Most underrated and overrated zones?

[Roth]

I'm a level 23 iksar shaman named shenethax as my main on this server but I've played on and off over the years on a bunch of different characters. I like to go out of my way to visit places that nobody really goes to... I feel like part of the eq experience to me is completing the places that are a bit out of the way. With that said, a lot of zones I found to be correctly rated by the community, but others are highly overrated or underrated.

As far as underrated zones, I think najena topped my list by far. There was really amazing loot(elementals, mage items) and a great camp further in for a level 20ish party. I was able to come out of here with around 500p just from selling loot in ec, and the zem was really nice considering how good some of the camps were once I learned them. With a bard or chanter to aoe mez goblins were pretty easy to farm without any deaths. The best part though I believe was the location. It's close to lavastorm(a great solo area) and ec, so forming parties, selling loot, or just soloing the pass the time were all easy options.

Most overrated I think is unrest, for a few reasons. First off is the location. If you go to unrest, good luck finding anywhere nearby to go. If you're there at level 15 or 20 you're basically stuck there since there's nowhere nearby to hunt besides dagnors cauldron. Next, this place was way way overcrowded. Even if I formed a party, there was no way to get a good camp during peak hours. This wasted a lot of time and I didn't feel like it was efficient exp. It was also difficult to form a group because there wasn't usually anyone available nearby the zone to ask. I didn't think this was a good spot to level in.

Anyone have any others to add to the list?

[Hollywood]

Most overrated = Karnors Castle
Most underrated = too difficult to pick one, however I'd say Warrens or the Hole are high up there.

Your reasoning for Unrest being overrated is odd. You say it's hard to find anywhere nearby to go - which to me suggests it's isolated and remote - which of course you think is part of the EverQuest experience ... ?

[Roth]

Most overrated = Karnors Castle
Most underrated = too difficult to pick one, however I'd say Warrens or the Hole are high up there.

Your reasoning for Unrest being overrated is odd. You say it's hard to find anywhere nearby to go - which to me suggests it's isolated and remote - which of course you think is part of the EverQuest experience ... ?

I feel like you misinterpreted what i said a bit. I'm saying underrated/overrated as just the value in leveling there, but even aside from that to me an out of the way zone would be one that is considered unpopular or not often used, not somewhere physically isolated but still highly popular. For example, I would consider mistmoore and unrest to be more mainstream zones even though they're physically not that easy to travel to in a lot of cases. Cazic-thule would be more out of the way because it's not highly used, even though it's fairly easy to get to.

[Haystacks]

Kedge Keep and the Hole most underrated

[Peekae]

I found sol a to be amazing for the level range however it is often empty

The hole beats kc any day but kc is just more convenient for pugs. Though a good basement group may be an exception

[raitheon]

shenethax you and I actually hit Najena together one evening on my mage Xerker. I can agree on your sentiment.

to add to this list: Lake Rathetear - Underrated; no one was here at all and great xp
Overrated: Crushbone - Although I found myself normally soloing the Legionaires in the little camp near the slavers at a decent pace - I found it tedious to try and find a group that would take a higher level as most of the spawns (save Oracles, Legos, Emissarys and the Warlord) all con green.

Underrated: Eastern Karanas - one of my favorite spots right now; save for the bards kiting an entire zone.

[Atmas]

I think Kaesora is an awesome but underrated zone. You do have to bring a group there and it is out of the way, but I think it's a lot fun and a cool dungeon.

[Hobie819]

I enjoyed West Karana, but as my mage I played in East Karana and Beholders Maze. Being a mage with the summoned bags, the clay that drops from Beholders was fantastic money and made getting pottery skill leveling quite fast and cheap.

Going off of solo places (and this was all as my mage back in the day) I enjoyed everfrost mammoths and ice giants. The Hole was fantastic, especially if you have anti-summoning spells. I remember playing in Najena a lot but I think it was primarily for the mage focus items. Lavastorm was a good place for the baslisks. I remember playing in Kedge Keep for awhile while waiting for Undertow to spawn. I also remember leveling in Lake Rathe and South Karana.

In short, I was like you and enjoyed getting out and exploring, especially back in the day when there were no ports. I never explored Kunark too much, mainly stayed in classic until Luclin came out and when I did visit Kunark it was the normal zones (lake of ill omen, dreadlands, sebilis). I remember taking out the golems in city of mist in my 60's but that was well past classic EQ.

