Returning to EQ2? What you might have forgotten: 3. Expansions and Adventure Packs

The Desert of Flames expansion, released in September 2005, marked a significant step forward in the game's development by introducing two vast overland zones, Sinking Sands and Pillars of Flame, which expanded the world of Norrath. With the level cap raised to 60, players gained access to new group and raid content, most notably the Peacock Club questline that culminated in the battle against Godking Anuk. The expansion also coincided with fundamental changes to the combat system, offering players new spells and abilities across the game's classes.

In February 2006, Kingdom of Sky brought new challenges with overland zones like Tenebrous Tangle and Barren Sky. The level cap increased to 70, opening new possibilities for exploration and combat. This expansion was also notable for introducing flying mounts, adding another layer of immersion and convenience. It featured a unique vertical world, with islands suspended in the sky, which became a staple for future expansions.

With the release of Echoes of Faydwer in November 2007, the game returned to one of EverQuest's most iconic regions—Faydwer. This expansion reintroduced the high-fantasy feel with the addition of the Kelethin city and the launch of the iconic wood elf and fae races. Players were also introduced to the innovative Living Legacy system, which rewarded loyal players with in-game rewards for their continued subscriptions. The level cap was increased to 80, and several new dungeons and raids awaited eager adventurers.

The November 2007 Rise of Kunark expansion added an exotic and dangerous atmosphere to the game with the new zones of Fens of Nathsar and Kylong Plains. The expansion introduced the Iksar race as a playable option and unlocked the powerful class of the Beastlord. In addition to new content, Rise of Kunark was significant for its addition of the quest-based achievement system, giving players more structured ways to earn rewards through exploration, crafting, and combat.

The Shadow Odyssey, launched in November 2008, focused on uncovering the secrets of the Moors of Ykesha and other shadowy zones. The level cap was raised to 80, and players were given a plethora of new group and raid instances. Notable additions included the introduction of the shard system, which allowed players to collect resources for crafting and upgrades through repeatable content. The expansion also included new lore and plotlines around the mysterious Obelisk of Lost Souls.

Sentinel's Fate, released in February 2010, took players to the Isle of Refuge, where they could delve into ancient ruins to uncover the mysteries of the past. The expansion introduced new tradeskill options and provided significant improvements to the questing system. It also raised the level cap to 90, offering even more endgame content. Additionally, the inclusion of new prestige classes and the advancement of faction-based content brought a new level of depth to the game's mechanics.

In February 2011, Destiny of Velious transported players to the frozen lands of Velious, an iconic setting from the original EverQuest. The expansion focused heavily on group and raid content, and the level cap was raised to 90. Destiny of Velious was notable for introducing the questlines for the epic weapons, a major reward for high-level players. The addition of the drakota mounts and several new zones, such as the Eastern Wastes and Great Divide, added new layers to the content.

By 2011, the Age of Discovery expansion revolutionized EverQuest II by introducing the game’s Free-to-Play model. Alongside this monumental change, players were introduced to a variety of new features like the Mercenary system, which allowed players to recruit NPC companions, and the Dungeon Maker, which gave players the tools to create and share their own dungeons. The expansion also brought the highly anticipated Beastlord class, appealing to both solo players and those looking for a new challenge in groups. The level cap was raised to 95, with numerous quality-of-life improvements across the game.

Chains of Eternity, released in December 2012, brought more focus to the game's lore, with a story centered around the fallen gods of Norrath. This expansion introduced the ability to ascend characters to higher planes of power through the Ascension system. The level cap was pushed to 95, and the expansion's new content kept the game fresh, with new zones like Eidolon Jungle and the Charred Throne.

Tears of Veeshan, which launched in November 2013, introduced the iconic dragon goddess Veeshan and brought new layers of challenge to players. The level cap was raised to 100, and the expansion added unique content revolving around the dragon raids and the returning dragons of the Velious storyline. A significant overhaul to the loot and crafting systems ensured that players were always striving to earn better rewards.

With Altar of Malice in 2014, EverQuest II saw an expansion that was focused on both solo and group content, while the introduction of the Tinkerfest event and new mounts gave a fresh feel to crafting and event-based gameplay. The expansion increased the level cap to 105 and introduced several new zones, including the Darkened Sea and Zek.

Kunark Ascending arrived in 2016 with the promise of exploration through the now-revitalized Kunark zones. The new expansion introduced the heroic and raid progression systems, keeping the game fresh for high-end players. With the level cap raised to 120, Kunark Ascending allowed for a new level of challenge, and the introduction of the new Ascension abilities gave players more ways to enhance their characters.

