From the EQ2 Forums:

All servers will be restarted at 7:00 AM PDT (14:00 UTC) to address a small technical issues. Downtime is anticipated to be less than one hour.

All hail the Overlord – the Freeport City Festival returns to the Commonlands from May 1-7! Spend City Tokens on local specialties, generic festival goods, appearance clothing, or food & drink. Make sure all your characters have finished the Freeport Postage Collection, speak to Kella Swampfoot to assist with festival quests, and achieve 119 seconds or less in the local Aether Race to earn the Portal Jumper title.

WHEN: 12:01am PT on May 1st – 11:59pm PT on May 7th
WHERE: Commonlands, near The Crossroads, /way -563, -49, -427
QUESTS: Special Delivery, Special Order Crafting, Special Order Gathering
ACHIEVEMENTS: Delivery Ahoy, Harvesting Hoopla, Kella Caffeinated, Requisition Acclamation
MERCHANT ITEMS: EQ2 Traders | EQ2 Furniture

Hail Norrathians,

We’re grateful for your patience as we worked through some technical issues with our servers. While our fixes seem stable so far, we want to take more time to test and verify our changes before launching GU103: The Menagerie. Since we want to ensure that the launch of our next game update is as smooth and stable as possible, we’ve decided to move the launch of GU103: The Menagerie to Tuesday, May 9, 2017.

To thank you for your patience and support, we’ll be activating Triple XP (AA, Adventure, Tradeskill) for ALL players and ALL servers starting now. This will run until Sunday, April 30, 2017 at 11:59PM PDT (07:00 UTC).

In addition, we’ll be activating Double Ascension Scrolls starting on Monday, May 1, 2017 at 12:01AM PDT (7:00 UTC). This will run through Sunday, May 7, 2017 at 11:59PM PDT (07:00 UTC).

—

We’ve updated the dates of GU103: The Menagerie, our next stream, our AMAs, and the level 100 character boost promotion.

• Our next stream will be the morning GU103 launches, Tuesday, May 9 @ 10AM PDT (17:00 UTC). We’re streaming on www.facebook.com/EverQuest2
• For an updated list of AMA dates/times, see the post here.
• The Level 100 Boost Bauble offer will begin on Tuesday, May 9 around noon PDT (19:00 UTC) and end on Monday, May 22, 2017 at 11:59PM PDT (07:00 UTC).

 

We’ve also updated dates in these posts. If you haven’t seen these posts about what we have coming up for EverQuest II, check them out here:

• Producers’ Letter – April 2017
• Kander’s Candor – What’s Coming Up in 2017

 

In the meanwhile, while we continue to monitor the performance of our servers, if you have any issues with servers please report them in the thread here.

Here are the chat logs for the EverQuest II Developer “Ask Me Anything” in-game chat events. Click a server below to go to that server’s page.

From EverQuest2.com:

We’re grateful for your patience as we worked through some technical issues with our servers. While our fixes seem stable so far, we want to take more time to test and verify our changes before launching GU103: The Menagerie. Since we want to ensure that the launch of our next game update is as smooth and stable as possible, we’ve decided to move the launch of GU103: The Menagerie to Tuesday, May 9, 2017.

To thank you for your patience and support, we’ll be activating Triple XP (AA, Adventure, Tradeskill) for ALL players and ALL servers starting now. This will run until Sunday, April 30, 2017 at 11:59PM PDT (07:00 UTC).

In addition, we’ll be activating Double Ascension Scrolls starting on Monday, May 1, 2017 at 12:01AM PDT (7:00 UTC). This will run through Sunday, May 7, 2017 at 11:59PM PDT (07:00 UTC).

From EQ2 Producer Lauren “Mooncast” McLemore on the EQ2 Forums:

Yesterday we experienced unforeseen technical issues related to an upgrade to one of our internal services. Those complex changes caused issues with logins and required that we take down our servers. We pushed a fix last night and are monitoring the servers closely to verify the fix and ensure its stability.

If you experience unexpected behavior with logins today, please post in this thread.

As we monitor the results of this fix, we may determine it needs time to “bake” further before we make any significant updates. This might impact the release timing of GU103. We will post separately if the GU release date needs to be pushed out to ensure we have healthy, happy servers.

We’d like to apologize for the extended downtime yesterday and thank all of you for bearing with us and for continuing to be a part of our community.