[Sirken]

underrated = Kedge 35+, Hole 45+ , OoT 15-30, CT Temple, blackburrow

overrated = Karnor, Crushbone, CSHome

[Swish]

Underrated:

1. Chardok (fantastic XP, fairly easy... just bring your own group with some CC in it).
2. The Hole (as mentioned, its a shame they put the elementals at the zone in...some great solo potential in there).
3. City of Mist (while some areas are popular, others such as the top floor really aren't camped as often as they should be, good for the discerning mid-50s gentleman to duo/trio)
4. Steamfont (on/around L13, be there! Mino cave and trash outside it - you'll lap it up)
5. Kurn's Tower (probably location more than people hating on it, but it really is underpopulated for how much can be done in there)

Overrated:

1. Karnor's Castle (yeah, slow XP, trains, grief, camp stealing... 4 hybrids in a group. Trashes OT outpost faction. Not much that's nice to say about it)
2. Crushbone (yes, I said it! If you ever get involved with a full group in there, its like watching paint dry waiting for spawns, CB belt quest nerfed, ninja looters on every legionnaire)
3. Lake of Ill Omen (only zone with a negative ZEM? horrible without a sow, mobs have lots of HP, hit harder than old world mobs of similar level, bring your own group or don't bother)
4. Rathe Mountains (no good reason to hate on it, just never liked it - better ways to spend time than kiting hill giants)

Quiet zones that people don't bother with because it's too buggy or just frickin' annoying:

1. Cazic Thule ("lizardman begins to cast a spell, yourmob feels much better")
2. Temple of Droga (can be done if you know the zone inside out, but the pathing generally is horrible in there and a recipe for deaths...many deaths)
3. Kaesora (not great, would be better/more popular if it didn't trash OT outpost faction)
4. Najena (100 keys later you feel like you're starting to get somewhere, enough to put you off rolling a mage)

[Itap]

overrated = CSHome

I disagree, great xp in CSH :p

[Itap]

Underrated:

1. Chardok (fantastic XP, fairly easy... just bring your own group with some CC in it).
2. The Hole (as mentioned, its a shame they put the elementals at the zone in...some great solo potential in there).
3. City of Mist (while some areas are popular, others such as the top floor really aren't camped as often as they should be, good for the discerning mid-50s gentleman to duo/trio)
4. Steamfont (on/around L13, be there! Mino cave and trash outside it - you'll lap it up)
5. Kurn's Tower (probably location more than people hating on it, but it really is underpopulated for how much can be done in there)

Overrated:

1. Karnor's Castle (yeah, slow XP, trains, grief, camp stealing... 4 hybrids in a group. Trashes OT outpost faction. Not much that's nice to say about it)
2. Crushbone (yes, I said it! If you ever get involved with a full group in there, its like watching paint dry waiting for spawns, CB belt quest nerfed, ninja looters on every legionnaire)
3. Lake of Ill Omen (only zone with a negative ZEM? horrible without a sow, mobs have lots of HP, hit harder than old world mobs of similar level, bring your own group or don't bother)
4. Rathe Mountains (no good reason to hate on it, just never liked it - better ways to spend time than kiting hill giants)

Quiet zones that people don't bother with because it's too buggy or just frickin' annoying:

1. Cazic Thule ("lizardman begins to cast a spell, yourmob feels much better")
2. Temple of Droga (can be done if you know the zone inside out, but the pathing generally is horrible in there and a recipe for deaths...many deaths)
3. Kaesora (not great, would be better/more popular if it didn't trash OT outpost faction)
4. Najena (100 keys later you feel like you're starting to get somewhere, enough to put you off rolling a mage)

idk about neg ZEM, but i've always had excellent experience here. Even with bloodgills in the 40's, 2% xp per kill.

[cuddlesthekilla]

If KC is so overrated than where should a 51 sk go than?

