The game looks pretty unapproachable for a returning player..

I haven't played EQ since PoP, so it's been a long time. I was thinking about returning, but looking at the way the game is nowadays I'm not even sure if the game is for me anymore. Is grouping while leveling still a thing? I like real MMO's, not single player games that happen to have other people around sometimes. If groups are hard to find because almost everyone solos I don't think I'd enjoy myself. Do you still need to earn gear or can someone just get decent gear without help and little effort? Thanks.

Honestly, when it comes to these games and grouping, unless you have a premade group of friends, it is rather hard to get it done for most games.
As I understand it, grouping is much easier to accomplish towards the end game, but a crapshoot before that.

If you refuse to solo/molo your way up, It might not be doable.

Keep an eye out for the progression server. Probably one of the best ways to experience EQ for a new player. Instant groups and small learning curve.

It's all about attitude. Be positive, join a good family guild, and form your own groups. That means going to a spot with your merc, and asking people to join you - and being polite if they refuse (once people know that you are a good group maker, they won't).

This

I hate to be the wet blanket in this conversation, but I'll be the bad guy since your post has a very negative tone to it.

Looking at what? Did you try to play or just read some forums? You can get most of your answers by just playing again and seeing if it fits and asking here for help if you need it.

It's funny you say this since other MMOs became so popular (especially in contrast to EQ) due to them allowing you to solo a lot easier. Many like to group but more seem to like to group rarely and solo a lot.

As others have said grouping at all but the end game is quite tough, not impossible but you'll need to find a good guild. The progression server coming was a good idea, it might be a bit of a wait though. Will be lots of low level population for the first 6 months+ on that server for sure.

A very odd or at least oddly stated question. EQ has never handed you things without any work. They have made it less difficult that it used to be, but then again there are less people to group with and the content can demand better gear so it's all relative. Leveling up you can get decent gear from globally drop defiant gear, it drops off any creature. This means you don't have to farm specific areas, but you do have to kill lots of things to get all the drops you need, or trade/buy from others. As you get higher you'll have to work a bit harder to get the better stuff, much more similar to older EQ.

You *always* have to "earn" gear though. Again a bit of an oddly stated question.

I actually just made my way back to EQ about 3 weeks ago. I played up from Velious - GoD as a rather casual player. I had similar concerns when I first started, luckily I was able to get my old accounts back so I didn't have to start from square one.

With many of my characters 50-65, finding other players was a little tougher than expected. On my second or third day back I bumped into someone around my level and we've been grinding like crazy ever since. Just like in the old days, once you start making some friends the game gets a lot more fun and it's easier to find groups inside your little network.

Thanks for the responses. I may try to hold out for the new progression server(s), but hopefully the wait isn't too long

nt

Progression servers the XP is noticeably slower, on regular servers it is possible to get from start to 60 or so with any class and a merc tank in just a few weeks of casual play. If you join a family guild it is likely that you and your merc can get good buffs that give you a serious edge over most mobs. There is the XP range of Level+ 1/2Level +1 max difference of 30 i.e. 43+21+1=65 or 67+30=97 as examples for the lower group member to gain XP, and AA XP is based off value to highest in group. So finding a family type guild where there are folk inside the grouping range or at the higher end to provide enhanced leveling is important.

This is not the EQ you grew up with. It really is a different game. I had that problem when I restarted after an absence. Try out the progression server that is soon to be opening. In the meantime, you can get a handle on the new stuff by going to the old progression servers and trying things out. You won't get many groups there, the server population is low, but you can "practice" for the Live Servers and have few people notice your mistakes. A good idea to try to group there, though, people seem open to it when they bother to show up

The days of just opening the "LFG" window and getting a lot of in game notes is long gone. You have to work for groups. When you find one, treasure it and make it last as long as possible.

Hope this helps. Good Luck.