Not So Fast -- Looking Back

[SanJ]

<DIV>I know a great volume of players are now in tier 4 and certainly tier 5 and I'm sure many have experienced or are now experiencing what I'm going to post below.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Take your time and fully explore/quest/hunt/etc. in each and every zone that is appropriate for your level.  The temptation to jump into a new zone as soon as you have access can be overwhelming.  Everyone wants to see the look of Lavastorm or Everfrost for the first time.  You probably still remember the "coolness" after your first successful boat ride to Zek or EL or Feerrott, but don't overlook what each zone has to offer.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I see players trying to gain access to Lavastorm and Everfrost via boat rides in the upper 30's and I can't help but think to myself how much they will be missing.  I'm not saying that you shouldn't take a peak or shouldn't group with friends to push the banner on what you can kill, I'm saying explore and take your time.  As you reach the upper 40's - 50, you'll be spending all your time in Lavastorm and Everfrost because all the remaining zones will be gray!   </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Rivervale is a great zone for 38-46 to group and eventually solo hunt.  Feerrott is another great zone in the mid 30's - mid 40's to hunt.  I spent almost all my time in the 38-46 range in Rivervale and I had a blast.  There's a lot to do from heritage quests, access quests, fabled loot drops, smooth harvesting, questing, etc.  Unfortunately, I spent so much time in Rivervale that by the time I reached Feerrott most of the zone was gray except some green mobs on the east side of the map and a few blue mobs near the temple.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I did become slightly bored from time-to-time in Rivervale everyday and now in retrospect, I wish I would have balanced my time more evenly between the two zones at the appropriate level.  I'm sure many up and coming Paladins do the same thing with EL and Zek.  We tend to pick a zone and find a good spot to hunt and stay in that zone day after day or week after week until you move onto a new zone that offers harder challenges while missing out on a lot of game content in a parallel difficulty zone that would have broken up the grind on the same thing.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I spent all my high teen through mid 20ish levels exclusively in Stormhold and Thundering Steppes.  It's wasn't until Nek Forest was nearly completely gray that I made my first few visits.  Now that I'm almost 50 I really regret not spending more time in zones that were appropriate level when I could have enjoyed them more with mobs that weren't almost entirely gray.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>The point I'm trying to make is don't do the same thing night after night to grind.  If you like to grind, that's great, but every zone has great places to grind at the appropriate level.  Likewise, don't jump zones to a harder area as soon as you can just because you have access.  Try to experience as much as you can in each zone while it's still a challenge and fun for your level.  Don't always rely on the forums to find the "best" solo spots for XP--tackle mobs as you encounter them and find your own favorite XP spots.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>At level 49, I've spent a fair amount of time in Lavastorm, not much in Everfrost, but after 50, and until the expansion pack, these two zones are my current "end-game."  I'm rather pleased I haven't already "worn" them out by starting in my very low 40's.  I still need to uncover large portions of the map, and I think I've done less then 12 total quests in both zones, so there's plenty to do in both places <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Of course creating an evil ALT and experiencing many of the areas I skipped such as Freeport, Commonlands, Nek Forest, volumes of access zones (how many of these do we skip over?), etc. helped me to better realize the great deal of content I'd missed out on with my main.  The first time I burned up EL until Zek was almost gray, this time I'm burning up Zek first and visiting EL less.  Several friends in RL and in guild have long since left the game due to boredom (many never reached tier 4).  When I think back on why they left now, the answer is almost always the same--grind the same mobs in the same zone night after night to just level--bad idea!</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Thanks,<BR>Kalen</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[Boli32]

