The best time to try Hardcore EQ...
 

https://discord.gg/ADrYD9Bj

With this bonus XP/item week, you should come give the hardcore challenge a try.

To summarize;

Permanent death - unless it's PvP/Griefing.
Very fast leveling on Red, especially in groups.
Only trading within the guild.
No buffs help from outside the guild.
Every character in the guild was created June 17th or later, so it's like playing on a fresh server.
Very friendly community.
People in all level ranges from new chars constantly, to 20's, 30's, and even 40's and 50's!

Full rules in the discord I linked

Can confirm, literally most fun I've ever had in EQ. Deleted my 20 druid the other day when I took a 30 second afk to finish making dinner. Took about five days of regular playing to get her there. Felt like my cat just died but rerolled and got 30 within a couple sweaty days. 10/10 would sweat again

Only default items can be purchased from vendors so you gotta farm all those pelts and spider silks yourself. Sometimes the first magic weapon you get is a Combine off the gypsy vendors.