This thread makes it appear as though maxing a monk is easy. A few items are listed, and ac/hp (no brainer). EQ in 1999 seemed a lot harder to understand. You know, that was part of its appeal. I recall not knowing whether ac or str/agi/dex or hp or resist was better. I just went with it and learned along the way because back then we just didn't have the answers. In fact, any piece of armor with something on it felt satisfactory. When you limit your selection to just ac/hp, you cut out a lot of the diversity and quantity in the world.
Consider. If you have all the answers in front of you, then it's just a matter of going from 1 to 50 and getting the platinum you need. I don't know about other people here, but for me the excitement comes from discovering the details and methods on my way to nirvana. If everything is in front of me, it's just a grind and no fun to be found. I understand helping out new players, but a complete walkthrough, or anyting of that nature, is like taking all the wind out of an airship and expecting it to fly.
I wish allah had never been created. In fact, I wish there were no EQ information websites. I've used them just as much as any of you, honest. I've got 100's of allah links for eq items. I printed out epic walkthroughs. I'm guilty as charged. But on deeper inspection, once all of the unknown is removed, all that's left is a grind from 1 to 50. An instruction manual. A to B to C. Fun, no. That's the biggest thing about classic eq that cannot be brought back. We cannot be noobs again. The wonder of the world back then, back before I ever used allah or eq websites (i didn't use walkthroughs back then, and i've never used map printouts excepting the eq manual).
The awe is something that died 10 years ago. And now we've all been reduced to grinders and chatters.
If all of the answers we've acquired over the years could be replaced by new unknowns, none of this would be a problem. The problem is that eq is finite, and once you got all hte answers, there're no more unknowns remaining and the unknown cannot serve a purposeful role. There's no more genuine exploration. I know many muds (multi-user dungeons, text-based) that prohibit players from giving out quest information to other players (especially new players). The community(s) themselves police helper websites as well to make sure not too much information is available. Some of you may think this is an extreme measure, but some people take this issue seriously. There's a reason that walkthroughs don't come with the game manual - you're meant to play it and explore and find hte answers because that's part of what makes it fun (and rewarding). If you remove that aspect of the game, you automatically make it more unappealing and grindy to a great number of people. Just think, if you removed the unknowns and joys in life, all that's left is 9 to 5 work and old age and death. Life would be no fun without the mystery and atmosphere that's conducive to culture and enjoyment. Maybe this is not a good example, perhaps it's misleading to some. But that's how I feel about it, at this point.
Not to potty on the fun. I hope I don't come off as too cynical. I've helped new players before by giving them probably too much information (hey i thought i was being helpful). I just have come to despise allah over this past year due to circumstances both on the live servers and here at project1999. I cannot change my thinking about this. I guess what I could do is tell you I'm sorry and wish you a good time on the server. I'll say a prayer for you. Even I can hold out hope. This server is doing great, and people who who fondly remember 1999 now have a home. They don't have to use allah or eq websites. It's a joy for many. I acknowledge that.
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