Player of the Week: Atlane Transient (Date Posted: August 10, 2007) Real Name: Tony Allakhazam Name: Philphans Character Name: Atlane Transient Character Race: Dark Elf Character Class: Magician Deity: None Server: Prexus Guild: Clan Ta'Veren Guild Website: http://www.clantaveren.org/ Guild Rank: Member Length of Time in Guild: About 10 months Real World Location: Virginia Career / Employment Industry / Current Level of School: Medically Retired (former computer programmer) Hobbies: EQ, chess, movies Your Website: http://home.comcast.net/~mathadon/TBS/Main.htm Besides EverQuest, what other MMORPGs have you played? I've played Asheron's Call, EQ2, Horizons, and WoW. AC was good, if a bit too "open", it didn't feel like you had much direction or involvement. EQ2 was ok when I tried it but not for me overall. Horizons was a fun game which turned into a small niche market, shame really because it was by FAR the most involved of all MMO's. Warcraft I still play, I feel it has a better solo/group feel than EQ does, but EQ raids blow it away. How did you find out about EverQuest, and when did you begin playing? I think I first heard of EQ in "Nintendo Power" and had my copy the week it went live. Do you know anyone in real life who plays EverQuest? I think the reverse is more accurate, I know people who play EQ that I've met in real life, either by phone or face to face. From Florida to Maine to Colorodo, to Illinios, EQ has brought quite a few people into my life. About how often do you play EverQuest, and how long is a typical playing session for you? Nightly, my guild raids 6 nights a week and I hold a 90% attendance. Usually on from 8pm till midnight, and occasionally during the day if my friends and I have something preplaned. How do you spend your time in game? Mostly raiding, but lately I've been working on my TBS guide (http://home.comcast.net/~mathadon/TBS/Main.htm) and finding missions folks haven't done. Ive submitted 3 of them to Alla's recently. What other class/race combinations have you levelled past 35? Dark Elf Mage, Froglok Wizard, Ogre Warrior, High Elf Cleric, Ogre Beastlord, Gnome Rogue, Halfling Druid. Approximately how much of the EverQuest world have you experienced? At present the only zone I have not entered is Sleeper's Tomb What is your favourite expansion? I love Gates of Discord. It was very challenging with clear cut progression steps. Reaching Qvic (and the easy Msha armor drops) was a reward for weeks in Uqua. Then working through Txevu to reach the candyland of Tacvi. What is your least favourite expansion? LoY. It had no real connection to the world, almost an afterthought. "Oh, lets toss in some pirates, everybody likes pirates." What is your favourite zone? I think I'd have to go with Silyssar. It is a breathtaking zone from the outside, the temples are well built. The drops are on par with the zone difficulty (though, I personally feel they should be attunable instead). What is your favourite NPC? Not sure I have one I'd consider a favorite. What is your favourite raid encounter (if different from NPC)? Mayong in Dreadspire. You could, in theory, try to simply overpower him. However if you put in the effort to figure out how it works, it becomes Far easier. A thinking person's raid. If the war between Firiona Vie and Lanys T`Vyl erupted again, which side would you take? Lanys, being an inkie elf of course >:) Describe your most memorable moment or proudest accomplishment in game. Long ago getting my cleric (main at the time) her 1.0. I posted on my guild boards that I was going to spawn Ragefire the next day, and I had 50+ people show up. The number of friends that wanted to reach out and be a part of the event (the dragon died in a matter of seconds) was very touching. What is the largest amount of platinum you have ever had at one time, and how did you go about accumulating it? 1.9 million. A bunch of it through smithing, and I sold my Manastone for 750,000pp. I still have about 1.4 million after tweaking out my rogue. What are some things you would change or implement in order to improve EverQuest? Wow, quite the broad question! From a mage perspective, more control over pets. From a raider perspective, more unique rewards from events, drops that really make you go "Hey, I want that" and not just "hoo hum, 50 more hp". From a grouper perspective, more use of the "Attuneable" flag in place of No Trade. It is my opinion that if an item drops from a group mob (ie doesn't give 5 min rest timer), it shouldnt be No Trade (unless it is a quest / flag item). What types of spells, skills, disciplines, and/or alternate abilities would you like to see added to your class? Mages are in need of a "get out of jail" ability. Wizards can evac, Enchanters can blur, Necro can FD (and evac). I think a self evac would be quite nice. If you had to start over from scratch, what race/class combination would you choose? Gnome Rogue (which I have up to 75 now). The powers that be have continously downgraded caster potential with nearly every patch and I'd rather be a melee in today's EverQuest world. How do you describe EverQuest to your coworkers or computer-illiterate friends? EverQuest is to me like going out bowling / bar-hoping is to them. It is a social gathering that isn't hampered by physical location. It is a lot cheaper too ;-) What is next for you in the world of EverQuest? Solteris. Want to get as far into the zone as we can before November. And if casters (and mages in particular) don't get some severe improvements, I forsee my rogue getting much more playtime. ** Pick the winner in a battle between... Grobb vs Ak'Anon - Ak'Anon. How could an army of gnomes lose? Giants of Velious vs Akhevans of Luclin - I'd like the giants. The Avatar of War would make short work of those four-arm guys. Saryrn, the Mistress of Pain vs Terris Thule, the Dream Scorcher - Saryrn hands down. Terris might summon her little butterflies, by Saryrn's raven would keep her in check. Muramites of Discord vs the Drachnids of Darkhollow - Muramites just "feel" like a more dangerous foe, so I'll give them the nod. Tradeskilling vs Questing - Questing (tradeskills, in spite of Ngreth's fine work, remain one of EQ's shining weakspots) Instance Zones vs Static Zones - I like instances, particularly those without respawns. Feels more reasonable than just sitting in a spot killing repops. Soloing vs Pick-Up Groups - Solo. Pickup groups can ruin your day fast. GM (real people) Events vs Scripted (computerized) Events - GM (too rare though) Faydwer vs Odus - Faydwer (Erudites couldn't see them coming!) Kunark vs Velious - Velious. I can just imagine the entire Iksar army freezing to death trying to get to the heart of Velious. Planes of Power vs Gates of Discord - Gates Depths of Darkhollow vs Omens of War - Depths (Mistmoore is far cooler than Mata) Bard vs Enchanter - Enchanter Monk vs Rogue - Rogue! Paladin vs Warrior - Warrior |