LQGaming Services: - EverQuest 2's 1st Expansion

Since the launch of EverQuest 2 in early November of 2004, over 1600 quests have been added among thousands of other updates. They launched the first Adventure pack, which is an inexpensive update that is heavily weighed in content to add more spice and more flavor to the game, and now they are launching their very first expansion, Desert of Flames. The difference between the Adventure Pack, and the expansion, is very simple. Adventure packs are created to add more content to the game. Some zones are added to support this, but these updates aren't really huge overhauls of the system. They're centered more around dungeons and story line, giving players a bit more of a glimpse into the current released game. Expansions are more of a system overhaul where elements that are great & involving ideas are implemented, but need to be mastered through the entire architecture of the game with many different aspects modified to make the idea, or in this case, massive amounts of ideas, come to fruitation.

The biggest feature of this expansion is the setting of the new zones. One of the most beloved and hated zones within the original EverQuest, centered around the Desert of Ro. EverQuest 2's first expansion, Desert of Flames, is set in this very same place: Desert of Ro. Many of the stories told from the original EverQuest center around creatures such as Sand Giants, Lockjaw, Giant Sand Spiders, and Specters. EverQuest 2 is bringing back some of the most these creatures, plus having new creatures roaming the desert wastelands, such as monkeys, Sphynx, and Skorpions. That's right... monkeys!

The content is targeted for levels 45 to 60. Oh yes, and did I not mention? This expansion is going to raise the level cap from 50 to 60. That includes increases in skills, spells, trade skills, and everything else. 50% of the content is created for large groups, and the other half is for solo game play or small groups. PVP is one of the newest features being implemented in the new expansion.

New city, a central hub within the deserts of Ro, Maj' Dul

Maj' Dul is much like many Arabian settings, with the town being a bit more shady than what is seen within the cities of Qeynos and Freeport. There are 3 main factions within the city, and they are difficult to gain favor with, yet that isn't nearly as much of an issue where it comes to losing that favor. All NPCs are attackable within the city, so it is definitely a place to be leery about, as some may attack you as a player, on sight, depending on how your faction standing is. Take 1 wrong step, and you'll find NPCs seeking you out to deal out retribution. If things get too rowdy in the city, there is a crew of wizards, called the Cha Sha'ir, that patrol the city on flying carpets who's job is to "keep the peace" in the best way they know possible - attacking the offenders.

Players can not only gain favor of the different factions, they can also take over buildings. This will have a very dramatic effect on the dynamics of the entire city, faction standings, and other areas as well for all players, not just for the player or group that has taken over the building. Not as much was spoken about how it would change, but it definitely seemed something that the developers are very excited about.

An interesting way to gain some faction is by going within the champion arena. This is the zone for PVP combat. Players who enter this zone of combat, will be put up against other players in one of three first-person-shooter style combat scenarios, including head-on combat, defend your base, or capture the flag. Single players can also enter the arena to be placed in front of an opposing player that was either waiting for another to join the combat, or an NPC of similar levels. Those who defeat their opponents will walk out to find npcs bowing and cheering, as they are considered as champions.

Another feature to pvp includes the ability to collect items from the game that will enable you to transform into a creature. This will enable players to not only have different stats, but some of the creatures that players can transform into are level base, such as a level 40 orc, and this will enable people of vastly different levels to compete in the arena and have a definite chance of surviving through the encounter. Players can either select from a list of different items of transformation, or collect special transformation items that will enable you to become a more unique creature within the Champion Arena.

Lastly, this expansion is bringing new dimension to the game for exploration and combat, giving players the ability to climb walls, ladders, ropes, as well as the ability to shimmy from rope to rope while hanging on. There are NPCs that are created to actually seek you out depending on the type of trouble that you embody. One of the biggest changes that people will notice with this, and one of the most horrifying, is that there are 2 dragons who roam the areas, including the city of Maj' Dul, who have players targeted and will seek them out.

Though this is quite a bit of information, it was still just touching only a small amount of what is slotted to be released with this expansion.

All of this and more is slotted to release Mid-September. Be sure to visit EQ2 LQGaming Services: for updates until the date of this expansion's release.

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