[Gustoo]

Hey OP, welcome to the messageboard and the project 1999 community. I can tell you're totally brand new and have read almost none of the threads that might have informed you more about this project.

This community defines the "classic era" as Vanilla - Velious. Starting with Luclin the game diverges from what Project 1999 staff and players identify as the "original intent" of the game.

I personally prefer the Vanilla era for all the reasons you mentioned above. First because it is by far the rarest era to get to enjoy, and second because the gear progression is totally rational in the vanilla era, while things that were nearly BIS like the Short Sword of Ykesha are nearly vendor items by the time you reach Velious which doesn't feel right to me, though those later eras are all fun.

Thanks for checking in to the forums and I hope you have a great time on project 1999, which will never go to Luclin. There are several other excellent servers that do go beyond this era. The Alkabor PRoject "Takp" and "Project EQ, the grand creation" additionally, shards of dalaya is an excellent EQ emu server that goes beyond velious and is well supported with a robust community.

I hope you find a server that meets your needs.