Everquest: Ruins of Kunark

Release date: March 2000
Media: CD, Download
Official website: http://everquest.station.sony.com/kunark.jsp
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Features: In terms of the game, Everquest: The Ruins of Kunark had a very different visual feel compared to the original zones in EverQuest: the color palette was more vibrant and many of the models used for the monsters were more detailed. This detail was most evident in the Iksar, a new playable race of lizard people introduced with the expansion. The Iksar had a number of racial advantages, including the ability to swim for a near-unlimited amount of time and reasonably good regenerative powers. This was balanced by the fact that they were hated by all of the other races in the game and that there were very few places they could go without being attacked.

The Kunark expansion also increased the maximum level a character could attain from 50 to 60, and introduced a substantial number of new and powerful monsters for characters above level 50 to fight. The most notable of these was Veeshan's Peak, a zone populated by dragons that was, at its release, declared to be the hardest zone that would be put into EverQuest. In reality, the zone quickly was surpassed by other zones released in further expansions, and is in fact not used often by players.

Another notable and deep dungeon is Sebilis, the lair of the undead dragon Trakanon. Initially not even the most heavily geared and skilled guilds could defeat it with their "Old World" armor at level 50, but eventually, with careful tactics, increasing their level and harvesting better gear from Kunark, this was possible.

Everquest: The Ruins of Kunark was also the focus of 'epic quests', or quests for powerful weapons for each character class, which were introduced between the Kunark and Velious expansions as a source of further high-end content.

Everquest: The Scars of Velious

Release date: December 2000
Media: CD, Download
Official website: http://everquest.station.sony.com/velious.jsp
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Features: The expansion takes place on the continent of Velious, an icy continent towards the south of Norrath. The title refers to three chasms in Velious that are said to be the place where the great dragon Veeshan struck the continent with her claws.

The expansion introduced both frost giants and Coldain dwarves to the EverQuest universe, as well as a sect of dragons known as the Claws of Veeshan. These three groups are perpetually at war with one another.

The expansion is also notable for introducing the Sleeper's Tomb zone, a locked zone that players could unlock with a key from a quest, and vanquish the four dragons that guarded The Sleeper, a very powerful beast that should never be unleashed. The first players completing this zone led to the first world changing event, where The Sleeper would awaken and rampage his way through Norrath. This however also led to some controversies as the zone itself would change and some items that used to be available before the awakening would no longer be present.

Everquest: The Shadows of Luclin

Release date: December 2001
Media: CD, Download
Official website: http://everquest.station.sony.com/luclin.jsp
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Features: The expansion takes place on a moon of Norrath called Luclin and introduced the Vah Shir, a cat-like playable race, and the beastlord character class. Notable NPC races that were added to the EverQuest universe are the Shissar, a snake-like race, and the Akhevans. Everquest: The Shadows of Luclin also incorporated a new game engine, new character models, and gave players the ability to design graphical user interfaces.

It included many zones in which players of all levels could experience in, several raid encounters such as the Lord Inquisitor Seru and a high-end raiding zone, Vex Thal. SoL also introduced some new events that made encounters more challenging than before, especially in the Ssraeshza Temple zone.

Everquest: The Planes of Power

Release date: October 2002
Media: CD, Download
Official website: http://everquest.station.sony.com/power/
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Features: Everquest: The Planes of Power expansion was added specifically to address the fact that the EverQuest community contained both "high-end" players (those who gamed long and often in order attain rewards more quickly) and more casual players. Because of the difficulty and time-consuming nature of the puzzles, quests and encounters which gated access to each successive plane or zone, the game designers were able to add high-end content to the game aimed specifically toward the high-end player and provide more challenge and diversity to the game, while allowing the casual player to continue exploration of older content without as much competition.

In addition to adding new zones to the game, the expansion also introduced a network of portal points through the game realm, via which players could quickly and easily travel to and from various regions through the central plane, called the Plane of Knowledge.

The primary goal, or end-quest, of Everquest: The Planes of Power is access to the Plane of Time. Access to this plane can only be obtained through vanquishing the four Elemental gods and goddesses: Fennin Ro, The Rathe Council, Coirnav and Xegony. To gain access to all of the zones of the expansion and successfully enter the Plane of Time, the players needed to complete 28 flag events of all sorts, involving the death of planar deities and deific creatures. These encounters can only be completed with the organized effort of up to 72 players working together simultaneously.

The recommended level, unofficially, for venturing in the various planes introduced in the expansion is 55 or higher, although all but the lowest planes require level 60 or more to be successful in. The maximum level was increased from 60 to 65 with this expansion.

Presently, Everquest: The Planes of Power is considered the low-end expansion for guild/raid level content, with some items in the Elemental Planes and the Plane of Time still reasonably good, and attainable by players with nothing more than bought or single-group (6 people or less) attainable items.

