Brand New Player Looking for Some Advice

[wheels517]

<p>I am brand new to EQ2 and have just finished downloading the client.  I have my "free" first 30 days and I'm looking forward to getting deep into the game.  However, before I pick a server, I'm looking for some advice.</p><p>I consider my playstyle as hardcore causal, meaning that I have alot of real life commitments that often prevent me from logging on for stretches of time, but when I am on I like to hit the game hard and get as much done as possible.  I live in the EST time zone and play most frequently during the evenings on weekdays and any time I can on the weekends.  I am also a completionist so I will want to do as much of the content as possible, starting from the beginning and working my way up.  I usually play a melee DPS style class and I'm a one-character kind of guy.  That means I can't fill a variety of roles in a pinch but I know the class I play inside and out.</p><p>Given that EQ2 is several years old now, are there any particular servers (and even more specific, any particular guilds on a particular server) that would be willing to accept a player with my characteristics to help me get through the content, when needed?  A friendly group of players who are willing to run all of the game's content starting from the beginning is ideally what I'm looking for.</p><p>Any advice on where to start would be great.  Thanks.</p><p>PS I realize that some of this may have been easily answered if I bothered to search the forums.  However, I am just about to run out to work and won't be able to even start playing until this evening.  I was hoping that if I post now, someone would be good enough to point me in the right direction by the time I'm home.  Thanks again.</p>

[awny]

<p>Welcome to EQ2!</p><p>One of the great things about this game is that it fits into all playstyles.   You should have no trouble accomplishing goals with each session as there is so much to do!</p><p>As to server- Antonia Bayle is one of the most populated servers and as such has a higher amount of low level characters.  Alot of new players mixed in with alts give you a better chance to get groups. </p><p>Finding the right guild fit for you is out there.  Good guilds help out when needed but most dont hold your hand that I have seen.   Tons of solo content at all levels, tradeskilling, collections, decorating, raiding will definitely keep you busy.</p><p>I wish you the best of luck in your travels and again, Welcome to Norrath!</p>

[Sepulchrel]

<p>Welcome to Everquest 2 !!</p><p>Don't forget there is a PvP server as well if you like a higher challenge. It's not for everbody, but I am just mentioning it as it remains an option. The best part of EQ1 and EQ2 are their lore but most of all the massive amount of content. For example when you hit lvl 20, or any tier-level, you got multiple zones or paths to go down. There is no single "this is the best path", it's all about what your prefer.</p>

[Shiirr]

<p>Server-wise, yeah, Antonia Bayle or Nagafen.  Class-wise, I'm thinking Swashbuckler.  But then I'm always suggesting Swashbuckler.  <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Wasuna]

<p>I'd suggest Swashbuckler, Brigand or Ranger if you like melee dps but not be a tank. The Rogues (Swashbuckler/Brigand) have a slightly easier time soloing since not all of their abilities are from behind the mob. Rangers can range attack but some of their bow attacks are for the rear only also. Assassins are 90% behind the mob attacks and while they kill fast when behind they don't do so well when in front. You can learn the stunn jump behind soloing of an Assassin but it's harder.</p><p>As for being able to complete the content that is PERFECT! The game has what is called Achievement Advancement (AA's) that makes your charachter stronger. You can slide the experiance gain to a middle area so that you level a bit slower and gain AA's faster so that you do not outlevel your target content. If you try and just blast through levels then you will be seriously underpowered at the higher levlels are the AA's are harder to egt the higher level you get. Just remmember, the max level is 90 and the max AA is 250. Try and balance that.</p><p>Basically, each zone you go to will have 20-60 quests for a given level range. And, for each level range there is probably 2-4 zones that target that range. If you don't put more EXP to AA then you would very quickly outlevel zones for your range. That's not to say that you can't go back to those zones and do them at grey but that's not so much fun.</p><p>The following link will be a HUGE asset to you. Just type the quest name in the search box on the top left anf it will call up the details of the quest for you.</p><p><a href="http://eq2.wikia.com/wiki/EverQuest_2_Wiki:Main_Page">http://eq2.wikia.com/wiki/EverQuest..._Wiki:Main_Page</a></p><p>Also, the EQ2 map system is a huge benefit for you. It provides quest details on the in game maps that can help a great deal. Go to the download section and download the maps. You can run the updates every few days and get the latest updates.</p><p><a href="http://maps.eq2interface.com/">http://maps.eq2interface.com/</a></p><p>The last things is very handy for you. On the front page of the EQ2 Wikia page to the middle right is a box called Quick Links. You can click the ZONES link and select various options. I selected Zones By Level for you and provided a link below. This shows the basic level progession you can do in the game. Remmember, each zone has a varying number of quests and many quests send you to otehr zones as a prelude to the level range.</p><p><a href="http://eq2.wikia.com/wiki/Zones_By_Level">http://eq2.wikia.com/wiki/Zones_By_Level</a></p><p>One last thing is that there are MANY old quests that are just not worth doing. Like the old class armor quests for level 15-20. This used to be a huge benefit for armor advancement but it's just a waste now. Once you gain some money, just go to the broker and buy stuff or find some tradeskillers that will make you some stuff for a fee.</p>

[Alvane]

<p><cite>wheels517 wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Given that EQ2 is several years old now, are there any particular servers (and even more specific, any particular guilds on a particular server) that would be willing to accept a player with my characteristics to help me get through the content, when needed?  A friendly group of players who are willing to run all of the game's content starting from the beginning is ideally what I'm looking for.</p><p>Any advice on where to start would be great.  Thanks.</p></blockquote><p>My best advice is - if you want peeps to play your game, then start your own static group. Then you'll have peeps of like mind who will meet up at certain times, days with certain rules such as level - what to accomplish during your play time and so on.</p><p>Yes, it can be done. I am part of two groups that meet certain days and times. We play for approximately 2 hours each time. One group meets once a week and only hits instances/dungeons of level. We started at level 15 and worked T-2 instances, then leveled to 20, then 25, now we are level 32 and beginning to work T-4 dungeons/instances.</p><p>The other group meets once a week for two hours and we do T-9 instances. And yes, we are all in the same guild. But do be aware, sometimes due to rl, peeps need to drop from the group. When that happens, we just get another person from our guild who wants to join the group.</p>