What packs buy?

[Bortasz]

I wonder to buy one or two Adventure packs. I'm 8 lvl Drow wizard, witch pale master enhancement.
Looking on this http://ddowiki.com/page/Adventure_Packs convince me to buy Necropolis 1 and Catacombs. Main reason Favor per Turbine point and it will give me enough Favor in Silver flame for Silver Flame Symbol reward (Total 151 favor in Silver flame witch free mission)
What you think about that?

[DrunkenBuddha]

Despise the Catacombs I do. For favor I run it. First rank of Silver Flame favor (and arguably even the second rank) should not be your primary reason to purchase the packs though. Third rank is worth it however. Necro 1 is fairly decent experience for that level range, especially if you like killing undead, and then more undead. If you like doing optionals, Necro 1 has the optional of even more undead. When you run out of undead, you can always get the other Necro packs.

At that level range, you should consider Sorrowdusk and Vault of Night for experience. You're about to level past Delaras but that is also a good buy (plus it has undead since you're into that type of thing). Red Fens is also good to consider. I would mention Threnal (and it can be decent experience) but I would rather crawl naked over broken glass into a pool of lemonade than babysit Coyle (and this is even with the option to knock him out since he gets back up if a Mephit farts).

Afterwards go with Sands, Gianthold, Vale and Devils of Shavarath.

[Alrik_Fassbauer]

The Catacombs are a bit boring, but can be done on "hard" quite good. Didn't try them on "elite" yet.

The end reward is fairly good, imho. I personally prefer the special sword (the "Blade Of The Inquisition") and the unlimited staff of curing minor wounds.

The sword can be used with the use of the spell "Master's Touch". http://ddowiki.com/page/Master%27s_Touch

I can't comment on the Necropolis, since I don't have it.

[Phemt81]

Save your points for The Vale of Twilight, nothing else is so amazing, nothing else is so needed in DDO.

If you want to some early action, i know red fens, vault of night and demon sands are quite appreciated if you don't need to save your real coins...

But if you have limited spare money Vale of Twilight for the win, no contest.

[EnjoyTheJourney]

I wouldn't speak against other choices, but with Catacombs costing about as much as a cup of coffee, it seems like a worthwhile purchase to add to your cart.

Aside from favor, the eternal wand of cure minor wounds is probably the single best reward available by purchasing the Catacombs AP. The dagger of inquisition and a few other anti-undead pieces are decent for early play and the Robe of Duality is probably worth of a mention for a lower level arcane character.

[t0r012]

Vale and Gianthold should be prime concerns.
Vale cause it will get you shroud and level 20.
gianthold to cover the gap in F2P before the vale

if you just want "good" packs
deleras and vault of night.

fun but completely unneeded packs, IMO sharn.

avoid packs thernal, and necroII(unless your a monk, hen you still need it).

like killing undead necro Iv is fun and IMO the best explorer area in the game.

[Cardoor]

If you are already lvl 8, I would skip the 2 packs mentioned (unless you plan on making more characters). You will get very little xp from either at your lvl.

If you are more concerned about how fun the pack is I would skip them for that reason too. I like both of the packs, but there are other packs that have a lot more to offer.

Sands of Menecturan is unique because you can pull named items from the wilderness area (which is huge). Those items can be upgraded to Epic versions. Sands also has a raid, great xp from quests and epic lvl quests.

Red Fens on the other hand is perfect for a lvl 8 character. It has a lot of useful items that you can use immediately at lvl 8. It also has epic lvl quests. The wilderness area is not as big as the sands (and does not drop rare items) and there is no raid though.

[DarkForte]

I'd take Fens and Gianthold. Fens will give you some instant gratification, since you'll be able to start running it now. Gianthold is mainly for covering the hole in F2P quests after the diplo series, and it has an awesome explorer area, and a raid.

[Bortasz]

Thanks for all answers.

I decide to buy andventure packs in that order: (TP/Favor)
- Catacombs (250/66)
- The Necropolis Part 1 (250/66)
- Demon Sands (850/210)
- The Necropolis Part 3 (350/93)
Total: 1 700 TP and 435 Favor

In distant future I will also buy in thar order:
- Ruins of Gianthold (950/216)
- Vale of twilight (850/207)
- The Reaver's Reach (350/96)
Total 2150/519

This because I start new character on every sever so Catacombs and Necropolis 1 will be useful bonus in XP for that characters. Necropolis 3 because have one of best TP per Favor rate. Demon sand for Sands of Menecturan area. This will take some time. And use almost all easy free TP that I can get. So Gianthold and Vale will have to wait. The last I buy Reavers Reach for the same reason I buy Necropolis 3, best rate TP per Favor.
What you think about my plan?

PS. Also any advice on Sorrowdusk Isle?

[EnjoyTheJourney]

I have only the final mission left for Sorrowdusk Isle, and I've really enjoyed it. The atmosphere is suitably "D&D" (if that's an adjective), visuals are very nicely done, and the mobs and dungeons are varied enough to provide for interesting encounters. I really like exploration and atmosphere, though, and I don't care as much about loot, TP to XP ratios, or all that other stuff. You may have different priorities.

