New Player - Introduction. [Archive]

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IHBT

05-04-2013, 07:42 PM

Hey everyone. About to start fresh on your server, just had a few questions, please forgive me for not making use of the search function, figured I could combine my introduction with some questions and not have to dig through hundreds of old posts.

Are Halflings able to be Paladins on this server? I'm pretty set on playing a Pally and Halfling was always my favorite race on live.

Are there any decent paladin leveling guides? I realize this server has been going for awhile, so I'm just going to assume I'll be soloing a lot of content on my way up, but it's been years since I played Everquest and I couldn't even pretend to know where to start.

Any newbie guilds out there? Would love to find a group of new folks to play with, or even some folks starting an alt.

That's about all I can think of...can't wait to see you folks in game.

Furniture

05-04-2013, 07:58 PM

halflings can not be paladins

the best source of information for the server is the wiki, go to the main p99 page and click wiki on the left

The server has been here for a long time, but there is a steady flow of new characters and alts leveling up, you will have no problem finding people to group with

go to the guild section of the forums and choose one that suits you

citizen1080

05-04-2013, 08:08 PM

Welcome to the server =)

Swish

05-04-2013, 08:29 PM

Are you sure we can't tempt you to be a shadowknight? :D

Welcome aboard :)

IHBT

05-04-2013, 09:02 PM

I really just want to play a tank that's not a pure melee. I haven't done much research into the state of Pallys and SK's at this stage of the game. How do they measure up?

Back in the day I used to love hunting in places like Unrest and if I remember correctly, pretty much any race that can be a SK would get murdered trying to go through Faydwer, right?

citizen1080

05-04-2013, 09:11 PM

SK > Pally at this stage of the game iirc. But I remember Pallys being pretty legit in velious. You need to play what you want to play tho, EQ as you know is a retarded timesink. If you are going to waste months of your life lvling something make sure you like it =)

Swish

05-04-2013, 09:12 PM

Well I can't sing too loudly for the pally camp as I'm a SK fan through and through ;)

But SKs, great for taunting, great for pulling, great for tanking, great to roleplay, harm touch, FD (later on), pet that adds a "kick" for dps, err...other stuff too, its been a while :p

Paladins... have to aggro with flash of light early on which causes mobs to flee sometimes, not really "liked" towards the end game as much as a SK, heals don't cut it, stuns are nice but you'll have a shield sometimes anyway, lay hands will save you once an hour or so (FD will save you as often as you like), you'll have to play a horrible poncey sunshine/happiness race :p...

I'm sure someone can defend paladins, I just don't think they compare ;)

http://media.onsugar.com/files/2010/08/31/0/999/9992640/05/star_wars_trading_card_propaganda_poster_01.jpghtt ps://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/4862078720/h2DEFC9A3/

citizen1080

05-04-2013, 09:25 PM

Real men play bards anyways

xCry0x

05-04-2013, 09:39 PM

Remember that hybrids have a 40% exp penalty that also gets passed on to the group, so leveling a hybrid sux to be you and sux to group with you =P.

IHBT

05-04-2013, 10:11 PM

That sounds fairly painful...I'm not afraid of a grind but 40% seems pretty rough.

Ok, basically I want to play a tank, I've always played a tank class in pretty much every MMO I've ever played, but Warriors are fairly gear dependent aren't they? Seems like it would be rough holding aggro over people on alts that are twinked out because they've already been playing for several years. This is what initially turned me away from a Warrior, but I'm not entirely sure if I'm down for 40% more exp to level.

Oy I hate making decisions like this.

citizen1080

05-04-2013, 10:40 PM

IHBT

05-04-2013, 11:19 PM

I was thinking more along the lines of the traditional tanks seeing as I won't be wearing high end luclin gear...ever. :p

San

05-04-2013, 11:27 PM

Let us know what class and name to decide on. I will be on at some point tonight and I will come toss some buffs your way.

Sadre Spinegnawer

05-04-2013, 11:47 PM

There are times when nothing beats a paladin. I think they have always been one of the top "class builds" original eq came up with. Almost as cool as the enchanter (hehe).

Some people here are saying "play a shadow knight." I know you just joined the server, and this is kinda heavy to have to lay on you, but those people are all members of a group home for special needs kids. The P99 team donated some laptops, and offered to let them roll some SK's so they can feel they belong and are part of the fun.

I mean, unless you really want people always giving you hugs and congratulating you in /ooc for being able to use /assist, I wouldn't roll an SK. I mean, you can, but people are going to assume you are just a retard.