<div></div>You've just hit on the fact why I am still only lvl 36 and the rest of my guild has passed me right over (sometimes even with their alts)... when started rumbling around Storm hold for instance... I was there from lvl 24 --> 28 doing quests and helping around AQ peeps.... I even spent a large time in there when it was all grey to complete quests - likewise TS was played to death and every zone I have played in I know intimately.I work the opposite way to the people who fired up and went straight for 50, I've been level 36 for a month, it is one of the reasons that I have never got into the "alt" scene as much... having explored it all THOUGHRALLY with my main... when I run through with an alt I always get bored before I hit 20... after all I've done it all before. I'm not saying my way is the BEST or ONLY way to do things... it is just my way - taking it slow where most of my experience actually comes from quests.One thing that does come from this is you always end up with above average gear... mainly from the fact you use it for far longer so are more inclined to buy the rares or spending 12g on a relatively small upgrade item, another is you know each combat art / spell very well when and when not to use it combinations which are the best mana conservation attacks etc. etc.If I’d wanted to I could have grinded up in the few months it took everyone else, but where is the fun in that – it’s a beautiful worlds out there, have a look.<span></span><div></div>

[Caslav]

<P>You gentlemen always have good advice.  I blew through levels 1-20 and have taken my time from 20-29.  Now that I am less than %50 from 30, I feel like I have thoroughly explored TS, Vermin Snye, Blackburrow, Crypt of Betrayal and Antonica.  I wish I did Firemyst Gulley but never seemed to have gotten around to it.  I did the Zek access quest but havent yet made it off the dock there.  Just this morning was my first trip to Nek Forest just to work on the Ench. Lands boat ride access (I have just the boat ride to do).</P> <P>I have spent next to no time in the Ruins of Varsoon...not sure why, but I just don't like the place...maybe because I spent way too much time in Stormhold.  What would you guys suggest now over the next 5 levels....30-35 that are "must" see and do's?  I only have two things on my list...fully Restore Ghoulbane and complete Guise of the Deceiver.  Maybe farm for a Guard of Grumm in Nek Castle.</P>

[RSZ]

<P>One of the things they COULD do is give extra xp in new zones, make access quests give more xp etc.   Basically give an incentive to level more creatively than sticking with one area with heroics.</P> <P> </P> <P>As it is you don't get much bang for the buck by being diverse.  There should be some incentive given.</P>

[SanJ]

<P>Ruins of Varsoon has a lot of quest content you'll need including Cove of Decay access for both the Polished Granite Tomahawk and the Manastone.  The Manastone updates several times inside ROV.  The boat ride to Zek requires mobs in ROV.  The path to Ghoulbane requires the "Creator" a lich in ROV and quite a bit more.  It's a great XP zone through various levels so don't overlook the joint <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></P> <P>Nek Forest has volumes of quests that I was actually discussing with a friend of mine playing an evil inquisitor alt.  He's completed 18 quests (around half according to his notes) and we discussed how the whole zone would be gray to him by the time he finished all the quests, not to mention TS is still greatly unexplored <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  The adventure pack is great in the mid 30's, Nek Castle is a blast (sans the Billy's) in the mid 30's and the SBH (shiny brass halbred) quest takes place in Nek.  You'll be spending a lot of time in that zone.</P> <P>I would suggest as you plan a trip to Nek Castle, you do Haden's Earring Quest first as well as advancement of Ghoulbane.  When you pickup the Guise of the Deceiver in Nek, that will be three heritage quests you can knock out in as little as two visits--maybe one if you play your cards right.  I'm spend most of my low to upper 30's in EL and Zek with return visits on certain nights to ROV and Nek Castle.  Once you get to 35-36 play in Feerrott a bit and certainly be hitting Rivervale by 38 (group hunting).  If I were doing it over again, I'd seriously avoid Everfrost and Lavastorm (unless I was helping a guild member or had a quick shot at prismatic) until I was in my upper 40's.  We have until September until the expansion pack and as I stated earlier, after you ding 47-48, most zones elsewhere will be full of gray mobs only.  At 49, I have less then 5 percent content completed in either Lavastorm or Everfrost (just guessing) and I'm glad since I'll still have volumes to do post level 50.</P> <P>Oh yeah, don't forget to spend some quality time in Runnyeye!  That zone has hours of fun waiting for you as well as great drops and XP.</P> <P>Thanks,<BR>Kalen</P>

[RiotActer]

