Thinking about returning to game after 7 years!

[Wolfen719]

As the thread title says..I'm wanting to return to the game after being gone for 7 years, but I have some concerns with the low server populations.

Is it still relatively easy to get random groups for ...whatever (dungeons, or even just grinding)?

Are guilds still out there with enough active players?

I am the type of person that loves solo play...mainly just because I like to play a certain way and that usually doesn't fit with at least one vocal person! I like solo play but would love to be able to group up (and/or guild up) with a group of like minded fun people.

I'm 50 years old, and do not like drama in my leisure time gaming. I also have that completionist mindset...and in fact before I stopped playing 7 years ago I was in the process of getting one of my characters the completionist title (though I was only 3...or was it for reincarnations into it). I also had a maxed leveled (for the time) monk which I played a LOT and he was decently geared out. I ran some dungeons with my guild at the time and some random groups.. the raid dungeons, not because I enjoy leading them, but simply because no one else I was running with at the time knew them well enough to run them. I prefer to not be in charge, and considering I don't know any of the content from the past 7 years, couldn't really run anything anyway...which is fine by me, I hate running things.

So, my playstyle is I want to continue to get my character the completionist...and now I see there is also a "racial completionist" ... sigh, and I'll probably have to get that as well. But I do have quite a few other characters that I play. When I play I do not want to be rushed through everything... I have no problem with speed, but some people push the limits and make it like work instead of fun.

I am in the Eastern Time Zone and would be hoping there would be enough good people who like grouping up and running whatever (while being completionist about things...though I'm not extreme, I wouldn't complain if we skip things here and there) and a decent guild. Since I haven't played in 7 years there's a lot of new stuff I would need to be brought up to speed on as well, as I've seen with a FTP account I quickly created to see if I would still love the game.

I do remember that when I was playing I found the DDO community to be one of the most friendly and helpful MMO communities I have ever encountered...and I hope that hasn't changed!

Currently, I believe my characters are all on Ghallanda server, but seeing as how Thelanis is the big server nowadays (according to the server stats)..I'm just hoping that it's not too expensive to transfer my entire account (with all characters) over...heck, I hope it's even possible to do that!

[krimsonrane]

As the thread title says..I'm wanting to return to the game after being gone for 7 years, but I have some concerns with the low server populations.

Is it still relatively easy to get random groups for ...whatever (dungeons, or even just grinding)?

Are guilds still out there with enough active players?

I am the type of person that loves solo play...mainly just because I like to play a certain way and that usually doesn't fit with at least one vocal person! I like solo play but would love to be able to group up (and/or guild up) with a group of like minded fun people.

I'm 50 years old, and do not like drama in my leisure time gaming. I also have that completionist mindset...and in fact before I stopped playing 7 years ago I was in the process of getting one of my characters the completionist title (though I was only 3...or was it for reincarnations into it). I also had a maxed leveled (for the time) monk which I played a LOT and he was decently geared out. I ran some dungeons with my guild at the time and some random groups.. the raid dungeons, not because I enjoy leading them, but simply because no one else I was running with at the time knew them well enough to run them. I prefer to not be in charge, and considering I don't know any of the content from the past 7 years, couldn't really run anything anyway...which is fine by me, I hate running things.

So, my playstyle is I want to continue to get my character the completionist...and now I see there is also a "racial completionist" ... sigh, and I'll probably have to get that as well. But I do have quite a few other characters that I play. When I play I do not want to be rushed through everything... I have no problem with speed, but some people push the limits and make it like work instead of fun.

I am in the Eastern Time Zone and would be hoping there would be enough good people who like grouping up and running whatever (while being completionist about things...though I'm not extreme, I wouldn't complain if we skip things here and there) and a decent guild. Since I haven't played in 7 years there's a lot of new stuff I would need to be brought up to speed on as well, as I've seen with a FTP account I quickly created to see if I would still love the game.

I do remember that when I was playing I found the DDO community to be one of the most friendly and helpful MMO communities I have ever encountered...and I hope that hasn't changed!

Currently, I believe my characters are all on Ghallanda server, but seeing as how Thelanis is the big server nowadays (according to the server stats)..I'm just hoping that it's not too expensive to transfer my entire account (with all characters) over...heck, I hope it's even possible to do that!

Welcome back.

[hit_fido]

I'm 50 years old, and do not like drama in my leisure time gaming.

You should log off the forum and ignore it for at least a month.

Instead, log into the last game world you were on, and just play for a while with whatever playtime you have over the next month. By the end, you'll have more than enough first hand information to decide whether you still like the game, whether it's still worth playing, and you'll probably have found a guild you feel is right for you.

[Sushiboat]

I am in the Eastern Time Zone and would be hoping there would be enough good people who like grouping up and running whatever (while being completionist about things...though I'm not extreme, I wouldn't complain if we skip things here and there) and a decent guild. Since I haven't played in 7 years there's a lot of new stuff I would need to be brought up to speed on as well, as I've seen with a FTP account I quickly created to see if I would still love the game.

