Quest Arc Spells and Level Increase

[Eanelder]

With the new expansion due in November, and with it, the level increase I'm starting to question keeping Quested (Quest Arc specifically) spells as "unresearchable". Keeping it like that would means skipping spells from DoN, DoDh and PoR.

The problem with skipping these spells, is that spells from that era include significant, class changing spells. I for example couldn't comprehend playing my mage without Raging Servant (garg pet), Fickle Fire (nuke w/ dmg mod recouse) or Iceflame Body (pet proc'd rune) type spells. For other classes things like SK's Decrepit Skin or Pally Ward of Tunare are VERY significant spells, and Im sure theres more for other classes.

Leaving these spells as "Quested" only will have a negative effect, as getting a group for these now is nearly impossible, let alone an expansion and 5 levels from now. Im not sure about other classes, but upgrades for 2 of the spells I listed for mages arent available until TBS, which again, probably wont be researchable, which means its possible that some classes wont get important spells until lvl 80+.

I've always been one to think that Quest spells should remain just that, quested. However, thats when quested spells included things like the Enchanter Iksar Illusion, some specialized wizard nukes, and the LoY series of soloable spells.

I just think some of the spells offered through DoDh and PoR are just too important to leave unresearchable, forcing newer players to find groups for content thats several expansions old.

[Lloren]

This very question was asked about on the Sony EQ Necro board:
[link removed so I could post]
Look at the topic "casual necro issue, informal poll."

(would have made this a link -- but well you have to have posted 5 times to make a link)

With a response via the class correspondent of:

"Cautious optimism. I really don't expect this to happen mid-expansion cycle(but I have asked). Rashere is looking into it and I'll keep you all updated." -- jebasiz

There hasn't been any other follow-up, but I would certainly be happy to see these appear. As you said, there are certain class defining (and re-defining) spells in those arcs and DoDh is pretty empty at the moment for pick-up groups, etc.

[Eanelder]

Perhaps it wouldnt hurt to list these spells? Just to give an idea of how important they are?

MAGE:

DoN
lvl 69 - Summon Molten Orb (DoN Factioning / Kiling Emoush)
Spell is nice, but not quite class defining. Weaker version is available though DoN Crystal Vendor (lvl 61 - Summon: Lava Orb )

DoDh

lvl 68 - Burning Aura ( completeing 68 spell Arc )
300pt Defensive Proc DS - nice spell, new to the mage spell line up.

lvl 69 - Fickle Fire ( completeing 69 spell Arc )
Best mage nuke, new spell to the mage line up. Upgraded in TSS as vendor bought spell, important class spell

lvl 70 - Raging Servant ( completeing 70 spell Arc )
2nd Gargoyle pet. Class redefining spell (imo). NOT upgraded until TBS, off Pirate / Katta vendors once you have enough faction

PoR
lvl 70 - Spear of Ro
upgrade to a lvl 66 bolt spell, upgraded again at lvl 71 in TBS off RK 1 vendor.

lvl 70 - Iceflame Guard
Pet buff which procs a 1 hit rune. New to the mage line up. Definately a nice spell since it helps with pet survivability. NOT upgraded until TBS, off Pirate / Katta vendors once you have enough faction

lvl 70 - Rathe's Strength
Aura Spell. New to the mage line up. + 10% dmg to pet dmg. There were staking issues with this spell and our previous spells, and their is a lvl 55 version is obtainable solo.


So 3 spells which i would say are MUSTS for the mage class.

[Bobaten]

I haven't made up my mind how I feel about this.
On the one hand, I agree, unlike previous quested spells, these spells come from missions that require a group to obtain, and it can be difficult to get a group that wants to kill old content.
On the other hand, some these same missions give melees and hybrids disciplines. So removing the need for caster classes to do these missions makes it even harder for other classes to get those disciplines, since the dev stance against researching disciplines is solid. Though I guess that is just a continuation of the difficulties melees already have acquiring GoD and OoW runes.

[Maevenniia]

I haven't made up my mind how I feel about this.
On the one hand, I agree, unlike previous quested spells, these spells come from missions that require a group to obtain, and it can be difficult to get a group that wants to kill old content.
On the other hand, some these same missions give melees and hybrids disciplines. So removing the need for caster classes to do these missions makes it even harder for other classes to get those disciplines, since the dev stance against researching disciplines is solid. Though I guess that is just a continuation of the difficulties melees already have acquiring GoD and OoW runes.

iF THEY GO THE RESEARCH ROUTE, i'D PREFER IF WE COULD SIMPLY RESEARCH A RUNE THAT WHEN HANDED IN TO THE bROTHER WHATSHISNAME IN uNDERSHORE, WOULD RESULT IN THAT CLASS'S SPELL.


God i hate caps lock............

[Sunshadow]

When I am advertising for research work over half the requests I get are for these spells. Most players then become depressed that they cannot be researched and state that they will have to survive without.

Also I feel at some point the Dev's will need to create and avenue to aquire those tome in some form or the other. Using research seems like a logical choice but if they will probably pick a different method of doing it since they have stated time and again the they will not be researchable.

Sun

[KyrosKrane]

Maev, hun, pry that key off your keyboard, please. /grin