All Posts by mangar

actually Tyres100 most of that gear was re-colored KoS gear.  Looks like a mix of a caster class helm, the dragon lord plate and the funky scout shoulders from the really annoying instance that required mezzing a pile of mobs for a quick group kill. The only item that is really new to EoF is the sheild and posibly the sword... but I think they were NPC gear that tunred into PC gear in EoF.

The problem with making new armor was in the original toon structures.  Basically they are all different so each armor set had to be customed to each race/gender, or in short a real big mess.  they tried to revamp the wire frames to make them uniform but the ersult was not well received.  So, now they are workign on a point system that will with minor modification streach a standard armor set to fit each race/gender. 

Still a work in progress that ties to the original error in thinking that processors would become faster not multi cored.

Lets hope... I do get the vibe it will be LDoN style.

iT IS GREAT

my only gripe is that you do not have a chat tree and that makes it hard to find PPL.   It is pretty much a here/now chat system so if you have a freind that is in guild chat and you are in raid chat it is hard to locate them unlike 3rd party systems that have chat trees.

another thing that I noticed while raiding.  Since it is an ingame chat service it does not kill the imersion to the extent external services do. 

The little chat bubbles that indicate who is speaking as well as freeing up a players hands to /emote really added to some pretty funny exchanges while mending.

From the last few groups I was in I would but it at about 50% usage.

I am unguilded but when I was we did use Vent/TS alot and can not help but think that the EQ2 voice chat really needs some form of room tree asside form the current set up so that you can see where people are at.

Most of the time.

“Storm Break” (Game Update #47) July / 31 / 2008
 

HIGHLIGHTS

• Station Voice is now available!
• Equipment changes have been introduced to improve item progression from levels 1 – 59 worldwide.
• Check out the sections below for details on these highlights and other details of "Storm Break" (GU47).

LIVE EVENTS

• "Storm Break" (GU47): Librarian Feldarn of Freeport's Academy of Arcane Science and Librarian Dungil of Qeynos' Concordium are looking for volunteers to help battle the onslaught of darkness from beyond.
• Qeynos and Freeport have broken ground on major construction projects just off of the coast of Antonica and Commonlands respectively. Visit the docks to see the new activity!

STATION VOICE

• A new Voice Bar will appear that provides options and indicates who is currently speaking and when you're talking. It can be docked with any chat windows.
• A new Voice Users window will show all users in the current channel. This window can be changed to be transparent and show only active speakers if you'd like.
• Group and Raid windows have speaking indicators to show who is currently speaking.
• Voice options are available in the Options Menu under the "Voice Chat" tab.
• If you're not currently in a voice channel, you will be placed in the first channel that becomes available. Subsequent channels that become available can be selected through a dropdown on the Voice Users window, a button on the Voice Bar, or a link that appears in text chat.
• Left Control is the default push-to-talk key. You can change the key in the "Voice Chat" tab of the Options Menu.
• If you need more info, do "/help vchat" in game.

Also, you can see a mini-feature on the EQII forums.

HELP

The help system has received an overhaul. Many game windows now have a help button in the upper-right corner that will open the appropriate help topic.

ENCOUNTERS

• The Tangrin and Avatar of Growth encounters now warn players three seconds before it's time for them to start moving.
• The Tangrin will no longer spawn a new beehive if any raid member already possesses one.
• All Named and Boss NPCs in Kunark now drop Adept I and Master I scrolls equal to or lesser than their level.
• Many of the named creatures in Sebilis, Chardok and Karnor's Castle no longer have place holders, have a longer respawn time, and will now always drop legendary rewards.
• The random Adept I and Master I spells you get while killing creatures in the level 1-20 range will now only drop spells you or your group members need.

QUESTS

• Adventure writs now award 500 faction points per completion.
• Adventurers working for the city of Neriak will now gain faction with the Agents of Neriak, Queen Cristanos' eyes and ears in the outside world of Norrath. Gaining faction will lead to new city rewards!
• Adventurers working for the city of Gorowyn will now gain faction with The Watchers of Timorous, a group of sarnak which stand vigilant in the defense of their homeland. Gaining faction will lead to new city rewards!
• A new shade of formal wear is now also available to those who are ranked as ally with any city writ faction.
• Page 5 of "A History of the Vah Shir, Vol. I" is now tradeable.
• The quests that awarded potions/elixirs from the Hand of Marr and Brethren of Night camps now award more.
• The quest "Vision of Fear" should no longer continue to offer the quest when a player walks through the entrance tunnel in Feerrott. It has been moved to a nearby curious totem that can be clicked to obtain the quest.
• The quest "A Calling in the Forest" should no longer continue to offer the quest each time a player walks over the Commonlands bridge in Nektulos Forest. It has been moved to a nearby skeleton laying on the bridge that can be clicked to obtain the quest.

RACIAL TRAITS

• Dark Elves
  • Innoruuk's Gift now grants the full 2% spell critical amount.

