When the word Tier is used in EQ2, it refers to a 13-level range for skills, zones, or items in the game. Tiers are defined using a character's adventure level or tradeskill level. Tier is not always a precise term for a few reasons:
- All characters are adventure level 1 as soon as they enter Norrath and the last tier (9) includes the last 10 levels associated with it.
- You will you remain unskilled (lacking a tradeskill level) until you craft your first item.
- Some zones and items (like gear) may only be loosely described by the Tier they fall into.
How Tiers Progress: For instance Antonica has an adventure level range of 10-22 (generally), and the harvest nodes in that zone yield harvestable materials (or "raws") that can be used in tradeskills of the 2nd 10-level range, hence it is a known as a Tier 2 zone.
Tiers can also refer to world channels you can chat in. As your character gains levels as described above, you are automatically granted access to corresponding channels for the Tier you are in. When you begin playing the game or create a new character you have access to the Tier 1 (level 1-9) channels. At level 20 you gain access to the Tier 3 channel. This pattern continues until you reach level 80 and gain access to the Tier 9 channel.
In Tradeskilling or crafting it breaks down a little above level 50, stretching 1 level so that Tier 5 crafting is 40-50 and Tier 6 crafting is 51-60. This is a result of the way the level cap was raised in the past.
The one major exception to the 10-level tier range is Guild Halls which only have a 3 Tier scale. A Tier 1 (or T1) guild hall describes the smallest, least expensive guild hall, while T3 describes the largest, most expensive guild halls available.
Overview by level[]
Since the early days of EQ2, it's become common to refer to level ranges as tiers. The community divides the outdoor zones, dungeons and raids into these tiers. Let's go over the tiers: