Input Wanted: Best Server Community

[kevincann]

<p>Hello.</p><p>I've had it recommended that if I'm just not having fun on my current server(Crushbone)that perhaps  I should find another server.I'm curious what people's input would be, regarding a relativley acitveserver with a good community. (probably wouldn't want AB, due to lagg).</p><p>Now my problem, as most people who read this forum by now know,is that I cant' get a group, period.When I was leveling up my toons I couldn't get a group, which I foundodd, but yes, this game is getting up in years, and most players arefocussed on level 80 instances.So fine, I played my mystic up to level 80.That was 2 months ago.</p><p>I've been in 3 guilds so far, and i've participated in 1 shard run,which was fun... and nobody died as I solo healed. So I mustnot completley suk.</p><p>I've been asking in my 3 guilds, things such as:</p><p>"Anybody need a healer"? Will mentor down."Anybody want to do a shard run"?"Anybody want to have fun in an old instance to get aa"?</p><p>Crickets..... and no, people don't dislike me.. I hardlytalk in chat other than to ask for groups.. and tocongratulate people for leveling and throwing a fewjokes around...</p><p>I have been asked maybe 4 times if I could heal woe.. but ofcourse I don't have the gear for it, nor the experience tohandle a hard instance.</p><p>But I figure I want to make one last attempt, to find a way to keepplaying the game, before I have to leave for "the other game"or something like that.. In that "other game" at least like 3 years ago when I played it... all a body had to do to get a group, was to loiter in front of the instance and you'd get invited... no mention of gear at all..</p><p>I want to play on a server where people do the beginner shardzones still... that' s essential. If people would do old zones forAA that would be awesome.Of course a server with a good community is what I'm reallylooking for.</p><p>Now I'm humbly requesting here.. that the folks who haveviciously flamed me in other threads restrain themselvesplease.. you got your shots at me in those other threads..</p><p>I'm asking for opinions on various server communities,not looking for abuse.</p><p>-Kev</p>

[Lleren]

<p>I have found much better responces to group forming when being very specific which instance or quest I want to run.  Any request seems to benefit from specifics.  To many times I have seen newer players ask broad questions and get no answer.   Folks do not want to be wrong, ever. </p><p>There is no best server community, gamers are what they are from server to server, and game to game.  Some social behavior is either rewarded, or it is not.  Rewarded behaviors become more prevelent, unrewarded behaviors fall away. </p><p>The bigest issue with Guilds is that the Raiding Guilds are always recruiting, just maybe not for some classes.  Friendly social Guilds rarely recruit.  Friendly social guilds keep a lot of folks playing, and that type of Guild  is likely what you need.  Not the right Server, but the right Guild.</p><p>Good Luck with that.</p><p>P.S.  Gearchecks for groups/raids happen in other games as well, it is not just here.   One other game has a system where you can link your achievements to another, and is often used as a requirement to get into groups and raids, at least according to some of thier boards.  I check out thier guild relations forum and some bloggers. </p>

[Tehom]

<p>One thing that may be causing you grief, and will continue to cause you problems anywhere, is that you're asking publicly but non-directly. 'Anyone want to...' 'Does anyone need a...' are questions that people tend to brush off or ignore without even thinking about it, because it's usually assumed that someone is only half-interested or might be taken up by someone else. Sending tells directly, while difficult to do if you're shy, will almost always yield much more tangible results, even if it's just people telling you that they're full. At least then people know you're very interested in coming.</p><p>I feel compared to that, the relative quantity and nature of any server community won't have much impact on your gaming experience.</p>

[perkins007]

<p>If you are having trouble on crushbone forming groups. Your bestbet is antonia bayle. Its a slightly larger server, but it has a larger low level population. It is freindlier and the lag on antonia bayle is not much worse then crushbone. I would make a toon their to try it out. I am not sure a smaller server would be better for you.</p>

[Eyefon]

