The Beastlords' Den

Everquest 1 => The Campfire => Topic started by: Old Keg on February 02, 2010, 09:45:23 PM

Title: What kind of xp should I be expecting? Equipment goals? And other questions.
Post by: Old Keg on February 02, 2010, 09:45:23 PM
Coming back for a bit, maybe.   Quit in 2003 or 2004 previously.

Currently 61, 46 AA. 
Here's my gear:  http://eqplayers.station.sony.com/character_profile.vm?characterId=468151597403
Not sure why I've got an empty offhand shown, but I'm using the epic 1.0 there. 

I figure I'll wander around to the various places recommended for solo, and stay at whichever ones catches my fancy.  My plan is to hit 62, and then sit and AA for a while.  If I keep playing, I want to be capable of soloing at any given moment, so I gather that means keeping a nice healthy amount of AA every level.

But what is 'good' experience?  It seems that it is supposed to come a lot quicker now.  Especially AA, I saw some claims of getting  10AA/hour at 51 and similar things that seem completely and totally outrageous to me.

Similarly, what is good sort of cash intake should I be expecting?(Does acrylia still sell well in the bazaar on Erollisi Marr?)

Equipment wise, I think I'm doing okay now.  I'm flabbergasted by the gear that 5k could get me!  I think I picked up 2k in hp/mana, and went from flowing though 2 to 17 or 19 or something.  Is mana regeneration from items still capped at 15?  I need augments in virtually every slot definitely, but that will come with time, I'm sure. 

But as far as equipment goes, once I get more platinum-what should be my next goal.  Thinking I'll get myself another haste item(any recommendations?  Partial to belt, jewelry or augments, since I need upgrades in those places.), and replace my offhand epic with another Elaborate Defiant Quickblade-unless anybody has any recommendations for cheap(ish), good weapons that are better.  Or for any slot as well, of course.

Speaking of, what is this 'power source' thing?  Any other new equipment things I should be aware of?

Specifically, rings.  Seriously.  I think I've had those 6AC/65hp rings going on 50 levels now.

Or should my first priority be to get one of those pet  focus earrings bought in PoK?  I saw the 2k one last night, is it permanently available from that vendor, or is it a limited supply item that takes a while to be available again?  How much will it help, anyway?
That's it.  Check back later for more questions.  And now, back to your scheduled programming.

Title: Re: What kind of xp should I be expecting? Equipment goals? And other questions.
Post by: Sharrien on February 02, 2010, 10:56:21 PM
Since the gear that can be purchased is so much better than dropped stuff and easier to get, focus on where you can get lots of AA rather than drops.  I don't have an idea what a good rate would be, there are so many variables, but you will be getting a nice bonus to AA xp for being under 1k.  You should be looking for somewhere you can get a lot of kills with minimal downtime, preferably in a hotzone.  I think all the hotzones also have kill tasks from a dude in PoK for some bonus xp.

Acrylia might sell OK, but you might get nearly the same selling to a vender.  Depends on your market, check /barter for a couple days and see if anyone is buying.  Same with velium.  Some other tradeskill stuff that will probably move quickly is animal pelts/silks fine or better and ore that is rubicite or better.  These are often bought in quantity by people skilling up.  Most marrows, spinneret fluids and loams will not be worth much until you get up to the top tier.

Check the bazaar for defiant gear.  I haven't priced the stuff on the PoK venders, but I do see a lot of cheap gear for sale in the baz, so cheap that sometimes people buy that stuff just to equip their pets!

Speaking of pets, get a pet focus for sure, make that a priority.  I believe at any level there is a huge jump just having one over a vanilla warder, even if it the lowest tier focus that affects your pet.  If you can get a mage to summon you some armor and weapons for your warder, it is definitely worth it, especially the armor.
Title: Re: What kind of xp should I be expecting? Equipment goals? And other questions.
Post by: nedoirah on February 03, 2010, 10:35:53 AM
PoK vendor has a pet focus earring you will want to invest in.
Title: Re: What kind of xp should I be expecting? Equipment goals? And other questions.
Post by: Byratan on February 03, 2010, 12:47:17 PM
True, but think one has to be 65 for it to show up in his inventory...any of the Elaborate Defiant stuff
Title: Re: What kind of xp should I be expecting? Equipment goals? And other questions.
Post by: Old Keg on February 03, 2010, 06:21:10 PM
I'm wearing a bunch of elaborate defiant stuff.  The 2k pp focus earring is available for me to buy, I saw it.  Required level was low enough for me to wear it.
Title: Re: What kind of xp should I be expecting? Equipment goals? And other questions.
Post by: Khauruk on February 03, 2010, 11:50:52 PM
Can anybody confirm the effect of pet focus on a lvl61 or lower pet?  LDoN didn't come out until lvl65, so pre-65 pets may not have been re-made for it (I didn't have BST back then).  I don't have time to go hunting through old posts atm to find the answer....
Title: Re: What kind of xp should I be expecting? Equipment goals? And other questions.
Post by: nedoirah on February 04, 2010, 01:56:17 AM
I can. My bst had a pet focus at 62.
Title: Re: What kind of xp should I be expecting? Equipment goals? And other questions.
Post by: Razimir on February 04, 2010, 08:30:54 AM
Quote from: Khauruk on February 03, 2010, 11:50:52 PM
Can anybody confirm the effect of pet focus on a lvl61 or lower pet?  LDoN didn't come out until lvl65, so pre-65 pets may not have been re-made for it (I didn't have BST back then).  I don't have time to go hunting through old posts atm to find the answer....

