Leveling Strategies for the New Generation (1-35) : EQ1 EverQuest 1 Submissions

Posted: May 2nd, 2006, 10:53 pm

lonigs
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Leveling Strategies for the New Generation (1-35) 
(May 02, 2006) - Lonig of Torv, alt - Muscul Nbones of Torv 
After recently coming back to EQ and seeing just how outdated all our old leveling tactics
really are, I decided to throw together an indepth look at how to level up in
the new worlds. I have the first 5 expansions, so no LDON or GoD information
is inclosed in this article. However, this in no way means this guide is outdated,
just means you don't use the instanced dungeons. 
Lets start off simple. This guide is made so that untwinked characters can
get a good idea of what to hunt. 
Define Twink: A character who recieves ANYTHING from another character. So
if Bob the Almighty runs up and hands you a Cloak of Flames... you are a twink.
However, if DOOD runs up and hands you a bat wing, I don't really think you
are a twink. A simpler explanation is: Any character with advanced items they
were given. 
Twinked characters need to add +5 to their current level for an accurate hunting
grounds(or wait until I write the twinked guide). As you know, untwinked characters
are a pain to start. You are so weak, that many non-melee's just give up. Well,
fear not, below I will list both solo and group strategies for level 1-35. This
is all accurate up to May 02, 2006. 
 
Levels 1 - 4
- Starter Zones 
During this time you are very limited on what to hunt. As with most leveling
guides, the only real choice is to hunt the creatures that spawn around the
zone entrances of the starter zones. ie: rats, skunks, bats, kobolds). There
is no super fast way for a level 1 untwinked person to get leveled up. 
 
Levels 5-10 
Now the fun begins, by now you have respectable armor, weapons, and spells
for your level. You can try to venture out farther from your starter zone, and
utilize the worlds XP bonuses(most dungeons and luclin have a bonus for hunting
in the zone). 
 
 
<img src="http://www.lonig.com/tu/levelinguntwinked/qeynoshills.gif" width="290" height="600" align="right">
BlackBurrow (5-10) 
Probably the best place for a untwinked char to level from 6 to 10. With PoP
it is very easy to get to Qeynos, so I'll start us off there. 
To get to BlackBurrow from Qeynos, head from PoK Book to Qeynos Hills. 
Once in Qeynos Hills, take the following path to get to the entrance of black
burrow. 
<img src="http://www.lonig.com/tu/levelinguntwinked/blackburrow1.gif" width="315" height="208"> 
NOTE: There are multiple enemies along the way, but I have found this route
to be the safest possible to get there. Also note, there are 4-6 Gnolls(levels
1-7) at the entrance to BlackBurrow, I recommend you just run past them and
get in BlackBurrow's zone... there are plenty in there for you.

Once in BlackBurrow, you can safely hunt on the top level for levels 5-7, after
7, you should move down to level 3. Closer to 9, move to the snake pit(The Pit).. 
You can also kill the Guards on the 3rd level to get to 10. No matter what
you kill its going to go by very fast here. Another solution to these levels
is Befallen, but I myself have never hunted there.
 
 
Upgrade Time! 
Now that you are level 10, you lose items, and you should have a good understanding
of your characters general combat abilities. I recommend doing some of the starter
city quests(find more info <a href="http://everquest.allakhazam.com/db/flist.html" window="quests">here</a>)
and explore the world. 
 
<img src="http://www.lonig.com/tu/levelinguntwinked/paludalcaverns.gif" width="285" height="614" align="right">Paludal
Caverns(PC) 
There is no way around it, Paludal Caverns is THE spot to level from 11-23,
and I suggest to 24. Starting with the BUGS, you can easily get to level 15,
at which time you can either hunt at B1 or B2(bandit camp), or kill the Phlargs
until you get an invite to a group. EXP bonus is outrageos in this zone, go
from 11 to 24 in about 5-8 hours of casual gaming. 
- PC 11-15 BUGS 
The BUGS are what I call them, are actually called Grime Tunnelers. They are
located at the entrance from Hollowshade Moor. They are awesome xp, but watch
out for some hard hitters. These little buggers(heh) might look as innocent
as a rolli-polli, but trust me... if you havnt upgraded your equipment to new
stuff since level 5, your going to be in for a hard time. 
- PC 14-17 Phlargs 
Phlargs are kind of dinosaur looking creatures. They are easy to kill, but
have a nasty disease dot, so you will end up shouting for a cure now and then.
The Phlargs are all throughout the center of the Cavern. They are spaced out
enough to not really get more than 1 attacking you. Another bonus to them is
that they aren't really camped to often. 
- PC 16-24 Bandit Camps 
Required to group here. This is your first time NEEDING to be in a group. The
xp flies by so quick, and its no secret out there. A good group can knock a
level every 30 minutes here up to 20, then about every 45. Great xp, will make
you sad when you have to leave. NOTE: Enchanter makes an awesome edition to
a group here, these guy are social to an extreme.. expect downtime without a
mezzer. You can get bronze armor/weapons here as well, they sell for a couple
plat each. Save up! 
 
