Quylein the Mage

Asudad.. Fun times

2007-03-20T14:01:00.000-07:00

I had a friend recently tell me he was cut out of all my pictures in the previous post so in Honor of him here's his own pict.

Since I've been back I joined a new guild Revolution with Dina its actually a Small world huh? Revolution seems to be a nice guild and we've gotten to raid quite a few places that I enjoyed with my Brigand now I get to test me Healing prowess with my Mystic.

Just recently we Took down Barakah and Siyamak but even before we've taken down Vyemm and Tarnix, We even raided Courts and Gates for fun (Guild Xp) . Rocked Lyceum till the last named but I think that one was late is all. Downed Harla Dar and Gave a good shot at Gorenaire... Looks like we are a decent Up and coming Guild, and I'm sure there's more, Guuuud times ahead.

Into the new fold

2007-03-14T11:40:00.000-07:00

OK where to start, I’m finally here and in my new place at good ole Barksdale Louisiana and it’s not to bad yet.. Well it is spring right now so I guess we will just wait and see? I’ve begun playing my Mystic (Chieftain) again. I realized while I was out having a good time PVPnig I forgot the real reason why I started this MMO, it was to play with the wife and enjoy my time with her. I’ve found other ways to subdue my PVP urge and it’s helped, I /duel and with my spec on AA I don’t to do to bad if I do say so myself.

Since I came back I’ve also gotten a great upgrade, I purchased a brand new computer which set me back about 1,500 Duckets. A Core 2 6400 O/C to 2.6, a nice 8800 GTS both from EVGA, I also got a lot of other gear and that includes Mushkin 2gig SLI memory, Antec 900 case with an extra 120mm fan, New SATA HDD 250 gig WD, and a SATA DVD drive, and wireless G network to boot. I’m still waiting on my CPU fan so that I can see if I can O/C to 3.2 GHz but that is for another day. I can pretty much max out everything on EQ2 to include shadows, yet sadly it seems shadows bleed after the memory leaks take hold and soon after they no longer turn on until reset. Above and below are some pictures from my recent adventures into Unrest and Catacombs. If you look at all my previous post pictures you can see that it was a lot more shabby then what you will see in the future. None of my pictures are tampered in anyway.

A few people asked me to update so here it is, and there shall be more to follow in the near future, like my thoughts on LOTR online to the way EQ2 has been on shaping up so stay tuned.

Such a beautiful Woushi isn't he?

Bye bye Cali

2007-01-05T07:47:00.000-08:00

Well, my EQ2 Account is closed for the moment and my life is a spin of busyness. I'm on the way of finishing up this term of Computer Languages and Server operator while getting things ready to move to La. I'm hoping once things slow down I can get back to blogging on a more regular basis but we shall see.

I just recently purchased the new Zelda for the Game Cube and it sucked me in, I always love a good Zelda and since the one that was released on the N64 was the last best one it's been a while. Even on the Game Cube the whole game looks beautiful and has a great control but we shall see how it stand the test of time though.

Before my account dropped I was getting a Guardian up in levels on the Good side of Nagafen in the Brownies for now. Almost hit 30 with damn near 20 aaxp so far this has been pretty fast. I figured I would pick something hard to pvp with and see the good and bad with a rare pvp class overall. I love rareness it's the reason I choose a brigand to start with. However, any that have been on pvp know it's the class every newb picks to pvp with as if it's an accomplishment to pvp with a easy class. I'm looking forward to continuing my assent to 70 as a Guardian as soon as I get settled in my new home in a few weeks.

Take care all and have a Happy new year.

Norath Avatars and you

2006-11-29T09:49:00.001-08:00

Well it's been a few weeks and I've been having a blast. Learning the new abilities, playing with new handy caps, and kicken tail in Quest world I've had little time to blog. That and the fact I'm finishing up school and getting ready to move across the U.S. doesn't help either.

The only real complaint or rather upset I have is with tier 5 and 6 transmuting fodder "nightmare" and some of the Avatars or lack of any reasoning to have a "God" in this world of Norath. First off a few of the quests for the Avatars aren't solo which is fine but there is no reason they all shouldn't of been either solo or heroic. Both Brell and Solsek seem to be the hardest in the game and it's a little off key when the Rollos and Tunare were a joke in comparison. The abilities you gain for having Avatars in PVP make it a bit unbalanced but I love it both when I have the upper hand and when they have the upper hand as well. I love the sence of not knowing if I'm gonna win or not, and this isn't just prone to pvp. In the PVE realm some of the changes while not perfect make some battles turn out way different then you would of suspected, even if you have killed MobX 100 times it can change in a heart beat. Anyhow, some argue that it's unfair and that PVP shouldn't be allowed to use Avatar abilities though I'm not sure why, yes it sucks to die and yes it takes little to no skill to win but it's once an hour.

Onto the real point at hand though, Avatar abilities are nice but this isn't what I really expected to get with the rise of their existence back into norath. Oh sorry I forgot about the cloaks... wooptie do! Yes the fact that the Dev team and EQ2 in general has started to separate and distinguish character classes from Class hat's to player only armor is nice. But where is the "I have this Avatar so therefore I can use this only item?" Cloaks are the biggest let down, why could anyone use a Brell cloak after they left him and went Quellious? I'm sorry a fix shouldn't just be in the works it should of never happened this way. I do hope in the future there is Avatar specific armors and charms which make it more a real choice of which Avatar to have.

If you haven't alread; go and buy Echoes of Faydwer even if your a newb, the whole new EQ2 experiance just got better as a whole. Those of you from EQ1 that either tried EQ2 at the start and fluffed it off or just didn't feel like it's Norath will be surprised at how much better and imersive it's just become. It would help if they would remove the bells and put boats in the harbors of Efp and Qharbor as well but it's a start. As far as the "nightmare" both T5 and T6 Infused Nightmare's have been broke for about a week now and I wish this shit would get fixed.

CA's, Spells and Class Combining

2006-10-31T07:57:00.000-08:00

There are some decent spells in the game and some with unique enough talent trees they are relegated to a single class. Some say it's because it's two sides of the same coin and SOE did it just to split up the subclass. Much like the Shaman at 52 they split in some areas, the Mystic gets Torpor and the Defiler gets Canny; if your from EQ1 you knew both these spells were Shaman spells shared by no other classes. I didn't feel left out because I didn't get Canny but hey I don't stress about the small stuff. I heard latly that since they split the Classes in two it makes your job easier. My chief complaint with that is there is no basis to compare it to other then EQ1. While I was my Conj on EQ2 I can say the more I had to deal with Spell wise the more the game would be easier. If I had say the Necro line as well I would be unstoppable and if I messed up I could just FD, I guess I don't see where more ability's makes it harder. It just seems to me most that want classes to be combined altogether just want their EQ1 experience back all I have to say to them is go back to EQ1.

Even EQ1 wasn't without problems on raids, if they were good and decent players you would only need one of a few given classes. A few good examples are Mage and Shaman, both of these didn't stack well with like classes and when it came to DPS the Conj was easily replaced by melee which seemed better in duration fights. I have played a few different classes and never really felt left out or pushed aside because of the split in EQ2 but it doesn't mean there isn't an innate problem overall in the system dynamics. I just prefer the split because it's more friendly and easier for others to invite to a raid if you want certain abilities. Mystic's Bolster, Brigands Dispatch to name a few and the best part about it these are short duration long recast so you can stack with other like classes. The Holy trinity doesn't exsist anymore as a needed setup which makes this a much more playable game for all.

As a Brigand I'm wanted on raids but in the end it was for a different reason then an Assassin or Ranger. I had no clue that Brigands were a debuff class and has some of the coolest abilities like Dispatch and Amazing Reflexes. Some say they are to overpowering but I say they aren't any more powering then Rain of Arrows, Ice Nova, or Decap. Those defining abilities do massive damage and they complain about debuffs and avoidances to counter their abilities. I don't want to get into a fight over who is the best class for raids or pvp because everyone has a place. Yes tweaking is in order of some abilities it doesn't mean they are nerf or combining classes worthy just because their bread is buttered on the upside and yours is on the downside. It only means that if you complain about another class to nerf; remeber Karma is a bitch.

Links

2006-10-30T09:41:00.000-08:00

I just recently updated my links to the right and added a few while deleting others that are dead for now. Enjoy!

GM work

2006-10-24T10:39:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer " I've never been a GM nor have I wanted to be and as far as EQ2 goes I have no real knowledge that they exist today except in concept"

I've met a few in game GM's over a year ago as stated in previous post. I've read on boards about GM's in EQ2 and have a notion that their are some they are just not around much. To me it seems that if EQ2 does have GM's there must only be a handful and not enough to be doing the job they should be doing. Better yet the job I think they should be doing.

Some of you from EQ1 know the glory days of GM's there was some almost always on and they even had a /who all GM button. I knew not to bug them or send direct tells unless there was special occasions like Halloween and events. These events were special because they were rare but you knew they happened on a basis more so then EQ2. Hell some of you probly remember some good loot that was GM given only for one event, if your like me you remember the Can O' woopass *sp. However, in Norath the GM's seem few and far between with little to no interaction with them except over Super rare occasions usually them telling you "Banned" then again that is probly used only for Farm/bots or Cheat/hackers and still to a lesser degree then expected.

Some of you like me ask where is the pizaz in EQ2's world of Norath short of the live events which have been dwarfed down to semi fun quests... Some may not agree but I could go for the virus live event again because at least it effected the world. The Frogloc as screwed in it's conception was fun because we got to see who would unlock them worldwide first... Firsts is where it's at mainly but even then it seems to fall short. This is where I believe GM's should be able to step in and have fun real LIVE events, not just Live update events like this lame excuse for Halloween cut and pasted from last year.

Most would agree that loot tables are screwed and I believe that is because EQ2 has no loot table manager. They just throw something in that looks a tad bit better stat wise then the last tier or lower raid mob and say it's good without ever looking at the total options. "Legendary" is a joke since it's not really Legendary if everyone and their mother owns it. "Mastercrafted" was a great change since it was notably something more difficult then norm to obtain that is tradeskill made. Hell even treasured is better then legendary sometimes it's that bad. "Fabled" is way to often in the high end game and if you go a day without seeing one master weather raided or grouped then your not raiding or grouping ie Master spells and/or Gear. This all leads me to the one thing I've seen SOE hold true on Mythical, if you have it your 100% sure no one else does or ever will on your server that's great. But? Is that to say their shouldn't be some more Mythical in the game through LIVE events from GM? My answer is no, they need to get creative Game Masters in there at odd hours at least Bi-annually throwing some shit in the fan where one lucky winner gets a very nice item.

I also believe they should have Game Masters under a different heading then the customer service reps... They should be called CS for customer service that is unless SOE feels we shouldn't get any and we should all just STFU and live in their game. CS should be around one per server at all time to take a queue of people complaint and ruff through them like GM Dave does on FFXI. Take out the botters on normal servers and squash all idiots with impunity but with a smile.. Thanks for coming to Norath-mart have a nice life.. "Banned" for all those who don't go by the rules. The CS should be volunteering and I'm sure you can find a lot that would who can go around change EULA breaking names and attitudes this would be a good self policing system that should also have checks and balances ran through a top dog that SOE can pay.

As far as Game Masters go they should be those that are apart of the community much like Blackguard and Moorguard were. To the extent were they are more noticeable in the game by a great many people. At the present all we have is a hack in slash game with some PVP to top it off if you choose and the same mix of mobs with bad pathing, poorly thought out AI in some cases and the bane of it all, Fast leveling with a shity looting table.

The good thing is the one way they can go is up... That is if they even care what their Customer service satisfaction is.

EQ2 /petition sucks

2006-10-20T10:07:00.000-07:00

/Petition has to be one of the best implements into a good gaming environment. I've used this from EQ1 days all the way up until recently. If you have noticed it now takes you to an ever expansive web page that is in all seriousness is worthless. In a way its more of a /help then any real get of your ass with customer service help. I understand GM's can be busy, maybe less so if the money was spent on what GM's should be doing. However, that's another post all together.

I've used /petition in EQ2 and to my surprise in the past it has worked. Example: At the start of my EQ2 gaming career I was working on the Ghoulbane quest and just received the Busted up one.( still better then the 1h I had at the time) I was playing around all day and then gave my wife the controls, she went to a vendor and accidentally sold it. Don't ask me how all I know is she ran away and Hid because she knew I wouldn't be to happy. I was, but hey before I blew up I /petitioned and it worked. In about 1hour or less a GM came back told me to give him the cash I paid and he will summon a new one in my inventory, guess what it worked. Lovely they did more then I really expected them to and to this day I figured Support can't be that bad.

Next... Dumbgoldbot tells you " come to Ilikeballztosellgold.com and you will get good customer support blah blah blah" Now I'm grateful that SOE helped stem this from the island newbie zone sellers sadly, I still get tells. Ok.... Let me just /petition.... wtf? Where's the box Oh what's this? Go to the websight or get help later? WTF I'm in the middle of my game I really don't want to minimize my game to /petition on Gold bots.... I hate Gold sellers but I hate what SOE did more.
Really what was so wrong about the old /petition system? The new one is ever expansive and can be updated easier yeah. Though, we customers don't care how easy it is for you.... SOE do you want customers to have good customer service and valuable gaming experience? Or do you want it to be self policed? If so let me just target a gold bot... Type a /PVP command it flags them for Gold bot, GM's come in and sees if the command is valid and TaDa!.... The Gold bot can't zone or evac or use anything but sitting there and die by my blade. Then the GM ban's him! That the best overall customer service the average player would be happy with.

Back on topic ~ Soe change the /petition back to an in-game menu or your service system will see no reaping rewards. Seriously and to everyone that reads this leave a message if you agree..

Uber? nah!

2006-10-10T07:35:00.000-07:00

Ok, I've spent my time in Eq2 slower then average and when I spent my alt time which is now my main I chased AAXP more then Normal xp. Since PVP came out I played a paly to 15 and then crossed over to my Brigand who is now 70. I maxed him a week back and just this weekend I maxed his AAXP, even paying a few silver to respect as a Merc/Fencer which thus far has proven to rock. I guess my point is I'm not working on maxing my Tradeskills and then I'm super maxed but I had my sights set on one other thing.

The new guild I just joined, Dark Omen. These guys seem to know just what's up and for me and the friends that followed we got lucky. Everyone knows everyone and somehow or another we have just enough to kick in some relic raids and the like. There is no greed and tons of fun so I guess finally after starting EQ2, I found the guild I've been looking for. Oh and this weekend we hit guild level 40 now it's time for me to farm so I can get my Nightmare.... Sweet another thing for me to do.

I can hardly wait for the expansion next month.

Beta?

2006-10-03T08:03:00.000-07:00

Edit... not gonna break NDA anymore

As far as EQ2 is conserned well.... for the first time in any MMO I'm max level. Got lvl 70 on both my Mystic and Brigand in the same week which I was pretty happy about. Now I'm 3AA's from maxing from my Brigand and still a shit ton's of quests and gear for me to upgrade untill November's Faydark expansion.

I lied

2006-09-25T09:50:00.000-07:00

Well as most of everyone has seen I've not been around here for well over a month. Not that I didn't actually try to post here and there, the posts I've written up have gotten ate a few times and it in turn pissed me off. So I'm h ere back and hopefully willing to give at least a weekly review of this thing or that.

Now here in the last few weeks well rather less then a week apart both my Brigand and Mystic dinged for 70. I was excited about both but then it hit me, what next? Well my Mystic is reserved for my wife's wills and wants, I'm her slave that way. The Brigand has moved on to gain faction in PVP and questing even if it's greened out, because well I still get the aaxp from finishing them now.

A few of the recent changes I've seen have been great. The frekers from the newb island no longer can send me spam tells about buying gold. Although, I was tricked into a newb group by not paying attention and then he advertised in the group. The opening of yet another installment of Nektulos Castle in a higher level format of the 70's and the live updates of the returning of the Gods, the house items are very nice for both Q's and FP. Well here's to better posts and times in the future.

I'm trying

2006-08-04T08:49:00.000-07:00

I really am, I know not many probly hit this place in a long time but it's been really busy here latly.

I finally have orders and we are leaving to Barksdale LA. (Sweet I get ta work on more B-52's) here in or around Jan sometime. So with that and retraing on stuff I wont touch for another 3 er so years and now with out-processing... (Oh and EQ2) I've had a hard time to get up here to do my few weekly blogings.

All I have to say is the new EQ2 exapantion is looking up and there are some great pics with a new video out.. as usaual our friends over at www.EQ2-daily.com have the goodies.

In game spam

2006-07-14T08:34:00.001-07:00

There's something starting to pick up on both of my servers Befallen and Nagafen.... Spam /tell Gold Whores.

Both my Wife and I have been receiving tells such as "hey want 10 gold?" I'm almost level 70 WTF do I want 10 gold for? However, my reply is nah I'm not in need of 10 gold...Their reply is "Go to www.Suckdickforgold!.com" (I did make that URL up if it exists then...) To add insult to injury I get in game mails of going to a web sight to buy more gold... Now I know SOE cant stop all the leaky punks that spew shit like this into the game but there should be a report button just for this in the mail system. EQlive has a report bad mail button, it should work the same in EQ2 as well.

As far as the tells both my wife and I have petitioned a few different gold whores and get the same response. We will deal with it but we can't tell you how we dealt with it, have a nice day.... Excuse me? Every exploiter game breaking fool should be Exploited and hung up to dry on SOE forums. It should show which accounts and what names were on that account that were banned and why. SOE earned the box money from them so great, they will just go out and buy another box version and do it again. The only real satisfaction we all can get when Cheaters go down is whoring them back on SOE boards.

Some may say it's unprofessional, I say it's unprofessional not to. These guys read the rules play the game and know right from wrong then they come over spam me, cheat the game, and all I get is a thanks for reporting.... Have a nice day. I'm sure there are other ways of dealing with this but it's starting to run the gambit of 2 or 3 tells a week and 2 in game mails thus far 4 on the wives... Seriously, it's BS.

I'm not really upset with SOE but as Gold Whores go they piss me off to no end. Go peddle your B.S. in WoW, we don't want your shit here.

Saved for now

2006-06-29T21:54:00.000-07:00

Looks like the Net Neutrality was defeated so far by a tie.. All that means is they get to keep voting on it until it's hiden so well into a bill. That's when it's hidden so good that we end up voting a save the dolfins act into play not realizing "Oh yeah the net now belongs to SBC and Verizon."

Though the good new's is we are ok for now....
Crooksandliars

EQ Progression

2006-06-29T17:00:00.000-07:00

EQlive and the new progressive servers were a quick hit as with most new servers I’ve joined. There were tons of newbs and then there were even more returning vets like me who were really newbs. If you think you remember EQ1 think again and then rethink everything you just thought.

I started a few different newbs just to get the hang of messing around in the old stomping grounds of Felwithe, Kelethin, and Halas. It took me hours just to get the hang of the way EQ1 runs again and that in and of itself was a blast. I’ve yet to figure out how to create hot keys since they way I use to do, have totally changed. One good change is that you can open more hotkey banks unlike just the original 10. There is also an option EQ button for options that didn’t use to exist, this is still somewhat confusing. There is a Quest book sort of and I headed off to do some old quests and they didn’t show up in the book so I’m still unfamiliar as to how the quest book works. Though the turn in of Quests are the old way I enjoy vs. the EQ2 way of auto updates you actually have to collect the said items in your inventory and trade them over to the NPC. Yes granted EQ2’s auto update fulfill the bottle necking of some quests it’s just not as immersive in the sense of accomplishment.

As far as the upgrades to NPC’s they are nice, I seen a treant type creature in Faydark that would fit very well in EQ2 much less EQlive. The orcs are a lot less blockier and the Bats, wolfs, skellys are more to my liking then they were even just 3 years ago. Though the old SOL graphics are just something I’ll have to get over if I continue to peruse the land of Norath in the original Everquest. The character models jump less heartily and run more or less the way I remember, like an invalid on crack but I Love it… and hey EQ was never about the graphics and more about the adventures and community now wasn’t it?

Through my 4 hour extent of play time I did have to say it was very adequate in fun and intrigue even though I still know my way around I’m very curious as to the world around me. I really hit me when I found out my old swamp as a Froglok has turned into the Rathe Mt. which was a huge surprise to me and one I wasn’t to happy with since I really don’t know the lore behind EQ1 (Can’t play Frogloks on the Prog servers, I logged an old character on my account) . Though in EQ2 the lore said they hide very deep inside Guk in order to escape those who pursed to destroy them. So I’m unsure how they are stuck in Rathe or if it’s just a lead up to the future of Norath pre-Luclin explosion. (Now that would be an Expansion to see)

Overall I believe this to have the makings of a neat idea server and only time will tell if it’s a real hit. To bad the Elitist out there will activate the POK books and screw over Norath once again. Ahh! The joy of no insta-travel and not even ports at the present, the joy of no bells in the Harbors of EQ2, the joy of knowing what’s out there can actually harm you to the point of frustration….. I believe that’s the biggest selling points of these servers is that every one has to earn their rights and there is no bazaar to even sell shizza …. Old school baby, but for how long?

LU24 and chum

2006-06-28T06:15:00.000-07:00

I’ve tried from time to time to get time to post this post this time… muhahaha

Well the past few weeks I’ve been split from moving work to playing both my Mystic and Brigand. It is no easy task, battling the ever present Q’s on Nagafen to getting my Hoo’loh done with my Mystic then finding time to post. I can say I was the first to get the Mystic Hoo’loh for a Froglok and it looks pretty damn neat if you ask me… It almost makes me look like a hunchback Gnoll. I’ve also been contending from the new rush for power TSers because of the dumb down of the tedium and worth vs the effort.

Ok first I love the LU 24 it’s been neat to get tons more while harvesting and getting rares as if they well… there not rare anymore, unless it’s loam. I do enjoy trade skill a bit more but I still feel the effort of it is not as well suited as it was before. With all the undercutting I hope they bring the TS questing back because I can get more back from the Merchants then on the “Borker”. Gratis’ has it that LU25 will make my class wanted for a short time so that those of us who wish to by-pass the Borker will be able to. Supplanting items for carpenters to create so that you can sell out of from your own room, this is a bonus for me. Ok LU24 also placed the ever needed Exiles but I’ve yet to see the mass uprising everyone was talking about when this faction was to take place. I believe people will have to be organized and big enough to sustain it self if they do decide to become a “newt” (an old Sullen zek term). I’m quite happy that the betrayal is in though, so I’ll have to go and try it out on a newb of mine before I subject my lowbie on Nagafen to the pain of PVP betrayal.

Onto the more Brigand specific change that I find sweet for PVP, our Blackjack line of spells turned from a high damage stun to a root with lower damage. It’s great for those of us who need to get in a few backstabs in PVP. There is that old dbl rule where if you stun, root, mez… ect for 2 seconds they are immune for 4 seconds. PVP is where this root makes me that much more powerful in which I didn’t have before. It’s another ability in which I can continue my Backstabs on the Q’s who wish to uproot the will of the overlord. I’m now able to stun root snare damage and stun again…. It’s pure evil.

I’m hoping to be able to bring better news and reports in the future for our Dear EQ2 though sadly I’ve been out and about to much to get down to the nitty gritty.

Busy

2006-06-22T07:33:00.000-07:00

As I've said in previous posts, posting will be minimal for now. I'm moving back to my old Egress shop and waiting orders out of here. So I'll get to posting when things are more settled.

On the up, Tradeskilling is much nicer for me even though I wasn't sure how the economy was gonna turn out overall it's been very good change.

The Adventure pack is a neat place and for PVP a great place to city pvp if your 50+. The immersion and questing is a bit more what I like even if you have to sit and read what The master has to say then basically repeat it back. It's beautifully done and the whole Asian motif was outstanding for me. Lets just hope Soe keeps it up.

On a more pressing question, where is the PVP blackmarket? I remember something about it being put into the game in the open pvp area's but I've yet to find it and if it's not in yet when?

One more kudos is Soe took my master trading idea... Even if they didn't read this blog and use my idea I know I had it up here before I read it on the boards. So once this goes live baring any bugs it should kick arse.

until next time stay real.

Save the Intrazn3t

2006-06-14T07:39:00.000-07:00

Now I said I wouldn't go political on this blog because I have my opions and I got a few nasty emails when I did about how they are right and I'm a retard. I really don't care if I think I'm right or not I have my feelings of things and if I'm to be proven wrong over the course of my life I'll live with it, I never mind being wrong.

Tell me if I'm wrong here though? This Bill the Gov is trying to pass for a 2 teir internet wont benifit but 2% of all of Americans and yet our corupt system feels the need to vote on it. Go save the internet and get a free song. Read up about it and maybe it will enlighten you to the bigger issues. First the internet, then what comptuers we are alowed to use, and what sights were alowed to see... God save us all and God save the last free interprise for the little man.

