Patch Notes for March 12, 2014

It's a big game update today as two new race/class combinations make their debut and Heroic Characters are introduced.

Here are the patch notes for this morning's update:

*** Highlights ***

- Heroic Characters are now available! You can choose to upgrade an existing character or to create a new Heroic Character from scratch. Please see https://www.everquest.com/news/heroic-character-faq for details.
- Wood Elf Beastlords and Froglok Monks are now available for creation once House of Thule is open.
- Sealed Pure Energeian Orbs can now be opened by anyone if the Underfoot expansion has launched on your server.

*** Items ***

- Added many new items that drop randomly in Call of the Forsaken zones. These items are very rare, but can be traded if you do not desire them for your own use.
- Tradable Rank II spells should now drop randomly in Heroic Adventures.
- Increased the starting power pool on Xorbb's Caged Hatred to 3.5 million. This is about three times the amount in a Pure Energeian Orb.
- Slightly increased the stats on Call of the Forsaken raid charms.
- Cleric Breastplates from Call of the Forsaken can now be used when targeting yourself.
- Preservation of the Ancestors on Shaman breastplates from Call of the Forsaken will now correctly heal your entire group.
- Freedom of Spirit now has a Tiger Claw skill mod.
- Added a corruption focus to the Longbow of the Royal Court and Blued Steelforce Longbow.
- The Steed of War, Umbral Selyrah, Highland Cragslither, and Ornate Flying Carpet mounts will now properly summon their faster versions if you have used a raid speed mount.
- Sealed Pure Energeian Orbs can now be opened by anyone if the Underfoot expansion has launched on your server.
- Fixed the typos in Qeynos Templar armor.
- Several Roboboars that were Collapsable are now Collapsible.

*** Tradeskills ***

- New recipes for cultural armor are available! These recipes have come around through the hard work of the New Tanaan Merchant Alliance and have removed the subcombines. You can purchase the Compendiums from Culturalist Devari in the Plane of Knowledge. You can also get more information from Instructor Tenn. Please note all old recipes still currently function.
- Due to the increase of froglok martial arts enthusiasts, there is new leather cultural armor for frogloks. This armor only comes in the new cultural recipes.

*** Quests & Events ***

- The Defense of Lendiniara - Raid - Commander Galenth's damage has been slightly reduced. He's still quite... grouchy.
- Breaking Mirrors - Corrected a problem that was preventing the mirrors in this Anniversary task from being updated.
- The Hills Are Alive - The Rescue Udwoona's Bunnies step of this Heroic Adventure should update properly if the nearby undead have been defeated.
- The Thunder Gun Escape - Prison Escapees in this Heroic Adventure no longer leave corpses.
- Menace, Doom and Horror - Mission - Fixed a problem that could prevent one of the eponymous NPCs from spawning correctly.
- Sarith, City of Tides - Players can now repeat all of the quests given by Solphius instead of just the first.
- Saving Jacyll - Raid and Mission - The exit location for these events are now closer to Frislo in the base zone.
- Lost Comrades [68+] - Fixed a problem that prevented Shargone, the Ice Drake from spawning.
- Many low hit point adds in Zhisza missions no longer leave corpses.
- A new quest is available for Heroic Characters in the dream version of Feerrott! Speak with Investigator Drolmer and help him with his mercenary problems.

*** Spells ***

- Tradable Rank II spells should now drop randomly in Heroic Adventures.
- Beastlords of specific levels can now summon loftier pets in the Plane of Sky.
- Rogue - Fixed an issue that could cause the Phantom Assassin to lower its target's hatred for its owner by too much, leading to unpredictable behavior.

*** NPC ***

- Sugal the Fist and Ulno the Peaceful have begun training young Frogloks in the ways of the monk in Rathe Mountains.
- Gwelian Wyn now keeps an eye on orc camps in Greater Faydark and will train aspiring Beastlords that seek her out.
- The dream version of Feerrott now has a safe area in the ogre village, protected by wielders of flaming shields. No harmful entity can pass their wall. Many new merchants and other services are now available in this area.
- The snakes in the dream version of Feerrott have become substantially weaker and more melee-friendly.
- Mob hitpoints and attack power in first two tiers of zones in House of Thule have been reduced.
- Ulno the Peaceful and Gwelian Wyn will offer books that tell their stories to interested adventurers.
- Dragorns will no longer hold their weapons backwards.
- Korascian Warrens - Mauk Peskysnout should no longer fall under the world.

*** AA ***

- Shaman - Pathosis spell icon changed to something less confusing with other beneficial abilities.
- Warrior - Phalanx of Fury's aggro generation is now instantly applied instead of over time.
- The Glyph of Indeterminable Reward is now available at level 51 and no longer requires the Alaran language.
- Entering Muramite Proving Grounds or the Plane of Knowledge will synch up your Trials of Mata Muram resist bonus AAs and grant any you may be eligible for.