Everquest: The Legacy of Ykesha

Release date: February 2003
Media: CD, Download
Official website: http://everquest.station.sony.com/legacy/
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Features: Everquest: The Legacy of Ykesha introduced the froglok (the frog-like humanoid race present since the original EverQuest was released) as a playable race. To do this, Sony Online Entertainment introduced a storyline whereby the frogloks invaded the Troll city of Grobb and reclaimed and renamed it Gukta. The trolls were sent to fleeing to the city of Neriak. Another part of the storyline introduced the Broken Skull Clan of the trolls, which had a rivalry with the Grobb trolls, and live on the island of Broken Skull Rock just off the south coast of Antonica. This is were the new zones of the expansion are located.

Other enhancements of the expansion included dyable armor, an increase in the number of bank slots available for characters, a new guild management system, a new armor slot called 'Charms', and a new overhead mapping system which allowed players to customize maps.

The zones were intended for mid-level adventurers between levels 36-60 and were generally received as very uninspired and added little to the lore of Norrath, however the guild management and mapping tools are considered vital.

Everquest: Lost Dungeons of Norrath

Release date: September 2003
Media: CD, Download
Official website: http://everquest.station.sony.com/lostdungeons/
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Features: Everquest: Lost Dungeons of Norrath introduced broadbased instanced dungeons to the Norrath, revolving around tales of the Wayfarers—an NPC adventuring organization. Players complete adventures for the Wayfarers in one of five different dungeon themes. Each dungeon theme has about ten different variations of the zone, and players can also chose the type and difficulty of their adventure. When the adventure is finished successfully, players are awarded Adventure Points which can be spent on items, spells, and 'augments' at the Wayfarer camps.

Augments were introduced in Lost Dungeons of Norrath and allow players to enhance existing items by adding an augment to them. Existing items in the game had generally only a single augment slot, so only one augment could be added. Items purchased at the Wayfarer camps occasionally had up to three slots available to augment.

In addition to group adventuring, the Wayfarer camps also offered raid content, in which multiple groups could challenge difficult high-end content. However, Lost Dungeons of Norrath raid content was not well received due to its 36-player limit and its rewards that did not match the difficulty.

Everquest: Lost Dungeons of Norrath was very welcomed by casual gamers who were able to log in and adventure for a small period of time without having commitments to long term camps or groups. The augment system was well-received by players as well and allowed players a way to upgrade their gear or give older gear a longer life.

Everquest: Gates of Discord

Release date: February 2004
Media: CD, Download
Official website: http://everquest.station.sony.com/gatesofdiscord/
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Features: The expansion takes place on the continent of Taelosia and introduced the Muramites, as well as the berserker character class. It features 18 zones, including many instances which add the expansion characteristic of the 54 player expedition limit. It has 9 single-group instanced trials, 8 uninstanced exp zones, and 9 raid zones/instances.

Many players and reviewers were dissatisfied by the Gates of Discord expansion; some claimed it was thus far the worst EverQuest expansion, or at least the worst since The Shadows of Luclin. Gamers perceived Gates of Discord as an unfinished product and criticized Sony Online Entertainment (SOE). The main issues were with the rushed release that had some unbeatable content, and problems with the graphics engine which was updated at the same period.

Several "uberguilds" (highly powerful and influential groups of players), including Fires of Heaven, Afterlife, and Keepers of the Faith, departed from EverQuest around this time. Many of these players acted as beta testers for World of Warcraft, which was in development for release later in the year. Although by Spring of 2005 some returned, dissatisfied with WoW's gameplay.

Everquest: Omens of War

Release date: September 2004
Media: CD, Download
Official website: http://everquest.station.sony.com/omensofwar/
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Features:

• Level Cap Increase                                                                                            Develop your character beyond level 65. Unlock new innovative items, powerful spells, and thrilling quests.
• Epic Weapons 2.0                                                                                                   Earn specialized, hand-tailored Epic Weapons with the completion of any of 16 epic quests. New epic quests will challenge even the toughest and most experienced Norrathians as they journey alone, in groups, and in raid groups to win these valuable items. Designed for higher level players, each weapon will be unique in design and will have specialized characteristics.
• Guild Tribute System 
  Enhanced tribute system allows you to turn your loot into favor points for your whole guild to enjoy.
• Task System 
  Whether you're on for a few minutes or a few hours, you can always advance your character by completing tasks using this new system!
• Custom PC Titles 
  This extension of our title system provides new flexibility in displaying the titles you've earned and creates new opportunities for you to earn more!
• Extra spell slot 
  For the first time, characters can earn an additional spell slot allowing for even more versatility.
• Increased number of buff slots to Player Characters 
  Be battle ready with more room for buffs and effects that you can earn as you take on the challenges that Omens of War has to offer.
• Voice macros 
  Set up hot keys that will send voice messages to your group, letting them know vital information about your character's status.
• Improved Graphics 
  Discover rich new zones with detailed environments featuring expanded graphical elements, improved spell effects and all-new graphically-improved monsters to fight.
• All-New Content 
  New disciplines, AA's, items, spells, quests and tradeskills continue to make EverQuest the most-compelling and persistent online world ever created. 