ITEMS

RoK Legendary Armor Sets:

• The Wayward Moon set has been removed from the drop tables and replaced with the Sylvan Moon set which is only equipable by Furies and Wardens. Those wishing to replace their Wayward Moon pieces for the new Sylvan Moon pieces should speak to Joonius Khristus in Teren's Grasp.
• The Enigmatic Sacrifice set has been removed from the drop tables and replaced with the Cabalistic Sacrifice set which is only equipable by Defilers and Mystics. Those wishing to replace their Enigmatic Sacrifice pieces for the new Cabalistic Sacrifice pieces should speak to Joonius Khristus in Teren's Grasp.
• Adornments attached to Wayward Moon or Enigmatic Sacrifice set pieces will be lost in the process.

Epic Weapon Changes:

• Wrath of Nature (Fury)
  • Now gives out damage and heal amount bonuses.
  • The mythical version now improves healing and damage spells based upon a percentage of your wisdom and intelligence respectively.
• The Impact of the Sacrosanct (Templar)
  • The proc effect now lasts slightly longer.
  • Added a bonus to reactives based on the templar's wisdom.
• Cudgel of Obviation (Mystic)
  • The mythical version's Spirit Tap will only be triggered by the mystic's group members. Also the heal and power bonuses have been reduced.
• Dream Scorcher (Defiler)
  • This now gives heal crit instead of spell crit.
  • Now grants bonuses to both spells and heals.
  • Proc no longer drops when damage is taken.
• Penitent's Absolution (Inquisitor)
  • Improved the healing power of aftershock. In the vicinity of 75% of the heal. Also added casting and reuse bonus of 15% and reduced the time from 2 seconds to 0.5 seconds.
  • The mythical version's intervene effect has been replaced by a powerful group cure which will cure arcane, elemental, noxious and trauma effects. In addition, when it cures an effect it will also heal the player for each effect it removes.
• Dragon's Temper (Berserker)
  • Adds an additional hate position boost to Insolence.
  • Changed the double attack bonus to melee critical chance.
• The Truth of Marr (Paladin)
  • The delay is now 6 seconds.
  • Added a damage proc to the weapon.
  • Now gives both spell and combat art damage bonuses.
• Sedition (Shadowknight)
  • The delay is now 6 seconds.
  • Added a damage proc to the weapon.
  • Now gives both spell and combat art damage bonuses.
• Death's Grip (Warlock)
  • The dumbfire pet bonus has changed to improve the warlock's critical damage by 10%.
• Eye of the Siren (Coercer)
  • Now gives a subjugation bonus.
  • The mythical version now removes the concentration cost of Possess Essence.
• Mirage Star (Illusionist)
  • Now gives a subjugation bonus.
• Havoc, Blade of Treachery (Brigand)
  • Proc now gives a bonus to double attack instead of haste.
• Gorynn's Fist (Bruiser)
  • The proc will now give the bruiser an additional chance to critical melee attacks.
• Revitalized Vel`Arek (Guardian)
  • The mythical version's proc will now only do 5% damage reduction.

In Other Item News:

• Worldwide equipment, ranging from level 1-59 (including heritage quest rewards), have been increased to create a better progression from Timorous Deep to level 80 Rise of Kunark zones. This increase includes accessories, armor, and weapons, as well as many tradeskill items. Shields, items with special effects, and tradeskilled armor have not yet been changed.
• House items now observe the 'Lore' flag, allowing only one of a lore item to be placed in a home. The 'lore' flag has been removed from house items and pets that are primarily decorative in nature.
• Non-ubiquitous adornments used to add damage to symbols (arcane ornament, viral ornament, noxious ornament etc) now affect combat arts as well as spells.
• Crusaders can now wear the Mark of the Ankexfen.
• The Jungle Bow should now properly equip when double-clicked.
• The Supple Dogwood Staff now procs on melee attacks rather than ranged.
• Bruisers and Monks can no longer equip Edgewalker Chainmail Leggings.
• The mounted claw and fist of pestilence should now mount on a wall with the hand facing outwards. The ornate spoon, fork, and knife should place more accurately on flat surfaces.
• Protection values have been adjusted on Guard of Drelikus, Vioren's Forcefield, and Brace of Corporeal Darklight.
• Protection on the Shield of the Green Dragon was lowered.

POTIONS

• The potions and elixirs from the Hand of Marr and Brethren of Night heal a more appropriate amount of health/power.

TRADESKILLS

• The city tradeskill societies are dealing with a bulk order for some new formal clothing, and require some assistance. Tradeskillers of the 60th rank or higher who have previously assisted their societies may speak to the Grandmaster for more details.
• Tradeskillers who are skilled enough to see the tradeskill collection quests may find more rewards available in their travels.
• Armorers now have a recipe for imbued devout ebon greaves.
• The fuel requirement for imbued rosewood shields has been corrected.
• The fuel requirement for ashen hearths has been corrected.
• Imbued fulginate devout greaves can now be created.
• Sparkling Cranberry Wine has been converted to Cranberry Cream Liqueur to avoid confusion with the existing Cranberry Sparkling Wine.

