Which quests at each level are the most visually breathtaking/epic in scope?

[MRMechMan]

Disregarding loot or xp/minute or mobs...what quests do you run and enjoy just because they look incredible or have an awesome setting?

[Blackwolfe]

Ignoring the quest mechanics/requirements itself, my favorite pack is the Restless Isles with Bring Me the Head of Ghola-Fan being the best quest visually.

The run out there is a great mix of tunnels, open air fights, long bridges and cools scenery. The quest has some of the best architecture in the game to date. I enjoy this quest every time I flag for Titan on each life.

My other favorite visual in the game is looking down at the Tower of Despair from up on the platforms in Amarath. Even though it is bleak and dark, to me, it is a perfect representation of what I thought that plane would look like. Enjoy


Stay thirsty my friends

[TheDearLeader]

Amrath is my favorite pack of all time.

Vault of Night was the first one that blew me away. Specifically, Plane of Night, the Raid itself. Somewhere I still have screenshots of my first time in there.

Cannith is fairly visually appealing - the House itself and the Lord of Blades use a lot of blues, which I'm pretty sure our eyes both love and hate.

A lot of people like the Three Barrel Cove explorable area for it's size and detail.

[Chauncey1]

I think Into the Deep in Red Fens is very cool looking.
Sometimes I just solo it for the sheer joy of it.
They did very well on that quest, says I.

[PNellesen]

One of my favorites is Gianthold Tor. The first time I went in there I was stunned, I could barely pay attention to the quest just checking out the scenery.

The view from the overlook in the Vale is amazing too - another one I just stood there for a few minutes the first time I went there thinking "Wow. And this is just a video game..."

[gingie]

Stepping into VON6 and the end of Weapons Shipment were both, "Wow, this looks amazing" moments for me.

I always liked the look and feel of Redwillow's, Gwylan's, and Dreaming Dark.

And while it can be frustrating at 1st, I love the feel of Rainbow in the Dark. Especailly when the lightbearer gets too far away from you.

[Elaril]

Von 6 gets me every time. The Chronoscope as well, when taken in its entirety and context, is also pretty awesome. The Shroud as well, I remember back when it was released how epic it was to be one of the first parties just to make it to part 4, then the pit fiend dropped...pure win.

[balancetraveller]

Ignoring the quest mechanics/requirements itself, my favorite pack is the Restless Isles with Bring Me the Head of Ghola-Fan being the best quest visually.

The run out there is a great mix of tunnels, open air fights, long bridges and cools scenery. The quest has some of the best architecture in the game to date. I enjoy this quest every time I flag for Titan on each life.

The architecture of Quori is heavily based on Eastern style (Chinese/Japanese) and seeing that the OP is a Chinese himself, he probably won't find it too impressing relatively.

Basically most adventure packs will offer some very unique scenery, except Necro1 ~ 3, Gianthold, and some low level packs. Amrath is very successful in the overwhelming atmosphere it offers especially.

[Galeria]

I really love them all- trying to take more time to appreciate the details like the heads carved into the walls in Jungle of Khyber.

Probably my favorite area is the Vale of Twilight. I like to go to that vista overlook explorer point and jump. The birds and cricket sounds on the Lamannia side of the Vale make me feel like it's always spring.

Three Barrel Cove on my husband's fully cranked up graphic card and 25" monitor is amazing. The water looks so real.

Orchard of the Macabre is really beautiful in a weird, twisted way too.

I know a lot of people compare DDO to other games and complain about this that or the other, but I still am fascinated by the technology that allows so many people to play and react to each other in real time (yeah yeah, lag is an issue.) AI could be smarter, blah blah blah but the versatility and the tactics you can use to achieve the same objectives is what will keep me playing for a long time. I love that for almost any quest in the game, there are many strategies you can use to achieve the goal.

If you slow down and try them, that is!

[Talon_Moonshadow]

At the top of my list is Von6.

But lets start out small.

Misery's Peak really does look cool.

The first look at an army of Kobolds running at you, and that quest objective note that says "kill 200 Kobolds"!?! in Kobold Assault is really cool the first time through.

Same with the huge number of Dread Zombies you see shambling toward you in the Graverobber.

The architecture in Delera's is very good.
The large number of Ghostly skeletons that spawn at the end of prt 1 is cool. Even better if you were a full party of noobs and none of your weapons worked on them....back in the day....

