In need of information about Vanguard

**Deadshade**

Good day to you all .

First to present myself .

I am a Day 1 MMORPG player , veteran of UOL (entered 1998 , played 2 years) , veteran of EQ (entered march 99 , played 4 years) .

I tried over shorter periods of time (less than 1.5 years) most other MMORPG (AC , AOL , DAoC , EQ2 , WoW , Lotro , AoC etc) .

In all this there has been only 1 game that left a lasting impression on me - EQ .

When I cancelled my EQ account , it has been partly because of the pointless and boring XP&AA grind but mostly because the game population has saturated the highest levels what left 90 % of the game zones depressingly empty and focused 99 % of the game content on raiding during 4 to 10 hours . Yet the first 2 years have been a complete immersion in Norrath with all zones teeming with life , groups easy to find and the players mostly friendly and helpfull (despite some exceptions that are bound to happen in every social activity) .

Now a few days ago I have been talking with a friend (also a former EQ player) who informed me about Vanguard . He told me that this game was similar to EQ , produced similar feelings but suffered from bugs and insufficient game population . The first part interested me enough to come to this board to ask some questions . I precise that I have no idea about Vanguard other than what one reads on the official site . Indeed finding that there were High elves , Half elves , Wood elves and Dark elves immediately triggered an impression of deja vu SMILEY

1) Is it true that there are not enough players ? Is there any possibility to do a free trial (I didn't find that on the official page but didn't perhaps look hard enough) .

2) Is it true that it feels like EQ ? If yes what are the differences ?

3) For those of you that are experienced Vanguard players , what are the 3 things that you appreciate most about this game ?

4) Any game is always interesting for the first couple of months . Does Vanguard pass the hurdle and remains interesting even for high level characters ?

5) And last . Is there a strong focus on long hour raiding ? I precise that I am almost exclusively a PvE player with a casual presence oriented on exploration and discovery of new places with a group of adventurers . I hold nothing or little of PvP .

Thanks in advance .

**Gleb**

Deadshade wrote:

1) Is it true that there are not enough players ? Is there any possibility to do a free trial (I didn't find that on the official page but didn't perhaps look hard enough) .
2) Is it true that it feels like EQ ? If yes what are the differences ?
3) For those of you that are experienced Vanguard players , what are the 3 things that you appreciate most about this game ?
4) Any game is always interesting for the first couple of months . Does Vanguard pass the hurdle and remains interesting even for high level characters ?
5) And last . Is there a strong focus on long hour raiding ? I precise that I am almost exclusively a PvE player with a casual presence oriented on exploration and discovery of new places with a group of adventurers . I hold nothing or little of PvP .

Thanks in advance .

1. There are enough players to find groups as of right now, But there will be more over time and when the Noobie Island comes out. There is a trial but you need to get a key from soebody.

2. Can't say Haven't played EQ /cry

3. I can't say I'm experienced, Just started a couple weeks ago but for me

    A. How dedicated SoE and Sigil are for staying with the game after the Bad launch
    B. A very helpful and friendly community
    C. How massive the world is

4. Can't say

5. Can't say

**BrashEndeavors** · 08/18/2008 13:57:37

Population has been growing steadily, I am not sure when your friend tried it out. I find local chat channels and adventuring areas in the lower levels to be well populated on my server (Seradon, US-PvE), I understand the PvP server however has some pop issues still. The game is still not as high in subscription numbers as similar games, and with the huge world feels more scattered out as well, but the recent growth has been steady.

Countless people describe this game as the closest thing they have ever tried to the early days of EQ1. I played EQ1 pre-Kunark, and this is the one game that recaptures some of that same feeling of awe and wonder of a huge wide world.

Three things: Absolutely huge world, huge amount of content in the 1-40 levels and thus never the same experince twice when rolling a different race, and CRAFTING here is best of any MMO on the market.

