Hi. I just started playing Vanguard yesterday and I'm a level 5 Thestrian warrior. Being a newb, I have a few questions for anyone willing to help. 1) Is there still a challenge to the game? Leveling-wise, raiding, dungeons? I don't know a lot about the game, but I do know a lot of MMO's today have been dumbed down... a lot, it seems. Idk if Vanguard is the same way. Will I die leveling up if I wish to solo? Is soloing possible, or are groups more rewarding and just a better way of leveling in general? 2) Should I worry about crafting \ harvesting \ diplomacy as a newb? How will my character be affected later in the game by me not knowing everything about diplomacy? How will I be affected if I don't level crafting \ harvesting? I guess what I'm asking is: are they mandatory? 3) Whilst questing yesterday, a few players were saying that Vanguard is a lot like Everquest classic, but with better graphics. Is this true? I play a lot of Everquest, I and II, (still quite new to those as well, only about a year and a half of playing on and off) and I've always wanted to play classic Everquest, so this interests me very much so. Never could get project 1999 to work for me. xP That's all (for now). Thanks in advance!
Welcome To VG You Bet You bet - a lot!!! Absolutely - some classes easier than others but all are possible Players choice really: groups are a lot of fun with the right group and a nightmare with the wrong ones - same as any other mmo. IMO Personal preference - you don't have to, but it can help and may be a nice distraction if you like that sort of thing Absolutely not - I don't craft but I do harvest and diplo on occassion. As to everquest, I've never played I so I'll leave that to others with that experience
So far I find Vanguard has some of the most challenging gameplay I've had since EQ and Vanilla WoW. Some of it's quite easy as well. Bar none, some of the best dungeons I've run in any MMO (although, Vanilla WoW had some pretty awesome dungeons too). I have no experience with end game raiding though, so can't comment on that. As for Diplo and Crafting, I personally don't enjoy that as much so I haven't bothered going past L10. I have no concerns about my decision impacting me later on. If I feel it has hampered my gameplay, I'll just do it then. Is VG like EQ Classic? Hmmm, well, it's definitely more similar to that than any other MMO I've played since. VG is what EQ 2 should have been - that's the easiest way to describe it. Although, I think classic EQ was more difficult [and tedious] in some ways (higher consequences to dieing, harder to solo, lacking quests), VG took a lot of the core gameplay aspects of EQ and improved and expanded upon them. It truly is a gem of a game and a shame it wasn't the smashing success it should have been. Unfortunately, experiencing that time back in 1999 will be near impossible, but VG might offer the closest thing to it. Also, mentioning an EQ emu project might not be a good idea on the SOE forums
SweetieBear wrote: 1) Is there still a challenge to the game? The content from 1-50 is quite wide and varied. Some of it is considered easy and soloable (you can solo your way to 50 if you wish), some of it is harder and requiring small groups, but to see all of the best dungeons where the most fun and challenge awaits, you really need a semi or full group. So it is really up to the individual as to how they want to play, but i can tell you there is ample opportunities for your well geared group to get their a$$es handed to them if they aren't at the top of their game. 2) Should I worry about crafting \ harvesting \ diplomacy as a newb? While these are not mandatory for adventuring or levelling, they can be of benefit and you can get some nice items that can aid you in adventuring later on (for example, worn diplomacy gear that gives small adventuring stats). Make sure you get the bracer of lucky charms at least (starting areas) as this diplomacy item will help you level all spheres. I know a lot of high level adventurers that never bothered to do diplo or crafting, however, myself with a lot of playtime levelled multiple crafters and diploers and find them reasonably beneficial at end game (mainly because you don't have to rely on others to make stuff for you).
