As a new player i kind of like exploring Norrath as i can(yes,it leads to a lot of deaths but i liked it!).Now that i hit lvl 40 and i m searching of new zones to solo or group,when i ask around for a good zone,many players say that at 40 its time for LDON.
At first i liked LDON.no need to run around with the LFG on,just sit in a camp waiting for an invite.But now i start hating it.This way u can hit lvl 65(or higher with new expansion...)without EVER leaving 3 zones!(BB,Gfay,Lfay)!!!
So i came to my question...Is lvl 40+ really time for LDON?What r some good zones for solo or Group?
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LDON Vs ExploringFollow
Anytime is good for LDoN, but there is no need to do it. LDoN is only one part of the game. There is still so much more to it. Seriously just look through https://everquest.allakhazam.com/zones/Level_Chart.html and look at the levels you feel comfortable taking on. Some zones give xp modifiers, others do not. Just look around. I went by suggestion, but most of the time enjoyed more what I found on my own.
There are pros & cons to LDON v. other zones, so it usually comes down to your play style and goals.
I have several characters who have done little or no LDONs (I started prior to POP expansion) and 1 that spent most of levels 23 to 49 in LDON.
LDON advantages in my opinion are:
1. Ability to find group, while my cleric and chanter have no problems finding groups, most of my other characters (I 2 box) can spend a whole evening with LFG on without finding one. LDON gives you a ready made place to find a group.
2. Augs - if you want to augment and tailor your existing equipment, you need to do LDON. Along the same lines, there are some really nice items only available from LDON merchants which require LDON points.
3. Experience is steady (though no where near as good as it used to be), especially compared to camping a rare spawn.
4. Fixed time limit adds excitement as opposed to endlessly killing the same camped mob.
5. The adventure stone quest/storyline can be interesting as you complete each camp series (which forces you to eventually move on to other camps).
6. No camp fights or KOS.
Downsides of LDON
1. Time consuming in that you really should figure on a 2 hour plus roundtrip between forming group, finishing, and splitting loot.
2. Coin Loot at higher levels is not as good as some other places (HG is Rathe for example).
3. LDONs do become somewhat redundent after doing many in the same theme.
4. While you need to learn group skills for LDON, tactics in LDON do not universally carry over to regular EQ.
5. If all you do is LDON, you really miss out on a lot of the EQ world.
Like a lot of things, if you do both in moderation, that is often the best method.
For 40s characters, I liked Unrest Basement, Spirocs (on same island as ogres) in Tim. Deep, Mts of Rathe, and LOY expansion areas. Hope this helps.
PS if you dont like LDON adventures, joining a guild will greatly improve your chances of finding a group by expanding your friends.
I have several characters who have done little or no LDONs (I started prior to POP expansion) and 1 that spent most of levels 23 to 49 in LDON.
LDON advantages in my opinion are:
1. Ability to find group, while my cleric and chanter have no problems finding groups, most of my other characters (I 2 box) can spend a whole evening with LFG on without finding one. LDON gives you a ready made place to find a group.
2. Augs - if you want to augment and tailor your existing equipment, you need to do LDON. Along the same lines, there are some really nice items only available from LDON merchants which require LDON points.
3. Experience is steady (though no where near as good as it used to be), especially compared to camping a rare spawn.
4. Fixed time limit adds excitement as opposed to endlessly killing the same camped mob.
5. The adventure stone quest/storyline can be interesting as you complete each camp series (which forces you to eventually move on to other camps).
6. No camp fights or KOS.
Downsides of LDON
1. Time consuming in that you really should figure on a 2 hour plus roundtrip between forming group, finishing, and splitting loot.
2. Coin Loot at higher levels is not as good as some other places (HG is Rathe for example).
3. LDONs do become somewhat redundent after doing many in the same theme.
4. While you need to learn group skills for LDON, tactics in LDON do not universally carry over to regular EQ.
5. If all you do is LDON, you really miss out on a lot of the EQ world.
Like a lot of things, if you do both in moderation, that is often the best method.
