Everquest 2 Extended

Being a somewhat long time Everquest 2 player, i was bound to try sooner or later the f2p version of the same, Everquest 2 Extended.

First off, what can a f2p get out of this version of EQ2? Well check out the list here if you want to know. From my point of view the Bronze membership will allow some solid game play out. Experience speaking a Bronze member can reach the level cap, 90, with just the limitation the game offers. I do admit some can be a bit annoying like the bank and gold limits but besides that, it's doable. 

Now what's the trick here then? The fact that you can only use adept gear and only adept spells. This will hinder probably the game play at max level since, first off, DoV rewards are all legendary, so no gear for you. And then all dungeons will require a better geared character, so i guess doing those can be a challenge.

There are several options to break off some limitations from the Bronze member, like buying bank slots or equipment unlock, but that of course, will require some investment.

But if you are interested on giving EQ2 a try, i think this option is a very good one.

Personally i haven't played that much yet, so i haven't noticed any other limitation that could prove hindering. I will try to see how far i can go with not putting any money here.

Back on LOTRO

Since the forced downtime for EQ2 (and all SOE servers for other games), I've taken my time to get some game play off LOTRO.

I've been playing on the Evernight euro server, with a new champion I'm creating, which is now already level 47. I managed to pass those dreaded levels from 20 to 30, doing those boring North-Downs and Lone-lands quests. Eventually i managed to get to the revamped Evendin, which on the contrary to those other 2 zones, was very well done for my satisfaction. All quest hubs were done to make sure all quests you would get, would be nearby each other, to avoid having running all around the map. So that would allow a much more faster income of experience, and faster leveling. There is even a complete set to collect as reward, and token exchange, which is very good for a level 35ish to 40 player. I believe every player who starts this zone around 30, will most probably be done with it around 40. There is lots to do there. And if that isn't enough, to the south of the zone, there is Annúminas which will give players some more quests, some repeatable to grind some tokens, and a big zone to fight off forces of evil. My only regret is that the level 50 set you get from these tokens you acquire in Annúminas, are just a pain to grind. Mostly because you need like more the a thousand of these for just a single piece. That, for a solo player will most likely take near an year to get the full set, which is beyond reasonable. I do realize that this system is made probably thinking on F2P players, who don't have Moria or Mirkwood (at least that's the only reason i think off), but for me it's a shame, cause i would really like to that for my characters also. If Turbine doesn't drop down the prices, why not make those tokens bound on account for another alt? That would be a good option, in my book. There are dungeons in Annúminas that probably would make this process faster, but with no groups to do it, it's hard to get those pieces. And what happens in Annúminas also happens with the other level 50 zones, it's just not worth the effort. And it's just a shame in my opinion...

Besides that, I've been enjoying the ride to Middle-Earth once again. From adventuring to crafting, I've been doing all, and so far it's been great. I do plan on near future to start doing some grouping for instances, because that's what i want to try there. The content group from LOTRO.

EQ2 Tower of Frozen Shadows: Shadowed Corridor

Shadowed Corridor, was the first zone me and some guildies tried to. Without knowing any strategie we just ventured to this zone, for some fun and kicks. Apparently the Tower of Frozen Shadows, is split in several levels (dungeons), that in the end will give you access to a x2 zone. From what i remember, cause i made this zone like 5 days ago, fights are interesting and with some stuff to do if you don't wanna wipe miserably there. I liked also the design of this dungeon, and the library where the last named, it's just fabulous.

Back to each name we fight. Well there are 7 name fights. Taking the order we did them (if i recall):

First named:  Xalgoti, mostly tank spank, has some memwipes. Easy fight with a good healer, and tank that quickly grabs name back

Second named: Alvik the Cold, there is a stove to boil water near the named, you need to use the water when he starts shouting. You have to be very quick on this. He does it at 75%, 50%, and 25%. He heats at an alarming rate. Can have one or more persons doing this job, one is enough tho.

Third named: The Armored Presence, i think at 75%, 50% and 25% he spawns armor pieces, just kill them fast or they turn to be adds.

Forth named: Sergeant Schriber, this one is tank spank but you could use either a messer/rooter to stop adds getting on him. If they reach him, they will heal him alot. Another strategie is to kill the adds then kill the namer. Do as you see fit.

Fifth named: Vethilot the Corpsemonger, this one will start spawning adds, every time an add dies, he gets a buff. Kill the adds, when they die, you must right click and destroy them. You MUST be very very quickly.We didnt do this guy, can be skipped.

Sixth named: Spectral Librarian Emiida, well you will need to keep on dispelling her, and if you have classes that can throw up stuns, stiffles etc, keep them also doing that job. Worked for us..

Seventh and last named: Tome of Ages Past, didn't do it.

Fights require some sort of a script but can be easily learned. Overall it was a cool zone, ok maybe because it was new, but i liked it.