<font face="Arial"><font size="4">I totally killed TS during my 20s.  I sure wish I would have explored Nek more...  I've totally split time between all the zones.  Didn't bother doing Nek or EL boat rides until after I was 32.  And I totally didn't bother with the EF / Lavastorm access quests.  I've spent make hours in all the zones.  I'm just getting my feet wet in EF and Lavastorm and CT now at lvl 47.  Trust me, the game stays more interesting if you split your time between zones. I've started my first non-crafting alt.  An evil froggie beserker.  Leveling is so much easier, but it's really not a grind right now.  It's amazing how much different warrior / beserker is to crusader / pally.  Not only that but all the changes that have come out since I was a crusader.  Going over to the evil side is a nice change.  I enjoy the common lands, it's quite different than antonica.  I still went over to Antonica to hit Blackburrow at lvl 17 to 18!  Then on to Fallen Gate.  What a cool zone I missed out on with my main! I guess the one nice thing is our whole guild made a family of evil froggies (we're a pretty small guild), so we have hunting buddies. All in all there is still a ton of stuff to do.  Now that my zerker is 22, I can start to explore Nek before it's all grey! Oh, and let me tell you...  Playing a zerker is a ton of fun and a great change of pace from a pally. </font></font><div></div>

[Rellikd]

I'm nowhere near lvl 50, but i do have to agree. Why jump the gun, the game is endless, so why get to the top and be limited to what you can do beacuse everything else is now to easy. The journey is half the fun. Its a game, play it through. <div></div>

[Caslav]

<DIV>Until I read your reply, I totally forgot about Stilletto's Orders.....I have to work on that.  I was not planning on doing the PGT.  I need a Giant's tooth and heart (I think) to complete my Giants lore and legend quest...that would be nice <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV>

[SanJ]

<P>I have to correct myself on the access quest to COD (Cove of Decay).  It's been awhile but my last visit only one party member needed access to zone the group, so you might be able to do without the tedious subquests for a quick heritage update if that's your goal.  I have zoned several 40's in my guild into that zone that didn't have access just so they could solo or duo the zone for a fast heritage update, not the most fun, but status and reward--another case of I forgot to do that when it conned a color <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></P> <P>The same is true with Cauldron Hollow for the Ghoulbane update.  You do NOT have to complete the access quest as long as one party member in the raid has access.  I didn't know this was the case early on and did both access quests.  I couldn't begin to count off the number of times it has come in handy so do them <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></P> <P>Both Giant and Centaur (Lore and Legend) are in TS.  Giant in the Gnoll camp near the waterfall secret entrance to TS from Antonica and Centaur in the first house on the right when you enter Thunder Mist Village from the north side.  It's crazy insane how many giant parts drop in Lavastorm and Everfrost compared to longer camps we had in TS for mastery.  If you don't complete Giant in TS or Nek (hunted much less then TS), don't worry you'll do it in a single evening in the last two zones <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></P> <P> </P>

[Pilo]

What kinds of quests would you reccomend for fun for lvl 20-30?  I burned through a ton of exp doing almost no quests on my main character and have since started a paladin that I've actually experienced 1-20 quite a bit (started out doing betrayal just to get a taste of freeport first and experience that quest, which was quite fun).  I just turned 20 and I'm looking for fun quests at this level.  I won't be doing the AQs, already did those the first time through and have more than enough $ for comprable gear.  I'm more looking for heritige and access quests as well as any quests that have fun or interesting rewards.  Also named mobs that drop fun and interesting toys.  I had a huge right-clicky obsession in EQ1 and had dozens upon dozens of toys I could right click for fun (and occasionally useful) effects.  I'm looking for more of the same kind of stuff in this game ^_^  (I want to do every heritage quest I can, as well.  I haven't done any yet at level 20, and the only one I know of for the 20s [or lower?] that I did on my wizard is DWB). <div></div>

[SanJ]

