Want to take the shortcut to power and glory in EverQuest 2 without all the level grinding? Are you a returning player and simply don't want to start over from scratch? Sony Online Entertainment has a solution for you: Heroic Characters. These will start at level 85, and players can create one for free starting October 1 to October 15. After that, these characters will require cash.
"The goal is to provide a fun and easy option for existing and returning players to play or experiment with our characters and have immediate access to high-level content. And we think we've created a great program for everyone!" reports Holly Longdale, senior producer of EverQuest 2.
The free Heroic Character creation is part of the company's "Hero's Call" event, allowing players to generate one Heroic Character per household for free during the limited time frame. Existing accounts can create or upgrade to a Heroic Character for free as well, and additional characters can be purchased during the event, as well as afterwards.
Players are provided with three options: Try Before You Buy, New Heroic Character, and Upgrade Existing Character. In the first option, players are given a chance to test-drive a character from level 85 to 86, which can be accessed in the Character Select screen. This equates to around several hours of play and earning 100 Alternate Advancement points (AA). This Free Trial also includes a flying mount, armor, consumables, and a few restrictions.
To purchase a new Heroic Character, players can make their choice at the Character Select screen or while playing as a Free Trial character. These characters start at level 85, provide 280 AAs, all items included in the Free Trial, and is unrestricted.
"The Upgrade option allows you to select any existing character at any level and upgrade it to a Heroic Character," Longdale explained. "All upgraded characters receive level 85 and are increased to 280 AAs, but not beyond. If you are above level 85 and have more than 280 AAs, you won't receive additional levels or points, but will get a bundle of items that includes the flying mount, armor, and consumables."
Longdale also said that an in-game Marketplace item can be bought (and gifted) to upgrade an existing character to a Heroic Character. The Character window also has an icon players can use to upgrade as well.
To help returning players adjust to the number of combat arts and spells, the team has introduced new hotbars in the Heroic Characters. The character begins with one hotbar of core spells and/or combat arts to help players quickly learn and get back into the groove. Additional hotbars are inserted one at a time soon thereafter to help players ramp up. Expert players can quickly get out of this mode at any time by modifying their UI, Longdale said.
Additional information regarding the new shortcut characters can be found here.