[Roth]

Underrated:

1. Chardok (fantastic XP, fairly easy... just bring your own group with some CC in it).
2. The Hole (as mentioned, its a shame they put the elementals at the zone in...some great solo potential in there).
3. City of Mist (while some areas are popular, others such as the top floor really aren't camped as often as they should be, good for the discerning mid-50s gentleman to duo/trio)
4. Steamfont (on/around L13, be there! Mino cave and trash outside it - you'll lap it up)
5. Kurn's Tower (probably location more than people hating on it, but it really is underpopulated for how much can be done in there)

Overrated:

1. Karnor's Castle (yeah, slow XP, trains, grief, camp stealing... 4 hybrids in a group. Trashes OT outpost faction. Not much that's nice to say about it)
2. Crushbone (yes, I said it! If you ever get involved with a full group in there, its like watching paint dry waiting for spawns, CB belt quest nerfed, ninja looters on every legionnaire)
3. Lake of Ill Omen (only zone with a negative ZEM? horrible without a sow, mobs have lots of HP, hit harder than old world mobs of similar level, bring your own group or don't bother)
4. Rathe Mountains (no good reason to hate on it, just never liked it - better ways to spend time than kiting hill giants)

Quiet zones that people don't bother with because it's too buggy or just frickin' annoying:

1. Cazic Thule ("lizardman begins to cast a spell, yourmob feels much better")
2. Temple of Droga (can be done if you know the zone inside out, but the pathing generally is horrible in there and a recipe for deaths...many deaths)
3. Kaesora (not great, would be better/more popular if it didn't trash OT outpost faction)
4. Najena (100 keys later you feel like you're starting to get somewhere, enough to put you off rolling a mage)

I disagree on najena, no offense intended, just I think that viewpoint is from someone who hasn't really spent a significant time in the zone. The keys aren't important at all as far as doing the zone, for exp. Where the keys come in handy is if you actually want to do the names. To farm elementals, magicians, and whatever else really you want to farm, you don't need any keys whatsoever. Even if you fall in the jail you can easily drag your corpse from above the pit trap safely to the entrance.

Edit: To add to that, I think najena gets such a bad reputation for being dangerous because it looks a lot more complicated on the surface than it really is. In reality, the dungeon is mostly single pulls and it's very divided up into its own little sections so corpse runs are fairly easy. As a naked shaman with sow I at level 18 or so I'm fairly confident I could get anyones corpse from anywhere in the zone and safely bring it to the entrance.

[RahlaeRuffian]

I feel bad for not even reading responses, but Sol A and Permafrost are very underrated. I think it's very hard to get a group there just because people are afraid of falling in lava or making the run. I'd much rather group in either of those zones than say Mistmoore or Unrest. I think most people think Sol A and Permafrost are more dangerous than Mistmoore so they prefer not to take the risk of dying there. There is less people in both zones combined (compared to MM) at most times so those are my picks.

[myxomatosii]

I think Kaesora is an awesome but underrated zone. You do have to bring a group there and it is out of the way, but I think it's a lot fun and a cool dungeon.

Seconded. And exp at the library is ungodly due to double zone bonus and insane mob density (mostly density), was running 3 enchanter pets wepped up and hasted and still couldn't clear the full spawn.

[Adolphus]

Most overrated:

Karnor's - for reasons already mentioned


Most underrated:

Najena - Leveled here as a rogue, duo and solo from 22-33 in the game. Insanely fast leveling if you understand the zone. Don't need keys at all for xp-mobs. 25-30 weak,high experience mobs that can be solo-pulled without adds. Many of the mobs don't run. Place is usually deserted except for people camping Magicians for shovel, torch etc. Hint: the magicians are not part of the solo-cycle in Najena, so there is little conflict with campers. ZEM modifier 130. Merchent's right outside. Buffs typically available at entrance. Also close to EC and WP, for rez and CR if it happens.

[Adolphus]

I feel bad for not even reading responses, but Sol A and Permafrost are very underrated. I think it's very hard to get a group there just because people are afraid of falling in lava or making the run. I'd much rather group in either of those zones than say Mistmoore or Unrest. I think most people think Sol A and Permafrost are more dangerous than Mistmoore so they prefer not to take the risk of dying there. There is less people in both zones combined (compared to MM) at most times so those are my picks.

Regarding Sol A - I don't think the problem is the zone itself, so much as the snowball effect from people avoiding the zone. Lack of understanding this zone can wipe a group quickly, as it has many dangerous features, mobs and pathing. Since nobody XP's here anymore, you can expect that 5/6 members of a group will screw up at least once at some point, which can be fatal.

