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Recommended Levels and ZEM List

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Zone Experience Multiplier (ZEM)

If all were equal, killing two mobs (of the same level, but in different zones) would result in the same amount of XP. It does not. Some zones in the game give a higher or lower amount of experience (for mobs of the same level).

The original EQ developers added "Zone Experience Modifiers" to the game to make riskier zones more rewarding:

the ZEM ... is set to a value in correlation with the risk in a particular zone compared with the reward; at least, that is the goal. - January 14, 2001 Producer Letter

Dungeons typically have higher multipliers than outdoor zones, as a result.ref

Where ZEM Data Comes From

Players in general were never aware of ZEM values on live; they only knew when certain zones had the ZEM modified, because such modifications were announced in patch notes.

However, live EQ servers sent the actual ZEM values to the EQ software behind the scenes. Players using banned software (eg. ShowEQ) recorded them, and these values were used as a basis for the EQEmu ZEMs.

Project 1999 ZEMs

Project 1999 does not use the original live (ie. EQEmu) ZEMs. It instead uses its own unknown/custom ZEMs, which presumably try to blend a classic feel with some variety (to simulate the classic ZEM mystery).

The Project 1999 developers have stated that they will not publicly release that ZEM list, in the spirit of classic EQ. They've also changed them several times over the server's history (that they've announced, eg. [1]


IMPORTANT NOTE: These Numbers Are Inaccurate

The values on this page are based on the classic/EQ Emulator values, modified by the announced ZEM changes over time. This means that they are almost entirely speculative, and the only person who can provide accurate ZEM data has stated that:

I don't know where the values on the wiki come from, and we do not reference those. We do not publish the specific values, as it's part of the mystery and should be discovered by the players how each zone stacks up.

Improving ZEM Accuracy

This wiki is full of data collected by players, and in theory it should be possible for the player base to determine P99's ZEMs through experimentation. But ...

Measuring ZEM is Challenging

Let's say zone A has a ZEM of 100%, zone B has a ZEM of 120%, and at your level it takes 900 XP to measure anything (ie. to see your XP % change). In both zones you kill mobs of the same level, worth 360 XP each.

(This assumes of course that the mob always spawns at the same exact level, and that you know what that level is. If it just "cons blue", it could be several different levels.

If you kill six of the same level mob in both A and B, your visible XP % will increase like so:

Zone Kill #1 Kill #2 Kill #3 Kill #4 Kill #5 Kill #6
A (100%) XP 300 600 900 1200 1500 1800
A (100%) XP % 1 2 4 6 8 10
B (120%) XP 360 720 1080 1440 1800 2160
B (120%) XP % 1 2 4 6 7 9

Notice that both zones have the exact same number of XP increases, and the two are identical for the first six kills! Even when they differ, they're only one kill apart.

If you're just casually observing, the two zones (with a 20%) would appear indistinguishable.

How to Measure ZEM Properly

First, you need to find a zone that can serve as your reference point, ie. as your "ZEM 100%" zone (even though you won't know which zone truly has "100%" until you're done). This should be the zone in the game with the most variety of fixed-level mobs (perhaps a city?)

Next, you need to find a mob in another zone with the same (fixed) level as a mob in the reference zone. Go kill both mobs ___ times, recording your XP percentage both before and after.

(Perhaps a mathematician could chime in here on how many ____ needs to be, based on the numbers in Experience?)

At this point it's just basic math: if zone A gave 20% XP, and zone B gave 25%, you now know B gives 25% more XP (20 * 1.25 = 25). Since we're calling the first zone our reference (ie. 100% ZEM), that makes zone B's ZEM 125%.

Congratulations, you've now successfully measured a ZEM! Now you just have to repeat the process for every zone in the game. Whenever the reference zone and the zone your testing don't have mobs of the same level you can kill, you'll have to find another zone that does (but which also overlaps the reference zone), and then do a bit more math.


Recommended Level Range by Zone

The different areas of Norrath are inhabited by creatures of greatly varying level. It is usually wise to adventure in zones that are level-appropriate for your character. Of course, a full group can tackle a particular dungeon or area at a lower level than a solo character. Still, one can get a general idea of the levels ranges recommended for experiencing in any given zone. (ref)