I have been too busy the past year exploring lower levels (I'm an altoholic), so despite nearly a year playing, I am not yet a high level player ^_^ Which hmm was actually the same issue I had in EQ1 ! The world to me is just too fascinating to rush through. One major change from pre-Kunark EQ1, is this game is much gentler on solo adventurers (while also keeping a solid amount of group content).

This game is very strongly aimed at PvE, the PvP content is still very under-developed and may not get attention any time soon. I cannot answer about raid content or endgame content, though I know that is a high priority in their upcoming updates.

I'd suggest trying the game, almost every old-school player I have met, has loved this game. There are often contest giveaways in this forum for 10-day buddy keys, there is an upcoming free Isle of Dawn trial due out "sometime soon", or you can get a copy on ebay brandnew at a steal of a price (often under $10 inc shipping) which especially with the 30-day free first month, and a buddy key to give to a friend to try it out, is a heckuva bargain. If you have a lot of friends from other MMOs, I suggest the Limited/Collectors Edition so you can try it out then invite 10 friends if you're convinced this is The One.

**Theoequis**

Deadshade wrote:

Good day to you all .
First to present myself .
I am a Day 1 MMORPG player , veteran of UOL (entered 1998 , played 2 years) , veteran of EQ (entered march 99 , played 4 years) .
I tried over shorter periods of time (less than 1.5 years) most other MMORPG (AC , AOL , DAoC , EQ2 , WoW , Lotro , AoC etc) .
In all this there has been only 1 game that left a lasting impression on me - EQ . Same here until VG
When I cancelled my EQ account , it has been partly because of the pointless and boring XP&AA grind but mostly because the game population has saturated the highest levels what left 90 % of the game zones depressingly empty and focused 99 % of the game content on raiding during 4 to 10 hours . Yet the first 2 years have been a complete immersion in Norrath with all zones teeming with life , groups easy to find and the players mostly friendly and helpfull (despite some exceptions that are bound to happen in every social activity) .
Now a few days ago I have been talking with a friend (also a former EQ player) who informed me about Vanguard . He told me that this game was similar to EQ , produced similar feelings but suffered from bugs and insufficient game population . The first part interested me enough to come to this board to ask some questions . I precise that I have no idea about Vanguard other than what one reads on the official site . Indeed finding that there were High elves , Half elves , Wood elves and Dark elves immediately triggered an impression of deja vu
1) Is it true that there are not enough players ? Is there any possibility to do a free trial (I didn't find that on the official page but didn't perhaps look hard enough) . Never enough players in any game, things are getting better. There are some buddie keys floating around, look in the newbie thread, trial island is soon to be released and it will be free
2) Is it true that it feels like EQ ? If yes what are the differences ? It has the pre Luclin feel, not as much as at launch as they have lowered the death penalty, and increased the EXP. You will have some nasty CR's, even shades of Fear, but you can always summon corpse adn take teh EXP loss.
3) For those of you that are experienced Vanguard players , what are the 3 things that you appreciate most about this game ? No instancing, Classes and Reaces, and no instancing, no zones to load, just a hipup goign across chunk lines, oh and did I mention no instancing? The current Raid zone does have shards, but it really isn't instancing as anyone can enter the shard and cntent can be contested.
4) Any game is always interesting for the first couple of months . Does Vanguard pass the hurdle and remains interesting even for high level characters ? I activated my old second SOE account and bought VG for it in month 14 after launch. There is so much content espically levels 1-40 that you cannot see everything on even 6 or 7 toons. After 40, yes it tapers off and by 50 the areas you will be hunting are few, but to complete all the content in these areas will take some time.
5) And last . Is there a strong focus on long hour raiding ? I precise that I am almost exclusively a PvE player with a casual presence oriented on exploration and discovery of new places with a group of adventurers . I hold nothing or little of PvP . Raiding can be as short as 10 minutes for some oof teh overland mobs, to 1 hour-10 hours in APW depending upon what you want to do in APW. boss mobs have lockouts, so you cannot just keep farming them, you have to wait a week.

Thanks in advance .

Canelina

1) Is it true that there are not enough players ? Is there any possibility to do a free trial (I didn't find that on the official page but didn't perhaps look hard enough) .