Don't think it's a coincidence that every friend who sends tell: "I'm going to Sol A with a great group wanna come?" gets my reply of "no thanks, don't wanna wipe".

10 minutes later on their first pull . . . /who all soldunga and population = 0.

[Trevalon]

Underrated - SolA gnomes are the best exp in the game for their level range - if you have a good puller and decent CC those gnomes can level you in a heartbeat - at the expense of gnome faction of course heh. Nothing else in Sola is worth doing though, so unless your willing to do gnomes then I wouldn't bother.

Underrated - Personally my favorite old school dungeon is Cazic Thule and unfortunately I just don't notice people on this server doing CT? Its not that hard of a zone, though granted the healing mobs are really annoying but there are soime really great camps in CT and some even better exp to be had.

Underrated - Guktop is also underrated and can be great exp - you can get through your 20's in no time flat with a solid group planted between Shrooms and Lord.

Mistmoore is overrated. The only reason on this server that it is not a deathtrap is because tons of people go there. Funny because this is teh first server in EQ I have played on that people seem to actually go to this zone in mass - I dont remember this on any of the progression servers or any of the 5 different live servers I played on this zone was always avoided like the plague on every server I've seen up till P99.

Karnor's exp is pretty terrible compared to CoM. CoM 2nd/3rd floors will wipe the floor with Karnor's in exp, the only camp worth doing in karnors in basement imo - even better if you get an AE group going...

Sebilis! Yea I said it, I hate Sebilis. Its an annoying zone full of running mobs that I have never thought gave that great exp. My times in seb with exp groups have always ended in wipes...maybe I'm just unlucky...

[Zenlina]

http://wiki.project1999.org/index.php/Recommended_Levels_and_ZEM_List

Not sure who did that wiki but its kind of all messed up

Taken from another thread but only has classic zones:

"crushbone",2.13,
"befallen",2.13,",
"highkeep",2.00
"guktop",2.00,"
"warrens",2.00,"
"najena",1.73,"
"unrest",1.73,"
"soldunga",1.73,"
"blackburrow",1.33,"
"runnyeye",1.33,"
"kedge",1.33,"
"neriakc",1.33,"
"felwitheb",1.33,"
"neriakb",1.33,"
"kaladimb",1.33,"
"erudnext",1.33,"
"kaladima",1.33,"
"cabeast",1.33,"
"cabwest",1.33,"
"felwithea",1.33,"
"erudnint",1.33,"
"halas",1.33,"
"akanon",1.33,"
"freportn",1.33,"
"oggok",1.33,"
"qrg",1.33,"
"grobb",1.33,"
"neriaka",1.33,"
"soltemple",1.33,"
"rivervale",1.33,"
"kerraridge",1.20,"
"mistmoore",1.20,"
"paw",1.20,"
"permafrost",1.20,"
"fearplane",1.13,"
"cazicthule",1.13,"
"oot",1.13,"
"highpass",1.06,"
"soldungb",1.06,"
"gukbottom",1.06,"
"sro",1.00,"
"southkarana",1.00,"
"butcher",1.00,"
"ecommons",1.00,"
"eastkarana",1.00,"
"everfrost",1.00,"
"qcat",1.00,"
"rathemtn",1.00,"
"erudsxing",1.00,"
"tox",1.00,"
"qeytoqrg",1.00,"
"beholder",1.00,"
"qey2hh1",1.00,"
"qeynos",1.00,"
"qeynos2",1.00,"
"innothule",1.00,"
"kithicor",1.00,"
"gfaydark",1.00,"
"lakerathe",1.00,"
"lfaydark",1.00,"
"feerrott",1.00,"
"paineel",1.00,"
"misty",1.00,"
"lavastorm",1.00,"
"northkarana",1.00,"
"commons",1.00,"
"freporte",1.00,"
"cauldron",1.00,"
"steamfont",1.00,"
"oasis",1.00,"
"nektulos",1.00,
"nro",1.00,"
"freportw",1.00,"

Now you also need to calculate in if they are outdoor/dungeon/underwater bonus xp

Taking your two even zones, Unrest(1.73) and Najena(1.73)

Unrest is outdoors so no extra modifier, whilst Najena is a dungeon which would probably give it a extra 20-25% exp bonus, so Najena is closer to double xp per mob.

I know you talking about underrated and overrated, but just wanted to note this in to help you experience quicker. Once you get to kunark tho, keseroa/charasis(The best)/sebilis top exp bonus zones.

