New player looking for info about leveling

[watashi86]

Hello, i recently joined green server to try everquest for the first time. I had played MUDs back in the 90s before graphics were the norm, i actually played on sojourn / toril, which apparently was played by some of the creators of everquest, and is very similar to the design of everquest.

Anyway. I have gotten to level 5 as a halfling druid, as apparently it's a good first character. I'm looking for some suggestions on where to find mobs to fight. I looked at the p99 resource for "per level hunting guide" and most of the level 4-5 mobs are just wandering around the 2nd noobie areas, and almost all guides just say fight everything in the noobie areas. So I've pretty much gotten to level 5 fighting beetles and orc pawns around misty thicket and east commonlands, but now at level 5 those level 2 mobs aren't giving me much xp. I don't have much equipment, white con mobs are very hard for me, should i buy a set of cloth gear or can i wear a heavier option? Should i travel to crushbone (I think that's the name) and try to find a group? I did try to group in East commonlands but the groups at the orc spawns said I wouldnt get xp bc I was too low a level compared to the other members.

Thanks for any input,
Hiddenx, halfling druid

[Lampolo]

If you can get a group the entrance of befallen or guk would be great xp. The orc groups are good if you can get one without such a high lvl. I've always found the side of Neriak near commons zone line is good solo spot for 5+. Careful of the Dark Elf guards tho

[watashi86]

Thanks for replying. Im such a noob, are those places I should get a port to? Or do i take a boat or something? I read on the wiki the boat is unpopular bc of the time it takes? Thanks again.

*edit* looking at the wiki I guess neriak is the dark elf city, which is north of the commonlands, so go to their noobie area?

[Lampolo]

My bad it's been a while. I meant Nektulos forest not Neriak city. The side of Nektulos from the bridge with Darkelf guards to Eastcommonlands zone line is a nice area for 5+. The bone chips that drop from skeletons will sell for 5-10pp in ecommns tunnel. This is great way to make money early. Any type of skeleton humanoid, goblin etc... will drop cloth armor. Not sure if it will be wearable by your race but that's how I always get that first set of cloth.

[Lampolo]

Those High Quality pelts should sell too in ec tunnel

[watashi86]

Ok, thanks again. Someone evil killing guards in rivervale gave me a bunch of the spears and shields to sell so i have some plat to get spells and some cheap gear with.

[Cambiant]

I'd advise to stay out of Nektulos, a fair amount of wandering guards and easy to get lost. The sweet spot for 5-6 is black bears, shadow wolves and skeletons I think. A quick look at the Misty Thicket wiki says large wood spiders and diseased rats are perfect level too. You COULD travel to Crushbone but its a long dangerous journey for someone new and puts you on the opposite continent of your spell vendors I think. The entrance to Befallen is an excellent idea but be careful of the ghoul who spawns there. I'd prob solo Misty/Befallen/NRO until 12ish and head to Oasis. Opportunity to group for crocs or orcs and I think 14 brings your first animal charm spell so the crocs become wonderful solo targets. If you spend the next level killing all black bears and get a couple HQ skins, auction them in EC with the note that you're brand new and you'll likely get some very generous buyers. Any leather pieces you can find for ac will help. Any plat you earn, save for spells and ac/hp rings.

[Cambiant]

Ok, thanks again. Someone evil killing guards in rivervale gave me a bunch of the spears and shields to sell so i have some plat to get spells and some cheap gear with.

Even better!

[watashi86]

I'd prob solo Misty/Befallen/NRO until 12ish and head to Oasis.

Thanks for replying, I'm such a noob, what does NRO stand for? I'm guessing northern desert of ro?

[Cambiant]

Correct! Don't be shy about being a noob. This game is/was genuinely challenging even to veterans. Please feel free to PM me or post more questions.

[Zendir]

You COULD travel to Crushbone but its a long dangerous journey for someone new and puts you on the opposite continent of your spell vendors I think.

Ya, the Wood Elf city outside Crushbone doesn't have any druids. /s

[TripSin]

I would recommend taking a boat AT LEAST once. It was a big part of the classic experience.

There are druid class guides that talk about where to level.

I'm not familiar with early leveling on Antonica (the continent you're on), but I believe people usually start to group in East Commonlands (EC) doing one of the orc camps. On Faydwer continent (take boat from Freeport or get port to Butcherblock (druid) or Greater Faydark (wizard)) you would do Orc Hill for grouping, then move in to Crushbone after a few levels, then eventually move into Unrest. It's probably easier to find low level groups on Green server.

[Cambiant]

Ya, the Wood Elf city outside Crushbone doesn't have any druids. /s

Zendir is correct, there is a Druid guild in Kelethin, I was mistaken. Thank goodness the Starting Zone has such kind, well-adjusted players to help things stay afloat.

[watashi86]

Thanks again the for replies.

I've been having luck in the southern side of Nektulos Forest killing the bears, shadow dogs, spiders, and snakes. I just have kept away from the road to avoid the orc runner. Are only the hq bear skins worth anything? I've been finding the wolf and shadow dog skins as well.

[Vormotus]

Correct! Don't be shy about being a noob. This game is/was genuinely challenging even to veterans. Please feel free to PM me or post more questions.

yes , this is good advice, never stop asking questions, also remember the wiki helps a lot with the plethora of guides there, there are several! Have you read them all?

https://wiki.project1999.com/Players:Adventure :)

This is such an awesome game! Started playing in 2000 and moved here permanently after 2016.

No other mmo has such design, class structure and harshness and wildness that keeps driving me back to it.

Hope you stay here for the long run man! I play on Green mostly these days, so if you see me around say hi! ;)