Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Quick Links
Anyone have any questions about EQ2?
r1tual
Member Posts: 559
in Everquest II
If so ask them.
I pretty much know the game inside out. If your thinking about getting EQ2 and want to know about something specifically, post it here.
I personally think the game sucks, but I can tell you all about it regardless. I spent 2 months in the beta, which is more then 80% of the beta testers. I played it alot and pretty much tried every aspect of EQ2.
My last thread got eaten up by the EQ2 - WoW arguments. Dont bring it here else I lay the smackdown.
Thanks.
Comments
Thank you r1tual
First of all...
How do you think that large new patch helps? It seems like they're on the verge of fixing the most time-efficiant bugs first, seeing as how time is running out; no time to hit the big ones until later.
Were you at all immersed in the atmosphere? (Games can still "suck" but have a strongpoint in immersiveness). EQ1, due to his sub-par graphics and lack of artistic edge, never really astounded me into "wanting to actually be there." (Final Fantasy XI really did an exellent job due to art and storyline, just to touch.)
Are jobs relatively balanced? (Not perfectly balanced, of course) Are bards incredibly usefull? Are rogues huge damage dealers? Can warriors tank significantly better than everyone else? Are wizards fragil, yet deadly? Is being a Cleric boring heal spam, or very involving?
I've read a lot about the Power attribute, but was it a good and efficiant idea aside from MP/Mana, and just plan attack skills on a timed basis?
I'm most interested int he job-balancing
EQ: 65 Druid. 65 Rogue (Cancelled;1999-2002)
Final Fantasy XI: 75 Monk. 75 Ninja. 60 Summoner (2003-Current)
-Ragnorak, Rank 10-S
EQ2: Prospective?
-----------------
EQ: 65 Druid. 65 Rogue (Cancelled;2002)
Final Fantasy XI: 75 Monk. 75 Ninja. (Current)
EQ2: Prospective?
Keep in mind r1tual made this review.
----------------------------------
"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home."
-- Ken Olson, chairman of Digital Equipment Corp, 1977
----------------------------------
"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home."
-- Ken Olson, chairman of Digital Equipment Corp, 1977
Yes, I read that a while ago
It's sort of hard to miss.
A little less constructive than I'd like... but bias or not, I don't doubt he's right.
EQ: 65 Druid. 65 Rogue (Cancelled;2002)
Final Fantasy XI: 75 Monk. 75 Ninja. (Current)
EQ2: Prospective?
-----------------
EQ: 65 Druid. 65 Rogue (Cancelled;2002)
Final Fantasy XI: 75 Monk. 75 Ninja. (Current)
EQ2: Prospective?
I havent tried the patch. I have to reinstall EQ2. I read what it contained. The only thing good about it in my eyes is the fog of war type map. But I dont know if they added maps to the zones that didnt have them. The only zones that had maps were the city zones, and there are 90% more zones that arent part of the city. So really EQ2 only had a small portion of its zones with maps. Which is obviously unnaceptable. So I welcome the first major map change we have gotten in beta.
I was immersed in the atmosphere right away. Like the tutorial. After the tutorial, you reach the island of refuge. Then once you complete the Island of Refuge you move to your city starting zone. Which depends on your race and class. Then you do quests and work for your citizenship in your respected city. You always have something to do. Once you complete the citizenship quest the game ends. You set out on quests like "deliver ms blackpeas pie to a person she has a crush on" or "kill me 5 toads in the misty swamps". There are no factions. No visible progress in anything besides completing 100's of quests that are the same, and watching your XP bar go up. So immersiveness pretty much ends at level 10. You are kicked into the world with no direction and no visible goals, besides level grinding. Im behing honest here. You can ask anyone else. You are reduced to monster bashing for hours, or doing slave quests that are so easy and meager, or finding rare quests that your group can just stomp through like nothing. This sounds like a nagetive rant. But really I was dissapointed with the quests and how there was no factions, and how the quests didnt follow any storyline. You can get stories and history from talking to NPC's, but they dont encompass into any quests. So the storyline in EQ2 is just for you to read through at this point. And the quests are "Kill 10 of this for the baker so she can bake a pie" , literally. Over and over and over. No diversity in the quests, there are only deliver, explore, or kill. No mix of the three, and no other types of quests.
