Everquest

What is the state of EQ?
I played it years ago for about a month when it first came out. I remember something
about an Orc Camp 1.

Is the game busy?
What is the average age of the player base?
Has the game been nerfed into oblivion?
Is player crafting a big part of the game?
Is there anything more to this then a huge level grind?
Can you write macros?
Is the combat twitch or is it like pre cu swg?
Is it worth my time?
I said i would never trust SOE again and I dont but im bored.

no this game is not worth playing anymore for new comers. ITs nearly 6 years old now. And Fact is the populations are still there, but are dwindling by the day. SOE is neglecting this game, and releasing half thought expansions on a monthly basis.

But this was and still is, my most loved MMO of all time, 5year vet here, just stopping in to Kick SOE in the nuts.

Well thats just one opinion and only one opinion. I suggest paying no mind to hate posts.

I have recent gone back to EQ and myself being a veteran. They have revamped many mobs (goblins, rats kobolds with newer graphics which is nice but not my reason for coming back. The community is older and far more mature then games like WoW and Guild Wars.

EQ is one of the few games that you can twink low lvl toons with massive gear to get them started. Level requirements dont exist on much of the gear and if they do its more often a recommended lvl vs required.

Is the game busy?
In the higher zones yes but there is a way of people coming back and starting a new toon, I just started another SK and went through the glooming deeps and killed the Overlord twice and the Demon once last night. I was grouped with a mixture of new peeps and twinks like me. Most people are friendly and helpful and I haven't had to deal with being KS'd as of yet.

What is the average age of the player base?
I'd have to venture to guess somewhere in the thirties.

Has the game been nerfed into oblivion?
Nope, they have eased up the leveling by many improvements but haven't made it so easy that it's boring. Some gear has had level requirement added to it and some class specific gear has been nerfed, or in some cases corrected.

Comparing how the game was back before I left to now, the nerfs have in no way over shadowed the over all game play.

Is there anything more to this then a huge level grind?
Yes, there is questing and many challenges as you level. Monster Missions really add flavor to the game and can speed up the exp but EQ is fun during most of the leveling unless your hell-bent on reaching 70 then you will wear out quickly.

Is player crafting a big part of the game?
Yes and no, many items for questing require some crafting skill in order to complete but life in EQ isn't hardcore dependant on it.

Can you write macros?
Oh hell yeah, many people duo/quad box when playing EQ, it is very flexible with macroing.

Is the combat twitch or is it like pre cu swg?
I'd say it more like pre combat upgrade SWG, since thats when I quit SWG, I know what your refering to. Melee is rather simple but like when I solo on my Necromancer, you need to very in tune with when your sanres wear off and your dots, when your fear spell wears off, not twitchy but not boring either.

Is it worth my time?
It's worth what little time a married man like me with a baby can spend on it. Of coarse when I start a new toon I twink it out to the max to get the best start.

I understand how you feel coming from SWG. When that game first came out I jumped right into the Bounty Hunter and used what was left over in creature handler, then the big creature handler nerf came which should have been done in Beta. Then the combat down-grade (CU) and now they crapped it out again with their latest move basically betraying everyone who had bought the game in the begining.

But...
There must be a whole different crew running EQ at SOE. When it comes to major changes they have for the most part made it easier, like not having to stare at your spell book in order to regen mana, or removing the 'hell' levels or removing the hybrid exp penalty. When nerfs come to EQ they typically are directed at an over powered item. Even with the major nerfs to monks was largely undone a while ago.

Has anyone purcahsed anything from lootpal.com?

I have started to hear good things about them from others. Any opinions?