Project 1999 Leveling Guide: Dominate Norrath from 1 to 50

Embarking on your journey in Project 1999 (P99) and seeking the fastest path to level 50? Look no further! This comprehensive P99 Leveling Guide is meticulously crafted to steer you through the vast lands of Norrath, pinpointing the most lucrative hunting grounds tailored to your character’s progression. Whether you’re a fresh newbie stepping out of your starting city or a seasoned adventurer aiming for the level cap, this guide provides a curated list of zones, ensuring efficient experience gains and a smoother ascent to greatness.

This guide, originally compiled by the esteemed Mgellan Snowstalker of the Ruined Our Lands Society on the Sleeper server, has been updated and expanded to be your ultimate resource for p99 leveling. We’ll break down the best locations from newbie zones to the coveted level 50 milestone, offering insights into each area to maximize your time and minimize the grind. Prepare to conquer Norrath and make your mark on Project 1999!

Newbie Zones (Levels 1-5)

Your first steps in Norrath are crucial. Choosing the right newbie zone can set the stage for a swift and enjoyable early game experience. Here’s a breakdown based on your starting city:

Western Antonica

Halas: If Halas is your starting point, consider yourself fortunate! Everfrost is arguably the best newbie zone in the game. Venture into the snowy tundra and hunt bears, spiders, gnoll pups, and gobbie whelps until level 6. Then, make your way to Blackburrow for fantastic quest drops, including rusty weapons.

Alt text: Adventurers battling gnolls in the snowy landscape of Everfrost, a prime newbie zone near Halas in Project 1999.

Don’t miss out on valuable quests in Halas. Warriors can turn in gnoll fangs to the warrior guild lady for significant experience. Tailors can gather skins and webs from creatures in Everfrost to begin their trade. For experience and newbie armor, collect Polar Bear Skins and deliver them to Cindl in Halas. Cindl also seeks Wrath Orc Wristbands for experience, coin, and armor, although these Orc Troopers and Mountaineers are better tackled at level 9 or 10, or with a group.

Shamans in Halas should prioritize the Initiate Symbol of the Tribunal quest. The reward is a 6/32 1HB summoned hammer (AC3 1WIS 3MANA), a useful magic weapon throughout your early levels. Warriors and Rogues should consider the Gnoll Fur quest for the Fang of the Wolf, a 5/26 magic piercer, and the Patched Gnoll Fur Bundle, an AC4 CR5 cloak. Rogues at level 10 should undertake the mammoth calf hides quest, exchanging 4 hides for a stylish and protective piece of Black Wolf chain armor.

Qeynos: Begin your journey around Qeynos by hunting rats and snakes to gain a few levels. Once you feel ready, travel through Blackburrow and head to Everfrost, following the Halas newbie zone advice detailed above for continued leveling.

Erudin: The Toxxulous Forest offers a safe and convenient newbie area just outside Erudin. Protected by a river and bridge, it prevents accidental ventures into higher-level zones. The presence of merchants outside the city eliminates the need for zoning to purchase essential supplies, making it a highly accessible starting area.

Eastern Antonica

Freeport: Freeport boasts excellent newbie areas and easy access to the Plane of Luvulea (TL) for travel to Faydwer. Heading south to the Desert of Ro leads you to a region teeming with level 1-5 creatures. Food, drink, quests, and merchants are readily available, making it a well-rounded starting location. The nearby Commonlands offer opportunities for grouping. Freeport is also near higher-level zones like the croc hunting grounds in North Ro and Befallen in Western Commonlands, a challenging dungeon for levels 7-27. Blacksmithing enthusiasts will find Freeport to be the ideal city to hone their skills. Be cautious of wandering madmen in Northern Ro, who are aggressive and formidable; guards will not intervene in these encounters. Navigating Freeport can be initially confusing due to its division into three zones and two newbie areas.

Rivervale: Misty Thicket is a fantastic newbie zone near Rivervale, swarming with fire beetles and spiderlings. Beyond the town walls lie more challenging creatures. Wolves are abundant, providing pelts. Fishing is also a viable activity within Rivervale’s pond. Rivervale offers a smooth progression from levels 1-12. However, Rivervale is relatively isolated, with Freeport being the most accessible major city, though the journey involves traversing the dangerous Kithicor Forest and the lengthy Commonlands.