See also: Per-Level Hunting Guide

Antonica

Zone 1 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
North Qeynos 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100*
South Qeynos 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
Qeynos Aqueducts 119* 119* 119* 119* 119* 119* 119* 119* 119* 119*
Qeynos Hills 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100*
Surefall Glade 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
Blackburrow 119* 119* 119*
Halas 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100*
Everfrost Peaks 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100*
Permafrost 144* 144* 144* 144* 144* 144* 144* 144* 144* 144*
Western Karana 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100*
Northern Karana 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100*
Eastern Karana 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100*
Southern Karana 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100*
Splitpaw Lair 128* 128* 128* 128* 128* 128*
Lake Rathetear 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100*
Rathe Mountains 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100*
Gorge of King Xorbb 128* 128* 128* 128*
Runnyeye 128* 128* 128* 128* 128* 128*
Misty Thicket 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100*
Rivervale 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
Kithicor Forest 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100*
Highpass Hold 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100*
High Keep 112* 112* 112* 112* 112* 112* 112* 112*
Oggok 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100*
The Feerrott 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100*
Cazic Thule 128* 128* 128* 128* 128* 128* 128*
Innothule Swamp 100* 100* 100* 100*
Grobb 100 100 100 100
Upper Guk 119* 119* 119* 119* 119* 119* 119*
Lower Guk 86* 86* 86* 86* 86* 86* 86*
South Ro 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100*
Oasis of Marr 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100*
North Ro 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100*
Ocean of Tears 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100*
East Freeport 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100*
West Freeport 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100*
North Freeport 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
East Commonlands 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100*
West Commonlands 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100*
Befallen 119* 119* 119* 119*
Nektulos Forest 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100*
Neriak Foreign Quarter 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
Neriak Commons 100 100 100 100 100 100
Neriak Third Gate 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
Lavastorm Mountains 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100*
Najena 119* 119* 119* 119* 119* 119*
Solusek's Eye 119* 119* 119* 119* 119* 119*
Temple of Solusek Ro ? ? ?
Nagafen's Lair 86* 86* 86* 86* 86* 86*

Odus

Zone 1 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Erud's Crossing 100* 100* 100* 100*
Erudin 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
Erudin Palace 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
Toxxulia Forest 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100*
Kerra Island 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100*
Paineel 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100*
The Warrens 128 128 128 128 128 128
Stonebrunt Mountains 83* 83* 83* 83* 83* 83* 83* 83* 83*
The Hole 128* 128* 128* 128* 128*

Faydwer

Zone 1 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Butcherblock Mountains 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100*
North Kaladim 100* 100* 100* 100* 100*
South Kaladim 100* 100* 100* 100* 100*
Dagnor's Cauldron 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100*
The Estate of Unrest 113* 113* 113* 113* 113* 113* 113* 113*
Kedge Keep 139* 139* 139* 139* 139* 139*
Crushbone 119* 119* 119* 119*
Northern Felwithe 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
Southern Felwithe 100* 100* 100* 100*
Greater Faydark 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100*
Lesser Faydark 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100*
Mistmoore Castle 97* 97* 97* 97* 97* 97* 97*
Steamfont Mountains 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100* 100*
Ak'Anon 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Kunark

Zone 1 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Field of Bone 83 83 83 83 83 83 83 83 83 83 83
Swamp of No Hope 83 83 83 83 83 83 83 83 83 83 83 83 83
Lake of Ill Omen 83* 83* 83* 83* 83* 83* 83* 83* 83* 83* 83* 83* 83*
East Cabilis 100 100 100 100 100
West Cabilis
Kurn's Tower 128 128 128 128
Warsliks Woods 83 83 83 83 83 83 83 83
Timorous Deep 83 83 83 83 83 83 83 83 83 83
Firiona Vie 83 83 83 83 83 83 83 83
Frontier Mountains 83 83 83 83 83 83 83 83
Dalnir 101 101 101 101
The Overthere 83 83 83 83 83 83 83 83 83 83
Kaesora 116 116 116 116
Trakanon's Teeth 83 83 83 83 83 83
Emerald Jungle 83 83 83 83
Mines of Nurga 96 96 96
Temple of Droga 96 96 96 96
Dreadlands 83 83 83 83 83 83 83
City of Mist 94 94 94 94 94 94
Burning Woods 94 94 94 94 94
Karnor's Castle 94 94 94 94
Skyfire Mountains 86 86 86
Howling Stones 94 94 94
Chardok 94 94 94
Old Sebilis 94 94 94
Veeshan's Peak 86 86

* A previous version of this table showed a ZEM of 60 for Lake of Ill Omen. At some point in the classic timeline the Lake of Ill Omen ZEM is nerfed from 75 to 60 (ref?). However, recent testing (1/3/21) has shown that on both servers the xp gain in LoIO is exactly the same as other nearby outdoor zones.