For 40s characters, I liked Unrest Basement, Spirocs (on same island as ogres) in Tim. Deep, Mts of Rathe, and LOY expansion areas. Hope this helps.
PS if you dont like LDON adventures, joining a guild will greatly improve your chances of finding a group by expanding your friends.
IMO ldons prvide some sweet augments for all your equipment, and they have some of the best items in the game sold there. it does get a bit redundant. Use your time wisely though.You don't have to spend your whole eq life in Ldons. As for places to solo at lv 40 the hotzones are made for leveling (obviously) Gunthak is a sweet spot until 45 and at the castle(with the luggalds and initiates) until mid 50's +. Another great place to hunt is Crystal Caverns fighting geonids will take you to 45 and the loot there is great.
I think finding a good group of people to do Ldons with makes a HUGE difference in how much you like them as well. When I ldon I am usually with 3-6 people that i always ldon with. We have a blast,make good loots, and get tons of pts to buy nice stuff at the Ldon merchants.
All in all i think Ldon was a great expansion and should be used.The ldons also change a bit with level and are not the same all the time. The best way to get the most out of ldons is to find the item you want at the camp you want so you feel like you are working towards something. And along the way you will get nice dropped items from the named and augs that drop fairly regularly.
I like exploring as well and belive me you will have plenty of time to do both, you have 25 of the most grueling levels to go before you are maxed out in levels.
Edited, Wed Jun 23 09:50:18 2004 by Miccah
I think finding a good group of people to do Ldons with makes a HUGE difference in how much you like them as well. When I ldon I am usually with 3-6 people that i always ldon with. We have a blast,make good loots, and get tons of pts to buy nice stuff at the Ldon merchants.
All in all i think Ldon was a great expansion and should be used.The ldons also change a bit with level and are not the same all the time. The best way to get the most out of ldons is to find the item you want at the camp you want so you feel like you are working towards something. And along the way you will get nice dropped items from the named and augs that drop fairly regularly.
I like exploring as well and belive me you will have plenty of time to do both, you have 25 of the most grueling levels to go before you are maxed out in levels.
Edited, Wed Jun 23 09:50:18 2004 by Miccah
One of the biggest advantages Everquest has over the vast majority of the other MMPORGs out there is the vast amount of available content. Although you can continue to do the XP grind in LDON, with the amount of available content out there why would you want to? Are you really getting your money's worth out of the expansions if you do the XP grind in only a couple of zones?
Once you've 'dinged' past level 50 XP will really slow down and every gaming minute will become very precious. Do you really want to spend 1-2 hours sitting around trying to assemble an LDON group, or would you much rather solo/group for the 1-2 hours + 90 minutes? Often I've found the latter to give more XP and cash than the LDON adventures. Eventually this is something you will have to weigh in your own mind as each adventure slowly grants less and less XP.
I don't want to sound like I'm 'dissin' LDON. I'm not...as a matter of fact I really like the expansion alot. I just don't like sitting idle trying to assemble a pick-up group when I can be out there getting XP and loot. If you have a group of good friends you normally adventure with (and sitting idle is never a problem), then by all means continue with the LDON adventures and rack up the AP.
Other zones you might want to explore: Assuming you are a ranger (from you tagline) you would really flourish in finding some outdoor zones in which to hunt. I prefer Velious over the Kunark zones, for the simple fact that I really like all of the quests Velious has to offer (quests add a little spice to the game). The Iceclad Ocean, Eastern Wastes, Great Divide, and Cobalt Scar are all outdoor zones where you could find descent hunting. I would wait on the Great Divide until around 45, and Cobalt Scar (hunting non-named wyverns) until 50. On Luclin the Echo Caverns may still have something to offer you. If you can get a small group together the Crystal Caverns is great loot and XP for your level. Tons of fun here!
Once you've 'dinged' past level 50 XP will really slow down and every gaming minute will become very precious. Do you really want to spend 1-2 hours sitting around trying to assemble an LDON group, or would you much rather solo/group for the 1-2 hours + 90 minutes? Often I've found the latter to give more XP and cash than the LDON adventures. Eventually this is something you will have to weigh in your own mind as each adventure slowly grants less and less XP.
