Hunting Guide

Hunting Guide

Overview -

This is a guide for what I found to be the fastest possible way to level to about level 50 in the world of SoD. Before I even begin to talk about where to go and what spots can produce great exp results with the least risk and most loot reward, this guide is about being efficient in every aspect of the game that you can be and is not for people who don't know how to play Everquest well.

Lets go over what makes fast exp in SoD:

1.) 'Groups are always better exp in SoD than solo'

Due to SoD's exp system with groups it makes it extremely beneficial from a pure exp point of view to group. You don't lose exp from grouping. You get the same exp whether there are 2 or 6 people in the group from what I understand. This means... having more people in your group means more DPS (damage per second) which on the bottom line produces faster kills and more experience.

Groups kill things faster, you are safer, and you also get some social activity... :)

2.) Gear

Gear is relatively unimportant in SoD for casters. However, for melee characters it is EXTREMELY important and you should consider gearing up before you expect to grind properly and create a good exp per hour ratio. I will talk about how you can actually farm for some platinum early on to gear yourself properly.

3.) To 2 box or not?

I believe that not 2 boxing when you are allowed to is wasting possible experience that could have been gained for a second character. It is difficult in SoD to find groups early on until you are at least level 20. Even after level 20 it is difficult depending on the hours you play, whats camped, etc. If you are in a group with one character, you could have easily had a second character sharing the experience instead of only gaining experience for one. If you happen to be boxing a class and a non-boxed character (of the same class) wishes to join, it is courteous to drop your boxed character to let them in.

If you don't enjoy boxing and want to play a single character, that is completely okay however, you're going to level slower because you may miss opportunities that are only possible with a boxed character or group, especially at lower levels.

Also note that if you are not 2 boxing or playing a solo class such as Enchanter, Magician, Necromancer, etc... this guide may not help you because the mobs are too difficult to solo with non solo classes. If you are a cleric wanting to play a single character, you may want to consider stopping here because this guide won't help you much.

4.) Exp quests

This guide actually heavily relies on grinding areas where you can actually generate extra exp by farming items that give you exp for quest turn ins. Check the quests available for your zone when hunting, especially in start up zones.

5.) 'Where you level is important'

Running around looking for a group for a hour and not finding one is a waste of time. This is important if you expect to level fast. I personally don't have much time to play SoD and after playing Live to Luclin, I found that playing solo isn't much fun. When I log on, I want to get something accomplished and I try to choose the areas that assist me with that.

What makes an area a 'good' area?

-Availability of things to kill

-Your ability to kill said things. (This ties into why 2 boxing is important, understanding of your class, and what you can handle.)

-Risk vs Reward

Levels 1 - 5

I've been to all of the newbie areas and I found that, hands down, Newport is the best area. I feel this way because of the mob density in the Small area. Even with Newport's 10% exp penalty, crowded area, and it being a lame area to fight in, the number of mobs in the Small area makes it a great place to grind. If I had a second choice, it would be in front of Athica in Greater Faydark. It is usually empty and you have plenty of bats to kill with little risk. There is also a merchant in front of Athica so you can sell to easily without having to zone into the city. Also note that even when the shops are closed in Newport, you can always go to Southern Newport casters guild by the Mansion of Portals entrance to sell. The spell vendors inside are always around to sell to. The Monk guild in North Newport is also open all the time and the merchant is right behind the main door.

No matter which area I start in, I would run to Newport or Athica.

Level 1 - Fight anything that cons even.

Level 2 - If you are in Newport, kill fire beetles and save the pincers for Guardsman Burke at the gates. Kill everything you see because there just aren't enough even mobs to go around. At this point even con mobs WILL do a relatively good amount of damage to you. Instead of creating downtime by needing to rest you can fight blue con mobs which will do you little harm. You can slowly recover while fighting lower cons for experience instead of sitting around and doing nothing.

Level 3 - This can be a difficult level as the amount of white cons is low compared to blues. This level can be difficult for casters and priests who are in between spell levels. Continue to fight anything you can and just grind through it. Save those pincers from fire beetles and use them to get through it.

