The perfect "classic in spirit" server.

[douglas1999]

I often see debates on this forum regarding whether a certain thing on p99 is "classic" or not. Classic in this sense usually means that a certain item\mob\mechanic existed on the original Verant EQ servers.

Sometimes though there are "classic in spirit" changes which, while not classic in a strict literal sense, create an overall experience that is closer to "classic" for the majority of players. The recent changes to AE bard songs is an example; there were a handful of bards during classic who COULD swarm the way it was being done here, but it was rare and limited by hardware and connection limitations for most players, therefor adding a 25 mob limit creates an overall experience that is closer to classic for the majority of players. It's really only "unclassic" for the small handful of bards who could do it on live in 1999.

Along these lines, what would a perfect "classic in spirit" server look like? I know it's long been the plan of the devs to release a "proper timeline" server at some point once all pre-Luclin Velious content is implemented, but should it be a strict classic server or should considerations be made to make it more classic in spirit? My personal list of changes would be:

- Make group experience considerably better than solo exp under the best circumstances. It's really sad sitting around in dreadlands soloing at level 40 while four other people are nearby doing the same thing, and you all know you aren't grouping because the xp gain will take a hit. This, to me, just shouldn't happen in "classic" EQ. Soloing should still be possible of course, but I think xp gain for soloing should be greatly mitigated so as to make grouping always the better option.

-Make Cazic Thule a viable dungeon for grouping again. I remember there being groups around the clock in CT on Povar back in 1999. I think the mobs should be retuned (fewer healers) and maybe the ZEM increased to make grouping here an attractive option for people again. Perhaps lower the level requirement of the druid group port to feerrott.

-Absolutely do away with all forms of multiquesting. I know it was quite common on live, but it's just so abused by people here that it really detracts from the game. You should have to work for your quested items, damnit.

-Do away with item recharging. Again, possible on live, but abused here to an extent that hurts the game.

These four changes, I feel, would create an overall experience that is closer to "classic" for the greatest number of players. I don't think "did it exist in any way shape or form on live?" should be the only consideration when determining if something is classic; how prevalent that thing was should also be weighed heavily.