I don't want to sound like I'm 'dissin' LDON. I'm not...as a matter of fact I really like the expansion alot. I just don't like sitting idle trying to assemble a pick-up group when I can be out there getting XP and loot. If you have a group of good friends you normally adventure with (and sitting idle is never a problem), then by all means continue with the LDON adventures and rack up the AP.
Other zones you might want to explore: Assuming you are a ranger (from you tagline) you would really flourish in finding some outdoor zones in which to hunt. I prefer Velious over the Kunark zones, for the simple fact that I really like all of the quests Velious has to offer (quests add a little spice to the game). The Iceclad Ocean, Eastern Wastes, Great Divide, and Cobalt Scar are all outdoor zones where you could find descent hunting. I would wait on the Great Divide until around 45, and Cobalt Scar (hunting non-named wyverns) until 50. On Luclin the Echo Caverns may still have something to offer you. If you can get a small group together the Crystal Caverns is great loot and XP for your level. Tons of fun here!
I spent my time in LDON's from 20 to 50+. Few reasons were the need for augs (play on a PVP server), needed points for spells and easy XP. It was a great way to level steadily.
Now there are so many things I missed and so many zones. Being new to EQ I followed many peoples suggestions. I was told the quests were long with little rewards. What I didn't know was the game had changed, the quests had changed and some rewards were very beneficial. I avoided particular zones due to PK issues. At 60+ the same situation still exists but instead of LDON it is POP. XP grind is all most really understand. How to get from 1 to 65 overnite.
I have chosen to step out of the POP grind and go explore. I have done some quests, visited some zones that are below my level, grouped in some killer old world zones with excellent XP. I have had the most fun since I stop the endless LDON grind, turned my back on POP and just went off on adventures.
I am sure all those I use to group with me have surpassed my levels, tripled any AA's I have but I bet I am having the most fun!!!!!
If I ever make a second tune......she will spend her life in the slow endless grind of every zone I missed. It really boils down to what you want to get out of EQ. Sometimes the first time around you don't know like me. Good luck...go for the fun it takes the worry out of the game.
Now there are so many things I missed and so many zones. Being new to EQ I followed many peoples suggestions. I was told the quests were long with little rewards. What I didn't know was the game had changed, the quests had changed and some rewards were very beneficial. I avoided particular zones due to PK issues. At 60+ the same situation still exists but instead of LDON it is POP. XP grind is all most really understand. How to get from 1 to 65 overnite.
I have chosen to step out of the POP grind and go explore. I have done some quests, visited some zones that are below my level, grouped in some killer old world zones with excellent XP. I have had the most fun since I stop the endless LDON grind, turned my back on POP and just went off on adventures.
I am sure all those I use to group with me have surpassed my levels, tripled any AA's I have but I bet I am having the most fun!!!!!
If I ever make a second tune......she will spend her life in the slow endless grind of every zone I missed. It really boils down to what you want to get out of EQ. Sometimes the first time around you don't know like me. Good luck...go for the fun it takes the worry out of the game.
Thanks for your suggestions.the truth is that i m a REAL slow lvler my self to(some of my friends that started with me r now 55...)but i m tottaly fine with that.I really like that game and i want to make all that it has to offer me.1 problem is that being from Europe the time difference some times means that a lot of zones(even LDON camps)(Stromm server)are quite empty and soloing is an alternative i REALLY love(ya i m a ranger).I l try those zones u said and what the heck,with SOW i can run arround all Norrath.I l simply avoid the VERY RED ones...thanks again.
being another slow leveller (Saunders was born almost exactly 4 years ago and is still lvl 36. I've spent about a month's worth time on him, not including bazaar stuff) I sympathize with you ;-
I say, always keep pushing your boundaries, never stop exploring! dispite the often certain death that awaits - hehehe.
I say, always keep pushing your boundaries, never stop exploring! dispite the often certain death that awaits - hehehe.
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