I was sent this screenshot:

It looks like this morning’s update note of “Updated underlying structure for handling Daily Objectives and Loyalty Tokens. There shouldn’t be any noticeable difference in functionality.” did in fact have a noticeable difference and EQ2 servers are now down for an extended window which could run quite long.

From the EQ2 Forums:

All servers are currently coming offline to address a technical issue. We do not have an ETA at this time but will provide information as it becomes available.

From the EQ2 Forum status notice:

Status: 4/27/2017 10:26 PDT – The game is currently down, investigating a login issue.

Update from RadarX:

The current ETA for this maintenance is 12 AM PDT (07:00 UTC).

Update: Servers came back up at 11:30pm PDT.

US Servers: 7~10:00am PDT | 10:00am~1:00pm EDT | 15:00~18:00 BST | 16:00~19:00 CET 

From the EQ2 Forums:

GENERAL

• Updated underlying structure for handling Daily Objectives and Loyalty Tokens. There shouldn’t be any noticeable difference in functionality.

POPULATION / ZONE PROGRESSION
Expert Raids

• Resolve values for expert raid zones have been reduced. Current combat mitigations remain unchanged.

Vaedenmoor: Heart of Nightmares [Raid]

• Added messaging to the Harrowing Hobgoblin Exploders if they attempt to drop their explosives

Here are the chat logs for the EverQuest II Developer “Ask Me Anything” in-game chat events. Click a server below to go to that server’s page.

The backbone of any MMO is defined by character progression. That character is you, and that character reflects your hard work. Like any MMO that has been around as long as EQ2 has, you need to be creative, and come up with more ways to improve and increase potential with your character. Whether that means all or some of: new gear, new levels, alternative “systems” to increase power (AA’s), abilities, and then of course new areas to explore and quests to complete.  These things keep people engaged, something to work on with their character, and most importantly, playing the game.

EQ2’s latest expansion Kunark Ascending is no different.  Developer’s took a very creative and unique approach in the latest expansion instead of simply increasing the [Adventure] level cap (which was the de-facto standard set from EQ1 as well as previous EQ2 expansions); they introduced a “secondary” class, Ascension classes. These classes can be trained and used by any existing EQ2 class, and the ability to switch between all 4 if you’d like. These classes work and are synergistic with each other, as well as your existing class (such as a Bard & Geomancer).

The EQ2 developers will be staging Dev Chats in-game in the Public chat channel on each EQ2 server over the next three days. There have been predictions of chaos and troublemakers interrupting the chat, so this could be very interesting or it could go smoothly and lead to enlightenment.

Here’s the schedule from the EQ2 Forums:

If you missed last week’s letter from the team, we’ll be hosting Developer chats on all servers and answering your questions! Below is a schedule for each server:

• April 26th – Thurgadin – 10:30AM–11:30AM PDT (17:30 UTC – 18:30 UTC)
• April 26th – Antonia Bayle – 3:30PM–4:30PM PDT (22:30 UTC – 23:30 UTC)
• April 26th – Halls of Fate – 4:30PM–5:30PM PDT (23:30 UTC – 00:30 UTC)
• April 28th – Skyfire – 3:30PM–4:30PM PDT (22:30 UTC – 23:30 UTC)
• April 28th – Stormhold – 4:30PM–5:30PM PDT (23:30 UTC – 00:30 UTC)
• May 1st – Isle of Refuge – 3:30PM–4:30PM PDT (22:30 UTC – 23:30 UTC)
• May 1st – Maj’Dul – 4:30PM–5:30PM PDT (23:30 UTC – 00:30 UTC)

From Everquest2.com:

Need to catch up or get an alt to max level?

From 12:01AM PST (Midnight)/7:00 UTC on Friday, April 21st, 2017 through 11:59PM PST (Midnight)/7:00 UTC on Thursday, April 27th, 2017, all servers will have bonus experience for All Access Members! This will be applied to Adventure, Tradeskill, and AA.

It is our understanding that this does not double Quest or Ascension XP.

From the EQ2 Forums:

Greetings Fellow Norrathians!

Just stopping by to give everyone some information on what we have coming this year and some insight on the direction we are going.

Cooperative Competition: Co-opetition!

From EverQuest2.com:

Greetings, fair Norrathians!

The team has been busier than a pack of Brownies in a bag of catnip! There’s plenty coming up this year, so let’s get right to it, shall we?!

