Good god , last night after for some reason neither Rift nor TSW really grabbing me again these past couple weeks , and SWTOR , lets just say bleh , I downloaded and fired up Vanguard. 

Wasn't even on my radar to go back to it but saw a post on here mentioning it.

Logged in , and there were far off clouds of a weather system , and actual stars and a sunrise to soon come.

I've played so many on rails ,  "modern" mmo's that can't manage time changing in game even , I forgot what it was like to log into an actual virtual world that felt like world.

It's gots its bugs and issues of course , but it was the first time in a long time it felt like old EQ again , and think its going to be well worth it to explore and run around leveling a few months in it at least. Hopefully more.

Just was amusing how things I took for granted in 1999 in EQ , (night/day cycle and gasp , rain/snow etc weather of some sort) have become something massive budget new mmo's cant even manage , but VG has.

Originally posted by malrats
that's pretty dope. I want to give the game a try, but everyone says there's virtually no solo content, especially not past level 20, and I just don't have the time and such to be finding a group for everything. sucks, because this game has always sounded really promising to me and I heard that they're gonna be or already have released new stuff for it after a long development hiatus and maybe even changed the game. I dunno.

Honestly from the research I've done on the forums so far you can solo to 55 , some classes they say easier than others , but apparently they've added solo content/abillity to go along with the group heavy bit.

You can solo to the cap.

The game is however group based and almost all of the good stuff comes from group play.  Early on it is almost all solo but in the mid teens group based content becomes more common.  There is a good solo line in the 20's but afer that you are basically hitting content areas, clearing the solo quests then moving onto the next content area without ever really getting into the deeper aspects of each content area.

On the other hand the Diplo and Crafting systems can keep you busy for quite some time.  I have not gotten really far in Diplo but crafting becomes a bit of a grind in the 40's due to a lack of quests but is it still the best crafting system in any game I have played. 

Originally posted by MMOdad72

 

It's gots its bugs and issues of course , but it was the first time in a long time it felt like old EQ again , and think its going to be well worth it to explore and run around leveling a few months in it at least. Hopefully more.

Just was amusing how things I took for granted in 1999 in EQ , (night/day cycle and gasp , rain/snow etc weather of some sort) have become something massive budget new mmo's cant even manage , but VG has.

Vanguard was developed by a group of devs who worked on EQ1, so it is a true successor to EQ1.

SOE should have dedicated more resources to VGs development after they acquired the team, instead they just sat on it for 2 years with minimal development. Such a shame. I understand why they didn't as the game was not doing good sub wise when it launched, most players had trouble running the client as it was very taxing on even the fastest PCs when it launched.

Originally posted by malrats
that's pretty dope. I want to give the game a try, but everyone says there's virtually no solo content, especially not past level 20, and I just don't have the time and such to be finding a group for everything. sucks, because this game has always sounded really promising to me and I heard that they're gonna be or already have released new stuff for it after a long development hiatus and maybe even changed the game. I dunno.

  Sure you can , i did plenty of soloing with my Ranger and hes 53 , of course i grouped when ever i could but always found ample content to fill in with , that was fun and rewarding ,, The folks who cry they cant solo are just lazy players who expect everything just handed to them like Wow , ToR ,GW2 ...etc ...

Originally posted by MMOdad72

Originally posted by malrats
that's pretty dope. I want to give the game a try, but everyone says there's virtually no solo content, especially not past level 20, and I just don't have the time and such to be finding a group for everything. sucks, because this game has always sounded really promising to me and I heard that they're gonna be or already have released new stuff for it after a long development hiatus and maybe even changed the game. I dunno.

Honestly from the research I've done on the forums so far you can solo to 55 , some classes they say easier than others , but apparently they've added solo content/abillity to go along with the group heavy bit.

 

Soloing to 55 will take you months, soloing in Vanguard is not like soloing in GW2, Rift or WOW. Vanguard is a vast game and you will miss alot of prime content, infact you will come unstuck very quickly.

When I last played (before it was converted to free), I got a Bear Shaman to level 55 in adventuring. 

Didn't miss much to be honest, lots of solo content. Bear Shamans are the 2nd best solo class (Disciples are first), and was able to take on a lot (not all, but a lot) group content and even some dungeons.

If Bear Shamans can do that...and Disciples are far better...well...

Originally posted by Rimmersman

Originally posted by MMOdad72

Originally posted by malrats
that's pretty dope. I want to give the game a try, but everyone says there's virtually no solo content, especially not past level 20, and I just don't have the time and such to be finding a group for everything. sucks, because this game has always sounded really promising to me and I heard that they're gonna be or already have released new stuff for it after a long development hiatus and maybe even changed the game. I dunno.

