September 2013

Experimenting in EQ2 #EverQuest2 #EQ2

stargrace September 16, 2013 No Comments

Experimenting is a new process that was added to EQ2 with Chains of Eternity, and it is some of the most stressful (and yet rewarding) crafting there is. The ring pictured above has been experimented on 5x (which is the max you can do per crafted item). I added int, stam, a proc, and crit bonus. Now, one thing I forgot to do which I will certainly do for the next item I make is use a refined rare to make the object. Refining was also added with Chains of Eternity, and it allows for some extra stats on the item you’re crafting. So if you use a refined rare to create the base item, and then adorn the item, and THEN experiment on it, you’ll be able to gain full potential from experimentation. You can experiment on adornment stats too when they’re added (something else I didn’t realize).

It does come with one very strict side effect. If you fail at experimenting you lose the item completely. That is what makes the process so very stressful, at least on this crafter. Luckily I’ve not lost any items yet (of course I’ve just jinxed myself). There is a quested pair of fabled gloves from Cobalt Scar that helps with the experimentation process and I highly suggest players who are going this route work on getting those first.

It’s a lot to keep track of, especially if you’ve been away from the game for any length of time. These skills are found in your prestige tradeskill section along with mass production. With the ability to switch our aa spec’s on the go in a MUCH easier way, taking advantage of each of these new craft chains is pretty simple. I have three specs, one for each tradeskill chain. At least on my main. My crafting alts who have not completed all of the quests in order to get the best gear I just leave with the basics. Having nine level 95 crafters is a bit of an endeavour when it comes to completing each of the quests available. There are a LOT! Between the solstice earring, the epic weapons (for crafters), the prayer shawl, and now the fabled gloves, not to mention the ‘basic’ crafting quests that help you level up from 1+ as well as the mara chains. It’s refreshing to have such options for crafters. Adventuring is nice but sometimes you simply want a break.

As always, happy gaming, no matter where you find yourself!

Still my Favorite Zone: The Obelisk of Lost Souls #EQ2

stargrace September 11, 2013 No Comments

Everyone has their favorite zone, for many different reasons. Mine hasn’t changed even after all these years. In EQ2 that zone is The Obelisk of Lost Souls. You can access this zone through a persistent door in the Feerrott or you can trigger the door in multiple zones such as the Commonlands. I noticed today that my quest journal was almost full (I only had room for two more quests) so I decided to work through the bundle that I’ve apparently stashed away and forgotten about. One of those bundles involved a lot of quests in my favorite zone – and what was even better is that they were quests for books, yay house items!

So off I went. This zone tends to be pretty empty, has a lot of named, and it’s just so detailed and neat to run through. The books are also incredibly eerie and just plain creepy. Right now I’m working my way through Remembrances – Berrox, The Shadows of the Lonesome Hollow, Remembrances – DyzAz, Remembrances – Nyalla-Phon, and Remembrances – Prime. I’ll add those books to my Norrathian Museum, which is in a different house than my player-written books (not enough room to house both collections).

The quests themselves are nothing to write home about. You kill 10 of a particular mob within the zone and then read the next page of the book. Rinse and repeat for 10 pages. Still, for some unexplainable reason this zone is just fascinating to me.

It’s perfect for 35-50 or so, if you’re looking for a new place to explore that is a bit off of the regular trail, you should give it a try. It’s also great to mentor and explore.

As always, happy gaming, no matter where you find yourself!

An Illusionist in Skyshrine #EQ2 #EverQuest2

stargrace September 10, 2013 No Comments

It’s fall, and what comes with fall besides glorious cool weather, football, and comfort food? Nostalgia of course. So I’ve wandered back to EverQuest 2 and have been playing my illusionist as of late. Yesterday I spent a few hours with a shadowknight friend in skyshrine, and my illusionist managed to hit level 94 which is pretty awesome. Once we were done there I headed off to the newer zones to complete a few quests. Good thing I had a mercenary along because my illusionist is still quite squishy. My defiler is 95 and still hasn’t completed the Cobalt Scar quest chain for adventurers (I have completed it for crafters) but I’m not really in any rush.

Of course with my return also came the desire to create a new character. I currently have 10 characters – well, 11 now. I created a new baby bruiser named Blesse on the Antonia Bayle server (which is where all of my characters are). My characters are (subject to change depending on my mood and who I create or delete):

• Stargrace – 95 defiler – 95 tailor
• Seduit – 94 illusionist – 95 provisioner
• Seduisant – 92 shadowknight – 95 sage
• Jacquotte – 92 swashbuckler – 95 weaponsmith
• Ellithia – 90 dirge – 95 alchemist
• Ishbel – 90 coercer – 95 carpenter
• Petites – 90 inquisitor – 95 jeweler
• Arysh – 90 warden – 95 woodworker
• Kameekox – 70 ranger – 95 armorer
• Anastasie – 14 necromancer
• Blesse – 1 bruiser

As you can see I have quite a fondness for crafters. My favorite classes to play are enchanters and after that healers.

I also managed to ding my guild level 65! This is a pretty big deal to me considering the guild has never had more than two or three other members besides myself. I hope to one day be able to level the guild to 70 and maybe even afford a T3 guild hall just because. There’s no way we need all of that room, but it sure would be neat to have that large of a decorating project. Speaking of, I have been working on decorating the current guild hall we have. I recently downgraded the hall to a T1 because there was just no need for anything larger. I’ve been working on a trophy room in the main entrance, and I have a makeshift craft room set up in the back. Aside from that, not much more has been added yet. I love having projects to work on!

As always, happy gaming, no matter where you find yourself!