Power Level locations

[GnekroeGnomicon]

Okie, so I have been pling my baby cleric as she is now almost 38. Here has been my powerleveling path:

1-9 newbie zones and low side of PC (killing the bugs)
9-15ish phlergs? (lower level fiends) in PC (10-15 a pull, 2 pulls then repop)
15-20 phlargs? (higher level fiends) in PC (1 pull, all phlargs 20+ mobs, then pull phlergs 20+mobs, wait for repop.
20-24 bandits in PC (should've left at 22, but stayed with another newbie and grouped with him) bandit camp 2 was very nice.
24-31 lower side of EchoCaverns (10+ mobs a pull, mutants first, then needleites, then 2 pulls of boglings, then back for repop) - awesome exp, might be able to do 32 here as well but a lot of the xp was slowing up by 31.
32-38 (leaving at 38 I think) Beach of Gunthak, 4-5 pulls of 5-6 mobs a piece, preferably undead (mobs hit much harder now so pulls are much smaller)

OK where next? I might stay till 39 at the beach in Gunthak just because of the sheer number of mobs, though a large number of them will now be at the edge of dark blueness.

I have thought the higher end of EC might be good, but there are not a ton of mobs there. And if anyone else is hunting there, xp will grind to a halt as I will be waiting on repops.

What I am looking for is a spot or two to get to 46 (or is it 47? that can group with a 70) - then I am bringing her to the planes and we will be set. What I need is a spot that will give decent xp, preferebly few casters (casters don't like to hit my ds as much), lots of mobs to pull (probably in the neighborhood of 20ish), and relatively quick repop.

The more mobs available the less repop time really matters. My pull numbers will probably once again go down to 3-4 mobs a pull (maybe more depending on how reliably I can channel through rune with them hitting Gnek).

The one major caveat is that it needs to be a place where I am not competing too frequently with other players. The main reason for this is me feeling guilty about pulling all the mobs in an area when there are other characters there for xp. (note a place like gunthak could easily support a couple power levelers and a couple xp'ers).

One thing to remember as well the cleric must be able to land her AoE on the mobs (ie. Can't take her to some place with high reds to her).

Where would you go? EC, Lguk maybe? Give me your thoughts.

[Rijak]

not sure how busy it is, but city of mist or karnor's might be good spots... both pretty packed with mobs and lots of undead

[Felicite]

You know I thought it was 47.. but I was grouped with a 46 the other day (without thinking) and it works (bad me, I insisted it was 47).

Howling Stones

I go pretty fast in the Echo Caverns by lifetapping pulling the mob to 20%ish and Death Peace.. let the PLee melee the mob.

City of Mist seems like a good choice.

All the LoY spell drops are No Trade? I would do that once baby is 46..

In general, once grouped, I find killing white/yellow cons (to the baby) really fast is the win. I can key for Drunder, HoH, etc at 46.. but the XP is aweful. Even PoM/PoD/PoN/PoI at 46.. when I am killing hard.. the baby might get more benefit from Dulak, or Seb. YMMV. Enjoy. Remember to learn the other class.. *giggle*

[GnekroeGnomicon]

I go pretty fast in the Echo Caverns by lifetapping pulling the mob to 20%ish and Death Peace.. let the PLee melee the mob.

City of Mist seems like a good choice.

All the LoY spell drops are No Trade? I would do that once baby is 46..

In general, once grouped, I find killing white/yellow cons (to the baby) really fast is the win. I can key for Drunder, HoH, etc at 46.. but the XP is aweful. Even PoM/PoD/PoN/PoI at 46.. when I am killing hard.. the baby might get more benefit from Dulak, or Seb. YMMV. Enjoy. Remember to learn the other class.. *giggle*
hehe thanks Fel. I have hesitated the nuke/fd method in favor of the mass train method, but as mobs get stronger that may be a better option. Dulak from 46-53ish will probably be great xp... tons of mobs to wander around killing freely (and getting more comfortable with the duo -- can just pet tank them down).

CoM would probably be the way to go I guess, between spread out mobs and having the place to myself.