Vanguards check mate

2006-06-09T06:58:00.000-07:00

With so much going on lately I don't know whether I'm coming or going so you will have to forgive me for being brief. Which in normal terms my 10 paragraphs will become 2, it should do in the times to come. Life has taken hold as I knew the closer to June this year would, assignments are coming out and I should be expecting one here shortly. My job here is officially done on the 16th and with out a job to do I'll be jobless, meaning I sit around all day twiddling my thumb's while trying to get around blocked web sights while still getting paid. Kind of like what I do now only I really don't have to answer to anyone until I get my orders to leave, Oh how 10 years seems so far away. Ok, I know you may not care too much about what's going on. I would like to be more precise as to my last post and why the bloging will come to a slow down and its eventual halt for a time.

Sorry if you thought this post was to be juicy sadly I've had too much on my plate to figure out a subject that has more appropriate for my normal bloging self. Even with the unavoidable Adventure pack and future Expansion of Norath there's not anything I would be able to say here with out rebloging what most already know. Though I have something I would like to express short and to the point.

Vanguard: SOH is moving to SOE as their (what I like to call "Share holder"). I wanted to say what a great move for people like me. Now I can play Vanguard with out having to worry about paying 2 bills, because as we all know I'll be playing Vanguard one way or another. I like this move also for the simple fact I don't like Microsoft, yes I use Windows XP but that's about the on MS thing in this world I'd pay for. I think Brad was smart in his move to buy out Vanguard from MS and keep it as Sigil only to have SOE to help out with billing. It reminded me of one of his posts about the whole Vanguard game I can't look it up but I remember McQuaid stating roughly Vanguard is Sigils and MS isn't going to bring discredit to it.

Now some may say moving to SOE is discredit but I think SOE nay Sayers are the same fools that would discredit Moses parting the red seas even if they walked thru the parted waters the night before. These are the same people that would wake up the next day and call it nothing more then a parlor trick or a dream. I give SOE more credit then a 13 blaberteen that was pissed off his mom stopping his EQ addiction for schoolwork and blamed SOE for his pain. I guess I really equate it to those fools that call [GM] Dave over stupid arguments only to be thrown to the Dragon and then go onto the board and say SOE sucks... (yes I know it's a SquarEnix game) sadly I'm sure there are SOE Gm's that could attest to (wanting) to throw the Dragon ban on some of their /petitions though I'm pretty sure [GM] Dave wouldn't last to long as customer service in SOE world. I'm glad Brad's baby is still his baby, now I truly hope another Verant doesn't happen. Some of us need "Hardcore" game play and Vanguard should be the cure for some time to come.

Forgivness

2006-06-08T06:55:00.000-07:00

I ask for your Forgivness in my not being able to post as often since I got back. I will try to make it a point to at least get 3 posts a week if not all 5 sadly though My work has finally Nerfed Blogspot from the network and there is no other way aroud it. I'll have to write it at work and send it to myself as usaual... I'm gonna try to get a juicy one up later today.

DING 62 - Other stuff for you

2006-06-06T07:18:00.000-07:00

I usally stray from posting Ding blogs because they usally don't mean much to me. However, today I got my first class hat for Mystic and it rocks. I have to say for a Froglok it's one of the coolest hats in the game. I don't much like the same hat on humaniods but overall it's sweet in stats and looks. Take that Swashbuckler...I also finally got tons of Wisdom and FT4 item Rock On!! This was a huge gain for me probly one of the best upgrade level ever.

While I was gaining 62 I've noticed that Scaleborn is one of the coolest dungeons in Eq2 since well... EQ1 dungeons. For me I love the openess the fact it's not instanced at least not untill there are tons of people and the hardness factor. The big kudos I would like to give KOS expantion overall is the fact they kept the whole expantion instanced minimum. Unlike DOF where it seemed every group I went to was a insta-freaksater. I enjoy instances once in a while but I truely enjoy open dungeons more.

The only drawl back is the fools in these places like SOS. Sometimes like KC (Karnors Castle) people have no reguards to others camped named rooms and train in the worste places leaving you busting yourself out or dead. Look I don't mind an accedent but it seem that alot of time's I'll be with my group camping a room and some other group runs in there. So while we are taking down another Mob the named pops and they KS it.

I know there isn't any other rule then play nice but shit... If you need the named in that room for a quest just ask the group in there if A. you can have it or B. wait your turn. It's all fun and games but if this shit happens on PVP by my team.... I'll be having some BT187's come over and PK some of the FPer fools that decide to step on my groups toes.

As far as training goes, well it's a weird thing, I love em and hate them. I don't mind it once in a while but what I don't like is some other group that seems to not like my group's presence so they run over with their monk and group FD right on top of us as if my Wife(Monk) can't do the same thing. Look if your trying to get deeper and you want to FD some shit don't do it next to another group ever, it looks bad and pisses others off.

SOE good job at bringing back Trains and open dungeons, tis a glorious day for a Train run no? I have to say I'm loving it anything else would be a lie

I'm back

2006-06-01T16:13:00.000-07:00

Well as you all know I’ve been away for a month and in being gone have dealt with the whole ordeal. It’s been one cluster after another, shit I should be in the circus with the way I’ve juggled everyday life. It’s taken me a while to get back to my blog since I’ve been back due to the fact it’s also taken me a bit to get back into life here in Cali; it’s all been so Surreal. Anyhow after I got back into life and into EQ2 my computers motherboard stopped working so I spent another few days going thru my Dino parts and finally Frankensteing a old computer I got it all to work, Oi! What a hassle and downgrade it was too. YAY for my 1666AMD 1gig SDram!!

So there I was the past few days playing my Shaman and figured I would get to my 60’s, how wrong I was. Not only do I like the fact I’m busy as a Healer it’s a must, if I’m not working as a healer then you’re not doing your job as a tank buddy. That’s my motto and I’ve always stuck with it if I’m becoming lazy I usually leave the group. Sadly, as I seem to level up the easier my job becomes and that’s not good. I have to go out of my level range just to get a challenge even then it’s hard to find something worth its weight in fun. I’ve found myself more bored in the back not healing or doing anything to the point of falling asleep at one point. Not quite sure what it is but unless I get a wreak-less tank that is great at taunting but has no self regard to the groups order my job is not fun.

So to stress my ability I went to Halls of fate and everyone was 70 but me, hell I know what I’m doing. From a Shaman standpoint a ward is a ward weather it be 2010 points or 2200 it still works just as well so levels don’t mean much to me. We did ok but like usual I had to get a tank that doesn’t know how to taunt on the pull-in so I found myself dead enough to the point I had to use my second set of gear. Normally this wouldn’t be to bad but what was even worse the 70 Templar seem to never be doing her job until it was way to late. Now I’m good and love a fight but I’m not good enough to keep everyone alive myself and then some when we get a few bad pulls. Though like I said I usually died on pulls anyhow because the Guardian just seemed to think it was ok to DPS when she was MT so we had to scrap HOF after about an hour.

My main point might have been missed as I’m just tired and feel in a pissy mode since my Shaman seems to have fallen from great fun to boredom. I’m trying to find a place or an equilibrium of challenge where I can do my job well but I get a job to do. Oh well I do always have my Brigand to fall back on. Though the problems with playing my Brigand at the present are my computer and the massive lag I get now with the downgrade of power. I just don’t feel the ability to go out and solo on PVP when I know I could lag out and die to a weakling greenie. Forgive me I’ll post more interesting stuff in the future I promise.

For those of you that sent your condolences it’s very much welcomed and appreciated, sadly with life there is death. May God watch over all of your loved one’s and May you never have to experience a loss in the way our family did.

Rest in Peace

2006-05-03T19:33:00.000-07:00

I perfer to remeber those I love in better times and this picture depicts that.

My Father Major S. Foster was a great man and of which I will no longer get to spend time any time with. He will be sorly missed and for this I'm saddend. Forigve me for any absence and know that everthing will be alright.

KATU

columbian

kptv

Has all the info that anyone would wish to know. I'll be away for a time, God be with us all.

Cheaters

2006-04-28T12:54:00.000-07:00

I'm sure you've ran into them from time to time, these little douche bags from hell seem to be all over Norath lately. As you can tell Cheaters get under my skin and a lot of it has to do with the fact they are to cheap to actually earn anything. I've been known to use the all coveted Konami "up down up down left right BA (select) start". I've even went to buy the first person Duke Nukem walk thru just to find out all the secrets (after I beat the game in a legit manner) and I also owned a Game Genie. Yes, not unlike most humans I do like to make life a little bit easier but I tend to wait and when it was playground brag I would defiantly wait to beat a game before I cheat. However, In a MMO cheating for me has never been an option. Yes, I've had super run speeds in EQ1 that happened when I updated my computer and I know it's happened in EQ2. The above picture was taken by me when my computer went Haywire with speed rushing me around everywhere; the fix was to update my Video driver. I just don't feel the need to cheat.

The first time I ran up on a cheater was this playground bragger his name, Jimmy Boyde. You see I never forget a name of someone who cheats to win. Bayou Billy was a brand new Nintendo game and most like me who just started playing the game found it fascinating. The game incorporated sidescroller action, shooting action, and driving action. It was and still is to me one of the most difficult games to play from start to finish. Well it took me about 2 weeks to learn how to play, the first week I was only allowed to watch and read the manual. The second week I was in the final few boards of the game and didn't know until I won. Well actually my dad won but it was on each others back we got there. I then continued to play until I could beat the game quickly. (I was fairly good at games so my Dad made me lag about a week after he bought games so the rest of the family wasn't left in the dust) I got to the point where I could beat BB in about 2 hours with breaks and about 1 hour if I went strait thru, I was a Bayou master.

OK, onto the story of Jimmy the cheater. I told him of my accomplishments and he bet me he could beat me to the end of the game. The bet was 100$, I was about 11 so it was major money then. He was from a rich family and always had cash he would flash in school all the time to be cool, anyhow. We went to his house where he had an extensive system setup with what I would say was the full Nintendo collection at that time (to include the robot and the power glove). Needless to say he was able to brag a lot mistakenly, he though he was the best player at any game at anytime. Well we were off and running on two different TV's and I was in front for a bit up until the racing boards which if memory servers me well it was 4th and 5th boards. You see I wasn't able to watch him while racing thru the roads because you needed full concentration to dodge everything on the roads. Ok, sorry! Long story short there was a cheat that allows you to skip a few boards and he used them. Antonio a friend watching us said Jimmy was cheating. Arguing later after he beat me that it wasn't said we couldn't cheat. Needless to say no money was exchanged. He then challenged me to races on bike and on foot and to a game of Mike Tyson’s punch-out to win my 100$. I won all those even still he wouldn't part with his cash (did I mention he tried to cheat at everything). Yes, he wouldn't rightfully part with his cash because he felt he won at Bayou Billy and that I owed him. So I kicked his ass on his front yard while being chased away by his dad.

I guess what I'm trying to say here is that while I'm on PVP server here busting my chops gaining in-game money and item by real means. There are cheaters running rampant, it's as if every other person I come up against is a warping, RMT cheating fool. I know both sides do it I've seen my side do it just as much as Q's, it's like an OK practice for all to do it. I usually don't Scream Cheater because after a while it just starts to become irritating and some may perceive it as "crying wolf" also even if you think someone is cheating doesn't always make it true. I just feel a little bit miffed that I have no power's to stop them while not becoming a Megalomaniac. I despise GOD mode in MMO's even if it’s unintended it seems as if it’s trendy to find these exploits and use them I certainly wish the dev’s could fix em all but sadly I know it’s difficult to impossible.

A few days back I ran into not 1 but 4 cheaters in one day and it seems that I am running into more and more each day. One was a de-buff hacker of sorts, he didn't warp but he wasn't snared for any period of time even when my snare landed and stuck on him. On 5 separate fights this same person he would continue to come at me I would double snare him; now on most PC's they would be walking for at least a few seconds. Nope he was running as super speeds and I couldn't catch him even with sprint on. First time I figured I maybe just perceived it wrong but after the other 4 fights I would beat him down he would run I would snare, see it land watch it on my de-buff window and see him out run me. I gave up on him because all he wanted was to see if he could beat me and there was no way by solo means I could take down this cheater. Then I ran into a few warpers in Commonlands. I commence to attack one Q and as soon as he was un-stunned you could see him and his partner skip across the CL as if they were bending space; this I see very often. The last one I found in Fallen Gate which you could tell was deliberately cheating. He was there attacking a named, he jumped the named as soon as he did we came around the corner and attacked him. He was warping around the room until he killed the name then warped away from us through Fallen gate; there was no way to attack him and when we did catch up it kept saying he was to far away.

You see cheaters are the lowest forms of shit on earth if you ask me. It doesn't matter if it's a Video game, sport, or gambling if you cheat someone out wrongfully, you’re a piece of shit. That isn't to say you can't cheat in 1st person games while you masturbate with your PS2 controller just keep it on consoles or 1 player games. It's just shity that cheaters seem to be getting away with a lot on Nagafen and very little crackdown. If there is a crackdown it's not loud enough to make a dent in the economy spiraling out of control or cheaters from warping. Yeah that Economy part, this comes from me inspecting a level 45 Assassin with some very serious gear not just a little bit of Legendary but a lot of Fabled. I figured I would go check out his online players stuff. Sure enough he has only had the account for a few weeks, he's bragged about how Uber he's become in a few weeks as well. Uber as in he has some high friend to help him out w/ major cash? Or did he buy it on RMT sights? Now I know for a person that is a veteran to EQ2 he could probly pull out the level 45 and some decent gear in a few weeks of strait playing and then some. It's just a lot of these very weird situations popping up on PVP servers that just seem far fetched to be truthfull with out cheating.

The only way I and a lot of others would feel much better is if we get to see blood. If someone is caught cheating and is banned from the game his account names of all his alts are to be blasted on a cheater forum and for what reason. This is good for deterrence and also to see that SOE does catch and ban cheater. I know this battle can't be won but even a little victory here and there over cheater assures the player base that Cheater's get caught and lose. It would also be great if they feed them to dragons like [Gm]Dave does and post up pictures. AND WE LAUGHED!

Overworld Action-able NPC

2006-04-27T16:39:00.000-07:00

In the past few days when I've had time enough to sit down and enjoy EQ2 I have pondered about NPC's and various actions. It kind of hit me even more when reading about Nerfbats Virtual worlds vs. MMO's. I won't get into the little debate I just brought it up because it made me think about my MMO world. I like emersion and the feeling as if something is going on. Like the feeling the first time you go into Nektulos castle or the ability to actually enjoy DFC with out the lag. Only this feeling is much stronger, a sense of real work is being done. Like the feeling I first experienced in Greater Faydark and finding Kelethin for the first time.

Picture Zek - a nice peaceful yet busy zone depending on what time of the day you go there. Zek is a relatively under used zone unless you're like me and Love to kill Orc's over Halflings or Goblins. I run around Zek completing all the notable quests I can complete to include Access to DFC and 2 Heritage quests (as I'm sure others have) and still have walked away with a feeling that the Orc's there could be farther along then they are. Now picture them actually getting things accomplished in the zone even when no one is around. Like the lumberjacks actually cutting down trees for the builders to build houses or weapons of war (catapults). Now when we the Player come upon these Orc's for the first time they could be very difficult if left unchecked. Such as the Catapult operators are actually lobbing Rocks and we as the PC have the possibility of being damaged if we don't charge up the hill to destroy the Catapult. Also the houses that are left undestroyed could spawn a series of Orc to continually barrage you until the house is destroyed. These Orc's could also be more powerful while the houses are left unchecked. I know these idea's are left for instances but I don't see anything wrong with a repetitive world rebuilding itself if left un-disturbed that can continually rejuvenate. They have very distinguishable traps like falling rocks in Waling caves so I know that it's not impossible to have some things like this implemented. I believe that if the team starts to make the actual over world more interactive and not just leave it to instances it will be more immersive in some cases. I feel that if NPC's are doing more then just sitting around arbitrarily chopping at a tree it would make the world feel more alive. Yes, I know that if some of the over world is to interactive it can be a bore or a camp/KS/grieve frenzy.

Mainly I would like to see more NPC doing things they would actually do in some cases actually do what their name suggests. (Lumberjack - Cutting trees in the game) (Centurions - Actually guarding something other then dead space) Some do seem as if they are doing these actions so don't get me wrong. I would just love to see them actually building up a war machine against us and maybe have a faction of these Orc's so we can side with them and help them to further there plan.

These principles can be applied to many areas in EQ2 and I would love it more then anything if they were used in Everfrost. This zone more then any others seems more like a lifeless and somewhat bleh zone. The Barbarians aimlessly walk up and down the path awaiting adverntures to kill them for writs. I understand the lore of Halas - it was swallowed into the sea- but, you don't think that they would also have a village being built? It could be continuous or a quest to protect the village from being destroyed by nearby PC's or Giants? These little areas could be safe havens for those that wish to help the Barbarian village in continually warding off Giants from destroying their houses. As to deture some PC's from attacking there could be a faction involved (Giants vs Everfrost barbarians). The giants could also have an actual area they are trying to fortify other then just aimlessly sitting on icebergs with the Goblins. These are just ideas from the top of my head but I'm sure ideas like these would make Norath more immersive.

EQ2 has a lot of things that's going for it and I have enjoyed a lot of what I've done in the past and now in the present with PVP. I would just like to spice it up a little bit more here and there by doing nice overhauls to the over worlds. It's wonderful they are redoing a lot of dungeons and the changes thus far that I've seen have been great. Since it's been said creating more zones for low to mid levels would create a grouping problem then I say they create more stuff to do in the existing zones.

Mr. Easter Bunny

2006-04-24T21:19:00.000-07:00

Happy late Easter, Ever notice in the game there is something more then it seems? Do you find yourself looking at the graffiti in the world and seeing something more? Well I found this little Easter egg right as I zoned in and ran around the tent in Zek. Don’t believe me go look for yourself it’s there. It’s pretty neat for those of us who know the EQ1 map like the back of our hands. If you can’t see it then look harder, (or Enlarge the top picture)I was quite amazed that I found this hiding out on a tent on of all days Easter. Sorry it took me so long to post this up but better late then never.

To the Victor

2006-04-24T21:05:00.000-07:00

We officially had our second war with the sister Guild "Brownie troop 187" and all I have to say is. We won we won nah ner nah ner boo boo, as the BT187 crew would of liked to say… Well, I can’t say it was a total loss it was just a loss in the big wars. They did take both the high level one on one groups and one of the low level group fights (despite that they didn’t have any healer). They did an awesome job at holding their own and overall it was a blast. Wish all you could have been there but sadly we’re members only, J/K. Here are a few screen shots from the war. Wipe here Wipe there, the best part about it was we got Guild level 11 and about 20% more XP into level 12. Thanks BT187, and a Big thanks to all that attended.

woohoo!

Yippy!

On another note my work has blocked all Blogs as I was afraid they would do. I must now write this in word and Email it to myself. The wife would get testy if I was spending every day for a few hours posting my thoughts on whatever daily. So, forgive any double day posts or any late day posts. I’ll try to get at least 3 post a week up if all goes well.

EQII Translates Jack Handy: 4

2006-04-19T11:56:00.000-07:00

It's that time agian, my verison's of EQ2 Jack Handy.

- I can picture in my mind Qeynos without war, a world without hate. And I can picture us attacking Qeynos, because they'd never expect it.

-- When I found the skull in Nektulos, the first thing I did was call the Guards. But then I got curious about it. I picked it up, and started wondering who this person was, and why he had busted Bow and a tresure chest nearby.

--- The Freeport man can pick up a grain of sand and envision a whole universe. But the Qeynos man will just lie down on some seaweed and roll around until he's completely draped in it. Then he'll stand up and go, "Hey, I'm vine man."

---- To us, it might look like just a rag. But to the brave, embattled men of the fort, it was more than that. It was a flag of surrender. And after that, it was torn up and used for shoeshine rags, so the Qeynosians would look nice for the surrender.

Enjoy!

Alt experience #2

2006-04-18T08:58:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went over what I felt was the Best AAXP for my Guardian. I wanted to touch on the fact that this in no way means I'm correct and there is no correlations to either being a Raid tank or a XP group tank. The same goes for the Brigand (Rogue) tree of AAXP. I choose what I think is best for the way I play the class. Likewise for anyone else curious as to which line of AAXP they wish to go for. It should be a decision based on what happens day to day in the life of your class and not because someone has this Pwnage idea that the line they choose is the best and only way.

The Rogue tree is the best set of AAXP in the game that I've seen thus far. There are a many possibilities that will make you a great Brigand or (Swashbuckler) but it's all dependent on how you; Yes, once again "play your class". Every one of the end line abilities are worth having but only 2 are obtainable at any one time so, like I said before there is a need to choose wisely.

First, the one all rogues get is a nice little ability, it's Pick Pockets. This ability has the probability to thief coin from humanoid NPC's and can also be used out of combat. There is a chance that you will taunt the NPC either in or out of battle if you get caught. If your like me it's a good thing, because in PVP I'm some how always Main tank (might be because there is a lack in Fighters). Some of you out there might think that scouts don't tank, I have something to tell you. Your wrong about that when it comes to Rogues, we can tank well if equipped correctly and have some decent Combat abilities and corresponding Alternate abilities. This leads me to Mercenary's Stamina line of AAXP and why I chose to do this line first. Swear, it's the very reason this line was the first on my list to have, it's nothing worse then being told to tank or having to back-up tank and not being able to control the battle. I know some people are thinking but, your still not a tank. I can say to you I've compared myself to many other fighters and I have ruffly the same mitigation and usually more avoidance of those around my level. Yes, if the fighter is well equipped and has a decent tower shield they have better block ratio's and can take damage better. This is PVP we are talking about here. So once I finish off the Mercenary line of AAXP I'll have decent defense and hate abilities so that I can tank as well if not better then your average tank.

The second line of abilities I looked over was Pirate's Agility line, it was at first going to be the main structure in which I was going to build my character. Though I later found out that no matter how nice Walk the Plank is I haven't had to many troubles in PC fights getting in backstabs. Sailwind has great possibilities though in PVP usually if my CA are all down and I'm waiting it's usually not to much longer that them or me is dead. Yes there are a few other abilities as a Pirate that I would love to have and could help greatly in PVP but if you haven't noticed I'm going Tank. Though this is still a possibility even in a PVP environment.

Blackguard's Strength and Thief's Intelligence are the main secondary lines I'm looking into and think they both have their ups and downs. The Str line ups my Defense while the Int line makes it so that I'm more roguish when it's needed. The added Feign ability of the Intelligence line is a hard ability not to want to have, though I'm still unsure as to what is the best way to go. If I was in a PVE environment the Intelligence line is probably one of the best you could have. Getting hate is very easy and with Evasiveness ability I could go all out w/ a lot less recourse for hate. Though, in PVP that's not really an option when the other side sees you as KOS; your on the top of their hate list if seen. If your in a fight where your priest or mage is the top vs another PC, Swear/cuss/upbraid (Taunt abilities) are all very nice Combat abilities to help make you top on that list anyhow. The main reason I want Strength line is I can utterly make someone's recast time that much more slower... Something to think about

As far as Fencer's Wisdom to me it's more of a Roleplay line. Some one has to really be into Fencing in order to want this line. As you can see this is my opinion though, the Fencer's line is not with out merit there are some nice abilities. However, I like defense and will skip this line all together.

These are all brief and to the point and should be taken as such. I will continues to choose my AAXP based on what I feel is best for me at the time. If you missed the above link, this has all the info based on the Rogue line I've been writing about.

Suggestion time** If you noticed I accentuated the Archetype names for each of the lines and in doing so hoped to get it across that I really like the names used for each line. Such as it's nice to be a Dragoon/Gladiator/Guardian likewise you could be a Executioner/Berserker and my favorite in name alone is Pirate/Thief/Brigand, although I will most likely be a Mercenary/Blackguard/Brigand. What I would like to see is the ability that once you get the bottom Alternate Ability line finished, a Archetype name system being used.

Here is a few suggestions at making the Archetype naming system work. Let them become Prefix names, displayed as such.
Mercenary
Destroyer Falik Splitshade
Aggroculutre

My other suggestion is to have it used in the search engine for classes. When you do a /Who all Brigand the list could show.

Name level location Class/Archetype
Falik 37 anywhere Brigand / Mercenary
Joesmoe 2 newb Brigand
Uberall 70 nothere Brigand / Pirate / Thief

It doesn't even have to show both Archetypes it could just show the one you wish it to display. Just like where you could select your prefix name that could be the Archetype that shows under the search function. This could server as a purpose tag for those that might be looking for a tank and know Brigand/Mercenarys can do a decent job as well. There are other reasonings with other classes but this is one I know well. Just something for thought, until then I hope everyone enjoys the journey to Pwnage.

Alt experience #1

2006-04-17T09:27:00.000-07:00

Recently I've been focused on my AAXP with both my Guardian and my Brigand. I think I've focused more on getting my quests done so that I can get my next AA point then actually gaining another level. There are so many sweet things about this addition with the Kingdom of Sky expantion, it's the main reason I purchased KOS. Don't get me wrong, I love the new armor models and as much as I complained in the past you'd figure I would of bloged it already. There are so many different options for each character to go the way they want to with AAXP and Armor it makes this well worth the money. It's all about preference; I think some are all about the Raid point of view while others maybe about RP or grouping point of view it's nice we all get a choice how our charcter is truely built.