Jobs balanced? No. Bards are not THAT useful. I mean would you rather have a buff, which most classes can give anyways, or would you rather have a fighter or mage in yoru group. I would rather have a mage or a fighter. Most of the monsters/mobs are so easy anyways that youd ont need buffs, just straight out damage dealing. They fall pretty quickly. Rogues are good damage delaers beleive it or not. They can take out good portions of the enemies health in 1 shot. Although there spells take alot longer to recharge. But they are good to do that stealth atttack once combat is engaged to weaken the enemy cosniderably. Warriors can tank. Tanking is impossible without a healer though. Unless your fighting solo mobs. They are usefull and required in any group though. Warriors are almost a guarantee to want in your group, while healers being second. And then the rest of the classes are pretty much optional. Maybe a rogue or mage. Being a healer is pretty much heal spam and I beleive they have some limited attack spells. I was a mage, and mages are pretty good soloers. At least I did it alot. We probably do the most damage over time, but you really need a strong emphasis on equipment if you want to solo. Being in a group as a mage is easy. You just spam your attacks over and over and have more damage over time then a rogue if the battle lasts more then 10 seconds. We are good for fighting bosses because we have snares and high damage spells.
Your power is basically the same as "mana". Except traditionally mana is just for casting magic usually. Power in EQ2 is used for everthing you do, wether it be running, crafting, or fighting. So it isnt a bad idea. It recharges quickly so there is no real downtime. YOu can be in ahuge fight where you spam ALL your spells a few times, and probably wont run out of power. But after a few consecutive fights you might need to rest for 10 or so seconds to recharge. You can rehcrage while standing, running and fighting. So really if you arent doing something for a second, youll earn alot of power back. In early beta you could only recharge while you were sitting and not in combat, they changed it to what it is now, which was a good change. Also eating food makes your recharge quicker and drinking beverages makes you recharge quicker. The only thing I dont like, is that all food is the same. So there is no eating some uber food to make your power recharge quicker, or to give you any buffs. Food is food, and its all the same besides its name and what it is. A pie is just as good as a piece of meat. Which I dont really like. Nobody really got to the level of being able to make their own food, so maybe player made food will give you some additional perks and recharge over regular food.
Job balancing though is not really perfect.. But you can tell the difference in different types of groups. But not really. Not as much as I think you want. YOu always need 2 fighters and 1 healer at LEAST. Then you only have 6 people allowed in a group. So the rest of the spots can go for any of the other classes like amage or rogue or bard. But a group of all bards or mages or rogues wouldnt last long. Which I think is a major imbalance in class balancing.
I always like to think about how EQ1 was at first. Keep in mind they DID make this game from scratch. (Besides a lot of idea's passed on from EQ1). I remember only liking EQ1 only becuase "Wow I'm online with real people!" sort of deal. With EQ2 now people have become used to EQ and MMORPG's in general, and see SO much potential that they want games to fulfill.
Think of EQ1 as the most sophisticated and developed MMOPRG. Since it's been out the longest. However it can't do anymore becuase the "EQ Base" won't let it. 7 expansions is rediculous, but appropriate for the remaining EQ populations.
Now think of EQ2 as a new and improved "base" to create a game on top of. Do you think it has the potential through nerfing/balancing, expanding, enhancing and populating far beyond the stage it's in right now? Or have they left little room for improvement?
This is the question!!!^
If your going to begin a long-term MMORPG commitment these are the questions you need to ask. It's a shame bashing on new games is so much easier
EQ: 65 Druid. 65 Rogue (Cancelled;2002)
Final Fantasy XI: 75 Monk. 75 Ninja. (Current)
EQ2: Prospective?
-----------------
EQ: 65 Druid. 65 Rogue (Cancelled;2002)
Final Fantasy XI: 75 Monk. 75 Ninja. (Current)
EQ2: Prospective?
They apparently can patch features in that we request in a few weeks time. So I dont doubt that maybe the game has hope beyond its release.
But then again, most of the team is probably moving on to working on like Vanguard: Saga of Heroes, or maybe a new project all together.
I think if the team stays with EQ2, and put as much dedication and time into the game for the long run as they showed in beta, then I think EQ2 could be good.
But it also depends on their production team and what feedback they are taking from the community also.
I just dont think I can put all that much blind faith in SOE to make EQ2 what it should be. Look at any other SOE game. Usually management disasters.
I know exactly what you mean...
I followed the release and post-release of SWG. Talk about management disasters. The executives released the game WAY pre-mature, and kept an NDA(Non-disclosure agreement) on, and made the forums for susbcribers only, so nobody could hear about what a travesty it was. SWG was a VERY profitable game for SoE, but the player suffered in an unfinished game. A developer once stated that "This game is NOT compelete, we are being forced to realeased an unfinished game and we apologize." I suppose it was either that or his job.