I am learnign teh cleric through Eqclerics a bit, they don't have a lot in the way of "here is how to play a cleric" but I am getting a few great bits of info out of them. The main thing I want to avoid is spending too much time on the cleric... all in all it really is just a bot and I have no intention of her getting as much attention as Gnek.

[GnekroeGnomicon]

not sure how busy it is, but city of mist or karnor's might be good spots... both pretty packed with mobs and lots of undead

Hmm, Karnor's might be interesting, though I wonder what level it would be good to go there - never solo'd much there and been way too long since I have grouped inside.

[Dranul]

Chardok B, once she can group with you, might be one to look into. I remember grouping with a mage friend there around that level, though he was much higher than me, and the exp was just lovely. Nearly everything is undead, your pet can tank it all easy, and they'll be red cons to your cleric.

[BlackHeart]

I have PL'd at least a dozen toons. Mine and other peoples.

The best I have found for 36-46 is City of Mist, mostly in the stable area. Plenty of undead here that you can nuke almost to death in one shot, charm, then mem-wipe with invis and let cleric finish them off.

Goes very fast.

After 46, I just group my necro with the PL'd toon and stay in CoM until 50. Clearing the entire back area of the zone or the areas on the walls. The 67 necro pet is a GOD against these mobs. I just go cast darkness on each one, do /pet attack and just run around in a circle letting the pet kill at his leisure.

At 50-55 howling stones is nice, just grouping with him as a normal group.

At 55-60 seems like gargs in PoN is best, but I have tried many other areas. My next thing to try is Juggs in Seb.

Started my new cleric on Oct 17. He dinged 57 last nght.

At 60, I will do DoN missions with him.

[Rijak]

Originally posted by GnekroeGnomicon@Nov 3 2005, 01:38 PM
not sure how busy it is, but city of mist or karnor's might be good spots... both pretty packed with mobs and lots of undead

Hmm, Karnor's might be interesting, though I wonder what level it would be good to go there - never solo'd much there and been way too long since I have grouped inside.
mostly 45-50, so maybe not quite there yet

[Rijak]

Originally posted by BlackHeart@Nov 3 2005, 02:17 PM
At 55-60 seems like gargs in PoN is best, but I have tried many other areas. My next thing to try is Juggs in Seb.
i've been doing NC murks recently with my 56 bard... not too bad, and fast kills... around 2% for him a kill and 2ish% AA for me at L70... plus the rare drop worth some platinum

[biggrol]

Lower Guk is alway free. The whole dungeon is undead. Low hitpoints because of oldworld zone. Would be ok until 46 I believe.

[Schaeffer]

Originally posted by GnekroeGnomicon@Nov 3 2005, 02:38 PM
Hmm, Karnor's might be interesting, though I wonder what level it would be good to go there - never solo'd much there and been way too long since I have grouped inside.
OOO, I can pull out my pocket ranger and train you in KC, I remember rangers being real good at training people in KC, then again, who wasn't?

[FCseven]

Dont PL or you will never learn the class

[Sappho]

I have to add my endorsement to Charasis/Howling Stones. It's a hotspot, the mobs have low low HP compared to the planes, lots of undead (though to be honest that won't make much of a difference), and you can just park your alt in the pit on the North wall ledge (one of the only safe spots in the zone) and kill everything top and bottom in one spawn cycle.

To maximise your efficiency you need to get the master key so that you can pull from the first room of the West, North and South wing (gives you another 12 mobs). This article (http://www.rpgexpert.com/index.php?art/id:2807) describes the master key quest (grab 4 drops, one from each wing - easy for a Necromancer).

Once she dings 55 I would probably relocate to Plane of Tactics. You'll even get a little XP yourself at that spot, and with fast kills the XP should mount steadilly. The only drawback to tactics is that if you are doing the easy upper ledge (zone-in level, non-summoners) then there are only around 12 mobs to kill, but with a 15 or so minute respawn cycle you should still be able to pull pretty constantly.

I've tried the gargoyles in PoN. I levelled up many characters there (non-powerlevelled), but I just don't think that there are enough mobs if you powerlevel. I did try Sebilis for powerlevelling and this is great for plat now that the flowers are high-level tradeskill components, but the mobs have a lot more hp than charasis, and a lot less XP per kill than tactics. Worth checking out perhaps but not my choice.