<p><cite>Crimsonblade@Crushbone wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>If you are having trouble on crushbone forming groups. Your bestbet is antonia bayle. Its a slightly larger server, but it has a larger low level population. It is freindlier and the lag on antonia bayle is not much worse then crushbone. I would make a toon their to try it out. I am not sure a smaller server would be better for you.</p></blockquote><p>I agree with Crimsonblade. I have not noticed lag often, once in a while during peak hours the broker goes a little wonky, but it's usually tolerable. I would think that it balances out with the huge population. I always see groups forming, and regularly group within my guild and in general. What you might consider doing is making a character on AB during peak times. Run around for a while, talk to folks, see if you can tolerate the lag before you move over. =)</p>

[Saihung23]

<p>Preface:  I play on the computer from wargames.  It's Old.  And I named it Joshua.</p><p>I would say Lucan D'lere or Antonia Bayle.</p><p>Don't let the RP tag fool you.   You are not required to roleplay, you are not required to emote to anyone, and dancing is not mandatory.</p><p>When you read these forums, and you hear of this or that zone being totally dead...I don't see it on AB.</p><p>As far as lag (read the preface), try it out.   There is no other way to really tell.  I was afraid when I first made a character there.  Having played on Befallen for so many years, I never experienced significant lag.</p><p>After several months on AB, I can say my experience has been eye opening.  People are in every zone, nearly.  The newbie zones are hit or miss since people generally level through those areas fairly fast.</p>

[kevincann]

<p><cite>Chath@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>One thing that may be causing you grief, and will continue to cause you problems anywhere, is that you're asking publicly but non-directly. 'Anyone want to...' 'Does anyone need a...' are questions that people tend to brush off or ignore without even thinking about it, because it's usually assumed that someone is only half-interested or might be taken up by someone else. Sending tells directly, while difficult to do if you're shy, will almost always yield much more tangible results, even if it's just people telling you that they're full. At least then people know you're very interested in coming.</p><p>I feel compared to that, the relative quantity and nature of any server community won't have much impact on your gaming experience.</p></blockquote><p>I've considered your position in the past.. and i'm sure you are correct.However even after studying eq2i, flames, etc, i'm not quite certainwhich instances are appropriate for a noob like me.</p><p>For example, it appears thats deep forge is a good 'baby tso instance', andperhaps scion of ice.</p><p>But even if I had the proper list of 'baby tso instances' to cut my teeth on,i'm nervous about asking for a specific instance,</p><p>as I don't want anyone to asume I know what i'm doing in that instance - I don't .. having only been in it once.</p><p>I have tried saying "new level 80 healer wants to do scion of ice"...but I got shouted down in ooc chat about "why would anyonewant to group with a noob".</p><p>I guess I'm not looking for a response really ... I know I need tobe extremely agressive about finding a group... very specific...</p><p>But I guess, at least during the week, I'd rather spend that houror two it would take finding a group, and just get a level while2-boxing.. (a guaranteed 'date' <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> )</p><p>But then if I don't spend that hour looking like an donkey shoutingfor a group.. I have nobody to blaim but myself for my lackof grouping..</p><p>-Kev</p>

[Tehom]

<p>There really isn't anything specifically about the early instances that will cause you trouble by not knowing, so don't feel intimidated by them. The only thing that'd even come to mind is the last boss of Deep Forge casts visible patches of fire that will burn you if you stand in them, so groups that don't kill the mob very quickly usually drag him around. But even that is an example of something your tank would probably do for you, and you'd just follow along. As long as you assume any detrimental on people is bad and you cure it immediately, you can't go far wrong in the early instances.</p>

[Yimway]

<p>Send a tell to any group forming for:</p><p>DF, HT, Scion, Cruc, B:COA, EA, AOB for starters.  There are probably more that are appropriate, but those are good starters.</p><p>As far as servers, I can't really say as my experience is limited to only 2.  I know on unrest I can go LFG and get a group fairly quickly, but I gather AB and LD are even more active.</p><p>The days the Hotzone falls into the easier zones, you shouldn't have any trouble getting in those groups if the need a healer.</p>

[Firecracker]