Planes

Zone 1 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Plane of Fear 83 83 83
Plane of Hate 86 86 86
Plane of Sky 83 83 83
Plane of Growth 90 90 90
Plane of Mischief 105 105 105 105

Velious

Zone 1 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Crystal Caverns 122 122 122 122 122
Eastern Wastes 83 83 83 83 83 83 83
Iceclad Ocean 83 83 83 83 83 83 83
Thurgadin 94 94 94 94 94 94 94
Great Divide 83 83 83 83 83 83 83
Tower of Frozen Shadow 122 122 122 122 122 122
Kael Drakkel 94 94 94 94 94 94 94
Cobalt Scar 83 83 83 83 83 83 83
Skyshrine 94 94 94 94 94 94 94
The Wakening Land 83 83 83 83 83
Icewell Keep 94 94 94 94
Velketor's Labyrinth 94 94 94 94
Dragon Necropolis 94 94 94
Siren's Grotto 94 94 94
Western Wastes 86 86 86
Temple of Veeshan 94
Sleeper's Tomb 100

ZEM List

The p99 Column was so far unused, replaced it with the 3/25/2020 ZEM changes from P99 Staff and their respective percent adjustments. As said before, these are just increases based on their assumed values previously (Stock Value). It remains to be seen what the numbers truly are. References: ref1 ref2 ref3 ref4 ref5. Note that on this scale a value of 75 represents normal. Below 75 indicates a experience penalty, and above 75 a bonus. The multiplier is multiplicative, that is, a value of 150 indicates an experience bonus of 100% over a normal zone. Since the anecdotal reports of kedge being nerfed and testing of catacomb spectres versus others it is probable that p1999 now uses the EQMAC ZEM. They got theirs directly from packets so will assume it is accurate. ref 12/29/2018 not updated listing still using 2003 set.

