Feldon 
We liveblogged today’s EverQuest II Spring Update Livestream on Twitch…
EQ/EQ2/Landmark Executive Producer Holly “Windstalker” Longdale, Lead Designer Kyle “Kander” Vallee, Senior Designer Carlos “Gninja” Mora, Senior Designer Chris “Chrol” Garlick, Designer/Systems Robert “Caith” Fouts, and Community Manager Ry “Roshen” Schuller presented a livestream today.
The new Spring Update — Game Update 100 (what happened to GU72?), becomes available to All Access subscribers on Thursday, April 28th. You’ll need membership to play any of the content and to use the items. Beta starts April 4th.
The content starts in a version of the overland Zek known as Zek — the Scourged Wastes. In addition to Zek-based fabled zones (Advanced Solo, Heroic, and Raid zones), the EQ2 team wanted to tell a story by redoing the overland Zek, the Orcish Wastes zone. The overland zone is available in both Advanced Solo and Heroic versions and both versions have good-sized Signature quest lines. The Scourged version of the zone has been completely repopulated with newly modeled orcs. The old “Zek — the Orcish Wastes” is still accessible of course for level 30ish characters.
- In this version, Deathfist Citadel has become Scourge Keep. Based on the same zone but revamped. There’s a new courtyard.
- Level 100 content
- New Cyan adornments and Cloak Gems (purple adornments for cloaks that aren’t War Runes)
- Gear will complement Terrors of Thalumbra gear, mostly slots and things that weren’t upgraded in ToT.
- There are 16 heroic nameds in the heroic zone but you can only kill 6 per dungeon run. Each boss has their own loot table and they require special tricks to spawn like clicking on something. Also a challenge boss.
- “Arena” event you can trigger to kill as many orcs before you die.
- Lots of stuff to find and unlock in Scourge Keep. We’re going for replayability and there are lots of reasons to go back and not the same dungeon crawl over and over.
- Hint: There may be some places in the content where you can get Ethereal runes.
- Plenty of new Achievements and a few hidden ones.
- New shiny collections in Zek and in the instances.
- New chests in the Zek overland which are opened with a new keys.
- New recipes in both the Adv Solo and Heroic version of Scourge Keep.
- Some new crafted white adornments.
- New and better infusers in the fabled content.
Now to check out the Raid x4 zone — The Siege…
- 4 bosses. The 4th can be killed in Challenge mode. If killed, a 5th boss spawns in Challenge mode.
- Boss #1 — any raid force in ToT can kill
- Difficulty of Boss #2-4 ramp up.
- Zone is reminiscent of Plane of War as far as names being spread out in a large arena, with patrolling trash in between.
This time around, the new Fabled zones, which are classic dungeons that have been upgraded to level 100 and with new loot added, are…
- Temple of Cazic-Thule & Sanctum of Fear
- Ruins of Varsoon & Chamber of Immortality
These updated zones are not super-difficult and it’s the same mobs as the lower level zones. Fabled Cazic-Thule and Fabled Ruins of Varsoon are contested and spawn zones quickly so that there aren’t too many players in one contested instance. Yes, Venekor will be making an appearance as an x4 contested mob. Not super difficult.
Flying Owl Mount
New flying Owl mount. There will be Solo and Heroic versions of the flying owl mount.
XP Vials
Adding a new system called an XP Vial where you can Siphon your excess XP into an XP Vial which you can sell to other players on the broker or transfer to alts. You can claim a bunch at a time. It is a tradeable item. Empty XP Vials must be purchased from the Marketplace. Combat XP only.
Shard of Love Being Updated to Level 100
The Shard of Love instance is being updated to level 100 with level-Agnostic. The first level 100 agnostic zone. If this is successful, then level-agnostic to 100 might roll out to other zones. Shard of Love will also become accessible on the Time-Locked Expansion server of Stormhold.
Heartbound
You’ll be able to be Heartbound to another player. Basically in-game marriage. Both of you go to Shard of Love and type a command. If both of you are online, you get a persistent buff, a title, and it shows a special icon. If you decide to part ways, either of you can type a command to separate.