Sadre Spinegnawer

05-05-2013, 12:00 AM

Remember that hybrids have a 40% exp penalty that also gets passed on to the group, so leveling a hybrid sux to be you and sux to group with you =P.

I would note not everyone gives a fuck about this. Some of us like to play the ol' game and not min/max every goddam thing we do in life.

Pay no heed to the stingy cleric, in other words. You don't want to play p99 with peeps who think like this about the game anyway. From this perspective, rolling a hybrid is a nice way to avoid the bullshit.

I mean, this game is not exactly moving at a fast speed, ya know? Have some fun, fer chrissakes. Exp grinding is only as fun as you make it, and calculating how fast you can get through it...... I wonder why these people are even playing.

I mean, that kind of thinking, you would think the objective here was to produce a sellable and in-demand product as quickly and efficiently as possible or something. Oh, wait...

webrunner5

05-05-2013, 07:35 AM

There are probably 13 Paladins on here above level 15. :D:D And 13 of them are Dwarfs. 10 Males and 3 Females with Beards :eek: Need I say more. Well one thing more. Welcome aboard. :)

Bubbles

05-05-2013, 08:08 AM

Paladins have some nice tricks to their trade.

Decent tanks, good aggro with stuns and blind.

Double interrupts with bash (requires shield) and stun spells.

Secondary heals are always welcome in a group, as well as minor hp + symbol buffs.

Lay on Hands is a spiffy special to have, far more impressive and its usefulness scales as you level... i.e. - healing yourself or a buddy in a major way during a bad pull is almost always more useful than harm touching something, especially at higher levels.

Paladin kunark armor (outside of BP and legs, of course) is commonplace and demand is far less than supply, so you can get it on the cheap. Swords of Mourning and other nifty paladin weaps are incredibly good and also... once again.. cheap because you are basically bidding against bored necros and mages who view them as pet weapons lol.

Paladins don't get feign pulling, of course. Neither do Shadow Knights until level 30. Thats something the SK fan charter hides in the fine print. What Paladins get (and early on!) is Lull spells to help their pulling and camp breaking abilities.

Paladins also get Root spells, to help with ghetto crowd control. And Invis vs. undead is a decent thing to have for places like Unrest and Guk Dead Side.

It's a fun class to play and will make you fairly unique if you survive to a higher level. So when you do join a raiding guild down the line you'll get some pretty solid default loots for your troubles.

Swish

05-05-2013, 09:30 AM

Remember that hybrids have a 40% exp penalty that also gets passed on to the group, so leveling a hybrid sux to be you and sux to group with you =P.

I stay well away from the min/max crowd where I can identify them. As a cleric I love a SK over a warrior, particularly in a situation where there's no enchanter/bard to CC. Paladins as well can stun aggro extra mobs.

xCry0x 1337x people can swivel...hybrids are fun, and with Velious the penalty will disappear anyway.

Sirken

05-05-2013, 11:49 AM

IHBT

05-05-2013, 05:05 PM

Swish

05-05-2013, 05:35 PM

Good starting area for sure, enjoy! :)

Enroth

05-05-2013, 07:27 PM

Welcome to the server!

webrunner5

05-05-2013, 09:55 PM

Try to level up your Pally. This server is lacking Tanks in a bad way. Lots of level 60 Warriors. But few Tanks in the 30's 40's. :(

Clark

05-05-2013, 10:01 PM

Believe im going to stick with the paladin. Going to be a dwarf as well, will probably start tonight, if anyone is starting an alt look me up and we can bash some orc skulls together.

Also thanks for the input, you folks have been very helpful.

http://s22.postimg.org/9qypci5v5/dfafa.jpg (http://postimage.org/)
screen capture (http://postimage.org/app.php)

Welcome to the server!

HeallunRumblebelly

05-05-2013, 11:06 PM

Clark

05-05-2013, 11:37 PM

The hybrid penalty is lifted at velious launch. Personally the server being where it is I'd make something that can farm hard. Shaman or enchanter (with giant balls) are the safest bets for great farming characters. Shaman especially with a little bit of work.

^ Worth considering.

However, if your play time is huge and you plan to play a long time paladin will be easier than long ago. Vast difference from 3-4yrs ago; many free/cheap items to go around and buffers. I would suggest getting to EC tunnle for buffs no matter what race/class you keep with: 1-12 EC/WC/Nro, Oasis 12+, also you'll have access to NFP Paladin Guild. Majority of buffers are happy to help if you ask nicely. Making the most of your time if you go with hybrid is crucial because it's such a long road. Happy hunting!

Gaffin Deeppockets

05-05-2013, 11:56 PM

IF your around in game sometime /friend Gaffin. I have a few good weps / armor, and can help out with some plat to help you.