If you noticed your class AAXP you will see some things are so sweet your gonna focus on it and some others are just blah. Though, I've seen just about every AAXP and believe they all have there merits, some more for roleplaying aspect and other's have great functionality. I play two charcters at the moment so today I'll give a overview of my Guaridan(pve) choices and tommrow will be about Brigands(pvp).

Guardians: I've had a misconception about this class since the Combat revamp and up until the past month didn't know what they were about anymore. The Warrior line of AAXP has been the hardest to chose from thus far because I love just about every end line ability.

The hardest part was for me to choose from STA or AGI line which I singled out to be my favorites. The STA line requires a buckler which for me isn't a big deal Mitigation wise because you get great avoidance and other ability's that still keep you in line with being a decent warrior once the line is all filled out. The biggest trouble I had was the fact that there is not a single buckler version other then the SBS that I like. Bucklers also have a fault in the fact that they all look the same when they are player made from tier 4 to top tier (baring tier 7) because truthfully I don't know what that looks like. The only other buckler I like is the one that is clerics only, it's metallic looking and overall has a cool feel to owning. I will have to wait till my vanity is fufilled before I think about going Gladiator. The reason STR wasn't a choice in regards to my Guardian on the first line of AAXP is because I feel Beserkers are the AXE class. That doesn't mean I wont do STR it just that I just feel AGI is better suited for my character.

So if you didn't guess I went AGI line to become a Dragoon. I finally attained the first Dragoon ability "Dragoon Spin" which is a decent AOE, 1 second cast and 1 min recast, the recast is a little bit long for me but I'll deal. The coolest part is one must have a Spear equipped, this has a great defining quality to it and there is some Roleplayablity to it also. Even though I have other AOE's that look like all the spin hit AOE's, I was glad to actually have another ability to give a little more surrounding hate. (damn warlock dps) The only thing missing from the AGI line is the ability to kill Dragons better; we can't have everything I suppose. Yes, I know I'm not really a full flegged Dragoon but I still felt more like a Dragoon the moment I equipt my first pike, even more so the minute I gained the AOE. Now I never owned a Spear for my Guardian so it was kinda cool, I am or rather was a Sword and Board warrior. I really can't wait to make more upgrades to my Dragoon line and for me this is what will set my Guardian apart from others this is a nice touch indeed.

I looked at STR and WIS lines as my secondary focus and will look deeper into those when I become a full fleged Dragoon though the Wisdom line is a real possibility. The intelligence line had nothing of major importance to myself but was still a decent line to have. Have to be careful because we can only have up to 50 points at the moment.

I'll be working on the EQ2daily-wiki Alternate Exp. in the near future so keep an eye out for the Warrior line. Yes it's an empty template for now but I'll populate it soon enough.

More on Brigand AAXP tomorrow*

Brell Rocks

2006-04-14T07:52:00.000-07:00

I got my wish. Something I found missing in the game since day one has finally been implemented. Early on in EQ2 devlopment I was excited that what I feelt as a key aspect was gonna be there. I couldn't wait to see what being drunk is like in EQ2, sadly we know it was never implemented until yesterday. Notice the time stamp for this quote, 2003.

Fri Aug 22, 2003 10:53 pm
Moorgard wrote:
Okay, I blame Hannar for this... Some of the team just spotted this thread and ran over to ask me if I'd seen the drunk effect yet. I said no. So they showed it to me. I'm not exactly sure which designers came up with this, but they obviously know their booze. The drunk effect is literally nauseating. Everything gets all blurry and moves in and out of focus. Not like it did in EQ; like it does when you're really, really wasted and the barstool suddenly feels like it's made of jello. Maybe they consulted Anyuzer after his birthday--I dunno. But however they did it, the drunk effect is quite... unsettling. But somehow, I think you guys are gonna like it.

All I have to say is this is the coolest World Event quest I've done. It's short sweet and to the point. I'll give a brief Quest overview so if you don't want any spoilers read no further.

There is two portal's in which you may zone into. One from Antonica outside North Qeynos gate and the other Commonlands outside West Freeport Gates. It's rather weird they choose it to look like a portal but it's a Bar portal nonetheless.

You gain a Quest inside this bar, it's an actual zone you share one both sides of the world. (which makes for great PVP bar fights) Once you get the quest from the Dwarf at the bar you may start around the world venturing for a few things.
Upstairs is a personal bar instance set up where you need to get Jimmy drunk for beer ingredients. This can be a little time consuming and he will attack you if you get him to drunk. After this you get to travel, I went to Thundering steppes where you need to snatch barely in TS village. First you need to distract the owner by Cow tipping Betsy (this didn't seem to want to work for a bit) after run in and yoink it. Now it's time to collect pure water, this is an actual harvest. They are all right under the 4 docks to each of the zones required; Antonica, Commonlands, Thundering Steppes, and Nektulose Forest. Once your done here you can go back to the bar where you give the ingredients to the Dwarf where he in turn tells you to recite a prayer.

You will be ported to an instance that is exactly like the one in which Varsoon resides. Here you will find a few Dwarfs working away and a Ghost that asks you to figure out the trial. This is where you can actully die if you choose unwisely; I did. If you wish to solve it yourself read no further. You pick up the Stein to the right of the Ceramic mug, you will then be ported back to the bar.(highlight) Turn in the quest for a nice all you can drink keg for your house. Cheers mate*

On Nagafen I would suggest getting drunk in the bar and fighting those that come in there, it's a fun way to say Happy Brew Day. All in all I think this is one of the best times doing a Live event; and the reward is exactly what I've wanted.

EQ2 features

2006-04-13T13:44:00.000-07:00

EQ2 suggestion time, yes every week er so you know I'll have em. I always love new and different and, I do so love to make things better. Though to be selfish and masochistic I think mine are just better off left here in blogy world most the time.

First off I though of a great idea for the tabbing chat system. Depending on how you use the tabed chat system this may or may not apply to you. It would work like this. Suppose you have 2 tabs one with your Main chat (guild chat, tells and Group chat) the other is just Combat related. Now suppose your watching your battle spam go by like me and don't hear the tell sound of someone talking to you. The Main chat will start to flash, meaning someone sent you a tell, or the guild is speaking maybe even your group. It doesn't just flash on any chat though. You can have a selection in the tab options to only have notification if (tell,group,guild) by your own choice. Say your not in the mood of guild chat blinking your tab, you can make the option to shut off guild chat. This should work with any option on any tab depending on what you wish to see or have activate tab flash. It would be nice when I'm not watching the battle spam; I want to see a Critical in Battle it flashes the Combat tab. Of course this should all be optional and there should be a way to deactivate this feature. I think it would be great for those who find it a pain to switch tabs.

It would be a bonus if there was an another option that automatically switched between tabs depending on what you wish to see. If your in Combat at the Combat tab and the group says something it automatically switches over to Main chat tab. Same goes for Combat if your in Main chat and battle starts your hits could trigger it to go over to Combat tab.

Another PVP feature that would be nice. A option added so that we were able to inspect anybody and see their /PVP_stats. It would pop up another window like inspect and see who their last 10 kills and deaths by name. Their overall total kills, Deaths, and their kill or death streak (that doesn't reset). I don't like the fact no one will ever truly know my best was 52 kills before a death. Better then having to go to Players Online to find out this info anyhow. Though I have to say I'm glad /pvp show us our own stats.

AAXP: It would be nice if a window tab under persona would be dedicated for what you did for the AAXP. Such as the named Mobs you killed for AAXP and all the Points of interest. Quests already have a journal of completed so they don't need it. Though, it would be nice if the quest book had a check mark next to the quest that gave AAXP. I know I would rather see a window then the abbreviated stats you get hovering over the AAXP bar.
Quick note* They should make all non-repeatable quest regardless of their con give AAXP. I know it maybe un-intended but it's not like we can't mentor to get the AAXP anyhow. Maybe they make it so it's at a % less then what it would be if it were a higher con, either way they should all give AAXP like collections do; even green named give AAXP.

If you like the real deal I'm sure you may have already seen it, LU 22 has come. Nothing to complain about here and that is great. I'm glad Mentoring is at least back even though it will probly not be used much we have the option. I'm curious as to the effect of reducing Cuss debuff on Divine will have Oh well I get an upgrade soon. It also looks like you can get drunk in game? Wailing Caves 14 here I come woohoo. Though, the number 1 thing I am looking forward to Dungeon crawling in Permafrost for a reason other then Prismatic. This is an A on my Live update rating scale.

Earth is about change

2006-04-12T14:32:00.000-07:00

The past few days I've been debating about how I'll continue this Blog. I've enjoyed my time here because it's used as a way of expressing myself. Even if I had no readers it's the kind of freedom you rarely get. To express oneself without interjecting or rude counters to your very own opinions, it is in a way very relaxing and therapeutic. I have the power to delete bad comments which makes it even better.(though I never had to)I started this blog because I found it as a way to circumvent cheesy forums such as EQII and the traditional SOE forums. Just saying what's on my mind with out to much banter about whether I'm right or wrong. People bring out spread sheet to show me the error of my ways, it's just not something I care to deal with. I'm also in Debt to Aggro me because if it wasn't for reading his blog I wouldn't had started this one to relax with and pass the time. So thanks Aggro.

Reflection of one's accomplishments are through various ways; mine are usually self induced. I have very little need for others around me to praise me or tell me how great I am(though at times it's nice) I don't live on praise. I live for change, change to the world around me either EQ2 or the World outside. Change for the most part keeps me going, I love it, I need it and, unlike most people I hold my arms open to it. I usually use any catalyst for change if I have the means to. Some may live for the world to serve them, as if someone owes them something they have never earned. Though, you may have noticed I like life a little bit more spicy then those who wish it easy. That is why most of my posts about EQ2 are to make it more difficult in one way or another. (but usually better) I think in some ways I've touched a few people through my blog, if it was only to make you think or laugh then I did my job. So for all those out there that have read my posting thanks.

Change in the world and not knowing what tomorrow brings. Most of you know I post during work and for the most part it's the only time I have. I go to school and am Married with a 2 year old running around the house. I also have a full time job.. (when I'm not posting here) This job is the Air Force (Edwards California) and as with anything in the military it will all soon come to an end. No matter what you do or where you go in the military it can change in an instant. I say this because my current position goes away on Monday. This position required me to be on call 24/7 and deploy people to war zones all across the world, it was a very intensive job when things got kicking. The new squadron I'm moving to already has 3 in my position so the likely hood of me staying here for much longer is very unlikely. I'm also expecting orders with in the next few months to be moving hopefully back to Europe. There is very high likely hood I'll be back in my old job fixing up Ejection systems (which is great) but it's very time intensive. I won't have the ability to post here as often or if at all and as much as I love to blog here, when I'm home I wouldn't have the time to articulate a good post. Though the biggest excuse is my Family/God comes first and EQ2 playtime comes second there will be if at all very little time to post here.

I'll be posting until I change positions but if you don't find me posting here I'll still be around. I'll still surf Aggroforums and EQ2-daily, so you'll not get rid of me that easily.

Oh! Grouchy Gnome is Blackguard tada....

EQ2 Carpenter

2006-04-11T14:22:00.000-07:00

I have tried many tradeskills in my EQ2 career such as provisioner which was ok but I'm not big on making food and drink. Sage, which was easy to level to 40 but extremely boring; there was little to no effort being done to make spells and not very fun making what I felt was the same item even in essence it's not. Armor, was fun for for a bit but the closer I got to 60 the more I disliked the way it felt. Maybe it was more of a market thing because even with attuned gear it seems like there is some jack who will sell his armor for less then the NPC will pay for it. Which in turn screws us over who are tring to recoup the cash put into the tradeskill itself. Carpenter, well that's what this post is mainly about short sweet and to the point. (maybe not)

I love this tradeskill, not everything you do is grandiose but overall feel is good. I knew as a carpenter I could finally get all the stuff for my room that I've never really done. Except for when I get quest items or the old world NPC bought stuff before it was taken down. I wanted to really become a carpenter because to me it's just easier to make boxes all day long. Everyone always needs them and they sell like hot cakes usually not for much cash but enough at this point. I've been able to barter a lot of boxes for strait gear as well. Food, poisons, armor, even a imbued shield or two all these have been strait trades for my boxes. This was great to me, I love bartering more then money trades. Now I'm sure I could do this for other items I've made when I was an armor or provisioner but, I never tried it's just something new I tried on the PVP system and so far it's worked well. The main reason I love this tradeskill is because it feel that even when I'm making sub-combines I feel like I'm going to make a neat new item. Neat and New to me because I never paid attention to housing stuff, unless on the rare occastion I went to someone's room to purchase an item.

Things I feel that are going to make being a Carpenter better (I hope). As I stated yesterday I am assuming that there will be items placed in for carpenters to make for the new consignment system. I do hope this will happen since we are the house makers but I wont really hold my breath so I'm not to disappointed if it's just NPC purchased crap. Even if they have a few NPC purchased items which is ok for the newb the good items should be made by a Carpenter and the best dropped by Ubermob_01. This may not garner a lot of cash when servers start to settle down and own enough containers but will still be good cash even after the boom. We don't have to hope to god someone's gonna feel like having a Erudin Globe for their room so we make a few and it takes 4 weeks to sell a few we will know someone needs to buy these. To most, Inn rooms are useless but, with the new consignment system it looks as if people will be required to traffic others rooms, this is great. It also means more people will be encouraged to buy nice stuff for their houses to maybe (attract customers) to come back. I

Something I wish for~ This is my A #1 wish for carpenters in the world of EQ2. That any item rare or otherwise placed in the room has a chance to improve the actual charter stats or world. Notice before I said any; what I don't mean is all items, let me get more specific.

Example 1: You purchase an Imbued Maple dresser, say your stats with heat maybe lowered but your cold stats gets a boost. These stats can be identified by inspecting the item and make some of them even lore for the room. If people share the room only the person who owns the room gains stats from the items placed in the room by the room owner only(not the others). If any extra items placed in the room by a second party are just for decoration. I'm not asking that every item have a stat, I would actually ask that only imbued or rare items have stat bonus to them. If they can make it so they don't stack or are lore in some cases this would go over well, so there isn't a problem. Such as someone buying up tons of SV (whatever) to get a massive advantage with more then just gear. Maybe even some stuff in the house can give passive abilities that are even Fabled items for the house. Such as you get a fishbowl for killing some epic mob that you can place in your room that allows you to have enduring breath as a static buff.

Example 2: World change~ this would be a bit more difficult but in some ways it'd be neat if there was a charisma type item placed in your house so NPC sell for less cash and maybe even status points. This don't necessarily mean from every NPC but may a certain faction here for there will get a boost. This one has a few possibilities that I could expand on for days.. (short and sweet remember)

I know this isn't such a new idea and it might have even been brought up a time or two on the EQ2 forums. I don't read them much but I figured after seeing this in Final fantasy online it would be something neat to have in EQ2. Either way I actually like Carpentry and I think I'll stick it out for some time to come. Here's hoping that the Tradeskills update is a good one to us all**

UPDATE: COG ~ N3rfed

2006-04-10T14:31:00.000-07:00

Almost forgot N3rfed has CARNIVAL OF GAMERS up on his sight this week. I figured I would throw my hat in the ring this time. Go check some of em out.

The Big News; just not mine

2006-04-10T07:50:00.000-07:00

Today I was going to go over how carpenters could fit better into the world of EQ2, and by an assumption I'm making about what Aggro wrote it looks like they will. At least in part, I'll go more indebth about that tomorrow. Now onto....

THE BIG NEWS: Of which I have none, well none from experience but if your looking around today it's a windstorm of this weekends Fanfair. There is tons of stuff to pilfer for us but as with anything it'll take a lot of pilfering just to find something we might want to hear. . Sorry I just don't have any news of my own, I don't want to reprint or reblog so I'll just link a few. I would of loved to have gone to this fan fair but as far as budgeting, I calculated a minimum of 1500$ just to get there thru the weekend. If I had that type of money to go I would of went or hmm.... the upgrades to my computer I could make so EQ2 would have all the bells and whistles.

As always Aggro me and EQ2-Daily always hit home, lucky sons of ...... Were able to go. There are some decent links and info on Aggro and some insightful banter on EQ2-Daily.

One thing is for certain even if the only info that was gathered (which it's not) was about the new consignment system I'd still be stoked. This has some hints of Final fantasy online but it's great none the less, carpenters might have more of a real role in the world. Other then making someone have a in game house that nobody ever really sees. I really hope this works out great for both the adventurer and tradeskillers alike. I was always hoping some of these house boxes I made to the weapon rack I claimed could be used for more then just looking nice in my insta-room. I will go on more about this tomorrow I just want all this to settle in.

Friday Humor: You know the signs

2006-04-07T07:47:00.000-07:00

Here we are again another friday and no Aggro around to make us laugh. Well as I sit here and am being forced by Aggro's Elite Ninja Death Squad or "A-ENDS" they say I'm to make you all laugh. I'll do my best to fill in on Friday humor or I guess I'm gonna get shived.

You know you play too much EQ2 when...

You try to pull quest items out of Office papers exclaiming "Ooo shiny!".

You've stopped going to the store; you need skill up's harvesting your yard.

You're confused as to why nothing you post on your home bulletin board seems to sell.

You have constructed a second story loft out of tables.

You go to the local dealership and ask to test out a flying carpet.

You've started regarding political parties in terms of Qeynos and Freeport.

The only way you feel satisfied about doing anything is writing it in your notebook as if it were a quest journal.

You buy new cloths and get all excited about the pending stat boost.

You consider every moment of every day a heroic opportunity.

You try to autoattack your neighbor.

You buy your wife sexy armor and say it was at a cheap price.

You start talking in slashes - /say /ooc /tell.

You try to make a "you know you play to much" list.

You tell your wife you forgot about Valentines day because a Guild Member wanted to farm. How else you gonna pay for that sexy armor?

You glance at the top center of your car's windshield for the compass.

You see a rock on the side of the road and have an uncontrollable urge to harvest it.

Your family asks when dinner is and you reply "Just one more combine!"

You wonder why that spoon isn't stirring the pot itself.

You get your Wife a Real rare imbued Shield for her birthday! She'll forget all about Valentines.

You start collecting everything in real life, in hopes you can turn it all in for something neat.

You ask a very revealing female at a bar what level her guild was to buy that dress.

You jump off of everything hoping you'll finally get another safe fall skillup.

You start to visit every construction site nearby and yell "GM event!"

You roam around the halls of work clicking on any visitor in hopes you get a neat quest.

You ask yourself which has better stats to drink; work coffee or home brewed?

You hear a phone ring and say "Grats!"

You duck and squadle around areas you shouldn't be; believing your invisible.

You go to a dentist appointment and kindly ask the doc; What is your skill level are you maxed?

Your at Sears and ask the sales man if the stove you wish to purchase can do tier 7 foods?

You get home from work on payday and are glad you didn't get player killed.

Well I hope you enjoyed this Friday Humor and even if you get a little chuckle I did my job. Yes, some of these were modified from various places and others were my own. Hope you all have a great weekend.

Making change

2006-04-06T10:25:00.000-07:00

Some may say that the proof is in the pudding. I say it's in the effort of putting that delightful desert together. Days like today are no different I usually keep track of what SOE is doing with EQ2 and I have to say in the recent year and change they have done a great job. Many people who initially played EQ2 found it distasteful some in grafix but most were in the execution of gameplay and the general worldy feel. I have to say in the recent months, found that these changes have brought back and introduced the new wave of newbs which is a rather good thing. What's great about MMO's is they constantly change and what's bad about MMO's is they always change. However, we are not here today to talk about that. It's another post on how I think changes could benefit the world of Norath.

First, I hear in the next LU that they are to change damage to effect something you changed out within 30 seconds. I like this change because it tells those who were circumventing the system to deal with the ramifications of /yell /nude macro.. die. It says to them your going to pay the price no matter what. I do feel this is a step in the right direction for death, though I'm hopping for a harsher PVE death system to be focused on. Maybe not harsher in the effects of the (shard run, Corpse run) but there has to be something to make me care about dieing in PVE. PVP death is balanced in a great way and I can't complain because, I really just don't wanna die to the other team. Anyhow, the great side effect is there will be 2 second swapouts which will help my Guardian do a shield bash switch back to duel wield like my old EQ1 days. It will also help various other alts that do in battle swapout functions.

There is also an upcoming change to some of the dungeons. To me anytime a dungeon is changed or tweak it's cause for semi-concern. Yes some of the loot tables in these area's are dated but other then loot tables being placed there is a need to watch out for more botters. The huge problem I noticed in Runnyeye when it was overhauled were high level botter's. I seen them using mentor to KS other valid groups and camping/farming non-stop. They would constantly train other groups if they get to close to their kill and were just down right greedy. I think this will be a good change in the end.

One PVP change I would like to see happen: There have been several times people just spawn rush you or spawn camp. Either way it's not really the spirit of what I call true PVP, yes there should be trickery and debotchery. However, it seem that the higher level we go the worse this position becomes. I don't mind a few people coming back for revenge kill on me I do, so I know a few would come try their hand at it as well. It only becomes a problem when someone just wont quit, No real recourse on them after the first kill. So they continue to come at you until they just get lucky, they get the kill and the XP/loot. There is nothing stopping them from their relentless pursuit of death marching until they win.

How come we aren't forced home after being kill by other players? Not after the first kill mind you, but after a series of deaths by the opposite team. Say like a string of 3 deaths forces you back to Antonica or Commonlands. This would help in areas like Cazic Thule and various other places that have respawn jumpers. If you are adamant about getting a PK on the person that killed you 5 times in a row there should be something that the other player can do (win a series of bouts in a row and force you home). I know if someone comes at me enough times I start to get bad faction because I what, protected myself? This in my mind is unfair when I'm not chasing him down. I understand this function works somewhat on helping the grief campers move along but, in all reality I see the problem more in the respawn zergers.

On another note: I hope those at FanFair 06 have fun. I would also like to say EQ2 Devs are doing a great job. Let hope they keep it up.

Guardians

2006-04-04T13:11:00.000-07:00

I have in the past kinda degraded my Guardian and I guess it was in a way w/o cause. I've recently been playing my Guardian and have noticed they are a lot better now then they were in the past. Yeah I'm not taking full Group mobs solo that were blue to me but I can still hold my own in a decent group. Guardians have abilities that I think rival other fighters and they really do still do have some decent tanking power. Some of the AAXP takes a lot to be desired but overall seem to be an ok setup however, I've yet to really find out what I want to know about the STA line.

First thing I've noticed in all the groups I've joined or Fighters I've inspected with in my level range seem to have a lot less HP and lower mitigation. The avoidance was give and take but overall my melee stats seemed to be better by default. I do know that from the previous posts I said they are HP buffers and they are. However, they have a few other things I know they bring to the group. Best thing of all is their out of group AOE taunt, this has helped me control a lot of adds which otherwise would of been a fiasco with the Monk I've played. There are also 2 buffs that give a short duration Mitigation and Stat boost, these usually last during per fight -depending on the length or difficulty in each encounter. I know other fighter have decent buffs and DPS augmentation that are better then Guardians but it seems to me they have the best aggro control.

As for the AAXP I've only really looked at the STR and the STA line but have only focused on the STA line because for me more HP means I live longer. Sadly it looks as if we need a buckler for the actual abilities to be used though I'm not 100% sure on this. Needless to say I'm disappointed with that aspect. I see that the next live update will allow for 2 second change outs but even that might deter me from going STA line. Hell, even my scouts STA line uses the roundshield.

All I can say is that I fell in love with my Guardian once again and when I'm not on PVP I'll be tanking my way to the mobs we all know and love. I just hope that they keep giving the Guardian lines more abilities to actually Guard, I didn't go Fighter(warrior)Guardian to be DPS. Which tends to be the attitude with most people that become plate classes. Be proud to be a Guardian/tank in groups and know your place it's never really behind the mobs.

Bad Fix: Mentoring

2006-04-03T08:51:00.000-07:00

Mentoring on PVP lately, if you didn't know has been removed except for in instances. This removal has placed a hold on my fast leveling because I just level faster then most of my friends. It's not a huge problem they disabled it from PVP, quite the contrary. Mentoring was being exploited as with anything on PVP, if they can do it they will. I've noted that some of the biggest troubles with mentoring when it was enabled. There was the stalk a grey Mentor-kill-Unmentor and the Mentor-startfight-disband group; so in essence they had to fight a high level character at his/her peak.

These little troubles cased some undo grieving but I'm not here to whine about that, grieving happens because well it's PVP. First I'm glad they took it out, it helped stop the troubles with mentoring and SOE has somebody looking into it. It's not that big a deal it's not in but it does make it a bit of a pain to group with your Guildies and friends that just don't level fast. They usually have a good fix in there somewhere that's good for both sides right? However, the news of the fix came out here recently and it's not good at all.

