Patch Tonight! Details inside!

[Frodlin7th]

On behalf of all melee classes who are affected by both class balance which has apparently been ignored for the 5th straight patch, AND who are the MOST affected by itemization woes, I'd like to present the award for "the most out of touch with their playerbase" to Sony Online Entertainment.

Upcoming for August 26th, 2003

Plane of Mischief changes going to the Legends. The Plane of Mischief, home of the trickster Bristlebane, has undergone an extensive revamp. As one of the most unusual places to visit in EverQuest, this zone will be a very interesting challenge, if you have a sturdy funny bone.

Partial Zone Revamps coming to all servers. These changes are not as dramatic as those made to the Plane of Mischief, but they are great improvements to these zones that needed only a little modification to make them much better. The zones we'll be updating this week are: The Deep, Charasis (Howling Stones), Dragon Necropolis, Siren's Grotto, The Hole, The City of Mist, The Accursed Temple of Cazic-Thule and Velketor's Labyrinth. Gameplay in these zones has been improved, based on feedback from players and careful review of the content.

New filters and chat message options will be added. We will be separating pet melee messages into their own category. You will be able to send them to whichever chat window you want, or filter them out completely in the Options window. We have also added the ability to send /random messages to any chat window you'd like. There is no option to filter these messages, however, to prevent any loss of the information in cases where it is needed.


Memorizing spell sets. We will be adding /memspellset # to make memorizing spells a bit less bothersome. Using this command will memorize one of your saved spell sets. # is the number or name (or shortened name) of the spell set you wish to memorize. Note that if you use a shortened version of the spell set name, it will match the first spell set that has those characters, so /memspellset Dots will find your "Dots and Charms", or "Dots", or "Dotsandstuff" - whichever shows up first on your list.

Shared Bank gains a Plat slot. We will be adding a Platinum slot to the shared bank to make transactions between characters on the same account more convenient.

Rain Spells can be deadly. Rain Spells have been resisted 100% of the time when an NPC was above level 20 and had less than 10% of its hit points left. We will be removing this restriction.

Also, as a heads up to players that have created their own user interfaces for EverQuest, these are the interface files that we expect to change next week.

** UI Files **
* Changed *
EQUI_BankWnd.xml
EQUI_BigBankWnd.xml
EQUI_OptionsWindow.xml
EQUI_ActionsWindow.xml
EQUI_JournalNPCWnd.xml
SIDL.xml
EQUI_Animations.xml
EQUI_HotButtonWnd.xml
EQUI.xml
dragitem26.tga
* New *
dragitem27.tga
window_pieces06.tga
window_pieces07.tga
* Removed *
EQUI_JournalTextWnd.xml

[Celebrindal]

Don't see why anyone should be surprised. Hell, when were Ranger's promised that Archery problems were being 'fixed'? March?

[Hwed]

Gameplay in these zones has been improved, based on feedback from players and careful review of the content.

Translation: Zones that once required a moderately skilled group to traverse will now be populated solely by static spawns spaced apart so as not to inconvenience players with the horror of a multiple pull or, God forbid, death.

[Dokomo]

in regards to the PoM changes, speaking as the first warrior on our server to get in, I have to say:

ABOUT FUCKING TIME!

If I was still playing I would demand a set of Wacky Warrior Armor for my troubles.

[DJ3]

Originally posted by Frodlin7th
New filters and chat message options will be added. We will be separating pet melee messages into their own category.

Rain Spells can be deadly. Rain Spells have been resisted 100% of the time when an NPC was above level 20 and had less than 10% of its hit points left. We will be removing this restriction.

Next, on EverQuest: Four Years Too Late - Finishing the Terrorantula Quest

[Chaotic]

I'm interested to see what they do with velks lab honestly.

[Itzena]

Originally posted by DJ3
Next, on EverQuest: Four Years Too Late - Finishing the Terrorantula Quest

Actually, in the previous patch, there was an NPC added to the DE camp in SRo asking for stuff from a 'titanic spider' or something similar.

[Kain of BotS]

in regards to the PoM changes, speaking as the first warrior on our server to get in,

Can I be like you, please?!

[Snugglegutzs]

I cant wait to read all of the crying posts from people that dont change thire bind spots.

You are entering PoM... You have been slain by... Loading Please Wait.... you have been slain by... Loading Please Wait... You have been slain by...

[ChewieTobbacca]

EQ should seriously get the new slogan - "EverQuest - making improvents four years too fucking late"

[Chaotic]

Granted, theres alot of things wrong with this game, there are alot of things that were wrong and that were fixed, but for fucks sake - must you always say " 4 years too late omg they sux!!11"

I understand perhaps your *Frustrated* that the doors are broken, or maybe *angry* that you cant do your leet giant spider quest. But seriously, would you rather all this shit stay broken? They are making an effort at least, paticularly these past months, give credit where its due, even if its "late"

[ChewieTobbacca]

Yeah they fix the shit but its the thing, they fix the wrong shit that many people want to be fixed. Doors and shit are fine but when fucking bugs and encounter issues can stop entire guilds at the same time a patch for it should've been in, it pisses a lot off.

[Chaotic]

yea i totally agree, its just people act like its a negative that things are being fixed. Whether its what you feel is "the right" thing to fix or not, its progress

Im still waiting for fucking melee balance.

[ChewieTobbacca]

just wait 2 years

[Camo]

Here's why people are frustrated, note the date on this:

Further Down the Line - May 9, 2003
Further Down the Line

In the next month or so we will be implementing some changes designed to bring more fun back into the game. Our experience with Planes of Power has taught us a lot about what we did right and what we should avoid in the future. Building an online game like EverQuest offers us the unique opportunity to see how customers react to our ideas and to adjust them if needed. We'll be taking the opportunity to put some of our experience to work to improve the play experience in EverQuest.