IHBT

05-06-2013, 12:45 AM

Finally was able to get in game tonight, look me up if anyone wants to group up or anything. Dwarf Paladin named Gallifrey :)

gotrocks

05-06-2013, 12:53 AM

damn sandre, that post was harsh :D

In any case, welcome to the server, you're going to find a lot of generous and fun people here, I'd say its a great environment for both new and returning EQ players.

As far as classes go, I believe paladins and shadow knights each have their own special niches where one will excel over the other, but in general you're looking at a very strong tank in both classes. Paladins are fantastic at getting snap aggro, just as good as an SK any day, though it is true the SK is going to have a bit more utility (but you don't want utility, it doesn't sound like, you want to TANK!). Good choice going dwarf, I'd say they make the best paladins by far (except gnomes of course... wait, could gnomes ever become paladins? I dont remember. I do remember gnome warriors being the SHIT though!!)

I will say this though - and this is coming from someone who is IN NO WAY a min/maxer (i play a fucking iksar shaman as my main, I don't think anyone could accuse me of min/maxing) - that 40% xp penalty WILL scare some people away. If I was putting together a group (and I often do) I will pick a warrior over a pally/sk any day because you WILL notice that 40% penalty. Guaranteed. I actually avoid grabbing paladins or sk's if I can (this isn't to say I wont pick one up - I will, but only if my other tank options are exhausted). I have nothing against either class, it's just that my xp bar starts to crawl whenever we happen to pick one up. God forbid its a troll or iksar SK with that 60 something % penalty.. *shudder*

That being said, I've noticed that 90% of the population does not give a fuck, at least pre-50. After that level xp gains come very slowly and I think some people are a little more particular about who they pick to level with. Still, I don't think it will be a problem for you to find a group (there are a LOT of players post 50, probably more than any other level range, and there are always tons of groups everywhere you look).

All that ranting aside, welcome again to the server! You should have a blast here, and feel free to /friend gotrocks, i *always* have time to answer questions, and often have a few pp or an item to toss new players (keep in mind i am NOT rich like most of the people here - I'm probably one of the poorest forum regulars because of my casual playtimes).

And if you're having a technical problem come on over to the tech boards and let myself, falkun, lyra, or one of the other extremely helpful and overall amazing folks on the tech board figure out your problem :D. Or better yet, if you're a bit tech savvy yourself, please come join us! We can always use new people to help out in answering questions over there, regardless of experience level!

Enjoy p99!!

Swish

05-06-2013, 11:24 AM

this is coming from someone who is IN NO WAY a min/maxer...

I will pick a warrior over a pally/sk any day because you WILL notice that 40% penalty. Guaranteed. I actually avoid grabbing paladins or sk's if I can (this isn't to say I wont pick one up - I will, but only if my other tank options are exhausted). I have nothing against either class, it's just that my xp bar starts to crawl whenever we happen to pick one up. God forbid its a troll or iksar SK with that 60 something % penalty.. *shudder*

Hold your horses there gotrocks! My old SK was a troll, so thats a 68% penalty right there. I was the "go to" guy in Mistmoore for a decent XP group...one that often had CC/clarity and never went out of mana. The slowdown tends to come in the 40s, which is where I gave up (and sold him), but I'm coming back with a dark elf SK instead to minimize the crawl.

Having 2-3 hybrids is noticeable, 1 certainly isn't too bad. If you've got a good SK/paladin they're worth the investment.

For me, min/maxers not only roll halflings if possible, but they discriminate when it comes to forming a group. Funny though isn't it? A bard is a 40% penalty but everyone thinks they're extremely worthwhile?

Rhambuk

05-06-2013, 11:28 AM

Gnomes could be paladins and sk's

came out the time halflings could be rangers and paladins I believe.

falkun

05-06-2013, 11:44 AM

that 40% xp penalty WILL scare some people away. If I was putting together a group (and I often do) I will pick a warrior over a pally/sk any day because you WILL notice that 40% penalty. Guaranteed. I actually avoid grabbing paladins or sk's if I can (this isn't to say I wont pick one up - I will, but only if my other tank options are exhausted). I have nothing against either class, it's just that my xp bar starts to crawl whenever we happen to pick one up. God forbid its a troll or iksar SK with that 60 something % penalty.. *shudder*

To play devil's advocate, I prefer paladins and shadow knight tanks as a bard. Especially pre-60 (when bard's get their 1min duration slow), I have to recast slow/snare every twist (~18seconds). Your average geared warrior (non-dragon haste, non-epic) consistently had a difficult time keeping aggro off me, while SKs and Pals could hold aggro without much effort. Now bard defensive stats/gear/STA:HP ratio are not as good as that of a warrior or SK/pal, so any time I'm tanking is inherently less efficient for the cleric than when the tank is tanking. I'm also going to get interrupted a hell of a lot more when I'm tanking.