Double XP on Weekdays?
We’re having Double XP starting today for the next week. We’ll have more non-weekend Double XP events.
Mercenary Packs
New mercenary pack on the Marketplace.
LON Rewards on the Marketplace
It will be possible to buy Legends of Norrath rewards on the Marketplace in the future.
Beta?
During the livecast, it was indicated that Beta would begin on April 4th, however this has been updated on the EQ2 Forums:
We simply do not have the time to conduct a full open beta for this release, we have to already be into the next thing we are doing like yesterday. We will be using a seasoned group of content testers that we have used for many content releases. If you’re really interested in helping beta test, drop me an email and I will see what we can do.
More copy and paste, yay. The new orc models that were probably cannibalized from EQN look cool though, but it’s a shame they’re not replacing the old hideous model with them and just using them in the new zone.
You need to apologize to Chris Atkins, Tom Tobey, and Dave Brown. Seriously.
What? The zone was literally copied and pasted.
Chris and Tom are character artists, not zone artists, and those are brand new non EQN related models. The zone artists are probably busy with the next expansion as zones take A LOT of time.
So…liquid EXPtacy, eh?
So I need to apologize for saying they looked cool? I don’t know who made them, I just assumed they were recycled from EQN because they look far better than anything in EQ2 that I’ve seen.
I didn’t realize you were being nice when referring to EQN. Sorry I put your feet to the fire unfairly.
If that was “nice” I’m a duck mount…
Seriously, I agree. Such assumptions, such nastiness.
Well, sorry. I wrote that more out of frustration that they keep re-using zones than anything else. I’d honestly prefer if they didn’t even make new content if they were just going to re-use zones. But I do understand why it’s happening, they’re a small team and they need to give players stuff to do.
Really? with basically a handful of people developing this, they brought out this, just like Feldon said, you need to apologize to the whole team. This is tons of content for a GU
Actually Dave Brown (covic) built this model. It doesn’t have any ties to EQNext. Glad you like them.
They look really great! The weapons looked really cool too. My comment wasn’t meant as an insult to the art team, sorry if it came off that way.
Owl mount–! (Naturally curious how far around you managed to get the head to turn. heh)
It turns pretty far around and stares at you when you use the jump in non flying zones.
Oh, eeps! Cool, man:::: I’m a fan of non-flying jump animation details on mounts. I heart spacebar.
XP Vials? Nope, no way these guys are cribbing from EVE, nosiree…
and????? its a good idea so the used it, it happens in all mmo’s WOW was basically eqLive redone with new graphics and less thought.
Does your character have to be max level to siphon off XP?
Better make sure to clear that area first, else that’s going to be an interesting ceremony… 😆
So are all the new zones for level 100 only? Sorry reading fast from work.
Wow I thought it would be out later this month, certainly before mid April. At least it looks like some juicy content.
I wish they would have said whether the marriage was between accounts or just 2 toons. If it’s between just 2 toons it limits alting quite a bit.
They did say. You can NOT marry an alt from your same account as it completely voids the purpose of having benefits when you both are online.
Heartbound? Do you get divorced in Shard of Hate. Do you lose half your plat?
XD They should patch that in! At least the divorce at the shard of hate bit!
haha, awesome!
So, the dev team has been gutted. Reusing an old zone is a way to save time and money, you will have to agree with that. However, a lot of the old EQ2 content does hold up. And they have used old zones in interesting ways to springboard off new content. Compare Obol Plains and Edilion Jungle, to Loping Planes and the Frerrot.
I have faith in the EQ2 team to do it right. Both for Zek and Scourge.
Now onto the keep, I’m hoping it is something similar to Estate of Unrest. Maybe even progression over multiple instances, for example, maybe the first time you clear the Courtyard, which gives access to the Barracks. The second time you can go straight to the Barracks, and onto the arena. From the arena, later you can go straight to the main keep and the throne room. Giving us interesting ways to access things, new challenges and puzzles. I am also hoping for a return of the AoM style challenges achievements to make things harder with a greater reward.