Evil Antonica

Neriak: Neriak is a self-contained and immersive starting experience. Its newbie areas offer varying difficulty levels and numerous quests, providing weeks of engaging content within the city’s sphere of influence. Creatures are challenging, but the experience gain is correspondingly rapid.

Oggok: Oggok is a compact and easily navigable city. The regions between Oggok and Grobb offer excellent hunting for newbies and beyond. Smashing through enemies is a viable leveling strategy here. Random, wandering aggressive monsters are less frequent compared to other evil cities. Bear pelts for patchwork armor are absent in this region. Frogloks, located two zones away, represent the best mid-level hunting option. The large zones surrounding Oggok can be disorienting. Most creatures in the vicinity are aggressive.

Grobb: Innothule Swamp and the nearby Feerrott are rich in newbie content around Grobb. Frogloks in these areas are notably wealthy and often adorned with magical cloth armor. Troll characters often accumulate wealth quickly in this starting region. The initial leveling experience is confined to two zones, which can become monotonous. While higher-level zones are accessible, the next 5th-6th level zone is across the Feerrott, a perilous journey if you are defeated. Consequently, many players remain in the froglok areas for extended periods, which can become tedious. Bear pelts are not available for patchwork. Trade skill progression is challenging in this region.

Paineel: Paineel provides a superb newbie ground with abundant easy monsters in the lower levels and numerous quests. It serves as the home city for evil Erudites. The newbie zone is situated some distance from trainers. Paineel is isolated on the continent of Odus, making safe departure from the island difficult, as it necessitates passing through Erudin.

Faydwer

Ak’Anon: Steamfont is the newbie zone for Ak’Anon, the Gnome starting city. While not as resource-rich as some other newbie zones, Steamfont offers comfortable leveling up to level 10 with ample activities. Reaching level 4 or 5 within Ak’Anon itself is recommended. Steamfont boasts easily accessible higher-level critters (levels 8-10) and minotaur caves, offering a good progression. However, Ak’Anon can be confusing and slow to navigate. The newbie mines are maze-like, making it difficult to escape danger. To hunt creatures above level 5, you must leave Steamfont entirely. Many players transition to Greater Faydark and Crushbone around level 10.

Kelethin/Felwithe: Greater Faydark serves as the starting newbie zone for both Kelethin and Felwithe (Elven cities). Faydwer’s interconnected cities and zones offer flexibility; if one area is crowded, alternatives are readily available. Recovering your corpse is also convenient across zones. The variety of zones allows for easy level-appropriate creature selection. Grouping opportunities are plentiful. Greater Faydark itself is often crowded, especially near Kelethin, due to the popularity of Elven races. Navigating Greater Faydark can be confusing off the main paths, and Orc town can be easy to get lost in. Antonica access is via a Plane of Luvulea (TL) from Kaladim docks to Freeport. Transition to the crowded Crushbone zone around levels 6-10.

Kaladim: Butcherblock Mountains is the newbie zone for Kaladim, the Dwarf capital. It offers excellent hunting grounds and the added advantage of proximity to Greater Faydark and its resources.

Level 5-50 Hunting Grounds

Once you’ve outgrown the newbie zones, Norrath opens up with a plethora of options. This section outlines prime hunting locations for each level range, guiding you towards efficient experience gains.

Levels 5-10

Butcherblock Mountains: A strong continuation from the Dwarf newbie zone.
Commonlands (East and West): Dominated by Orcs, the Commonlands are excellent for experience. Turn in any Defiled Orc Belts (DF belts) in town for bonus experience. Dervish Cutthroats and Orc camps are prevalent.

Alt text: A group of adventurers battling orcs at an orc camp in the Commonlands, a popular leveling zone in Project 1999.