1) When initiating mentoring, the mentor must remain stationary for 60 seconds. During this time period, (Mentoring 60...59...58...) will appear next to their name in the same fashion as the camping message. Any movement, spell casting, aggrogro will cancel this process. (Mentoring can be initiated in any zone)
2) While mentoring, the mentor cannot engage any PvP targets or cast any beneficial spells on any members of the group who are hated by another player. However, mentors can be attacked by anyone who could normally attack their group, but are not able to retaliate. Essentially, once you choose to mentor, you remove any option of fighting other players until mentoring has ended.
3) The effects of mentoring will only cancel for the mentor after they zone or camp. In addition, if the mentor finds themselves thrown out of the group, or the mentored target goes LD, they will gain zero experience until they zone or camp to cancel mentoring.

I guess it's not all bad, the first one is good in the fact it doesnallowlow those of us to run behind a lower level player-mentor-kill which was happenia lotlot. The third odoesn'tsnt matter one way or the other for me.don'tont mentor fXP xp anyhow so the Camp or zone thing bothers me very little. The kicker here is in the second note - The mentcan'tont ENGAGE or cast any BENEFICIAL spells during any PVP battles.

Ok So what does that mean exactly, well if you read it within the context given it basically says your a sitting duck. It means that anytime the opposing faction is around you have to unmentor and do a /camp (self name here) that is to say you know what's going on. Sadly, more often then not it means your gonna die if you mentor. Most the battles you would have mentored for would be in XP groups not PVP, so this means you will be the hunted. Being the Hunted, if you don't know has a huge disadvantage already so it basically means mentoring is still out on PVP unless in an instance or have a death wish.

I'm not sure why they just don't leave this out of the PVP servers as it is. don'tont need the mechanic in the game if it wont be utilized and under this ruling it just wont. In a way it's a slap in the face in another they can say well at least it's in. What I say is make it so thoability'stys we aren't suppose to use at lower levels black out. Make it so that when I mentor I'm the level of the mentor on a somewhat even basis. I say fix the calculations of mentoring or just donallowlow it. I would much rather have no mentoring then the proposed fix at this point.

EQII Translates Jack Handy: 3

2006-03-31T12:43:00.000-08:00

- If they ever come up with a swashbuckling school, I think one of the courses should be Laughing, Then Jumping Off Something.

-- I guess I kinda lost control, because in the middle of the gameplay I ran up and lit the evil Earth villain on fire. No, I didn't. Just kidding. I just said that to help illustrate one of the human emotions, which is freaking out. Another emotion is greed, as when you kill someone for money, or something like that. Another emotion is generosity, as when you pay someone double what he paid for his stupid Summoner pet.

--- Before you grief someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you grief them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

---- During the lost age, probably one of the biggest mistakes was not putting on your armor because you were "just going down to the corner."

hope you enjoyed the latest rounds of me screwing up Jack handy.

Little advice

2006-03-30T08:33:00.001-08:00

MMO's can sometimes be daunting, well maybe not if your in WOW but most MMO's are complex. Even more so when you throw people in, it becomes an entity in an of itself. People make or break a game and a lot of the times it's why we come back. I played EQ1 in my last throws just to holler at old friends and sometimes think back to those days as the best damn time ever in an MMO. Anyhow, here are a few EQ2 tips to remember both in PVP and in PVE.

First and most important know your class and controls. Know exactly what you bring to a group and then some. Stretch the limits of your class and figure out if there is more then the overview is showing you. Example* rogues can tank in EQ2 if they have the right gear and know how to use their ability's, you may have some in your group doubt you. If your good at what you do and you prove it they will be impressed.

Upgrade often, there is nothing worse then if your in a group with a wizard that has all his old spells maxed but hasn't invested in the new spells. Like wise a Warrior that has cloth for his main gear. This one is a given but even more so in a PVP environment; I always say it's better to live with no money in the bank vs being a dead Platinumaire. Ensure you have the best spells and gear your money can buy. It will usually reap better group rewards and playablity.

In PVP know your grounds, familiarize yourself with the area by knowing what rocks you can dive behind or what river bed may have a nice hold over until you can plan a good re-counter if your in need of wining a losing battle. Don't try and take on a full group of enemies with only a few in your group you will more then likely lose. Most strengths are in numbers.

Know your enemy, knowing what strengths and weaknesses your foe's have. It's the best knowledge in the game. Fighters have Mitigation and avoidance/block, Priests have a lot of heals the help offset damage (of course), Scouts have track so they usually land the first hits and have good DPS, Mages of course have a lot of direct damage and utility. Theses are only the basics but all info helps.

Grouping is your friend, you can get far more done and have more leeway when you have partners backing your play.

Realize karma exists, whatever you do in game or to those around you will always have some impact. It may not ever really be direct impact but if you go around killing newb's for fun at some point in your gaming career you will be effected. If you decide to steal camped names in front of groups it never goes to good in the end. It probably wont be an eye for an eye but payback is usually a bitch in one form or another.

In whatever you do have fun, if your not having fun you might want to think about doing something else.

Personal Responsibility

2006-03-29T07:10:00.000-08:00

In the growing market of video games and Government control I'm starting to see a disturbing trend. I read the news and see judges rule that it's ok for a man to hit a woman so long as you think she was being racist.(They were on two separate cars) There was a case not to long ago about some children that fell from a roof onto some scaffolding in a "No trespass" condemned and locked down sight; now the parents are suing the owner of the property. Don't forget about the famous McDonald's hot coffee suite either. It seems we are a sue happy culture, we want something for nothing and will hurt who ever to get it. It's as everyone forgot about personal responsibility in the last 20 years.

I've seen trouble in the video game market lately but, I've not heard of any real law suits. Sadly, where we are going as a video game culture seems to be a negative one from a society standpoint. Grand theft auto was on the chopping block by legal hacks over it's violent content. It's self governed censorship of the playable age group "A" has been ignored by parents and yet there were Huge complaints. Lest we forget the Chinese kid who died from a heart attack playing an MMO 24/7 or the Teen that shot himself over in game issues on EQ1. Is it the video games fault or better yet those that made the video game? These kids neglected self responsibility and created issues bad enough that they both died. All I say is " Where were the parents?" The Chinese government placed time limits on MMO's due to the death of people playing these game over extensive periods of time.(So they say) What I fear is our government stepping in as the parent here too, last I checked the people in D.C. didn't give me birth. Yet, it seems a lot of new laws are coming into place that seem to be what I call "we are your parent law's". What next, do I have to call the White house to see if I can stay up past my bed time?

If you caught Boston Legal last night there was a similar case where a young kid had a Heart attack and died while playing "Hell Born" for 2 days strait. During the course of the court debate there were many negative references made by the defense that just seemed rather naive. One statment pissed me off, they equated drugs to video games and the opposing side made a great statement in kind. "I know people on crystal meth that would gladly give up their addiction to play a video game." The best thing about that is I do too and it just hit home. It's not enough we seem to want to criminalize everything here in America lately we are starting to compare harmless activity's to other things that demoralize our nation as a whole.

Drugs are nothing like a video game. Though it seems when all you do is play with big money and drive around with big toys who has time to go down to crack row and buy Oblivian?

Lets live in a what if here~ Lets say the politicians like Hiliary Clinton gets her way and they can all out ban video games (or constrict them) then what? It's not enough that our country has a hard enough time having things to do for the younger gen but they seem to want to ban most forms of entertainment... So everything is illegal for a teen to do then it will be a wonder if our society doesn't start to de-generate. Kids are resourceful, they will find drugs, and/or they will go to the local store to by a can of spray paint (graffiti), and/or they will go get a girl knocked up, or they will just go to the local "VUID shop" Videogames Under illegal Duplication. What then? Do we start to overflow our jails with this harmless clutter? God forbid they are an illegal alien playing video games that will be like prison for life.

My point is people need to learn Personal responsibility.

Nagafen and our war

2006-03-27T12:28:00.000-08:00

Well it was a great weekend, we had our first war between Aggro and Brownies and it was great. It had to been the single most fun night I've had on EQ2 ever. There was a great turnout and a few from United alliance came to take pictures and join in on the fun. Even with a few glitches in the battle area it was an overall great event. It was funny to see those that didn't join in on Teamspeak make a few mistakes but it was funny nonetheless.

Case in point here.. Kronkar wasn't on Team Speak ~ he though the battle began and ran in to solo the raid of Brownies.. Needless to say he didn't get to far, great picture though.

Here is a picture of the middle weights duke'n it out, all the 20's to 29's battled to the death lucky we actually won that battle. Brownies won the first 2 battles and a solo battle of me vs Fohox as seen in the top photo, Leko also won over on Aggro. However in the other event's I won Rot in a rouge duel and we were able to take em on the 20's battle and the final war. All I can say is Awesome job everyone.

If you would like to see more you can go here and here it musta been weird for those coming up on us to see two warring factions just hanging out together. It was surreal to me so I know it was fishy to them.

LU 21: nice update and thanks for all the fish

2006-03-24T07:28:00.000-08:00

Here we are standing at the drinking age of our Live Updates. There have been many in the past that were innovative and game changing. There have been some that made us pissed and for some even quit our characters; these are what were they thinking. Then there are some like these that are middle of the road nice update and thanks for all the fish.

The Good:
- Ranged auto-attack now does more damage!
- Completing quests that are level 60 to 70 now provides greater XP.
- Heroic and Epic named encounters now have a better chance to drop Master spells and rare tradeskill components.
- Additional power has been discovered and unlocked within the Scepter of Rahotep.
- Rogue: Pick Pocket now has greater variances in the coin reward, had its reuse timer reduced to 30 seconds, has an increased chance of success, will not attempt to cast on a target that has already been pick pocketed, and the taunt effect now scales with level.
- Shaman: The Spirit Wolf pet's attack speed has increased.
- Carnage PvP-flagged players will no longer have an immunity timer after zoning.
- Bows and projectile weapons should now do similar damage to melee weapons during auto-attack, making ranged auto-attack just as viable an alternative as melee auto-attack.

The Neat/Neutral:
- City PvP has been renamed to Carnage PvP to better describe its nature.
- Group lotto now shows you the rolls you make vs. the rolls your group mates make when distributing loot
- The red, blue, green, and white shards needed for "An Eye For Power" have been made into harvestable objects that allow 6 harvests. Additionally, the respawn time on these shards has been reduced, and the likelihood of Master Webclaw and Bloodrage spawning has been slightly increased.
- A new zone connection has been added between the Down Below and the Caves.

The Bad:
- You can now mentor only in instances on PvP servers.
- Kite shields at all levels now provide the same chance to block as tower shields (12%).

The Funny:
- Necklace of the Cascade no longer gives +1 to stamina. To compensate for this horrendous nerf, we have increased its power bonus.

I could go over each and every change in LU21 but these were the ones that I think grabbed out at me the most. The only ones I'll go over is well... you guessed it The Bad.

Mentoring: It's the best idea for an MMO since Chuck Norris. I love it, even without and XP deflation for helping this would be a great tool. Sadly, on PVP its stuck to instancing and at least still apart of the game. I'm not a huge fan of instancing though I like to group with my guildies. We still ran into troulbes trying to grp both in BSV (excavation site) and the Valley of the Magi. There was big troubles because the instancing for mid 20's to 30's is hardly existent and weak at best. The zones that do exist are hard to have fun in since they are just little cubbys in a nice world (I like the paranoid feeling I get in PVP). We tried the instancing in the zones previously mentioned and found that 4 is to many for Magi so we moved to BSV and found that everything in there was solo and way to easy to be a lot of fun. Once we were done we tried to figure out a new plan and it was just to difficult.

I understand why they took it out, mentoring down is a huge advantage in PVP and I've mentioned a few fixes. I believe this would work, Go back to Old school mentoring. Let me only use the spells I was designed to use at the lower levels and when I choose to mentor let me be stuck in mentored state for 30 minutes after I decided to unmentor even if I log off. Easier said then done I know but anything is better then not having it in the game.

Kite shields: I know not everything is realistic, seriously this is a fantasy world but this one kinda just miffs me. Why is a Kite shield as likely to block as a tower? It's not a huge deal and I wont go on a hunger strike about it. Wasn't it enough that they made some Kite Shields look like tower shields? As a former Guardian I don't think I should have to compete with a Paly or SK to get better mitigation or defense. They have other things to help off set them anyhow from heals to wards and other spells. What I don't understand is why I feel as if Guardians have been at the shit end of the stick since LU 13. I know SOE wants a balanced game but out of all the classes I've played since LU 13 Guardian is the only one that seems to not fit it's class title. I still think they should rename them Hitpointdiansnodps.

I'm not calling for a nerf, I rarely if ever do and I'm not calling for Guardian uberism. All I know is that when I play my Guard it feels as if I'm 1/2 the fighter as everyone else. Yes I know pre LU13 there was only a few other fighter that could keep up with me in tanking and they had to have serious gear. Though it just seem like they pushed every fighter beyond Guardians leaving them as support for extra HP and their small DPS. I'm unsure, I'm gonna play my Guardian again for the next few weeks and report back.

Now, I know I picked on the bad but it's what I do best. If you notice overall there is more good and neat stuff on my list. I did like the patch and hope there are still many more to come.

EQII Translates Jack Handy: 2

2006-03-23T08:34:00.000-08:00

- If you saw two gnolls named Hambone and Flippy Darkpaw, which one would you think liked Freeportians the most? I'd say Flippy, wouldn't you? You'd be wrong, though. It's Hambone.

-- Whether they find life there or not, I think Luclin should be called an enemy planet.

--- Sometimes I think I'd be better off dead. No, wait, not me, you. Damn Qeynosian.

----I think one way the Guards could have more money to thief, would be to hold a murder weapons sale. Many people could really use used 2+ uber sword of pwning.

As always I like to fool around with what's funny and make it unfunny. Enjoy

Finding the solution

2006-03-22T12:19:00.000-08:00

Since my fiasco with my 5200Ultra a friend of mine gave me his 6200 PNY Geforce. I have been able to get it up and operating but trying to find a way to get the best performance out of it is like finding a needle in a haystack on the WWW of info.

I'm trying to use rivatuner or coolbits to Overclock and unlock the pipelines (if possible on this 6200) to get the best performance out of EQ2. Sadly that seems to of done little if nothing at all. I've noticed nothing in performance to the naked eye from my 5200ultra to the 6200 I have now. I know I could run programs to check FPS or 3D marks but this has no effect on how the real world exisists therefore Naked eye is all that matters. This is kinda bothersome but I suppose what I read a while back when Moorguard said that EQ2 is more Processor intensive was correct.

I figure to myself it's time to push my AMD 2600 to something of the range of a 2800, if I'm lucky. Though unlike my older AMD's it seems to be sort of impossible to find any real tangible or easy solutions. My bios does some overclocking but none of it's stable enough to boot up to window's much less play EQ2.

If anyone has any neat websights or some good info for the Geforce 6200, as in a good way to O/C other then just software please by all means share the link/info. As well as how to unlock and push the AMD 2600XP (not 64). I would write more info on my comptuer but it's not near me at the present. Until then keep up the good fight of being uber in Norath.

WTG EQII

2006-03-21T07:49:00.000-08:00

I have in the past done nothing but harp about EQII, mainly because it wasn't fun or had some improvements that just needed to be made. I like to come up with suggestions and make things better for me, really because I'm selfish. Not selfish in the ways of, I think everyone else don't count but mainly because I want EQII to be a challenge.

Since the expantion and PVP I've noticed the challenge get much more well.... Challenging. I think it's because PVP is more heart pumping and thought provoking. A place where you need to have strategy that changes with every fight. Nothing seems to be the same even when you fight the same classes, some are just better at their class or luck was on their side. Sadly I think I will have troubles in PVP for a while because my video card fan went out and with lack of funds it will be hard to compete until I upgrade. I ended up rigging an old processor fan to the heat sink but I just noticed that instead of freezing the computer it just lags me out. Yeah Tradeskill and PVE fun for me until I gets me some cash. However, that's not the point of my post today.

I would like to say since my fan went out I finally went around and checked out my other characters achievement abilities. This part is worth every penny of the expantion and as far back as I remember I've always wanted to actually control my pets. Now I can, I love every bit of it and every 3 minutes I can take control over my pet for 30 seconds. Not only that I can do emotes and speak as my pet this just adds to the flavor. Yes now here comes the improvements or suggestions that I always have. First and foremost 30seconds is a blink, there should of been a AAXP that adds to the time I could be my pet. Maybe there is and I just overlooked it but as far as I can tell there really isn't. Second the Combat abilities and spells need different Icon looks for all three of my pets their Icons maybe shaded green or red but they are all fist icons. It's confusing enough and I really have no clue as to what button I'm hitting.

I find at this point it no more a bonus then if I just sat back and let the computer control him. Button mashing really is only so much fun so it would help if they were separated by some sort of icon difference. An added bonus would be that when I control my pet he has 1 or 2 different abilities he wouldn't normally be able to use unless under my command. Like a stun for the scout pet, it's nice he gets a lot of abilities that do neat damage but it would be cool if I could act like a scout for that brief period or time, or a root on my wizard pet so I can sit back and be crazy nuking, and for the Tank some sort of group buff like haste or defensive stuff. Hey I can dream can't I? I know it's a neat enough ability and in some ways the single most best AAXP in the game.

Take my Brigand's Root Achievement for example, it is stealing coin from humanoid mobs. Now from a RP standpoint this rocks, and in a lot of fights that I'm not somehow MT, I can steel extra copper. Notice I said copper, even from some level 25 Epic X3 mobs only dropped 21 copper. Most I've taken was 81 copper form a 27 solo mob but this ability has a huge drawl back. If you get caught by a mob that can kick your ass like a level 60 solo mob, your dead in one hit. It will cost more in repairs then what you could steal in the first place. I know it's probably going to go up by % of cash in the silver later and maybe late in the game by Gold but I'm unsure. I think this ability should have a higher probability to thief cash from the opposing team on PVP servers as well. I've yet to steal from a single character in the game and I've hit the ability well over 40 times on Qeynosians. These are people that shortly after I kill them drop cash loots so I know they have it on them. Seriously though these little things in the game still matter very little. I love the AAXP and hope to build my character to spec the way I want him and still have fun.

On my last note of the day is I'm now a destroyer, 135 Kills and 35 deaths with 2 HQ's under my belt. I also made 30 Brigand and we made Guild level 5 just so the BT187 troop can finally know who's owning them.. muhahaha.

Issues of the real

2006-03-17T10:05:00.000-08:00

Some things in the real world just aren't better. We judge with out knowing a person whether it is about their appearance, race or sex preference. Sometimes we do it with out knowing our subconscious is a powerful thing. We could be act out because we were raised to think a certain way or a bad experience with a certain type or person and even our religious practice's. These things are what weaken us as human kind and it shows; even today. Iraq is having a civil war over their belief's but I'll stop there becuase that's a huge debate. Milosivich, Hitler and countless other Tyrants slaughter many a thousand Humans just because they believed so patiently that they were right. All for what? What purpose has it ever served that the white hoods or skin heads hated our black brethren? It has and will never do the world any good to hate, hate only breads what I call true Evil and it starts the beginning of the clash of wills. You kill my friend or brother I'll kill yours, then I'll attach a stigma to it so it's ok. "God said it was so therefore I get to suicide bomb you" It makes us feel better when we can use a crutch like that. Not to say God is a crutch but the fact that people use Him or some other form so that they can do what they want with out dealing with their conscience. I believe God is love; no form of hate would be accepted by him not even if I believe God dislikes what a (person,race, sect) is doing. I have a hard time believing He would condone any act of evil.

Alright, I'm kinda getting off. I just wanted to express what I feel doesn't really play to much a part in our MMO world. When you ask for a healer to join your group have you ever once heard of the Race, Creed, Religion, sect inquisition? No, You want a good healer, you might want a healer that you've grouped before but your only care is that they are a good healer. PVP excluded, you want one that you can actually group with. However, I have a strong feeling that if we were able to group with Qeynosians (on Nagafen) we would. It happened on RZ and TZ, people started blurring the lines of faction war when they started grouping and guilding others from different lands.

In all reality we as a MMO society don't care if someone is a Troll and the other is a Elf. I know there are those that Roleplay, I can't really get a grasp on that because I just don't RP at all. I've ran into a group where the Iksar I was with really didn't like woodelfs but he still stayed in our group and he was still cordial in tells (I was the woodelf). He would spout off things like "Only a weak grooop... would rely on a Ssstupid woood elf" but that was just him in character, and he would mainly only say things to be funny.

What I love about being on MMO's is that I don't feel like I wont get a group because I'm a Red head white male. I'm sure there are those that don't like the Asian's because some feel all of them are only botter/farmers but that will never be an accurate assessment. We might have those that feel a bit of strain if a person in our group speaks very little english but even still. I've not heard of a group kicking someone out because they were Asian, Australian, hell even French-Canadian. Look, it might happen all I'm saying is it seem it's less prevalent in the virtual worlds. So little in fact I've never actually seen it.

Trust me I know I'm not really covering this whole subject in detail but I do know for sure somethings happen. I know that female toons get hit on and tend to get things handed to them, I know that there was (is?) a Gay guild in WOW that was not allowed to strut their stuff. To be truthfully honest some things should be left at the door when entering a MMO. I don't care about how old you are, or your sexual preference, what color your skin is or what religion you practice. Like many I only care that you can keep hate if your MT, Heal if your the MH, and DPS and not take hate if your the DPS although, I truly only care if your fun to group with. These are the only true rules that matter in the MMO's I play. In the real world I still don't care about any of those things as long as you live and let live, if I have a dislike for someone it's the person and not their label.

I just feel that I wouldn't trade up the Uber loot fights, contested raids vs other guild, or the occational who took what, when out of guild bank and, why vs. Gassing a million Irish on St. Patty's day just because we like potatoes. There are a lot of things I think MMO's can improve on play wise but certain things just shouldn't exist. Thus far, even though these game's are global they seem to have alot less discrimination then the real global community all that thanks to gamer mentality. (Take that to the bank Hiliray Clinton)

Double Ding Damage and PVP troubles

2006-03-16T09:40:00.000-08:00

Well last night was nice in all it's glory. There was some Double ding damage and I loved every minute of it. While there was some more exploiter troubles it was still fun to see me and the guild ding off Player kills.

That right the pic above is of my 100th kill and it dinged me 28, the reason I waited so long on leveling came to pass once this monk decided to go toe to toe with a Pirate. Now not to say monks are easy to take down because, well lets be honest if you can't hit the monk they will eventually win. Sadly this monk wasn't very dogei and had it coming, when you penetrate my city I'll make sure your sent home in a bag.

The action that happened has sort of died down around the sprawl on most nights; not last night. There were 3 Goodies and I guess they thought it would be fun to come in and cause a ruckus to our little ones. There was 2 monks and a unknown Scout that ran quickly, one of the first monks decided to zone. He was in bear form regening it up but decided to run back to CL quickly. Kyoki quickly decided she was gonna pick a fight with me of all people. I wasn't gonna fight them because I don't like wasting my time at PVP when I'm next to a zone. I know they are just going to run though, she didn't run right away(I was there to make sure she did). I got her down in the red while the newbs helped out but sadly she decided to run. Not to much later the Bear form monk decided he would come back and jump me while he was still an Illegal target. He was beat down till he zoned, and Kyoki decided to come back and fool around with danger. Soon after I knocked her away from the zone, stunned her a few times and ended up as luck would have it a dead Monk. I have to give thanks to Kyoki because I did get a level up and my 100th kill from her so... Thanks, lol. Shortly after the Bear form monk came in fooled with me I daggered him and got em to about 60% and a Nuker ran up "BOOM!" Dead monk.

During this time there were two others I was fighting and it out right. One was 30 and other was even to me at 28. Well the first one was another monk I was taking down pretty good and as soon as reinforcements arrived he de-popped. Not a de-pop as in invise and run or evac, just strait up exploited gone *POOF*. I know at this point I wasn't lagging either because all my close range CA were going off w/o any lag time (it's been picky lately). No more then 5 min later a 28 wizard was in terrorizing greens, I ran up on him and hit him with my big whammies. His HP didn't go anywhere so I looked to see if he was grped or any healer was around. There wasn't even an NPC to be seen. I continue to take him down.. rather try to hit him and nothing was doing. He ran up a little bit and evaced, I was unable to stun or interrupt him so I looked at my combat, figuring I was just missing on him a lot. Sure enough I was hitting him like anyone else, 300 here 200 there a few 8's and 9's but my CA's were hitting him just fine his HP's just were not budging. I even seen where I interrupted his evac but if that is so then how did he get it off (recast didn't register)? These exploiters piss me off to no end and I hope that this starts to wade to the side lines or I'm gonna get really pissed. I don't use exploits to get the upper hand, I try to be as honorable a kill as I am a Killer and God moder's don't need to be on EQ2. That's why they have Halo and Quake, you need an upper hand then go to those games because as far as I'm concerned you have no place in Norath.

Another well known problem is mentoring, now I seen they sorta "fixed" it by making you zone or camp but seriously is this just the quick fix? I hope so because in all reality that's not gonna fix jack. Takes 10 seconds out of my life to mentor and do a /camp (name here) to be back in the game. I also notice most of my fights are near a damn zone anyhow (not by choice) so if a level 40 mentors down and starts killing me and wins I rez and by the time I get back he will more then likely be 40 again. Also as some may have seen there are some that are having a high level kill a guard get city pvp and have a low level gain city pvp. They will run in groups having low levels start the fight get the other person in city pvp and the high level will wail them quicker then you can say Wuuah?

