My Little Pony

I gave in to the inner voices screaming for me to purchase a mount.  I was trying to hold out for the Tier 3 but the ~9 plat wasn’t coming fast enough.  Walking – or rather floating, since I’m Fae, just wasn’t cutting it shuffling back and forth the Faydwer zones.  The idea of spending the money at all bothered me because it takes so long to earn it and I was only a couple of levels away from having several new spells that would also need upgrading.  I gave into the need to stop walking and purchased the Parade Karana Planestrider for 3 plat, 68 gold, 64 silver.  Since I was already dipping into the reservoir, I also upgraded my armour which was becoming woefully out-dated.

I’m anxious to hit level 35 now so I can for the first time exit these zones.  During the course of trying to play EQ2 I’ve made it to high 20s and very low 30s multiple times.  I’m sick of Antonica, Zek Forrest and ButcherBlock Mountains (BBM)!  I read one solo time line that said Steamfront was for level 30+.  Excited to be gone from the present haunts I went there only to be greeted by level 35 and 36 mobs right at the entrance.  I turned tail and ran, while cursing the guide that had gotten my hopes up.  But not to worry, I’m level 33 now with three rather long and tedious quests almost completed by happen-stance.  At 34, me and my little pony will make our way back to SF for some hack-n-slash sessions.

Another reason I’ve been anxious to move on to Tier 4 zones is because my crafting is at level 36 and I can’t harvest any of the components to create those recipes.  I’ve been stuck crafting Tier 3 recipes which requires me to harvest in zones that make me want to vomit with annoyance at being there again – and again.  Luckily that hasn’t put me off from playing because every time I login there’s a nice little cha-ching of coin in my display cases.  Woot!

EQ2 is such a wide game and it’s been out so long that it’s information overload for new players.  That is compounded by the fact that Sony is a bit derelict on providing documentation.  I found out from a guild member that if I didn’t want to spend my money yet, but was tired of the trek from Willow Wood to BBM, I should take the carpets.  I was like, “Take the wha?”  He went on to explain that I could go to Qeynos Harbor and jump on a carpet to Sinking Sands.  At Sinking Sands I could take a carpet to BBM.  How in the world would a new player know this?  Plus I think you have to have access to the Dessert of Flames expansion pack to get to Sinking Sands.  I had it because I purchased all the available xpacs the first time I tried EQ2 but never got higher than the T3 zones, even when I came back for EOF and started over.  With the Living Legacy promotion I would have gotten DS anyway but seriously, what new player would have any clue about things like this?  If memory serves me correctly, you can also travel faster via the sewers in Qeynos areas.

Anywho… I found a nice spot to grind in for level 30 to 34.  I’m beating up on the Krulkiel not too far from Kaladim.  The mobs range from level 26 to 36 with roving pairs of level 28s that can see invisible players.  I stumbled across the area while harvesting when I was level 28 and had my azz handed to me.  Now I’m back for a little vengeance.  Yeah, I remember mobs that give me a hard time when I’m lower than them and go back to kick their azzes for a while when I’m higher.  It’s very nice XP since the roving pairs are Heroic.  I can occasionally kill mobs 3 to 4 levels higher but I get a lot of resists which causes me to use up my power pool.  If there’s a re-spawn or another mob wanders by, I’m dead meat.  As a result, I will only pool mobs that high if I’m very confident in my surroundings.  I also have a persistent problem where my pet just won’t attack.  If that happens on a hard pull it’s over.  I have to try to Mez which is usually resisted, use my Fae skill to increase movement speed and race for the hills.  I’ll routinely do double pools of blue mobs and as long as my pet cooperates it works out fine.

Hence, weaving in and out of the Kurlkiel Camp to grab blue mobs and the heroics I can manage, is anything but boring as a grind. A few uncommon treasures dropped that sold nicely on the Auction House and I’ve picked up several collection items.  Solo grinding is as interesting or boring as the players decides to make it.  Do it in an easy area then it’s a boring cake-walk.  Do it where there are risks and it keeps you on your toes and attentive.