Everquest 2 Destiny of Velious

Been almost 2 days now, that the latest expansion for Everquest 2, Destiny of Velious been out. The flagged features of this expansion are as followed:

* Soar high above Norrath with flying mounts

* Crawl your way through 10 dangerous dungeons

* Complete four new Heritage Quests

* Battle through more than 300 new quests

* Craft through more than 60 new tradeskill quesfts

* Conquer one new truly massive contested dungeon

* Discover two new overland zones

* Defeat four new raid instances

* Collect more than 1,000 new weapons and items

* Journey through a new Signature Quest line

* Slay more than 30 new creatures

* Equip more than 100 new armor sets

* New AA abilities with an increased cap of 300

I've been playing it since it came out, and so far, which happens with anything new, i'm enjoying it. After these 2 days, basically all i did was questing, exploring and a wee little bit of dungeon. In questing i can also i had i tried the EQ2 attempt on public quests, and although it's nice, i think it falls short on that department. Biggest difference noted yet, is the gear. First off, quest items rewards, are all legendary, no more treasure stuff. Second stats of these rewards are above legendary gear from the latest expansion, so if you still on that gear you will quickly replace it. Even the T1 fabled gear from SF leaves much to be desired.

Overland masses are big, Great Divide seemed huge to me. A bit bland, it's a snowy zone.. Second zone, which name i can't remember now, seemed to be quite nice, but i just passed there once running, to check the massive contested zone that comes on this expansion. Yep, they say its bigger then Solusek's Eye. And gorgeous. And, this is what i like the most, HARD! As a small example, my group, which by all means didnt had heals, was me on a coercer, a guardian, conjuror and necro. The guardian was T3/T4 fabled geared, which in most SF zones would do well with no heals. Here, he was killed by a trash mob, when it still was around 80% health. I was impressed. We are planing on doing a proper group there to check it.
I also managed to get a group to one of the new dungeons, Tower of Frozen Shadows: Shadowed Corridor, we didnt finished, but the zone was fun, challenging and well design. Some scripted fights but very fun. I plan on giving more details on that shortly.

Overall, so far, seems a nice expansion, but time will tell more.

But for now, see you in Velious!

A few month later... And Rift also!

Yep been a while since i last post... I know, i know slacking. But i've been a bit busy with lots of stuff going on (lots of schoolwork, even silly schoolwork).

But anyways, i've been checking somo mmo's lately, including the prominent Rift.

Yeah, i'm on the beta of Rift too. And so far i liked it. And no, i haven't pre-order it yet, i'm still thinking on it tho.

Well, the game plays like any modern mmo. Typical quests, go here kill this, go there grab that, go that other place use this. Typical quest rewards, experience and loot. Standard gear, with settings for the game.

Graphically, game is above bar, well done and clean. Crispy graphics, well done and fun to look at.

Gameplay, also again it plays right. Can say plays almost like WoW .

The main difference here is that the game is setup by 4 different archtype of class, much like Everquest 2, Fighter, Cleric, Rogue, Mage. Each as several souls (classes) it can follow, but each toon can take up to three souls. So lets suppose you wanna be Fire mage, but you want to be a necromancer too. That can happen here. It's a nice feature, that i kinda like it.

But the best thing in Rift, are those Rift (taken from the name itself). A rift is a portal to other dimension, that will allow creatures to pass by, and attack Telara (Rift's world). They work much like public quests, from other games (Warhammer for instance). Basically its open quest, that everyone can participate as long as you stand near the rift itself. It's a set of stages that must be done, and that in the end, if all goes well, will result with the closing of the so call rift. There are several rifts going on, so it's just a matter of choosing where to go. Sometimes, when you do the objectives of a rift related quest, a final boss will appear in the world, and its up to the players to stop it. Most of them require raids to stop it, and its a great change of pace from the regular quest grinding.

Crafting works like most skill related crafting systems. Get mats for recipe, do it, get skill up. Nothing to brag here.

Overall its a good solid game and should give some fun for a while at least. I'm only worried that in the future it will be another WoW with public quests included...

Note also, all im saying here is from what i know, i might be giving some wrong info tho.

Pirates of the Burning Sea goes F2P!

 

Yep that's right. Pirates of the Burning Sea has now join the F2P wagon. After Lord of the Rings Online, it is now time to give Pirates it go. My account is now active so i plan on giving it a few spins at least to see how it goes and what i am entitled to. One thing i liked, is the possibility to sell game currency on auction house. Means i can grind doublons for it ;)

On the following link, can be checked the membership plan. So go over here.

There was also announced a new free expansion for this title, Power and Prestige. I'm not sure if that is live, or not. But i'm trying to figure it.

Until then, happy gamings! :)

It's been a while...

It's been a while since i last posted here. Been busy with school project and other things, but i still kept playing mmo's in all this time.
My EQ2 adventure also continues, now with an added fact they i finally joined a raiding guild with my coercer. It's stil my favourite game and the one a past more time on. This week there was also the release of the latest GU, number 58, which brings a extremely challenge dungeon (in hardmode), and where me on my coercer and some guildies been trying (and wiping). I'll try to keep posted the progress on the dungeon.
Besides that, i also been playing LOTRO, and still waiting on F2P LOTRO on Europe (good job Codemasters.......).
And i'm also trying Darkfall, a game i never thought i would try, and it's turning to be a nice suprise. More of that in the future.
Well i'll post about more later.
Laters folks :)