Innothule Swamp: An extension of the Grobb newbie area, good for early levels.
Qeynos Hills: Accessible from Qeynos, offers various creatures for this level range.
Lesser Faydark: Connected to Greater Faydark, provides more options.
Desert of Northern Ro: Grouping with Dervish Cutthroats is effective.
Desert of Southern Ro: Be wary of madmen and the occasional Ancient Cyclops.
Steamfont: Elementals, Drakes, Skeletons (Skels), Harpies are found near the minotaur cave.
Blackburrow (Levels 6-14): A classic dungeon. “Train to zone” is common advice due to the zone’s layout and mob density. Hunt guards near the entrance initially, progressing deeper as you gain levels. After clearing the top level, descend to the third level and camp the bridge. Pull mobs to the ledge before the bridge, a “safe spot” for healing, meditation, and camping. Warriors can find their first bows and arrows here. Armor and valuable weapon drops are frequent, making Blackburrow a good zone to build early wealth.
Crushbone (Levels 6-14): Home to the Crushbone Orc clan. Located north of Kelethin, it’s a major Orc stronghold on Faydwer. Crushbone is accessible via a single entrance and ring-shaped in layout. Elves and dwarves reside in a building on the west side, along with the slave pit entrance. Emperor Crush’s home is to the northeast. An Orc trainer occupies a central hill. Orcs, dwarven slaves, priests, and even Ambassador Dvinn (Dark Elf) are found within Crushbone.
Everfrost (Levels 8-20): The Tundra section of Everfrost is excellent. Orcs (collect wristbands for Cindl), snow orc shamans, and mammoth calves offer a wide range of experience. Camp the “South Wall” (south of the south tower) – a natural alley formed by a hill and ridge provides a safe pulling location.

Levels 10-15

West Commonlands: Dervish Cutthroats are good for grouping.
Erud’s Crossing: Solo Wisps for Lightstones, a valuable source of early spell money.
Kithicor Woods (Daytime): Safer during the day, more dangerous at night.
Upper Guk: The upper levels of Guk offer mobs in this range.
North Karana: All types of beetles are suitable.
Innothule Swamp: Continues to be viable for these levels.
West Karanas: Bandits are a good target.
Lavastorm: Soloing near the Najena zone line is excellent experience.
Lesser Faydark: Offers continued options.
Desert of Northern Ro: Solo as much as possible, join Dervish groups occasionally. Oasis of Marr crocs are also viable, solo or grouped. Beware of madmen, mummies, and spectres. As you level, move to the “orc highway” for higher teens experience.
Ocean of Tears: Sister Isle is a good location.
Qeynos Sewers: Smugglers provide experience.
Desert of Northern Ro: Dervish groups remain effective.
Runnyeye: Solo or group at lower levels.
Desert of Southern Ro: Orcs are a good target.
Steamfont: Elementals, Drakes, Skeletons, Harpies near the minotaur cave.
Unrest: Grouping is recommended.
Warrens: Begin moving into the tunnels for more challenging mobs.