Level 4 - I would go to Centaur Hills and fight wolves. I believe they are around level 4 to 5 and you should be able to handle them, especially if you are two boxing. Fight the wolves here that con yellow & white. Don't forget to kill those fire beetles that roam around. An alternate area to hunt would be Newport Sewers. The 15% experience bonus and the quests items (including our pincers) are found here making it a very nice place to level.

Level 5 - 7 The cave outside of Blackburrow has a nice spawn of gnolls. There are two at the entrance to Blackburrow, two northwest of the entrance, two gnolls west at a shack, one gnoll on the hill southwest, and also one behind the shack by a tree. This means it gives you 7 gnolls total and clearing these gnolls should be more than enough to keep you busy with no roaming mobs. Don't forget to loot everything you can this will allow you to buy bandages which will make this camp easier. You can also hunt inside Blackburrow but a group is recommended.

You also can go to Athica and kill the lizards in front of Fearstone Keep. The closest hunt to the entrance of Fearstone with 3 lizards by it has a named mob that drops the Leather Bound Tome.

After you have hit level 8 you have some options:

Level 8 - I hate Blackburrow; however, the top floor has a decent amount of spawns. But Blackburrow tends to be crowded and annoying considering there aren't enough mobs to go around for more than one group.

As the Ranger hunting guide suggests, I suggest you go into Newport sewers and do ratmen. They are located in the west to southwest part of the zone. Save the Sewer Ratman Hoods for extra exp. There are named rats here that drop items that sell for 4pp and some gold to vendors. If you clear the named a couple times, you will have enough money to purchase yourself Medium Mithril Weapons or some armor to help you in your efforts to grind.

If you cannot handle the named, then continue to kill ratmen and collect hoods. It will be fast exp especially with the quest turn-ins.

I would stay here until level 12 and save the hoods until I am level 11 and then turn them all in (20 is the limit).

Now, let's talk about melee classes, Hybrid classes, and pure caster classes...

At this point, a melee/hybrid character needs to have better weapons. If you are a Ranger, Warrior, Bard (who doesn't want to AE kite), Shadowknight, Paladin, Monk, or a Rogue and in order to follow this guide, you will need to be able to kill mobs your own level or possibly 1 level above you. You should do all newbie quests for any armor that doesn't require you to go too far out of your way.

If you are a SHD or PAL, I suggest you buy a Mithril great sword from another player. I wouldn't pay more than 35pp for a mithril weapon. Anything more than that is just a rip off and isn't worth it as that money can be spent better elsewhere. If you already have at least a mithril weapon or better, look for armor from a blacksmith. If you can wear plate, though its heavy, the AC is worth it. Consider using the auction channel to find someone to make you copper armor or silver armor for 2 to 5pp or so a piece. The AC makes a lot of difference.

What's most important is your weapon. Luckily Monks and Beastlords can use their fists (although mithril is better), otherwise you NEED A WEAPON FIRST AND FOREMOST!

Caster classes ... save ALL of your money for spells. Items don't matter at all. Do not blow 30pp on a Mantle of the Foreseen from the temple of Yaralith. AC: 4 STR: +4 STA: +4 WIS: +2 INT: +2 AGI: +4 isn't going to make you any better and it's smarter to save that money for a decent item or your future spells.

If you are a MAG, ENC, or WIZ, I suggest you go to Newport and do the Arcane Staff quest at the casters guild in Southern Newport. It's a great item for being such an easy quest. At level 47 I still use it as my primary. If you are a Magician, I suggest you do the Explosive Flame quest series. Start it and get the exp while getting relatively nice gear for your level.

Level 12-

Warrens, Mielech's Lair, or Fearstone Keep.

Any of these areas is fine. You can stay in these areas for at least 4 levels or more. If you find that one is too difficult, switch areas. I suggest you grind it out in these 3 areas until you are level 20. There's not much to say here because these levels are extremely easy, and go by quickly. Save all Dire Leaf, Bat Blood, Wolf Blood, and other bloods so you can sell them to players.

