free j-boots with pre-order? UghFollow

These are nowhere near EQLive Jboots. And they will only get it on the first character they create, so it won't be a big difference.

Also, by mentionning SoW, you're thinking of EQ2 in terms of EQLive. The EQ2's dev motto is "This is not EQLive", keep that in mind.

As I see it, one of the basic concepts of EQII is that mass buffing will not be happening. A lot of buffs are group only, and require concentration (you can only keep so many spells active at once - not throwing out sow, kei, etc. to the entire zone).

I believe that the Scout branch of the class tree gets a run/movement buff.

Either way, I don't think that it makes the game less sociable. I see it as encouraging people to travel in groups. I also agree that it seems to be a cheap marketing trick.

I oredered the collectors edition. I know Its a waste of money but I have a little extra i saved up over the past 5 months. Quick question. Do you suppose that speed buffs will stack with the boots??

I'm really enjoying the new setup for EQ2. I hate having to completely depend on others. I like socializing and being with people to beat larger monsters but I don't want to have to really "need" someone if I want to be able to run fast or feel that I can't live without them. Thats why I preordered just due to the boots and I'm gald mass buffing won't happen. The whole concentration thing seems very similar to what is done in Everquest. You can only cast so many buffs and have them running on a set about of people. Like one or there there is good. You fully buff someone you might not have any concentration points left to buff someone else. So gaining money from buffing people is out. Which is great :) :) :) I can't be happier.

Well, being a beta tester myself, and since the NDA has been lifted, I'll make a few corrections to your post. :)

1) Death- Yes, when you die, you have the option of staying there, and having a priest give you a rez, or you can choose to Revive. This will result in you leaving a spirit shard at your point of death, and you respawning somewhere (depends on where you died, you usually have a choice) with all your gear. You gear loses 10% durability each time you die, and when it reaches 0% you are unable to equip it and must have it repaired either by an artisan or by a Mender NPC. You incur a death penalty, which is shared by all group members, should you be in a group. This provides more incentive for your group to run and have 1 person die, than stand and fight and have the entire group to wipe. Your spirit shard will be automatically reabsorbed after 72 hours, should you not be able to retrieve it. Your stats are slightly lessened by each shard you have in the world, but having 1 or 2 shards out doesn't greatly affect your play.

2) Buffs- Your description of buffs is fairly accurate. You have your mana pool (called Power since both casters and melee use it) and you also have a Concentration pool. You only have 5 concentration slots available, no more, no less. Most buffs require the use of 1 slot. Most buffs though affect your entire group, and do appear to drop when you leave the group. This prevents the buff whoring found in EQLive. It also allow them to make the buffs last a great deal longer (most buffs last 2+ hours). Only the person who maintains the buffs uses the concentration point. So, if you have say 2 mages in the group, they could share the buff duties, and leave more points available to both, rather than 1 of them maintain all the buffs, and the other use none.

3) Quests- Quests work wonderfully. It actually brings meaning to the name EverQUEST. Quests especially right now, will be your primary means of income and equipment, especially at the earlier levels (levels 1 through 10 or 15). You do have a quest journal which works well to keep things organized. Also, your quest "inventory" is seperate from your normal inventory. Killing or obtaining the required mob/item for a quest automatically updates. Also, anyone in the group who needs the item gets credit. Also, you only have a quest waypoint for certain quests, Hallmarks being among them.

4) Loot- Trivial Loot Code is in effect with EQ2. Any mob which provides no experience, also will provide no treasure/rewards. This does prevent item farming by the higher levels. But considering you should be able to solo any mob around your level this shouldn't be a problem.

I'm probably leaving some things out, but this should be a fairly clear picture of how things are CURRENTLY working. Remember it's in beta and things are changing weekly. Some things still aren't implemented, and some things which are, are being changed based on feedback.

Don't you think that would make for quite a dull game. Or better yet... have no classes and just make it a giant chatroom

I just wanted to get a clarification. Under your quest part, you said "Also, you only have a quest waypoint for certain quests, Hallmarks being among them." Does this mean if everyone in the group is looking for x item and one person in the group grab it, they all get credit for aquiring it and can collect the reward? If so, that would be nice for us casual gamers who don't have all the time to spend several weeks hunting in the same spot to get item x for quest y and having to wondering if you are ever going to get your chance to nab it.

JBoots give a horribly small runspeed increase- especially since it doesn't work in combat, all characters have "Sprint" (combat-usable run speed buff, lasts for about 60 seconds, but drains your power bar while using it- designed for fleeing or jetting around town) and Scouts get "Pathfinding" at level 3 which is a Group SoW with superior speed to the actual SoW.

EDIT: Addendum. Of course, should you want to earn a JBoots, you can complete their Heritage Quests and grab a pair for yourself. You have to be 20+ to do the quest, but it's not like this is an item that only Collector's Edition people can earn.

Edited, Wed Oct 27 09:24:07 2004 by RPZip

I can't speak about upper level mobs, but if you have power left (blue line, which is same pool as mana), you can outrun mobs.

I've also noticed that mobs only chace you so far, and then they stop.....but if they can't attack you, you can't attack them either(even with a spell).