Ding 70 + Atzel's
I've been leveling at a steady pace and I think I detect some cries of alarm from guildmates seeking to catch up. It hasn't seemed rushed, I try to hold myself back, but my Polearm Guardian is too much fun dammit.
Kheshatta is the level 80 zone in this game and I have to admit in my first visit I was underwhelmed. Perhaps I've yet to find the hidden gems in the zone, so I'll withhold any deep criticism, who knows with first impressions right? Desert landscapes don't appeal to me on the surface.
Atzel's Approach on the other hand, has proven a surprising alternative. I expected to be moving on by now but it goes all the way from 60-75. It's cleverly laid out, whomever the zone designer was he has my deep respect because Atzel's Approach has layers. Like onions, or better yet a layered cake. Oh yes, my analogies suck.
I just wrote a poetic description of the place that was borderline brilliant, but I nuked it for sake of explorer spoilers. =P Discover the zone on your own terms, because this good stuff is too far and between in these games.
Jul 1, 2008 6:26am
Thanks for the no spoilers.
I love the picture also, more like a tease.
Glad to hear there is still stuff to do. I heard the 75+ may be a bear, but, I expect non-critical reporting on that issue from your viewpoint.
Have you had to do a lot grouped, or is there a good combo of solo and group.
Did you ever feel like you could not advance unless grouped?
Cheers
Jul 1, 2008 7:39am
Hard to be critical of the leveling content while I'm having so much fun. Is that a bias? For 75-80 I don't expect a problem, I've still got stuff in Atzel's, plus I've been showing the zone to Apprenticed friends which levels me in the process too (I'm already 71 since posting this). Blame the addiction of destroying those wagons.
And Kheshatta while it appeals to me less, seems crazy overloaded on quests.
Groups outdoors are good due to Apprentice, hanging with my friends makes a huge difference. But even then the disparate levels can be awkward.
The grouped dungeon content I've found lackluster, but I didn't expect much out of non-Endgame dungeons that no one will care about 6 months after release and are hard to level balance besides. The scaling ones (Frost Swamp, Immirian, Zaara) are a little better.
Overall I still prefer soloing while leveling, then grouping at Endgame. Apprentice doesn't work as well as Sidekick did in City of Heroes.
Expect me to be a lot more... critical when it comes to the Endgame.