The other fabled zones are nice additions too. I’m hoping for something similar in terms of content updates. Clickables and interesting takes on old mechanics. I would love to see something similar to the old notes you could get in ruins of varsoon that tell you what damage type does the most damage to the adds in chamber.
The LoN loot for DBC concerns me, as they might shut down LoN which would be a shame, the game is fantastic fun and really well made, even if it is dead.
I’m excited about the possibility of LoN loot in the marketplace. The art for LoN is great, but the game play is more complicated than I have time for. It will be nice to have the possibility to get the furniture items for decorating without having to take up extra time trying, yet again, to figure out how to manage not to lose on the most basic scenario.
As usual, thanks Feldon for providing the complete information of the live stream here.
Seconded – Feldon’s reporting on Livestreams is always brilliant and clear – thank you from me too!
Same here! ^_^
New quests, new quests, new quests!!! I wonder how many! So excited!
While orcs don’t interest me in the least and I have no interest in anything coming up save maybe the marriage thing; I think it’s a good way to go. I’ve said for years they should just quit dreaming up new places to go cause it usually ends up a sloppy lore mess (looking at you ToT). There is TONS of storylines left dangling from the past 10 years and I’d love to see them tied up.
Number 1 on my list would be seeing the high elves reclaiming Felwithe, Firona put on the throne and have it as a new starting city. I realize most players are end game but I’d still like to see a small amount of effort on the beginning and middle portions of EQ2.
Agreed, there is a lot of bits and bobs floating around. Darathar, the Harness, Icy Keep, Mistmoore etc
Sucks that they are forced to recycle old content because of having a bare bones development team, but as a community we should appreciate their hard work because they are doing a lot with having virtually no resources.
Hoping this changes for the EQ2 team now that EQN is cancelled.
A lot of the reason that we choose to tell new stories in older zones is so that our artists have time to build new zones for our expansions. We really wanted to tell this new story and Zek fits the bill. The zone has been changed though, new lighting, sky, new geo, lots of new stuff to make it feel and fit the new stories. Fabled content and re-use give our team time to deliver more expansion content, and we’re going to need it. We have a lot planned for this year, it’s going to be epic.
As to the cribbing off of Eve for the XP vials, this is actually something we have been planning for a few years. Its a coincidence that we came with it just after Eve. But yeah, its a cool idea we hope people enjoy.
Makes total sense, keep up the good work!
PS… Hoping PQ’s will make a comeback in some shape or form in times ahead!
I am probably not supposed to say anything. But we are currently working on an entirely new system for Public Quests. No dates. No promises, as I cannot. Its going to be Epic.
This is great news. I, for one, miss PQ’s – they were tremendously fun.
Hear hear!
Sweet baby Jesus, that is really good news, I think a lot of people will be excited to read that! I was kinda hoping something would be on the cards after the patchwork PQ’s came in a little while back.
I’ve played EQ2 since day one and I’ve got to say some of the most fun times I’ve had in the game have been PQ’s – be it the DoV ones, or even the tradeskill / construction event ones back in the early days, its a great way of getting people to come together enmasse out of their hidey holes.
Will look forward to whatever you guys come up with whenever it’s ready!
Whatever the reasons, I appreciate the hard work of the EQ2 team. I might not like everything that is going on with the game but I know you guys are working hard and doing the best job that you can.
I thought I saw the term “revamp” somewhere, anyway. Sounds good to me. I’ve liked zone revamps, particularly Darklight Woods.
Not like zone-reuse is new. We’ve had it… and executed brilliantly for like what 2-3 years+ now… There is always something fantastic about going back to a place you been for a new experience. This provides replayability, reusability, extensability that has been so expertly displayed in this preview.
We’ve got scaling zones, level agnostic zones, fabled zone reuse, now dynamic boss spawning. Next level phase could even image zones with entire dynamic mob sets [orcs or zek fairies or treants or even some bizarre usage where castle sunk and zek sirens]. only limited by imagination (…and time… and money).
