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Things are Changing #VGD #Vanguard #VGSOH

stargrace June 22, 2012 1 Comment

One thing I’ve always loved about Vanguard is the ‘if you see it in the distance, you can reach it’ part of the game. I’ve written about it before, and it still holds true to this day.

Now, yesterday was a typical day in-game, except that channels were filled with a lot of upset players. See, to start things off starter villages were condensed. Anyone who was a part of EQ2 when those starter villages were removed understands that to players this is a pretty big deal. Removing content is almost never looked at favorably.

On top of that, many spells were removed (rank 1) so that players have less spells to ‘deal’ with below level 20. A lot of people logged in wondering where their rank 1 X spell had gone, and visiting their vendors showed only rank 2 available. I have two spells on my blood mage that are now missing, although since I’m level 47 it makes little difference.

It meant for most of the night I left my global channels off, because I already deal with complaints all day long and the last thing I wanted to do was deal with more while I’m trying to relax and play a video game (that I quite enjoy, changes and all). I’ve always been the sort of player to ‘roll with the changes’ until I no longer wish to, and then I just quit playing (ie: EQ2). Playing a game that makes me unhappy is pointless, there are countless other games out there that if I’m not happy in one I can move to another.

Anyhow. My artificer managed to finish the genesis quest line, and inch her way to level 51 almost 52 (in crafting, not adventuring). This was a huge achievement for me, I’m closer to the level cap than I’ve ever been, as long as they don’t decide to raise that cap any time soon I should be able to actually hit 55! Sure, it’s not adventuring, but crafting in Vanguard is still a complex process that takes a lot of time.

Next, it will be time to work up my other two crafters so that I have at least one of each (Outfitter, Artificer, Blacksmith). As always, happy gaming, no matter where you find yourself!

Level 50+ Crafting Quest: Genesis #VGD #Vanguard #VGSOH

stargrace June 15, 2012 2 Comments

Finding information on Vanguard can be a bit tricky. You have to filter through things that are filled with outdated information and piece together bits from numerous other sites. It seems like over the years many sites have been started, but the information on all of them varies and is in multiple stages of completion.

When I hit 50 artificer (note, not the cap, the cap is 55) I knew there was a crafting quest that I was now able to do, but I had no idea what it was or where it was. There was no indication in-game of anyone I should visit, and so I had to do a google search for it. Eventually I found what I was looking for, a quest walk through for the Genesis chain, posted on the forums of Final Resolve. I’m taking their article and posting it here because I’ve seen far too many other sites go under and the information lost.

The Genesis questline is for level 50+ crafters.  In addition to giving you some nice gear and enough experience to give you 1.7 levels, it will give you access to the recipes to craft level 51+ spells/abilities and the various enhancement upgrades.  Note the latter will also require POTA access since the reagent needed can only be purchased from POTA and is not tradeable.

The quest starts with Geoffrey Wallstein, who is located in the Merchant’s Daughter Inn in the New Horizon’s quadrant of New Targoner.  Approx location is (-37,370 by 46,500).

Spoiler alert:  Do not read on if you don’t want any clues to the quest

1) Genesis – The Rumor:  Learn more about the artifact from Geoffrey.  Research his findings.  Go to the docks in NT and talk to Alison McTane.  Provide her either 5 dusky boards, mithril ingots or veilthread bolts in exchange for the item.  Return to Geoffrey.
Reward:  1 Million experience; Lvl 48 shirt – + 44 Ingenuity, +59 to all skills; Lvl 48 legs – +36 Reasoning, + 49 to all skills.

2) Genesis – The Bookseller:  Go to Lucan Bell in New Targoner crafting area.
Reward:  75K experience

3) Genesis – Puzzle Pieces:  Collect items using locations in your journal.  Avoid interference from “The Coinman”.  You will need to got to 10 locations and click to obtain the items you need.  You can do this in any order.  Follow your compass as you select each to find the exact location.  The bookseller will give you the initial part you need (Genesis Core).
– 1) Metal parts:  Located in the 3 rivers village (Thestra)
– 2) Crystals:  Located in Jharru Flats (Qalia)
– 3) Residue:  Located in a tree trunk in Ca’ial Brael (Kojan)
– 4) Conduit:  Located in Konarthi Point (Thestra)
– 5) Lens:  Located in Coastal Graveyard (Thestra)
– 6) Scroll:  Located in Ahgram (Qalia)
– 7) Liquid:  Located in Afrit (Qalia)
– 8) Wire:  Located in the Cliffs of Ghelgad overlooking Khal (Qalia)
– 9) Orb:  Located in Tanvu (Kojan)
-10) Flame:  Located in Tomb of Lord Tsang (Kojan)
Reward:  1 Million experience; Lvl 48 Mask – +47 Finesse, + 31 to all skills; Lvl 48 Boots – +34 Problem Solving, + 23 to all skills.

4) Genesis – Back Together:  Repair the Genesis (finishing combine).
Reward:  750K experience

5) Genesis – Lucan’s Discovery:  Speak to Geoffrey Wallstein for information, then report back to Lucan.  Geoffrey will share that you will need to talk to Rold and Joley in Ahgram.  However, be sure you return to Lucan first.  Lucan will then send you BACK to Geoffrey so you can obtain the next quest which sends you to Ahgram.
Reward:  500K experience

6) Genesis – Gnomes and the Coinman:  Geoffrey Wallstein will now direct you to talk to Rold and Joley in Ahgram.  Follow your compass to find them.
Reward:  750 experience

7) Genesis – Thieves’ Tools:  Craft 4 sets of tools for Rold and Joley.
Reward:  750 experience; Ancient Builder’s Ring – +1 Problem Solving, +8 to all skills