Honestly I never have too much trouble finding a group during normal play times and as such I would say the population is fine. However more can never hurt! As I believe Brash already mentioned, you can find many people giving away buddy keys on the forums that are good for a free trial period.

2) Is it true that it feels like EQ ? If yes what are the differences ?

As a veteran EQ player, I can say that it really does feel like EQ. Granted some of the mechanics have changed (i.e. more solo friendly mobs that you don't have to rest after each kill) but overall I still get that same feeling I did back in Norrath.

3) For those of you that are experienced Vanguard players , what are the 3 things that you appreciate most about this game ?

Both my ranger and cleric are ~lvl 30 so keeping that in mind, I would say I like the 3 seperate speheres, the vast amount of races/classes, and group wide 1 hour buffs being the norm. One thing I would like to see however is deities like EQ1 had.

4) Any game is always interesting for the first couple of months . Does Vanguard pass the hurdle and remains interesting even for high level characters ?

Can't say sorry.

5) And last . Is there a strong focus on long hour raiding ? I precise that I am almost exclusively a PvE player with a casual presence oriented on exploration and discovery of new places with a group of adventurers . I hold nothing or little of PvP .

So far there is one raid zone (APW is what it is called I believe) which, from accounts that I've read/heard, takes a couple of hours to get some bosses down. However I do believe there are some new raid zones on the horizon.

Hope this helps.

-Peacekeeper Canelina

**Slyde**

Looks like the others have answered your questions, so I'll just point you to Vanguard Links, where you should find enough information about Vanguard to to really pique your interest SMILEY

**Deadshade**

Many thanks friends .

So at least one thing that has the early EQ feel are the helpful and well spoken players

Indeed I think now that the game is worth a try . I still don't know how bad and how fast will appear the dreaded XP grind but I guess that I will not know untill I try .

I didn't understand the part of "buddy keys" but I understood that a free "island" (?) trial is upcoming so I will come back to check for it . Any idea when it will come ?

Deadshade Darkweaver

Proud Gnome and your surprisingly firendly Necromancer of the 65 circle , E'ci (retired)

**BrashEndeavors** · 08/19/2008 10:39:27

Hard to say when. It is currently on Test server and getting in better shape every update. The big question will be whether they decide to release Isle of Dawn + new major Game Update 6 (GU6) + new character models all at once.

If they opt to release them all at one time, I think there may still be a 4-8 weeks to go, at a minimum.

If they opt to release the trial before the other updates, then it might be sooner.

"Buddy keys" are like a guest pass another player gives you to try out the full game. Players are given one buddy key to give out with a normal retail box, and 10 keys with a collectors edition box. "Digital download" purchases of the game do NOT come with a buddy key. Most original players gave out their keys long ago, but new/returning players sometimes have them, and exisitng players sometimes buy a second account, or even buy a collectors edition JUST to get more keys to give out. There is usually a post every week with someone with one or more spare keys, sometimes they turn it into a simple "contest" (usually answering easy questions etc).

One major difference between the two -- the 10-day buddy key gives you access to the FULL game for 10 days. You have to make a major download/patch *20 gigs) that is time consuming (but free). The upcoming trial island is of unknown duration, and MUCH smaller download (probably 1-2 gigs) and limits you to a starter island with level 1-10 content, and does not allow access to the rest of the main gameworld. You are still able to choose from any race/class but they all start in the same area with the same questline.

**Slyde**

Deadshade wrote:

Many thanks friends .
So at least one thing that has the early EQ feel are the helpful and well spoken players
Indeed I think now that the game is worth a try . I still don't know how bad and how fast will appear the dreaded XP grind but I guess that I will not know untill I try .
I didn't understand the part of "buddy keys" but I understood that a free "island" (?) trial is upcoming so I will come back to check for it . Any idea when it will come ?
Deadshade Darkweaver
Proud Gnome and your surprisingly firendly Necromancer of the 65 circle , E'ci (retired)

Don't worry about the experience grind.

