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I would suggest go to the bazaar server, it was very populated, and get into a helpful guild, as you can group with anyone in yer guild if there higher than you as they can mentor down to your lvl, and since launch this game has gotten nothing but better.

I do remember the level 20 wall at launch. That thing is gone now.

They have converted, and still revamps, the older zones to the principle that overland zones is solo/duo zones, while the dungeons is more group zones. This makes it a lot of solo content in the game now, and you can easily your way up to 80.

One thing you will notice is that people tend to wait with group until they are up in the twenties now, so don't expect so much groups in those level. But, the first 20 levels is done in matter of hours.

My suggestion is to try it out, you can't loose anything trying :)

regardless of what some mmo raiders may say

you can play any mmo and not raid -- if you don't enjoy raiding

dont have to be fanboy or farmer either ....

EQ2 is much different game since launch

read the mmorgp.com  re-review

www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/game/2/view/reviews/load/49

try the trial

everquest2.station.sony.com/freeTrial.vm

At launch, the game was alot more hardcore than it is now offering very little solo content but thats changed, even though its rinse and repeat the same kind of quests over and over, it does offer something to the solo'ers. EoF was done really well though in my opinion and the only positive I can say about the current state of the game.  You can solo decently fast from 1-20, then grouping is the better choice for faster leveling until about 65ish where the game goes completely into solo mode until you cap at 80. 

www.mmorpg.com/discussion2.cfm/thread/172990

I've always found the Antonia Bayle Server great to play on. Not sure if that is because it supposed to be an RP Server or people have just been fairly friendly. SOE don't have special RP rulesets & all they did was put RP in the server title. Maybe because there are so many people that want it to be RP friendly, it succeeded in the 'friendly' part at least.

Most people I know have quite a few alts at various levels & are always experimenting with new ones. This means that there is always a lot going on in the newbie zones, even if the players aren't actually new to the game. Plus the numerous expansions mean that there are almost always lower level quests that even experienced players haven't tried.

I am a big kid in my mid 40s & much the same as you don't get to play that often & I don't think I have ever actually been in a raid group unless you count the one used for a social event last year. Since I am based in the UK, it is often difficult to find decent groups so i solo quite a lot. I joined a great guild though & the chat channel is very sociable.

Give it a try, the game has really improved over the last two years. Unfortunately the 'Armour & Clothing' is still a bit limited & repetetive, but SOE keep promising to fix that at some point. Other than that, the general look & feel is much better than before, so you should enjoy it.

It's been improved for the solo player, and hindered for the groupers / raiders.  EoF was the only good xpac :P and besides the lore value of doing under-conned quests, whats the point? they all follow the same general format that you will get bored of after doing 30 quests per day so going back to these as an experienced players holds the same interest to most players as shooting themselves in the foot.

Come to Bazaar..Look my guild up.  We are called Gnome Punters United and would love to have ya. IM Kogline ingame and let him know you heard about us from a certain Dirge...

First, note that the Bazaar server is an exchange server, so only consider joining that if you want to play with people that buy items with real money.  Don't even worry about not finding other players to play with, as there are ALWAYS people in the lower levels that are playing.

Also note that EQ2 is an alt game; most players have an alt, so if you are playing in the off peak time, most of the lower players you see will be alts.  However, if you are playing during peak, most players will be new like you.  There are pros and cons to both groups.  The veteraned players on alts will give you all kinds of suggestions and won't be afraid to tell you when you are doing something wrong.  Your groups will be more successful and advance quicker.  Playing with all new people, you won't be called out if you screw up (because they won't know, lol), but you will progress much slower. 

I played an alt during peak time last week and the other 5 people in my group were new and playing their main character.  We didn't do that well because the tank had no idea how to pull without getting 3 groups of adds (thank god we had two healers), but I was able to offer him a lot of help.

Yes, you'll be left wandering the cities. Why? because no one spends time IN the cities, we're all out actually DOING something. The game is very very solo friendly and almost nothing like it was on release.

As for this "top heavy" worry, its crap. Everyone is creating new characters all the time, so stop freaking out. Once people reach the top, they don't just keep raiding over and over and over again, they create a new character (while still keeping the old) to experience content they didn't get a chance to experience before because there's just so much to do.