8) Genesis – Time for Stealing:  Cause a distraction in the Bloodied Sun Inn by dumping a sack of critters in the inn.  Click the bag they give you to dump the critters.
Reward:  1 Million experience; Treasure Hunter Apron, Lvl 48, +35 Problem solving, +58 Finesse, +31 Tool

9) Genesis – Suprise for Lucan:  Return to Lucan in New Targoner with the missing Genesis part.
Reward:  750K experience; Experimentation Gloves, Lvl 48, +17 Reasoning, +17 Finesse, +70 tool use

10) Genesis – A Few Questions:  Test the Genesis (finishing combine).
Reward:  750K experience; Artifact Maker Utility Pouch, Lvl 48, 70 slot, +2 Problem solving, +11 Station; Artifact Maker Toolbelt, Lvl 48, 6 slot, +2 Reasoning, +3 Finesse, +8 Tool use

11) Genesis – Back to Geoffrey:  Speak to Geoffrey Wallstein.
Reward:  500K experience

12) Genesis – The Coinman:  Confront the Coinman in the Tradewin Tavern of Khal.  Return to Geoffrey in NT.
Reward:  750K experience

13) Genesis – Treasure Time:  Craft the treasure hunting rod and take it to Lucan.
Reward:  1 Million experience; Gold Masterwork Sigil

14) Genesis – The Last Puzzle Piece:  Lucan will send you to a path near Bordiner’s cleft.  There you will find the Coinman and a Spirit.  Talk to the spirit who will challenge you both to create the best artisan work.  Return to Lucan.
Reward:  1 Million experience

15) Genesis – Proof of Talent:  Construct Lucan’s Pre-cataclysm ceremonial armor.  Recipes will allow you to make pieces used in the assembly combine.  Once complete, return to the spirit outside Bordiner’s Cleft and show him your work.  Return to Lucan in NT
Reward:  1,912,050 experience; Genesis Tool – Level 48, +21 Tool Use, +85 Tool effectiveness.  (This tool is two tools in one.  Right click to convert it to the other form.  There are 3 options – 1 for each class.); Ability to learn spell / enhancement recipes from Lucan Bell.

Ding! Level 50 Artificer #Vanguard #VGD

stargrace June 13, 2012 2 Comments

It took years, and it’s not even the level cap any more, but I finally reached level 50 artificer! The new cap in Vanguard is 55 so this was really just a small milestone and I’m not sure if there’s even anything I can work on or any new quests or gear to help me get to level 55, but I’m still pleased for having made my way there.

On the artificer path this is my mineralogist, I create jewelery, stone weapons and foci, and wooden foci. I also craft house components, most noticeably bricks. The carpentry counter part crafts ships as well as furniture and bows. I have one of each crafter, but it’s been some time since I’ve worked on them to any extent. I am eager to level up my blacksmith next as that character helps provide the rares required to make jewelery, and then my leather worker.

I’ve been having a bit of trouble (as always) trying to figure out how exactly to level my characters to 50-55. Veterans seem to constantly post that the process is ‘easy’ and that leveling is too quick, and that they’re all bored – but I don’t even know what areas I should be in, or what quests I should do, or whether it requires a group 100% of the time or if I can handle things on my own. I suppose I really should dive in a little deeper and find out!

As always if you’d like to find me in game, you can say hello to: Stargrace, Arysh, Faydai, Velours, or Minxes (I also have a baby psionicist  I’d like to level up some time, Ishbel who is level 3 and still on the Isle of Dawn). I’ve also stumbled into a great new(ish) wiki site, the telon project. I’ve volunteered to help out because I find a lot of the Vanguard sites these days are out dated, and it’s important to get information about the game to the public, especially with it going free to play.

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

Vanguard Loyalty Rewards #VGD #Vanguard

stargrace June 11, 2012 3 Comments

Thanks to some wonderful posts by Ardwulf, I decided that I should log into Vanguard for the loyalty rewards they are offering until the game goes free to play – and I’m very glad I did. I missed the May rewards which included a boat for players, but June was just as exciting. On my players below 50 I received a free small house (you still have to purchase the plot, but this saves a lot of building should I ever decide to move), as well as some appearance gear which my 50 monk is showing off above. It’s a plate graphic which doesn’t really suit her style, but there’s a lot of details in the pieces which I really appreciate.

There’s a bit of controversy about the level 50 rewards, which include 2 chests with augments, and 5 crates that you have to use a special mallet from KDG to open. The mallet costs 1g each, and you must be level 50 to get to the zone to begin with in order to purchase these. I was able to save up the crates on my level 47, but I only have one level 50 character at this time, so only she was able to open them. The crate rewards were various pieces of (to me) awesome gear, some yellow and some orange. Sadly, none of the pieces were of any actual use to me, being better suited for plate classes, but perhaps I can save them for alts or put them up on the broker.The controversy comes from players who argue that giving away these augments as loyalty rewards trivializes farming / raiding for them. On one hand I can understand their perspective, however, personally, I don’t raid nor do I farm, so this is a chance for me that I would otherwise not have. I still think players spend too much time worrying about what everyone ELSE is doing with their characters, rather than enjoying the game themselves and being preoccupied with their own business. How someone else plays the game or what gear they have shouldn’t have such a dire impact on how you view things (personal opinion only here).

It would be great to get my blood mage to 50 (55 ideally, as that’s the new cap) so that she could participate in these rewards, but I’ve little to no idea of where to level these days. Still, my interest in Vanguard is once again piqued (along with my ever wavering interest in Guild Wars) which is never a bad thing. I’ve loved Vanguard from the very start, and I’m pretty excited at the prospect of getting to share that love with others as they realize what a great game it truly is. I hope the free to play model goes well.

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