PVE or PVPFollow

Hey folks! I used to play EQ1 and have been playing WoW for the last 3 years. Being really bored with it I thought I'd mosey on over and try out EQ2 (my old comp couldn't handle it back when it first came out). I'm downloading the files now and can't wait to check it out, but I am looking for some insight on what kind of server. I did read the FAQ but didn't see too much info on it.

I play on a PvP server on WoW, but I'm kind of a carebear. I don't go around griefing people and I usually won't attack unless provoked. I consider myself an honorable player when it comes to PvP. I played PVE in EQ1 and from my understanding at the time (2001-2006) the PvP servers were a real mess, especially if you were just starting out.

So from those of you experienced with the game, would you enlighten me to some pro's and con's of what server to choose? Thanks in advance for replies.

I have never played on PvE server in any game I've played. Its not that I enjoy running around killing other players and making them miserable. I enjoy the additional and unpredictable risk that only PvP can offer while I'm going about my business every day. Never knowing if there is going to be an enemy just around the corner.. vs. knowing exactly where the scripted mobs are on a PvE server.

I like the adrenaline rush of a fight when I'm confronted by an enemy or while I attempt to sneak up on an unsuspecting enemy.

I have played just about every game out there and I have found EQ2 PvP.. while not perfect.. the most enjoyable with the least amount of exploits.

As for server.. its all a matter of your play style. Venekor is a much more laid back server. The population is smaller, so you do have to actively seek out fights, but they're there. On Nagafen, the population is much larger. So the PvP is pretty much non-stop whether you like it or not. So, for those that enjoy PvP from login to logout.. that's the ideal choice. But, be prepared for common tasks such as harvesting and questing to take a LOT longer.

With that said.. you got several character slots.. roll a toon on both servers and develop your own opinion. :)

hi there i played EQ1 on a PVE for a long time then when EQ2 came out i played that for a while on a PVE. Then I went to WOW and played on a PVP and I loved it but miss it very much in a way of well killing other players but it got boring for me after awhile of being killed when i was trying to lvl my little toons. Any how im sliding off track here. I came back to EQ2 and just love playing on a PVE and if you are a carebear when playing on a PVP then a PVE might be for you. Now they dont have battlegrounds in EQ2 but they do have areans that you can go with friends and play around or you can buy some arean pets to do something diffent it can be fun to do when you cant think of nothing to do but they are not used much. And you can also duel people if they are in the mood to. well i know im not much help but havnt realy tried the PVP on EQ2 but i dont think i would like it either.

Just started Everquest II and prefer PVE - in other words, can't we all just get along :)

I tried PVP in eq2 when it first came out, on Darathar, and despised it. There was too much griefing, on both sides. An entire raid to kill one person. Blah! I couldn't enjoy the content of the game either, I recall dying 4 times to the same person just trying to finish some quests in Nek Forest. And all the time the enemy was camping spots I needed! Me the solo person by nature and playing at weird hours didn't help. Eventually everyone left the server except the griefers anyways.

I wish they'd have had some type of toggle for pvp, like say as they do in SWG or MXO or even WAR and I'd have enjoyed it more perhaps.

A lot has changed since that server was merged. The amount of griefing on new players has decreased dramatically once they implemented Adv Exp for PvP kills. No longer can somebody twink up an alt and kill new/weaker players without eventually outleveling them. There are still a few twinks around, but that's to be expected in any game with open world FFA PvP.

"Griefing" is a relative term that's often misused. You can't be griefed if you don't let somebody grief you. For example, one is harvesting in a zone and group rolls over them. So, the person revives, goes back to harvesting and gets rolled again. After the third time.. the victim is complaining that they're being "griefed". And, they're correct. They're griefing themselves. The veteran player on a PvP server will move to another zone to harvest or quest and come back later when the group has moved on. Or, if they're more pro-active, will call in a few guild mates to help them out or use the /yell command in the zone. Then instead of "Griefing" it turns in to a really fun group vs. group fight.

Also, when you're killed. Revive.. immediately. Don't sit around for the display of gloating that may occur from time to time from some of the less mature players.

These are just a couple of the suggestions I have for people who may have a misconception about "griefing". Griefing was more common and much more defined in some of the older games like Ultima Online, where not only could somebody kill you, but they could also take everything you owned from you including your armor, weapons and anything else in your back pack. Or even go that extra step to cut up your armor right in front of you. Over the years, looting has been more controlled in games like EQ2, and really took "griefing" out of the game. Yet the term seems to still apply somebody kills you.. whether it was a fair fight or not.

People in video games don't like to die. To some its even traumatic. Thus its natural think they've just been "griefed". When actually, those people are just out doing what the server is all about. There's nothing mean or ill willed about their intentions. You are another mob to them.. but a much more challenging mob with no scripted AI. There is no way to know if you are better, easier or worse equipped than them. And that's where the skill, risk and challenge comes in to play. :)