<p>You have to dive in and just do the zones weather yoe've done them or not or how else will you learn. Most of the tso zones are just heal & cure asap mostly. so /# in the 70_79 chat and type forming a group for what ever zones you want to do and you'll get pms, just make sure you have the right group combo so try to not get more then one tank class and if depending on what zone you can take another healer but you want to fill the other slots with 2 scouts or 2 mages even 3 of one and one of the other...just what ever you get as long as you get dps for the 4 slots.</p><p>This works for me and I love to solo a lot but when I want to group I don't have problems getting a group except weekdays morning hours take a bit longer to get one going. The time of day can make a difference too so don't expet alot if your playing morning hours or real late hours for them times can be harder to get one going but doable sometimes.</p><p>So make sure your on a sever that is active when you are. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /></p>

[kevincann]

<p>Thanks for the good responses people...</p><p>I guess I need to decide if I want to make the AB plunge or not..</p><p>It really rankles my hide though, that such a quality game, with so many servershas evolved to the point where it's highly beneficial for everyone to move to justone server... I'd hate to contribute to that trend.</p><p>-Kev</p>

[AziBam]

<p><cite>kevincann wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I have tried saying "new level 80 healer wants to do scion of ice"...but I got shouted down in ooc chat about "why would anyonewant to group with a noob".</p></blockquote><p>Yikes,  this made me cringe.  I can just imagine the responses you received. As a personal favor to me please don't broadcast like that again.  <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>Atan's list of zones to join is a great one. </p><p>Sometimes as a healer you <strong>might</strong> get asked if you can solo heal the zone.  Just say it should be fine.  (It really should be on those zones Atan listed as long as your tank isn't awful.)  Then, heal like mad.  Don't worry about anything but your healing and frankly overheal as necessary.  As you become comfortable with healing you can worry about doing anything else (dps.) Once you are in the zone and you come to the first named...it's ok to say "hey, it's my first time healing this so is there anything special I should know?"  Frankly, at that point it's pretty unlikely they are going to throw you out, unless you had been doing an utterly miserable job, since they'd have to go through the hassle of finding a replacement.</p><p>This is a specific question regarding gear and I don't recall your healer class...I've read your threads but am too lazy to go back and verify.  Unless you are a warden with the epic weapon, I'd STRONGLY encourage you to get a couple items with manawell on them.  Each time you cast heals/wards (especially group ones) you can proc back power.  This allows you to be VERY aggressive on your healing strategy without worrying too much about power.  On my server, there are always some cheap manawell items on the broker. </p><p>Oh, one other thing, someone else mentioned when you respond to the call of "DF group looking for heals" in 70s chat....send a tell directly.  Don't respond in the chat.  I think you'll get more attention. </p><p>Btw, there are a wide range of skill sets in any given pick up group.  Expect some to crash and burn.  Badly.  Flames and explosions.  It just happens.  However, you can also get into PuGs that are amazingly competent.  In most cases, as the healer you can probably avoid much drama as long as you aren't the one creating it.</p>

[Kigneer]

<p><cite>kevincann wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>But I guess, at least during the week, I'd rather spend that houror two it would take finding a group, and just get a level while2-boxing.. (a guaranteed 'date' <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /> )</p></blockquote><p>Get a few friends together and do something (usually someone needs to complete a quest). A lot of content in the game you can do without a full 6 person group. We did OoA with just five of us and killed everything (and laughed that a public call was for dedicated ranged dps for the final named, as killing him wasn't that difficult even short one player [yep, me with all my 20% ranged crit at that]).</p><p>Part of what I've found is getting over the "it's hard" hurdle that you may read on this and that other forum. Strat is written like it's some epic fight, and when you finally in a zone to take down the bosses/mobs you go, "Huh? That's it?" Most content can be taken down fairly fast and with few or no deaths, and for the adventurer types, with half or duo groups.</p><p>Most just wing a zone, and if you're honest upfront that you're new, they can help out. But this works well only if you already have a couple people in your group when you make a public call. Public calls of a "New 80 Pally LFM for Guk2" just isn't going to be enticing as "Guk group looking for 1 more and gtg".</p>

[therodge]