I don’t mind seeing the old zones revamped, especially when a separate instance, leaving the original intact. It makes it seem like the world isn’t static, but changes over time for the characters who’ve been around forever. Does make me wish the old starter island still existed, and the hamlets….really miss the hamlets.
This actually looks like an interesting spread of content. I for one am happy to see Zek get a second look! Good times there…
And as much as I give the devs crap for going all “EVErquest”, they’ve been lifting some solid ideas so far. Time will tell with the XP vials…
Did they say minimum level 100 for the signature questline, like the current new zone, or can it be obtained and played by those under level 100?
Only a signature questline = /wrists.
Heartbound male / female toons only or are we fully embracing same sex marriage in Norrath?
You are fully able to bind your heart to whomever you wish, other than yourself, cause that’s weird :p
Anyone, Any way you choose.
Free to Love, Your Way.™
You just did that. Needs a “tm”.
“Ohh, myy.” — Takei
Oh, that’s better. 😉
I suggest a signature quest line series when completed together rewards you a new character slot!! Heartbound = baby toons!
Next thing ya know people will want giant tricycle stroller mounts and Golden Lab pets. (and appearence only visor hats…)
I draw the line at backpacks with “fanny pack” appearances.
Absolutely. Was thinking that. 🙂
wish the xp vials were for tradeskill too
Seriously, the amount of plat to be made on tradeskill XP vials would be considerable…
Hahaha I would drop tons of plat on tradeskill vials.
Between raiding/farming consumables/working I have like no time to craft.
If you have no time to craft, then you really don’t need vials. Trade XP goes pretty fast these days and Vitality gives enough of a boost to help level at a good rate on your busy schedule.
I disagree. Crafting takes forever to me. I would LOVE to get some Tradeskill XP Vials.
Im thrilled about same sex unions in norrath. I would suggest, though, worrying less about that and more about interracial marriage. No one wants to see a gnome and an ogre tying the knot! /sigh
The logistics of that give me a migraine…
At least it’s not something like a fae/sarnak union…
Oooh just noticed LON loot coming to marketplace. Yay! Good call, have been hoping for this for awhile, some great ‘fluff’ stuff if you are so inclined, still have a few of those awesome paintings left to track down.
Dare I hope that purchased mercenaries will be converted to Heirloom anytime soon?
Please please please! I’m not a gambler and these are expensive to get the one you want for different characters.
This is awesomeness!
Well that sounds cool.
But i really, really wanted fabled Stormhold! Ah well, Zek is cool as well. Now me and my friends just need to get fully leveled up. And i do really like Varsoon’s.
Looks good to me!
And I’d really like to thank the devs for coming over here and answering more questions.
Yeah! I suggested a fabled Deathfist Citadel some months ago and it is coming up and with new models! Great. Please don’t forget to add “Fabled Burning Deathfist Arrow” as random drops!
You do know that death fist arrows no longer add dps when put in the ammo slot for mages and priests, right?
Since when? I have some on my extremely old characters.
Since several expacs ago now. Check out the arrows.. they no longer have an ‘on spell cast’ proc on them
I have no idea about that and I never have thought about putting arrows on mages/priests. But making those “Fabled Burning Deathfist Arrow”s to be the best in-game is certainly doable.
By the way, are there female orcs in EQ2?
please don’t server spam when someone gets married that will become annoying.. but everything looks good to me!!!! 😎
I think it shows how good the original game was that the old zones can be reused,much of the atter content leaves a fair bit desired in my view.
I LOVE it when old zones are reused… can’t wait until the end of April! 😀
Just a thought since new stuff is coming out, will there ever be a storyline or loreline for the mercenaries? Someday I would like to know why Kenny is like how he is, and if possible, do a questline that upgrades/changes him to his normal form.
TLE gets a beta, but this does not? *boggle*
I actually hope that no flying mounts can be used in the new overland zone because I much enjoy playing the game in the slower way (like get a whole group, adventure, find names etc). I like the game in the good old days.
Yeah once upon a time Zek and any overland zone used to feel massive. Then, as much as I love them, flying mounts arrived and kinda shrunk the world.
I also think it would be fun to turn off flying mounts for the fabled version of Zek.