Hi Ysharros,
I remember you quite well. Your guidance helped me get one of my crafters out of the closest and into a crafting rhythm to lvl 25 (before I left)
As for new eyes, this is what I've noticed:
First off the riftways had changed and were a real pain and weren't working for me.
It seems the custom interface I used wouldn't work with the new mapping technique (also no more rift stones) they use so I had to install DroxUI and that fixed the issue.
I had stayed away from custom UI's (mine was actually the exact same as the default except I had more quick bars and a % xp bar) because they were another thing for me to learn and I already had my hands full learning VG ins and outs. But I bit the bullet.
I like the fact you don't need the riftway stones any more, but I'm still cheap and I don't like paying to travel. Never did.
As a Mage and a UO vet from long ago, I've always been spoiled with setting a rune and casting recall on the rune to go where I want. To me, that's how a mage travels. They don't pay
they open a gate and teleport
I'd forgotten completely how to adventure so that took me a few days to get under control.
My lvl 50 necro - Excedrin had mucho problems. Seems many of his spells were 'tweaked' and not as powerful as they had been. So a bit of adjustment there. I can no longer solo a few of the mobs I was able to before I left. But what can you do, no biggie.
The mini map is quite a bit different and I miss seeing the roads. At least in my mini map I can't tell where the roads are that lead from town to town.
So I pop up the large map and 'aim' myself in that direction. Fortunately for me, being a quasi Mage I can recall once I cross the chunk.
It's because of the new mapping that I'm only playing my mages at the moment (sorc and necro). I'm leaving my warrior and shaman home at the lake.
I still don't like playing alone, and it appears I probably won't stay in VG much longer because of this. I've played for 2-3 weeks and I'm already bored as hell.
I haven't found anyone of interest to group my lvl 50 Necro, my lvl 34 sorc is soloing southwatch at the moment and there seems to be quite a void of pugs there.
I hunted a few trees and undead beyond the bulwork (what ever it's called) but the trees take too much time to take down alone to make grinding the missive worth it.
I don't do pvp (I'm on Xeth), and it seems I'm not going to get into a raid group so that aspect is also out for me.
The broker prices are still insane, and from what I've read about the last patch, being a crafter is not nearly as profitable as it had been in the past.
I don't know this as first hand experience since I never got any of my crafters beyond 25, but it doesn't look pretty from I've read.
On a positive note - I did manage to get a new crafter to 21.
When I left you did not get xp for creating items, now you do! That was a definite welcome bonus!
I still can't make complete 'A' batch mods, but I did manage to make a few complete 'B' batches and a few A sets mods.
But I decided for xp, Id' just stick with the easy and forget the mods.
New Targ is still as laggy for me as ever. I've never liked that city and I think it should be tossed in the ocean and rebuilt.
I can barely get through to the crafting area as I hitch like crazy. Sometimes I stand still for 3-4 seconds before moving a step. Ridiculous.
If there were more friendly people in game and/or I could get in a guild I might stay a bit longer.
I would have liked to get a flying mount since they are in game now, but it appears you can not solo those quests so that's out for me also
All in all I agree with you completely. VG lost it's focus and for my taste I don't see how it will ever shine.
AoC doesn't really sound promising to me either and Warhammer sounds a bit childish (I may be wrong but it doesn't really appeal to me).
The patches and 'fluff' they are adding to the game IMO is too little to late. They're focus on adding new features when there are so many current features and issues that need addressing IMO is ludicrous.
Whoever is in the PM and making those decisions needs a dose of reality. IMO, they've got it all wrong and there focus is blurred.
Well, that's all I care to really share at the moment.
I wish everyone the best where ever they end up. It definately great seeing a friendly response Ysharros. Thanks for always being there when we needed help.
And again, thanks to the boards creators and mods for keeping this active. It was like a beacon of light when I thought I was on my way home.
I guess I'll keep looking for home and check back in here as long as the site remains active.
Best wishes to everyone