EQ2

You said you played EQ, give EQ2 a try. It's a totally different game. The only problem I have with EQ2 is that any race can play any class (I think WoW did it best in that regard). With the newer expansions there is plenty of quests to do to play alone or with groups. I leveled up to max almost exclusively alone. I'm not into pvp, but some of the best players in the game are from the pvp server.

Give Everquest 2 a look. Free trial, pvp, rp(though I've never tried the rp), the best housing of any game. There are instances, but you dont have to do them, I solo'd most of my way to lvl 80.  This game is way underated for everything that it has. Beats wow hands down. Better graphics, better characters, better quests, better everything.

I'll be simple minded compared to some of the other posts here.

I'd like to be able to start another character without having to play the same quests/zones/content as I did with my main toon. Probly why I end up with one high lvl toon and then start several new one over and over. I get bored repeating the same content.

Understand being bored between games, lol. Almost all the servers are fairly noob friendly. I chose Guk because I played on it a few years ago. I personally stayed away from some of the heavier traffic servers like Antonia Bale just because I'm more of a solo player and like it kinda quiet. Tim Deep is a great starting area. I solo'd up to lvl 35 from there without a stop in quest lines. There was ample opportunity to group as well. Despite what you'll hear, there are alot of people either starting in this game, or coming back to it, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding groups or help. Best o' luck whatever server you choose.

I'll agree with the mention that some of the guilids are hard to get into. Try the game out for awhile without joining a guild, that's my advice. The reason is, do you really know what kind of guild you want to be in? I've seen so many that are all about raiding. You have to  be at 75-80% of the raids or they'll kick you out. That doesn't work for a new toon and new player. There are guilds out there that are about helping and grouping for quests and fun, not just for raids. Picking a guild can be important, but ask around before jumping into one. Find out what they are really about first. It is still very easy to find people looking to group without being in a guild.

Yes, and, no.  It depends o where you start out. If you choose either Qeynos or Freeport, then at low levels it's the same old grind. If you choose Neriak, Gorowyn, or Kelethin, then it is vastly improved. I started in Gorowyn, and solo'd up through lvl 35 before I hit areas that I needed help with. In Neriak I went to lvl 25 before I got sidetracked by my guild. Kelethin should be the same way, but again I hit lvl 15 or so and get pulled off to other areas.

I played a few years ago and went to lvl 51 in about 4 months. Now I hit lvl 65 in the same time, and higher lvls are much better then they once were. So much content has been added that it's easy to miss entire zones. It does become difficult to solo again around lvl 65, but I'm a mushy warlock and still soloing fairly well at 75.

I got mine with the retail box.

1. EQII is somewhat like WOW, but for grownups. Wow has put out what, two expansions. EQII has put alot more (with more coming soon). Yes, they have changed some areas that were already fun, but that's not all bad. Overall, I don't think you can find an overall better mmo.

2. Most of the expansions added content. Only a few added new races. But again, buy the Shadow Odyssey, it has everything in one. If you know someone currently playing EQ2 have them do an invite-a-friend with you. They get a really cool mount, and you get some cool bonuses too. The invite a friend comes with all the expansions except the Shadow Odyssey, but you can always add that in later.

3. The Good/Evil characters are pretty much like the horde/alliance of WOW. In EQ2 it mostly determines your starting city. There are not racial mounts, but if you buy the Shadow Odyssey pack, it comes with a free mount that grows as you level up. Other than that you have to save money to get a mount, or do certain quests to get one.

4. The biggest difference between EQ2 and other games such as WOW is that in EQ2 any race can be any class, with the exception of good/evil classes. But then that can be solved by betraying. I have an evil race Dirge, that has betrayed to the good side. If you like AoE, try out a ShadowKnight. Once you get up a little ways in level, they can really rain down some serious damage. And again, if you like one of the good races better, make a Paladin and betray to have a shadowknight. Another one that's lots of fun (especially higher levels) is the Warlock. It's a mage that does a large amount of damage to multiple foes at once. Instead of doing AoEs, the Warlock targets specific groups of enemies.

Check out eq2.zam.com That is the "official" site that eq2 helps maintain. It can show you all the different races/classes, as well as what some of their abilities are. Also, if you do join (and I recommend it), keep 2 things in mind: 1. There is a test server. Any character you make there does not count against your total char slots. Use the test server to try out different race/class combos before you start filling your slots up. It's much easier than worrying about which char to delete.  2. Try out some different servers. There are some great people and guilds on each of them. The guild I'm in is great for helping each other out, but we don't do much raiding. Search and find what you like. 

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.

I would hope it would be more fun than WoW, even if it is not a World of Diablo, which would be cool.

I enjoyed WoW, and still do, but isn't the idea of a next-gen anything to be better and more enjoyable?