Starting/restarting Everquest – tips
by paul on Dec.22, 2006, under Hints & Tips
This is also a reminder for returning players, too.
Get started by downloading the ‘new’ patcher, and using that to download the rest of the game; this is faster than installing from CD, as you would have to patch over the CD install anyhow.
If you are completely uncertain about starting/restarting Everquest, get the “Escape to Norrath” free download from SOE; it lets you play any race/class up to level 10 in the Tutorial (only). Upgrading to Trilogy from here is free, you just need to pay the monthly subscription, which is the same no matter how many expansions you have. However, this isn’t the best route: buy Everquest Titanium for $20 or so; this included all expansions apart from Prophecy of Ro and The Serpent’s Spine, both of which are available as digital downloads. I’d strongly recommend Titanium plus TSS (although TSS alone is a very viable option for EQ virgins). If you don’t live in North America, you can get the key code for Titanum sent to you by onlinecdkey.
Before playing, download the all maps file from Mapfiend. You should use the Advanced button in the Everquest patcher to set it download all expansions, not only the ones that you bought.
If you haven’t installed a PC game recently, you WILL need to install Direct X 9.0c (or higher) from Microsoft.
When you enter the game, set up some macros – one for /assist, one for /corpse, and one for /loc; put these on your action bar, preferably instead of the spell icons (you can cast spells by alt-n, where n is the spells position in your spell bar). Also put any racial/class skills (hide, sneak, forage) on your bar.
Make a new character on a random server, and play the Tutorial to get a feel for things.
After a little while, you’ll probably want to set up a few more things; use the EQ button to explore the available windows; make hotkeys for combat and AA abilities. You can find suggestions for macros at most of the class sites. I’d set up at least one extra chat window for combat spam as well (filter->combat->ALL and filter->spells->ALL).
