New Player Needing Some AdviceFollow

*Posted this in the Priest Forums too*
Yesterday I started the 7-Day Trial for EQ2 and was wowed by the game. I made a Dwarf Priest and brought me back to EQ1 days but 100 times better. Maybe it was just cause it was new, but overall I loved how I was thrown into quest after quest and no just some mindless grinding. Since EQ2 is down to under $20.00 I thought I would go by EB today and pick it up, but I needed some advice on some questions.
1) I am a vetern on MMORPGs. Spent about 8 months on EQ1 as a Wood Elf Ranger, 2 years beta-testing a Diablo 2 type MMO called Helbreath, hate to admit it but I've played Combat Medic in SWGs and spent 160 Days+ according to my play timer on Final Fantasy XI as a White Mage. My last few MMOs I've spent mainly healing and raising the dead, what would a healer like myself probably be most useful and comfortable as in EQ2 among the Priest type classes? Cleric, Druid or Shamans? I'm use to healing and buffing plus doing HoT spells constantly. I think of myself and many say I am a very good at it and even during my first day in EQ2, I grouped with some mages and fighter and they thought I did very well for my first day there. And any guides or sites that would help me along with the certain class would be very helpful.
2) Is it mainly for a high level player game or can a newb be able to participate in alot of the events too? I know there are alot of endgame activities people have to be high level for but I'm kinda tired of the HL only club.
3) Is it quest based like it is at the first of the game or does it stop as soon as you get off the island? I'm going to TRY and not grind my way to the top and just sit back and enjoy quests and activities throughout the game. The quests at the first is what got me addicted. FFXI is so non-quest based and just mainly for grinders since the only things a person can accomplish is when you are lv.70+. EQ2 seems like the story moves along. Been playing FFXI for 2 years now and I still don't really know whats going on when it comes to story. I guess I'm trying to ask, is there a storyline that makes it worth following?
4) I heard this game is mostly group based, which I don't mind considering after lv.10-15 in FFXI it is almost a MUST to get any decent EXP. Is this true? If so, can I possibly get a guide (haven't found too many useful guides in the net yet) about how a group works. Also, is it easy to get groups even if you are not a "Needed" class?
I'm sorry for the length of the post and any information would be helpful. Thanks.

Hello and welcome.


From your description (heals and DoTs), it sounds like you want to be a druid. But all three of the healing classes do well.

The difference is as follows; Druids specialize in HoT or Heal Over Time spells. We also have direct heals but our HoTs are what make us unique. Clerics are masters of reactive heals. These are heals that only take effect when the target of the heal takes damage. Clerics also have fine dirsct heals. Shamen specialize in wards. Their motto is "We don't need to heal damage that doesn't reach the tank!" They too receive direct heals.

As stated above, there are named and multi group mobs in every tier so if you chose to, you could be raiding at lvl 10.

The quests never end in EVERQUEST!!! I am currently playing a lvl 34 warden (druid), and I am doing more quests then ever in tier 4.

While the game is group based in design, it is easy to solo most any class, especially a healer. I have soloed most of the way to lvl 34 and have never had a problem. In addition, my ranger (lvl 27), also solos a lot and is never at a loss for something to do.

Beyond the solitary life, you can duo or trio as well as work in a full group - all are viable options in this game.

Regarding the 2nd half of your question, there are no un-needed classes in EQ2. Every class has a role to fill and any class can find a group. That said, healers are always in demand so you should never have a problem getting group and guild invites.

What would hang you up would being a poor player! People who don't play well spend a lot of time looking for groups that don't yet know them! But I'm sure you won't fall into this catagory!

Hope that helped you out some and once again welcome to the best damn RPG online!!!

There are 3 basic roles in a group:
Tank - Fighter
DPS - Mage and Scout
Healer - Priest

Each of these classes has different paths that bring different abilities. i.e. in the scout class, a Ranger has the best ranged attacks, while a Troubador has the best buff spells. For Mages, a Wizard is a "nuker", while a Conjurer has a pet and DoT's.

You'll frequently hear in mid-to-high level zones, "Soandso shouts, Group looking for 2 more, DPS prefered." or "Soandso shouts, Group needs tank/healer." Or the ever-popular, "Soandso shouts, 9 Fighter LFG, please!"


Here in EQ2 we have a phenonmenon known as "Questshun". That is the act of arriving at a new zone and getting a new quest, but declining it due to a full quest log. Then wondering if it was something you needed.

Many times I would be shaking my fist at the computer screen exclaiming, "Curse you full quest log!"

When the quest log limit was 50 quests, I was almost always at full capacity. Just when I reached level 50 the quest log limit was boosted up to 75. I can easily see that still getting filled up.

Server: Najena is always hopping. AB is an RP server and popular also, I hear.