So my question is - what is the best level for an under-geared mage to stop at and work on AAs? I'll be able to get bazaar geared focus effects and EM1 (finished OGH progression, but that's it). Should I stop at 76 and grind out a wackload of AAs? If so, where's a good spot? I went to Eldaar Forest yesterday, and everything was dark blue, and I was able to kill stuff there (albeit expending A LOT of mana). Would that be a good place to stop at 76 with a stronger pet and nuke, or can anyone recommend somewhere else where a mage, his pet, and his dps merc can make their home for a while?
Or would it be better to work through the 70s and hit 81 as fast as possible? If so, where will a good spot be to sit at 81 for a while?
Or, finally, should I just bite the bullet, set my xp to 100%, and get to 85 asap, remaining at 400 AA, and just working on AAs once I'm max level?
A couple of things to consider - I'm newly returned and unguilded. None of my old EQ friends came back, so I'm allll by myyyyself right now. I'm not really looking for a guild just to say I'm guilded, and I'd feel guilty about being on so infrequently and not having much else to contribute. So basically you're looking at a group / bazaar geared mage hoping to find the occasional pickup group while working on core AAs for the next few months ... before I suppose I'll be put even further behind by the new expansion.
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif)
Anyway, any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time.