City pvp is in essence a great Idea it throws a nice dynamic into it but there should be a line drawn somewhere. As in once you get outside the city a certain range city pvp is gone or make the eq1 reference of doing over 50% of the damage in PVP to get the kill. Like wise for NPC's that help kill you, some will tag you then you run after them if your unwise you'll run into NPC troubles and the NPC's will do all the Pker's work for him.. and they still get the kill. Or make it dishonorable for city pvp kills if your outside of the city and outside of the normal range of killing as in they get negative points with the ability to lose their titles. This is by no means a logistical or keen tactic it's just another form of God mode which gives little to no form of retaliation.

Yeah, I am~ in a way in favor of pvp at all levels a level 70 killing a level 20 but in all seriousness there needs to be a fix if the city pvp stays the way it is; with aknowlegement there is no xp, status or loot loss. Not everyone likes full range pvp and I personally think it was a huge problem on Sullen zek. Though when I chose that server I knew of it's lack of rules so we excepted whatever forms of PKing that came with it. Sadly the way EQ2 pvp is set up death is a lot more of a loss if you ask me. Xp, coin drops more frequently, and Items to boot not to mention status loss. Why? all because the higher level assisted the lower level kill. Oh well I can deal with this but not so much the exploiters, personally I wished they would open up a separate websight on SOE of those they ban and for what exploit. That would deter some idiots from even attempting to become God on a rather fun PVP server. Ok, anyhow it's still great and I love how it's shaping up even with a few bad apples, hope to see you on Nagafen soon.

EQ2 translates Jack Handy

2006-03-15T12:00:00.000-08:00

-"If you ever fall off the Griff Tower, just go real limp, because maybe you'll look like you died and people will try to PK you because, hey, free PK." (Then kick their arse)

--If a newb asks where rain comes from, I think a cute thing to tell him is "Lucan is crying." And if he asks why Lucan is crying, another cute thing to tell him is "Probably because of something you did."

---We used to laugh at Hwal Rucksif when he'd head off and go fishing. But we wouldn't be laughing that evening when he'd come back with some whore he picked up in Qeynos.

LOL! Sorry I'm just fooling around and had nothing better to write today so I hope you get a slight kick out of these.

Building up forces

2006-03-14T10:11:00.000-08:00

We are amassing on PVP and both us and our Sister guild are gearing up for a great war. I hope to see this come to fruitation but as of now it's only all on paper(so to speak). We are trying to go over the rules of war and conduct both on Aggrome and EQ2-Daily forums.

I've tried to put in my inputs and direct it as well as I can so this can go off with as much dignity and honor as you can have on a PVP server. I am in hopes that this doesn't turn into a pissing contest as we are all adults and thus far it seems to me to be playful banter.

I know we need to first have a way to talk before the battle begins because well it would probly be annoying if one side just started before anyone on the other side was ready. I'm also looking into having a way to make a trophy for the winning side. The fact that I'm gonna be crafting housing items should be easy for me to fix something up once I gain a few more tradeskill levels.

The whole logistics have been kinda difficult but some rules have been somewhat agreed apon. I like how we would all bring an adept of our level only it's for the Good's and they would bring adepts that are evil (or a decent item of the level you currently attain). This wouldn't go well with the trophy holder he/she would need to be the only holder of that item. The chances of it dropping just lowered if you have more then one item. Also no one should bring cash because your at a higher % to drop any said loot on you if your cash free. The only difficulty we are truly finding hard to over come is outside forces. You can never plan a battle knowing no one from yours or their side is gonna come help out. I don't want my side (other then my guild) to help out in a guild war, nor would I want their side to help turn the tables. That wouldn't be a fair assessment of who actually won the battle. We've discussed a few possibilities but nothing is a sure shot, there was mention of having the battle in one of the instance house's. Now this would be great if it were guild owned and there was one on each side. One in FP and the other in Qeynos while if they were in FP we could have home court advantage and in Qeynos they could set up the house to their advantage. This would also open up an area where a altar could be made for said trophy to the winners. It could be displayed until the next battle would occur and you could keep or lose it depending on if your side won.

There are many other rules that need to be pointed out and probly fleshed out but I bet more of these rules will be made obvious as more battles ensue well into the future.

If your looking to join in on the war send Myself (Falik) or anyone in Aggroculture a tell and we'd be more then happy to have you or you can sign up on Aggrome and give us a feel.. As I'm sure Brownie troop would enjoy the help in the war against us.

EQ2 Tradeskilling

2006-03-13T12:28:00.000-08:00

Ok, I would first like to start off by saying Tradeskilling is something I only do If... I can't always be paying attention and want to burn time talking to guildies. It can be fun when you have that slight posiblity of ruining a Pristine (rare) item but mainly it's still just button mashing.

I went back to Tradeskilling for two reasons. One on PVP server it's about the only time you'll get to slow down and have some peace. Two I really wanted to see if I could get in the simi ground floor and make some cash. I've gotten to make a pretty penny but I wont tell my secret and no I'm not exploting anything I just got a good racket going on in FP at this time. I don't use other programs and this overview is strickly doing everything by the book, I don't condone using 3rd party stuff anyhow (not even a map UI).

I started off trying to well get my career going as a Carpenter but I need to make it past the first 9 levels. Easy enough I've done this part 5 er 6 times before so it shant take me to long right? Wrong, SOE defeted it's purpose in tradeskilling from the start. It took me over 1 hour to figure out how to get from lvl 1 to lvl 2 and I'm not a newb to EQ2 so there is a huge flaw there. How would you get a newb to start Tradeskilling if it's not easy to start to begin with? Now I know some of you are thinking, "well your Hardcore and it's not difficult just hidden". Hidden as in you have to rightclick and hail the raw's merchant to even get level 2. Now of all the times I clicked on her to look at what books she selling and it start off at level 2. No where in there was my initial hail(left mouse button) recongnized so I went over to the other NPC that gives Tradeskill quests and gives me my first book and 20% exp still not level 2. I run to West FP and get my Craftsman quest done for when and if I were to hit 10. Nope no xp or level 2, after I run around and go back to where I started the 4th time I figured it out. Tradeskilling(TS) isnt rocket science but it shouldnt be this coded to start out for the first time.

I relize there is a Tradeskill tutorial on the Island but, in no way was I directed there or know what it is about. I know it's not in Malvoicus *sp tower and that was a better way to learn about TSing then the way it is now, after the island. Now after all that I get down to tradeskilling, here is where I figure I'll notice the new and exciting changes to tradeskilling. After watching my wife craft top tier stuff I figure I'm in for a nasty time. It seems to take her 1 day of harvesting (real time) for 1 level but that's a differnt post all together.

I did notice some changes some I like but most well I'm indiffernt to becuase they are still the same. One you still only get progress buffs till level 10, this is a big deal since in the past I tended to mess up on 1 to 20 items even in my 40's. The first big change I like is the fact that as a Carpenter I could make a shield or a wand no extra table jumping. To me the table jumping and going to the vendor every 5 minutes added to the pain and suffering. They also fixed that last vendor bit, you can buy stacks of 100 which makes it alot nicer. Sadly, I began to level and relized the more I tradeskilled the more I wanted to jump myself from the top rafter of the Freeport Tradeskill house, that didn't help but it works wonders on Safefall skill. As far as my trade it's still old fastioned and I heard that's all about to change. Old fastioned you ask? well it works the same way as it always has. Go here make 3 wikets and go here make 12 potions to make the 3 wikets to go here and make a whozit to make a sproket to get a widget. Now in real world terms this all sounds good on paper. However, any good carpenter can tell you they can make a wooden box purly out of glue wood and a saw... ok sorry for getting off here, I know SOE is fixing this and I can say in the long run this will hopfully be good. Though here in lyes the double edge sword. That means there will be more making end products which means lower price and low demand. It's a hard element to juggel for SOE and they are trying. A Great thing for me because I like my bag space. So it will make me happier to level faster with out doing the old sell, delete, bank juggle just to make my shiny sword of -Uber +1.

I then tried my hand at making some jewler spells for us scouts and found that to be much more to my liking. Yes we harvest tons of extra stuff to make these spells but I found out that I didn't have to table hop and this was really to my liking. (though I think it just makes it easier for botters) The only thing I found out to be difficult was trying to counter the Negative durablity since these were only 1 thru 10 spells but I'm not a jewler so it's ok.

My only real question is I though they were trying to make this fun? Yes the game is fun and PVP is great I love the expantion and EQ2 is going in a awesome direction. Have you noticed any Vanguard posts? No, because EQ2 has gotten to be a real treat. Sadly as far as tradeskills go and as far as always making the end item it still doesnt up the FUN factor. It lessens the tedious factor which is the next best thing. Untill next time, enjoy making your Uber Phat armor of +cool.

Slayer and Rewards

2006-03-10T09:15:00.000-08:00

I had a nice little post about tradeskills but as that happens once in a while it ate my post when I was saving. So I'm collecting my thoughts for a better post on it next week. First I'd like to say I'm a Slayer now though there is a bit of confusion on my part.

Earlier this week I was at 24 kills 24 deaths and 41 kill streak. Now I'm at 24 kills 24 deaths and 49 kill streak. I know for a fact I've killed 5 more since then that were my kills alone and have no clue as to how I made slayer if it don't count my kills. I know the web sights was update because it says I'm a slayer and upped my kill streak. Yet, am not sure why it's not updating my kills. If anyone knows what's going on please post a comment.

If any Qeynoisan sees this guy please PK him and do it hard because well... for one he doesn't return my tells and for 2, what on earth would possess you to take our guild name as your personal name? If you Pk him and post the pic up on EQ2-daily sight with your in game name. I'll give you 1gp from my goodie just sitting there in Qeynos.

Deathbringer

2006-03-09T07:46:00.000-08:00

Every now and again I come across a neat item like in the pic above. These are usually items with great names but not worth actually using for any class. Well the Deathbringer would be a 2h that I would always use to put a hurt on Qeynosians no matter what stats were on it. I'm still on the look out for cool PK weapon and so far this would be my number 1 choice by name only. That's right queeny I'm coming after you with a Deathbringer and not a one of your Loyal will stop me.

Anomaly

2006-03-09T07:40:00.000-08:00

Now that's what I like to call wood!

Some times you see something that just shouldn't be there.. Well I do... and when I do I just have to take pictures of it. Enjoy.

Words of PVP Wisdom

2006-03-07T10:00:00.000-08:00

I ran across some old Jack Handy quotes and I chose a few that fit the PVP style. These are universal truths that are just to funny not to post.

First an oldy but goodie, there is a time when you may here your friend wine or bitch about being Player killed. He's crying and yes it is ok to laugh at him and you get brownie(no pun intended) points for doing a ROFL in Guild chat, Shout and in tell.

1. It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.

Ahh! now I know it wont last long but it felt so good to be able to know we got the first kill to start off our War between Aggroculture and Brownietroop. Now I'm not one for Rubin it in but I'm sure Cyan and Rot are scheming up a plan to take us all down hey that's the price we pay. Long live Lushian**

2. I guess we were all guilty, in a way. We all Nuked him, we all skinned him, and we all got a complimentary bumper sticker that said, "I helped skin A Brownie."

We all do it that's in our blood if we are losing or can't win a fight we'll run. Most will fight near zone lines just because they may lose their upper hand and it's easier to run away. I won't lie I'll run if I feel it's a unfair fight or advantage.. In most cases. A kill is a Kill and not die'n means you your KVD is still looking good so you still win.

3. If you define cowardice as running away at the first sign of danger, screaming and tripping and begging for mercy, then yes, Mr. Brave Man, I guess I'm a coward.

Hunting the good Hunt

2006-03-06T07:59:00.000-08:00

First I would like to say Good job at keeping defense Qeynos. It's very difficult to penetrate the Peat Bog and make it into the newb areas if your around high teens low 20's. I find it a little unfair that it's our only point of entry but hey it's a challenge and I love challenges.

I finally made Hunter, granted I didn't go out and Hunt until this weekend but it was still a nice accomplishment for myself. I find it more intimidating that I have my name with Hunter Prefacing it. Maybe it's because when I see others with Hunter, Slayer, Destroyer of the opposite team it is very intimidating. I normally don't have an under title either but I know that when the other team sees it, it gets their heart racing muahhaah.

The adventure of traveling over to Qeynos was a fun one filled with a full days worth of doing lucans bidding. A few of us decided it's time to give a little medicine back to Qeynosians and boy did they ever feel the pain. I was originally going to go do what they did and kill greens but since I more or less role play my brigand I wanted a challenge. Even though as a pirate class I would just as well back stab a friend as I would any of the opposing team, I find more bounty in downing yellows and oranges. That's just what we did, we took down 15 yellows and 2 oranges and a few were teamed up. I was a 25 brigand mentored to 20 we had a 20 wizard 19 necro 19 Trob and 16 Assassin and for a while a 20 Defiler.

This team kicked arse and there was only a few times we had to run. The best Pk fight was with one orange and yellow both Mages. They were camping the spawn point of us Freeportians and took our good buddy Aggro out. Well, I'm not having that it's one thing to kill a team mate it's quite another to camp the spawn point and think your gonna get away with it. Once we got away and got our barrings we dbl backed ran into the two that were still camping the spawn point. As a team we took them down and we took em down hard, my hearts racing just thinking about how sweet that victory was. Ahh! good times

So yes all in all it was a verily good weekend on Nagafen server and discovered it's easier to be the Hunter then the Defender. Oh Bandito here is a pic. of the Qeynosian that stole your name I figured you would like my little gift. Let that be a lesson to all Qeynosian's that make the slightest ill mistake in EQ2 that is to include taking a name from a fellow player. Oh and one more thing... BT187, we got the first kill on you muahaha.

PVP suggestions

2006-03-03T07:54:00.000-08:00

Yes it's that time again and you knew it was coming.. Well maybe not but either way I've got a few that I would like to throw out there.

Bounty quests: My friend and I were talking about SWG bounties and thought it would be great that if they had bountys here in the PVP world of EQ2. The way it would work is there would be an NPC somewhere in each of the cites that you could go to and get a quest kind of like writs. He would give you a name of the opposite team from say the top 100 killers from the SOE boards. If your Evil it would be the top 100 goods and visa versa if your Good. You would gain status and XP once you have completed the bounty and returned to the NPC in the city.

Shylor from EQ2-daily also has another bounty Idea that I enjoy, either way a bounty system would rock. I would would give bonus props to SOE if they can counter the bounty if you are the one hunted.

Zone killing: There have been many times and maybe it's just because it's the nature of the beast I've seen people Zone line killing. By that I mean people will come in a zone of the opposite team and they have the 30 second immunity which is nice in concept but I've noticed that the first person to do damage usually wins (in ruffly even fights). I think under the 30 second rule you can't fight either until it drops. Either way I'll deal with it but my biggest hardship is those that are even one on one fights. Maybe it's because Qeynosians have small Kajingers but they almost always run unless they are 5 levels higher then me.

The biggest thing that seems to happen is Qeynosians will zone in and start to PK and when I or someone counters their PKing they zone.. I'm sorry but I believe they should make it so that if you start or begin a PVP fight you will be unable to zone until one wins. This overall mechanic is a bitch for those that only want to fight with the upperhand and if they lose it they cut and run. I don't care if I'm gonna lose I'll jump your ass for being anywhere near FP and if I start to lose oh well. I usally wont zone unless I get jumped by a totally unfair fight (usually 3+ on me). That's when I'll pull the ole run sneak and hide or zone if I must. Though I still back my not being able to zone until the PVP fight is over or a limit of 3 minutes after the fight was over by default of running or escaping. I know the whole immunity thing drops if your on someone's hate list but when you can just click a door and chose Commonland 1 through 5 it's easy to get away. (this might be more fleshed out after levels start to spread out)

Level range: First I like to say I don't mind being Pked much with in range even the 8 levels but I believe the loot and XP loss with faction shouldn't be lost at 8 levels out. I think the level range should be 4 to 5 levels for loot rewards and keep the fighting window at 8 then carried forward as it is in each zone out from the City. Overall I enjoy this and think it's working ok in a lot of areas of PVP it just seem there are a lot of One shot killing me at the 8 level out mark. There was a point where I was only 500 hp max and got one shot killed for 900 points and lost money item and XP... for what reason does he gets anything from me? He had a supreme upperhand and didn't deserve my Blackend iron cluster.

Brigand: I took this class because first and foremost it was the most under used class in EQ2. I also have studied up on it and realized I need to be close encounter to do any damage at all. I will take all his strengths and weakness and will say that I love this class.

There are some fights one on one from a brigand stand point are a benifit, I'm a caster kill for sure and I can win if the other side chooses to man up. I fought a Paly to a Swash and Ranger (he fought melee) and just kicked ass, I was hurting but I've won. These are the One on One only. My trouble isn't from holding my own or being able to fight it's for those that run away and kite. Which is a valid way to PVP and by no means am I sayn they should nerf.

I've learned now that if a Conj or a Ranger runs ~don't chase them~. I have no range except one dagger ability that has a massive recast time and I except that. What I don't except is when I get right up to someone running away my CA continue to say I'm to far away. Unless I sprint and get in front of them running backwards I can't use my CA's. Hell even with I'm right behind them I can't even Backstab them. What kinda messed up junk is that? If I'm in touching distance running behind them I should be able to use my CA's (especially Backstabs). Seriously they are running away I'm arms reach away and cant back stab? When a Nuker or a Ranger can cast on me but I can't on them even when I'm up their arse I call foul. This is my chief fix and I'm sure it's not just on brigands either. Either that or give me 2 other range dagger abilities for PVP because this is driving me crazy if someone runs from a brigand they are gonna get away.

I know these are winded suggestions and will probly never be read but I hope someone from SOE sees this and does some fixing around it. I have to admit though I'm really loving the Brigand class.

I'm on TV

2006-03-02T08:34:00.000-08:00

Today I would like to brag. I don't do it often but these opportunity's don't come around for people like me often.. I'm on TV again and as the few times I've been on before it makes me excited.

"Monk," the prime time series, will open its new season on USA network 3 Mar 06 at 2200. The opening episode called "Monk and the Astronaut" was filmed almost in its entirety here at Edwards and features the F-22A and many Edwards airmen. USA network is also slated to air this program on 4 Mar at 0100 and 1800, on 5 Mar at 1200 and on 11 Mar at 1000. Please consult the local cable or satellite directory in your specific viewing area for more details.

Yes! I'm on this show and boy was those few days of filming fun, it's also a bonus that I got paid for doing what I love. I'm the Red head in Camo and if your watching for me you wont miss. Yes I'm just an extra but hey I'm still in the show. I was in many takes and quite a few different shots so unless they took out the hanger and flightline scenes you will see me. Either way it matters not I'm just happy to have been apart of the whole experience.

I've been on TV a few times before once in Germany on a TV commercial which no one would ever see here and another time I've been on Price is right. Yes I won some cash but over all was boo'd for not making the wheel go around.. OI! that was a heavier wheel then it looks. I was on the Salute to the Air Force. I had some other pictures to prove it but at this moment I can't find them. If I find them later I'll edit this post but the link should suffice. I was the lucky one to do the 25,000$ punch game but only won 1k... ahh that was a great day.

I ended up making it to the showcase showdown by default against a Cpt from LA Airbase. Sadly, I ended up going about 200$ over I also ended up losing this beautiful ride here but hey such is my life.

I did walk away with excitement and about 2000$ worth of junk. Well anyhow watch Monk and enjoy yourself.

Edit** Found what I was looking for Here and Here and of corse the red head is me.

KOS Overview

2006-03-01T07:07:00.000-08:00

I've been covering ground in EQ2 lately and since the introduction of PVP and KOS it's been hard not to. I cancelled my FFXI account for now because well EQ2 actually has my blood running and that makes me feel alive, which is what I need when playing an MMO. Kingdom of sky on the other hand has been a little on the un-original side, both on the exploration and on the surrounding zones (not including instance or dungeons). Though the AAXP really looks to be promising so yeah EQ2 has me holding on for more great adventures ahead.

Things I like: I loved Plane of Air in EQlive, it would literally take you two days of your characters life to get to the 7th isle. Not sure what I like about that I'm a masochist I suppose but I liked the fact you had to earn your right to get up there. However, I like the fact that all I have to do is get to the Cloud port of each island and your off. I enjoy the look over the sides of each isle as well and when the sun is about to go down there is a great wonder and amazement. It also made me want to jump off and that just what I did, I know now if you fall you die and reappear at the top. My curiosity is more from what busted up island below would I actually land on and well I just like falling. It was fun to jump off POA because you would land in the waters of Freeport and that was just way to fun. These are just small things I enjoy about the 30$ I spend on this expantion thus far. The quests I've done so far are short and to the point they gave quick money rewards and for me that works. I really like the way some of the mobs look from the owl-humanoids (not sure of their racial name) Aviaks maybe, however they don't really look like it. The dragonish men even the Droag's look cool all the new NPC's are a very nice touch. The collections I've seen seem far more worth it then what came out of DOF and that's a major plus. Since the last collection I really wanted to complete for the item was the Necklace of flowing orbs. As far as the over all grafix they are still great, I think the chains off the island are a awesome touch (just like POA) and the two dungeons my wife got to sneak too so far have looked outstanding. I also like the fact I've not seen any level 70's in the first week which means they made leveling difficult even with the recent Dbl XP on PVE servers. I really can't wait till I'm 60+ on Nagafen server so I can enjoy this expantion thoroughly.

Things I dislike: It's seems as if the whole concept of the floating islands in the clouds got lost somewhere. I know I'm not gonna like every island just like I don't like every zone in the Underworld. The same reason I like Zek more then I like Lavastorm, it's a matter of preference. I just feel as if most the islands in the sky were just cut and paste in the expantion. Tenebrous tangle looks like Feerrott only with new landscape and Mobs. It even has the same jungle sound effects with the annoying chirps. I'm not sure the amount of work the devs put into the expantion as a whole though I'm sure it was a lot. I think the first thing you see in any expantion should take you back and should make you want to go for more. Though I love Feerrott it's a wonderful and difficult zone it shouldn't be reused in the expantion. Same goes for the other 2 areas, one looks like a cut and paste of Sinking Sands and the other Lavastorm with blue tint instead of red. My suggestion is if you want to use something already out there look to EQ1 and reuse the ideas of the old world. It'd be great to see Kunark, Velious, Faydark area used in EQ2 just more upgraded of course.

I am a huge explorer in games and I want to explore what makes me curious but just the initial look on these zone makes me want to stay in the normal zones until I know where the good places are to go. That is not good, I don't care if I'm the first to a area or not but I do want an expantion that makes me think about what's around the hills, mountains, and clefts this just didn't do that. They even went so far as to reuse the ever so popular Golem we've all grown so accustomed to. You may first see them in ROV then Runnyeye and then again in CT and then Lavastorm and now you see them again in KOS to me that was a big no no. (if you cant turn on any bells and whistles they all look the same) Oh did I forget it is a mid level Conj pet as well, not to mention a Group illustion of Conj. The Golem NPC should never be duplicated in EQ2 anywhere ever again.

A few things in the expantion are great like the AAXP. I like this far more then the way it was set up in EQ1, the interface anyhow. I love the fact my Mystic now has a Wolf spirit pet it's not over powering but in those times I can't think about Debuff and Damage I still have my pet in doing some damage and with more AAXP choices he will be doing Debuffs as well. That's a positive for this class as I'm sure there are a ton to list but so far Mystic AAXP is the only one I gave considerable look over. I did glance over Brigands and I love how there is an Ability named after Blackguard good stuff. The AAXP is the real reason I purchased this expantion, Silly I know 30 bucks just for some extra abilities. Though for me this expantion along with PVP has me playing EQ2 and loving it. Now if I can figure out when and where I'm getting this AAXP from, sometimes it's as if I'm getting AAXP for doing nothing but it's minor in the scheme of things. Overall the Dev's did an awesome job the put tons of quests, contents and excitement in there to last for quite a while in the future. Even though KOS is not all sugar it's still beautifully done and worth every cent.

Now if they would just name a AAXP or spell after Quylein the Expantion it would ROCK.. lol

Edit** EQ2 forums has someone boasting about being level 70 already. Some Research Done by KindredHeart as well.

Fighting one and zero

2006-02-28T10:31:00.000-08:00

/Gu has posted this up a few days back and it just wont stop bothering me. I'm not sure what it is about this but to me this one is just not funny. Maybe I'm just bias because I really do like EQ2 and want it to be successful and well as some of you know like it to be difficult. However, this comic to me is way off and even though he's not making a jest that EQ2 sucks though I believe some preceive it as such.

My opinion on fighting: It should have all shapes and forms, some battles should be fast and smooth, some should be long and encountering, some should have finesse and others encounters could be brawn. I believe even though a con is; for the sake of argument (an Even con). It should have the modifiers on them like (Heroic, epic, solo) but, they should also have hidden abilities that we are unaware of. Unless of course we have fought the foe a few times already. This even con could be any modifier but it could have any number of attributes as some already know that is the way most of the Stats work. I want fast paced fights where you get min XP and longer fights that give Max Xp but I mainly want fights where the encounter can change at a moments notice. I dislike solo fights most the time because I feel MMO's are group and people oriented and they should be, with the possibility to solo. However the solo fights always come with a price as with any fight they should.

