Everquest 2: Anashti Sul prepares for the first expansion

 

Anashti Sul: Reliving the Glory Days of EverQuest II

When Daybreak dropped their producer letters for EverQuest and EverQuest II in April 2024, the MMORPG community buzzed with anticipation about the upcoming progression servers. One of the most exciting announcements was the Anashti Sul server for EverQuest II, a nostalgia-fueled experience that allows players to step back into the world of Norrath as it existed in 2006. Now, as the server prepares for its next significant milestone, let’s take a closer look at what’s in store.

A Look Back: Anashti Sul Origins Server

Initially teased under the working title “Origins,” Anashti Sul was designed to bring back the essence of classic EverQuest II gameplay. The server launched with The Shattered Lands era content, stripping away the complexities of modern expansions to deliver the feel of the original game. Daybreak’s vision was clear: a challenging, group-focused environment where players could relive the joys of old-school MMORPGs.

Key features of the Anashti Sul server include:

• No Modern Conveniences: Spell research, Krono, holiday events, and persistent instances are excluded.
• Simplified Gameplay: Stats and systems reflect the 2006 era, with Freeport and Qeynos restored to their original forms.
• Classic Boss Encounters: Bosses revert to their initial designs, offering a fresh take on familiar challenges.
• Unique Design Depot: For the first time, a progression server is fully forked from the live game, ensuring authenticity.

The staggered beta for the server ran until June 2024, drawing in a dedicated player base eager to experience EverQuest II as it was nearly two decades ago.

Desert of Flames Beta: A New Chapter

Fast forward to January 2025, and Anashti Sul is gearing up for its next expansion. The beta for Desert of Flames will run from January 27, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. PST until February 10, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. PST, inviting players to explore the rich, sandy landscapes of Norrath’s first expansion.

Desert of Flames introduces a host of exciting features:

• Level Cap Increase: Adventurer, Tradeskiller, and Guild levels now cap at 60.
• Expanded Abilities: New spells and combat arts enhance gameplay depth.
• Tradeskill Progression: Additional recipes and crafting options await.
• Guild Vaults: A new way to share resources within your guild.
• Freedom of Movement: Climbing, hanging, and ledge crawling bring a new dimension to exploration.

Prepare to encounter djinn, mummies, and, of course, the iconic flying carpets as you delve into the desert’s mysteries. Check out the official trailer here to get a sneak peek of the action.

How to Join the Beta

If you’re ready to test the sands of Desert of Flames, here’s how to get started:

1. Open your LaunchPad.
2. Click the ‘Version’ link in the top-left corner.
3. Select ‘Beta’ from the drop-down menu and hit ‘Apply’ to patch.
4. Once patching is complete, hit ‘Play.’

Players can copy their Anashti Sul characters to the Beta server using the /beta command. If your character doesn’t appear, create a new level 1 character on Beta, log in and out, and your copied character should then display.

Important Notes:

• The Beta server uses a separate installation folder, requiring additional disk space.
• Beta characters may be wiped periodically.
• Progress made on the Beta server will not carry over to live servers, except for specific Beta rewards available through /claim.

Don’t forget to report bugs and offer feedback using the /bug and /feedback commands. Your input helps refine the experience for everyone.

A Journey Worth Taking

Whether you’re a veteran returning to relive cherished memories or a new player seeking to experience the roots of EverQuest II, Anashti Sul offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore Norrath’s past. With Desert of Flames on the horizon, there’s never been a better time to dive into this classic MMORPG experience. Grab your sunscreen and get ready to journey into the desert!

Everquest 2 Quick Reference: Base statistics for each race

Races in EverQuest II
Race	Strength	Agility	Stamina	Intelligence	Wisdom	Charisma
Good Races
Dwarf	30	15	30	10	15	15
Fae	15	30	15	25	25	25
Froglok	20	20	20	20	20	20
Halfling	15	30	20	20	20	25
High Elf	15	25	20	30	25	25
Vah Shir	25	25	25	15	15	15
Wood Elf	15	30	20	15	25	25
Neutral Races
Aerakyn	25	30	20	20	20	15
Barbarian	25	20	25	15	20	10
Erudite	15	25	20	30	20	20
Freeblood	25	25	20	20	20	20
Gnome	15	25	15	30	25	25
Half-Elf	20	25	20	20	20	20
Human	20	20	20	20	20	20
Kerra	25	25	20	15	25	15
Ratonga	20	25	20	20	20	15
Evil Races
Arasai	20	25	15	25	25	25
Dark Elf	20	25	20	25	20	20
Iksar	20	25	20	15	25	20
Ogre	30	10	30	10	10	5
Sarnak	25	20	20	20	20	10
Troll	20	15	30	10	15	5

Everquest 2: Choosing a tradeskill class

If you’re just starting with crafting in EverQuest II (EQ2), choosing a tradeskill class can feel overwhelming. Each class specialises in making certain items, and your choice will determine what you can craft as you progress. Here's a simplified guide to help you decide.