First, on Tuesday, May 2nd we are launching the first of our Level 100 Co-opetition Challenges in the Proving Grounds! What the heck is “co-opetition”? Well…Cooperative Competition, of course!

In teams, you can compete side-by-side with other groups – and even sabotage their progress – as you mow through baddies so you can win! Why win? For new loot and bragging rights! We will start with one Co-opetition Challenge and switch it out with a new match type or layout periodically. Woot!

The monthly Moonlight Enchantments event begins tonight! The grottos open up on the 20th at 12:01am PT and close on the 21st at 11:59pm PT. The time applies directly with no conversion for all servers.

Achievement: Shinies Beneath the Moonlight
Merchant Items: See on EQ2 Furniture | EQ2 Traders Corner | EQ2 Design Gallery

US Servers: 7:00~9:00am PDT | 10:00am~Noon EDT | 15:00~17:00 BST | 16:00~18:00 CET
EU Servers: 9:00~11:00pm PDT | Midnight~2:00am EDT | 05:00~07:00 BST | 06:00~08:00 CET

From the EQ2 Forums:

POPULATION / ZONE PROGRESSION
Vaedenmoor: Realm of Despair [Raid]

• The number of adds in the Raenha, Sister of Remorse encounter should no longer grow for each successful threshold passed.
• The number of adds in the Raenha, Sister of Remorse encounter required to be killed if the script is failed should no longer grow.
• Deaths in the Raenha, Sister of Remorse encounter still affect add numbers.
• Respawn speed on adds in the Raenha, Sister of Remorse encounter are no longer affected by reuse debuffs (in players’ favor).
• All adds in the Raenha encounter now count toward the add count mechanic.

Ruins of Kaesora: Ancient Xalgozian Temple [Raid]

• Xalgoz should now send a warning message for his event at 5%.

From the EQ2 Forums:

The votes are in and tallied! 65% of players voted to unlock Sentinel’s Fate which will become available in early May.

Players noticed this event had gone live this morning. Here’s the news from the EverQuest2.com:

Hail Norrathians,

Are you working to level up your Ascension classes? If so, you’re in luck because you’ll get TWO Ascension Scrolls every time you visit your Ascension trainer until Thursday, April 20, 2017 at 11:59PM PDT.

Not sure what an Ascension Class is? Check out the full write up on Ascension Classes here.

Not sure where Ascension Trainers are?

• Chosooth, Thaumaturgist Master – Located in Crusaders’ Cave in Obulus Frontier
• Miragul, Etherealist Master – Located in Nye’Caelona in Obulus Frontier
• Najena, Elementalist Master – Located in Crusaders’ Cave in Obulus Frontier
• Aranolh Tol’Ren, Terramancer Master – Located in Nye’Caelona in Obulus Frontier

 

How will YOU take best advantage of double Ascension Scrolls?

From EverQuest2.com:

Every year when the time is just right, Tunare whispers to the world that Spring is here. Magic overflows and the flora and fauna rejoice in this season of birth and renewal. Across Norrath, flowers bloom and animals frolic in exuberant celebration.

Inspired by all the spring excitement Beast’r Eggs have started to hatch and explore the world around them. Some of you may already have spied them hiding around Norrath, and if you’re lucky enough to find one, go interact with it and the egg will become your newest cosmetic pet!

There are 5 different Beast’r Eggs (Frisky, Cheeky, Lovely, Cheery, and Bumbly) and each one has its own unique coloring!

You’ll only be able to find these Beast’r Eggs until midnight on Wednesday, April 19th, 2017, but If you aren’t able to find one or fill out your collection, never fear! From Thursday the 20th until 11:59 PM PT April 30th, they’ll find their way on to the Marketplace.

This event went live yesterday but is just now having news posted about it:

Beast'r is on it's way! Hop in and check things out! https://t.co/EfrcjPk5Uq

— EverQuest II (@everquestii) April 14, 2017

US Servers: 7:00~9:00am PDT | 10:00am~Noon EDT | 15:00~17:00 BST | 16:00~18:00 CET
EU Servers: 9:00~11:00pm PDT | Midnight~2:00am EDT | 05:00~07:00 BST | 06:00~08:00 CET

From the EQ2 Forums:

POPULATION / ZONE PROGRESSION
Arcanna’se Spire: Order and Chaos [Raid]

• Shanaira the Prestigious has had her messaging tweaked for clarity.

