This guide is designed to help players of EverQuest understand the nuances of the Research tradeskill, providing a comprehensive overview of its mechanics, leveling strategies, and significance within the game. Whether you’re a newcomer to the world of Norrath or a seasoned veteran seeking to delve deeper into the intricacies of spell crafting, this guide will serve as your trusted companion on your research journey.
Introduction
In the vast and ever-evolving world of EverQuest, crafting plays a crucial role, allowing players to create a wide array of items, from powerful weapons and armor to essential consumables and magical spells. Among the many tradeskills available, Research, also known as Spell Research, stands out as a unique and highly sought-after profession. This skill empowers players to create spells and tomes, granting them access to a wider range of abilities and enhancing their gameplay experience.
Research is a level-restricted skill, meaning that players must reach a certain level before they can begin their journey into the world of spell crafting. The exact level requirement varies depending on the class, with some classes gaining access to Research as early as level 16, while others may need to reach level 25. Once unlocked, players can increase their Research skill by combining various ingredients, experimenting with recipes, and honing their craft through practice.
This guide will delve into the intricacies of Research, providing a comprehensive understanding of its mechanics, leveling strategies, and the significant role it plays in the EverQuest universe. Whether you’re a newcomer to the world of spell crafting or a seasoned veteran seeking to expand your knowledge, this guide will serve as your trusted companion on your research journey.
What is Research?
Research, often referred to as Spell Research, is a tradeskill in EverQuest that allows players to craft spells and tomes. This skill is available to all classes, but the level requirement varies depending on the class. Research is a vital part of the game, allowing players to access a wider range of spells and abilities, enhancing their overall gameplay experience;
The process of researching spells involves combining various ingredients, such as scrolls, tomes, and other materials, to create new spells or enhance existing ones. The success rate of a research attempt depends on the player’s Research skill level, the quality of the ingredients used, and the complexity of the spell being researched.
Research is an essential skill for any player who wants to explore the full potential of their character. Whether you’re a mage seeking to expand your repertoire of offensive and defensive spells, a cleric looking to heal and buff allies with greater efficiency, or a rogue seeking to unlock powerful stealth abilities, Research offers a path to unlocking a wider range of possibilities.
Why Research Matters in EverQuest
Research plays a pivotal role in EverQuest, impacting gameplay in various ways. It offers players a distinct advantage in combat, exploration, and even social interactions. Research enables players to craft spells and tomes that are either unavailable through traditional means or exceptionally difficult to acquire, providing a unique edge in both PvE and PvP scenarios.
For instance, certain classes rely heavily on spells crafted through research. Necromancers, for example, can create powerful pet spells through research, enhancing their ability to summon and control undead creatures. Mages can access a wider variety of elemental spells, increasing their damage output and versatility. These advantages translate into greater effectiveness in raids, dungeons, and challenging encounters.
Beyond combat, research unlocks a wealth of opportunities. Players can research spells that enhance exploration, such as spells that grant invisibility or allow them to see through walls. This grants them greater freedom and efficiency in navigating the world of Norrath. Furthermore, research allows players to create spells that enhance social interactions, such as spells that grant temporary buffs or allow for communication between players over long distances.
Leveling Research⁚ The Basics
Leveling Research in EverQuest requires a combination of practice, knowledge, and resources. The journey begins with a visit to your class guildmaster, who will grant you your initial practice points, allowing you to start your research journey. As you progress, you’ll need to invest in Alternate Advancement (AA) points to push your skill beyond the initial levels.
The essence of Research lies in combining various ingredients to create scrolls and tomes. These ingredients can be obtained through a variety of methods, including foraging, vendor purchases, and even drops from monsters. Each combine has a specific level requirement, so you’ll need to gradually work your way up through the ranks, mastering simpler combines before tackling more challenging ones.
A key aspect of successful Research leveling is understanding the recipe requirements and potential outcomes. While some combines are straightforward, others involve a degree of chance, with multiple possible results depending on the ingredients used. This element of uncertainty adds an extra layer of intrigue to the Research process, as you never quite know what you might create next.