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Understanding Tradeskills in EQ2

• What is a Tradeskill Class?
  Tradeskill classes let you craft items like gear, potions, and decorations. These classes are separate from your adventuring class and progress independently.
• How Do You Choose?
  At level 10, you select an archetype: Craftsman, Outfitter, or Scholar. At level 20, you specialise into one of nine final tradeskill classes.

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Tradeskill Classes at a Glance

The table below summarises each tradeskill class, their archetypes, and what they specialise in to help you pick the one that aligns with your interests or needs.

Archetype	Class	Specialisation	Why Choose This Class?
Craftsman	Carpenter	Furniture, house items, storage boxes	Ideal for housing enthusiasts who enjoy decorating.
	Provisioner	Food and drink for stat buffs	Great for providing consumables to support adventurers.
	Woodworker	Bows, arrows, shields, totems	Perfect for utility items like speed or invisibility totems.
Outfitter	Armorer	Plate and chain armour	Essential for crafting gear for tanks and Scouts.
	Tailor	Cloth and leather armour, bags	Suitable for outfitting Mages, Druids, and inventory needs.
	Weaponsmith	Metal weapons and crafting tools	Focused on melee weapons and tools for harvesting.
Scholar	Alchemist	Potions, poisons, cures, Fighter spells	Vital for adventurers needing consumables or spell upgrades.
	Jeweler	Jewellery, Scout spell upgrades	Combines wearable gear with Scout support.
	Sage	Mage and Priest spell upgrades	Ideal for those who want to focus on magical spell crafting.

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Tips for Choosing a Tradeskill Class

1. Think About Your Main Character:
   If you’re playing a specific class, consider a tradeskill that complements it. For example, if you’re a Mage, Sage might be useful for crafting your own spell upgrades.
2. Consider the Economy:
   Certain tradeskill classes like Provisioner, Alchemist, and Woodworker produce consumables that are always in demand, making them great for earning money.
3. Explore Housing or Utility:
   If you enjoy decorating or creating useful items, Carpenter or Woodworker may be rewarding options.
4. You Can Always Create Alts:
   Since each character can only master one tradeskill class, many players make alternate characters to cover multiple crafting needs.

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No matter which tradeskill class you choose, crafting is a rewarding and integral part of EQ2. Pick a class that aligns with your playstyle or goals, and enjoy the journey!

Everquest 2 dictionary: Stances

In EverQuest II, stances are combat modes that significantly alter a character's playstyle by adjusting offensive, defensive, or utility capabilities. They allow players to adapt to different combat scenarios and roles effectively.

Key Features of Stances

• Purpose: Stances enhance specific attributes, such as damage output, defence, or support, based on combat needs.
• Activation: They are usually toggled abilities that remain active until switched off or replaced.
• Class-Specific: Certain classes, like Fighters and Beastlords, have access to stances to customize their performance.

Examples of Stances

Fighter Stances

• Defensive Stance: Enhances survivability by boosting mitigation and threat generation while reducing offensive capabilities. Ideal for tanking.
• Offensive Stance: Increases damage output and offensive stats at the cost of reduced defence. Suitable for solo play or damage roles.

Scout Stances

• Stealth/Combat Stances: Enhance burst damage or grant abilities while in stealth mode.
• Positional Stances: Provide bonuses for attacking enemies from specific positions, like behind or to the side.

Beastlord Stances

• Feral Stance: Focuses on maximizing damage output with offensive warder abilities and primal attacks. Ideal for solo play or DPS roles in groups.
• Spiritual Stance: Balances damage with healing and utility, enabling support abilities like group heals. Perfect for hybrid or support roles.

General Effects of Stances

Stance Type	Benefits	Drawbacks
Offensive Stance	Boosts damage, accuracy, and critical chance.	Reduces defence or threat management.
Defensive Stance	Increases survivability with higher defence and resistances.	Reduces offensive stats or abilities.

Practical Tips for Using Stances

• Match the Stance to the Role: Use an offensive stance for maximum damage and a defensive stance when tanking or facing challenging opponents.
• Adapt During Combat: Swap stances mid-fight to respond to changing situations.
• Understand the Trade-offs: Balance the benefits and drawbacks of each stance to optimize performance.

Stances add strategic depth to EverQuest II, empowering players to adapt their approach to the challenges they face. Mastery of stance usage is a key skill for many classes, enhancing their effectiveness and versatility.