(I'm sensing a theme here of things I like...lol)

I still remember when I was looking all around the Searing Heights and trying to figure out where "the lone Tree" was....then I saw it...and thought, "now how the heck am I suppose to get up there?!"
The lava heat visual distortion in one spot out thee is really cool too.

The Threnal Arena was a really tough fight back in the day....

The Beholders in Von 3.
(I used to think Von3 was the toughest quest in the game....)

The shear size and beauty of the Desert is amazing! (and changes at different times of day and night!)

Wiz King really is a good quest.

I like the first time you do DQ1 and have to fight her....a second time!

Gianthold! another awesome explorer area! (and was one of the most popular quest areas for a very long time.)

Shroud. I actually enjoy this raid.

Sub T. Huge, dangerous... so much fun to explore. (can you say, Counsel of Beholders!)

I like Stealer of Souls.

Guess I should backup and mention Gianthold Tor. Three Dragons! (well, four actually, but you don't have to wory about the fourth. ;) )

Restless Isles looks cool, but is annoying. Head of Ghola Fan and Titan first part is really nicely designed.

Amrath! Wow! of the quests I really like the Devil "statues" in Sins!
I really enjoy Tower of Despair as well.

Chronoscope! Especially if you were around for the devil invasion.
Sad that so few have enough courage to run this at lvl. :(

Lord of Blades voice! Love picking up the scrolls and hearing it.

Mindsunder series and Dreaming Dark especially! Love having true seeing on and seeing the quori feeding on brains!


And best of all

Kobold still hate you! :cool:

[RangerOne]

The Cerulean Hills at night.
I sometimes just go out there, aim for the sky and watch the moons rise.
I am going to retire there. I bought the farm next to Nash.

[AZgreentea]

That is a tough question, given how much I like to look around.

The Phiarlin Carnival really has its moments, and the quests can have a lot of variety. Party Crashers and A Small Problem being the most unique visually and plot mechanics wise.

I really like the story in The Catacombs. If you know a bit of lore about the Church and some history of The Silver Flame, the whole Duality thing is really interesting. I think my biggest complaint is the guards who seem almost out of place. Shouldnt they notice all of the undead and act on it?

The Lordsmarch Plaza quests are great fun. Both chains make for a truly epic story defending the city from a direct attack. And you get to fight a green hag!

There are a lot of one off quests in House J/Delera's (Mirra's Sleepless Nights, Rewillow, And the Dead Shall Rise, ect) that can be great fun. I'm actually a little surprised that some of them dont have chains associated with them.

[smallstones]

Top of my list: Von 6... Just stunning, and even after many years of play, still top of my list...

Next for visual stunning, has to be the Vale... There are some breathtaking vistas out there...

Closely followed By the Cerulean Hills, especially at night.. Moonrise over Stormreach can be stunning...

Amarath, While not a place I want to live, does offer one of the best Environment to quest story synergy...

And don't forget the desert... some good views in the Burning Mountains...

[Galeria]

The Cerulean Hills at night.
I sometimes just go out there, aim for the sky and watch the moons rise.
I am going to retire there. I bought the farm next to Nash.

I'm retiring on the Island of Dreams.

I used to look over my husband's shoulder before I played DDO and tell him I wanted to vacation there. It's so peaceful. We could do some wreck diving, shower in the waterfall, camp on the big terrace, visit with the drow natives...

[MRMechMan]

The architecture of Quori is heavily based on Eastern style (Chinese/Japanese) and seeing that the OP is a Chinese himself, he probably won't find it too impressing relatively.

Basically most adventure packs will offer some very unique scenery, except Necro1 ~ 3, Gianthold, and some low level packs. Amrath is very successful in the overwhelming atmosphere it offers especially.

Not chinese, just livin here for a year. The quori architecture here is amazing :)

I'd say chronoscope is pretty cool...after spending a lot of time here going from house to house and vending stuff, etc, being able to fight there is neat.

Mushrooms in STK. Redwillows. First really wide open area and...giants!

Stormcleave outpost is a classic as well. Entire von chain, specifically 3, 5 and 6 are pretty amazing.

The architecture in tor is great too...I like high ceilinged quests I guess.

