How do you justify the amount of time everquest requires? How do you play the game?

[eqravenprince]

I'm a true casual player. I just realize that I will most likely never have the best equipment and I do not even think about getting to max level. Enjoy the moment is the easiest way to play as a casual. Adventure to new zones, help out newbies, start up crafting just because you can, fish, max out alcohol tolerance, go get some gear for an alt from one of the many empty mid level zones.

I try to talk to my wife before I start playing and make sure it's ok if I play for X hours. If I don't talk to the wife, I either solo or make it known to my group that I may have to leave at any moment. Generally speaking, I do not raid, it's too much of a time committment and hassle. Besides, I know I do not need raid equipment for doing group or solo content. Sure it helps, but not neccesary.

[stavio]

I'm just another casual player. I play this game to have fun, help others, port people for cr's, buff lowbies in tunnels, etc..

I have a lvl 51 thats over 2yrs old, and a lvl 9 enchanter thats even older.

I originally joined the server for nostalgia, I had to run the Stein of Moggok quest!! Even with a ton of plat in the bank I still run that quest on my enchanter.

I don't consider any of the time spent on P1999 or Live (only played to kunark) a waste.

[Treefall]

Getting the best gear and raiding, no. However, it's like that even in modern games like WoW. Sure, in WoW you are handed epics and shiny gear as a casual, but you're never given the best gear until the top tier raiders have been maxed for a few months, but by then they're on the next tier.

I think on here it's pretty much the same in that regard, only instead of epics/welfare gear you have to grind mobs or farm plat or join decent groups to farm the gear you want. (I wouldn't call gear bought with plat welfare gear at all.)

The group game can definitely be done casually. A big issue, though, is sometimes camping spots for a long, long time isn't feasible. In that regard you might miss the spawn or drop when you're offline, but that's life.

As for leveling, I think it can also be done casually. But, you'll need a team for max efficiency or you'll need to play an amazing solo class. Necro, Mage, and Bard seem to level pretty fast without massive twinking, from what I've read, solo. All the other classes though, the exp sure seems to drop off unless you spend your time efficiently with a group.

But seriously - 2-3 solid hours every other night with a good group should progress you at a decent rate. Throw in one or two 8 hour days here or there when your kids/family are out and you're home and you'll be capped in no time.