Honestly from the research I've done on the forums so far you can solo to 55 , some classes they say easier than others , but apparently they've added solo content/abillity to go along with the group heavy bit.

 

Soloing to 55 will take you months, soloing in Vanguard is not like soloing in GW2, Rift or WOW. Vanguard is a vast game and you will miss alot of prime content, infact you will come unstuck very quickly.

No , I wont you see , I want a game it would take months to solo to cap. Thats the point , I think borderline forced grouping is great for a community overall.

My point was it is completely possible ,as others have stated in this thread , and many on the official forums say that any class can solo to cap , so its an option when needed.

Sure grouping is faster , and thats a GOOD thing for a mmorpg.

I dont want WoW or GW2 crap anymore , I want something like Vanguard.

Originally posted by MMOdad72

Originally posted by Rimmersman

Originally posted by MMOdad72

Originally posted by malrats
that's pretty dope. I want to give the game a try, but everyone says there's virtually no solo content, especially not past level 20, and I just don't have the time and such to be finding a group for everything. sucks, because this game has always sounded really promising to me and I heard that they're gonna be or already have released new stuff for it after a long development hiatus and maybe even changed the game. I dunno.

Honestly from the research I've done on the forums so far you can solo to 55 , some classes they say easier than others , but apparently they've added solo content/abillity to go along with the group heavy bit.

 

Soloing to 55 will take you months, soloing in Vanguard is not like soloing in GW2, Rift or WOW. Vanguard is a vast game and you will miss alot of prime content, infact you will come unstuck very quickly.

No , I wont you see , I want a game it would take months to solo to cap. Thats the point , I think borderline forced grouping is great for a community overall.

My point was it is completely possible ,as others have stated in this thread , and many on the official forums say that any class can solo to cap , so its an option when needed.

Sure grouping is faster , and thats a GOOD thing for a mmorpg.

I dont want WoW or GW2 crap anymore , I want something like Vanguard.

  Awesome MMOdad you have fun , it really is a great game with soem really great classes and crafting , Diplo and exploration are top notch.. sounds like what you are looking for .. Take your time.. and look over the map well, on all the continents it shows options to explore.. And pick up quests .. Some great people in that community also so chat it up a bit  and you will find a good guild with folks runnin alts also.... Have Fun,.... dang i made myself wanna resub :)

I'm also giving Vanguard another try.  I bought the CE version at launch but the bugs and hitching was just too much for me.  I returned every now and then but the population was so low it was difficult to group.

I started over and there are a good number of players on the newbie isle which is a good sign.  I'm enjoying it again.  VG has some rough spots but like the OP said, the sky and the immersion is top notch.  I've spent the last few days on the isle even though I could port to a continent just so I can finish all the key quests and hit level 10 on all my spheres.

I've also decided to sub, most likely when I hit 20.  The 500 station cash is a nice touch for subscribers.

Originally posted by SpectralHunter

I'm also giving Vanguard another try.  I bought the CE version at launch but the bugs and hitching was just too much for me.  I returned every now and then but the population was so low it was difficult to group.

I started over and there are a good number of players on the newbie isle which is a good sign.  I'm enjoying it again.  VG has some rough spots but like the OP said, the sky and the immersion is top notch.  I've spent the last few days on the isle even though I could port to a continent just so I can finish all the key quests and hit level 10 on all my spheres.

I've also decided to sub, most likely when I hit 20.  The 500 station cash is a nice touch for subscribers.

I'm still trying a few different characters , and loving it.

Also , shockingly , there's an actual mmorpg where people chat in general chat in a friendly tone again. There's been zero , and I mean zero trolling , Chuck Norris crap , 8th grade lockerroom humor , spamming constantly  etc. And if someone did it seems the community overall would put an end to it immediately.

It's quite refreshing to have both a virtual world and friendly crowd in the same game again.

Originally posted by MMOdad72

Originally posted by SpectralHunter

I'm also giving Vanguard another try.  I bought the CE version at launch but the bugs and hitching was just too much for me.  I returned every now and then but the population was so low it was difficult to group.

I started over and there are a good number of players on the newbie isle which is a good sign.  I'm enjoying it again.  VG has some rough spots but like the OP said, the sky and the immersion is top notch.  I've spent the last few days on the isle even though I could port to a continent just so I can finish all the key quests and hit level 10 on all my spheres.

