July 31, 2008

First Impressions (GU47)

GU47 was released today – and again, a huge congratulations to SOE for pulling it off. The servers have been up (and stable) for the last four hours and here are my first impressions of things that I interact with on a fairly frequent basis. Other updates you can of course read the proper notes about.

Number one the new in game voice chat is amazing. I played around with it some in group with a friend, and it was nice and clear, simple to use (would have been even more simple were it not for my UI). The only issue I had with it is the bind command. It would not recognize the 0 key on the number pad (or anything on the number pad for that matter). I have it set to the default Left Control key right now, but how many others out there use that to view gear in the changing room? That’s what I thought.

Number two, the live event with the storms. Surprised me, because I wasn’t expecting the actual storm to come to life as I did the ring event. People have been linking the amazingly detailed weapons and while they’re certainly under par as far as stats go, they are amazing for looks. Mannequins rejoice.

Number three, the crafting stuff. Ok, new red shinies in Enchanted Lands, and they reward you with of course another house item. Not so much an item though as a living creature. Get your epics and go hunting for this one, or you can read the spoilers over here at eq2traders.

A new crafting quest was also added, which rewards you with a new version of the formal gear you can purchase with guild levels and faction. It’s purple instead of the typical blue. If you’ve managed to get ally faction with any of the 4 major sections (mage, priest, scout, fighter) be sure to look for new titles (in a few cities) and new outfits (black version of the formal gear). Very nice looking things, and it’s nice to see rewards that are not based only on the level of your guild.

There were also new pieces of crafter gear (for appearance only) added to Gorowyn tradeskill merchants, and Kelethin, which I adore (and Silhouette is sporting proudly).

I have not noticed a significant stat increase to gear and items from 1-59 but then again I wasn’t exactly looking. I checked the broker briefly to look up some items and see if they’d change, they all remained (at level 17 gear) with +2 to stats and very low health and power (compared to the gear of TD which is what people term ‘the only place worthy of leveling up in’ these days).

The work on the guild halls seems to be coming at a steady pace, and leaves enough teasing to keep players wondering what’s next. There’s workers now found outside at the docks of the two major cities, stop by and take a look.

As a side note, those two books I quested for yesterday with Silhouette had their appearance changed, which I am happy for. There are some books that come in a “set” such as the Varsoon collection, and Blood of The Bear collection. Before today they were all different sizes and shapes, not matching at all. They certainly didn’t remind me of a “set”. As I placed the books today, I noticed they are all nicely shaped, blue, matching.

As for the faction bits. I’m not exactly happy about. I liked the amount of work it required to get those titles, and people who do have the titles worked really hard on them. I hate seeing things getting easier over time, though I know it happens as a game ages.

The epic changes didn’t affect any of my characters aside from the coercer, and that was quite minor. All in all, I’m happy with the update, and glad to see people excited about things.

GU47 Notes

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.

Akheva Ruins

Yesterday was a mixture of gaming, in the later evening. I was restless and not sure what I wanted to do. Not because of anything going on in game but it’s just been one of those weeks. You know the ones, that just don’t end quite fast enough for you. I spent some time briefly finishing off book quests for Silhouette in Ruins of Varsoon, adding two more to her collection. The kills were easy and I managed to harvest a few shinies to put for sale. Nothing really of note. Once that was done I headed to Kylong Plains with Kasul to help him get started with the RoK quest chains – namely the sokokar quest.

It wasn’t long (maybe an hour) after working on those I decided I would head to EQ1 for a few hours before bed. Binxs was already there, making his way to the 50-55 hot zone.

“The Akhevan City of Ka Vethan, better known now as the Akheva Ruins, was built long before Vex Thal and served as a stronghold for the shadows of Luclin. Its current state can be attributed to a civil war among the Akhevans.

After their arrival and establishment on the moon, the Combine began building structures and outposts on Akhevan territory. The reigning High Priestess at the time, Akel Ha Ra, demanded that her fellow Akhevans not interfere with the imposing Norrathians. This caused some dissention among their ranks. Before long, an Akhevan named Aten Ha Ra emerged as the leader of this resistance and led her faction in a civil war among the Akhevans. One day, Aten Ha Ra summoned a storm of incredible power and used it to destroy the city of Ka Vethanat, an event which led to the death of Akel Ha Ra, many of her minions, and the end of the civil war.

Currently, one can find a countless number of Akhevan spirits lingering among these age old ruins in addition to a host of mind wurms, stonegrabbers, and centis.”

I asked if he wanted some company, and decided to tag along on Ishbel. She was still sitting at level 51, and I wanted 52 before Friday night’s dragon play. The pulls to the zone line were fairly painless. I managed to ding my 8th aa on Ishbel, and both Binxs and Ishbel hit level 52. Since EQ2 is down for a few hours with the GU47, I decided I will probably go back, this time with my beastlord / druid combination, and see if I can’t get the beastlord to ding a few levels, as well as gain some aa / buffer on the druid. So far I’ve just been hanging out at the entrance, and the one thing I dislike is the fact that everything wants to run away from me at 20% or so.

By now of course I expect it, but it makes duo’ing with my cleric / beastlord combination a pain at times. The cleric does get a root, but I find it wears more often then not. At least with the druid I can put down a snare or two (or three).

I’m hoping tomorrow night we get a great turn out as far as dragon-killers go. Gnewton should be there and that’s always a sure sign of some fun at least. If all goes well, we’ll get the last bit we need and the level cap will finally be lifted. It will be nice to be able to move to 55 instead of the 52 people have been sitting at for quite some time (does us no good to want to kill dragons if we’re getting banished left right and center).

Which reminds me, I need to look up spells, for the beastlord, druid, and cleric. Eventually, I’d like to get my necromancer a few levels as well. We’ll have to see how that goes though.

Nomadic Gamer