As the years went on, expansions like Planes of Prophecy, Chaos Descending, and Blood of Luclin further enriched the game’s lore and provided continued progression with new classes, quests, and areas for players to explore. These expansions often focused on larger narrative arcs that tied together the growing storylines, along with updated raid and quest content to meet the expectations of the growing player base.

By the time Reign of Shadows and Visions of Vetrovia were released, EverQuest II had fully evolved into a game that balanced its roots in classic MMORPG design with newer innovations to keep it relevant for modern players. These expansions, along with Renewal of Ro, showcased the dedication to high-quality content, bringing together expansive new zones and continued endgame content that pushed players to ever-higher levels of achievement.

Each expansion, from Desert of Flames to Renewal of Ro, shaped the world of EverQuest II into a dynamic and engaging universe, ensuring that both new and returning players had exciting content to explore at every stage of their journey. The game’s evolution reflects a commitment to keeping the spirit of adventure alive while adapting to the ever-changing landscape of online gaming.

Expansion/Adventure Pack	Release Date	Levels	Max AA	Free-to-Play	Update	Zones
The Bloodline Chronicles	August 2005	45-55	None	No	LU7	The Crypt of T’Haen, The Bloodline of the Ancients
The Splitpaw Saga	June 2005	20-50	None	No	LU6	Splitpaw, The Cage, The Pit
The Fallen Dynasty	December 2005	55-60	None	No	LU8	Fallen Dynasty, T’Zarr, The Tomb of the Martyr
Desert of Flames	September 13, 2005	45-60	None	Yes	LU13	Sinking Sands, Pillars of Flame
Kingdom of Sky	February 21, 2006	60-70	None	Yes	LU15	Tenebrous Tangle, Barren Sky, Lavastorm, Bonemire
Echoes of Faydwer	November 13, 2007	1-70	None	Yes	LU25	Greater Faydark, Kelethin, The Steamfont Mountains
Rise of Kunark	November 13, 2007	70-80	None	Yes	LU27	Fens of Nathsar, Jarsath Wastes, Kylong Plains
The Shadow Odyssey	November 18, 2008	70-80	250	Yes	LU35	The Moors of Ykesha, The Obelisk of Lost Souls
Sentinel's Fate	February 16, 2010	80-90	300	Yes	LU45	The Shadow Oak, Moors of Ykesha, The Obelisk
Destiny of Velious	February 22, 2011	80-90	300	Yes	LU55	Eastern Wastes, Great Divide, Velious
Age of Discovery	December 6, 2011	1-90	350	Yes	LU61	The Overrealm, The Isle of Mara, The Thalumbra
Chains of Eternity	December 11, 2012	90-95	300	Yes	LU66	The Charred Throne, Eidolon Jungle, The Caves
Tears of Veeshan	November 12, 2013	95-100	350	Yes	LU68	Veeshan's Peak, Obulus Frontier, The Dragon's Lair
Altar of Malice	November 25, 2014	100-105	400	Yes	LU69	The Altar of Malice, The Darkened Sea, Zek
Terrors of Thalumbra	December 1, 2015	100-110	450	Yes	LU74	Thalumbra, Fissure of Alaris, Emperor’s Reach
Kunark Ascending	December 6, 2016	110-120	500	Yes	LU81	Kunark, Kael Drakkel, The Shattered Frontier
Planes of Prophecy	June 13, 2017	100-110	500	Yes	LU85	The Planes of Prophecy, The City of Valor, Tunaria
Chaos Descending	November 13, 2018	110-120	550	Yes	LU92	The Chaos Descending, Kylong Plains, Pandemonium
Blood of Luclin	February 25, 2020	110-120	550	Yes	LU96	Luclin, The Moonfields, The Shattered Sky
Reign of Shadows	September 2020	110-120	600	Yes	LU98	The Realm of Shadows, Fae Lands, Enchanted Forest
Visions of Vetrovia	February 2021	120	650	Yes	LU100	Vetrovia, The Shimmering Waters, Ghoulinda's Lair
Renewal of Ro	April 2022	120	700	Yes	LU101	Raj'Dur Plateaus, The Blightstorm, Val'Marr
Rum Cellar	October 2015	100-105	None	Yes	LU103	The Rum Cellar, The Pirate Isle