Minion of Darkness    

Slot    Description
1:    Pet Power Increase (20)
2:    Limit: Max Level(75)
3:    Limit: Min Level (59)

-Raz
Title: Re: What kind of xp should I be expecting? Equipment goals? And other questions.
Post by: Vidyne on February 04, 2010, 12:31:02 PM
Minion of darkness offers no max hit increase, no HP bonus, and only a regen increase if memory serves.  This is unless it has been changed since I used it years ago.  When the focus was created, beastlords were not on the item, and therefore the 62 and 64 pet data was added after the fact.  I believe they slightly messed up adding that data and did not add all of it correctly.

They could have fixed it by now though.
Title: Re: What kind of xp should I be expecting? Equipment goals? And other questions.
Post by: Grbage on February 04, 2010, 03:33:07 PM
Last time I checked MoD still didn't work for bst and I highly doubt the devs went back to change it this late in the game. After all that's quite a few pets they have to create and balance for an old focus that is no longer supported.
Title: Re: What kind of xp should I be expecting? Equipment goals? And other questions.
Post by: Camikazi on February 04, 2010, 09:46:05 PM
Quote from: Grbage on February 04, 2010, 03:33:07 PM
Last time I checked MoD still didn't work for bst and I highly doubt the devs went back to change it this late in the game. After all that's quite a few pets they have to create and balance for an old focus that is no longer supported.

Well it was made grouper (and BST) accessible in OoW but they still never fixed it to work with our lower pets. I believe even in DoN MoD was the focus on the pet items for groupers. It is also the focus on Elaborate pet focus (req level 59, meaning it does nothing for BSTs), they just decided not to make the templates for our pets even though the focus is still used and easily available to BSTs of that level range.
Title: Re: What kind of xp should I be expecting? Equipment goals? And other questions.
Post by: nedoirah on February 04, 2010, 10:05:15 PM
I woul look through the various hotzones to find one that works for you. Talk to the hotzone npc in fron the ramp of the lobby.
Title: Re: What kind of xp should I be expecting? Equipment goals? And other questions.
Post by: Wolfcaller on February 05, 2010, 12:28:52 AM
Quote from: nedoirah on February 03, 2010, 10:35:53 AM
PoK vendor has a pet focus earring you will want to invest in.

What vendor is that?  I musta missed that addition.  Could be useful for some of my alts maybe.
Title: Re: What kind of xp should I be expecting? Equipment goals? And other questions.
Post by: Sikkem on February 05, 2010, 01:04:20 AM
Just through the arch on the way to the Books from main bank
Title: Re: What kind of xp should I be expecting? Equipment goals? And other questions.
Post by: Old Keg on February 09, 2010, 09:47:48 AM
Quote from: Khauruk on February 03, 2010, 11:50:52 PM
Can anybody confirm the effect of pet focus on a lvl61 or lower pet?  LDoN didn't come out until lvl65, so pre-65 pets may not have been re-made for it (I didn't have BST back then).  I don't have time to go hunting through old posts atm to find the answer....

Just bought the 2k platinum summoner's(Summoner's Boon) earring in PoK.  62 pet, previous max hit was 74, now is 76.  Summoner's Boon also came out in LDoN, didn't it?
Title: Re: What kind of xp should I be expecting? Equipment goals? And other questions.
Post by: AbyssalMage on February 10, 2010, 03:11:05 AM
Will try to answer stuff that hasn't been answered..."try" is the key word.