All content should be available to all players (through 8/31), but I would definitely check out any Expansions you don't currently own before then, to see if you'd be interested in dropping money/points to get them permanently.

Most non-expansion adventure packs can be permanently acquired with the code: DDOfreequests. See this link for additional details. Just make sure you use it before 8/31, and on the account(s) you ultimately plan to play.

Currently, I believe my characters are all on Ghallanda server, but seeing as how Thelanis is the big server nowadays (according to the server stats)..I'm just hoping that it's not too expensive to transfer my entire account (with all characters) over...heck, I hope it's even possible to do that!

Character Transfers are temporarily unavailable (as of a week or so ago), but they plan to re-enable it once they're done upgrading all the servers (probably in the next couple weeks(?)).

Per the wiki, it's rather pricey at 2,495 points, which is probably on the order of $30 USD (Market doesn't work for me so can't check the exact rates (wiki suggests $30 USD for 2,500 points). You can buy through the DDO Store as well, for around the same cost, but in increments that don't line up that close with the number you want).

You might have points already banked up, though, and if you're willing to trade time for money, you can certainly earn the 2,500 while playing on Ghallanda as well.

If you plan to transfer, definitely review what does and does not transfer. A couple resources here (although I'm not sure either one is really comprehensive, I think they hit the major points):
https://ddowiki.com/page/Server#Character_Transfer
https://www.ddo.com/en/world-character-transfer-guide

[slarden]

Welcome back,

A few things to keep in mind. Racial completionist requires 3x of each racial life rather than 1x like completionist. So you will want to run the racials 3x for each race to get the bonus action point.

the fastest way to gain power in the game is reaper points so I would suggest starting there. I would also not ignore epic lifes as you only need 12 to get epic completionist and the first 12 provide most of the benefit.

I've heard legendary reincarnation and past lifes is also on the horizon soon. I am guessing that will be more like racial completionist if it's true.

[erethizon]

You should log off the forum and ignore it for at least a month.

Instead, log into the last game world you were on, and just play for a while with whatever playtime you have over the next month. By the end, you'll have more than enough first hand information to decide whether you still like the game, whether it's still worth playing, and you'll probably have found a guild you feel is right for you.

This is probably good advice (along with making sure to type in the code DDOfreequests so you permanently unlock all quest packs for free). The first 2 expansions are also on sale for 99 store points each so make sure to pick them up if you do not already have them.

Eastern time in the USA seems to be when the game is the busiest so I'm sure you'll be fine. Just continue playing where you were and check the wiki or forums if you have any specific questions.

[Mglaxix]

As the thread title says..I'm wanting to return to the game after being gone for 7 years, but I have some concerns with the low server populations.

Is it still relatively easy to get random groups for ...whatever (dungeons, or even just grinding)?

Are guilds still out there with enough active players?

I am the type of person that loves solo play...mainly just because I like to play a certain way and that usually doesn't fit with at least one vocal person! I like solo play but would love to be able to group up (and/or guild up) with a group of like minded fun people.

I'm 50 years old, and do not like drama in my leisure time gaming. I also have that completionist mindset...and in fact before I stopped playing 7 years ago I was in the process of getting one of my characters the completionist title (though I was only 3...or was it for reincarnations into it). I also had a maxed leveled (for the time) monk which I played a LOT and he was decently geared out. I ran some dungeons with my guild at the time and some random groups.. the raid dungeons, not because I enjoy leading them, but simply because no one else I was running with at the time knew them well enough to run them. I prefer to not be in charge, and considering I don't know any of the content from the past 7 years, couldn't really run anything anyway...which is fine by me, I hate running things.

So, my playstyle is I want to continue to get my character the completionist...and now I see there is also a "racial completionist" ... sigh, and I'll probably have to get that as well. But I do have quite a few other characters that I play. When I play I do not want to be rushed through everything... I have no problem with speed, but some people push the limits and make it like work instead of fun.

I am in the Eastern Time Zone and would be hoping there would be enough good people who like grouping up and running whatever (while being completionist about things...though I'm not extreme, I wouldn't complain if we skip things here and there) and a decent guild. Since I haven't played in 7 years there's a lot of new stuff I would need to be brought up to speed on as well, as I've seen with a FTP account I quickly created to see if I would still love the game.

I do remember that when I was playing I found the DDO community to be one of the most friendly and helpful MMO communities I have ever encountered...and I hope that hasn't changed!

Currently, I believe my characters are all on Ghallanda server, but seeing as how Thelanis is the big server nowadays (according to the server stats)..I'm just hoping that it's not too expensive to transfer my entire account (with all characters) over...heck, I hope it's even possible to do that!

might help you decide on what server or servers to check out for you play time

https://www.playeraudit.com/