<DIV>Dwarven Work Boots is of course appropriate for your level in a group situation.</DIV> <DIV>The Greater Lightstone which takes place in the Commonlands is acceptable at level 17.</DIV> <DIV>You can start on the Legendary Journeyman Boots in Antonica although you'll be awhile finishing that one.</DIV> <DIV>You could get started on Weakened Ghoulbane by picking up the Dusty Blue Stone quest in Nettleville Hovel.</DIV> <DIV>The Shiny Brass Halbred is in the not so distant future. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>If you go to <A href="http://eq2.ogaming.com/" target=_blank>http://eq2.ogaming.com</A> and search for heritage quests, the list from the search results may be sorted by level you may pickup the quest--this might help even more.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Actually, you'd be an uber MT for a group of 6 levels 17-20/21 for Firemyst Gulley that few do.  I LOVE this zone and the reward is a great one hander with a proc until you get Berik's Sword of Thunder or another higher level equivalent.  The sword would con orange to you at 20 <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  You have limited time before graying out the zone, so do it now while you're 20 and take some high teen friends who will thank you profusely!</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Now that you are 20, I'd spend time in Stormhold trying for a "Sword of Thunder" chest drop that can be quested into the reward "Berik's Sword of Thunder."  The upper levels will be good XP and depending on your group makeup you may be able to travel a bit deeper--just don't wander too far at 20 <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I listed the goo in the very level 4 of SH that netted my mid 20's toons two-three levels in a day from double up non aggro mobs all swimming in a little pool.  You can kill/fully heal/rinse and repeat/and never move 10 feet and gain XP for hours on end, of course you'll miss out on all the fun quests, so if quests are your goal with this tune, talk to every NPC you see.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Good luck,</DIV> <DIV>Kalen</DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[Korza]

<P>From my experiance so far I see we basicly have 2 major zones to xp in for each level range after 20. TS and Nek, Zek and EL ect..</P> <P>I will spend one more level in Zek. Then I will head to EL for the next 5 levels or so. </P> <P>I don't try to see all the content with only one character. I do see alot but I don't see it all. I plan on having other characters leveling up and want to have a few new things to try out. As well as do things I have done before but in diffrent and intresting ways.</P> <P>I tend to enter a zone and find all the quests I can do from any NPC. And just start to work those. Paying special attention to heritage quests and access quests. I do as many as I can get done I don't tend to camp mob spawns. I have found this really lets me see a zone and get to know it. This also gives me a pretty good idea of which quests are blah which are wow and which are just quests. So for my future characters I know if and what quests I will want to do and which ones are a waste of my time.</P> <P>There are times I feel I level to fast with this system but other times I feel the pace is right on. I also limit myself to only do xp stuff when I have vatality bounus this gives me a built in brake system. And also makes the levels when I am xp'ing seem to zip by. </P> <P>The biggest thing I see for everyone is do what is fun. I have friends that unless they are grinding mobs for xp are not having fun. I have others that only like to quest and grinding would be a kin to an operation with no anestic. And others that could careless what they are doing so long as friends are around and they are in the group. </P> <P>What makes a game great is when it can accomedate all these diffrent styles and keep everyone happy.</P>

[SanJ]

<P>Good points!  It's nearly impossible to see everything with the same toon and it's nice to have things to do with new toons that you missed with your primary.  I actually plan on working on many of the quests I've missed with my main once I ding 50 even though the majority will con gray--I just like questing.</P> <P>Don't forget that each of the post 20 zones contain lots of speciality or instanced zones.</P> <P>Examples:</P> <P>Thundering Steppes: contains Ruins of Varsoon and several other instanced dungeons<BR>Nek Forest: contains Nek Castle as well as the Vampire Chronicles (if purchased)<BR>Zek: The Death Fist Citadel (DFC)<BR>EL: Rivervale and Runnyeye<BR>Feerrott: Temple of Cazic-Thule<BR>Lavastorm: Sol's Eye<BR>Everfrost: Permafrost</P> <P>and that's to name a few ...</P> <P>If you go deep enough into some of these zones, you'll find stuff to kill even at 50 <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></P> <P>There are a lot of access zones in each area as well.</P> <P>Examples:</P> <P>Thundering Steppes: Cove of Decay<BR>Rivervale: Tower of Drafling<BR>Feerrott: Trembling Lagoon<BR>Oblisk of Lost Souls ... so so many places to go <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></P> <P>Thanks,<BR>Kalen</P>

