Perspective: Haven't truly played on live since like 2008.
I made an attempt to play through non-boxed on a bonafide live server (my old server that got merged) starting at level 1. 0 twinking. Just straight up, experiencing soloing from the beginning. Currently at lvl 38.
It's just so ridiculous. The random armor drops in any zone. The newbie quests from HotZone guy. The armor in non-visible slots (earrings, necklace, back, etc) that can be bought from an NPC for just a few plat. ALL this gear has stats better than Velious quest armor at this level (sans BP/legs I guess).
It is absolutely ridiculous how watered down the difficulty is, especially considering mercs. Also, having alts was what made EQ fun for me during non-raids. Putting sweet gear on a level 1 and having at it. Some things like certain great twink weapons (BoC) and, say, a fungi, are still relevant. But generally, twinking is completely unnecessary now.
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My actual main is 81. I have no idea what to do, what half of the NPCs in PoK are offering or how necessary they are in what they are offering. It actually feels like I can describe logging on to my main as being very old. I don't know anyone I used to know and love... everyone is dead. I don't know how to better my life, as everything I knew is outdated. It's like a 90 year old looking at a new tablet... everything is foreign and I know it sounds crazy, but I'm actually scared of asking questions in general because I feel like a person asking what a telephone is... people would probably think I'm more crazy than just a newb because I think a true newb leveling up to my level would find a more "natural path" with new features and be less confused.
Know what I'd really love to do? Just delevel 1 level to 80, get the absolute sickest gear a lvl 80 can get (I think that's Crystallos, yes?), and solo content I never could. People called me a liar one time on Reddit because of what I was soloing based on my level many many years ago. At one time I did have the sickest gear when I was raiding, and I relished soloing mobs people were still full grouping like AoW, Grieg, Trak, etc. I think a lvl 115 could solo Crystallos and I could twink myself but the idea of Ebaying an account makes me feel gross.
I love EQ but feel so amazingly detached from it anymore. Not going to lie, it's sad.