Levels 15-25

Permafrost: The entrance to Lady Vox’s lair marks the endgame for original EverQuest, but initially, goblins near the entrance are good. Progress to the King room, the last zone before Ice Giants become prevalent (for higher levels). Approach the zone from Everfrost cautiously, avoiding Ice Giants. Stay in the middle of the gate guards, then left past the hall giant to avoid aggro. Grouping is essential; casters find this zone challenging to solo. Corpse runs (CR) can be difficult. Be warned: zoning at very low health may place you deep inside the zone, potentially leading to instant death (may still be a bug).
North Ro: A love-hate zone due to overcrowding and kill-stealing, but experience is excellent. Crocs or orc highway groups near the lake are prime spots. Orc camp on the southeast shoreline is also good. For solo meditation, use the rock pillars (P1 and P2) off the east shore. Solo near the shoreline to avoid madmen, skeletons, and zombies. Avoid the docks due to frequent trains. Loot is generally poor.
High Hold Pass: Orcs near the Kithicor zone line are optimal. Gnolls are less efficient due to spread-out spawns. Orcs spawn rapidly on a hill near the Kithicor zone line, often with groups and waiting lists. High Hold Pass orcs offer excellent experience and decent coin, making it a top leveling spot for levels 16-20. Evil characters gain important faction hits from orcs, eventually enabling banking in High Hold Keep. Use the /assist function due to multiple spawns, a good zone for learning grouping mechanics.
Befallen (Levels 10-27): West of Commonlands, Befallen was once a temple, now a dungeon inhabited by undead and nefarious creatures. Deeper exploration requires jumping down a well (deadly) or obtaining a key from a named mob. Freeport’s newbie dungeon.
Gorge of King Xorbb (Levels 8-30): Connects East Karana and Runnyeye, a bypass for Highhold Pass. Low-level goblin lookouts or higher-level muddites and minotaurs are good targets. Evil Eyes are typically grouped near spawn points.
East Commonlands (Levels 10-20): Freeport and Neriak’s teen zone, similar to North Ro. The tunnel hosts a “bazaar” area (like Greater Faydark’s) until the Luclin Bazaar. Merchants and adventurers from Rivervale, Freeport, Neriak, and further locations congregate here. Monsters include lions, bears, pumas, will-o’-wisps, giant scarabs, spiders, snakes, orcs, undead ruins with skeletons and ghouls, and occasional griffins. Guards protect merchants and adventurers.
Blackburrow: Solo Elites.
Dagnor’s Cauldron: Solo.
Erud’s Crossing: Solo wisps for Lightstones.
Everfrost: Group in the Tundra.
Highpass: Orcs and gnolls, group recommended.
Upper Guk: Deeper levels of Guk.
East Karana: Spiders and dogs.
North Karana: Giant beetles (excellent experience, slow-moving for quad-kiting), griffawns (solo).
West Karanas: Mostly bandits.
Lake Rathetear: Aviak guards.
Lavastorm: Continues to be viable.
Najena: Dungeon zone.
Ocean of Tears: Skeletons then Gargoyles on Gargoyle Isle. Gargoyles are challenging solo until level 20+. Gargoyle eyes can yield good platinum. Sirens in OOT also viable. Once spawns are broken, experience is rapid.
Warrens: Throne room and near the Stonebrunt Mountains zone line.
Estate of Unrest (Levels 14-35): Haunted mansion and grounds, suitable for teens to mid-levels. Once home to a mad dwarven noble, now overrun by undead. A major haven for the unliving in Norrath. (Later, became an instanced quest zone).
East Karana (Levels 15-20 & 15-24): Group or solo. Camp near the vendor village or barb fishing village (fishing village preferred for meditation while fishing). Many level 11-18 creatures: gnolls, dark stalkers, etc. For groups, a central camp is better. Training to the wooden bridge to North Karana is common, so avoid AFKing there. After level 20, try Crag Spiders – excellent experience (due to poison) and spider silk drops (bring sewing kit). Chitin Shield or poison resist gear is helpful. Broon, a baby cyclops in his low 20s, is a fun solo target for melee classes in their late 20s. He spawns in the river near the druid rings. Kill him, then immediately run to the High Hold Pass ramp to avoid Proon (his big brother) and prepare for Broon’s 6-minute respawn.
Lake Rathetear (Levels 15-20): Aviak spawns are excellent. The two tower spawns near the Arena are prime camps. Aviak guards spawn every 6 minutes. Lower levels need a partner for the two spawns. A single Aviak Guard spawn exists at the southern side of the zone on the “diving board” island with the stone tower. A very good solo spawn for relaxed leveling.

