I played EQ II way back when it released and since had to stop for some RL. I was considering playing again from scratch. I have a couple questions.
First is there still activity going on or is this a game in decline? If not are some servers more active then others?

Secondly, what are the most up to date online resources for information? For questing and starter guides ect.

Next, this the most important. I played EQ1 for a long time and had to quit for work reasons and when I came back my guild was so far ahead of me I could never catch up. They more or less couldn't use me. Is this the case in EQ2? Will I ever have a chance of running with a high end raiding guild regardless of how much time or effort I put into the game? I put alot of time into games and I would rather not start if I can never contribute to a group that has been around for a few years.
 

Originally posted by Vasel

I played EQ II way back when it released and since had to stop for some RL. I was considering playing again from scratch. I have a couple questions.
First is there still activity going on or is this a game in decline? If not are some servers more active then others?

Secondly, what are the most up to date online resources for information? For questing and starter guides ect.

Next, this the most important. I played EQ1 for a long time and had to quit for work reasons and when I came back my guild was so far ahead of me I could never catch up. They more or less couldn't use me. Is this the case in EQ2? Will I ever have a chance of running with a high end raiding guild regardless of how much time or effort I put into the game? I put alot of time into games and I would rather not start if I can never contribute to a group that has been around for a few years.
 

The game is still active but the largest level of activity is at lvl 80.  Mentoring helps the lower levels some but it is still slim.

Everyone says Antonica Bayle has the most.  I play on Najena and things look good.

http://eq2.wikia.com is the best site.

eq2 is far less linear then eq.  It is much easier to work your way up.  People are doing alts all the time.  Tso expansion helps lvl 80s close the gap very nicely.

I have a question for you and I really don't mean this to be rude.

Why is it that everyone thats thinking about this game always asks the misguided question "is the game populated or is it on the decline"? Why would that even matter? If you think a game is intriguing, then join the game. If you don't, then don't. If we say that "its losing its subscribers", will that really change your mind? Or would you actually try it anyway because, surprise surprise, you might actually like it. If everyone decided not to try a game for those reasons (which are very arbitrary since no game ever releases its numbers except WoW who seems to like to throw it in peoples faces as though its a good thing to be so overpopulated), no MMO would ever be a success.

The best online reference I find to be is http://eq2.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page

Most guilds accept all levels. If they don't, it will say on the guild screen before you apply. I've never had the problem you're descibing even after 4 years of playing the game.

Originally posted by Moirae

I have a question for you and I really don't mean this to be rude.

 

Why is it that everyone thats thinking about this game always asks the misguided question "is the game populated or is it on the decline"? Why would that even matter? If you think a game is intriguing, then join the game. If you don't, then don't. If we say that "its losing its subscribers", will that really change your mind? Or would you actually try it anyway because, surprise surprise, you might actually like it. If everyone decided not to try a game for those reasons (which are very arbitrary since no game ever releases its numbers except WoW who seems to like to throw it in peoples faces as though its a good thing to be so overpopulated), no MMO would ever be a success.

 

The best online reference I find to be is http://eq2.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page

 

Most guilds accept all levels. If they don't, it will say on the guild screen before you apply. I've never had the problem you're descibing even after 4 years of playing the game.

agree with this topic fully, people should ask about a game but in the end we're all different and have different tastes when it comes to games so what someone says is crap might be what someone else enjoy more than anything. :)

eq2 is overall a good game with lots of content as for player base I play not because a huge mass plays it but because I enojoy playing. If you want to team up with someone there is on all servers a good chunck of people as well as good array of guilds to choose from.

Originally posted by Moirae

Why is it that everyone thats thinking about this game always asks the misguided question "is the game populated or is it on the decline"? Why would that even matter? If you think a game is intriguing, then join the game. If you don't, then don't. If we say that "its losing its subscribers", will that really change your mind? Or would you actually try it anyway because, surprise surprise, you might actually like it. If everyone decided not to try a game for those reasons (which are very arbitrary since no game ever releases its numbers except WoW who seems to like to throw it in peoples faces as though its a good thing to be so overpopulated), no MMO would ever be a success.

I don't think you could have narrowed your perspective any more. No one wants to play a dying game, it's a very legitimate concern. I've played RFO and DDO and watch them die slowly, EQ2 is alive and well. You still come across a healthy influx of new players. Our guild is full of new 80s and people levelling up their first char at all stages. I had a good time levelling my first 80 recently and constantly encountered new players. There are levelling deadzones but these are caused by re-rollers just solo berserking through the content. You can get constant groups at low level but 50-60 and 70-80 is patchy at best. Stick to Nagafen or Antonio Bayle servers even if you're EU. Although the other servers have people, if your concern is a healthy population then you need look no further than those two.