[Tenlaar]

One of the most underrated zones to me is Dalnir. I love that place with a few good people at my back. Awesome experience and some pretty decent mid-level loot.

[Rhambuk]

lost temple of ct.

One of my favorite exp zones and good from like 20-40 but its always empty, you cant even find people farming gear...

At least when the server first opened up there were people in there for rubi armor, now its just empty

[Itap]

lost temple of ct.

One of my favorite exp zones and good from like 20-40 but its always empty, you cant even find people farming gear...

At least when the server first opened up there were people in there for rubi armor, now its just empty

With all the pathing issues and mobs healing through walls, that zone is a real PITA. Even at high level, farming ravenscale/darkforge pieces isn't even worth it

[Tenlaar]

I've been trying to find a lizardscale mantle in EC for weeks!

[Ravager]

Overrated:
--------------
Unrest, Mistmoore, KC because you're fighting 30-40 other people for 6 mobs. Mistmoore would be better if people actually had the balls to go inside the castle. There's a lot of mobs in there that never get killed.

Underrated:
---------------
Runnyeye is amazing and not all that hard. It's pretty much non-stop mobs with good loot for the level.

CT is hard if you don't have the right group since every other mob there is a healer it seems.

Sol A is great exp and loot, but having a snarer is imperitive since the pathing there is so crappy if one mob gets away, you're going to get swamped with 40 mobs.

Paw is good with the right group. This is another zone where there's 100 mobs that never get killed because people are too scared or whatever to venture further in.

[webrunner5]

With all the pathing issues and mobs healing through walls, that zone is a real PITA. Even at high level, farming ravenscale/darkforge pieces isn't even worth it

This is a very smart person. With all the casters there, CT is a Total pain in the butt. Paw, pass the bridge is bugged as hell.

[Rhambuk]

CT was hard with all of its healers, but it taught noobs that valuable lesson of push!

[diplo]

KEDGE FTW!

[Ravager]

CT was hard with all of its healers, but it taught noobs that valuable lesson of push!

Very true. If people played these types of zones more, the quality of players would increase dramatically.

[Splorf22]

Honestly whenever I go to zones like SK or OT and I see full groups there I just wince. There are so many dungeons open with great zems, and to see people who obviously would just wipe there . . .

[pharmakos]

Quiet zones that people don't bother with because it's too buggy or just frickin' annoying:

1. Cazic Thule ("lizardman begins to cast a spell, yourmob feels much better")

yeah, LOS being messed up in there is such a bummer. your mob gets healed through the walls from way far away.

shame too because it's a really cool zone. good loot for the level range, and visually pretty neat. the pyramid is a trip.

[Buellen]

on p1999 caster mobs are way stronger than equivalent mobs from live. most of use who play here know this.


Why risk going to a caster heavy dungeon knowing how quickly it can become a deathtrap. most folks don't have on Rez on demand , so they stay with what is safe, NON Caster mobs. most of the underrated dungeons listed are caster heavy mobs in them or perceived to be so.

some example :

upper guk almost every other mob in their is shaman.

cazic thul : every single type caster and healers to boot.

kurns tower basemetn and underground caves shaman / necromancers, shadow kinghts <harm touches 180 plus>.

sola : shamans, wizards mobs and let me tell you them wizards mobs are no joke if you trying to take them on equivlent level.

droga : oh dear karana what can i say shaman, cleric, wizard, necromancer, shadow night mobs . you can get harm touches easily 3 to 4 time son a bad pull.

temple droga : same as droga but higher level mbos

Buskier 30th humana cleric of rodcet nife 199 blacksmith skill

[Vladesch]

Underrated:
2. The Hole (as mentioned, its a shame they put the elementals at the zone in...some great solo potential in there).

sheesh I gave up on the hole after the failed first pull.
We had a nice little group of people in their 40's which looked pretty good by what the mobs levels on zam were listed.

First pull, we get 4 normal mobs and a level 49 wizard caster. Casts some aoe spell which takes about half of everyone's hit points. Fortunately we got aoe mez off on the normal mobs, but 2 died before we could zone away from he caster.

Jeweled elemental from memory.

I don't remember it being anywhere near that hard on live. Maybe come back in your 50's with some good resists and you might survive the first pull.