Should the dev make all solo fights for the weakest class or should they make them doable by all classes? Well I believe they should make the (doable) by all classes. Will some be able to do it faster and more efficient? I say yes, I believe a ranger/swash should take down a even con faster then a Cleric/Mystic. I don't agree with making everything dumbed down for all classes or you have those of us that like the challenge striped away granted in the recent years it looks as if I'm a die'n breed. Not to say there isn't a challenge in EQ2 you can always challenge yourself like most rangers did recently. Our guild ranger was soloing Heroic Even to yellow cons with little to no troubles. That is when you know it's not a NPC problem, when no other Class could do that there needs to be a fix. Sorry rangers that was a fix and I'll stick by that statement. Though the point I'm tring to make here is if we don't feel challanged we will challange ourself and keep one uping till we reach what we feel is our potential get bored and quit. So I guess essentially there will always be a platu it just has to be as fair and reasonable with every class all with in reason (or there will be an outcry). Now what is the reasoning you might ask? It really is up to the game developer there are many differnt games with differnt mind-sets so this question could take all day, I'll just say for me EQ2 is going in the right direction.

Here it seems as if most are anti SOE or EQ, everyone has a right to their thoughts but I just don't think they are getting the picture here or somewhere the Cartoon lost them along the way. I underdtand the point he's making being that I have a 56 Mystic but overall most fights are quick and furious.

I'll just pick on the first few posts here.

Laneer post: My rebuttal here is um... Yeah have you even touched EQ2? If your out of power it's because A. Your using it in a battle and are still in a battle or B. Your not drinking anything. Even then it takes no more then what? 1 minute, 2 tops. It's not like the EQ1 of my day where it could take 10 min with out KEI.

Eaeinae: I think it's a valid point... ONE WEEK after LU 13 and you haven't relearned your class. I'm sorry but LU13 was the best thing to happen to EQ2 and that is over any other LU to date. My belief is that if the Combat revamp didn't happen EQ2 would be dead. If not totally dead it would be dead to me; PVP or not. Prior to LU 13 the game was waaaay to easy, even though I think Guardians were where they should be... the TOP tank for raiding and not HP buff bitch. I still believe it was better for the game as a whole.

Ifrinn: Um? then MMO's aren't for you not Guild wars, not WOW, .... not any of em for that matter. BTW if it was a grind in EQ2 to get to 15 for you then yeah read above. Getting to 20 in EQ2 seems to be a 5 min jog (if all you do is want to level.) I think people in general that make these type of statements want instant gratification of leveling without any work. Oh.. and thanks for naming Qeynos after me thanks.. I like Quynos better too.

Shadowthorne: Yeah you've not Played EQ2 so STFU.

There is a poll out there saying we misunderstand 78% of most the stuff we read on the internet so if I miss read what you all wrote in the /Gu forums then I apologize in adavance.

EQ2 has it's problems like lag time in KOS becuase of the massive amounts of people in the zones to making PVE death not matter much at all and many more nit picky things. Overall EQ2 is every MMO's goal or as close to the goal I think recent MMO's are trying for. Get everone in to play from the Soloers, the Groupers, the Raiders, the Questers and then some. I think SOE has EQ2 going in the right direction for once and with a little tweak here and there it will boast good player numbers like we've seen recently.

As far as battle taking to long on the /Gu post if your Guardian, or priest forget about DPS and killing things fast. Play these characters for the Groupablity of them. Nothing gets me more irritated then hearing Tanks moan about not having good DPS espesialy when they are the MT.. Um put your shield on take your DPS buff off and put on defense, then take a beating like a good tank should. Oh and STFU or go be a Scout. If your a priest with the same complaint.... maybe next time you should read up about your class before choosing so hastefully.

In general my feelings on most combat in EQ2, it's entirely to fast in 90% of the cases... Especially if you have good Scouts and Mages in your group. I wish some combat areas would become slower with more xp reward, hell throw in a few tricks to counter in the fight here and there not all fights need to be 30 seconds or less.

PVP: Me and Death

2006-02-27T08:07:00.000-08:00

Here recently I've been busy and you may have noticed a little slow down on my posting which is me partially becoming lazy, sick, and busy... but mostly busy I swear. Seriously, most nights its a decision either I post here on my blog that seems to carry the occasional lurker. That probably got here by accidentally clicking for Broken Toys, Damned Vulpine or even Nerfbat or Play EQ2... I usually choose to well you get the picture; that and I feel less of a burden to post as often as someone like Aggrome because I don't have L33T writing skills or I just have worthless dribble. For any inconvenience I'm sorry but the regular post will resume as soon as I have the time to well.... Resume it.

Ok anyways on with the show

There I was a lowly Froglok Paly, the very minute NAE! The very second Nagafen was up I logged up. It was as if I was camping for the Cleric Epic one more time, then BAMB! BAMB! BAMB!..LAAAAAAg!! It was as if there were 100's running to the Kerran on newbie Island, Ding Ding Ding 5 seconds later, I believe I was the first to level 2 but I'll never know for sure. Try doing that newbie quest to fight the trainer when 15 are doing it all at the same time(per trainer). Yes that was very funny to watch.

I quickly got to 15 and was out and about looking to PVP and wouldn't you know it a FPer Wizard was taken me down quick... it didn't help a deer was kickin my ass at the same time. Oi! Good times, well by this time I wanted to learn to betray the new style way um... yep 101 quests later I figured it's just not in. I don't tend to read the SOE boards so I went to the Aggrome forums and Jai hooked the info up(thanks again) at the same time I found and realized I'm scrawed till next LU, not good.

So I decided to go with my second optition Half-elf Brigand named Falik- "because when you have to absolutely kill every MOTHER IN THE ROOM, accept no substitutes". This has gone a lot slower both level and quest wise, where as before I knew Qeynos and where all the good quest baring the new ones in the Caves (which totally own) I was able to by pass the initial rush of folks. Re-rolling has set me back some... well in PVP it set me back a lot and the fact I know nothing but the Stein quest in FP and that doesn't help one bit. This has been a difficult road because not only do I want to enjoy the Evil side it's like a new game for me I want to level and go out to PK(player kill). I love the old voice over system I enjoy listening to the sluty Kerran to the street Mafia all the way to the Militia and even some Trolls got some great voices. Though it's not till your around those annoying ones for a while that it starts to drive you nuts. (have you seen a Gnoll before?) So yes I take my time listening to the quest givers and I get into the stories a bit more then I have done in Qeynos because well, I did that over a year ago. Though I still dislike reading the quests especially the ones that seem to take forever to get through so those become Click Click click, but that's a different post all together. I've even enjoyed going back to do green quest because well in PVP your plans for doing difficult quests gets derailed very quickly. So it's great, you go out do green quests and it also seems Qeynos are out Gankin the newbs that just hit level 10 so I tend to get fair PVP then. My outlook's on PVP so far is Great, just freaking Awesome.

Falik or Pagoda will be my new main, not sure how I now feel about betraying at this point because I stopped my Goodie and went all Evil and by the time the Next LU comes there will more then likely be 60's around so it'll be harder to not be ganked in the process. I did see a level 45 Bruiser last night and I find that disturbing but hey what we as humans do with our time is our business I guess. Anyhow Nagafen is my new home and my other alts will more then likely catch dust unless I grp up with my wife to do some PVE.

Death: I'm off that kick now, I'm done, I will no longer bitch about how death is weak because well it's only really weak on PVE. As I figured PVP would make it well... make you not want to die. Call it Pride or whatever you wish, I call it (I don't like losing Beer and Money) and when you lose both that's enough to piss you off for revenge even if you never get it right away your on my shit list... YOU HERE ME KAGA~ I'm still up 10sp but it seriously is a blow when you lose anything of worth and it will only get worse. The minute I lose a master and 15 gp after I get PKed is the minute I commit Hari Kari. No not really but seriously I love it, I get paranoid and Guarded every where I go. Whether I'm going to Commonland or just leaving the Cross roads I'm sneaking around looking over my shoulder because well... I just don't want to die if I can help it and that is what a death penalty should do. So unless SOE weakens it again somehow I'm happy, that mean you (my reader are happy) right?? Ahh my glory days of Sullen zek are coming back to me...

With that it sparks even more controversy on the Station Exchange enabled PVP server or rather it sparks a question. How would you feel when you become ganked would you feel as if someone was really stealing money from you? and those of us Scouts that pick your pockets(not sure if this AAxp will work on PC) would you feel muged as if it was real life? Could you become a victim of a class action law suit for killing robbing and thieving items from another Opposing player? Just something to think about, tell me your thoughts.

** Top Picture taken from EQ2-Daily posted by Randum **

David <3 Goliath... no really!

2006-02-17T08:29:00.000-08:00

With all the things going on in the world my old buddy Aggro got stirred up about PA and rightfully so. He eloquently put his thoughts out and I have to say after reading that I aggree* with him. Com'mon David take down Goliath! Maybe it's not that kinda fight but in all seriousness the cartoon they drew was somewhat amusing yet, where Aggro goes I usually dare not touch.

Well ok with that said...I have a fetish about making disturbing in game photos... I have since I got into EQlive and had my first Mistymoore raid.. If you have never been there the vampires (female) when they die they fall forwards with their ass in the air {get the picture}. Well I will start posting some of these from time to time just to make someone perk up because, you know sex and fart jokes will never stop making people laugh. No matter how mature you think you are.

So Aggro since Penny Arcade didn't make you laugh I hope this little parody makes you laugh.

EQ2: XP the little bar that could

2006-02-13T08:50:00.000-08:00

Hidden deeply embedded in code is the biggest carrot in all MMO's; that driving factor to become bigger, bader, better....UBER! Able to make you kill Venekor solo beyond the grave, more likely to get you a divorce quicker then a 2$ hooker fling in Vegas, Stronger then the smell of that cat box you let sit there for the last 2 weeks. XP

Experience points is why most play this game weather they admit it or not. I don't think anyone would play a game for long with out that push forward, the feeling of a small yet very gratifying accomplishment. No one knows that rush better then a newbie, when they feel like they are actually doing something in a world so alien to them they are still awed by the massive world they just entered. I believe most get the gratification now from learning to do tedious chores (quests of killing ten rats) and getting the DING** it's the single biggest driving factor... The little bar that could. Then comes loot but that's for another post

With that said shortly there will be a free XP weakend* it begs the question... Why?

I understand the server was down, I'm from Befallen it's been down the most here recently. Do I need some sort of apology for them fixing and helping to make a game better and more communitive by throwing XP at me? Do they feel obligated or is it a tactic to keep people playing? I seriously have a hard enough time with burning up my Double XP as it is and I've played the past 9 days strait. I still have my XP potions in my inventory and they are just sitting there looking back at me taking up space.. I've seriously thought about using them just to open up a few slots. I think a /claim for these type of things is more in order if they feel obligated at giving us free XP every time things like this come up.

I love to level up as much as the next person and like anyone else likes to find the quickest route to my next level if there is a sweet spell calling my name... **God bless Topor** Though most the time I stop to smell the roses, I'm more of an explorer, the harder it is to explore the more I want to go there and loot/XP matters very little to me at that point.

Ok back to XP, why am I bringing all this up? I've got a few question that I feel SOE may never answer but I'm gonna ask them anyhow. How come XP is thrown at us? Why is it not a quest reward of sorts? Why isn't there and option to shut off Double XP for those like me that don't like it? I feel it's an attempt at appeasing those that don't play much and it seems as though Double XP has been broke a lot. It's either to much, not enough, or never goes away and stays stuck at 0.1% I understand there is math involved but lets just make this easy... get rid of it.

I know I may be in the minority here but this is one of those things I feel should be earned every step of the way. I'm all for Quest reward double XP potions, I'm even for letting them be tradable so that a friend can save them up for a buddy he wants to mentor and help him catch up. I'm all for items that can be earned and have charged doses of double XP but, I just don't see why SOE feels as though something gained without earned is respected.

EQ2: Merger tips

2006-02-09T08:43:00.000-08:00

Well I was apart of the first server transition and it went well considering but I still have a few tips for those that will be experiencing these in the next week er so.

Tip #1: Remove all your housing items and Close your apt. I have a few guildys that no longer have their house. If you can afford to not have a house then do nothing. However, If you will not lose much because you upgraded or can part with the lost gold just close your apt or be prepared to not have one and have to wait to get it back.

Tip #2: Remove all shared bank slot items if you don't you will have to rely once again on the mercy of SOE. Most of my guildys didn't have their Shared items when they logged up...
Note: /Restore_lost_shared is a command that works but it's not 100% reliable so once again I'd just remove all shared items before the move.

Tip #3: Have a plan or as Riply put it a Back up plan. My server was down damn near 24 hours and I had to figure out what to do. I usually play FFXI but I figured with the upcoming PVP server I'd stress the limits of being a newb that really had nothing to lose.

My back up plan was to make a brigand to see if I liked him and to see where I can take him at low levels. I level up to 7 and decided to hit the road opening up most of Commonlands /Nektulos /TS /Antonica /SS and POS.. Yes I got around the world by the time I was done I had both Griff quests done (which is 20% both at level 7 and at level 8) and was level 11... Oh yeah I was naked as well think it cost me 48 cp to repair.

Seriously folks don't expect this to be a fast and easy merger you will have that day all to yourself... Maybe you should go outside and re-acquaint yourself with the Resolution of Real Life... I'll tell you what it's kinda neat that God made Trees 3D and the Sky that has a real weather pattern with ever changing colors.. All kidding aside just have fun no matter what your doing... Welcome to bat country

EQ2: rebirth

2006-02-03T13:17:00.000-08:00

Well there are days I am back into EQ2 and with every LU there is the chance of a real possible fix to the dumbfounded ways of their porly implemented Death policy. LU 19 is no exception and with good cause it actually made me want to go log up and check it out. I mainly came back to see how the newbie experience changed and my initial evaluation was not pleasant. Though I really do dig the Griff/Carpet jumping! Oi! I've died 2 times from that already but it's so fun..

I finally logged up after a 20min patch which is ok by me because well I always find something else to do. I logged in and created my newbie I randomized him a few times I wanted to get in and check out the Queens refugee camp. I got over to the pick your class section and I feel that was fairly decent. Though the jury is still out on whether or not giving a level 1 newbie armor with out any effort is good to do, I'm not all about a free lunch. I picked swashy I even started out duel wielding and to me that was a jip I didn't even have to earn my first 2 daggers Hell I didn't even have to learn how to equipt them...I then watched their little story line with the books and pictures, I remeber they had something similar just not sure it was that entaled. Although I think CG would of done better then the whole Lord of the Rings esk feel to the start of EQ2. So I finally get onto the Island and uh..... Nothing I have this gold wisp leading me to a NPC in front of the Bell tower. How un-eventful can we get, seriously I felt no since of wanting or having to do anything. I mean shit they still could of had the same guy say " Quickly now grab your weapon from the rack and help defend the fort" SOE didn't really have to give us a whole story line. That was the first last and what seems like the only time I felt like I'm apart of something bigger then myself as a newbie in EQ2 and it no longer exists.

Ok I've established I'm quite bias to the first Island because I felt it was more then adequate enough to do it's job as a tutorial. Now granted this new style I've only touched for about 10 min and it made me sick.. No voice over to any new NPC as far as I can tell and there was no Life to anything I did in the first 5 minutes on this island. I ended up killing these fish type goblins which are in my book the worst idea replace here zombily running to the Guards to die... These dutifully Goblins are graphically insufficient compared to the old goblins and I really didn't feel they were attacking the fort.. Ok enough of that I've nothing good to say about this at this point.. I will do a Real review from the Evil Lord peasants island and it will be more indepth but overall it wasn't a pleasant experance that I was initially accustomed to. I really did want to get off the island and fast....
How much more annoying can it get when every 3rd choice is "How do I get off this island?" I guess the things that made me fall in love with Everquest all over agian are were not good enought to keep em in the game.

Things we do

2006-02-01T07:44:00.000-08:00

Well I've not been around to update and when I am we've been moving around offices. It's been difficult to sit down and write up anything worth while that most other EQ2 Gaming blogs aren't already blog'n about.

I've been having a kick out of watching all the action for LU 19 some of it's great and other parts just seem to be fodder to get the game in line with the expantion. I also find it quite amusing that a few of our servers are merging. It only bothers me slightly mainly becuase I've been away from EQ2 since early Dec. Other then the slight glance at my Wife's raids or when I pop on the guild to say hi I've not gave it much of a glance back. However, there is a reason for everything to include these merges. I look at it this way they expect good numbers for PVP so why not open up 5 PVP servers world wide and drop 5 worthless servers with low population that will become even lower when people like me up and move our 1 room apt. I will be on PVP I think it's perfect timing because if SOE didn't have PVP coming out this month I would seriously think about dropping my second account with them. I'm not saying everything is bad about EQ2 I just feel burnt out and let down by some of the recent " dumbing down of the game".

That and well... I'm a Mage, Summoner, Conjurer... pick one; these are what I enjoy as a class. I chose Magician on EQ1 because I love to summon things, rabbit in a hat trick... I enjoyed the fact I could summon pets and they grew stronger on their spell levels but each pet had their place in the game. They had to be used wisely and thought about the key roles of what was about to take place. I felt like what I summoned mattered in EQ1 on top of that I felt like a pet class, Unlike EQ2 where pets are set it and forget it.

This is really by no means dumbing down the game it's been there from the beginning of EQ2 I just have trouble with really enjoying a pet class when the pets are more like DOT spells that you can see. I do like the dumbfire pets and the aquafish pets these are a bonus to me I wanted pets like these in EQlive and they really never put them in until AA's. I just have trouble with the normal Earth, Fire, Air pets on EQ2 because all I do is tell them to fight they go in and I then commence to spamming nukes.... very little to no strategy in being a Conj in EQ2.

What I'm getting at is the fact that I get to control my Pet/Avatar in FFXI. Every minute I tell my Avatar's to use their ability's which grown when your grow in levels. I just feel like a pet class and I feel that this is really what is missing from EQ2. I don't care if I get 8 other nukes with a few different pets; If I wanted to be a nuke class I would chose Wiz/Warl. I just want to be able to tell my Fire pet when to nuke and what to nuke, or tell my Air pet when to do his Combat ability's, or when to tell my Earth pet to taunt. These would make me feel like I was a pet controlling class. Because SOE knows we as Conj really don't summon shit anymore... Hell we don't even summon food/water somehow that ended up as a Priest ability... Who ever thought of that?

Those are really some of the drawl backs to me staying into EQ2 in the PVE environment. I will not be able to stick around mainly because of the death penalty but the lack of finesse and structure makes it even more difficult to stick around in PVE. What I did at level 20 I'm doing at level 50 only my spells are stronger... Oh and I get to raid. I will enjoy PVP because it's all about a different type of game and when the new world opens I'll be their to tell you all about it.

Hats Hats my wonderful Hats

2006-01-13T07:39:00.000-08:00

Some people are asking SOE or spouting off saying "I'm a little uneasy when things like collection quests and new hats makes the list of top features" and the likes.

Yes yes! I some what agree that this, it should of been in the game since day one minute one but it's nice that they are finally putting it in. I'm a Hat person, I dislike wearing hats in real life because most hats have no personality. 70% of all Americans wear either a Baseball cap with some logo or a Cowboy hat. Neither of which fits my taste, granted you would never catch me wearing a pointy hat in real life. I just like hat's that have style and taste and on women. Nothing more sexier then a women wearing a styled hat when it's done correctly.(I won't go into that)

I would have to say that "Brand new pieces of armor, such as Profession Hats, Helmets and Pauldrons, will make your character look more distinct." Is a plus for someone like me, in some ways I'm easily amused.

As you can see above my Final Fantasy character has a Wiz or what I call a Wiz cap. I enjoy playing a Mage that looks and feels like a mage. The skull caps that have been on EQ since I started and they have never truly appealed to me. I will say that Velious expantion introduced cool hat's that took a lot of work to get. Once you were done it was a great accomplishment and some were really sweet. Sadly, when SOL came out a lot of armors transitioned away from race/class and was basically the same all around. I enjoyed that barbarians in a leather hat had a bear on their heads, and that the cap was different through the races. It takes a lot of work, but for me the biggest bonus is when it's Class specific. I enjoy looking at a class and saying hey that's a Cleric, that's a White mage, that's a Wizard and that's a Warrior. I shouldn't look at a Cleric and send em a tell "hey wanna be our tank?"... That always makes for an awkward he's never gonna join my group moment.

So for me this will fix tons of concern throughout the whole of EQ2 when it comes to Armor models. This once I'll go with SOE and their marking team and say it's wise to advertise Class specific armors in the expantion. I do wish that they would make it so your robe is just the upper half and that the leggins as a mage show what your wearing and not just the model that belongs to that robe. SOE has a long way to go but I think they will come around.

Death: Getting it Right!

2006-01-12T15:26:00.000-08:00

I hear you and can pretty much promise that, given our desire for Vanguard to be a more challenging game, targeted at core gamers, and more difficult than a lot of more recent MMOGs, death will have a very real sting. Without such a sting, the feeling of accomplishment when you kill that mob or overcome that encounter or obtain that rare item is greatly diminished. Human nature dictates that when you have to work hard and long to obtain something, the person is more attached to and proud of his accomplishment. The fact that this has been less true in many more recent MMOGs is all the more reason to make sure Vanguard is a more challenging and difficult game and why we have held fast to ideas like CRs, limited teleportation, no Instancing, etc. We think there are both a lot of old school MMOG players who miss that challenge and feeling of accomplishment, as well as lot of new MMOG players who will find themselves ready for a more difficult and therefore, hopefully, more rewarding and long term experience.-- Aradune Mithara

All I can say is EQ2 Needs to re-think their Death penalty a little bit more... At least give us more debt per death and No Debt refresh when you log out.. I wont let it go Sorry! Everthing in that forum post speaks many truths..

In responce

2006-01-11T09:05:00.000-08:00

IN RESPONSE TO THE "RANDOM FACTS" THAT ARE BEING GENERATED ON THE INTERNET

I'm aware of the made up declarations about me that have recently begun to appear on the Internet and in emails as "Chuck Norris facts." I've seen some of them. Some are funny. Some are pretty far out. Being more a student of the Wild West than the wild world of the Internet, I'm not quite sure what to make of it. It's quite surprising. I do know that boys will be boys, and I neither take offense nor take these things too seriously. Who knows, maybe these made up one-liners will prompt young people to seek out the real facts as found in my recent autobiographical book, "Against All Odds?" They may even be interested enough to check out my novels set in the Old West, "The Justice Riders," released this month. I'm very proud of these literary efforts.
~ Chuck Norris

I really do enjoy the fact that he didn't really take offence to the little Chuck Norris facts... Some were quit hilarious and it's always nice to see a famous person actually let things just roll, and maybe laugh at themselves once in a while... I usually find laughing at myself a great stress reliever. On another note I will get back to EQ2 in due time, I have something up my sleve at the moment. However, I'm busy in RL so things will calm down and I'll get to regularly schduled programing.

I found Antonia

2006-01-06T07:42:00.000-08:00

I been in search of my own Antonia.. my Queen... my Love.. Sadly I found out why the castle door's in Qeynos are locked and why we the little people aren't aloud in the Queens room to meet her. I know that those who have betrayed have seen her wrath, I now know why she's so pent up about those that don't bow down and obey her....

Yes that's right she's a Weapon sales person in Jeuno in the world of Final Fantasy and she still dresses pretty scantly only more S&M. Whips, chains, and Bastard swords oh my!

Here's a better side shot.

When I found her I tried to dime her out to the guard's but they wouldn't have it. Oh no she's only the lowly weapons sales person... Yeah right! So now I'll never look at her the same, she is a working man like the rest of us. Then she kicked me out of the store...

Chuck Norris

2006-01-05T09:24:00.000-08:00

Wow! I came back in what seems to be a bad mood and for that I apologize. It's hard to be happy when you had a nice little break from work. Sadly I'll never get off the EQ2 Death thing until it's fixed, or I quit caring about the game. OK, I figured today I'd lighten up the place with some fun Chuck Norris facts. These are ripped from chucknorrisfacts and some are quite funny.

* There is no theory of evolution, just a list of creatures Chuck Norris allows to live.
* Crop circles are Chuck Norris' way of telling the world that sometimes corn needs to lie the fuck down.
* In an average living room there are 1,242 objects Chuck Norris could use to kill you, including the room itself.

Personal fact: When I was 7 Chuck Norris was my Hero, I had an action figure that always kicked the Karate Kids ass.

Now for some Antonia Bayle facts

* "Oh Deer Me" was a way of letting Antoina's subjects act evil without knowing it
* Search for Antonia was just to throw you off; Her real job is in Jeuno (see tomorrow's Blog)
* Antonia and Lucan created the plague after a wild Frostfell party in 2004
* She has a bounty on Lucans head after what he gave her.... PVP will play a role

Ok their not all that funny but I'm going some where with this... Follow the white rabbit and
Stay tuned to the next blog where I bartered with Aggro me's Detective squad on where Antonia's where abouts.