Another week has passed and I still feel good about EQ2.  I have my new mount.  Crafting is still leveling well even though I’m doing recipes a tier below because I can’t access the necessary harvesting areas, which isn’t bothering me too much because my goods keep selling.  I’m quickly closing in on leaving the zones I’ve leveled in repeatedly since playing EQ2 and very soon now, all the content will be brand new for me.  BRAND NEW CONTENT – all of it!  I’m excited about hitting that point.

Comments

[Gaming Diva]

It sounds like a lot of fun. What class do you play in the game? Yep in Wow I've been sent on quests several levels higher than my toon. Tabetha in Duskwallow sent me on a quest 10 levels higher, lol. That was for the mages quest.

I'm trying to find a nice spot to grind for my level 48 fire mage...when I hit 50 I'll do quests and grinding again. WOW, is fun (for me) again since I started playing a class besides my hunter.

How is EQ2 different from WOW, what are the similarities?

Congrats on the mount, I really like it.

[saylah]

I'm playing an Illusionist which I'd describe as ranged DPS class with debuffs and crowd control. The pet is an exact replica of me. The pet is upgraded several times as you level just like any other spell. I can't control what she casts which seemed bogus at first. I still have no idea what determines what she casts in her rotation. I do know that they recently changed them to cast DPS spells instead of overtime spells and drains.

The class reminds me of being an Enchanter in AC2. Her DPS is like a WOW Warlock because I have many damage over time spells, and they are a primary component of my DPS. But I have a lot more crowd control than a Warlock has in their arsenal. I can single and group target Mez (put mobs to sleep), root like a Druid, stun like a Rogue, silence like a Priest and debuff like a Shaman. I would add buff like a Paladin but so many of the classes have player buffs that it's rather common. Given all these tools I'm sure you can see why this class appealed to someone who loves to play casters and solos.

Game play is similar but the pace is much slower even though they've addressed it to a degree over the years. It's very quest driven and getting groups for those who care are very hard to get at the lower levels. My opinion still remains that it lacks the sugar rush of WOW. You don't feel very heroic in combat and the massive amount of animations can completely cover combat when you're in a group. I think this is a game for the long haul. You're okay with taking your time and exploring other aspects beyond leveling because EQ2 has them in spades. Harvesting for everyone, crafting, player housing, faction rewards, player achievements, PVP and raiding.

EQ2 is finally working for me because I got tired of the bubble gum and jumping from game to game looking for my next high. I still like a sugary over the top experience of a WOW and will play WAR. However, I can now appreciate having somewhere consistently enjoyable to go in between.

[Randolph Carter]

What a nice post here. It’s funny, I’m about at the same point in EQ2 as you. My necromancer is level 34 and questing over in the Enchanted Lands. After cycling through a whole host of alts, getting many of them into the low 20s, I finally settled on this character. I figured if I wanted to see some of the tier 4 lands and beyond, I had better focus on one. I’m enjoying the game quite a bit. Coming from WoW I can also relate to what you say when comparing the two games. EQ2 is really more my pace. It’s just taken me 3 years to figure that out. All of my friends and wife (well, she’s my friend too) are still heavily into WoW. I still group quest with my wife, but when I’m playing just for me, I log into EQ2. I think you nailed it with WoW being “a sugary over the top experience.” EQ2 is definitely a slower paced leveling game and I for one like the less-than-heroic combat system the game uses.

Oh well, thanks for the interesting post. It got me thinking (no small feat, mind you).

RC

[Saylah]

@RC - Although I'm a bit peeved with EQ2 today, I do plan on keeping it as a long term MMO. Even if I get heavily into WAR, I can be as moody as a cat who's had her tail smashed under a rocking chair, and needs a place to hide away. EQ2 has the pace and flavor for me.

I'm so IRKED that in my mind, I'd built up moving out of the zones I've re-rolled in so many times as this huge thing, only to ride into Steamfront and see that its Butcherblock part II. But I know there are lots of other things to do. When I sign on this week I'll craft, harvest or focus on some collections until I'm over my hissy fit and go back to leveling. :-)