Vaedenmoor: Realm of Despair [Raid]

• The Hemorrhage spell should now correctly apply its damage portion of the failure condition during the Setri Lureth encounter.

Lost City of Torsis: The Spectral Market [Expert]

• The doors at the back of The Spectral Market now send you to Crusader’s Cave in Obulus Frontier instead of Kunzar Jungle.

ABILITIES

• Master’s Interpose will now only trigger up to 15 damage reflections before it needs to be recast, and will only trigger on hits greater than 20% of the target’s maximum health.
• Coordinated Wounds will now only apply to targets currently engaged in combat with the group.
• Glacial Freeze now reduces effective level at all spell tiers.
• Increased the duration on higher tiers of Glacial Freeze.

STORMHOLD

• Reduced Combat Mitigation debuffs when the caster is below level 100 in preparation for an upcoming TLE update.

EverQuest II: The Shadow Odyssey expansion unlocked on the Stormhold Time-Locked Expansion server on January 12th. Now it’s time for the first vote about whether EverQuest II’s sixth expansion “Sentinel’s Fate” should unlock!

From the EQ2 Forums:

It’s that time again for the Time Locked Expansion server!

The vote is happening right now so if you want to experience The Sundered Frontier or forge your way into Paineel, voice your opinion! Voting will remain open until April 14th.

Venser has posted an epic video championing the unlock and asking for your vote:

US Servers: 7:00~9:00am PDT | 10:00am~Noon EDT | 15:00~17:00 BST | 16:00~18:00 CET

EU Servers: 9:00~11:00pm PDT | Midnight~2:00am EDT | 05:00~07:00 BST | 06:00~08:00 CET

From the EQ2 Forums:

POPULATION / ZONE PROGRESSION
Raids

• Adds in most tier 4 encounters have had their combat mitigation reduced.

Vaedenmoor: Heart of Nightmares [Raid]

• Adds in the Warden of Nightmare encounters have had their respawn timers corrected to intended values.
• Corrected an issue that occasionally caused 4 adds per round instead of the intended 3 in the Warden of Nightmares encounter.

It’s time to grab some white marble – the Qeynos City Festival returns to Antonica from April 1-7! Spend City Tokens on local specialties, generic festival goods, appearance clothing, or food & drink. Make sure all your characters have finished the Qeynos Postage Collection, speak to Kella Swampfoot to assist with festival quests, and achieve 134 seconds or less in the local Aether Race to earn the Bridge Buzzer title.

WHEN: 12:01am PT on April 1st – 11:59pm PT on April 7th
WHERE: Antonica, outside North Qeynos, /way 6, -14, -61
QUESTS: Special Delivery, Special Order Crafting, Special Order Gathering
ACHIEVEMENTS: Delivery Ahoy, Harvesting Hoopla, Kella Caffeinated, Requisition Acclamation
MERCHANT ITEMS: EQ2 Traders | EQ2 Furniture

US Servers: 7:00~9:00am PDT | 10:00am~Noon EDT | 15:00~17:00 BST | 16:00~18:00 CET EU Servers: 9:00~11:00pm PDT | Midnight~2:00am EDT | 05:00~07:00 BST | 06:00~08:00 CET

From the EQ2 Forums:

ZONES / POPULATION
Kaesora: Xalgozian Stronghold [Solo, Heroic, Expert Heroic]

• Over-General Vihgoh should no longer path into the walls when idle and not being attacked.

ITEMS

• Monk and Bruiser TSO raid set 6-piece bonus (riposte chance) now stacks properly with their class focus effects.
• Warlock TSO raid set 2-piece bonus now grants some additional damage to Apocalypse.
• Several TSO tradeskill items that had a required level of 82 have been correctly set to level 80.
• Several items in Kurn’s Tower have had their stats upgraded slightly to match items from Ward of Elements.

QUESTS

• Vanishing Act – Damaging “a visage of fear” too quickly will no longer prevent the quest from updating.

ACHIEVEMENTS

• Shanaira the Prestigious in Arcanna’se Spire: Order and Chaos [Raid] should now correctly update personal achievements.
• All bosses within Crypt of Dalnir: The Kly Stronghold [Expert-Raid] and Arcanna’se Spire: Order and Chaos [Expert-Raid] should now award flawless achievements.
• Corrected an issue that caused the guild achievement for defeating Setri Lureth to not update correctly.