Now we have a few more choices for the in-between levels. Estate of Unrest,
Befallen, and Crushbone.. but I will focus on the 2 main ones, Mistmoore and
High Hold. 
 
 <img src="http://www.lonig.com/tu/levelinguntwinked/highkeepmain.gif" width="500" height="505" align="left">High
Hold Pass (12-20) 
Getting here can prove to be more difficult than hunting here. To get here,
get to Rivervale. In town by the cleric/paladin guild, there is the valley that
leads to Kithcor Forest. Whatever you do, DO NOT try to cross
this zone at night. There are high level skeletons in here that spawn. If you
DO try to cross it at night, after zoning in from Rivervale, immediatly take
a right and follow the zone wall around to the entrance to high hold. Once inside,
there is a great range of things to kill(lvl wise). Gnolls and Orcs are your
new enemy. If you are an evil race, hunt the orcs as they are at the entrance
from Kithcor and away from guards.Grouping here is a good idea, but it is soloable
toward 17+ with good equipment. 
- High Hold Keep(HHK) (20-35) 
This place is great. Good xp, decent respawn, always people needing more in
groups, and actual loot to sell. The zone itself is divided into 4 sections:
Lookout Room (LR), Guard Room (GR), Warrior Room(WR), and the Raider Room(RR). 
- HHK (LR) - In here are 2 Lookouts
and 1 Crazed Goblin. This is good for levels 20- 25. 
- HHK (WR/RR) - These two rooms
are very hard at level 25 without a good group. These two rooms will be your
life until level 35. Pickclaw Warriors, Visionaries, Raiders, and Seers spawn
in these. 
- HHK (GR) - Pickclaw Guards are
about it in here... not many but hey, it works. Good from 25-28ish. 
 
<img src="http://www.lonig.com/tu/levelinguntwinked/mistmoore.gif" width="362" height="470" border="0" align="right">Mistmoore
Castle (23-34) NOTE: The image is not the full
zone, only the outdoor area. 
The new "place" to be it seems. Been days where High Hold was empty
and Mistmoore had a line to get in groups. With the newly added XP bonus, this
zone is great. Huge trains are possible, and I promise you will die at least
a few times. The entrance is soloable at about level 23(dark blue/white). 
- Mistmoore Entrance (23-26) 
At the entrance to the zone, and around the general castle area are Pledge
Familiar, Initiate Familiar, Flouting Gargoyle and Leering Gargoyle. These are
all soloable, but a group of at least 2 is preferred. Go behind the lake for
best hunting(away from train path, and in the center of the spawns). Be sure
to watch out for the casters... 
- Mistmoore GraveYard (GY) - (26-34) 
This is just plain insane. Awesome xp, but without a good group, you are toast.
Casters here too, so be careful and kill them asap if aggro'd. You can pull
from the graveyard and the valley between GY and Entrance. Only way to get here
without fighting is to Inviso yourself and run. After you open the gate, turn
right and hug that section of the hill(not gate part, but hill part). Thats
where the group stays and waits for pulls. All in all, this zone is either a
leveling madhouse, or a deleveling one. If you have a good group, you are bound
to level quick. Otherwise, you might as well kiss the grass, since it's going
to be your new home. 
 
And that pretty much wraps it up. With all the information in here you will
be level 35 in no time. Please feel free to add comments to this with your own
suggestions on where to level. I myself am interested in particular mobs to
solo with my necro. I'd like to thank you all for reading, and I look forward
to posting more of these for your reading pleasure! 
The new oldie, 
Lonig of Torv 
ALT: Muscul Nbones of Torv