*** Achievements ***

- Corrected a problem with several of the traveler achievements in Dragons of Norrath.

*** Miscellaneous ***

- Restructured how races and classes are stored throughout the game.
- All players can now be bound in Feerrott - The Dream.
- The Oggok stone in the Plane of Knowledge will now allow you to choose whether you wish to visit the original Feerrott or Feerrott, the Dream when you activate it.

*** UI ***

- Modified various windows in support of Heroic Characters.
- Added in the ability for custom UIs to set tint for the color of buttons when they have been disabled. See DisabledBackgroundTextureTint for details.

- Changed -

SIDL.xml
EQUI_Animations.xml
EQUI_CharacterCreate.xml
EQUI_CharacterListWnd.xml
EQUI_Inventory.xml

*** Previously Updated ***

- Disrupting the Ritual - Fixed a problem that was causing campfires and boxes to bounce around during this mission.
- Saving Jacyll - Raid - The achievement "Drum Solo" should now award properly when you defeat the event with no one in your raid playing the drum more than once.
- Anniversary NPCs in the Plane of Knowledge should be more reliable about showing up to work on time.

- The EverQuest Team

Comments

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MPG trial AAs.
# Mar 12 2014 at 7:32 AM Rating: Decent
Scholar
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95 posts
" Entering Muramite Proving Grounds or the Plane of Knowledge will synch up your Trials of Mata Muram resist bonus AAs and grant any you may be eligible for."

____________________________
Tameron
110 Wizard of IL
Zeb/Xegony
Woah
# Mar 12 2014 at 6:05 AM Rating: Decent
**
509 posts
Wait...you don't have to do trials anymore? You get the resist cap AAs from that for free by zoning into PoK?
____________________________
Cactuszach Rathebringer- [EQ]85 Human Pally Karana
-retired

Cactuszach- [FFXI] 75 Galka Monk Hades server
-retired

Cactuszach- [LOTRO] 50 Dwarf Guardian Vilya server
-retired
Woah
# Mar 13 2014 at 4:38 AM Rating: Good
Sage
***
3,008 posts
I don't think it means that at all. I think this just fixes some bug that was not crediting some players with the resist bonus they EARNED thru completing the trials.
____________________________
Sippin 115 DRU **** Firiona Vie ****Agnarr
FV: 115 WAR ENC CLE MAG WIZ SHD SHM Master Alchemist ROG Master Tinkerer & Poison-Maker
Master Artisan (300+) * Baker * Brewer * Fletcher * Jeweler * Potter * Researcher * Smith * Tailor
Agnarr: 65 DRU ENC SHD MAG CLE ROG WIZ BRD WAR
Woah
# Mar 12 2014 at 6:08 AM Rating: Decent
that should kickstart raid forces now as most of the top guilds req you to have mpg trials..........WoooooooT
im blind or there is no info
# Mar 12 2014 at 5:34 AM Rating: Decent
What are Heroic Characters?

Heroic Characters allow players to select any class and begin their adventures in EverQuest at level 85 with a full complement of gear, Alternative Advancement Abilities, food, drink, and platinum. This feature is a great way for new players to get caught up with their friends. It’s also great for existing players that want to try new classes, or for players returning to Norrath so they can explore content that they haven’t had an opportunity to visit yet.

How much do Heroic Characters cost?

For the first two weeks (3/12-3/26), the first Heroic Character each player creates is FREE!

Additional Heroic Characters can be purchased for 3500SC.

How do I make a Heroic Character?

Players will have the option to create a FREE Heroic Character when they log into their account and use the Upgrade Character button from the Character Creation Screen.

Players can also choose to use the Heroic Character button to upgrade an existing character to level 85. That upgraded character will receive all the perks of being a Heroic Character.

What specifically does a Heroic Character start with?

All Heroic Characters will be battle ready, and geared to explore Norrath! They will start with the following:
•15,000 Platinum
•Jungle Raptor Mount
•Two 24-Slot Bags
•Spells
•Thousands of Auto-Granted Alternative Advancement Abilities (AA’s)
•Full Set of Equipment, including weapons, armor, Power Source and Charm
•Food, Drink, and Ammo
•100 Bayle Marks



Note: The platinum a Heroic Character starts with is a one-time offering, rewarded to the first character you create or upgrade using the feature. If you delete your character and make a new one, you will not receive the platinum again. Delete wisely!

Note: You will still be eligible for the platinum reward each time you purchase the Heroic Character feature.

If I update an existing character to a Heroic Character how will I receive these rewards?

Your Heroic Character option can be used on an existing character. These characters will keep everything they had before, and will receive all of the items that Heroic Characters start with.

Players will receive three reward windows to claim all of the Heroic Character rewards. Players will need available bag space to claim each of these rewards.

Are there limitations on these AA’s?