[Pilo]

Another quick question -- in the early 20s where's some good quests/drops for jewelry?  I didn't feel like doing the AQs again so I bought a full set of carbonite but now my jewelry is falling behind and since I never did any of those quests/drops (had some made for me on my other char) I'd love to experience some of that content. <div></div>

[SanJ]

<P>I'm trying to think back to what I looted in the 20's.  As a part-time Jeweler, I made a full set of my own orange con jewelry each tier and then replaced it over time with better stat jewelry through questing--a perk of a Paladin/Jeweler class.</P> <P>I would suggest, if the price is right, too seek out two imbued rings with STR and either STA, AGI, WIS as your primary ring slots from 20-29.  Now each combat tier can match up to a jeweler crafted tier of imbued items.  Even the non-rare stuff has nice stats.  If you don't like right clicking the rings and choosing "use," just drag your ring slots to two free hotkey bars so you can activate them like attacks when they are due a recast.  I'm currently wearing a STR and STA pristine imbued bloodstone ring(s) as I sold both my rubies to finance some ebon armor. </P> <P>The garden bracelet from the NPC near the mender by Archer's Woods in Antonica is still a nice item for your level.  Likewise, many of the collection quests provide decent shard-based bracelets.  I'm wearing two bracelets of glowing shards at 49, but you might check the broker for bracelets of scuffed or pristine shards.  The real key with jewelry is mixing and matching appropriately to offset stats like STR, STA, AGI, WIS, INT etc. as well as balance out resistances to heat, cold, poison, mental, etc.</P> <P>The heritage quest for the Greater Light Stone is still a good item at your level and loot drops from the "Overseer" in TS are very nice.  When you enter TS from Antonica, travel to the first tower, hang a left and head out towards the scarecrow fields.  He spawns on top of the rock at the end of the road.  I spent several evenings killing him, running to zone in Antonica, picking a different TS and killing him again and returning to last spot to rinse and repeat when traffic was low and he wasn't already camped.  </P> <P>You probably still have a ways to go for now but keep the Fishbone Earring in mind as a nice heritage and uber earring (still wearing at 49 although I have a few options I cycle through).  This thing will let you breathe underwater and has stats you don't normally get from earrings that are very nice for a tank.  I see 50's wearing this earring daily.  It starts on the TS docks behind the first building on your left--last NPC.  If you have this complete by the time you head to Nek Castle for Ghoulbane (should you elect to do that) you'll get double heritage quest credit when you kill Lord Everling.</P> <P>There's nothing wrong at all with player crafted jewelry in the 20's in both gold and agate format.  The gold girdle has very nice stats for a tank.  I intentionally crafted non-pristine in one or two categories in that tier as the third-crafting level had better stat modifiers with different resists.  A lot of players think you always need pristine to be the best--not true, sometimes crude suits a profession better with stats and resists--not always but on occasion.</P> <P>Of course before you had to attune everything players were much more likely to borrow crafted goods from the next tier at an early level.</P> <P>We all know you can wear gold/agate @ 20, opaline/velium @ 30 and bloodstone/diamondine @ 40, but that's for pristine.<BR>You can wear crude tier 4 @ 24, shaped tier 4 @ 26, fashioned tier @ 28 and then pristine tier 4 @ 30</P> <P>The formula ran as x4 = crude, x6 = shaped, x8 = fashioned and x0 = pristine and was good for tier 3, 4 and 5.  Now that you have to attune everything you see a lot fewer earlier purchases due to gear cost, but if you're rich and want the best you can get early on--keep the numbers above in mind.</P> <P>Now that you're in tier 3 (hopefully your harvesting skills are 90 as well, if not work on that) work on mining rock for a paladium cluster which could be used for a heritage reward that also has pretty good stats.  I get tells like mad from players wanting the paladium cluster converted into a torque (necklace) for the heritage quest which now consumes the necklace, but rewards another jewelry item replacement at the end.  You'll most likely sell your rough jasper and additional palladium clusters for coin, or to convert into adept 3's, but if you plan on staying in tier 3 awhile, the tier 3 rare jewelry has very nice stats although most go adept 3 with such harvests.</P> <P>Finally, if you visit the broker and search for equippable slots like rings, wrist, neck, etc. and set the con color to yellow-orange, you'll find a lot of potential rewards players have gained through adventuring.  Jot down the name of the item of interest and then check <A href="http://eq2.ogaming.com" target=_blank>http://eq2.ogaming.com</A> for the quest you need to attain the same item.  I've done this several times to acquire something I've seen another Paladin wearing early on in game play.</P> <P>Thanks,<BR>Kalen</P>