Gotta give a shout out to the drinking beholders in delerium, even if they aren't really scenery :)

Rainbow as well...mess with shroud all you want turbine, but don't change rainbow in the dark and we'll be ok.

All of reavers refuge-all 4 quests, and all 4 explorer areas.

The vale is pretty amazing too, and sands as well. Most of the explorer areas are really well done. Tangleroot, gianthold (frozen giants/dragons=cool), shavarath (winged archons impaled)


Subterrane...so much to see, shame not many people see it...


And, of course, amrath. The feel of it is perfect for what it is-if that makes any sense.

[Aelonwy]

Skipping level 1
2 - Miserys Peak (of course)
3 - Partial to Cloven Jaw Scourge
4 - Caverns of Shaagh my favorite of the pack, followed closely by Irestone Inlet
5 - Halls of Shan to Kor
6 - Chronoscope & Red Willows Ruins
7 - This level is chock-full of fun and gorgeous quests... Gwylan's Stand, Storm the Beaches, The Black Loch.
8 - Haven't done all the quests of this level and beyond but i enjoy Caverns of Korromar, Prison of the Mind, & Stormcleave Outpost
9 - Into the Deep Hands down.
10 - Plane of Night followed closely by Sykros' Jewel as odd as that may sound.
11 - No clear favorite
12 - Framework...something awesome about devestating an entire city of creatures.
13 - Blockade Buster...is very fresh and fun. Undermine close second.
14 - Just about everything in Gianthold.
15 - Tie between Delerium for laughs, and In The Flesh
16 - Impossible to answer.
17 - Everything.
18 - I enjoy all of the Path of Inspiration pack, especially the first one Finding the Path.
19 - Impossible to answer.
20 - How does one choose?

Needless to say all but one of the explorer zones are visually stunning, Ataraxia being the exception only because the water to sand graphics are so obviously a repeated tile that it looks very unrealistic.

[Mark_G]

I've always liked Stormcleave. Not as a place to retire, but as a place which looked really different from most everything else DDO was first released.

[Sarisa]

Hmm...Lots of tough choices here.


None really at this level. If I had to name one, maybe Stopping the Sahuagin.
Misery's Peak. While hated for its sheer length by many experienced players, the first time you step in it just feels like a huge, daunting task to get through. It is rather visually impressive the first time you go in.
None really stick out to me, but Endgame: Marguerite is probably the most "grand". The entire Catacombs getting assaulted by angry undead.
Come Out and Slay. Fun, rooftop race. It feels fun to go out into a residential areas of Stormreach and continue the slaughter. It's a fitting end to a fairly fun chain.
A Small Problem, Partycrashers, and Under the Big Top. It's hard to say which one feels most "grand". All three are big, have a nice variety of things to do, twists, turns, and optionals. Partycrashers also shows where some of the "social" skills can have a nice effect, making it a bit more PnP like.
Redwillow's Ruins, The Chronoscope, and The Bloody Crypt. All three again, are large areas, a bunch of optionals, and have interesting fights. All three can be very dangerous to a less experienced or less equipped group, which makes the risk feel there.
Gwylan's Stand, The Pit, and Tear of Dhakaan. Three large, varied quests. All three can be very tough when new, but have a very grand, epic feel to them. Tear also emphasizes having a balanced group to get all the optionals, which adds up to a very large amount of experience. Less so than when the shrines were locked, but still balanced groups are best. All three are F2P, which can make a great impression on newer players, who have stuck through the less interesting Harbor quests.
Stormcleave Outpost was the quest that struck me as one of the most epic quests out there when I first started. Caverns of Korromar and Xorian Cipher are close behind on the "epic" feel.
Jungle of Khyber. Huge, dangerous, and very enjoyable. Great storyline as well. Into the Deep is also a good quest, but feels a bit more "gimicky" than epic. Church and the Cult, while short, is still an enjoyable challenge with a tough boss at the end.
Plane of Night. One of the most visually impressive quests in the game. I still enjoy the view, even after doing VoN6 on both epic and non-epic well over a hundred times. Vault of Night itself is also very grand. Bring Me the Head of Ghola-Fan and Tempest Spine are also very "epic" feeling bloodbaths.
The Twilight Forge. Huge, challenging at level, impressive design and architecture, and some wickedly well made puzzles. It also emphasizes having a group that works well together. This is another quest that I always enjoy coming back to, even after having everything I want from the quest on two of my three characters. The Spawn of Whisperdoom is a second choice, with a very dangerous boss who can actually sneak up upon you.
Against the Demon Queen. The first taste of a Marilith's power. Also a widely varied quest, and one that is quite fun at level. Other great "grand-scope" quests this level include Relic of a Sovereign Past, Chamber of Raiyum (Wizard King), Chains of Flame, and Invaders.
Probably Assault on Summerfield. Feels like urban war. The boss's club is one that I would love to carry on my Cleric.
Prison of the Planes and Ghosts of Perdition. Both have some very enjoyable but risky encounters.
Delirium and In the Flesh. Both are on the crazy and silly side, as can be expected with a Xoriat theme. In the Flesh, in particular, has a very different and enjoyable end fight.
Rainbow in the Dark. Very nice design, and while there are ways around having to always carry the light, in the average group it's very necessary.
The Shroud. One of the best designed raids in the game. Until u12, was almost universally accessible, and something that almost everyone could run and contribute positively to.
A Vision of Destruction. While not large in scale, it has an interesting way of opening up the path to the raid, along with a good challenge in the raid itself. It's a quest that emphasises keeping control, rather than going all-out on damage with no regard to defense. Resource management is key. The fight itself feels grand.
New Invasion and Genesis Point both seem very "epic" feeling to run the first few times. Bastion of Power does too, but it has way too many bugs and balance issues to be more "epic" than frustrating.
All three of level 20's (Lord of Blades, Tower of Despair, Dreaming Dark) are great and epic in feel/scale, as they should.

