Greetings

Volkier

Volkier

Dalayan Beginner
Greetings all,

I've recently stumbled upon SoD (recommended by someone else, on another forum) and I have to say that this seems exceptionally intriguing from what I've seen and heard so far.

I suppose a 'story of my life' or rather 'my mmo life' is in order... I've been playing EQ for years, quitting about this time last year after being fed up with the continuous expansion spam, and the general way SOE has dumbified the game I used to love into an EQ2 (or worse - WoW) clone. I've tried a bunch of other MMO's (currently playing EVE) which just haven't given me anywhere near the amount of roleplaying experience or the way I felt like truly being in a virtual world that I felt when taking a boat ride in EQ before the cursed PoP was released. (Not that I didn't like the expansion in itself, but personally I felt that was the beginning of the end - just a mere opinion more than anything).

Anyhow, I have a couple of questions I would like to ask (if you don't mind) as this truly (and hopefully) looks like the gem of light in the sea of darkness.

1) What is the community generally like? I have noticed several 'common sense' rules - which in a way is good, but at the same time means that there was a reason to have them included in the first place (ie. obviously at some stage there was a problem with socially-challenged individuals).

2) Do the players generally prefer to roleplay, or rather play in character, or does majority of the community go about the game as 'must get more lvl's and better items!' mentality? Again, not criticising either game-style, but it would be nice to know ::)

3) As a general rule, are there many newcomers (ie. blank new chars, not veterans creating and twinking the crap out of low level chars) to the game? Simply put, for comparison's sake, if someone started playing EQ live now, and for argument's sake even bought an account with PoTime gear (I know it's illegal, I'm just using this as an example for the gear), they would simply be not accepted in groups since they would be 100% worthless, while they would not be able to solo even the easiest new mobs.

4) The 'two account' or the 'two boxing' rule: since it's officially allowed to have two characters, does a good majority of the server population do this? (Hence, if it's considered a 'norm', you would think people would generally expect everyone to have two characters they play - and you would look like an idiot if you want to just play on 1, or if not basically get the short end of the stick)

Also, I got a bit mixed up between the 'accounts' and 'characters' in the 'rules' : does it mean you can have two characters on the same account logged in (per person), or does it mean you can have 2 accounts on at the same time with only 1 char per account (per person)?

5) Are the rules generally enforced? Kind of a rude question, please accept my apologies in advance, but what I mean is, would it be the case as with almost every other RPG which says they enforce their naming policies and generally try to keep the community clean and productive, but when you log in, you are immediately swarmed with "asdfg's" and "legolas'es" who spam you with "ofmg n00b!!11" ?

6) Are there any sites which can give me a full description of the classes skills and spells (ie. so I can see what has been changed from EQ itself, and therefore decide what class to choose)

7) Generally, is there any schedule for the patches / server downtime, or is it just random? (Don't worry, I won't be asking 'when is the next patch', but I just wanted to know if there is any 'daily downtime' during - for example - the only spare time I get when I get off work, or if they are just random)

8) Couldn't really find this anywhere, but when did SoD actually start? (ie. last year? year before?)

9) Does SoD in any way follow EQ's expansion(s)? Or is it a completely separate world on it's own which does not add in content every time SOE throws out another expansion?

Thank you all in advance...
...and may the horse be with you.

-------
-Volk
 
3) As a general rule, are there many newcomers (ie. blank new chars, not veterans creating and twinking the crap out of low level chars) to the game?

Yes. We even have players who have never played on Live, and we also have players who have never played any MMO before.


4) The 'two account' or the 'two boxing' rule: since it's officially allowed to have two characters, does a good majority of the server population do this? (Hence, if it's considered a 'norm', you would think people would generally expect everyone to have two characters they play - and you would look like an idiot if you want to just play on 1, or if not basically get the short end of the stick)

Also, I got a bit mixed up between the 'accounts' and 'characters' in the 'rules' : does it mean you can have two characters on the same account logged in (per person), or does it mean you can have 2 accounts on at the same time with only 1 char per account (per person)?

This thread should answer your questions regarding the rules of two-boxing on SoD: http://forum.shardsofdalaya.com/index.php?topic=16798.0


5) Are the rules generally enforced?

Yes.


6) Are there any sites which can give me a full description of the classes skills and spells (ie. so I can see what has been changed from Game itself, and therefore decide what class to choose)

The SoD Wiki is a helpful resource: http://www.angrygamer.net/sodwiki


9) Does SoD in any way follow Game's expansion(s)? Or is it a completely separate world on it's own which does not add in content every time the Company throws out another expansion?

The following two links should help answer your question:
http://www.angrygamer.net/sodwiki/index.php?title=Differences_between_SoD
http://www.shardsofdalaya.com/intro_features.htm
 
The best part of SoD is the community. It's what keeps people here and coming back. And for Number 2 There are roleplaying guilds and even a mark for roleplaying charecters. IE see roleplay forum.

Enjoy your stay
 
Thanks for answering the questions.

I'm kind of running into technical difficulties though at the moment. I've got all the expansions (well probably missing the 10 more they released in the past year, but I definitely have post Discord). The new patcher though requires an active account to update the live files. Do I need to update these before updating the SoD patcher?

I know the Introduction says I don't, but that seems to have been the case when Discord itself was released? - Besides, reason I am asking is that I'm getting the a few screens clearly with SoD font, but I also get the the Company license agreement, and the live login selection. I've turned off EQWin, yes I'm running from the SoD patcher, yes everything is installed in the right directories (unless I'm a completely beyond psychological hope and help). The Game folder has been un-touched in about over a year, so it's covered in dust and mold, so I was hoping that a patch would clean that up a little, but I am really not in the mood to subscribe to the Company just to update Game again ::*(

EDIT: My apologies - it is infact, SoD EULA and the SoD welcoming screen. The menu itself, AND the logon screen are both appear to be live however, and I'm getting a bad username / password (strangely enough for both my live account AND the account I created for SoD. - my live account is obviously disabled, but I should be getting a different message saying 'please re-activate' or something for that)

EDIT2: For some strange reason, it seems that the password also only accepts 15 digits - this was changed quite a while back in Game, but the logon screen I'm getting for some reason is the old(er) one (again, the Game folder I have includes 10 or 12 expansions).