Originally posted by grimboj

You can get constant groups at low level but 50-60 and 70-80 is patchy at best.

I still think 50-60 could use more content -- the new LS series helps but its still my least liked level range

70+ the problem is that most of Kunark questing is intended for solo questing

Originally posted by Vasel

I played EQ II way back when it released and since had to stop for some RL. I was considering playing again from scratch. I have a couple questions.
First is there still activity going on or is this a game in decline?

I play on Lucan Dlere(US PvE RPG) and there are actually a lot of new players coming in, more now than for the 3 years since I started playing (with 9 months break in between). And actaually a lot of players in low mid levels too, dunno if that is just my server or not.

If not are some servers more active then others?

Some servers are of course. Stay away from the EU servers whatever you do, all players I know from there play on US servers at least. Funny enough I get better ping and a lot higher FPS on the US ones.

Secondly, what are the most up to date online resources for information? For questing and starter guides ect.

I use www.eq2i.com but also have the program from www.eq2map.com installed to see quest npcs and other stuff on the map.

Next, this the most important. I played EQ1 for a long time and had to quit for work reasons and when I came back my guild was so far ahead of me I could never catch up. They more or less couldn't use me. Is this the case in EQ2?

No, the first 60 levels go pretty fast nowadays.

Will I ever have a chance of running with a high end raiding guild regardless of how much time or effort I put into the game?

That is of course depending on the guild in question, but if you are willing to RAID at the times the guild Raids and are competent I dont see a problem.

I put alot of time into games and I would rather not start if I can never contribute to a group that has been around for a few years.

Shouldn't really ba a problem but in worst case you could of course make your own guild. Some people also run pick up RAIDs even though the result differs from time to time, been in a few.

Originally posted by Nadia

Originally posted by grimboj

You can get constant groups at low level but 50-60 and 70-80 is patchy at best.

I still think 50-60 could use more content -- the new LS series helps but its still my least liked level range

70+ the problem is that most of Kunark questing is intended for solo questing

Well, I skip through 50-60 fast also, SS gets boring after a while, spend most my time in LF. But once you are 55 you start TT and things open up again.

Originally posted by Vasel

I played EQ II way back when it released and since had to stop for some RL. I was considering playing again from scratch. I have a couple questions.
First is there still activity going on or is this a game in decline? If not are some servers more active then others?

Secondly, what are the most up to date online resources for information? For questing and starter guides ect.

Next, this the most important. I played EQ1 for a long time and had to quit for work reasons and when I came back my guild was so far ahead of me I could never catch up. They more or less couldn't use me. Is this the case in EQ2? Will I ever have a chance of running with a high end raiding guild regardless of how much time or effort I put into the game? I put alot of time into games and I would rather not start if I can never contribute to a group that has been around for a few years.
 

Try Nagafen server US.

Quite a few ppl on there and some good guilds. Most have got alts or just make them so you will always find someone to hook up with.

Sovereignty is a good guild on there and very helpful. Most have lots of alts there and happy to hook up.

But I havent been on there for around 6 months now so maybe things have changed.

Originally posted by Vasel

I played EQ II way back when it released and since had to stop for some RL. I was considering playing again from scratch. I have a couple questions.
First is there still activity going on or is this a game in decline? If not are some servers more active then others?

Secondly, what are the most up to date online resources for information? For questing and starter guides ect.

Next, this the most important. I played EQ1 for a long time and had to quit for work reasons and when I came back my guild was so far ahead of me I could never catch up. They more or less couldn't use me. Is this the case in EQ2? Will I ever have a chance of running with a high end raiding guild regardless of how much time or effort I put into the game? I put alot of time into games and I would rather not start if I can never contribute to a group that has been around for a few years.
 

I recently came back after a 2 year break from the game. I started over with a new account, and couldn't believe the changes. I played on guk before and stayed with it again. In lower level areas I'm not seeing as many people as I used to, but there are more starting areas now, so that makes sense. I've talked to a good number of people who are coming back to EQ2 after trying out other games and being let down by them.

Do some research on different guilds before deciding which server to use, or try out several toons on different servers. The guild I found is very eager to help out, taking time to help through tougher quests, and helping to provide equipment. They want to help build up lower level toons so they can eventually join in raids. I'm mostly a solo player, my two main toons are both lvl 30 through just soloing, but I enjoy being part a group sometimes as well. I'm looking forward to contributing more as I get higher level, and that's what a good guild will help you do.