In Vanguard it is much faster than EQ, but slower than WoW, LOTRO, AoC, or any other game out there right now. Levels 1-20 can go pretty fast due to the great experience from the wide selection of quests.

It will slow dowm after 20, but it rarely seems like a grind.

Trial Island is on the Test Server now, so it should be out soon.

**Valencia**

Deadshade,

Imo, Vanguard is what EQ evolved into when it grew up.

I'm an oldtimer EQ player, and this game has the feel of it, but just a tad easier. The grind isnt there. The holy trinity isn't needed here. Oh you could still go grind if that's what you want but there questing, crafting is among the best and a diplomacy sphere which is kinda interesting.

Look us up if you end up on Xeth. Our club is happy to help new players with questions.

**Deepfry333**

I can only answer some of your questions:

1. Population on all servers is low at the moment, but things seem to be picking up. The word is spreading, former players are returning and more and more new players are joining.

3. The things I appreciate most about the game are: crafting system (it is relatively complex and relatively useful - I'd like it to be even more complex and even more useful, but hey, you can't have everything), the absence of instancing, the overall "hugeness" of the game.

4. I can safely say that as long as SOE don't dumb the game down, as long as they don't make it easier, I will stay with the game for years (as I did with SOE's Star Wars Galaxies, until SOE dumbed it down!).

It's already a great game, and it has huge potential.

**Howry**

One note that I didnt see mentioned. You do need a mid to higher end computer to enjoy the game at a playable level. I think many people try to play it on their WOW machine and go away saying it sucks etc partially because their system just cant run it. Be aware that it is power hungry.

**Deadshade**

Thanks again .

You convinced me so I won't wait some free trial and bought the game . Downloading as we speak .

So I will be able to judge by myself and hopefully when I ask some questions next time they will already be more game relevant than those here .

Ah perhaps a last newbie one - what server would you suggest and are there time zone servers (like Europe , Asia , America) ?

**Valencia**

Deadshade wrote:

Thanks again .

You convinced me so I won't wait some free trial and bought the game . Downloading as we speak .
So I will be able to judge by myself and hopefully when I ask some questions next time they will already be more game relevant than those here .
Ah perhaps a last newbie one - what server would you suggest and are there time zone servers (like Europe , Asia , America) ?

What's your play time Deadshade? If you play Est - PST time zone, Xeth is a good server. We have a pretty good population there. If you end up on Xeth /who all Final Resolve will hook you up with some helpful members. We have a few craft leads that can advise if you have an interest in that. You can PM one of us for info on our chat channels we use for friends. There is a general chat for each continent and a Craft channel and Dip(plomacy) channel.

Good luck in your endeavors.

~Valencia/Shazmiera

**Deadshade**

Valencia@Xeth wrote:

Deadshade wrote:
Thanks again .

You convinced me so I won't wait some free trial and bought the game . Downloading as we speak .
So I will be able to judge by myself and hopefully when I ask some questions next time they will already be more game relevant than those here .
Ah perhaps a last newbie one - what server would you suggest and are there time zone servers (like Europe , Asia , America) ?

What's your play time Deadshade? If you play Est - PST time zone, Xeth is a good server. We have a pretty good population there. If you end up on Xeth /who all Final Resolve will hook you up with some helpful members. We have a few craft leads that can advise if you have an interest in that. You can PM one of us for info on our chat channels we use for friends. There is a general chat for each continent and a Craft channel and Dip(plomacy) channel.
Good luck in your endeavors.
~Valencia/Shazmiera

Well actually I live in Europe what makes EST TZ feasible - on EQ I could even do some raids with my guild if they began early (for them) around 5 p.m EST and didn't last too long .

When I play in my peak (20:00 - 22:00 CET) it is noon to 2 P.M PST and conversely when west US play at 8 p.m it is for me 04:00 CET what is basically feasible only during week ends .

But as I gather from that answer that there are no European servers , I can settle for Xeth and will take you upon your word by looking up Final Resolve (my guild in EQ was called Final Evolution SMILEY ) .