Now all you min/max people may have realized your exp was moving slower with a 2nd hybrid in the group, I just realized that I was getting interrupted more, required more healing, and was less efficient at my job.

Vondra

05-06-2013, 11:53 AM

To play devil's advocate, I prefer paladins and shadow knight tanks as a bard. Especially pre-60 (when bard's get their 1min duration slow), I have to recast slow/snare every twist (~18seconds). Your average geared warrior (non-dragon haste, non-epic) consistently had a difficult time keeping aggro off me, while SKs and Pals could hold aggro without much effort. Now bard defensive stats/gear/STA:HP ratio are not as good as that of a warrior or SK/pal, so any time I'm tanking is inherently less efficient for the cleric than when the tank is tanking. I'm also going to get interrupted a hell of a lot more when I'm tanking.

Now all you min/max people may have realized your exp was moving slower with a 2nd hybrid in the group, I just realized that I was getting interrupted more, required more healing, and was less efficient at my job.

Was about to post the same thing from the enchanter point of view, same reason.

Much much MUCH preferred an SK tank over warrior while leveling, exp penalty be damned. At least on content where you've got to be on the ball with your CC.

Swish

05-06-2013, 11:54 AM

To play devil's advocate, I prefer paladins and shadow knight tanks as a bard. Especially pre-60 (when bard's get their 1min duration slow), I have to recast slow/snare every twist (~18seconds). Your average geared warrior (non-dragon haste, non-epic) consistently had a difficult time keeping aggro off me, while SKs and Pals could hold aggro without much effort. Now bard defensive stats/gear/STA:HP ratio are not as good as that of a warrior or SK/pal, so any time I'm tanking is inherently less efficient for the cleric than when the tank is tanking. I'm also going to get interrupted a hell of a lot more when I'm tanking.

Now all you min/max people may have realized your exp was moving slower with a 2nd hybrid in the group, I just realized that I was getting interrupted more, required more healing, and was less efficient at my job.

Yep can't knock it... as a cleric I much prefer a hybrid tank casually. Warriors are for raids unless they're insanely geared.

Bohab

05-06-2013, 04:14 PM

I think a lot of this hate towards the Paladin on this server stems from a lack of experience with grouping with them since there's truly so few actively tanking high level groups.

Epic proc (155dmg dd & stun), secondary weapon proc Divine Might (65dmg dd), and 120+ dex lays down some very fine dps and aggro. Yaulp caps STR at 255 easily allowing for 192+ dmg swings. 41% sky belt + ench haste? Now you're really spitting out "leet" paladin DPS. In low 50s dwarf paladin can break 4k hp 1k ac (buffed) thanks to such great itemization. Stat wise the Paladin can get pretty damn solid.

Cycle the 90dmg & 60dmg stuns along with bash (can bash with FE & FD) & epic proc stun (very short stun but epic procs A LOT) you can keep mobs on spell lock down easily. Not to mention a slowed mob will hardly ever hit you...

583 hp heal... 800HP in self buffs... 58ac in self buffs... DA... 90% rez... loh... cancel magic... resist magic... 260+ undead nuke... pacify pulls... root CC... instant snap aggro... zomg paladin

Rhambuk

05-06-2013, 04:29 PM

I think a lot of this hate towards the Paladin on this server stems from a lack of experience with grouping with them

All of my paladin hate stems from grouping with them.

I played a rog on live those paladin stuns were the worst thing ever..
stun one, turn mob around to face rog. brilliant
stun to keep it face rog
okay fuck that run around the other side
mob turns back to the paladin run back around
stun 2 pushed the mob behind me..

and brells oh my god I cant tell you how many times paladins would cast brells on me after geting sot sop from a ranger and getting it overwritten, they would do it over and over just to be dicks.

Thankfully NONE of that exists here and never will. My hatred lives on though

Verenity

05-06-2013, 04:39 PM

Speaking as both a cleric and a paladin, I love paladins as tanks for casual groups and usually prefer them over SK and warriors. This difference in hybrid tanking ability compared to warriors is especially pronounced in the lower levels when warriors (who are not twinked) have to rely on extensive itemization that they may not have the fund to get, leading to consistent loss of aggro. This need to heal the DPS dealers, CC, or healers in the group makes healing way less efficient. Plus the group-saving potential of LoH is so massively underrated. A paladin can heal an embattled enchanter to full much faster than the cleric can. It can also be used when you're on that final mob in a long and difficult fight and the healer is OOM. Or when the cleric is in trouble and can't get a heal off.
I love healing hybrid tanks and I love being a hybrid tank. Paladin was a great choice and I hope you have a great time on the server.

citizen1080

05-06-2013, 06:08 PM

Let me sum up all the posts in the thread for the OP.