Everquest: Dragons of Norrath

Release date: February 2005
Media: CD, Download
Official website: http://everquest.station.sony.com/dragonsofnorrath/
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Features: Everquest: Dragons of Norrath is an expansion very similar in nature to the Lost Dungeons of Norrath expansion: it includes mostly missions given out by an NPC that are completed by a group of players, in instanced zones. It includes a revamp of the Lavastorm zone where the missions are acquired, and an uninstanced zone called The Broodlands where the instanced zones can be accessed. The content revolves around dragons and related monsters. When completing the missions, players receive crystals that can be exchanged at merchants for items.

This expansion also innovates on previous ones. For example, the instanced zones are also available in uninstanced versions, allowing people to explore them and gain experience by simply killing monsters without going into missions. It also has 4 major raid targets, and some smaller scale raids, the hardest being Vishimtar, a very powerful dragon, usually considered to be the second hardest monster in EverQuest after Overlord Mata Muram.

Everquest: Dragons of Norrath is usually viewed as a very successful expansion by players, although there are concerns from raiders that it is very light on raid targets. All the content was completed within a month, but only a handful of guilds have won against the hardest dragon the expansion has to offer.

Everquest: Depths of Darkhollow

Release date: September 2005
Media: CD, Download
Official website: http://everquest.station.sony.com/dod/
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Features: DoD is the tenth expansion released in September 2005 for the EverQuest universe. It features monster missions, spirit shrouds, evolving items, new missions, new creatures, new zones, new items and more.

• Monster missions                                                                                                  These will allow players to take missions, but playing as a high end monster instead of a player character. For example, a player might assume the role of 'Lord Nagafen' and repel a raid of NPCs who have come to slay the dragon lord for his rare treasures.
• Spirit shrouds                                                                                                       These will allow anyone to take the form of a monster of lower or equal level, to hunt with their lower level friends in any zone. For example a player with a level 70 character could take on the form of a level 15 spider to hunt with their friends of the same level.
• Evolving items                                                                                                        New types of items will be introduced where for example the players can use their weapons and the weapons will increase in power over time.

Everquest: Prophecy of Ro

Release date: February 2006
Media: CD, Download
Official website: http://eqplayers.station.sony.com/expansions/prophecyofro/
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Features: PoR was for February 21, 2006, and introduced new content, zones, monsters, revamps and new features. The action will occur in several new zones, including the Plane of Rage, home of Sullon Zek, the Plane of Magic, home of Druzzil, and the lost city of Takish-Hiz. The zones for the city of Freeport and the Desert of Ro will also be revamped. From the press release, some new features include:

• Player-set Traps                                                                                                 Control your battles before they even begin by deceiving your opponents with a new arsenal of player-set traps!
• Spheres of Influence                                                                                      Transform the world of Norrath by creating magical spheres of influence to thwart your enemies or aid your allies. These artifacts will create a localized area where the rules of the game can change.
• Destructible Objects                                                                                                   Interact with and destroy pieces of the game world leading to a new level of interactivity within the game. Chop down doors, tumble walls, and destroy encampments!
• Buff Filters                                                                                                           Decide which buffs you would rather decline with the new buff filtering system!
• 8 New Bank Spaces

Everquest: The Serpent's Spine

Release date: September 2006
Media: CD, Download
Official website: http://eqplayers.station.sony.com/expansions/theserpentsspine/index.vm
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Features:

• New Player Race                                                                                                        The Drakkin have been created from both human and dragon blood to protect the future of all dragon kind. Several colors and customizations will be available to make each Drakkin character unique, such as elegant scale markings and horns.
• Level Cap Increase                                                                                             Players can now reach level 75, complete with new spells, abilities, raids, and quests for greater power.
• Content for Levels 1 to 75                                                                                      Play through every level of the game without ever leaving the Serpent Spine Mountains.
• New Starting City                                                                                              Crescent Reach is a fully functioning city with all that is required to learn and thrive in EverQuest, including merchant, quest, combat, and tradeskill areas.
• Dynamic Features                                                                                                      New zones, NPCs, destructible and interactive objects.
• New AAs, Spells                                                                                                         Experience new spells and Alternative Advancement abilities.

Everquest: The Buried Sea

Release date: February 2007
Media: CD, Download
Official website: http://store.station.sony.com
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Features: