Live Update #19 includes the new character progression changes as discussed in a recent Producer's Letter. From the start, you will notice a few pretty cool changes:

Rather than working your way through 20 levels before choosing your subclass, you'll be selecting your final class at level 1 during character creation. There are now two uniquely good or evil islands instead of the Isle of Refuge, known as Queen's Colony and Outpost of the Overlord. Your chosen race's village or district in Qeynos or Freeport will involve you more in the lore of that particular race. Additionally, new quests and adventures await in the Adventure Yards surrounding your home city. We discuss these changes and more in detail below:

Character Creation

New characters now choose a profession at character creation. Your alignment (good or evil) determines which class choices are shown. As you progress through character creation, your current choices (gender, race, class) are shown so you don't forget what you've already selected. Characters will also begin with several key pieces of class-specific armor that are visible in character creation. With these changes, we've added new portraits for every race and gender that you will see when selecting your race.

New Starting Zones

The original boat tutorial with Captain Varlos and his loyal crew is no longer used to introduce players to the world of EverQuest II. Instead, new characters immediately arrive on one of two new islands. Evil characters explore the Outpost of the Overlord while good characters visit the Queen's Colony. Each island has unique inhabitants and quests more suited to the alignment of those who are raised there.

All new quests await to train new adventurers for the challenges that lie ahead. Visit trainers on the island to learn about combat, harvesting, banking, and other gameplay elements. You can also remain on the island for as long as you wish without a restriction placed on your ability to level up (though of course the population will eventually grey out).

Professions

Players now select their profession at character creation instead of moving from archetype to class to subclass. For example, you can choose to play a Wizard at character creation. When you arrive in the world, you will be a Wizard--not a Mage. Distinct spells and arts designed for each profession are now given immediately in place of the more generic archetype and class versions. You are a member of your final profession right away instead of waiting 19 levels to do so.

Some of the previous class and subclass quests still exist, but they are not required to progress in your chosen profession and will no longer restrict your level growth. Existing characters that were at the archetype or class level will be prompted to choose a profession before logging into the game. Existing spells and arts will be replaced (at the same quality level) by the new profession-specific abilities.

Racial Quest Paths

Upon arriving in your home village or district, you may begin a new series of quests designed specifically for your race. These quests will provide a greater understanding of your race's history and how it fits into the fabric of your home city.

Adventure Yard Quests

Completing your racial quest path will guide you to your city's adventure yards. The adventure yards have new population and quest lines as well. New rewards await those who complete these quests!

Citizenship

The citizenship quest is gone. You will now earn citizenship on either Queen's Colony or Outpost of the Overlord when you leave to pursue journeys in Qeynos or Freeport . With this change, there is no longer a cap on your ability to level up due to a citizenship restriction.

City Betrayal

The city betrayal quests currently remain as they were, with one exception. You will now speak with a class trainer in your new city at the end of the betrayal quest. These quests will be changing significantly in a future update.

New Character Progression: Coming in Live Update #19

You will have the opportunity to enjoy the new character progression changes in EverQuest II with Live Update #19, scheduled to hit servers on February 2, 2006. Keep an eye out for the Live Update #19 notes in the Live Update Notes forum to learn about more changes taking place in EverQuest II. See you in Norrath!