Whatever you do, do not play a warrior.

The End

webrunner5

05-06-2013, 08:40 PM

I like a Warrior just like a Monk as a tank on my Cleric because of their damage mitigation. Lot easier to heal. Main problem with a Pally, and my only complaint, is their damage output pretty much sucks. So even more heals. I know a Warrior is not a huge DPS dealer either but give me a twinked big fat Ogre and I am happy. :)

But I am not going to turn down a Pally or SK as a tank. All part of the holly trinity.

HeallunRumblebelly

05-06-2013, 09:48 PM

Let me sum up all the posts in the thread for the OP.

Whatever you do, do not play a warrior.

The End

If you play warrior, begin your career by begging. I think that's the real takeaway. Coupla yak clubs, coupla 5/55 rings, some random armors and boom, yer in.

citizen1080

05-06-2013, 09:56 PM

If you play warrior, begin your career by begging. I think that's the real takeaway. Coupla yak clubs, coupla 5/55 rings, some random armors and boom, yer in.

I have to respectfully disagree...i owned a certain barb warrior with guise for a few months and I twinked him pretty well...not bis weapons but they were solid. And I still could not hold aggro for shit against a poorly played monk or rogue. Where as on an sk i could lock it down with no issues regardless of dps.

Then again maybe I just fail at warrior.

HeallunRumblebelly

05-06-2013, 09:57 PM

I have to respectfully disagree...i owned a certain barb warrior with guise for a few months and I twinked him pretty well...not bis weapons but they were solid. And I still could not hold aggro for shit against a poorly played monk or rogue. Where as on an sk i could lock it down with no issues regardless of dps.

Then again maybe I just fail at warrior.

Nah. Until about level 40 no one really holds aggro except pal/sk. It's okay though because shit gets blown up in about 2 seconds with most groups having at least 2 twinks now.

edit: That said I've always PL'd my alts to at least 40, but I suppose that's hardly an option for this gentleman :P

citizen1080

05-06-2013, 10:17 PM

I think he was 44ish..cause i was tanking in solb...been awhile.

webrunner5

05-06-2013, 11:22 PM

Then again maybe I just fail at warrior.

I did see your naked body a lot in WFP. :p

citizen1080

05-07-2013, 12:17 AM

The evil team likes to train me while afk...GO GO GOOD TEAM

rsloans84

05-07-2013, 06:38 AM

Make an sk or pal if u dont want pure melee... Join a lvling guild theres few guilds just inviting random. I suggest monk though their fun.

Lagaidh

05-07-2013, 07:37 AM

Believe im going to stick with the paladin. Going to be a dwarf as well, will probably start tonight, if anyone is starting an alt look me up and we can bash some orc skulls together.

Also thanks for the input, you folks have been very helpful.

Ahh! You made the right choice.

Folks here aren't fooling though, you're going to feel that XP penalty. In live I only played a paladin as my main. I didn't know how used to the penalty I had become. When I play my wife's halfling druid (10% bonus as I understand it, 5%? racial), I almost puke at how easy the XP is.

I wouldn't want to be any other race or class though. I always love being a dwarven paladin in EQ. We're a proud bunch. We'll see if you pass muster in a few seasons!

Lagaidh

05-07-2013, 07:42 AM

All of my paladin hate stems from grouping with them.

I played a rog on live those paladin stuns were the worst thing ever..
stun one, turn mob around to face rog. brilliant
stun to keep it face rog
okay fuck that run around the other side
mob turns back to the paladin run back around
stun 2 pushed the mob behind me..

and brells oh my god I cant tell you how many times paladins would cast brells on me after geting sot sop from a ranger and getting it overwritten, they would do it over and over just to be dicks.

Thankfully NONE of that exists here and never will. My hatred lives on though

Heh. You should see that from the other side of the fence.

"If these folks would just give me a second I'd have agro lock for the entire fight and I'll put my back into that corner so push isn't an issue, but NOOO-OOOH as soon as the mob is in camp the rogue unleashes a backstab that critted and that puts me behind on gaining the initial agro. Now I have to chain stun to get it back *oop* now the group is in full zerg pushing the mob all over the room!"

Takes at least two to tango; especially when dancing the EQ jig of PuG frustration.