I've also decided to sub, most likely when I hit 20.  The 500 station cash is a nice touch for subscribers.

I'm still trying a few different characters , and loving it.

Also , shockingly , there's an actual mmorpg where people chat in general chat in a friendly tone again. There's been zero , and I mean zero trolling , Chuck Norris crap , 8th grade lockerroom humor , spamming constantly  etc. And if someone did it seems the community overall would put an end to it immediately.

It's quite refreshing to have both a virtual world and friendly crowd in the same game again.

/agree but no /jinx !!!

Originally posted by MMOdad72

 

No , I wont you see , I want a game it would take months to solo to cap. Thats the point , I think borderline forced grouping is great for a community overall.

My point was it is completely possible ,as others have stated in this thread , and many on the official forums say that any class can solo to cap , so its an option when needed.

Sure grouping is faster , and thats a GOOD thing for a mmorpg.

I dont want WoW or GW2 crap anymore , I want something like Vanguard.

I say go for it. I've soloed two characters to upper twenties and enjoyed every minute of it. I still explore Telon with them and fully intend to "eventually" get them up to cap.

This really is one of the best games on the market.

Originally posted by Walic
I downloaded it and started over since its been years since I have been on and I was so lost, on top of that it seemed really laggy, is it just me or does others have the samething.  What I liked about Vanguard was it has that open sandbox like SWG had.

No, don't have lag. I do sometimes have the "crossing the line of a zone and waiting for it to load" issue.

Originally posted by MMOdad72

Good god , last night after for some reason neither Rift nor TSW really grabbing me again these past couple weeks , and SWTOR , lets just say bleh , I downloaded and fired up Vanguard. 

Wasn't even on my radar to go back to it but saw a post on here mentioning it.

Logged in , and there were far off clouds of a weather system , and actual stars and a sunrise to soon come.

I've played so many on rails ,  "modern" mmo's that can't manage time changing in game even , I forgot what it was like to log into an actual virtual world that felt like world.

It's gots its bugs and issues of course , but it was the first time in a long time it felt like old EQ again , and think its going to be well worth it to explore and run around leveling a few months in it at least. Hopefully more.

Just was amusing how things I took for granted in 1999 in EQ , (night/day cycle and gasp , rain/snow etc weather of some sort) have become something massive budget new mmo's cant even manage , but VG has.

My guild is getting back together for Vanguard and I logged in for the first time in a long time.  I was on the riverbank in south central Qalia where my house used to be.  It was dark, gloomy and raining.  I still had my fishing pole in my bags so I just started fishing while watching the rain come down and hit the river.

It made me remember how much more immersive Vanguard is than any other game I've ever played.  Even though there are a lot more players on the server than when I left, the game definitely runs better... it seems the server side improvements are making a difference.  With the renewed interest of many players and new content to go after, I think I'll be getting back into it.

Below is a picture I took of storm clouds rolling in over Renton Keep.

Originally posted by malrats
that's pretty dope. I want to give the game a try, but everyone says there's virtually no solo content, especially not past level 20, and I just don't have the time and such to be finding a group for everything. sucks, because this game has always sounded really promising to me and I heard that they're gonna be or already have released new stuff for it after a long development hiatus and maybe even changed the game. I dunno.

You can solo all the way to 55.  However, soloing 51-55 slows down quite a bit.  The entire journey can take a few months.

My first character grouped almost all the way to 55.

My next couple of characters soloed all the way.  I did this because the quest lines are completely different for the different races and was a ton of fun.

The new development team and lead developer really look like they've got their stuff together and are working on a new area that will have raid, group and more solo content.  They are also looking at uncapping the skills which would effectively allow 55s to progress more.

Originally posted by Walic
I downloaded it and started over since its been years since I have been on and I was so lost, on top of that it seemed really laggy, is it just me or does others have the samething.  What I liked about Vanguard was it has that open sandbox like SWG had.

I haven't had any lag issues yet.  But it's onl been a couple days of playing.

What some new players, or returning players need to remember, is that this game was the first 'seamless world'.  But that technology is now old and you will pause when passing through 'chunk lines'.  Compared to new games I think this surprises some new players and they think it's lag.

I played Rift and GW2.  Very seamless, but much, much smaller with a ton of instancing to help.  Vanguard is much bigger and you can truly go any where you can see.  You can swim to the bottom of an ocean or climb a mountain with no invisible barriers to stop you.  There is also no instancing except for APW shards.  Even housing and guild halls are non-instanced.