Single zone 1-60 challenge

druidbob · #1 12-17-2025, 06:51 PM

Been doing ssf runs lately and have enjoyed the challenge, but I crave something different. So I am going to try a challenge so tedious and absurd that I doubt few have attempted, leveling a toon from 1-60 in a single zone.

The zone: Rathe Mountains, one of my favorite outdoor zones from classic, has what I believe to be the best spread of mob levels of any zone in the game.

The class: necromancer , I expect fear kiting to be about 90% or my xp with perhaps some undead charming at appropriate levels, not gear dependant which is a big plus, troll merchants will allow me to unload vendor trash.

Twinking?: only twinking will be level 1 spells and some bonechips, otherwise naked. Gear can be bought in EC, but only with funds earned while XPing.

The rules: can only leave zone to hit the tunnel or purchase spells, all xp must be done in zone.

Wish me luck, this will probably take forever with several breaks for my sanity. Will keep you posted if anyone is interested.

Jimjam · #2 12-17-2025, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by druidbob [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Been doing ssf runs lately and have enjoyed the challenge, but I crave something different. So I am going to try a challenge so tedious and absurd that I doubt few have attempted, leveling a toon from 1-60 in a single zone.

The zone: Rathe Mountains, one of my favorite outdoor zones from classic, has what I believe to be the best spread of mob levels of any zone in the game.

The class: necromancer , I expect fear kiting to be about 90% or my xp with perhaps some undead charming at appropriate levels, not gear dependant which is a big plus, troll merchants will allow me to unload vendor trash.

Twinking?: only twinking will be level 1 spells and some bonechips, otherwise naked. Gear can be bought in EC, but only with funds earned while XPing.

The rules: can only leave zone to hit the tunnel or purchase spells, all xp must be done in zone.

Wish me luck, this will probably take forever with several breaks for my sanity. Will keep you posted if anyone is interested.

Great idea! I like to do something with Everfrost (I sometimes roll in Blackburrow and/or Permafrost too) with disposable barbarians... they tend to peter out about 30, even though that is prime mammoth hunting season.

Do keep us updated?

loramin · #3 12-17-2025, 09:41 PM

Awhile back I started working on (but never finished) a project to find accurate P99 ZEMs. As part of it, I did a lot of research to try and find the zone with the best level spread.

It looks like South Qeynos might have the best spread (or Freeport if you count all it's zones as one). If you're curious you can see all my research here: https://wiki.project1999.com/Zone_Zero

One bit that might interest you is that at the end I put some code you can use to see the levels in a zone. If I wasn't on my phone, I could use it right now on Rathe Mountains ... but since I am, I'll leave it up to you.

Regardless, good luck on the challenge!

kjs86z2 · #4 12-18-2025, 09:59 AM

this sounds awful

TheBlob · #5 12-18-2025, 02:34 PM

Not a single zone, and the first levels might be rough, but a guildie once talked about the "5-60 Troll Shaman Guk challenge". I looked and saw some level 1 mobs, but it might be impossible to pull them solo.

A dungeon makes it very interesting imo, with gear to camp.

Cecily · #6 12-18-2025, 04:28 PM

I don't get the appeal of wasting your life on a low QoL server for a low QoL game with extra rules to remove the QoL that exists. Life is probably too good for you and you need to feel some sense of strife, and don't care if it's artificial I would guess. Think I've heard that's why other people take up jogging.

WarpathEQ · #7 12-18-2025, 05:48 PM

Good luck on the challenge! Definitely didn't expect Rathe Mountains to be the zone, my immediate thought was Guk but yeah can't really start in Lguk and can't really hit 60 in Uguk I don't think.

Closest I ever came was the very first toon I ever rolled back in 99 - Barbarian Shaman. Don't think I ever gained exp on him outside of everfrost but ultimately quit the toon in his mid 30s to try out other options, which I quickly learned that what I did was about the worst possible QoL experience I could have had starting out fresh on EQ. But there is something so authentic about the world being so big and scary back then and not considering leaving my home when there was still technically opportunity to advance there.

CrazyPro · #8 12-18-2025, 07:59 PM

Everfrost

Ennewi · #9 12-18-2025, 10:31 PM

How's about, single environment only. Ice zones. Volcanic zones. Water zones with the inclusion of zones with water but xp must be earned while submerged. Pick one and run/swim with it. Or play only at night as a hum/bar/eru without so much as a torch to guide thy way.

Reiwa · #10 12-19-2025, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ennewi [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

How's about, single environment only. Ice zones. Volcanic zones. Water zones with the inclusion of zones with water but xp must be earned while submerged. Pick one and run/swim with it. Or play only at night as a hum/bar/eru without so much as a torch to guide thy way.

I'd love to see a night watchman's guild again. Core memory unlocked.