  • A previous version of this table showed a ZEM of 60 for Lake of Ill Omen. At some point in the classic timeline the Lake of Ill Omen ZEM is nerfed from 75 to 60 (ref?). However, recent testing (1/3/21) has shown that on both servers the xp gain in LoIO is exactly the same as other nearby outdoor zones.
  • "Current Value" column added to allow all previous changes to be sortable.
Continent Zone Name "Stock" Multiplier P99 3/25/20 3/25/20 % Change P99 11/20/21 11/20/21 % Change Current Value
Antonica Befallen 160 125 (-22%) 119 (-5%) 119
Antonica Blackburrow 100 125 (+25%) 119 (-5%) 119
Antonica Cazic Thule 85 150 (+76%) 128 (-15%) 128
Antonica East Commonlands 75 100 (+33%) 100
Antonica East Freeport 75 100 (+33%) 100
Antonica Eastern Karana 75 100 (+33%) 100
Antonica Everfrost Peaks 75 100 (+33%) 100
Antonica The Feerrott 75 100 (+33%) 100
Antonica Gorge of King Xorbb 75 150 (+100%) 128 (-15%) 128
Antonica Halas 75 100 (+33%) 100
Antonica High Keep 150 112.5 (-25%) 112.5
Antonica Highpass Hold 80 100 (+25%) 100
Antonica Innothule Swamp 75 100 (+33%) 100
Antonica Kithicor Forest 75 100 (+33%) 100
Antonica Lake Rathetear 75 100 (+33%) 100
Antonica Lavastorm Mountains 75 100 (+33%) 100
Antonica Lower Guk 80 75 (-6%) 86 (+15%) 86
Antonica Misty Thicket 75 100 (+33%) 100
Antonica Nagafen's Lair 80 75 (-6%) 86 (+15%) 86
Antonica Najena 130 125 (-4%) 119 (-5%) 119
Antonica Nektulos Forest 75 100 (+33%) 100
Antonica Neriak Commons 100 100
Antonica Neriak Foreign Quarter 100 100
Antonica Neriak Third Gate 100 100
Antonica North Freeport 100 100
Antonica Northern Karana 75 100 (+33%) 100
Antonica North Qeynos 75 100 (+33%) 100
Antonica North Ro 75 100 (+33%) 100
Antonica Oasis of Marr 75 100 (+33%) 100
Antonica Ocean of Tears 75 100 (+33%) 100
Antonica Grobb 100 100
Antonica Oggok 75 100 (+33%) 100
Antonica Permafrost 90 169 (+88%) 144 (-15%) 144
Antonica Qeynos Hills 75 100 (+33%) 100
Antonica Rathe Mountains 75 100 (+33%) 100
Antonica Rivervale 100 100
Antonica Runnyeye 100 150 (+50%) 128 (-15%) 128
Antonica Solusek's Eye 130 125 (-4%) 119 (-5%) 119
Antonica Southern Karana 75 100 (+33%) 100
Antonica South Ro 75 100 (+33%) 100
Antonica Splitpaw Lair 90 150 (+67%) 128 (-15%) 128
Antonica Surefall Glade 100 100
Antonica Upper Guk 150 125 (-17%) 119 (-5%) 119
Antonica West Commonlands 75 100 (+33%) 100
Antonica West Freeport 75 100 (+33%) 100
Antonica Western Karana 75 100 (+33%) 100
Antonica Qeynos Aqueducts 100 125 (+25%) 119 (-5%) 119
Faydwer Butcherblock Mountains 75 100 (+33%) 100
Faydwer North Kaladim 75 100 (+33%) 100
Faydwer South Kaladim 75 100 (+33%) 100
Faydwer Dagnor's Cauldron 75 100 (+33%) 100
Faydwer The Estate of Unrest 130 113 (-13%) 113
Faydwer Kedge Keep 100 163 (+63%) 139 (-15%) 139
Faydwer Crushbone 160 125 (-22%) 119 (-5%) 119
Faydwer Northern Felwithe 100 100
Faydwer Southern Felwithe 75 100 (+33%) 100
Faydwer Greater Faydark 75 100 (+33%) 100
Faydwer Lesser Faydark 75 100 (+33%) 100
Faydwer Mistmoore Castle 90 87 (-3%) 97 (+10%) 97
Faydwer Steamfont Mountains 75 100 (+33%) 100
Faydwer Ak'Anon 100 100
Odus Erudin 100 100
Odus Erud's Crossing 75 100 (+33%) 100
Odus The Hole 100 150 (+50%) 128 (-15%) 128
Odus Kerra Island 90 100 (+11%) 100
Odus Paineel 75 100 (+33%) 100
Odus Stonebrunt Mountains 75 83 (+10%) 83
Odus Toxxulia Forest 75 100 (+33%) 100
Odus The Warrens 150 128 (-15%) 128
Kunark Burning Woods 75 83 (+10%) 83
Kunark East Cabilis 100 100
Kunark West Cabilis 100 100
Kunark Howling Stones 85 94 (+11%) 94
Kunark Chardok 85 94 (+11%) 94
Kunark City of Mist 85 94 (+11%) 94
Kunark Dalnir 100 101 (+1%) 101
Kunark Dreadlands 75 83 (+10%) 83
Kunark Emerald Jungle 75 83 (+10%) 83
Kunark Field of Bone 75 83 (+10%) 83
Kunark Firiona Vie 75 83 (+10%) 83
Kunark Frontier Mountains 75 83 (+10%) 83
Kunark Kaesora 110 116 (+5%) 116
Kunark Karnor's Castle 85 94 (+11%) 94
Kunark Kurn's Tower 150 128 (-15%) 128
Kunark Lake of Ill Omen 75 83 (+10%) 83
Kunark Mines of Nurga 90 96 (+7%) 96
Kunark Old Sebilis 85 94 (+11%) 94
Kunark Skyfire Mountains 80 86 (+8%) 86
Kunark Swamp of No Hope 75 83 (+10%) 83
Kunark The Overthere 75 83 (+10%) 83
Kunark Timorous Deep 75 83 (+10%) 83
Kunark Temple of Droga 90 96 (+7%) 96
Kunark Trakanon's Teeth 75 83 (+10%) 83
Kunark Veeshan's Peak 75 86 (+15%) 86
Kunark Warsliks Woods 75 83 (+10%) 83
Velious Cobalt Scar 75 83 (+10%) 83
Velious Crystal Caverns 110 122 (+11%) 122
Velious Dragon Necropolis 85 94 (+11%) 94
Velious Eastern Wastes 75 83 (+10%) 83
Velious Great Divide 75 83 (+10%) 83
Velious Iceclad Ocean 75 83 (+10%) 83
Velious Icewell Keep 85 94 (+11%) 94
Velious Kael Drakkel 85 94 (+11%) 94
Velious Temple of Veeshan 84 94 (+11%) 94
Velious Siren's Grotto 85 94 (+11%) 94
Velious Skyshrine 85 94 (+11%) 94
Velious Sleeper's Tomb 90 100 (+11%) 100
Velious Thurgadin 85 94 (+11%) 94
Velious Tower of Frozen Shadow 110 122 (+11%) 122
Velious Velketor's Labyrinth 85 94 (+11%) 94
Velious The Wakening Land 75 83 (+11%) 83
Velious Western Wastes 80 86 (+8%) 86
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