Best of luck :)

Sapph.

[Dottn]

PL ing a Cleric?

Cleric001 tells the group, CH INC Tank001
fizzle..
fizzle..
fizzle..
fizzle..
fizzle..
fizzle..
Tank001 has been slayen by some Mob

[BlackHeart]

Dont PL or you will never learn the class
Assuming that you actually WANT to learn the class. The cleric I am making will never be anything more than a guild Buff Bot. Once he gets HoV and MGB I doubt he will ever get another point of XP. Much like my 60 enchanter who has been 60, and 0% into 61 for almost 2 years now ;)



PL ing a Cleric?

Cleric001 tells the group, CH INC Tank001
fizzle..
fizzle..
fizzle..
fizzle..
fizzle..
fizzle..
Tank001 has been slayen by some Mob


Easily remedied by creative hotkeys that require very little work to allow cleric to practice skillups while being PLd or on a 2nd box when you are grouping or raiding with your other toons. This is even easier after the PLd toon reaches level 46 and nothing is required of him but to stand in a corner and soak up the XP. Mine has max alteration and evoke and is over 200 in all other spell skills.

[GnekroeGnomicon]

Mine has max alteration and evokeHehe mine too, well almost in evoke, but the easiest way to max a PLee's main skill (da da da) TRAINERS! After a every few pl sessions I run her back and make sure Alteration is maxed. Evocation is getting steady skill ups while I play her, and Abjuration will be a pain, but I have no qualms sitting in the Guild Hall some evening while I am chatting away and chain casting "courage" :)

Honestly, I am not worried about learning how to play a cleric box as I am not intending for her to be a "real" character. I expect her to play well with Gnek, which will take some time to perfect, but there will be plenty of duoing time for that.

And besides, of all the classes to PL clerics are probably the most easily boxed. Sure they are not going to be as effective as a cleric that has spent years playing the class, but honestly casting CH or chaining Pious Light can't be that difficult :P I don't intend on using her in xp groups, mostly just for:

1) when our guild *needs* extra healing (ie. named mob is up, and no other guild cleric is to be had)
2) when our guild *needs* rezzing, buffing (ie. I *love* the idea of having conv handy at all times, my play times are odd and many times conv can't be had - no it isn't necessary but it goes a long way to helping the survivability of an "Oh Shit" situation).
3) when Gnek wants to do something stupid and will most likely die multiple times (hesitant to learn the Nest just yet, but with ready set conv/rezes I am good to go to die 20 times in a play session learning the ropes).
4) when Gnek needs a bit more healing power for taking down some mob he would otherwise need much better gear and a couple hundred more aa's to do solo.

I am not too worried about learning these... and besides, unlike a lot of boxers I actually don't have that much play time so I actually end up on forums (lots of down time at work) more than I play, I have read most of eqclerics forums already and am looking to digest more "cleric" info. Forum reading isn't as good as ingame play experience, but it helps a lot in the understanding of the abilities/weakness/strategies of a single class.

[Felicite]

Originally posted by Sappho@Nov 4 2005, 06:51 AM
Once she dings 55 I would probably relocate to Plane of Tactics. You'll even get a little XP yourself at that spot, and with fast kills the XP should mount steadilly. The only drawback to tactics is that if you are doing the easy upper ledge (zone-in level, non-summoners) then there are only around 12 mobs to kill, but with a 15 or so minute respawn cycle you should still be able to pull pretty constantly.
At 70, the safe room and pulling around the pit is too slow. I was literally pulling a few mobs short of the dining hall back up before respawns. Well, and 2 or 3 at time.. snaring once I got them there.

I <3 Drunder, go there more than I should. But I either kite my way down to the forge area (and the two named before you get there), or just jump in the pit and kite in one of the side rooms off it. Much faster pulls, and more mobs.

Of course, on a Blue server you would need to do the key quest..

[Dottn]

Originally posted by GnekroeGnomicon@Nov 4 2005, 04:16 PM
Hehe mine too, well almost in evoke, but the easiest way to max a PLee's main skill (da da da) TRAINERS!

2) when our guild *needs* rezzing, buffing (ie. I *love* the idea of having conv handy at all times, my play times are odd and many times conv can't be had - no it isn't necessary but it goes a long way to helping the survivability of an "Oh Shit" situation).