[Pilo]

Kalen, you're more than helpful.  Too bad I can't return the favor for ya.  Need flying lessons or something? <div></div>

[SanJ]

<P>I'm glad to help when I can. </P> <P>I haven't flown in years.   I had a bad experience where a buddy thought it would be cute to turn off the engine in his plane to see my reaction.  Unfortunately, it took forever to start again and both of us were in a state of panic!  Of course that was nearly 25 years ago so I'm sure restart mechanisms are more foolproof now <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></P> <P>Thanks,<BR>Kalen</P>

[Karlen]

I am another one that has tended to stick to one zone in preference to others.  I spent most of my 20s in the TS, not going into Nek until I was 28 or so -- then did lots of quests where most of the mobs were grey.  I created a froglok as my second character a week ago and have spent levels 10-15 in the Commonlands doing all the quests I didn't do the first time around. One problem that works against hunting in multiple zones is the number of quests you can have active at once.  I currently have about 23 quests active for Commonlands (level 15).   If I go to Antonica, I will start to fill up my quest book.  It gets even worse at higher levels when you still have undone quests from lower levels filling up your quest book. My level 33 Paladin is splitting time between Zek and EL.  There just isn't enough room in my quest book to accept all quests I want to do -- and stopping into somewhere like Nek Castle I find my quest book full and can't do any of the ones there. <div></div>

[SanJ]

<P>Fortunately, the separation of Quests and Collections in Live Update 10 will help remedy the problem for many!  I recall having 20+ collections going at once that at times left very little room for quests especially when cross zoning into same tier combat zones.</P> <P>Hopefully, this will help a lot of players.</P> <P>Thanks,<BR>Kalen</P>

[RSta]

Very good advice, Kalen <div></div>

[Siphar]

<DIV>when you actually reach 50, doing quests for no exp as well isnt a great incentive.. mentoring down and redoing quests for me just doesnt have the same drive as it did when i was leveling.. the game got very stale...</DIV>

[SanJ]

<P>Siphar,</P> <P>I can see your point as I dinged level 50 this weekend and every since I can't stop looking at my XP bar.  It's just too strange seeing 0 XP after you fight for two or three hours straight.  However, there's so many things for me to do now, I'm torn in a dozen different directions everytime I log into the game.</P> <P>- There are volumes of guildies that need help with heritage quests, several of which I've completed many times.  It's very enjoyable for me to lead up a group even without XP to make life much easier on them during a heritage knowing exactly where to lead the group and exactly what steps to accomplish for success.</P> <P>- I need to finish my Jeweler profession from 38 on to 50.  I was a 21 Paladin/38 Jeweler if that gives you an idea of how long its been since I've crafted.  I'm really looking forward to doing some crafting again.</P> <P>- I love to do quests and there's hundreds (thousands) I've missed.  I plan to mentor for many of them and run groups through quests based on a zone with goals like complete 10-20 of them on a Saturday for fun.  Many I will do gray solo just because I like quests--well not all the book quests <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> </P> <P>- My guild is level 25--time to assist our many patrons with city writs.</P> <P>- I have decent gear (3 total ebon), but after seeing the incredible loot Valur on Najena was wearing yesterday (only Paladin I've seen decked out in all white from head-to-toe that looked as Paladin as you can be!), I'm very motivated to work on much better gear then I currently have.</P> <P>- My guild is likewise just getting started on the quest for Prismatic.  I can't imagine how many times we'll be doing this for our mass of up and coming tier 5 guildies.</P> <P>- Raids -- I've done several epic x 2 and a few epic x 4, but nothing worth writing home about -- yet!  I plan to do some serious raiding over the next few months.  My guild finally has enough 45+ players to put together a much larger raid then in the past.</P> <P>- All adept 1's (sans the apprentice 1's level 50 I haven't upgraded yet) -- lots of questing/harvesting/purchasing for adept 3 and master drops.</P> <P>- One of the biggest for me (same as day 1), helping the many citizens of Qeynos with whatever task they require from answering questions from npc locations, quest locations, etc.  In a nutshell more roleplaying of the Paladin profession.</P> <P>When/if I should get bored, I have a level 28 Ratonga Assassin that's a blast to play.  I predict he'll be in tier 5 by the first expansion pack.</P> <P>Thanks,<BR>Kalen</P>

