Curious about playing "alts"...

[Axlrose]

When I used to play on Live many years ago, over time I developed seven characters. I would play one for a few months and then switch over to another character. So when I started playing here, I recreated all seven characters. Unlike on Live, I've been keeping all seven relatively even leveled; and unlike then, my play time is much more limited. Thus using one character today might not be revisited for a few weeks.

I am curious how other people play their farm of alts. Do you have one main and use alts when not raiding with the main? You had one main that is retired and thus leveling a new alt as a main? Similar to what I do and keep them even? Whatever suits your whims for the moment?

Another part of the reason I ask is I've read how people help younger players along and then do not see them again. Hopefully someone that was helpful towards me does not feel I might have slighted them since I have not been around for a bit.

Thanks in advance.

[Swish]

I'd try and stagger it so that you don't have all your characters in the same level band. Sometimes when you're in a crowded area it's nice to be able to switch out and log on somewhere that's quieter.... trading Mistmoore for a character in Field of Bone or something ;)

That way you've always got something to play. That's my approach on it anyway :)

[Sorn]

I usually play characters when I have a goal for them. Probably why I'm playing my druid so much recently...gotta get that Koada'dal Falchion of Tunare crafted and all so I can kill willowisps better. :P

The golden rule is that if it's not fun playing, then I don't play.

[Voland]

I got alts in different level ranges and play whichever one groups are LFMing for.

[Jimjam]

Swish and Voland have wisdom, its good to at least have a little spread in your characters (whether by level or by grind spot) to ensure you can get a group somewhere.

[curtischoy]

I have a main and play until I don't really feel like playing that main anymore.

Got a monk to 53. Stop.
Got a ranger to 45. Stop.
Got a chanter to 52. Still kinda playing, but feeling out other classes. (Mostly necro atm)

And after I stopped each one of my mains I took a 3-4 month break. None of the breaks have been scheduled, I just didn't feel like playing much because I leveled them in a few months and most of my free time was spent playing p99.

Every time I have come back I am excited to start a new character. I always go on a new path and try to level and get plat in different areas. For instance: I spent a ton of time on my monk in upper/lower guk. I spent NO time in those zones on either my ranger or my chanter. On my ranger I spent a lot of time in Kunark zones. I have never killed a guard on any character expect my chanter, and I soloed guards from 44 to 52.

Playing a different class on a different path with different (or the same!) people makes for a new game.

[Destron]

I'd try and stagger it so that you don't have all your characters in the same level band. Sometimes when you're in a crowded area it's nice to be able to switch out and log on somewhere that's quieter.... trading Mistmoore for a character in Field of Bone or something ;)

That way you've always got something to play. That's my approach on it anyway :)


This is how you do it.

[Littlestgnome]

Keeping them all around the same level certainly isn't something that would work for me long term. I've spent only a handful of play sessions in KC with my main and I'm already tired of being there. If I had six other alts lined up to use that same exact content I'd probably start cutting myself again.

[uolen]

Personally I find the point of alts are to have a main who can get the equipment for them to level easier and faster then that one main you leveled with nothing. Leveling 7 at the same time would is masochism.

[gprater]

I have a main and play until I don't really feel like playing that main anymore.

Got a monk to 53. Stop.
Got a ranger to 45. Stop.
Got a chanter to 52. Still kinda playing, but feeling out other classes. (Mostly necro atm)

.

This is me. I started in Jan of 10. Got 2 toons into the 50's and been playing alts ever since. For me the fist 40 levels are so much fun. After that the enjoyment really wanes quickly.

[segreto]

I try to keep alts to a minimum - maybe 1 or 2. This way, I can see parts of the world I might not see by playing only 1 character or 1 race, but my main always is higher level than the alts. This way I can use hand-me-downs and spend extra plat on only a few alts instead of spreading it too thin. My main reason for alts is to see other areas of the map or places I might not have leveled on my way up.

Since I am still very new, my level 10 monk is going to be lonely for a while. And I understand the "now I have limited playtime" quandary. I wish I could play all day like I did in 1999, but this is still fun and I feel productive ingame.

[webrunner5]

A person really needs at least two characters at the minimum. One that is good at grouping you like, and one that is great at soloing you like.

That way if you can't find a group play your Solo toon. :cool:

[Clark]

Multiple alts is a terrible idea in regards to any sort of reasonable advacenment. At least take one of them 1-60 first brother. Anyone saying otherwise isn't experienced with all due respect. Really need a max level character so you can gear out your alt obsession.

[Clark]

A person really needs at least two characters at the minimum. One that is good at grouping you like, and one that is great at soloing you like.

That way if you can't find a group play your Solo toon. :cool:

Ya this is the only exception. Even then though one of them needs 80-90% of the focus to grind to max level first. Anything else you're just seriously disadvantaging yourself, and getting done in like four years what you could in one year.

[gprater]

/e sigh...its a game. have fun with it.

[Clark]

Playing the game smarter is still fun. In fact typically more fun because you aren't constantly struggling. :) To each their own of course, but I'm definitely going to offer the poor guy advise when he just said he made 8 characters at once. That is a death wish of never getting past level 30-40 ever. Never obtaining any item over like 1k ect. Should be able to farm with a 60, and gear your alts up at least reasonably.

The formula.

[Rararboker]

Have to agree. Getting my main to 60 ended up being a blast. Have done more and enjoyed myself more at 60 than all of 1-59 combined.

[Voland]

Have to agree. Getting my main to 60 ended up being a blast. Have done more and enjoyed myself more at 60 than all of 1-59 combined.

What is so fun about being 60?

[webrunner5]

What is so fun about being 60?

Well actually having some plat sort of helps lol. And on say a Druid or Shaman you have some of the best buffs in the game for others. I like sitting in the EC tunnel and buffing low level people a lot. Sort of free Pling for them.

And at 60 there is really no zone you can't go to other than killing Lady Vox. So if you or a friend, Guildie needs a certain piece of gear you can help out with that.

Yeah you can't go any higher or do AA's on here but still nice to know you took it all the way and from 54 to 60 is a REAL commitment. Remember when Nilbog, Rogean de leveled like 350 people couple years ago to 54 1/2? I think they lost, if my memory was right, like 60% of all the XP points they had done on that toon from level 1. :eek:

So you have to work hard as heck to get to 60 and it is a nice feather in your cap as they say. :cool: And you are allowed to start a new character. :p Or even delete the 60 and start all over with it. :eek::eek::eek:

[jolanar]

I don't see how people have time for alts, I barely have time for 1 character.