ZONES

Bloodline Chronicles

• Adventurers may now zone into any of the Tombs of Night and the Crypt of T'Haen zones that a member of the group has access too. Previously, these zones were only accessible if everyone in the group were on the same stage of the quest.
• Players can now zone into any of the Tombs of Night zones if anyone in their group is on the appropriate quest.

Sebilis/Chardok

• New mid-zone respawn locations have been added to Chardok and Sebilis.

SPELLS

Faction merchants in Maj'dul courts are now selling a number of tier 5 Adept III recipe scrolls they were previously missing.

A stacking issue with stealth and group invisibility has been fixed to allow attacking from stealth.

• Shaman/Druid
  • Spirit of the Wolf will now apply to the entire group within a 50m radius instead of being single target.
• Shaman
  • Shaman's wolves should now have slightly more health to help their survivability.
• Fighter
  • Master's Rage will now do a melee attack and debuff the target's defensive skills. It will also give an error if it is not useable on the target like the other archetype's mastery skills. The recast was also lowered to 30 seconds.
• Berserker
  • The Blood Rage line will not expire until the berserker dies instead of having a 15 minute duration.
• Scout
  • Sinister Strike should no longer debuff the target if it misses
• Assassin
  • Fatal Followup should no longer be useable after Sinister Strike.
  • The Hidden Assault line of skills should no longer apply the Damage over Time portion of the attack if the primary melee attack misses.
• Brigand
  • Safehouse now has a short cast time and can be interrupted.
  • Melee attacks which had secondary effects will no longer apply on a miss.
  • The Dispatch and Rake lines will now hit slightly more often.
• Enchanter
  • Sever Hate can no longer be used to pull through a crowded area.

PVP

• Assassin
  • Fatal Followup should now work properly in PvP based combat.
• Swashbuckler
  • Reach will now suspend while in PvP combat.

Zones from previous expansion geared towards level 60 to 70 players no longer have an unlimited level range.

I agree that something went really wrong with RoK.  The solo quest grind is horrid and the only reason I am getting back into the game from VGSoH is that I am hoping that the next expansion is LDoN in nature and really puts group or atleast non redundant leveling/progression in the game.

gotta say, EQ2 raids are a lot harder than some may like to admit.  Granted the old world ones get simple once you gear your guild up but the newer tiered raid system do offer progressive challenges to even the most well geared guilds.

If it anything like the issues I had while setting up the launcher on my new Vista machine, R click on the applicaiotn and run as admin... really annoying since my account is the admin account but it resolved several issues I was having installing and updating EQ2 via the station launchpad.

Or just grab the EQ2 .exe from your C drive and put a link on your desktop.  

yikes, if you are patching from original disks you better make plans while that thing patches.

Nah, I was referring to the hype arround expansion #5 and the living legends timetables. 

I am kind of excited, I might even grind out those last two levels on my toons to be at cap.

As I look over the planned in-game events I get the feeling that there are some major changes in the near future.  One blurb I saw said that it will be on a scale never before seen in a MMO... kind of has me woried but the game has gotten a little stale, ok a lot stale as I am in VGSoH most of the time these days so IMO change is a good thing.

Anyone else have any thoughts on the upcomming void invasion and ideas as to what might be changing in game that will constitute claiming that the events will be a first in MMO history?

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.

Pretty much yeah.

The tank order usually goes:

Guard

Zerker

Pali

SK

Since SK's do not have a whole lot of utility they are typically booted for additional DPS, Heals, CC or various other utility.  Personally I still level my SK but have also devloped a brig that is used for raids.

There are rumors of an upcoming combat art and spell revamp but I would not expect SoE to upset the tanking structure this late in the game.

Best solo tank is the Shadow Knight hands down.... however it is probably the 4th best tank class for groups (Guard, Zerk, Pali then SK) and of no use on raids.

Speaking as a 80 SK myself.

As far as AA goes you can only earn 100 while below level 70 so your goal should be to have about 20-30 more AA than your adventure level.  You should be able to pull this off by level 35-40 just by clearing green quests with combat exp off then you can go do what ever you want and you will probably still cap out on AA before you hit 70.

Once you are 70 the EXP you gain will be mostly from questing as the grind EXP pretty much dires up so you will probably have no problem getting 140 by level 80.

Holidays!

As a loyal EQ2 fan it kills me to say it but check out Vanguard if you want deep lore and players that enjoy it.

Before you start ripping me about getting down on EQ2 lore please note that I do enjoy EQ2 and EQ2 lore greatly.  However from my play time in both games EQ2 lends itself better to the speek clicker when it comes to quest dialog than Vanguard.  Now go rob NASA so that you can get a rig that can run VG and a T1 and you are all set