In who's opinion

2006-01-04T07:49:00.000-08:00

I've read around recently and have come to the realization that people don't know what they want when it comes to a MMO. They seem to want their bread buttered on both side then toast it, no wait they toast it and then butter... Or is it..... Ok you get my point. I recently read this and it's the little summary at the end that really tweaked my calm side.

In summary, I think EverQuest 2 started off trying to emulate EQ success by carrying over many of its features and game play elements. The broader and more diverse player base railed against this lack of innovation and narrow focus, and Sony has responded by making EQ2 more accessible, and just plain better. This should serve as a lesson to upcoming games (Vanguard, this means you), that what gamers want has changed since the days of the original EverQuest. Thanks for reading.

I've played EQ from 1999 and EQ2 from the start give er take a week. First of all I can say the moment I logged into EQ2 the only feel that was the same to me was the UI and commands. Their Archetype system to me is flawless and I am sad they are cutting it out to now go back to what was EQ's (success?). There was great innovation and what seemed to be focus but not on the raid scale which is what a lot of people railed against.... The fact this game was really easy and button mashy without any sense of a vast world to be conquered is why people quit... EQII.com a former shadow of what is once was all because there was high hopes it would be similar to EQlive.. If you read through these boards you will learn more why the huge following soon disbanded and stopped playing EQ2 shortly after release. It's because up untill LU 13 EQ2 was a joke and now it looks to be going back to the pre LU13 mentality... Easy come Easy go!

What lesson should Vanguard learn form EQ2? Oh yeah! I got one here's what really not to do make a half assed game release and try to please everyone. You will never be able to please everyone and what's more irritating about EQ2 then it's crappy death penalty is the fact it Hem-haw's. When you make a MMO you do it for the Working man or the basement kid not both... It's Impossible to make a game to please both, EQ2 did prove that when it was group centric with death penalty enough to make most not want to die it rocked. Now it's a Solo game calling itself an MMO for the sake of getting that monthly fee. Yeah there is some Group content and some crap raids but those aren't enough to keep people around like EQ1 did.

You need to go one of two ways with a MMO WOW or EQ1. You have a hard time filling in the blanks of a Group oritntated game if it's easy to solo. You will be stuck without a Healer, DPS, or Tank and it's probly because they are out soloing. That leads to frustration for those that want to group and they get bored and quit. I don't think it shouldn't be soloable at all just that it's not as good as a group.

Look at this little post on Vanguard forums. Read around for yourself a lot of them seem clueless as to what they like in a game. Now I can point out a million things I don't like about EQ2 but the small stuff that pisses me of is easily overlooked when I want to keep playing. Then I read stuff like this

Really, if they combined WoW's gameplay, with EQ2's graphics, music, and stability, and maybe DAoC's or EQ1's end game content, then it would make an amazing MMO.

Wow's Gameplay? EQ1's End game? Ok seriously then you have the balls to say Hear that Sigil?
There is a million ways to go with that but I'll say in all trufullness EQ2's gameplay is similar to WOW; though EQ2 is more fun to watch. The funniest thing about all of these MMO's there game play all initially is pretty much the same. Change what ability's and how they look vs what race/class/job that uses them they all pretty much play the same. They all have Auto attack, magic and some sort of combat ability and pet classes. Every group needs a Tank, Healer.... (that is when you aren't out soloing.) .... It's a never ending cycle of stat boosting by getting levels to get better items to so you can get more items.. (Save for COH)

No I think if people want the semi best of both worlds they should play EQ2. If they want solo they should go to WOW and if they want to Group play Final FantasyXI... at least untill Vanguard comes out. I truely believe it's verily impossiblee to make a game be both Soloable and Group with out making sacrifices on either side but EQ2 is close.

I say if you want to make a good MMO don't do what's already done, do something new. Vanguard looks to be that promise and the world of MMO's is in for a treat when it's finally out.

Quylein: I'm Back!!

2006-01-03T12:13:00.000-08:00

After my little Vacation I'm back and with little more info then I left with. As you all may know I'm taking a break from EQII and plunged head strong into Final Fantasy XI. Well I did get to do a few things in EQ2 that I wasn't expecting. It was fun for the most part but mainly tiresome because the tank we had was how do I put this.... Our main guild tank is pretty much fabled out, so as a healer I have little to no job so to add injury to my boredom I didn't get to heal much.

Here's the scoop I went to silent city and we died once on the way there due to channel cleaners that was about as fun as it got. Once we got there we did a few quests and waited in what always seemed to be a dead end area for a rare mob to pop.. Not sure which just know I was there only to help. Well later after I literally feel asleep at my monitor my wife woke me up to go finish up my carpet quest. As much fun as I figured this would be it was just another notched quest finished, with a reward that everyone 50+ pretty much already has done. I Once again didn't feel any gratification, I keep trying to pinpoint it but it still seems to be the fact that risk vs reward just really isn't there.

Later we went to Soleye that was fun at first, our MT was pulling so many Heroic level 48+ mob at one point I though we were goners... You see you can't engage a mob killing you if there are to many of them at once so I had to just spam heal. Now that was fail fun until we sat in the back room once again for a mob to pop for BOF access. We finally got it and the whole ring event was very uneventful. Now if most of us were in our high 40's low 50's it would of been more entertaining sadly it was not. Couple the fact that their is an expantion and the raise to level 60 and the death penalty being less then Mario bro's for Atari it has a more meaningless feel to it. My wife keeps trying to re-engage my interests in EQII and everytime I see more and more DOF zones the more I wish I would of saved my cash. A lot of the zones are repetitive and or seemingly lacking in adventure but, don't take my advice there is just a different feeling when you don't care if you die.

The biggest trouble I have with this whole hand me out EQII has gotten into is where is the actual reward for busting your ass. We got a raid together for the Scepter HQ and ran across a EpicX3 in SS. The raptor, not sure what name is well he went down fairly easy only a few deaths but no retry.. Once he died the loot "OH yeah this has gotta be half way good"... Yup you guessed it a pair of plate leggings with worse stats then the player made vanadium.... and Tada.. a Tradeskill scroll purchased once you got your faction up. OMFG!!

Here we go getting 15 people together which is a feat in and of itself with the degraded EQ2 population and we get shit loot for a Epic X3... It made me think WTF how come at 50 I can go to Runnyeye and get master loots off heroics solo or a small group in CT, yet it's still heroics. But a level 55 Epic X3 doesn't drop even decent non master loot? It's broke I don't like broke and hand me outs all the time make people not appreciate something as much. Com'mon Dev team you care so much about EQ2 why don't you make it so we care too? I've yet to see something in EQ2 where I'm gonna really want it, it's rare and it's a benefit to actually have it. So my question to you is where is the fun, excitement, adventure? Hell if there is no travel you should have plenty of time to think about putting these types of things in. Yeah go figure we want fun, who'd a thunk it right? Easy patches to put in the next few LU's or Expantions

Fun: Make it so you have to use your brain and bonus if there is no way to really follow a spoiler. Spells is a biggy for me being that I'm a mage..** Make it so some of the spells are only questable, .. Say you get nice spell at level 61 maybe make one drop or buyable, but make another quest only(no drop, no sell).

excitement: Make death matter... A few gold is a joke and Debt is laughable. I get my heart pumped when I know there is a huge chance of failure and failure is only felt with a punch in the face, not a mosquito bite. Bring back group Xp debt but only make it so if your group is in the same rural area. Make it so that at level 60 you can lose xp so you still have that I don't wanna die feeling.... Make solo Xp debt suck say around 4%... Think of something...

adventure: Since we all got 40%+ run speeds post 50 and the fucking bells, flying carpets rides, and griffons, why not actually make it difficult and adventurous to travel to some places. This insta shit has got to stop, it makes me feel like I'm in a box not a world. I think even adding some neat cut scenes for the first time doing something may add to the adventure. ** such as you ring a bell on the docks to Willow wood going to Qeynos harbor. You see a harbor man rowing a boat up to you then you board and off you go not everytime, but every so often to get the feel.
** You could make it so boats come in and out of port in the Harbor... for crying out loud it's a Harbor and even if it's static boats it gives a neater feel to the place. There is like one static boat in Freeport, Neat.. Give us more little details.

Yes, I know this is yet another negative EQ2 post and as much as anyone who loves this game I don't want to write them but I do write what I feel. I know there is tons that the Dev team did and there is a lot of good. I would like to point it out sadly, at the moment my mind is only filled with the what needs fixed because it makes the game suck at the present. I also know that if I stop playing EQ2 there are about 15 others that will quit and migrate over to another game... I already got 4 coming to Final Fantasy XI. No, it's not a threat our measly money wouldn't amount to squat however, I know if were doing it others are too... Here's rooting for EQII to become the game it can be.

On the only semi positive note: The Beserker AQ armor is bad ass I just wish they would stop making the armor look like they ripped it off of actual tanks..LOL

Vanguard lore: Qalia

2005-12-23T08:07:00.000-08:00

This weeks lore is The Grey Dove,

It's a nice starting to a tradesmen life and has some promise I do sure hope they continue bringing good lore like this. I also hope that this lore ties into the game somehow, maybe even if it's only names.

Read up I'm sure you'll enjoy if you haven't already. See you all next year!(for real this time)

EQ2: Frostfell

2005-12-22T07:26:00.000-08:00

I have to say Frostfell is neat I enjoyed the quest to save Frostfell in most cases. There are only some small details that I have had trouble overlooking as I'm sure most noticed.

The city was set up beautifully and yet, it seemed a bit artificial. Someone said it made them feel like they were in a Candy Land nightmare. Now I won't go far as to say it was nightmarish but it did feel a bit Candy Land like, with out all the bright colors everywhere. I've mentioned before that the snowmen and women are around but it's not snowing. I figured they might have snow on the ground w/o snow falling because the EQ2 weather system is very lacking. Sadly they just added more candy canes. Yum! I tried to lick a candy cane and got my tongue stuck, so it is cold but not snowy.

The Quest! Yes I started out not liking this quest but once I finished with the Gibgibblers and read through the book I liked it. Funny they copied the Grinch story but even still it was pretty neat. The book with the story was very cool, the pictures added gave the whole book a child like yet loreish feel. I just wish they would make all books that are readable like that, with pictures and all. After I entered Everfrost with a X-mas hat and unlimited NUKE balls, Boi that was fun. I ran around destroying things very Uber like, that was the best part of don't underestimate the power of a Snowball. I truely have to come back to say I was wrong on frist impresions, EQ2 did a decent job and hope they can continue the Frostfell well into the future.

The Presents! I got a snowglobe of Qeynos which was neat, but that's the only snow around the castle I'll ever see huh? Ok sorry I'll let it go.... There was a vendor that you could buy cheap holiday stuff from which was nice. Candles for the shelf and wall, they are all pretty nice. I then did the Once a day gift and got a few different music boxes. This is the best present to me as a long time EQ player. I've seen 5 so far and they are all Boxes of music my fave is Greater Faydark and the weird one was Freeport. I listened to Freeport and it is nothing like you hear now in EQ2. Defiantly a nice addition to your room... now to get Kelethin.

Happy Frostfell, and Merry Christmas, See you all next year.

Final Fantasy XI: The world

2005-12-21T08:41:00.000-08:00

I've always been curious as to how Final Fantasy would be as a MMO. I heard back in 1999 that they were going online but it would take a while. At the time I was figuring it would be like EQ and I was fairly new to MMO's so I was unsure. I was unaware until this week how that world I pondered turned out. All I can say it's beautifully fantastic, the rich grafix and the easy set up got me from the moment I logged into my first cut scene.

It was a hassle to get everything situated and signed up just about the same amount of effort it was for EQ, EQ2 and Wow. There were some aspects of it I enjoyed like the Playonline interface. You don't have to deal with the internet and 1 million links. So far so good, I had to learn a lot of new stuff from stem to stern but the overall experience wasn't to bad. The drawl back is you use the Playonline interface for logging in every time.

I did have some troubles on my second computer while I was loading it. I had a DVD read problem so I had to switch out DVD players to load up the second copy. After all was said and done it took about 45 min's of updating all the patches not to bad in comparison.

I logged up and into the world of Vana'diel I made various different characters just to play around at first; I also wanted to see which town I liked the most. I chose Winhurst because of it's green and tree's in a way a reminder of nature, I truly enjoy nature towns the most. It's close to but not reminiscent of the Night elves town in WOW, Kelethin of EQ1, and Eldar Grove of EQ2. I enjoy those places very much because of the nature of it. San d'Oria wasn't a bad town it was kinda Qeynos esk, very nice Christmas setup at this time of the year and medieval in some area's. Bastok was my least favorite, even though at the beginning it looked to be the best of the 3 I didn't like the bland mine's and the color of the city; it was set up like Kaladim in EQ1 only outdoors. Note: The biggest drawl back to making a character initially is you don't get a choice of server, you have to remake your character till your on the server you wish to be on. (there is a quest for a World Pass to make an Alt around 500 gil to do the quest) The second biggest drawl back is that it cost 49 cent extra a month.

I messed with a few races, although I really enjoyed the Hume race it is usually the last race type I will choose. I picked Elvaan and female because well, I want my wife to play and racially they seemed to be a sexy race, Hume's are much better in that department. The male Elvaan is cool, they have some neat armor looks on high levels. The female on the other hand looked very masculine and to top that off it scored the lowest on my wife's choice due to the funky looking run. I re-rolled a Mithra they are a female only race; I find them to be neat overall, Very flexible and stat's aren't to bad. I like them better then the Kerran that's for sure.

The one race that took me by surprise was the Tarutaru, I seen them around on the internet and thought that my wife and I both wouldn't like them much but as you can see above I choose to be one. I don't like small races much well I just don't like to play dwarfs or gnomes, I do enjoy my Froglok. I think these guys are cute and deceptive, in a PVP world I might look at them and laugh while I was then destroyed by their Firaga... They are a powerful magic people and have some really neat looking mage styles from Blackmage to Whitemage.

So I rolled a Tarutaru and moved into Windurst on Hades server what next? A lot but I'll give you the skinny because this is getting long. It takes a long time to run around town, there is no spirit of wolf or sprint which can be hard since I've been running at Mach1 in EQ2. You will get different travel mechanisms later in the game. The place isn't repetitive which is nice so you can land marker and remember places if not there is a /map in game that is helpful. There are a few auction houses in one city so your not forced into one (hamlet to the city). It also has a system much like EQ1's bind NPC there are crystals that bind you to the area of town you wish to be in. You do get an apartment a lot like EQ2 only it's automatic zone into it, no door to click on. The good is you don't have to be on a click fest, bad news is your the only one in your room ever as far as I know of. heh! not like I ever really had visitors that I know of. You can set furniture around, change your class to whatever is available to you and even grow plants for what looks to be good to Tradeskill culinary with and various other things.

The UI, the best part I love and hate about the game. It's very nice to not have a huge UI system while I play the game. I don't like when I have to look between the lines while I'm fighting. The menu system on FFO's UI is decent, I'm use to EQ2 having tons of options for every detail. However, this one does cover a lot and the one thing I wish they had more of is sticky buttons such as Shift-M for map or more mapable keys for the keyboard. There is a nice macro system much like other MMO's which I'm still growing accustom to but, decent to set up your main fighting/magic ability's. I have to play more to get a better idea of it, though I truly think once I learn the UI it should be easier. (Hell the game was designed with a PS2 controller in mind it can't be that hard)

Fighting was very awkward at first. I'm very use to click kill if we get an add change NPC's click kill. This is the thing I dislike about FFO the most at this point is that aspect, it's harder then it needs to be to change NPC's in battle, your locked onto the initial target and have to ESC out to start other actions...(I need to learn more I'm sure there is an easier way). EQ2 has a smoother concept here though. I really enjoy Mage melee much better in this game, he doesn't pick up a staff and swing it like a girl nor does he pick up a bow and use it like a monk. The spell effects are cool enough but not to over the top where your like WTF I can't see the mob. Thus far Final Fantasy is a very nice game and only time will tell how it pans out for me. (No I didn't quit EQ2 I just needed a break)

The newbie abbreviated

2005-12-19T13:53:00.000-08:00

Well I had a nice little post about being a newbie in the lands of Warcraft and Vana'diel but then the power went out and I lost about 6 paragraphs so I'm to tired to retype it all.

First I would like to say World of Warcraft isn't all that bad. There is still a corpse/shard type run that I enjoy. I even got lost a few times back to where I died. The world is nice and I like the fact you get to travel. The PVP aspect of it I've yet to experience however, I'm sure I would enjoy it on a even playing field. I didn't like the UI it seems obtrusive and not very friendly and the fact chat didn't hide itself overall was a disappointment. The character create screen was lacking and it was more or less a easy deal all round. Not something I would be glad to drop 30$ on at this time. Though I would play this if I didn't invest to much time into EQ2, I still have a hard time playing a cartoon. Also with the advent of PVP in EQ2 I really doubt I will outlive my free 10day trial. Mooo! You happy now?

Final Fantasy online: I decided to finally get after all this time and as of this moment I'm glad I did. The fighting seems slowish but hey I'm only a level 1 Red mage at this point. The world is beautiful I can't say that enough, EQ2 is nice but FFO's world seems more lived in. It's a world of travel and that's a bonus. The map's have to be found and/or purchased not just run around or Download some applicator TADA but, I'm not really a map man. The controls are well built for a controller but hard for a keyboard, go figure it's made for PS2 as well.

My chief complaint is the lack of keyboard options on the direction arrows, they are used for camera angles and I've yet to be able to use them for movement. I've spent a better part of 2 hours redefining what I know about current MMO's and struggled like I was a real newb. That isn't necessarily a bad thing but I love to learn and learn I did. The overall UI is MONEY to me, it's open basic and makes the world stand out more. I didn't feel like I was standing behind a counter serving PWNAGE!1111!! Another dislike is the fact once your in the selection UI mode your stuck till you ESC out of it. Not sure how beasts will be when your KOS or if you get KOS, but if I'm fighting and I have to ESC out just to target and /a to fight that might get a little annoying. I also don't like the fact that I can't choose my server without a world pass, what kinda BS is that? You can also find a nice little tid bit about it here.

One thing I would like to touch on really quick is the creation screen. FFO has a EQ1 interface for creating basically. You have 5 races 2 hair styles and about 8 faces per some have female/male so there is a variance. I've realized even though there is limited variance in character creation, it don't seem like there are drones walking around. In EQ2 even though I can make my Highelf creation system with 1000 ways of making him stand out. He still looks like every other Highelf if they have the same hair style and color. I feel that the already rendered faces are more then EQ2's personal choice difference's there that different.

Over all the best newb experience is EQ2, it's engrossing beautiful and eventful. Fights are more realistic due to motion capture and the world is better glossed. However, with all this revamp EQ2 for the newb sensation you would figure that EQ2 would try to sell during the holidays. There wasn't one EQ2 box on the shelf at any store I went to. You can take it one of 2 ways, they are sold out or, they just didn't push the sales to the store. I will take the ladder; it just seems like they are pushing a game that really isn't on the market. WOW had a 60 day free run of the game with retail purchase and FFO has 30 days free for you and 30 days free for a friend. EQ2 had nothing but the DOF expantion... Yippy! Here's hoping for more travel and the return of the Shard.

Vanguard: Lore; Shieldbearer

2005-12-16T07:29:00.000-08:00

Shieldbearer is a newer installation of lore which I think was rather neat more then full of info. Quite a few people on the forums look like they went out of their way just to decode..

SPOILERS: here and a few more that were at the forefront of solving the puzzle and has a semi hint on how this guy figured them out. The thread here is the main discussion about the whole thing.

Alefbash Wiki Also has an alphabet if you wish to solve it with out a quick spoiler and with out any tricky code.

I personally like this whole setup and feel the lore is a great way to get into the story even though we're not in the world just yet. ENJOY!

Vanguard: BETA 2!

2005-12-15T15:13:00.000-08:00

Well the info comes in today that Vanguard is rolling into BETA 2.

You can find the info Here, Here andHere.

All I can say is Damn to bad I didn't get a shot at Beta 1 however, Beta 2 gives me yet another shot at helping make Targonor a better place.

Moments of Zen: LU 18d

2005-12-13T07:13:00.000-08:00

SOE expects "Call of the Tower" to be the next big hit.

EQ2: Conjuration

2005-12-12T07:47:00.000-08:00

The little things count to me and at this point I'm on the fence as to where SOE is taking EQ2. In the previous few weeks I've had a lot of negative to say about some changes facing Norath and all I can say is LU18 was a breath of fresh air.

The list is a good one for Summoner's alike, as the way pets looked thus far I've been satisfied on the Conjurer side. I don't much like the 2 changes to the Tellurian avenger and Igneous magi pet's. Not that they have any negative conditation but, it's just um... How do I put this, less to my taste. I don't mind to much, the fire pet is indicative of what it's suppose to be (lvl 20 illustion anyone?) however the Earth pet is funny... Winstalker rumbler FTW!!
I think I'm more excited that my Air pet has got a great new look, this one has "Shocked and Awed!" me. Go see for yourself here...

There are Oh So many more surprises embeded that I truly love, and been waiting for:
-Pet combat now shows under its own chat category (Combat -> Melee Combat -> Your Pet Hits, etc)
- Pet damage bubbles will appear colored to the owner:* Pet hits something: yellow* Pet gets hit: dark red
Ahhh!
Summoner changes:- Call Servant is a new level 15 spell that will teleport a summoned pet to the Summoner. -- Not sure why this one took this long to get but, SWEET MOTHER OF ALL THAT'S GOOD AN PURE!!! Thanks

I will also admit to having tons of fun this weekend with my Conjurer. Got a few HQ's done and blew past 2 levels w/o Vitality all doing quests... Had a blast running around naked die'n just for fun.... The only bonus to having no shard is once I get done exploring quickly I can say "been there done that got the Explore XP"

Correction to previous statement that SOE made HQ's easier: Since I'm on my 4th set of Heritages I've ran into a few stumbling blocks like the Stein of Moggok quest. I have spent 2 separate days doing the bouncers and the other 3 times I've done this it was like Bam BAM BAM!! Done.. So thus far I've not notices HQ's to include the DWB all coveted Bloodtalon are still rare for the taking and seem to be more of a camp.
Oh and Just for Brags I soloed a 40 heroic ^^^ at 44, ahh so much cooler to be a Conjurer.

Vanguard: Lore

2005-12-09T09:16:00.000-08:00

We all know that Anna is the Queen, but do you really know any stories behind the in game Queen other then she grew up poor? The real lore behind the Queen Antoina is sparse at best and there is no stories to bring you closer to her. Then SOE cast Heather Gram that then had to voice what would of been her scraggly garbage eating poor speak into a gnarly annoying sound which hasn't poised a Great Queen but hey that's just me.

Well Vanguard has been etching their way into our hearts with great lore and I figured I would choose a piece that speaks to me. I'm only under the assumption that Idara is the equivalent to Firona Vie and Queen Antonia but either way the stories of lore are expansive and most are beautifully written.

I wish there would be a Part 3 to Idara soon, only time will tell how it all turns out. Enjoy your read.

Vanguard The little franchise that will

2005-12-08T07:12:00.000-08:00

Over all the huff I feel since that last LU17 I keep getting breaths of fresh air when I head over to Vanguard. Now every one may not agree that there should be harsh death penalty's or a 100% free instanced world every one will agree their interested in this MMO in some fashion.

Questions arise around this game everyday, like will it beat WOW? Will it's oust it's EQ2 sister? Will it live up to the players Hype? My answers would be I would really hope so, it's unlikely it will take on WOW by subscriptions but I think overall it will be a contender for 2nd in numbers in America. I also believe that the hype is well lived by looking at the untouched photo's and the various information you can pick up here and there.

I believe that the revolution is around the corner and with my Beta Application in I sure hope I can live it first hand here shortly. I will give whatever I can on Vanguard till it's release but with the NDA I'm not even sure I can say I got into Beta...lol

Some will probly start to say I'm a Vanboi, to them I say... So be it; more update's to come

Where's the logic?

2005-12-07T07:18:00.000-08:00

I posted a quick snippet from Blackguard yesterday and I've yet to find any good logic. If you break the whole (which I really won't) post down it basically reads.
Blackguard: We did it because newbs are dumb and weak and death is a joke.

I have a few problems with his PR statement as did 9 pages worth of banter about this one issue. At the risk of beating a dead horse I have to get some of this off my chest.

Logical mistake #1: must pay some amount of penance to make up for this, but not an unreasonable one since not all deaths are your fault.

I wish this could be expounded... No really. In the world there is death it's every where. If you go to Runnyeye for the any purpose go AFK and Die by train, it's your fault for not afking in a safer environment. If you jump off the side of the Bell tower in Antonica to get your safe fall up and die, is is your fault. If your in a grp with retards that rush a Even Epic X4 and you all die it's still your fault by choosing the group your in. In all 3 cases you learn, and learning is apart of a world; it's what makes it fun. Especially for a newb at least that's what the drawl was for me. Now there maybe .000000000000001% chance that a death isn't your fault. Because I can't account for that anomaly we will just say for the purposes of this blog...IT'S ALWAYS YOUR FAULT

Logical mistake #2: it should not be so trivial as to make you...... Use it as transportation.... Take unreasonable risks because you feel there is no penalty at all.