Levels 20-35

High Hold Keep (Levels 20-35): Join a Guard Room (GR) group in the basement. Waiting lists are common (like High Hold Pass orcs). Fantastic experience and decent loot. A group of 6 can handle the large room and the lookout room spawns. Leveling every 5 hours is possible with a good group. Master Looter (ML’er) is often designated to loot, sell, and split cash. At level 25, move deeper into the basement to the Warrior Room (WR) and Seer Room. Excellent experience, but goblins hit hard. A strong group is needed. Beware of trains from WR/SR to GR if groups are weak. Trains can be directed to the wizard in the library room on the bank level (first door on the left at the top of the stairs), who nukes trains effectively.
Dagnor’s Cauldron: Solo.
East Karana: Spiders (solo), chasm crawlers and gorge hounds (easy kills). Potential for a Polished Bone Bracelet (PBB) drop from Evil Eyes.
Lesser Faydark: Saben Trucross, a gnome in a hut.
Gorge of King Xorbb (Levels 25-30): Evil Eye lords – solo.
Everfrost (Levels 25-30): Redwind’s temple (Icy Orcs platform).
Lesser Faydark (Levels 25-30): Saben Trucross again.
Upper Guk (Levels 25-30): Continued deeper exploration.
Highkeep (Levels 25-30): Grouped, effective wizard leveling.
North Karana (Levels 25-30): Bard at the spires.
South Karana (Levels 25-30): Aviaks and gnolls (solo), Treants (grouped).
Lake Rathe (Levels 25-30): Continued viability.
Mistmoore (Levels 25-30): Solo yard trash, grouped inside.
Najena (Levels 25-30): Dungeon zone.
Ocean of Tears (Levels 25-30): Continued options.
Temple of Cazic Thule (Levels 25-35): Lizards are abundant, various camp areas, frequent trains. Lizardmen drop Lizardscale and Ravenscale armor. Grouping is mandatory, no soloing. Excellent experience and loot.
Everfrost (Levels 20-30): Mammoths (Mommas). Tracking classes excel at finding them, but their paths are learnable. Bind in Halas and hunt in the northeastern or southeastern Everfrost (more mammoths in NE, less competition in SE). Mammoth tusks sell for 7.5-10 platinum each (CHA dependent). Use a Giant-sized container for tusks. Save mammoth meat for baking recipes like Halas pie. Kill Giant Wooly Spiders and Snow Orcs to encourage mammoth spawns. Grouping at the Mammoth platform is common. Kill every spider (Giant and Large Wooly) as placeholders. For Everfrost grouping, target Icy Orcs on a platform near Permafrost entrance. Icy Orcs are mid-20s, Redwind (Shadowknight) is closer to 30. Five static spawns. Use harmony and single-pull. Redwind has a 300-point harm touch – healer should be ready. Redwind drops a rune for the Ivy Etched armor bracer quest.
South Karanas (Levels 18-35): Very versatile zone. “KFC” (aviak village in south SK) for lower levels. Bird spawns are sparse unless you have a druid for harmony, decent tanks, and a healer. Camp the top of KFC (big round birdroom). Druid harmony and single pull birds outside the room. Fast bird spawns (6 minutes), vendor on the platform for selling loot. If no KFC group (levels 16-20), group at Lake Rathe gnoll/undead camp near the SK/LR zone line.
Splitpaw Spires (Levels 22-35): Gnoll spires outside Splitpaw in South Karana. Group levels 22-30, solo levels 30-35. Often overcamped, try off-peak hours. Excellent experience and coin. Solo from 30-35 for good loot and experience. Vendors at Centaur village or KFC bird vendor. Melee bind near Gypsy camp in North Karana or Arena in Lake Rathe. At level 25, group inside Splitpaw in the Bedroom or near the double doors (near the entrance). Great hunting in early Paw for levels 28-35, but watch for trains and disorganized groups.
Mistmoore Castle (Levels 20-45): Castle of vampire Mayong Mistmoore. Pull Dark Elves (DEs) around the lake and gargoyles near the zone line, progressing deeper as you level. Graveyard offers excellent experience. A frequently revisited zone.

Levels 30-40

West Commonlands: Valon and Colin (named mobs).
Butcherblock Mountains: Goblins at the ruins.
Lower Guk: Deeper into Guk.
Upper Guk: Ancient Crocodiles.
North Karana: Solo griffins.
South Karana: Gnolls, Treants.
West Karanas: Ulrich McManus (named bandit).
Mistmoore: Grouped hunts within the castle.
Ocean of Tears: Solo at Dwarves (three spawns), tremendous experience.
Rathe Mountains: Giants (grouped), Cyclops (med/kite).
Butcherblock: Dwarves.
West Commons: Valon and Colin again.
Firiona Vie: Mobs in forested areas.
Feerrott: Single spectre near the Fear dungeon cave.
Kedge Keep: Grouping required in this underwater dungeon.
Lower Guk: Deeper exploration.
Rathe Mountains: Giants (grouped), med/kite cyclops. Cynthia at the Gypsy camp (solo camp custom-made for shaman 35-40+). Shaman strategy: Send pet, chain cast Winter’s Roar. She is a wizard, nukes and casts Bonds of Force. 12-minute respawn. Buff yourself and pet. She drops runes, words, gems, and platinum. No wandering mobs, Gypsy vendors nearby. Good experience until level 40-42.