<p><cite>kevincann wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Hello.</p><p>I've had it recommended that if I'm just not having fun on my current server(Crushbone)that perhaps  I should find another server.I'm curious what people's input would be, regarding a relativley acitveserver with a good community. (probably wouldn't want AB, due to lagg).</p><p>Now my problem, as most people who read this forum by now know,is that I cant' get a group, period.When I was leveling up my toons I couldn't get a group, which I foundodd, but yes, this game is getting up in years, and most players arefocussed on level 80 instances.So fine, I played my mystic up to level 80.That was 2 months ago.</p><p>I've been in 3 guilds so far, and i've participated in 1 shard run,which was fun... and nobody died as I solo healed. So I mustnot completley suk.</p><p>I've been asking in my 3 guilds, things such as:</p><p>"Anybody need a healer"? Will mentor down."Anybody want to do a shard run"?"Anybody want to have fun in an old instance to get aa"?</p><p>Crickets..... and no, people don't dislike me.. I hardlytalk in chat other than to ask for groups.. and tocongratulate people for leveling and throwing a fewjokes around...</p><p>I have been asked maybe 4 times if I could heal woe.. but ofcourse I don't have the gear for it, nor the experience tohandle a hard instance.</p><p>But I figure I want to make one last attempt, to find a way to keepplaying the game, before I have to leave for "the other game"or something like that..In that "other game" at least like 3 years ago when I played it...all a body had to do to get a group, was to loiter in front of theinstance and you'd get invited... no mention of gear at all..</p><p>I want to play on a server where people do the beginner shardzones still... that' s essential. If people would do old zones forAA that would be awesome.Of course a server with a good community is what I'm reallylooking for.</p><p>Now I'm humbly requesting here.. that the folks who haveviciously flamed me in other threads restrain themselvesplease.. you got your shots at me in those other threads..</p><p>I'm asking for opinions on various server communities,not looking for abuse.</p><p>-Kev</p></blockquote><p>Now this is going to sound rediculous, but you can always transfer to kith and join my guild we are super casual but i run a easy instance thats open to any 80s in my guild regardless of class as long as they are 80 once a week on wed i spend most of my time chromaging these days, but i do run tso instances regularly and genrally speaking i run the easier instances the most if you can keep up (meaning you can solo heal the easiest of them) i have no problem helping you gear up, we are a pretty low pop server to be sure, but once you get your fot in the door its really easy to get a group we have a great community, on kith and could always use more.</p><p>if you would like to contact me try sending me a cross server tell toon name is Camphor once again on kith</p><p>paladin for balance</p><p>Camphor D'puppy</p><p>senior officer of Masters Of Chaos </p>

[Yimway]

<p><cite>Azian@Everfrost wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p><cite>kevincann wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I have tried saying "new level 80 healer wants to do scion of ice"...but I got shouted down in ooc chat about "why would anyonewant to group with a noob".</p></blockquote><p>Yikes,  this made me cringe.  I can just imagine the responses you received. As a personal favor to me please don't broadcast like that again.  <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" /></p><p>Atan's list of zones to join is a great one. </p><p>Sometimes as a healer you <strong>might</strong> get asked if you can solo heal the zone.  Just say it should be fine.  (It really should be on those zones Atan listed as long as your tank isn't awful.)  Then, heal like mad.  Don't worry about anything but your healing and frankly overheal as necessary.  As you become comfortable with healing you can worry about doing anything else (dps.) Once you are in the zone and you come to the first named...it's ok to say "hey, it's my first time healing this so is there anything special I should know?"  Frankly, at that point it's pretty unlikely they are going to throw you out, unless you had been doing an utterly miserable job, since they'd have to go through the hassle of finding a replacement.</p><p>This is a specific question regarding gear and I don't recall your healer class...I've read your threads but am too lazy to go back and verify.  Unless you are a warden with the epic weapon, I'd STRONGLY encourage you to get a couple items with manawell on them.  Each time you cast heals/wards (especially group ones) you can proc back power.  This allows you to be VERY aggressive on your healing strategy without worrying too much about power.  On my server, there are always some cheap manawell items on the broker. </p><p>Oh, one other thing, someone else mentioned when you respond to the call of "DF group looking for heals" in 70s chat....send a tell directly.  Don't respond in the chat.  I think you'll get more attention. </p><p>Btw, there are a wide range of skill sets in any given pick up group.  Expect some to crash and burn.  Badly.  Flames and explosions.  It just happens.  However, you can also get into PuGs that are amazingly competent.  In most cases, as the healer you can probably avoid much drama as long as you aren't the one creating it.</p></blockquote><p>QFE</p><p>All excelent advise for a new healer starting to shard group.</p>