[MeridianR]

<span>Dinged L49 myself this weekend (gratz on 50!!) here are some comments, to Kalens' comments:<blockquote><hr>SanJun wrote:<p>Siphar,</p> <p>I can see your point as I dinged level 50 this weekend and every since I can't stop looking at my XP bar.  It's just too strange seeing 0 XP after you fight for two or three hours straight.  However, there's so many things for me to do now, I'm torn in a dozen different directions everytime I log into the game.</p>- I need to finish my Jeweler profession from 38 on to 50.  I was a 21 Paladin/38 Jeweler if that gives you an idea of how long its been since I've crafted.  I'm really looking forward to doing some crafting again. <p><font color="#ffff00">Yeah I did so much crafting in SWG (mastered every crafting profession, and not just for Jedi grinding either <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> ), that I have held out on crafting, but would like to do somemore after I cap next week sometime. Haven't really done much (13 Scholar) but wanted to do Scholar or Alchemist, not sure yet.</font> </p> <p>- I love to do quests and there's hundreds (thousands) I've missed.  I plan to mentor for many of them and run groups through quests based on a zone with goals like complete 10-20 of them on a Saturday for fun.  Many I will do gray solo just because I like quests--well not all the book quests <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> </p> <p><font color="#ffff00">I am not a huge quest person, but there are some that I am going to really want to do, just because I didn't either get a chance to do them the first time around, or because I outleveled them.</font> </p> <p>- My guild is level 25--time to assist our many patrons with city writs. </p> <p><font color="#ffff00">L20 here in my guild, so same <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></font> </p> <p>- I have decent gear (3 total ebon), but after seeing the incredible loot Valur on Najena was wearing yesterday (only Paladin I've seen decked out in all white from head-to-toe that looked as Paladin as you can be!), I'm very motivated to work on much better gear then I currently have. </p> <p><font color="#ffff00">Wow, that is truly the coolest looking armor I have seen in game. Now that is something I would love to strive for <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> - Also I think after July the cost of Ebon will go way down, as people try to start saving up for Tier 6 items when the expansion comes out in September. Though with raiding more, ebon is much earier to come by. As a matter of fact Agony (named who drops The Screaming Mace starter, dropped an ebon coin last night...though I didn't win the lottery)</font> </p> <p>- My guild is likewise just getting started on the quest for Prismatic.  I can't imagine how many times we'll be doing this for our mass of up and coming tier 5 guildies. </p> <p><font color="#ffff00">Not sure if we have enough L45+ to start, but will def, be starting this series of quests soon. Just did a quick read through on them this morning (from Speak like a Dragon to Deception) and they look awesome.</font> </p> <p>- Raids -- I've done several epic x 2 and a few epic x 4, but nothing worth writing home about -- yet!  I plan to do some serious raiding over the next few months.  My guild finally has enough 45+ players to put together a m<font color="#ffff00">uch larger raid then in the past.</font><font color="#ffff00"> </font></p> <p><font color="#ffff00">I haven't done any Raid X4's, but have done my decent share of tanking x2's which I find very much fun. Personally I can't wait to start raiding more, since most of the best content in this game (and loot is gained form there)</font> </p> <p>- All adept 1's (sans the apprentice 1's level 50 I haven't upgraded yet) -- lots of questing/harvesting/purchasing for adept 3 and master drops. </p> <p><font color="#ffff00">Yeah, I have been upgrading as many spells as I could recently, but most of the upgrades are Tier 5, so going to take a bit of money to get this done. As for masters I remember someone saying on these boards they got Refusal of Grace and Sworn Strike Master 1 from King Drayek? Or some other Epic X4...so that is promising.</font> </p> <p>When/if I should get bored, I have a level 28 Ratonga Assassin that's a blast to play.  I predict he'll be in tier 5 by the first expansion pack.</p> <p><font color="#ffff00">I have a L42 Fury, who I should have up to the cap in about 45 days if I get bored of the Pally <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> - Getting a group  up to L45 is going to be a challenge, but once I get my Group Invis <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></font> </p> <p>Thanks,Kalen</p> <div></div><hr></blockquote></span><div></div>