I havn't used a trainer in so long... I think i just forgot about that.

LoL I've had pleanty of "Oh Shit" situations, and CV has saved me.
running on a 40g HD and 256 ram, I tend to lag at the most convenient of time. I.e. right when the mob gets next to me and i stand to run again while agro kiting.

[Aryse Andenter]

Originally posted by Rijak+Nov 3 2005, 07:23 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Rijak @ Nov 3 2005, 07:23 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-BlackHeart@Nov 3 2005, 02:17 PM
At 55-60 seems like gargs in PoN is best, but I have tried many other areas.* My next thing to try is Juggs in Seb.
i've been doing NC murks recently with my 56 bard... not too bad, and fast kills... around 2% for him a kill and 2ish% AA for me at L70... plus the rare drop worth some platinum [/b][/quote]
Tryal and I use the root & run PL method (when we've tested we can always get the fastest risk-free xp this way, but it does make a difference its two of us). We've stuck to deep reds. Our latest session moved to NC, its a surprisingly good PL spot. Did it low 40s for ~8% xp per kill. Typically work our way through OT/DS/Natimbi. DS might be adapatable to DS PLing too, lots of mobs, lots of camp spots where you can avoid wanderers.

[GnekroeGnomicon]

Tryal and I use the root & run PL method (when we've tested we can always get the fastest risk-free xp this way, but it does make a difference its two of us).What exactly is the root and run method? :o That doesn't sound like a bad place to go for a few levels, might even get a chance at that drakescale shield for her :)

[Dranul]

I'm guessing you sort of leap frog over each other's mobs. One person root rots this one, then the other takes the next at the same time, continue. Or, you both apply dots on one, then before it dies, root rot the second.

[Rijak]

probably talking about running out of xp range so PLee get's it all... a good tactic too, but i tend to take the xp too since i'm AA-challenged

[Aryse Andenter]

Root & run works like this:

PLee and PLer are grouped. PLee pulls a mob (doesn't have to be damaged at all, can use a debuff or whatever). PLer roots the mob, DoTs it up, and runs out of range of xp. PLee gets full xp.

Works great with deep red mobs because the PLee shouldn't get touched by the mob (and doesn't have to actually land any spells on it) and you can soak up the most xp this way.

[GnekroeGnomicon]

Very cool, I must try it out once me cleric gets to the appropriate level :) It was a beautiful thing, she cast her first CH this morning :)

[BlackHeart]

Hmmm... sounds like a new twist =). Now, I just need to find a spot with level 62ish mobs that don't summon, and in a zone sparse enough that I can get far enough away..

[Tryal Anderror]

Originally posted by GnekroeGnomicon@Nov 4 2005, 11:05 PM
Very cool, I must try it out once me cleric gets to the appropriate level :) It was a beautiful thing, she cast her first CH this morning :)
The beauty of it is that there is no appropriate level. You can do this at level 1 through to 70.

They don't have to be high enough level to normally get xp in a group with the PLer, nor do they have to do any damage to the mobs.

And as for level 62ish mobs that don't summon. Do PoV or HoH. Remember you can also just click invis to run away if you can't get a clear area...though both PoV and HoH have clear spots to do it.

[GnekroeGnomicon]

They don't have to be high enough level to normally get xp in a group with the PLer, nor do they have to do any damage to the mobs. So you can be grouped with them and they will still get xp?

[Tryal Anderror]

Yes, you actually have to be grouped with them.

The mechanism is like this:

The XP goes to The Group who did the most Damage 1st
Then it checks range on people in the group to the Puller of the Mob 2nd
Then it Determines who should get what XP 3rd

So The Little person Aggros...so he's the puller. Then The big person applies the damage, so It's your group being awarded xp.
Then Big person runs away so that when it dies, it's credited to the group, minus the big person.
Since the Big person doesn't enter into the xp equation at all, his level doesn't matter

[GnekroeGnomicon]

Thanks for that tid bit, that is very, very cool :)

Now to think of ways to abuse this:

Could you have a pet guard a location. Have PLee target mob, have PLer out of XP range but close enough to assist and have pet kill mobs and PLee get xp?

