You can rest assured that there have been many good changes since you last left making the game more playable and fun.
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... What are server populations' like now? Any have about 1500+ during my playtimes?
It's a little hard to say what the exact population is unless you either look at the server load when you create a character, or run through a long list of /who all fighter, /who all priest, etc. and total up the numbers. Best to pick a server that is centered somewhere around your time zone to ensure you have lots of company.
Some commonly populated servers are AB, Lucan, Najena, and Nek.
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... Do lots of people level alts? Will these poeple be helpful with information?
Aside from my 59 Conj main, I have a 32 Warden, 23 Monk, 22 Troubador, 17 Wizard, and a sprinkling of others. Everyone I've met has at least one alt, some do nothing but alt. :) Our guild crafter has 4 alts that are all crafters.
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... I read somewhere that you start the game as a particluar archetype instead of as a major class, is this true? My lingo may be off, what I'm asking is, i it possible to start as a coercer, say, instead of a mage?
As of today that is true...you begin as a "Apprentice" and learn about your class. You then pick a archtype as you learn more. Then at level 20 you pick your final class, supposedly having slowly realized what you want to be.
That might be fine for role-playing, but it's a long time investment to realize what your class can do.
A Live Update 19 scheduled for 03FEB will do away with that. You will pick your final class when starting your character, doing away with the "slow-cook" process. If you want to be a SK, you will start as a SK with SK specific spells and abilities.
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... I also read that they changed the 'Trial of The Isle' to suit this new design, is this true? If so, how is it different?
Same zone, different NPC's, quests, etc. There is a good post a few down from this by OldBLueDragon detailing his exploits there on the Test Server.
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... Is it still really hard to look at the game if you don't have a torch equipped? WTF?! Why the hell dd they do this? *ouch*
I've never used a torch. Just go into your Options and adjust the video settings. Gamma has a large effect on your visibility. Of course that will make the outside brighter, so find a comfortable middle-ground. I'm fine with having dark corners in dungeons, makes for tense wandering. :)
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... Is anybody willing to help out a sort of total noob on a semi-casual basis?
If you select Najena, look me up. I can help you get started. SOme gear, bags, spell upgrades, and a little coin.
Check out another good thread near the top of this page, Links to Help Out The New Guy, or something like that. It have a large list of links that are very useful. Make sure you download and install EQ2Maps - a must have for any adventurer.
Good Luck :)