Gear....Grab all Elaborate Defiant, best you can get for your level and leather is extremely cheap on any server I have ever played on.  Start buying the SoF non-visible slot items...they have the heroic stats on them and thier required level 65/Recemended 75.  Grab one piece with a slot 3 if you can find it cheap enouph.  The neck piece usually sells the cheapest.  Ring and Ear are usually the most costly because the Named NPC who drops them is a huge overcon for his level and the PH'ers are nice undercons as well.  Life isn't fair so thats why the cost is higher on those 2 items.  Get some crafted capartmented trio jewlery to tide you over.  Shoulder, Back, and Belt can all be gotten from the Hot Zone guy for doing his tasks until you can get the SoF stuff with heroic stats.  The belt has haste, shoulder has detrimental preservation, and back has extend enchantment.  They have standarized focus on gear now...lame but makes it easy for them to cut and paste at Sony.

XP/Hour...By time you read this the hotzones will probally change but Greg's End is/was the place to be for AA xp.  Not sure where it will be after 2/10 assuming they change the hotzones.  Will update if they do change the hotzones...If not, you wont find anything better for AA xp except mabye Howling Stones.  Like someone said...too many variebles but a good % per kill is between 8%-12% per kill with average to below average gear.

Cash intake....Acrylia is good to farm (Acrylia Caverns) but now days unless your going to use, just sell to vendors.  SoF and newer zones offer prettry good cash returns as well but the mobs also have more hp's and ac

Augments...Use Allakhazam (probally spelled wrong as usual for me) and on the right side they have a link for hotzones...look up the old hotzones and you will see what Aug's dropped where...AC/HP AC/HP/Mana, and HP/Mana augs are the best ones...I would skip any zone with pure AC , Mana, or AC/Mana but thats my personal preference.  Also, there is a slot 3 augment from EF LDON with Dodge(?) that you will want to get.  2 merc's (Tank/Cleric) and you + another can own the zones while collecting tribute items and cash so you can buy your aug from that camp.

Power Sources...They effect your stats on any weapon/armour that is Infusable(?)...Basically any new armour sense The Barried Sea.  Still don't have one but they can now be crafted by players so check your bazaar if you think you really need one.  Just check the requirements.  Some need Raids to use.

Tribute...I mentioned it earlier, you will find a Tribute Master in your home city.  Just remember Tribute is like "wearing" it.  So unless its something that stacks no matter what, make sure your not already wearing better or at the cap.  Most people here have haste(until they have a better item they are wearing), Double Attack, Heroic STR/DEX/AGI, and a few use the one that boosts AC.  Good places to farm tribute items are most Kunark, Luclin, and LDoN named drops.  Some are worth upto 20k an item!

Yes, the Flowing Thought cap is 15 unless you purchase AA's

Think thats everything...If I missed something hopefully some one can add...
Title: Re: What kind of xp should I be expecting? Equipment goals? And other questions.
Post by: Old Keg on February 10, 2010, 07:51:16 PM
Quote from: AbyssalMage on February 10, 2010, 03:11:05 AM
Will try to answer stuff that hasn't been answered..."try" is the key word.

Gear....Grab all Elaborate Defiant, best you can get for your level and leather is extremely cheap on any server I have ever played on.

Yeah, haven't seen anything more than 3k.  Wearing half and half intricate and elaborate right now.

Quote
 Start buying the SoF non-visible slot items...they have the heroic stats on them and thier required level 65/Recemended 75.  Grab one piece with a slot 3 if you can find it cheap enouph.  The neck piece usually sells the cheapest.  Ring and Ear are usually the most costly because the Named NPC who drops them is a huge overcon for his level and the PH'ers are nice undercons as well.  Life isn't fair so thats why the cost is higher on those 2 items.
(I'm 62. :( )
SoF?  Secrets of Faydwer?  What are the heroic stats?  Why is slot 3 important?

On that note, how the hell do you insert augmentations?  I forgot. :(  I've had 3 or 4 drop that are sitting in my inventory.

Quote
 Get some crafted capartmented trio jewlery to tide you over.

Link?  What should I be aiming for after that?

Quote
 Shoulder, Back, and Belt can all be gotten from the Hot Zone guy for doing his tasks until you can get the SoF stuff with heroic stats.  The belt has haste, shoulder has detrimental preservation, and back has extend enchantment.  They have standarized focus on gear now...lame but makes it easy for them to cut and paste at Sony.

Huh, I didn't notice the haste on the belt, but so it does have it.  I ended up buying a Shroud of Misguided Science, so I could shelve the epic 1.0's for a pair of Elaborate Defiant Quickclaws.  Next up is a Velium Encrusted Claw, I think.

Quote
XP/Hour...By time you read this the hotzones will probally change but Greg's End is/was the place to be for AA xp.  Not sure where it will be after 2/10 assuming they change the hotzones.  Will update if they do change the hotzones...If not, you wont find anything better for AA xp except mabye Howling Stones.  Like someone said...too many variebles but a good % per kill is between 8%-12% per kill with average to below average gear.