Heroic Characters will have full access to thousands of Alternative Advancement Abilities (AA’s). Players that don’t currently have a subscription will need a membership or need to purchase individual AA unlockers to continue to earn AA points after they have the cap on Free-To-Play characters.

What skills does a Heroic Character start with?

All skills will be maxed for your level, with the exception of Language and tradeskills.

What happens if I delete my Heroic Character?

If you delete your free character after the trial period, it acts like a normal character deletion. If you purchase a Heroic Character and delete it, you can replace that character with another level 85 Heroic Character. This allows players to make one purchase, and try every class if they would like to!

The platinum a Heroic Character starts with is a one-time offering, rewarded to the first character you create or upgrade using the feature. If you delete your character and make a new one, you will not receive the platinum again. Delete wisely!

Why are you adding heroic characters to the game?

In response to player feedback, we wanted to provide an opportunity for players to play EverQuest without worrying about an overwhelming level and Alternative Advancement Ability gap. This lets veteran players try out new classes before committing valuable time to leveling one, and players who are new to Norrath (or those who have been gone for a long time) a chance to get caught up with their friends.

Ultimately we want to give everyone the option to explore high level content, and play with their friends with as few barriers to entry as possible.

Won’t new players be overwhelmed by a Heroic Character?

Heroic Characters will have access to a preset hotbar that will provide direction to both new and returning players begin their adventures in Norrath immediately.

We also invite new players to participate in the Mines of Gloomingdeep tutorial before creating a Heroic Character. If a player chooses to, they can upgrade a character created during the Mines of Gloomingdeep tutorial to a Heroic Character after they finish this tutorial.

Can players create a Heroic Character on Progression Servers?

Fippy Darkpaw and Vulak’Aerr will not have Heroic Characters until the Call of the Forsaken expansion is unlocked. These servers will not be eligible for a free Heroic Character since Call of the Forsaken will not be unlocked during the two-week trial period.

think i found the info:)
# Mar 12 2014 at 6:06 AM Rating: Decent
Heroic Characters will have full access to thousands of Alternative Advancement Abilities (AA’s). Players that don’t currently have a subscription will need a membership or need to purchase individual AA unlockers to continue to earn AA points after they have the cap on Free-To-Play characters
It did take, just really slooowww I guess
# Mar 12 2014 at 4:33 AM Rating: Excellent
Scholar
48 posts
It did take, just really slooowww I guess
Well I tried
# Mar 12 2014 at 4:31 AM Rating: Excellent
Scholar
48 posts
@Himlars, I tried to post a reply for you and it wouldn't take, not sure this will either, but I am trying!

The answer to your question is yes, you need a gold sub. There's a link in the text above to the Heroic FAQ, you really need to check it out, there's an awful there and in the comments, highly recommended.

good hunting
Well I tried
# Mar 12 2014 at 5:27 AM Rating: Decent
thanks for your reply's :)
Well I tried
# Mar 12 2014 at 5:11 AM Rating: Default
YOU DO NOT NEED A GOLD SUB TO MAKE A HEROIC CHARACTER

I see nothing in the FAQ that said you need a gold subscription to make a heroic character.

the only limitation i see for free accounts is the AA's... after you reach the cap for heroics you need to purchase AA unlockers.
Well I tried
# Mar 12 2014 at 5:03 PM Rating: Excellent
Scholar
48 posts
I am sorry, you are right, I went back and checked the blog where I thought I saw that, and Roshen specifically answered the question "This option is not just for gold accounts." referring to the free character. So obviously any level can have them.

Again sorry.
????
# Mar 12 2014 at 3:25 AM Rating: Decent
how long servers gonna be down couldnt see any info myself and also these free heroic toons is gold sub needed ive not seen that mentioned also?
????
# Mar 12 2014 at 4:09 AM Rating: Decent
update to my Q its a 4hour patch but still need answear to the new heroic toons is gold sub req?
????
# Mar 12 2014 at 4:27 AM Rating: Excellent
Scholar
48 posts
There is a link there to the Heroic Faq, you need to read the whole thing, there's lots of little details. But yes, you need a gold sub for the freebie. You really need to read the faq and the comments, there's a lot in there.
????
# Mar 12 2014 at 5:07 AM Rating: Default
um... you can make a heroic character on a silver account. where did you get your info?

the only limitation i see on the FAQ is the AA unlockers after the cap.

????
# Mar 12 2014 at 5:05 PM Rating: Excellent
Scholar
48 posts
You are right, I thought I saw it in Roshen's blog, but what he really said was "This option is NOT just for gold accounts." My bad, I will try to find my source next time.

????
# Mar 12 2014 at 6:02 AM Rating: Decent
**
509 posts
Heroic characters can be made on free accounts
____________________________
Cactuszach Rathebringer- [EQ]85 Human Pally Karana
-retired

Cactuszach- [FFXI] 75 Galka Monk Hades server
-retired

Cactuszach- [LOTRO] 50 Dwarf Guardian Vilya server
-retired
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