[GrampaBill]

I think I'm most impressed with the second part of Von 3. The parts where you see the Marut relentlessly stomping onward to his target, the area where you see his devastation and then the change in scenery as you approach the area where the beholders dwell.

[MindCake]

I really liked the sentinels of stormreach for visuals. Not exactly sure why, but I remember being impressed all through it, and actually saying "Woah, I wish I had a widescreen for this." in "The Tide Turns" at that part where you destroy the enemy airship. And then about half year later when I was buying a widescreen one of the first things I thought was "I wonder if I bought that pack after my VIP expired". Turns out no, and that made me kinda sad, but can't afford it.


Gianthold. The explorer area is a post-magical-war-wasteland. Had me go "Guys, what the hell did you do?".

[Urjak]

Over all I would say Dreaming Dark. This quest is just awesomeness³ (at least^^). I mean the endfight is quite boring, but the rest? I love to low-grav jump through a dream version of Stormreach :D

For a per level listing:

Level 1: Heyton's Rest: I really like how they updated the rooms where u find the crests
Level 2: Somehow I like The Miller's Debt: "Oh no don't kill me just take it ... pause ... take that!" *releases iron defender* xD
Level 3: Where there's smoke: Definitely the best at this level. Nice open quest with tons of trees, bushes, hidden places, ...
Level 4: Come Out and Slay: Its just cool to jump from rooftop to rooftop, ... reminds me a bit of Dark Project II xD
Level 5: Partycrashers: A really really fun quest. If you haven't done this already: Once in a time take a time off the grind, enter this quest solo (with a high spot/diplo/bluff toon) and take your time to actually read all the dialogue and do all the optionals ... really great!
Level 6: The only cool quest/raid at this level is the Chronoscope ... time travel ftw^^
Level 7: I can't really say why, but definitely The Scoundrel's Run - easy funny quest with lots of puzzles (don't read spoilers ;) )
Level 8: Prison of the Mind: I love and hate this quest at the same time. I love it because it is really cool made, and hate it because it can be a real b**** when soloing with a caster.
Level 9: Fathom the Depths: Nice mix of land based combat and swimming^^
Level 10: Plane of Night (VoN6): The first time entering this raid you probably get killed because you just stand there admiring the artwork^^
Level 11: Tomb of the Tormented: I know lots of people hate this quest, ... but I actually love it :)
Level 12: Diplomatic Impunity: This quest really pulled me into the plot and I was actually looking forward to discover everything in here. Chamber of Raiyum is also really cool ... I mean ... How often do you have the chance to break into an ancient lichs vault?^^
Level 13: Blockade Buster: Just saying: kaBOOOOOMMMMM!!!!111!!!1!!! xD
Level 14: The Crucible: Especially on an evasion toon: Looooooooots of fun; I like Prison of Planes and Inferno of the Damned a lot too though^^
Level 15: In The Flesh: Awesome narrator :) but Delirium is awesome too ... ever drank some beholder under the table? xD
Level 16: TBH: None really, The Coalescence Chamber though has the very nice feature, that every time you get in there it feels new still^^
Level 17: Lots of good stuff at this level, Acute Delirium I like most though - pure chaos/insanity/whatever ... lets build an airship out of bed and bookcases xD
Level 18: I Dream of Jeets: Definitely one of the best quests in this game ... "Skeleton in the closet" bwahaha awesome :)
Level 19: Only quest I like here is The Weapon Shipment, good atmosphere and tons of tons of mobs, all at once! Moohoohohohonnnnnsttterrrr Kill xD (had to quote ancient UT sry^^)
Level 20: Definitely Dreaming Dark!!!! But Lord of Blades is also very very cool (and thus a close 2nd place^^)