Levels 40-50

Butcherblock: Dwarves.
Feerrott: Single hill spectre (5-minute respawn, decent loot). Solo/Grouped spectres.
Freeport Guards: Solo.
Lower Guk: Group, Rit spawn and Zol/Dars in the hall around Frenz/Magi area.
Kedge Keep: Grouping required.
Kithicor Woods (Night): More challenging at night.
Lesser Faydark: Happ the magician.
Permafrost: Grouped by Ice Giants.
Overthere: Solo options.
Rathe Mountains: Solo troll guards (wonderful experience, keep resists up against dots, watch for Shadowknight harm touch). Solo Hill Giants (HGs).
Solusek’s B: Dungeon zone.
Steamfont: Solo gnome guards, Watchman Halv.
Solusek A (SOL A) (Levels 40+): Not for experience, but for cash. Melee classes 40+ can solo well and farm Fire Spider Silk (FS). In-zone vendor for selling. Slow but steady platinum farming. Wait until 45+ for safer farming due to NPC caster upgrades. Beware of lava.
Ocean of Tears (OOT) (Levels 49-50): Seafuries! Plane of Luvulea (TL) from Freeport, swim to the third island for Seafury Cyclops. Grouping possible earlier than 49, but cyclops have 3500-4000 hit points. Pull carefully, avoid adds. Max hit around 72. Excellent experience 49-50. Seafuries drop platinum (1-6 pp) and rare gems (Opal Bracelet, Fire Opal, Fire Emerald, Mithril Bracelet) selling for 55-95 pp each (CHA dependent). Gornit, a giant near tents, spawns if not camped (drops lots of coins). Avoid named cyclops Quag. Ancient Cyclops (placeholder is pirate) camp nearby for JBoots quest. No run-away option if overwhelmed – root, run, camp, relog, or gate.
Lower Guk Dead Side (Levels 45-50): Great Zone Experience Modifier (ZEM) and loot. Fine steel, mobs have low hit points and hit lightly (except froggie wizards who nuke hard). Desirable items: Mask of Deception (Rogues), Weight Reduction Bag, Flowing Black Silk Sash (FBSS), Executioner’s Hood, Executioner’s Axe, etc.
Kedge Keep (Levels ?-?): Underwater dungeon off Dagnor’s Cauldron. Breathing spell or item required. Initially itemless, developed a reputation as difficult and unrewarding.
Butcherblock (Levels 45-50): Dwarf merchants (quad kiting).
Everfrost (Levels 45-50): Solo Ice Giants by Permafrost castle.
Feerrott (Levels 45-50): Cydreela near the portal (two well-timed Ice Comet (IC) spells while buffing). Lone Spectre.
East Freeport (Levels 45-50): Solo/Duo Guards.
Lower Guk (Levels 45-50): Solo or grouped, Rit spawn and Zol/Dars in the hall around Frenz/Magi area.
The Hole (Levels 45-50): Grouped, zone-in area.
Lesser Faydark (Levels 45-50): Happ the magician. With Conflagration spell, Happ Dremblefold (sp?) is top experience in Lesser Faydark near Steamfont zone.
Ocean of Tears (Levels 45-50): Cyclops of all types, JBoots quest if not yet done. Quad spectres.
Oggok (Levels 45-50): Ogre guards.
Rathe Mountains (Levels 45-50): Kite Cyclops, good platinum but experience slows down.

This p99 leveling guide provides a solid foundation for your journey to level 50 in Project 1999. Remember to adapt your hunting locations based on your class, gear, and playstyle. Happy hunting, and may your levels come swiftly!

(Props to Mgellan Snowstalker, formerly of Ruined Our Lands Society on the Sleeper Server, for the original compilation.)