Early Research⁚ 1-100
The early stages of Research are a foundation for your journey. As you progress from 1 to 100, focus on acquiring essential skills and understanding the basic mechanics of the tradeskill. During this phase, you’ll primarily rely on readily available ingredients, making your initial research ventures relatively affordable.
The first crucial step involves investing in practice points at your class guildmaster. These points are essential for unlocking your research potential and starting your journey. From there, you’ll begin creating simple scrolls and tomes, refining your understanding of the combine process and experimenting with various ingredients.
As you level up, you’ll encounter a variety of recipes, each with its unique requirements and potential outcomes. Experiment with different combinations, discover what works best for you, and gradually build a repertoire of knowledge. The key is to be patient, consistent, and persistent in your efforts, as these early levels will lay the groundwork for your future research endeavors.
Mid-Level Research⁚ 100-200
As you venture into the mid-levels of Research, 100 to 200, the complexity and potential rewards of this tradeskill begin to truly unfold. This stage requires a more strategic approach, as you’ll encounter more intricate recipes, higher-level ingredients, and the need for greater efficiency in your crafting endeavors.
By this point, you’ll have a solid foundation in Research basics, but now the focus shifts towards acquiring rarer components and mastering more demanding combines. You’ll need to explore various zones, delve into dungeons, and seek out specific drops to obtain the necessary ingredients for your spells and tomes.
This phase also introduces the importance of resource management. You’ll need to strategize your gathering efforts, prioritize essential components, and potentially engage in trades with other players to acquire rare materials. As you progress, you’ll discover more powerful and valuable spells, enhancing your abilities and expanding your gameplay options.
Advanced Research⁚ 200-300
Reaching the advanced stages of Research, 200 to 300, demands dedication, resourcefulness, and a deep understanding of the tradeskill’s intricacies. This level of mastery requires a commitment to acquiring rare and powerful components, mastering complex combines, and potentially collaborating with other players to achieve your goals.
You’ll find yourself venturing into high-level zones, facing challenging encounters, and engaging in intricate trades to secure the necessary resources for your spells and tomes. The rewards, however, are substantial, offering access to potent spells and abilities that significantly enhance your character’s capabilities and provide a distinct advantage in both solo and group play.
As you delve deeper into these advanced combines, you’ll discover spells that offer game-changing effects, potentially altering the course of battles and unlocking new strategies. You’ll become a sought-after crafter, providing invaluable services to your guildmates and fellow adventurers, solidifying your reputation as a master of the Research tradeskill.
Research in the Planes of Power Expansion
The arrival of the Planes of Power expansion ushered in a significant transformation for the Research tradeskill, introducing a new era of spell creation and a vast array of powerful spells previously unavailable. With the inclusion of PoP spells, Research took on a whole new dimension, offering players access to potent abilities that redefined gameplay and offered a new level of strategic depth.
The introduction of PoP spells opened up a world of possibilities for players, granting them access to spells that could rival the power of even the most advanced epic items. This expansion also introduced a new level of complexity to spell creation, requiring players to gather specific and often rare components to craft these powerful spells.
For those dedicated to mastering the Research tradeskill, the Planes of Power expansion represented a golden age, providing a wealth of new opportunities to explore and a constant challenge to push the boundaries of spell creation. As players delved deeper into the world of PoP spells, they discovered a new level of mastery, becoming essential contributors to their guilds and communities, crafting potent spells that shaped the destiny of Norrath.
In the ever-evolving landscape of EverQuest, the Research tradeskill remains a cornerstone of spell creation and a testament to the enduring power of player ingenuity. From its humble beginnings as a means to acquire basic spells to its transformation with the arrival of the Planes of Power expansion, Research has consistently offered players a path to mastery and a sense of accomplishment.
Whether you’re seeking to craft powerful spells for your own character or provide a valuable service to your guild, Research offers a unique and rewarding experience. The journey of a researcher is one of constant discovery, requiring dedication, resourcefulness, and a passion for the art of spell creation.
As you embark on your research journey, remember that the rewards are well worth the effort. The satisfaction of crafting a powerful spell, the thrill of discovering a rare recipe, and the camaraderie of fellow researchers will make your journey both challenging and fulfilling. So, gather your materials, hone your skills, and prepare to unlock the secrets of Research in EverQuest.
