Casual Levelling thoughts...

[grayham]

Edited July 2011 with further thoughts from 1st TR experience.

This is not intended to be a de-facto 'how to level' article, comprehensive and detailed versions of these can be found here http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=181394. Instead, I just want to offer a few tips to newer players on increasing xp gain, without reducing enjoyment. This is based on my experiences of both power-levelling and enjoyable meandering up the ranks with toons various. Having read numerous articles and threads about levelling, I noticed that fast xp acquisition often came at the expense of running quests over and over again. There were also some claims about 'xp per minute' that whilst possible, do not represent a reasonable goal for new players, or those looking to fully explore the game. I hope that others can add their thoughts.

Tip 1)- Enjoy yourself. If you're only trying to level up then it's possible you're constantly focusing on improving rather than enjoying what you are actually doing. Yes, this starts a complicated debate about the nature of any progression focused game, but still a point I think worth making. Don't be discouraged by boasts by other players who say they TR'd in a week, or who can solo the Shroud on elite. These may be true, but in my experience represent one type of DDO player, not the majority. Do it at a pace that's comfortable for you.

2) Got a VIP account or lots of points? Then invest in elixirs of xp gain, 10 or 20%. These are far better value now that they pause in public areas. Having these can get you moving up a lot quicker.

3) Try and finish Deleras tomb (house Jorasco) and get your Voice of the Master from the end reward, which provides a 5% xp gain (stacking with elixirs above). The quest chain itself is fun and rewards well with good xp. Somewhere between levels 5-7 is entirely reasonable for all this to happen. your toon is higher than that? Go and get it anyway! Well worth it.

4) Explorer zones. These are, IMHO, underrated as a means of xp gain. There are good maps for all zones available online (Doriths map shop being the best). There is normally a 8-9 level allowance for these-for example a level 8 player could party up with a level 15 and both go through the sands of menech without xp loss for the L8. Of particular interest are....

-Sorrowdusk-- levels 4-11.
-Ataraxias Haven-- levels 7-14
-Vale of twilight levels-- 12-20

These 3 can be zipped around in fairly short order. Sands of menech is worth exploring as there are some great loot drops, but it is a real task to run around or even find some of the places the 1st time!

5) The exception to the rule.... I'm no repeat-quest grinder, but the good steady xp on offer from the 'desert caravan' quest (found in House P + Demon Sands) was too good to resist. It's basically a simple defence quest and thus takes no prior experience to grasp. I led my 1st LFM here many moons ago and haven't looked back.There's plenty of optional monsters for extra gain, and the xp is drip-fed every 2 minutes so, unlike many quests in the game, you will get xp even if you fail. There is no way this quest can last any more or less than 10 minutes, and even by the most exacting standards the xp rewards in that time are healthy.

6) Gem of ocean winds! If you can find them on AH at a 'reasonable' price these are invaluable, they basicaly summon a CR14 Air elemental. They don't do huge damage but knock down more or less everything, so it's like questing with a high level player who just wants to bully the mobs by tripping them. I just completed the whole splinterskull chain on elite as a level 5 thanks to this-no boast about my prowess here, but the Elemental is that good.

7) To finish, here's a quick list of quests in rough Level order that I've found that represent good value both in terms of fun, appropriate challenge and xp. NOTE This is not new or revelatory, and many of these are on other guides....

Information is key
Kobolds new ringleader
Deleras
Sorrowdusk Quest Chain- Grey Moon Waning and Cult of the 6
Xorian Cipher
Haunted Library
Stormcleave outpost
Gwylans Stand
Desert Caravan
Prison of the Planes
Reclamation
Chamber of Raiyum aka Wizard King

The following link shows what quests 2 guys did when they Total reincarned in 3 days (!) I'm not advocating crazy fast levelling or grinding, but their choice of quests is very good.
http://forums.ddo.com/showpost.php?p...5&postcount=29

Thanks to dazalarian for this.

If you're in the right groups then Running with the Devils and Rainbow in the dark tend to be the quickest of the Vale of Twilight quests, but by then you'll know much more of the game and have your own ideas on which quests to do.

That'll do for now.

[Airgeadlam]

+1 to you for the effort in building a comprehensible and easy guide to new players.

By the way, "The Snitch" (Pvp quest, Phiarlan carnival series, lvl5) is a good solo/party quest. Easy and fast, and 2'5k each run at level.

[psymun]

A few others off the top of my head:

Shadow Crypt
Tear of Dakhaan

Also, 3 or 4 of the Gianthold Walkups are VERY nice... 10 minute runs if you have an experienced zerg group.