[Meirril]

<p>Just some advice:</p><p>The easier TSO instances are the ones that mentor the lowest, plus OoA and AoB. If the Daily Double or Hot Zone are in Commonlands, Everfrost, Lavastorm or OoA or AoB try to form a group to go for it. Even the "hard" zone in these cases is overall easier than what you'll find in Guk, Kunark, or LP. After your use to doing these try LP, then Kunark. Guk is a good step forward from there. Palace of Ferzul...you perty much have to have raid gear to be comfortable there. Since your healing, that means master spells and good instance gear works but you'd feel better if the rest of your group is running in fabled.</p><p>Also don't be afraid to form groups! You can almost always find someone willing to run OoA because its fast. Sure you only get 1 shard and about 1-2 plat from doing it, but its easy. People are also very willing to do Deep Forge for the same reason. Scion isn't much longer.</p><p>Good luck!</p>

[Window]

<p>Crushbone is a great server and full of nice people. I'd advise against leaving it.</p><p>I've also had really bad luck forming groups with an ambiguous statement like, "Anyone want to group?" or "Anyone need a healer?".  Have a specific goal in mind and solicit people for that goal.  Just say, "I'm forming a Deep Forge (DF) group, does anyone want to go?".  If that doesn't get a response, you're going to need to ask in general chat to fill the group and ask for the classes you want/need.</p><p>It doesn't matter if you haven't done the zone before.  I personally like it when someone wants to learn a zone and not just be carried through it.   When the group wipes because someone doesn't know a particular strategy and they didn't ask questions, that's when I start to get annoyed at said person.  Asking questions about a named before the tank runs in and pulls it works wonders and if you are a quick learner you'll be golden.  There's good loot to be had for healers, especially in the Everfrost zones.</p>

[Malacha]

<p>Come to Unrest. Its like AB without the lag, and we have cool peeps. Sure there are quiet nights but getting a group isn't too much of a hassle. Make sure you use your LFG tool, be active in chat channels (not just "LFG" messages but ACTIVE, respond to people, answer what questions you can, join in conversations, laugh when someone says something funny) ... having a name people recognise even if its just for talking can only help you find a group. Unless you are a jerkface and no one wants to group with you =) but you don't seem like a jerkface, you seem like a nice person.</p><p>You can even add me to your friends list if you come to Unrest =)</p><p>It is kind of sad that there are so many dead servers out there, but I laugh whenever I hear people on Unrest say that. Filling groups is easy, there's usually alot of people LFG, and even just grabbing two others can usually result in filling the rest of the group much faster. Most people are more willing to join a group looking for more, than to start a group on their own, but seriously, as a Mystic who seems to know what they're doing (I mean you said you solo healed instances your first time thru, so using Atan's list as a guide, you can probably do pretty good in any of those zones), grabbing a dps or two and shouting "Looking for tank and dps for X zone" will net you responses, probably more than you need! Remember to grab a bard or chanter tho lol! Not that they have issues getting groups, but they always help a group out.</p>

[Kigneer]

<p><cite>Window wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>It doesn't matter if you haven't done the zone before. <strong><em><span style="color: #00ccff;"> I personally like it when someone wants to learn a zone and not just be carried through it.   When the group wipes because someone doesn't know a particular strategy and they didn't ask questions, that's when I start to get annoyed at said person.  Asking questions about a named before the tank runs in and pulls it works wonders and if you are a quick learner you'll be golden.</span></em></strong></p></blockquote><p>Salvation!</p><p>It's what I get a kick out of mentoring, especially new players. They're hungry to learn, not just rush through everything. In the zest to learn they also chit chat, and the whole social aspect of the game is preserved.</p><p>Only wish there were more new players. <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Tehom]

<p>One thing you can do if you want to be reassured that you won't be bashed for not knowing anything is to post your eq2players profile, or PM people if you're uncomfortable doing that. If it's public, you could have people look over your gear and AA choices and make appropriate suggestions in case you're missing anything.</p>

[stgninja]

<p>I love my server community.  Yeah, just throwing that out there . .</p><p><img src="http://i48.tinypic.com/nga8n9.jpg" /></p>