[Tur]

<P>Great thread! As you can see by my sig I have some issues with "stars" but let me offer my written congratulations on an excellent thread. :smileyhappy:</P> <P>I wish more people would take your advise to slow down a bit to heart particularly where quests are concerned. I don't know about the rest of you, but I often feel pressured to click through NPC quest text as fast as I possibly can so I don't hold up the group. I'm not a speed reader and I really miss a lot of the story line. I know, I know . . .I probably should just take my time and read the text if I want to but I feel guilty doing so sometimes. </P>

[Korza]

<P>Alot of the text or the meat atleast is listed in the quest listing in your journal. It is not all the NPC said and if your going for immersion it is not the same. But can give you alot of clues sometimes that are not in the quest helper.</P> <P>And so long as it doesn't take you an hour to read the text for most quests I don't think anyone will mind you taking the time to read it. I try to give everyone time in my group to read the text if they want when we get quests. I will even tell people to take quick 5min breaks and such when we get a new quest. Can even use the excuse your looking it up online if you want to give you a bit more time to read if needed.</P>

[Titali]

<DIV>i usually only read the heritage or hallmark quests or anything else i dub important. some of em are really lengthy too but if they dont want to wait, they can find another tank cant they? muaha</DIV>

[SanJ]

<P>Well I could also take a good dose of my own advice <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  I tend to play three or so hours per session two or three nights per week and I go nuts on weekends with four to six hour Saturdays and long Friday nights.  I read most of the quests I pickup but I'm also guilty of fast clicking through quests sometimes, especially the bartender in East Freeport (for which I do not apologize <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></P> <P>I like to think of myself as pretty knowledgeable about the game, but I'm always humbled by a real life buddy that plays probably two nights a week, two or three hours and maybe three to five hours every other weekend.  He's usually 10-15 levels behind me in any MMORPG and he's ALWAYS the last person from my local RL buddies group to leave a MMORPG.  Why?  He has great fun everytime he plays because he takes his time and enjoys the scenery, helps other people two days straight on a non-xp task when he's just 2% to ding, etc.  I'm usually ahead on seeing the next zone/tier.  I recall stuff well, but this guy can quote street names by heart, knows NPCs like RL people, tells me about the story line on some side quest I really didn't bother to pay that much attention and has no trouble properly spelling and listing in detail from memory everything each of his skills offer.  </P> <P>I don't think you can get much more immersed then he does.  I was thinking about a detailed conversation we had at lunch one day when I originally posted this thread.  He was telling about a very interesting story line as well as a doorway in a zone I pass daily and never noticed.   I kept thinking the whole time, "How did I miss that?"  and "That is a good story, I'm sure I did that quest .. didn't I?"  "How could I have done that if I don't remember all the stuff he's talking about now."</P> <P>Thanks,<BR>Kalen</P>