EDIT3: Changed the password - that seemed to have done the trick. Able to log in on the SoD server now ::) Will probably poke around the server on a new 'naked' char after work later today ::) Would probably need to play around with firewall settings first, but all that later in the day.

May the horse be with you

-------
Volk
 
1) What is the community generally like? I have noticed several 'common sense' rules - which in a way is good, but at the same time means that there was a reason to have them included in the first place (ie. obviously at some stage there was a problem with socially-challenged individuals).

The community has it's ups and downs. If you've ever played on a small/emulated server before in any game it's about the same.

2) Do the players generally prefer to roleplay, or rather play in character, or does majority of the community go about the game as 'must get more lvl's and better items!' mentality? Again, not criticising either game-style, but it would be nice to know ::)

Generally? No.

There is a very small amount of actual RP'ing that goes on but that is confined to one or two guilds, an in game flagging system known as The Cult, and rare GM events.

Unless you are in one of the three above mentioned situations people will giggle at you.

3) As a general rule, are there many newcomers (ie. blank new chars, not veterans creating and twinking the crap out of low level chars) to the game? Simply put, for comparison's sake, if someone started playing Game live now, and for argument's sake even bought an account with PoTime gear (I know it's illegal, I'm just using this as an example for the gear), they would simply be not accepted in groups since they would be 100% worthless, while they would not be able to solo even the easiest new mobs.

The server is like a small town in the center of a busy crossroad. The locals all know each other but there is no shortage of new people passing through. Some stay longer than others.

The majority of the server population is level 65 (the level cap here) but there are indeed lower levels.

The ideal way to start on SoD, in my opinion, is with a small group of friends that can play when you play. This is by no means the only way however.

The lower levels are just more scarce, but far from non-existent.

4) The 'two account' or the 'two boxing' rule: since it's officially allowed to have two characters, does a good majority of the server population do this? (Hence, if it's considered a 'norm', you would think people would generally expect everyone to have two characters they play - and you would look like an idiot if you want to just play on 1, or if not basically get the short end of the stick)

Eh. You wont look like an idiot if you don't two box.

Some people love it. Some people don't. No raiding guilds can avoid it. But as far as general life on the server goes it's far from a requirement.

Two-boxing will help you level however so it's something to consider if the idea doesn't already make you sick to your stomach.

Also, I got a bit mixed up between the 'accounts' and 'characters' in the 'rules' : does it mean you can have two characters on the same account logged in (per person), or does it mean you can have 2 accounts on at the same time with only 1 char per account (per person)?

You can have 2 accounts on at the same time with only 1 char per account.

You can have an unlimited number of accounts.

Two characters online from the same account is against the rules.

5) Are the rules generally enforced? Kind of a rude question, please accept my apologies in advance, but what I mean is, would it be the case as with almost every other RPG which says they enforce their naming policies and generally try to keep the community clean and productive, but when you log in, you are immediately swarmed with "asdfg's" and "legolas'es" who spam you with "ofmg n00b!!11" ?

The rules are enforced with ruthless efficiency. The GM's here are far superior to any GM staff, in any MMO, that you will ever run into.

Do not cross them, they are quick and easy to temper.

6) Are there any sites which can give me a full description of the classes skills and spells (ie. so I can see what has been changed from Game itself, and therefore decide what class to choose)

The links neph gave you should suffice.

7) Generally, is there any schedule for the patches / server downtime, or is it just random? (Don't worry, I won't be asking 'when is the next patch', but I just wanted to know if there is any 'daily downtime' during - for example - the only spare time I get when I get off work, or if they are just random)

No. Patches in general are short however and server downtime is minimal.

8) Couldn't really find this anywhere, but when did SoD actually start? (ie. last year? year before?)

Years and years ago.

9) Does SoD in any way follow Game's expansion(s)? Or is it a completely separate world on it's own which does not add in content every time the Company throws out another expansion?

a completely separate world on it's own

For some strange reason, it seems that the password also only accepts 15 digits - this was changed quite a while back in Game, but the logon screen I'm getting for some reason is the old(er) one (again, the Game folder I have includes 10 or 12 expansions).

We use an older version of the client. The login screen will have the logo. Nothing else will.

Changed the password - that seemed to have done the trick. Able to log in on the SoD server now ::) Will probably poke around the server on a new 'naked' char after work later today ::) Would probably need to play around with firewall settings first, but all that later in the day.

Passwords are case sensitive. That may have been the issue. Enjoy the server.
 
Thanks for the detailed answers.

By changing the password, I meant I changed it to be under 15 digits long, as that seems to be the maximum allowed.

I shall hopefully see some of you in game in the near future ::) Again, thanks for the welcome(s)
 
Cinn said:
The rules are enforced with ruthless efficiency.
Click to expand...

I absolutely love that answer.

Yes, we take great pride in the environment we create, and our rules are there to be followed, not ignored or broken outright. Your assessment of the common sense rules is correct - they are laid out because at one point or another it was problematic enough that it required more specific rule structure than "Dont be a jerk to people" and "Dont name your character something stupid".

Also, please direct your attention to http://forum.shardsofdalaya.com/index.php?topic=7258.0 for more things to avoid that we "enforce with ruthless efficiency".
 
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