastone, Bag of Sewn Evil Eyes, etc...  They're generally excellent quests, which provide a ton of xp and AAxp for the effort.</p><p>Signature quests are similar, however the final reward is an item new to Everquest 2.</p>

[Aull]

<p>I know with lore monks (not so sure with bruisers) are masters at unarmed combat. Saying that I would beg to reason that a brawler should see some benefits from using the bare fisted style. However as it currently is that isn't even an option for any role players out there.</p><p>If a player did wish to go completely bare fists then the strgth line should allow some type of benefit for it. Maybe if a player did go with out weapons it would allow for an increase in auto attack like 35% instead of the 21% if weapons are equiped.</p>

[Sprin]

<p><cite>Aull wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I know with lore monks (not so sure with bruisers) are masters at unarmed combat. Saying that I would beg to reason that a brawler should see some benefits from using the bare fisted style. However as it currently is that isn't even an option for any role players out there.</p><p>If a player did wish to go completely bare fists then the strgth line should allow some type of benefit for it. Maybe if a player did go with out weapons it would allow for an increase in auto attack like 35% instead of the 21% if weapons are equiped.</p></blockquote><p>Well there used to be a benefit from it, but that was removed because of the loss from stats from weapons, especially at lvl 80 when you get your epic / mythical weapon, which provides insane stats, and some off hands for brawlers do as well... so you would lose insane benefits from the higher tier weapons, so nobody was using that line and asked for a change... as for the Lore behind it, like mentioned before... you can easily use "leather fist wraps" which are still esentiall "weaponless" for lore purposes (your only using your fist with some protection on them, which is what real life brawlers would do to protect their knuckles and what not... but they still give the Mastercrafted stat boost of the other brawler specific weapons...</p>