Hmm, binding and gate to outside the xp range for us slower movin' toons? Would work nicely with succour if you did it at night (bind at PL spot, load dots, succour across zone, PL gets exp, gate back).

Do you zone if gating within the same zone? I thought that used to be the case, but it hasn't been the case in PoK and the bazaar from my experiences lately.

[Schaeffer]

Originally posted by BlackHeart@Nov 4 2005, 07:08 PM
Hmmm... sounds like a new twist =). Now, I just need to find a spot with level 62ish mobs that don't summon, and in a zone sparse enough that I can get far enough away..
This would be another one of them CoS usages...

[Rijak]

Originally posted by BlackHeart@Nov 4 2005, 06:08 PM
Hmmm... sounds like a new twist =). Now, I just need to find a spot with level 62ish mobs that don't summon, and in a zone sparse enough that I can get far enough away..
again i'd suggest the murks... and you really don't have to get that far away (easily runnable)... plus murks run at 20%, so you don't even need to root, just make sure snare doesn't run out

[BlackHeart]

Tried the murks this weekend. Using necro to kite. XP was pretty decent. Still, it didn't beat the steady stream of XP in PoN at gargs kiting with my bard.

I parked cleric on the hill and kited. Went all the way through 59 in a little over 6 hours playing time. That's not the best, but considering that most of the time I was the only person(s) in the zone and that I could log on and off at will and not worry about losing my camp, it was the easiest.

But, that was with a bard. Using strictly necro, I would have to agree that murks was probably best. And now that cleric is over 60, it is much faster XP to just do DoN missions with the necro. I used vet award and went completely through 60 in one mission, albeit an extended one. Took about 3 hours.

[Menaveru]

I use a druid to Pl my alts.. So I log in partners 70th lvl druid.. Have the druid cast DS on themselves I think hers is around 120 now.. Get agro on a bunch of mobs and then let them just beat themselves to death on DS.. To get xp.. The plee needs to do damage to the mob just once.. Uber xp.. LOL Works well till they are in grouping range.. Made 35 in a few hours that way.. LOL

Mena

[Paddi]

Originally posted by Dottn@Nov 4 2005, 02:25 PM
PL ing a Cleric?

Cleric001 tells the group, CH INC Tank001
fizzle..
fizzle..
fizzle..
fizzle..
fizzle..
fizzle..
Tank001 has been slayen by some Mob
Simple remedy for this Fizzle problem...


Auto Archery Guide (http://www.angelfire.com/ego/duckys_pond/Everquest/AutoArchery.htm)

Used it to get Wizzy Conjuration up...only things to cast there are pet<worthless aside from focus and mana regen> and a few things like Eye of Zohm<spelling> and others...but you just set it up it runs in the background and just keeps toggling a key over and over...you can get your casting maxed in no time while you sleep.

One recomendation, though I do not believe it violates the EULA, and may or maynot be wrong here. I would recomend doing it in a zone like your Guild Hall or Shadowrest so as not to incure the rath of GM's or people complaining about spamming.

[Aryse Andenter]

It would be bannable. I'd think twice about using that program.



Edit: Here's a mention of someone suspended for using this very program: http://eqforums.station.sony.com/eq/board/...message.id=9139 (http://eqforums.station.sony.com/eq/board/message?board.id=Trade&message.id=9139)

[GnekroeGnomicon]

Good thing too, CH has an incredibly low fizzle rate. :D

Think my cleric cast her first CH without a fizzle at a skill of < 100 alteration. I was pleasently surprised that the one buff I have her repeatedly cast, Temp, also has a very low fizzle rate.

Spell skills are not that important to worry about, as long as you are conscious of what you are doing with the character. For instance, I have kept my cleric's alteration close to max by just spending skill points on her (what else are they good for? :P), her evocation is close to max because she used evoc throughout her PLing. Abjuration is a bit behind the times, but honestly it is catching up just by casting temp and yaulp on anyone and everything that I see. Conjuration and divination are lacking at the moment on her, but I am not sure I will need to conjure food or water mid battle, and her divination skill I don't think is that much of a worry :blink:

So far actually it has seemed that most of her healing spells have very low fizzle rates which is nice.