EQ2 isn't THAT bad. But thats what is happening, but only slightly. I think EQ2 is ready for play, it passes the test.
EQ: 65 Druid. 65 Rogue (Cancelled;2002)
Final Fantasy XI: 75 Monk. 75 Ninja. (Current)
EQ2: Prospective?
-----------------
EQ: 65 Druid. 65 Rogue (Cancelled;2002)
Final Fantasy XI: 75 Monk. 75 Ninja. (Current)
EQ2: Prospective?
I have a few questions...
1. Of the hundreds (or perhaps 10s of thousands) of people who say this game sucks and state they will not be playing it, of those people, how many will continue to hate the game so much they'll still continue to spend their free time trolling the boards? And of those people, how many have never been laid?
Now that the rhetorical question is out of the way, lets move on to some serious questions
2. Taking into account that this is a beta, in your 2 months of experience with the game, why did it not suit your personal desires for a game of this scope?
3. In 2 months, what was the highest level you got to. How many characters did you try? And how much time did you spend crafting vs gaining adventure xp?
4. EQ1 was all about the high-end raid game, at least for me. Raid Zone A until you are equipped well enough to raid Zone B, raid zone B until you are equipped enough to raid Zone C, etc. I loved it, not only watching myself become more uber, but wathching my friends, and the entire guild grow from a bunch of newbies raiding PoF for the first time, to slaying Vulak, and beyond. Can I expect to see this type of game play in EQ2?
5. Exactly how important are your starting stats? I'd like to play something different, like an Ogre mage, or a ratonga guardian. Will I be screwed starting out? What about later in the game, say level 40+ will it really matter what race I am? I know the SOE folks say it doesn't matter, but they are out to sell a game so I don't expect their hype to be 100% accurate.
Thanks
EQ2 Mantra: Get more RAM. Get more RAM.
I have a question about tradeskills
What is a good skill to make money on?
Also, do you have to go adventuring and make your character a high level in order to craft the best items. Or can you make a character that just crafts and never goes adventuring?
People who have to create conspiracy and hate threads to further a cause lacks in intellectual comprehension of diversity.
I am still a little confused about being an Artisan...
Is the Artisan a seperate starting class or is it a choice at a higher level?
If it is a choice later on, when?
I have a few questions...
1. Of the hundreds (or perhaps 10s of thousands) of people who say this game sucks and state they will not be playing it, of those people, how many will continue to hate the game so much they'll still continue to spend their free time trolling the boards? And of those people, how many have never been laid?
Now that the rhetorical question is out of the way, lets move on to some serious questions
2. Taking into account that this is a beta, in your 2 months of experience with the game, why did it not suit your personal desires for a game of this scope?
3. In 2 months, what was the highest level you got to. How many characters did you try? And how much time did you spend crafting vs gaining adventure xp?
4. EQ1 was all about the high-end raid game, at least for me. Raid Zone A until you are equipped well enough to raid Zone B, raid zone B until you are equipped enough to raid Zone C, etc. I loved it, not only watching myself become more uber, but wathching my friends, and the entire guild grow from a bunch of newbies raiding PoF for the first time, to slaying Vulak, and beyond. Can I expect to see this type of game play in EQ2?
5. Exactly how important are your starting stats? I'd like to play something different, like an Ogre mage, or a ratonga guardian. Will I be screwed starting out? What about later in the game, say level 40+ will it really matter what race I am? I know the SOE folks say it doesn't matter, but they are out to sell a game so I don't expect their hype to be 100% accurate.
Thanks
1. I didnt know this was everquest2.com , and I come to this site alot. Not for the Eq2 forums in particular. And I have definatly been laid before. Maybe your jus jealous.
2. Not sure I understand what you are trying to say. I have higher ideals of the amount of content and things to do in the game and what I expect. And I enjoy alot of character progression you can do. That way I can always get some accomplishment for what I am doing that directly relates to everyone else, in sort of a competitive way.
3. I am below level 30. I only made 1 character. It was a Warlock, Erudite. I tried to do equal amount of adventuring and crafting. Crafting is ALOT more of a slower grind then adventuring.
4. Yeah thats about what EQ2 is. But I just didnt like how EQ2 was all about just zoning in and bashing everything until you get a high enough level to goto a new zone. THe quests are boring, so for a hardcore quester, you arent going to level really at all by just doing quests. So EQ2 is exactly how you said eq2 was for you. BUt that doesnt really excite me. They did add some featurs in the last patch like traits and starting to work in the faction system. But for my first 2 months the game was very boring. VERY. They still have some work yet to do.
