----- Original Message -----
From: "Scott Malin" <Thanos0000@...>
To: <eqbards@egroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 13, 2000 1:27 PM
Subject: Re: [eqbards] How did you play when you were 15th?

[snip]

> Grouping I get, I've got to sell myself better to get in a group.

I don't normally have trouble finding a group or creating one. Here's
the way I normally find one. I go to an area where there are likely people
my level. Then I look around using /who to find people around my level
(from approximately 2-3 levels below --> 2-3 levels above mine.) Then I
wander around to the various areas within the zone and observe the existing
groups. I'll ask to be invited into a group if they seem to need a bard.
If I can't find a group that way, I /tell people who aren't yet grouped to
invite them to *my* group. =)

I try tanks first. If they don't have a healer, they are usually very
happy to group with me. Then I'll invite casters to round out the group. I
try to take groups to places that aren't normally explored (e.g. find people
in Oasis then once grouped suggest going to Upper Guk, find people in East
Commons and suggest Najena, etc.) Be sure to discuss where you will be
going AFTER they are grouped or many people will shy away. ;P

I sometimes end up fighting in the same zone but quite often people are
interested in a little adventure. It's great to be a bard and get people
quickly to unusual places and it creates memorable grouping experiences. I
try to pick locations where the group can get started on easy creatures and
get a feel for things before taking on tougher fights and risking death.
Dying always sucks and you really don't want to create that kind of grouping
experience. ;P

Quite often at the lower levels people won't necessarily know how a bard
can help. Show them your song combos before battle if possible so they get
an idea. For example, when I explain my strategy for taking down casters by
resist buffing, I'll get out my drums and play my resist songs then ask
people to let me know their stats. It shows them how much I can buff and
gives me a good idea of how much damage they are likely to resist. People
with resists significantly under 100 won't resist as much but I've had
people who were buffed to near 100 MR almost entirely resist 15 blasts in a
row (regularly) from con even ice goblin wizards.

Here are some of the fun places I have grouped and hunted from around level
15:
- Upper Guk (clear scryer room from the antechamber)
- Permafrost (clear the way to the flag room)
- Befallen (lower level)
- Crushbone (castle and the tower)
- Blackburrow (Commander rooms)
- Oasis of Marr (Orc highway or Crocs solo)
- South Ro Desert (derv camps, dry bones, ghouls)
- West Commons (derv camp, ghouls outside Befallen)
- Lesser Faydark (Orc Chief camp)
- East Karanas (Gnoll reavers, Gorge hounds, beetles)
- Lake Rathetear (Gnoll camp and some aviak spawns)
- South Karanas (Aviak Village and elephants)
- Gorge of King Xorbe (Muddites and Gorge Minotaurs)

I'm sure there are many more fun areas that I haven't found yet since I
haven't even begun to explore Kunark. Some non-kunark zones that I haven't
explored enough to list include Kerra Isle(haven't been there since it was
upgraded), the Hole, Lost Temple of Cazic Thule(too hard for 15), Lavastorm
(fire elementals, fire drakes, rock dervishes?), Dagnor's Cauldron (Aqua
Goblin Mariners?), Estate of Unrest (Death beetles and other yard trash?),
Mistmoore Castle (group of 17+ to take the familiars?), Steamfont (Minotaur
slavers?), etc. I hope that answers your questions about grouping and where
to hunt! Explore around and there are lots of interesting things to find.

[snip]

BTW, the idea behind my guild (Imperturbable Fellowship) is to learn the
various classes (capabilities and limitations) and grouping strategies that
promote teamwork, strong communication and lots of fun. I'm always looking
to learn new things so if anyone has suggestions for grouping, please let me
know. Thanks! And sorry for another long post :)

Aanluil <Imperturbable Fellowship>
20th level Wood elf Bard
Erollisi Marr