Hey, everyone.
I've found what could possibly be the start of something awesome.
There's this new, custom EQEmulator server releasing on March 1st which is called Enlightened Dark: Ascension, and it's shaping up to be one of the coolest things I have ever played in terms of custom EQEmulator servers.
I am no way involved in the server's development, I simply asked to check it out because there was so much work put into the concept.
Enlightened Dark: Ascension - Home
The feature list is as follows:
My personal thoughts is that this server, at first glance, seemed boring and another EQ-with-custom server. But once I got out of the starting area and started using skills, I was very impressed and shocked at how well everything was put together.
The EXP rate flowed into the rate of tradeskill materials you obtained, and I felt like my character was visibly gaining power as I got new gear. Some of the skill effects on the class I played, Archer, were some familiar EQ skills, some not.
For example, Endless Quiver is granted at level 1, and your arrow has a damage/delay amount to it that gets better with drops. There's also small mana skills like Shoot, which gives a burst of damage at the expense of mana. Then I leveled up a bit, got some new skills, and felt more powerful.
I had a bow/arrow drop in the starting area from random NPCs, and that plus the stats from my gear and skills upgrades made my damage visibly higher. It feels a bit like WoW in a way, but that's not always a bad thing.
The class list is similar to TERA's class setup, and is as follows:
If you are looking for a classic EQ experience, then stay away from this server, it won't be appealing to you.
But if you are looking for something new and fresh done in the EQ engine, give it a try. It caught my attention for sure.
Also, get the Underfoot EQEmu client from PirateBay if you are going to be trying out this server. It's required for some of the zones.
I've found what could possibly be the start of something awesome.
There's this new, custom EQEmulator server releasing on March 1st which is called Enlightened Dark: Ascension, and it's shaping up to be one of the coolest things I have ever played in terms of custom EQEmulator servers.
I am no way involved in the server's development, I simply asked to check it out because there was so much work put into the concept.
Enlightened Dark: Ascension - Home
The feature list is as follows:
- -Entirely revamped class system. There are 8 classes with entirely new skills and abilities. None of these classes resemble the original EQ classes in any way, but they all play in a familiar way to veteran EQ players.
- -Custom stats system. Each class benefits from stats differently, and stats upgrade your character's raw potential in different ways than in traditional EQ.
- -Gear customization and upgrades via tradeskills. This means that you can customize the procs and specialize your classes' gear in the way you want to play them.
- -Gear upgrade system. Some items can be upgraded to increase their base stats, from +0 to +9. Some items are more expensive to upgrade than others, like your class charm. The higher you go, the harder it gets (I think?)
- -The skills/stats work intertwined. Some skills, like the Lancer's shield bash, is dependent on the shield's AC. Since shared bank is enabled, you can give your Lancer a shield with a high AC amount as a form of twinking.
- -There are only four tradeskills as of the alpha I was playing, and each one is tailored to a specific type of item. Crafted gear seems to have more aug slots than non-crafted gear. There's a potion making class, and an independent tradeskill from all the other 4 called Tinkering which allows for adding raw procs to items.
- -Mobs have special 'grades' to them. Elite NPCs are meant for a group (I was able to solo some of them if I was careful enough) and there are world bosses which will take a full group or more. There are also underling NPCs which have no special tag and are meant to be soloable.
- -Level cap of 50. EXP rate slightly higher than PEQ's exp rate, but matches the pace of the progression system. I was impressed at how well this flows in.
- -I haven't gotten this far, nor were there enough testers online, but there is supposedly instanced group content as well for specific level ranges. Not all content is instanced though.
- -There's sidequests in each area in addition to a 'Main Story' quest line.
My personal thoughts is that this server, at first glance, seemed boring and another EQ-with-custom server. But once I got out of the starting area and started using skills, I was very impressed and shocked at how well everything was put together.
The EXP rate flowed into the rate of tradeskill materials you obtained, and I felt like my character was visibly gaining power as I got new gear. Some of the skill effects on the class I played, Archer, were some familiar EQ skills, some not.
For example, Endless Quiver is granted at level 1, and your arrow has a damage/delay amount to it that gets better with drops. There's also small mana skills like Shoot, which gives a burst of damage at the expense of mana. Then I leveled up a bit, got some new skills, and felt more powerful.
I had a bow/arrow drop in the starting area from random NPCs, and that plus the stats from my gear and skills upgrades made my damage visibly higher. It feels a bit like WoW in a way, but that's not always a bad thing.
The class list is similar to TERA's class setup, and is as follows:
- Lancer -> Dragoon
- Knight -> Crusader
- Champion -> Myrmidon
- Blackguard -> Assassin
- Archer -> Hunter
- Mystic -> Prophet
- Sage -> Sorceror
- Priest -> Archon
If you are looking for a classic EQ experience, then stay away from this server, it won't be appealing to you.
But if you are looking for something new and fresh done in the EQ engine, give it a try. It caught my attention for sure.
Also, get the Underfoot EQEmu client from PirateBay if you are going to be trying out this server. It's required for some of the zones.