5. I have no idea. I played one character so I cant make any comparisons. I know that stats are important for your class. I dont think I would of been as good of a Warlock if I had picked a Ratonga or someone other then erudite. THey are predetermined stats, so you cant change them. So whatever race you pick, you have predetermined stat points. And then when you gain levels your stats raise, but out of your control. I have no idea how much of a difference it makes. Maybe when you max level it wouldnt make a difference, but on the other hand at high levels it could be as different as day and night between races in the same class. Id stick with picking a race that is suited for what class you are going to play, if you are serious about the game.
Theres only so much stuff to go over at every patch. And the patch notes usually are detailed enough that you dont notice too many other changes.
Some things do change, but it more of a balancing and tweaking act, and not really adding anything. THose things are usually reflected in the patch notes.
I think scholars and alchemists and weaponsmith and armorsmiths will make the most money. Not in that particular order. Weaponsmith and Armorsmith will no doubt make the most money. I say stay away from like making furniture and stuff, because honestly there isnt going to be a huge demand for it. Most quests give you furniture as rewards, so only the hardcore people about their houses are going to wanna buy nicer furniture. I think the rest of the tradeskill will be better.
You definatly dont need to do adventuring at all, if you want to be a newbie crafter for the rest of your life. The things you get for crafting are found all over the world. So you have to go out and mine/harvest them. Each zone has different materials you can harvest etc. So some of the nicer crafting materials are in some of the higher level zones. So unless you are desiring ot make low level items, you can harvest everything you need in the newbie zones. But you probably wont make anything good, or make any decent money.
I know SOE swore up and down that it would be possible to just "craft". But I just dont see it as possible, unless you are going to be making birdcages for the rest of your EQ2 existance. So I think SOE was misleading. Adventuring is important to be a successful crafter in every way.
That wont work.
Scout's stealth skill only works on mobs that are near the scout's level. So a level 10 scout cant sneak by a level 20 MOB without getting eaten.
So I still think SOE lied big time about it being possible to JUST be a crafter. Not gonna happen. In theory yes you can be a level 6 crafter for the rest of your life, but that isnt that fun. So I think they were misleading.
You become an Artisan if you want to right after you finish the tutorial. You have to complete like 3 or 4 quests and then you become an Artisan. The quests are sort of like a tutorial and tell you how to craft etc. Then it is your responsibility to level to level 10. Then at that level you can pick what kind of aa crafter you want to be specifically.
When you start the game you pick a regular class like Scout, Mage, fighter, Bard.
Artisan is seperate and you get to be an Artisan and one other class.
So my character is an Artisan/Mage.
I can be a level 100 crafter and a level 100 Mage if I wanted to do all that work.
Ritual, I skimmed through some of your posts in another thread and you mentioned something about instanced zones like queynos1, 2, 3, 4.
Basically, it's nothing like EQ1? It sounds more like Guildwars to me where there is a city but there are 30 districts whose sole purpose is to separate people. ie. Each district is a copy of the other but have a max number of people in that particular zone. Is EQ2 like that? If it is, that completely turns me off now.
..as opposed to someone who loves the game because it is Everquest(tm)? I tend to focus on criticisms about a game because it gives me an idea about what I'm missing rather than advertising propoganda on a game's website. If the criticisms aren't as bad as I thought, then I know the game is great! If the criticisms are valid and serious in my mind, then I know the game might not be worth it.
Was there any reasoning given in the beta forums regarding the money-grubbing, stingy decision by SOE to limit accounts to 4 total characters.
Or why they waited to post the 4 total character slot rip-off decision in the Official FAQ after it was too late to cancel pre-orders?
Just wondering....
It is so funny to see the people who ARENT in beta that respond to criticism towards the game.
you might as well post, "I dont care what u say! this game is gonna rock and im buying it! Beta is not like release and ... and... and... SoE will fix everything... just you wait!"
I think these people sound more like opie from the andy griffith show then mmo players.
P.S. WoW sucks too.
_________________________
Work is the curse of the drinking classes.
Oscar Wilde
_________________________
It's what you learn after you know it all that counts.
- John Wooden
They haven't admitted it yet, but it was so I would have to eat my words regarding people I have deemed anti-SOE in the past.
Defending SOE was one of my bigger mistakes.