I think this one was a typo, what he meant to say was. We will be removing evac from all wiz, warlock, and Scouts. To make way for our new way of Transportation, Death by Evac!! Find new ways to exploit this fun new trick. If your tired of your grp die and evac. Sweet aint it? Also you see that Garganual canyon you need to scale down into is surrounded by NPC that can wax your solo ass. That's right just jump all the way down get update and die in the process so you can then again use your free evac. Remember though we may look into this evac and allow it to only be used once every 30min.

There are other small variance's in the argument for shards I seen as inconsequential. Such as "Players new to the genre or game were often susceptible to frustration when attempting to recover their spirit shards, and would sometimes log out when facing such failures"
UM! GOOD, if your frustrated at a easy part of the game that was spelled out to you in the Island and you quit now better for us all. As a player I don't want to deal with you at lvl 30 when your stressing out about how you have no food or water left or who knows what else. Besides why is SOE catering to Newb vs Vet's in this one?

I mean give me a break, we all get frustrated at times. Like anything sometimes you need a break and when you come back you'll figure it out. Call me crazy but that's what I believe a lot of us got hooked on while we played our first MMO(that and the fact there was a real community). Once you die and you learn after a while it becomes a nuisance to get the shard but hey, that was just enough to stop some if not most people from die'n. If you don't learn then go to WOW I'm sure there are some lvl 65's there waiting to camp a no nothing newb.

There were other posters that had great Idea's and one in paticular I liked. It was along the same lines of what I was originally thinking before this whole fiasco of weakening the Death Vs Reward situation at hand.

To keep it nice I agree this would satisfy the boisterous remarks of weakening the game more.

1 to 10 no spirit shard or debt... Mend

10 to 19 spirit shard with a one day absorb timer, minor debt, mend

20 to 29 Spirit shard with a 3 day timer, med debt, mend

30 to 39 Spirit shard with a week timer, med debt, mend going higher

40 to 49 A lot of Debt and expenses of armor high

50 to 59 SWEET GOD there is debt, expenses of armor maxing

60 XP loss(not Debt) The chance of being kicked back to 59. The only change is that you should lvl 60 gain xp to 10% only till next expantion. Expenses of armor at MAX.

This would actually give a level 1 to 60 better Risk V Rewards then currently exists. Though I still believe that the spirit shard should be in there to stop the Ghetto Evac from happening.

If EQ2 don't fix this weakening of the Norathian world soon you will find me in Battlefield 2 that is all.

Death to the newb!!!!

2005-12-06T19:19:00.000-08:00

Blackguard States :
Many of you have expressed your concerns with the changes we've made to the death mechanic in Live Update #17. We understand and appreciate your concerns, and would like to let you know what lead us to this decision.What started out as a response to a valid Customer Service concern evolved into more. We called into question the kinds of things that death in EQII really needs to mean and what its purpose it is. We do understand and realize that players want to maintain the feeling of challenge in EverQuest II and are wary of any changes that they perceive make the game easier.We work hard to balance the goals of reducing the barriers for new players while not trivializing the game for experienced ones. With that in mind, a death penalty do a few things.It must be strong enough to communicate that you...... have failed at your current task.... must stop what you're doing for a couple minutes.... must pay some amount of penance to make up for this, but not an unreasonable one since not all deaths are your fault.However, it should not be so trivial as to make you...... use it as transportation.... take unreasonable risks because you feel there is no penalty at all.Our focus is to make the fundamentals of the game easy to understand and experience while keeping the challenge in the deeper portions of the game. With that and the above points in mind, we felt that repair and experience debt alone are likely enough to accomplish our purposes, without the additional complication or potential tedium and frustration wrought from the existence of spirit shards.The unfortunate truth about spirit shards is that death was already without much sting for players who know what they are doing. These same players are smart enough to know that death is, at least, inefficient and is something to be avoided. However, the recovery of spirit shards for an experienced or skilled player was relatively trivial. For less experienced players, however, it is a different story. Players new to the genre or game were often susceptible to frustration when attempting to recover their spirit shards, and would sometimes log out when facing such failures. As you can see, that doesn't seem quite right.From here, we will take a look at how this change plays out and will be tweaking things like the amount of experience debt or durability loss accrued when you die until we have something we feel meets the above goals. Thank you for expressing your concerns in a constructive manner, and I hope you see that in spite of changes like this that simplify certain aspects of the game, we are committed to maintaining a deep and satisfying experience for our dedicated players.

More on this tommorow while I collect my thoughts.

to Live FREE! or Shard trying

2005-11-30T07:36:00.000-08:00

I've been trying to stay away from subjects that are sore for me. If you haven't noticed well I've taken a little break because for a while now I can say EQ2 was going in the right direction. We're human and we will never like every single aspect of every thing in any game however, in a MMO that can change. If you have read the recent Test patch 17 we are introduced to a shardless death. There are many points I would like to expand on but I dont have all day and I still am unsure how this will all turn out.

First I would like to say the Shard is a joke it has no real effect on my gameplay with or without ONE shard. Granted you start to lose 3 or 4 you might notice a real effect on your solo play which is good. It gives you insentive to go back to get your Shard but the kicker is it's still no reason not to want to die. The debt is not noticable and will only add up if you die about 25 times but after about 50 deaths strait you'll hit around 50% debt which is a cap.. And as it stands you log out of that charcter for a few days Bamb no more debt. Once again making death a joke.

What is it that makes people like SOE want to give easy death penaltys? Why do they want to keep making it less and less obtrusive to play a game that should have RISK vs REWARD? Does no one there think about the aspect of death seriously? If they do they must be the mail room clerks or the new guy that is just trying to fit in.. I know what my gut tells me, SOE is taking out shards even after the Alchemist whom will sell one back to you for a hefty price. They are taking it out to clear up CS ties with the shard. Yeah you heard me right there are fools in EQ2 that petition for their shard even to this day. I mean why should I have to pay an alch. to get my shard back when I got 3 hours CS wait time after I petiton to get my shard back.

I know a person on Faydark that once said they petitioned a shard in the middle of antoinca at level 23. Needless to say he got it back.. My question is why? Is SOE so afraid to say no to stupid requests? I asked this guy why he didn't go get it? He said to me "because I wanted to tradeskill". Now Seriously Stats are overinflated and even if you lose one shard your stat deflation isnt that serious untill keep on dieing and not going back to the shard. So I see no reason for SOE to bow out and help people get their shards back 99.99% of the time. If you ask me this is a big blow for the Betrayel quests. You LOSE your shard for a full 3 days and it will make a newb think twice about betraying. It's a sting you will no longer recive when your betray. It shouldn't be Oh here's 2% debt at lvl 17 go kill 2 orc's or gnolls and your ok again. These are the little things that EQ2 still had some Imersion on, now they will lose that.

Now I hear their might be a bigger debt per death and debt will no longer go away when you log which it should of been even with a shard. I belive if you die you should get about 4% debt each death and death effects for about 15 minutes with debt not leaving while loged then I could live w/o a shard. However, I think their should be an option of which death you want 1. one with shard they way it is now and 1. one without with whatever options SOE will use. Hey we love choices don't we? Why not let us choose how we want to live and die? Sadly though it seems like the future of EQ2 is going to be you die and stand back up and go at it again with no serious reason not to die.

My last point is that this hasn't even touched those that are level 60. Once your level 60 it dont matter how many times you die or what %debt you get. You can't lose your level and at 60 do you really care about 10gp repair costs? I hardly doubt the effects of this new death penalty will effect a level 60 at all. At least when they have to get a shard from the Shimmering citidel would be reson enough for a level 60 not to die.

I'm not one to say OMGTHISSOSUXORIQUIT but if death doesn't have a serious bite or a bee sting then there is no Heart pumping. If my Heart doesnt pump then I feel dead already, why should I keep on playing? Don't get me wrong I'm not droping EQ2 just yet I'm waiting all of this out and if things just keep getting easy again you will see only the door on my way out.

On a good note Runneye is evil even at level 50. I've now raked in about 6 fables and tons of legendary. I do it with respect to lowbies in the zone helping them out and I don't take their camps. So now I usally only go into the two instances that have a good chance of droping mid lvl loot. Both boss mobs are around 43 Heroic and I would suggest bringing a friend becuase they are not easy even when their green.(lock out on instances is 18hrs) If you follow the story line in here the lore is quite intriguing and their seems to be tons to do so I would go check it out

Moments of Zen: Gnolls what?

2005-11-29T09:40:00.000-08:00

Get a Room you freaks!

AAH! Turkey

2005-11-23T09:07:00.000-08:00

While some are looking forward to Turkey or Ham on the table others may not. While some are blessed with food on their tables others aren't. While others are out thanking the world for the little things other's don't. While the whole of America sits down one more time to celebrate a past time others won't. However, No matter where in the world you are there is always something to be thankful for.

What I really would be thankful for is a half dressed bar's maid passed out on my table so I can take pictures of her Panties... Now that; that's something to be thankful for.

I wish everyone a bountiful Thanksgiving and hope everyone has a splendid weekend, I'm sure I will.

Moments of Nirvana: Gnome Monk

2005-11-22T10:32:00.000-08:00

They do exist OMG LEWT! El Chupacabras of Norath

Raid: Overseer Ix and Broog

2005-11-21T08:05:00.000-08:00

Well once again this weekend Our guild along with Pandonian Knights took down a few EpicX2 and it was quite fun. First we decided that Overseer needed to go so we ventured over to the Oblisk area of Enchanted lands and destroyed this Level 40 Epic X2. No troubles at all, and not a single death. He didn't drop great loot; some shield Level 35 with something like 15 wisdom. Not to shabby on Wis but the stats weren't that great overall.

Then we all ran over to Sinking Sands to try our hand at the level 52 Epic X2 Broog(sp). We had 2 well rounded groups yet, we ran into a bit of trouble here. We knew he steals all your power in one wak but our MT decided he shouldn't pull due to the fact he wont have enough power to use taunts. So our Assistant tank decided he will pull and the MT will take the hate off, which in turn confused everyone so instead of the healers targeting Broog the all targeted the MT except me.. I target the Mob because he's a single pull and I don't have to worry about adds on the MT. Needless to say everyone goes down in a matter of a minute. So we regroup ourselves and this time the MT pulls, he get power drained and Bamb of course looses hate because he has no power. We have 2 wizards and I know they have a power feed so I get the great Idea of having them feed their power to the MT.. Because if our MT can't keep hate then well lets just say were fukd.

Every one buckles down we regroup and trade our grps to make them less rounded but the tank more HP/AC savvy. We get in there and this time we loose only 3 to loss of hate but, we dug in and he went down. It was a very nice sight indeed, a nice ring dropped which had 15 wisdom. Our Healer Neguvan won, however he decided he would give to me... Which was a very cool gesture indeed...

Best part about the weekend for me, I won my first fabled fair and square. Stupid as it maybe and it will be forever before anyone buys it. Ego blast master1 for a Corcer... Does anyone even play Corcer's? I don't think I've ever even seen a Corcer much less any type Enchanter unless they are Level 15 or so.. Rarely have I ever seen one between level 25 to 50...I think there is 4 or 5 that play in the highend and one is an old friend. This class needs some looking into because as far as I can tell it's not a class to play. Mezz is under powered in EQ2, rightfully so in most cases. I didn't like in EQlive where we had a great group but had to wait for an Ench to join in order to do anything. Breeze is worthless because our power really just regens in chunks after fights so unless your fighting an epic, even then it's debatable. They can't nuke for crap in comparison to the other mages and it looks as though they can't charm much either. Don't get me wrong I'm not one to judge this class as Suck but, from an outsider that's just what I see. Maybe you will see more in PVP, who knows.

After that we had a few that needed to kill the Djin for the Carpet quest he was level 57 heroic... Easy right? Wrong! We went down faster then a juicy girl in pawning for a 100$ bill. We died here I believe 5 times and quickly I might add. He came down and ate me up every time.. I stood idly by and got raped every time for one reason or another Djin didn't like me much. I was tired and almost naked so I didn't care to wait around to figure out a new strategy. Usually I would stick it out but most were between 50 to 54 and one 56(MT). We were just getting ate up with the Cold based AOE or direct hits. We even had a DPS grp that was out of our grp to help with getting him down, but we just couldn't keep the MT alive. Looks like I need to be 55+ before I try and take him down again.

Here's to another great Raid event **cheers** hope everyone's adventure are as crazy fun as mine.

Ahh Friday

2005-11-18T15:07:00.000-08:00

Not much to say, been busy thinking and doing so much that I'm in overdrive.. I feel like I'm about to burst but hey... It's Friday!

Latly I've been playing up a Bezerker and it feels like I'm retracing my steps as a Guardian. At level 21 there still no real differnace's. I Know I'm only 21 so we shall see when I'm 30 how things feel. I love being a no named Newb people seem to leave me alone, and I can finally hear the crickets at night... It's rather nice

Well anyway's I hope everone has a wonderfull weekend and all goes well.. Testupdate 17A is out.. Go have a look. **here's hoping I make it to 50 Armorer this weekend**

The younger years

2005-11-17T09:49:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking about the noob times in EQ2 I've had lately and reminiscing of what was it that I would later become. This is my first Screenshot of EQ2 I ever took and I figured it suiting to this post.

I'm getting a Co-worker to try out EQ2 for their first time and was thinking about all the things she would need to know to help her out on the first leg of the journey. Here's a good place to start but, all the help in the world there wont make up for my look back on the second journey into a MMO. Most of you know that I've played EQlive extensively then quit due to reasons beyond my control..(life). Once I got into EQ2 with my wife involved it was over, we were both hooked. I look back and know I enjoyed a very big chunk of all of it.

The newbie experience in this game is astounding in an overall aspect. It's set up like a console game where you feel your the cream of the crop your going to battle for the outpost and that was something emotional to me. They had me at "Quickly now grab a weapon" The newbie island is a really well thought out; what I like to call interactive tutorial with real rewards and consciences. There are slight problems and some tweaks that could help but, overall for your first time in an MMO or EQ2 it's very fun indeed.

The problem stems from making alt's or trying out other servers and having to redo this place. It's like anything you've done before, you can do it quicker faster better, and with out any changes (expect newbie class armor quest). It soon become drab and the thought at going to island to collect shells and feather once more is not very inviting. The newbie remake experience in EQ2 is very lacking and to linear for my taste. Like I said built like a console, just like a console game the only great replay value on a lot of the games is few and far between (baring Pac-man, and Duck hunt). Granted you can get on get your profession, killa goblin say hello get level 3 in a matter of minutes and get off. Is that what the dev's had in mind? I would venture to say not, at least I would hope not. I do hope there is a bright future ahead for a great newbie experience make over as I've hear SOE is looking at changing the newbie experience.

The problem is 2 fold here and in some ways an easy fix that requires work. You don't wanna lose the newbie island because there is actually a lot of good stuff there. It will get you started on your first characters armor and loot there is also a lot of good info for those not in the know. However, there is a distinct lack of replay from the alt stand point and not everyone is going to like the Island. There is also only 2 cites to choose from Freeport and Qeynos.. Good or Evil, no one's in between. From a Lore stand point this is great, and sets up a good arena for PVP systems yet, there is a stemming problem of no one coming over to EQ2 and fixing this will help some.

I believe its more popularized partner WoW has a leg up on the newbie side because you have more choices. The fact you can choose from many different starting cites is a factor in why a few of my friends left EQ2. I'm not sure why but physiologically I believe people want to feel they belong somewhere specific rather then just be from one place or the other.. "WEST SIIIDE!" SOE decided that the Hamlets are a good idea and serve as some sort of pseudo boundary. They are small and a big PITA and it seems most flock to Willow Wood. It also makes doing newbie quests zoning here and there and back again rather gnashing.. They may as well just made all the hamlets to include the newbie area's inside the city one zone it's just a hassle otherwise.

I've posted before of making smaller outer villages starting area's for those of us that have already did the Island once. It would fit into the lore, the world is mending and people are branching out. It wouldn't take away from anything as far as I see it and would give people more of a variation. Would it not be neat to start in a small village outside of freeport that is still ruled by Freeport and under their faction but you are recall bound to that village? Like my idea of starting at Windstalker village and spanning outward into the more dangerous area's of Antonica. It would take some planning and would be useful to have them more racially and (good/evil) centric but would be sweet. It's not like the players can't be involved in building these places either (like the TS/Nek Griffen towers) Players can help build the towns that new people can come in a use as their Home and training grounds.

My main purpose to this is to drawl in a new crowd to start playing. Without newb's coming in the game will soon become a ghost town and then end up closing shop. Who else am I going to sell this newbie armor to? It seems there is so many Alt's that its almost been an age since I've seen a true newbie and we all like a real newbie now don't we?

Now after we all get to be around level 20 things grow stagnate for some. There is a lack of local quests givers other then Armor quest which is a great Idea that last till aprox level 26. I think overall AQ's are fun and have distinctive looks, even more so over the past few LU. You can start your Heritage Quests and get to rolling. I also believe that if you chase HQ after HQ doing all the sub quest and access in between will get you to 50 easy. Granted I love this stuff but what about those that are Anti-quest? Or those that have been to TS/Nek and both the Adventure paks a lot? Or those that like to make tons of mini alts but never make it to the end game? Or like EQjournal who ran out of alt spots? I guess what I'm saying here is now with DOF out I hope that the next Expantion is more of a mid level one. I want more choices from start to end game and after 4 alt's is becoming sparingly hard to become less liner and or monotonous.

I enjoyed my venture from stardom to 50 and all the inbetween adventures with my alt's, diversity is the spice of life. Such like the armor to be distinct we need our adventurers to count for us, it's what we remember.

Edit: This just in corpnews reminds us all EQ2 does have some good qualitys for newbs and queue... It takes me no longer then 3min's to log up to my charcter.

Once more into the Hive my friends

2005-11-16T07:26:00.000-08:00

Yes once more I'm diving into 1/3 term tests, Got my Physics2 test and will be working my brain cells to the bone. As if that's not enough to stress me out, I've been looking over my priority's. I'm married I have 2 children one from another marriage and one now and they require a lot of me. I've been going to school non-stop for almost 2 years without any break. I work 50 hours a week most the time, and rarely seem to have time to blog and or eat lunch. I am a Co-Leader of a Guild, and to top it all off raid coordinator till our raid officer is up to speed. Oh did I mention I get my DiffyQ's Test tonight too. Sweet! I guess what I'm getting at here is I'm on E and need a break, seriously.

Not much I can say on the EQ2 front other then that I've been enjoying Leveling up my lowbies getting 20 on my Bezerker and 31 on my Conj. It's a real delight not really having to group at this point because it seems I get a small play window lately and hope things get cleared up with the break I get from the Holidays. I'm hopeing to start these MORE FUN Heritages and see what the effort was put into the changes. This will be the 3rd set of HQ's I've done most on my Guardian and all but 2 on my Mystic.

Keep tuned, here shortly for those of you who watch MONK on USA. In the next few weeks I appear in Monk and the Astronauts. I will post the exact date when I know it airs.

Moment of Nirvana: Necromancer?

2005-11-15T10:18:00.000-08:00

A moment of confusion in this young Mystics ventures..

Armor and you

2005-11-14T09:01:00.000-08:00

As you can tell, I was having fun this weekend. A lot of fun Guild ding 21, and DING 50 Mystic. I was trying to get a good screenshot of my level 50 sadly however, there was a bad corpse in the way so you will have to enjoy the frog on frog action...

This weekend was a great weekend and there was a lot to be done and a lot did get done. But, I was looking around and noticing DOF and the SOGA upgrades. While some were great and some where a little not to my taste over all I enjoy these changes. I took a paticular look into what is my biggest peve about EQ2. The Armor models, I have a 48 Armorer and I enjoy tradeskilling her from time to time. Though, I would like to give people a good product, it's hard when there is 550 other's out there doing the same and driving my prices down; that's a differnt post all together.

Lets look at Bucklers, Used by Priests up to Fighters. After Tier 3 they are all the same from the Oak buckler up to Ironwood, they look the same. taste the same, everything but the stats are the same; they all have little Trojan warriors with spears on them. Yeah! To add insult to injury they take Wisdom off the last Tier of Bucklers seriously, does SOE think that anyone other then a Priest is going to use the buckler? Ok enough about bucklers, change the look or this priest wont be getting an update to my Oak and SBS bucklers.

Now lets look at Chain Armor. Speaking from a Mystic point of view most chain is designed for scouts. Rarely is there good wisdom on the pieces and rarely do I wear it on big fights because of power. But, it's not the stats I am complaining about, I use Chain if I'm going to be in situations where I solo or know the tank sucks at keeping aggro and or I'm going to get hit alot. My chief disappointment with chain is that it's all the same from Fulginate up to Cobalt short of Dye and stats. Granted Fulginate don't look bad but, would I like to burn a few Plat. For the same look only blue? Is it really that hard for them to make Cobalt look different from the other chain, my answer would be yes it would take time and the design team to put an effort to make working armor. However, the rewards for making 50 to 60 would be much better sought after when upgrading armor other then for Blue with stats. I know before Ebon was exactly like Fulgiante in look and style and it was a nice change to make it black. Which overall I like, but then we go back to Indium(sp) which is exacly like fulginate except stats and Cobalt is blue, like Ebon only change is the tint and stats. Ok call it vanity but isn't there or shouldn't there be somewhat of a change other then level spells and stats between level 50 and 60?

From what I can tell Vanguard is exactly the same way except Indium is more of a grayish type color which is fairly nice. Sadly the overall design of Ebon, Indium, and Cobalt is exactly the same. Fulgiante has some differning style to it and actually looks much nicer then the later 3 Vanguards; pure preference alone though. I do however like the fact that the little dress on the Leggings has basically gone away since the SOGA update. I'm not sure why it was in their from a design point of view I guess I just don't like the dressings. I mainly didn't like it because Vanguard on a Female Highelf was really choppy around the waste and I know it wasn't just my computer.

Overall I do enjoy the little changes here and there nothing that a few updates wont fix as well as a good Armor design team.

SOGA! - God bless you!

2005-11-10T07:49:00.000-08:00

Ok, today marks the first day of changes and a lot have gotten to see what we all been waiting for, fer a time now.. Well mainly me and the Soga models, I gave a brief review after lunch yesterday but today I have a few pictures to break down how I really feel and some of the changes, rather fixes to these in the future.

First off, I love my Highelf now.. Truly makes me feel like my old self reborn. It literally took me well over an hour to make him and 3 separate tries. I even made him a Woodelf for a time but sadly Quylein is not a Woodelf. The first few tries my wife kept saying he looks like a girl or is he gay? So finally when I got my second account I spent a while making him to a good spec. and it worked a bit. I haven't played him much because I just didn't have the affinity for this toon like his EQlive counterpart. Now he is of his former self and even Dinged him 28 last night and started doing some fun Groupage. It took me about 5min to find a good Highelf look and to me that is a bonus. Well during my mixed feelings about Quylein I made Glokk, he's my 49 Froglok Mystic he had; well just look and I'll explain.

Yep my Black and yellow Froglok make green...I feel like a sick vampire, or a disillustioned Darkelf. Either way my days as a Darkelf are limited, mussle tone is great but um..... Seriously! I tried to log off in ilustions both Darkelf where I'm green and Barbarian which makes me yellow and I've had no luck on Soga'ing my skin tone. Even with this minor glitch I still like the overall features.

My biggest complaint... Rather my only real complaint about the looks of SOGA is... See above.
You see he has a stick in his bum look? If not click on the picture and make it bigger, you shant overlook it then. Yes as far as I can tell this is a bug because from just looking around Woodelves, humans and Barbarian don't stand like this. This is a minor bug yet it's quite annoying if you want Soga models on. You look around with STICK BUM figures standing around is somewhat uncomforting.

Overall Good job SOE, I love it.

Sweet

2005-11-09T12:49:00.000-08:00

I went on for lunch for about an hour and all I have to say is WoW... Much more then I expected with the SOGA. My wife dislikes most of them but hey I am glade users get a choice as to what they see...

My suggestion is to activate your SOGA regardless of weather you like it or not. (you don't have to turn the options on however, just change their SOGA looks)
Redo your character on the select screen and make them the way you like best because you have no choice on weather or not they see you like SOGA... You may just look retarded!! I re-did my Bezerker and Conjurer and am totally glad to have had a better feeling character..Sorry I love Asian looks better but that's just me.. Call it all the years under the Final Fantasy influence.

The best change of all that was unexpected by me for some reason... Armor changes, Vanguard well some of the tier's got revamped such as Ebon and Cobalt.. No longer have the GHEY dress front and back. Some of the Chain got bulkier and more drawn out and the AQ colored stuff looks better if you as me.

The only bad thing is some Races stand like they got sticks in their bums and it's quite annoying however, I'm sure it's just buggy and will be fixed...(I hope) Enjoy your Gifts.