I've noticed about that range, yeah.  Although I seem to be getting at least equal, and probably a bit better experience on the first isle in blackfeather roost than grieg's end, actually.  Though the named/unusual mobs are a bit of a pain, I whip out the cleric merc for those.  A bit tired of Grieg's End, so I'm exploring a bit right now.  Plus, I'm naively hoping me and the cleric merc can manage to get me the enchanted harpy blade(and maybe one for my mage alt, too!).

Quote
Cash intake....Acrylia is good to farm (Acrylia Caverns) but now days unless your going to use, just sell to vendors.  SoF and newer zones offer prettry good cash returns as well but the mobs also have more hp's and ac

Yeah, figured as much when I didn't see any acrylia in the bazaar.

Quote
Augments...Use Allakhazam (probally spelled wrong as usual for me) and on the right side they have a link for hotzones...look up the old hotzones and you will see what Aug's dropped where...AC/HP AC/HP/Mana, and HP/Mana augs are the best ones...I would skip any zone with pure AC , Mana, or AC/Mana but thats my personal preference.  Also, there is a slot 3 augment from EF LDON with Dodge(?) that you will want to get.  2 merc's (Tank/Cleric) and you + another can own the zones while collecting tribute items and cash so you can buy your aug from that camp.

I do need augments pretty much everywhere, so thank you for that hint.

Do people even still do LDoN?  I heard a rumor about a 2nd merc slot in general chat last night.  Any truth to that?  Given current gear, that could allow people to do LDoN comfortably with three, which would be nice for the augments.  Or are there better/easier to get weapon augments now?

Quote
Power Sources...They effect your stats on any weapon/armour that is Infusable(?)...Basically any new armour sense The Barried Sea.  Still don't have one but they can now be crafted by players so check your bazaar if you think you really need one.  Just check the requirements.  Some need Raids to use.

Is infusable armor easily identified?  And do you just get a power source, and the armor automatically has better stats?

Quote
Tribute...I mentioned it earlier, you will find a Tribute Master in your home city.  Just remember Tribute is like "wearing" it.  So unless its something that stacks no matter what, make sure your not already wearing better or at the cap.  Most people here have haste(until they have a better item they are wearing), Double Attack, Heroic STR/DEX/AGI, and a few use the one that boosts AC.  Good places to farm tribute items are most Kunark, Luclin, and LDoN named drops.  Some are worth upto 20k an item!

Hmm, I'll have to check that out.

Quote
Yes, the Flowing Thought cap is 15 unless you purchase AA's

Ah.  Maybe someday I'll get around to them.  Is there a hp regen cap?  I gather so, but what is it?  Already maxed out FT, and probably HP too.

Quote
Think thats everything...If I missed something hopefully some one can add...

Thanks for all the info, both you and everybody.
Title: Re: What kind of xp should I be expecting? Equipment goals? And other questions.
Post by: AbyssalMage on February 12, 2010, 12:20:01 AM
Quote from: Old Keg on February 10, 2010, 07:51:16 PM
(I'm 62. :( )
SoF?  Secrets of Faydwer?  What are the heroic stats?  Why is slot 3 important?
On that note, how the hell do you insert augmentations?  I forgot. :(  I've had 3 or 4 drop that are sitting in my inventory.
Yes, Secrets of Faydwer.  Heroic stats boost your stats above max.  They also have their own damage table and such (str), increased flowing thought (int/wis), avoidance (agi), weapon proc's/crit (dex), regen/HP (STA), and charm/lull working for duration.  Not sure how munch you need in each before you will see a difference but its beneficial so and I may be off on some of the benefits each gives...Slot 3 is important for the grouper because it allows you to use the LDoN aug from Everfrost.  You can also unlock slot 3 aug's in SoF and newer zones that will focus one spell better than the standard focus on your gear.  I wouldn't worry about the other slot 3 aug's until your 85 because there a PITA to faction for.

To insert augments....You need a "bird bath."  You can find them in every LDoN camp, Guild Lobby, Guild Hall, Bazaar, and Staring City(Not positive on every city).  Also there may be one in Lavastorm Mountains in the "nuetral" camp but not sure on that one either.

Quote
Link?  What should I be aiming for after that?
http://www.kyros.info/Tradeskills/JC-Calc/ (http://www.kyros.info/Tradeskills/JC-Calc/)
His site also has lots of other great information btw.  You can mix and match to see what you can wear  :-D  Most people though wear emerald, opal, and Taaf (or Shimmering I think it is) for the best combination of AC/HP/Mana.  I would wear that until you can get the jewlery with heroic stats.  Rule of thumb is to wear a metal closest to your level.  You'll see why if you experiment with the metal and your level.