Come back or not, the choice is yours, but your fears are unreasonable. Just make sure you join a good guild. My guild has people of all levels, they're very friendly and fun on Mistmoore. If you'd like to join, we're Shadows of Destiny. The Guild Leaders are Tyjin and Skittles.

Heck, just yesterday, my guild gathered together people from about lvl 35 and up, mentored down to the lowest level, and they all helped me further a quest in Nektropos Castle. So just ask, we'll mentor down even if you're a low level to join you in quests if you need us, but most of us spend alot of time soloing. We've never raided because our guild isn't big enough, but we did spend an hour or so on a good guild writ yesterday.

If you're interested in joining us, just send a /tell to either of the group leaders when you get into the game.

Originally posted by Moirae

Come back or not, the choice is yours, but your fears are unreasonable. Just make sure you join a good guild. My guild has people of all levels, they're very friendly and fun on Mistmoore. If you'd like to join, we're Shadows of Destiny. The Guild Leaders are Tyjin and Skittles.

 

I also play on Mistmoore. I am with the guild Slege (slaughter in viking) we are a level 66 guild with players of all levels. Feel free to contact our leader Uguv or my main Ecco if you try that server. Reguardless of the guild Mistmoore is a fun server.

   Ive been playing for a little over 2 weeks now and im a lvl 33 wizard and still having a blast.

One of the best features I have ever seen is the Mentor system.It lets anybody who is a higher level then you scale their level down to your level.

  Last night me 3 level 60's from my guild and 2 others my level all did a level 30ish instance together.

I like the fact that high levels can group with lower levels and still get exp and axp.

Originally posted by Dojo

Hello Gamers,

I played EQ2 right after launch and though I found it fun and loved the graphics I stalled out around 20 because there was nothing for me to do if I couldn't find a group.   Don't get me wrong... I LOVE grouping but I don't want to be in the cold if I only have time to play solo every now and then.

I keep hearing the game has changed a lot and is much better which has gotten me curious.   My problem is I am scared that I will be wandering deserted cities as a newbie because everyone will have already "been there and done that".   I am a big kid in my 30's and I don't have time to raid hardcore but I would really like a game I can play to unwind after work.

I guess what it comes down to if you made it this far is whether this game can be enjoyed casually and if I am too far behind the curve to really have a satisfying play experience.

Thanks for your time!

-Dojo

I came back right after Ruins of Kunark in November.  I have just finished my run to level 80.  Great Content.  Great community on Antonia Bayle.  The Kunark Zones are eye candy. 

Everquest2 quite simply has more content than you could ever want.  I mostly solo'd to level 80 because I have babies, but when I have had the opportunity to group, I had just as much fun.

There are progressive quest lines from zone to zone from level 1-80 that allow you to solo all the way... even with combat EXP turned off (but that requires grouping).

I would suggest you keep an eye on level chat and look for any pick up raids, yes raids as tehy tend to occur at al levels 20+.  I know of duilds that use this as a way to farm in true noobs.

There's been a lot of changes; however, I would recommend the Antonia Bayle server. Most populated and very friendly server.

Id stay away from the Bazaar server but thats just me...Im not into buying armor with real life money

You should re-sub the game is winderfull now

Oh and the about alts.   My main is 63 and i already have a 13 defiler alt because i wanted to get to all the stuff on the evil side too =)

Yep, lots of good stuff in the game now and it seems to be 'whatever your play style is' friendly.  I know folk who raid, folk who solo and folk that mix it up a bit or just craft.

Oh, hang on.. those are my alts... (Must remember, they're not really other people).

I usually play on the Mistmoore server and am in a very small, casual guild. We just play for the fun of it.  Can't say that it's especially busy or quiet as that depends on when you get on to play, as much what day of the week as time of day. 

Makes some alts, try out some different classes, starting cities, etc.  Have fun!

I know have quite a few alts at various levels & are always experimenting with new ones. This means that there is always a lot going on in the newbie zones, even if the players aren't actually new to the game. Plus the numerous expansions mean that there are almost always lower level quests that even experienced players haven't tried.