[Captain_Wizbang]

+ 1 for a great thread!

Too many facets of each house/ series/ quests to narrow it down.

One of my favorite animations is the "General Manager" in BoB.

It would be awesome to see his responsibilities widened, and take a more pro-active role in Stormreach. (And not just BoB & Tide Turns)

After all, "they" are the General Manager! :cool:

[FranOhmsford]

1. Sacrifices
2. Garrison's Missing Pack
3. The Crypt of Gerard Dryden
4. Come Out and Slay {also Cloven Jaw Scourge: Caverns of Shaagh}
5. The Fire Caves {3 Barrel Cove explorer}
6. The Bloody Crypt {special mentions to Devil Assault and The Bounty Hunter}
7. Tear of Dhakaan
8. Caverns of Korromar and Tomb of the Shadow Knight {the one with all the traps}
9. Fathom the Depths
10. Tempest Spine {Cannot Believe this hasn't been mentioned yet}
11. Purge the Fallen Shrine
12. Invaders and Relic of a Sovereign Past
13. SINVALA - Mired in Kobolds
14. Ghosts of Perdition {the scenery in here is just stunning}
15. Not much to choose from but I like Fear Factory
16. Rainbow in the Dark
17. Prey on the Hunter and Enter the Kobold
18. HoX and In the Demon's Den
19-20. I haven't actually played any of these quests yet so I'm gonna have to go with Amrath explorer zone and for lvl 20. The Tide Turns {Epic}

Overall for me Sinvala is the one truly epic moment in this game that beats out all the rest - Please can we get Epic Mired someday soon.

[brian14]

Do wilderness areas count? Because IMO the most beautiful place in all of DDO is marble cliffs in SW corner of Vale -- where bat swarm spawns. Combined with background music, it is just breathtaking.

As for quests... in terms of visuals I would say "Lord of Eyes". Not my favorite quest in other respects, but devs definitely went to town here with interior decor!

[MrkGrismer]

Too many to list but I have to say I just did Chains of Flame last night and I found myself once again saying to myself "This quest actually looks really nice, too bad it is such a pain in the butt." ;) I always dread doing the quest, but I think the atmosphere is great.

[Caine33]

Still remember the first time I stopped to look around and realized I don't have nightvision and should stick with the torch until I could do it with my eyes closed!!

[nomaddog]

For me, the most visually breathtaking area is the Restless Isles explorer area. The way the islands are linked together with the suspension bridges and the over all feel is really cool. Vale is another one of my favorites. The detail is simply amazing. Ataraxia/3BC also get votes from me for the water/sand/ruins that can be found there.

[nibel]

The architecture of Quori is heavily based on Eastern style (Chinese/Japanese) and seeing that the OP is a Chinese himself, he probably won't find it too impressing relatively.

IIRC, old Quori Architecture is Mayan/Inca/Aztec (aka, the ruins in Xen'drik from the Age of Giants). Ghola-Fan itself is more chinese than mayan, but not all quori structures.

And the Dead Shall Rise deserves a mention on stunning graphics. Too underrated quest on Delara that almost no one plays, but it's the first lich you can find in the game (Wiz-king being the second).

I personally love the visuals in all U9-U10 quests. Xoriat is my favorite plane, and aberrations are a main enemy I use a lot in PnP. Also, Yaulthoon's creations are trully... disturbing. And that's good when you think about Xoriat.