8.1 Will EverQuest II include lots of raid content?

Absolutely. Sony has designed raid content for multiple groups of players starting as early as your teen levels. Raiding has always been a trademark of EverQuest, and they plan to build upon that tradition in EQII.

8.1.1 Aren't raids just for high-level players?

Not at all. Sony feels that all players should have access to fun and challenging content, not just the high-level crowd. You will be able to enjoy raiding throughout your character's journey in EverQuest II.

8.2 How will raid content be implemented?

Boss mobs will be handled a variety of ways. Many will exist in instanced pocket zones that you must perform quests or other work to earn access to; others will exist in non-instanced areas to maintain a healthy level of competition between players. EQII will also have instanced raid zones in which the entire dungeon is part of the event.

8.3 What is instancing?

\"Instancing\" is the use of personal or \"pocket\" zones that are unique to each player or group adventuring in them. Each instance is essentially a copy of the same content that can be accessed by multiple parties simultaneously without interfering with one another.

8.4 Is there a limit on how many players can enter a raid instance?

The maximum size of a raid in EverQuest II is 24 players (4 groups). Sony believes this number emphasizes the intimate, rewarding feeling of medium-sized raids where skill plays a much more important role than simply having huge numbers. Designing raids with a predetermined number of players in mind gives us a very precise level of control over encounter balance and risk versus reward. Ultimately this allows them to create very compelling and complex content.

8.5 How long will raids typically last?

Instanced raid encounters are designed to fit within the casual gamer’s schedule, lasting an average of two to three hours. Instanced raid zones represent a longer time commitment and are designed to be played in four-hour to six-hour blocks on a weekend.

8.6 Won’t instanced raids allow for the farming of high end content?

The final encounter is only part of the equation. There will usually be a series of tasks that must be accomplished before players can trigger a raid event, and some of those can require a significant time investment. It won't be a case of every individual needing to be keyed for an area, but some players are going to have to do preparatory work in order to trigger the raid. In other words, rare items will not be flooding into the economy.

8.7 Will I be able to replay the same raid over and over whenever I want?

No. Entering an instanced raid essentially starts a timer for your character. You can't enter another instance of that raid again until your timer expires. Each player is on his or her own timer, so other players can still trigger their own instances of the same event. But you personally can't attend the same raid while your timer is active.

The length of the timer will vary depending on the event. Some encounters might have a timer of one day, others three days, others seven days, and so forth.

8.8 Will EQII use a lot of instancing?

Instancing will primarily be used for what we call epic encounters, such as fights against boss mobs. We can also use instancing in newbie areas to prevent overcrowding. However, we are being very careful not to overuse this technique. Our intent is for instancing to alleviate potential bottlenecks and to personalize content, not to make it seem like you\'re the only person in the world.