To address other potential priorities, I'm pretty certain you won't need the XPs in SI to get to 20 and there are probably better choices out there for loot. I couldn't comment on the XP-to-favor or TP-to-favor ratios, in case that's your primary concern. Perhaps SI would get you to a desirable favor threshold, though, for your new characters on each server, in which case you might decide it's worthwhile, given your objectives.

It is a fun pack, in my experience, in case that matters.

[DrunkenBuddha]

Thanks for all answers.

I decide to buy andventure packs in that order: (TP/Favor)
- Catacombs (250/66)
- The Necropolis Part 1 (250/66)
- Demon Sands (850/210)
- The Necropolis Part 3 (350/93)
Total: 1 700 TP and 435 Favor

In distant future I will also buy in thar order:
- Ruins of Gianthold (950/216)
- Vale of twilight (850/207)
- The Reaver's Reach (350/96)
Total 2150/519

This because I start new character on every sever so Catacombs and Necropolis 1 will be useful bonus in XP for that characters. Necropolis 3 because have one of best TP per Favor rate. Demon sand for Sands of Menecturan area. This will take some time. And use almost all easy free TP that I can get. So Gianthold and Vale will have to wait. The last I buy Reavers Reach for the same reason I buy Necropolis 3, best rate TP per Favor.
What you think about my plan?

PS. Also any advice on Sorrowdusk Isle?

Sorrowdusk is fun but not really necessary. I would double-think Necro 3 to be honest - I totally understand your rationale, but its usually considered to be the most tedious and boring of all the Necro quests and the hardest to find groups for. They don't call it Tomb of the Tormented for nothing. I have Necro 3, and I do it on most of my characters, but I usually cry tears of blood as I do so. Necro 2 will have groups fill somewhat quickly, especially since the Shadow Crypt is still considered to be quite beneficial for experience (although with bravery, less so, but still worth it). Reaver's is nice if only for the Dragontouch armor - Monastery and the other quests are also good experience - they are also some interesting quests. If you are planning end-game though, you simply must include Devils of Shavarath - the Tower of Despair raid's loot could be considered essential for nearly any type of character (good luck with your rings!).

[Cardoor]

This because I start new character on every sever so Catacombs and Necropolis 1 will be useful bonus in XP for that characters.

If you are trying to get favor quickly so you can get more packs later, I would get more low level packs first. I realize the TP per Favor is better for packs like Necro 3, but that favor is harder to attain for a new 28 pt build trying to get characters on several servers up to the lvls needed to run the quests.

This would likely be faster:
Catacombs
Shan To Kor
Tangleroot
Necro 1
Sorrowdusk
1750TP giving 396 favor (but remember that this is favor you can attain quickly across several servers because you do not have to lvl so high).

[t0r012]

This because I start new character on every sever so Catacombs and Necropolis 1 will be useful bonus in XP for that characters. Necropolis 3 because have one of best TP per Favor rate. Demon sand for Sands of Menecturan area. This will take some time. And use almost all easy free TP that I can get. So Gianthold and Vale will have to wait. The last I buy Reavers Reach for the same reason I buy Necropolis 3, best rate TP per Favor.
What you think about my plan?

Red
level 3ish packs like catacombs are awful idea. you simply don't need "bonus xp" at low levels. there is tons of free content and xp there. Don't get me wrong if you have extra entertainment money (sounds like you don't) then get packs , but do it for fun/enjoyment. While now it might seem great to get low level packs you don't need them and will wish you had saved you points for later when you do truly need packs to advance.
yes it might seem like you will be able to use this lowbie stuff you will very soon out level it. the first toon or couple of toons take a while to level , after that you blow through the low stuff pretty darn quick. then you spend lots of time at cap and without the raid packs you will be out of stuff to do then.

yellow
Your idea of purchasing packs based on price/favor is questionable. I know it sounds smart but it really isn't. 75 favor vs 60-65 favor out of a pack isn't reason to justify a purchase no matter how much better the ratio is. Buy for fun and or need not for some justification. If you "need" that extra favor for points the disparity is so low between the price/favor that it would only take you 20min-2hours to zerg the easy low level quests with a new alt "favor runner".
------

trust us who have been through this, save for gianthold and vale as your first priorities. After that you can spend willy nilly as you please but do yourself the favor of having enough to get past the f2p cliff at 13/14 (gianthold) and bridge to 20 (vale).

[Phemt81]

Thanks for all answers.

I decide to buy andventure packs in that order: (TP/Favor)
- Catacombs (250/66)
- The Necropolis Part 1 (250/66)
- Demon Sands (850/210)
- The Necropolis Part 3 (350/93)
Total: 1 700 TP and 435 Favor

In distant future I will also buy in thar order:
- Ruins of Gianthold (950/216)
- Vale of twilight (850/207)
- The Reaver's Reach (350/96)
Total 2150/519

This because I start new character on every sever so Catacombs and Necropolis 1 will be useful bonus in XP for that characters. Necropolis 3 because have one of best TP per Favor rate. Demon sand for Sands of Menecturan area. This will take some time. And use almost all easy free TP that I can get. So Gianthold and Vale will have to wait. The last I buy Reavers Reach for the same reason I buy Necropolis 3, best rate TP per Favor.
What you think about my plan?

