Returning with some questions

[Alulien]

Hullo!

Took a break for about a year and a half and am now coming back to enjoy some time on THF. I had a two questions that I was hoping I could get some feedback on to help me on my way.

First, I don't recall if there's any way to get the old spell graphics/spell gem icons. Anyone?

More importantly, I was previously boxing a group consisting of SK CLR BRD RNG WIZ SHM. I had just finished gearing up my SK in Kael (def stance gauntlets, trying to load AC) and have ~185 AAs on each characte and had everything camped in Ssra - clearly I was working on tier 1. Would my single group fare well in progression or would it be worth it to add more? Add another CLR and a little DPS? Add a whole second group? Set up a couple clerics and run 2 full groups of dps?

I was able to play my full group without any MQ or such, but assume that if I went above a full group + healing/buff bots I would want to look into some macros...

[Nilbus]

If the tank is geared well you can progress as one group probably up through t5? doing vp/fear/tactics as one group without having a VERY well geared (read donor'd) tank will be rough.

As for the other half regards other programs. ask in the third party forums. don't want to mention/discuss them outside there

[Otter620]

Welcome back!

Your group should do well in progression. Most of the tiers after SSRA are guild instanced so you will either need to make a guild or imo a better choice is to join a guild and progress with them. Larger number of boxed characters means more dps and support but less real people to play with.

As far as the spell gems/graphics it might have to do with the client you are using.

Im with Nilbus on the 3rd party programs. Best to ask on that part of the forum.

If you need any help in game dont hesitate to ask!

[Nilbus]

Oh yeesh. I missed the spell gems bit entirely. Those are customizable in the UI. Trick is finding a UI that is compatible with your client that will run on the server. If you look at eqinterface (especially for older UIs) you might find something with the old spellgems/buff icons.

like this one http://www.eqinterface.com/downloads/fi ... hp?id=6461

[Alulien]

Doh! Didn't see that 3rd party forum... just logged in and went to General Help. I'll be sure to keep any such discussions in the appropriate forum.

I have an erratic play schedule so I don't mind "solo-raiding" if you will. In fact, I prefer it as that way I have only myself to blame when things go wrong. I do have a couple RL friends who might join me here and there, so PLing them a char or letting them use one of mine shouldn't be an issue.

Sounds like I should rock a 2ish group setup, and I'm thinking WAR CLR MAG... then not sure what else. Would 2 CLR + SHM be enough heals? Worth it to add a DRU for any reason - spot heals or otherwise? My DPS consists of WIZ RNG right now (with a BRD)... worth it to throw a BST and MNK (help the BRD pull) or ROG in there?

[Otter620]

Here is a thread with alot of ideas on groups. http://www.thehiddenforest.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=11015

Play the classes you like is always good advice. Along that idea i would read up on that thread and the solo box guide on the next link. You will find that all the classes are useful and have there place in a raid.

http://www.thehiddenforest.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=10960

I run with a Warrior, Cleric, Mage x2, Bard, Rogue and Shaman. I just added a necro, ranger, chanter, druid, and wizard to make it a bit more diverse. The Druid and chanter spell lines are great for debuffs. I dont have the experience with them tho to explain how they work on this server at the moment since i am still working out how to use them lol.