Quote
I've noticed about that range, yeah.  Although I seem to be getting at least equal, and probably a bit better experience on the first isle in blackfeather roost than grieg's end, actually.  Though the named/unusual mobs are a bit of a pain, I whip out the cleric merc for those.  A bit tired of Grieg's End, so I'm exploring a bit right now.  Plus, I'm naively hoping me and the cleric merc can manage to get me the enchanted harpy blade(and maybe one for my mage alt, too!).
You can get the harpy blade in TBS also or something similiar with that focus.  And its munch easier but may require assistance to kill the named.  Another level 60 zone you can try is Stepps right at the zone line.  Just avoid the goblin's unless you think you can handle them.

Quote
Do people even still do LDoN?  I heard a rumor about a 2nd merc slot in general chat last night.  Any truth to that?  Given current gear, that could allow people to do LDoN comfortably with three, which would be nice for the augments.  Or are there better/easier to get weapon augments now?
The only LDoN's people do are the Everfrost one for the Slot 3 Aug or to farm tribute(any).  Usually they box them (2 accounts w/ 1-2 merc's or they find someone going afk in the bazaar/GL for the 3rd slot).  The best place to get weapon augments are Dragon of Norrath ones, you can buy the currency in the bazaar (Ebon or Radiant Crystals) although they tend to be pricey.  Sometimes you can find people looking for people to join them while they slaughter them for crystals but at 62 I would think your too low level  :-(

QuoteIs infusable armor easily identified?  And do you just get a power source, and the armor automatically has better stats?
Yes, it will have a Purity: 50 or similiar.  If you see "Purity" a powersource will effect it.  You must equip it for the stats to take effect and as the name implies, it will lose power over time (but not stats until it reaches 0 from my understanding).

Quote
Ah.  Maybe someday I'll get around to them.  Is there a hp regen cap?  I gather so, but what is it?  Already maxed out FT, and probably HP too.
40 ('till 65) I believe before AA's.  Not sure about after 65.

Also...
I mentioned the SoF jewlery and stuff because if your looking for stuff off and on, your more likely to discover when someone is offering a "good" deal.  I've seen the ring and ear average in the bazaar for 15-20k but occasionally it will sell for 5k or less.  So even though you can't wear it now, you know you'll need it in the future and its always nice having the gear in the bank when your ready to grind to 65.
Title: Re: What kind of xp should I be expecting? Equipment goals? And other questions.
Post by: Old Keg on February 12, 2010, 11:39:17 PM
Quote from: AbyssalMage on February 12, 2010, 12:20:01 AM
You can get the harpy blade in TBS also or something similiar with that focus.  And its munch easier but may require assistance to kill the named.  Another level 60 zone you can try is Stepps right at the zone line.  Just avoid the goblin's unless you think you can handle them.

What's TBS?

QuoteYes, it will have a Purity: 50 or similiar.  If you see "Purity" a powersource will effect it.  You must equip it for the stats to take effect and as the name implies, it will lose power over time (but not stats until it reaches 0 from my understanding).

The power source decays or the armor does?

Thanks for responding to everything.  The jewelry link is especially helpful.
Title: Re: What kind of xp should I be expecting? Equipment goals? And other questions.
Post by: Byratan on February 13, 2010, 03:55:51 AM
TBS = The Buried Sea

Power Source (like a battery) does not degrade but does run out of juice.  It lasts for a certain about of time and every timie you fight mobs it runs down a bit...but untilo it does it pumps up your (visible) armor, different types gives different values (positive and negative) for the stats, resistances, AC, HP, mana and endurance...
Title: Re: What kind of xp should I be expecting? Equipment goals? And other questions.
Post by: Old Keg on February 24, 2010, 08:51:06 PM
Quote from: Khauruk on February 03, 2010, 11:50:52 PM
Can anybody confirm the effect of pet focus on a lvl61 or lower pet?  LDoN didn't come out until lvl65, so pre-65 pets may not have been re-made for it (I didn't have BST back then).  I don't have time to go hunting through old posts atm to find the answer....

Quote from: Grbage on February 04, 2010, 03:33:07 PM
Last time I checked MoD still didn't work for bst and I highly doubt the devs went back to change it this late in the game. After all that's quite a few pets they have to create and balance for an old focus that is no longer supported.

There is no max hit increase on MoD; just picked up an enchanted harpy blade last night and tested it.  Not going to bother testing anything else.