PS. Also any advice on Sorrowdusk Isle?

Bortasz, i don't think i get what is your plan.

You are buying packs to reach level 20 or buying them to farm TP?

If the latter, i don't understand, if you use you TP to buy packs to get MORE TP you will never achieve nothing in my opinion. Except if you have fun doing so, if you enjoy that you are obviously free to do whatever you like with your money.

If you are creating new toons on all servers to get the bonus free TP you don't need any pack for that, cause there are plenty of low levels quests to get all the bonus TP you need.

The only thing you should notice is that the only pack you really need to get to level 20 (and have lot of fun) is the vale of twilight.

Hope my advice can be of use...

[glouky]

At your level, with a PM (self sufficient + firewall) Necro2 is fun and easy.
It gives incredible XPs (with the crypt), it is cheap, you can "easily" (not difficult, but have to understand how it work) solo it, you can upgrade twice your talisman.

For another class, it is really a pack to avoid, but as an arcane, I really enjoy it

[jbleargh]

yellow
Your idea of purchasing packs based on price/favor is questionable. I know it sounds smart but it really isn't. 75 favor vs 60-65 favor out of a pack isn't reason to justify a purchase no matter how much better the ratio is. Buy for fun and or need not for some justification. If you "need" that extra favor for points the disparity is so low between the price/favor that it would only take you 20min-2hours to zerg the easy low level quests with a new alt "favor runner".
------

trust us who have been through this, save for gianthold and vale as your first priorities. After that you can spend willy nilly as you please but do yourself the favor of having enough to get past the f2p cliff at 13/14 (gianthold) and bridge to 20 (vale).

This... You should choose your packs using the LFM panel. There are packs I run only once in a lifetime just for favor because groups are rare and they get boring really fast. ie Catacombs..

Others, I enjoy or are very good XP and have groups all the time... ie Delera's

I would also prefer the ones with popular raids and Epics... You will run Demon Queen, Von, Shroud and others even after you get to lvl20.

Cogito ergo doleo

[MRMechMan]

For what it's worth, out of all the packs I have gotten, catacombs and threnal are the only ones I regret getting.

Vale (incredible loot, good XP)
Sands (incredible loot, great XP
Gianthold (good loot, good XP)
Necro4 (good loot, great XP)
Reavers Refuge (ok loot, great XP)
Vault of Night (good loot, good XP)

Are the heavy hitters. Loot, XP: those are the ones you want to get.

Not catacombs (zero loot, dung xp, terrible quest story line) I would rate this pack a 1/10
Not necro1 (zero loot, decent XP, you will have plenty of time to kill undead) I would rate this pack a 4/10
Not necro3 (decent loot, poor XP, most hated quests) I would rate this pack a 3/10

If you want to favor run, korthos and the harbor are the places to do it, not the catacombs and necro4. If you want XP at low levels you can play f2p quests.

[Koowluh]

My advice is not on what packs to get or not. It seems that you are looking for specific adventure packs to buy just so you can get more favor -> TP .

My advice; buy at least one TP point pack, even the cheapest one will do. Turbine has plenty of payment options available including prepaid ones that you can get on every corner of the street.

Now, this may not be advice you're looking for, but consider this:

A free account has 2 character slots per server, thus only 2 character to build favor on until you decide to delete one. A premium account, which you unlock with even the cheapest point pack, will give you 4 slots, which means 4 characters per server where you can grind the easy favor (and TP) on.

Not only that, your platinum and AH cap is gone too, so you can do more trading on those characters and get them a bit stronger for you to grind favor more quickly.

If you really want to go for pack, I'd avoid any low level packs. There's plenty free quests around to get your XP/favor to avoid packs like Shan-to-Kor and the catacombs. Those are nice filling for later.

Free quests seem to dry up at around 10. Buy your packs accordingly.

[Alrik_Fassbauer]

It also depends on the playing style.

Me, for example, I totally love exploration ! - And thus, Tangleroot Gorge and The Red Fens are huge fun for me !

Okay, I'm through Tangleroot Gorge, because it is a bit small (but a great design, imho !) - The Red Fens on the other side is HUGE ! (I have begun exploring it only 2 days ago ... And still haven't seen everything !)

When I buy packs I rather go after what fascinates me and what might provide me with the most fun. Favour is important as well, but never as important as my personal "fun factor" when I judge packs.

[MRMechMan]

It also depends on the playing style.

Me, for example, I totally love exploration ! - And thus, Tangleroot Gorge and The Red Fens are huge fun for me !

Okay, I'm through Tangleroot Gorge, because it is a bit small (but a great design, imho !) - The Red Fens on the other side is HUGE ! (I have begun exploring it only 2 days ago ... And still haven't seen everything !)

When I buy packs I rather go after what fascinates me and what might provide me with the most fun. Favour is important as well, but never as important as my personal "fun factor" when I judge packs.

Wait till you see sands, GH and the vale