Above edited by Seacruiser

Level 20-

There is only one place to truly grind fast, fast exp...

Warpstone Caverns - with a group

This area is popular enough where you can find a group relatively fast. You can probably do 20-25 in 5 hours with a good group here. Solo some mobs here and there if you can't find a group, but keep searching for one. You will eventually find one and be out of here soon anyway. I suggest you stay here until level 25 or at least 24 because the exp is just too good.

Level 25

Get a group for either Kaladim, or Shrouded Island 2nd floor

At level 25, I hated Kaladim. I've done 25-30 there on 4 characters and I'm sick of it. So my 5th and 6th chars, Enchanter and Mage, I went to Shrouded Island 2nd floor; I was able to solo the whole top floor. However, I don't know if melee classes could do that since the casters DoT and melee mobs hit for a decent amount.

Either of these places is fine for exp and there are other areas you can do.

I suppose you can run to Southern Badlands and grind Liodreth warders outside of Paw and collect their paws for the exp turn in to the guard at the bridge. However, I found this to be such an annoying area because corrupted things would come and beat my characters down and I had exp debt more often than not, so I left this area.

You should get to level 30 or so easily between these 3 areas.

Level 30

Head to Eastern Badlands and do the gnolls at the coast by Heartlands zone line. The furs they drop are amazing exp, you can turn in 2 at a time, 10 times, (20 furs) to the guard at the bridge in North Badlands. The exp is great, the quest exp is even better, and Heartland Plateau is there if you need to zone. However, the gnolls here are somewhat difficult, especially the shamans, who cast Scourge. You may or may not need a group. I didn't need one with my Enchanter/Mage. I was fine but enjoyed extra help because those shamans can really cause a lot of downtime.

I would only stay here until you have 20 furs on your character(s) for the quest.

After you have completed that I would head to the Heartlands and farm the spiders near the zone. They are great exp and drop exquisite silk which I believe goes for something like 5pp per silk to players doing tradeskills. It vendors for 1pp or so. I stayed here until level 35 from level 32 I believe and made 200pp from my silks that I acquired during those 3 levels.

Also, you can look for a Kings Pass group. The exp there is nice but its not even worth sticking around that area unless you actually find a group before heading over.

Level 35-

Start a robot group in the Heartlands or continue to kill mobs around the Heartlands such as the goblins, spiders, and robots. However the robots in the cave are the best exp at this point. They drop no loot really, but the exp is great and people are often willing to come and form a robots group. Robot Oil is the major loot here ... eagerly sought by tradeskilling players.

You can easily get from level 35-40 here in less than 8 hours with a good group.

Level 40-

I suggest you head to Mielech B and go to the north-western-most entrance. You will find knights, preachers, maze gargoyles, and maze fungus which are great exp, not difficult and the spawns are quite spread out so its usually a double pull at most. Mostly single pulls however so almost anyone can do this area even if you're playing a single char.

Keep killing in this area while looking for a group.

I suggest you stay here until you are level 50 or so.

[EDIT 6/8/09: Also try spectres in Obsidian Shard Mtns. 38-43, not hard to 2box with 40 Monk/39 Shaman. Blues and whites, some yellow. Dropping about 1-9pp a kill, and Black Blood to sell to players. Good place if you're working on your first characters.]

Also at level 25 - 50 consider doing treasure maps when you can, they are great exp, and also drop nice loot.

If you play 8 hours a day and are able to find good groups, you can probably get from level 1 to level 50 within a week. I believe if you hunt in these areas and go where the EXP is good, easy, and the risk of death is low... you truly can do this in this length of time.

That's 1.16 hours per level about up to 50. Round it up? 1 hour and 20 minutes of time spent grinding per level all the way up to 50. Trust me... if you're good, stay focused, make an effort to create groups and go to these specific areas where your chances of exp are greater than others... you will level fast.