1) Partial Zone Revamps.

These consist of improvements in the experience gain, monster density and/or item rewards in some of the older zones. The goal is to improve the playability and reward for adventuring in these zones without completely remaking the contents of the zone. We plan to do several of these, and we'll keep you updated as we move through these. Currently we are working on a partial revamp of Veeshan's Peak.

2) Experience Range Adjustment.

When Planes of Power was released and the level cap was raised from 60 to 65, the range of NPCs that characters in the new levels could kill to gain experience was smaller than it is for characters of lower levels. This was done to encourage characters to fight more challenging enemies and allowed us to increase the experience reward given for that increased challenge. Unfortunately, this has limited the locations available to 61+ level characters for experience gain, as well as making it more difficult for solo players to gain experience.

This is something that we don't like, and it has had a negative affect on the "fun factor" involved in playing in Planes of Power. To correct this, we will be increasing the level range of NPCs that will give 61+ level characters experience. They will have approximately the same range of NPCs available to them as they did at level 60, and should be able to gain experience in some of their old hunting grounds, as well as in Planes of Power zones.

3) Planar Progression.

Planes of Power has provided us with valuable insight into the group and guild dynamics that are involved in large scale games. The way that we had expected guilds to advance through the story of Planes of Power has become a roadblock for some guilds, and some members have fallen behind and found it difficult to catch up. Obviously this was not our intention. We want players to play with their friends and guild mates.

To correct this issue, we will be removing the flag requirements for entry into the following Planes of Power zones:

Bastion of Thunder
Plane of Tactics
Halls of Honor
Plane of Nightmare
Plane of Storms
Plane of Torment
Plane of Valor
Crypt of Decay

This will make the majority of Planes of Power zones available to everyone, and should allow most guilds to travel and adventure together. We understand that those that have already earned the entry flags for these zones have put some effort into that accomplishment. We will be giving a reward to those that have done so, though you'll have to wait to see what that reward is.

4) Items in the Planes of Power

We will be looking at the quality of Planes of Power item rewards and improving them where appropriate. Items for many of the lower tier gods will be upgraded and more rare items and NPCs will be added to the following zones as needed:

Crypt of Decay
Plane of Torment
Halls of Honor
Plane of Tactics
Plane of Innovation
Bastion of Thunder

5) Class Balance

We are going to look at improving the damage capabilities of melee classes, as they've fallen behind their magic-using counterparts at the very high end of the game. Some options being considered are:

Improve melee damage-increasing disciplines
Improve Planes of Power melee weapons

Additionally, we're looking at the concerns from players about their spells, and changing them where appropriate. The goal here is to remove annoying issues with spells, not necessarily to increase caster power overall.

- The EverQuest Team

Thats what was suppose to happen in MAY.....which was still LONG after the problems started. Now, lets see and compare what they said they were going to do in August:

Future Plans for August, 2003
Those of us behind the scenes here on the EverQuest team have plans for the future of the game. Further Down the Line is where we will keep you informed about what those plans are. Please understand that these are our long-term plans and may require a fair amount of research or development time.

Several partial zone revamps coming to the Live servers. Though delayed several weeks, we are working to complete the partial revamps of several zones: The Deep, Charasis (Howling Stones), Dragon Necropolis, Siren's Grotto, The Hole, The City of Mist, and Velketor's Labyrinth. We chose these zones to update based on feedback from players, and plan to implement changes that will make these zones more entertaining to play in.

Plane of Mischief changes going to the Legends server later next month. The Plane of Mischief is the home of the trickster, Bristlebane. One of the most unusual places to visit in EverQuest, this zone is in need of a revamp. We're looking at it now and plan to have changes ready for Legends later in August. We'll be keeping the wacky style of the place while at the same time making it a bit more playable.

Items in the Planes of Power

We will be looking at the quality of Planes of Power item rewards and improving them where appropriate. Items for many of the lower tier gods will be upgraded and more rare items and NPCs will be added to the following zones as needed:

Crypt of Decay
Plane of Torment
Halls of Honor
Plane of Tactics
Plane of Innovation
Bastion of Thunder

Class Balance

We're still planning to take a look at improving the damage capabilities of melee classes, as they've fallen behind their magic-using counterparts at the very high end of the game. Finding the proper solutions for this situation will take some time. Some options being considered are:

Improve melee damage-increasing disciplines
Improve Planes of Power melee weapons

Additionally, we're looking at the concerns from players about their spells, and changing them where appropriate. The goal here is to remove annoying issues with spells, not necessarily to increase caster power overall.

Shields and blocking

We're planning on reviewing the possibility of giving an innate chance to block when using a shield. We've been hoping to do this for a while, and it should be getting a realistic review in the near future. We'd like to increase the value of shields, and make it a worthwhile choice for players who might normally dual-wield weapons or use a two-handed weapon. We plan on balancing this against classes which use shields by default, and therefore wouldn't be making any trade-offs to equip a shield.

Now, scroll back up and look at the patch message, notice how theres nothing about pop zones being itemized. Notice how they aren't fixing the RvR in Tier 1 - 3 PoP zones. Notice how there's no mention about any melee concerns. Notice how there is no mention of upgrading any weapons in PoP despite the fact about the only place most melees find any decent ones are in time (yet casters get their best spells LONG before even getting in the elemental planes).

Thanks for fixing stuff, it will no doubt be at least a little better, but what about the concerns of todays gamers.....newsflash, Sirrenst Grotto sucked 2 years ago, fixing it now will do next to nothing. Howling Stones was great when you could xp there, with post 60 levels you see a few people there to kill Dus for a quest every 3 days. My point, fix things when they will have an impact on the playerbase, not 2 years later.