I recommend that everyone get the Everquest Free to Play client from Steam ASAP:
http://store.steampowered.com/app/205710/
(Make sure to just get the Free to Play one, as there is no need to buy the latest expansion on there since they are both the same download.)
Install Instructions for RoF2 can be found on the
Play Guide.
Many are already aware of this client due to the development tracking thread, but the client is now finalized enough to make an official news post for it.
This download is still considered RoF Expansion, but it is a different patch (about 6 months later). We are calling it the "RoF2" client. Even if you don't switch over to it immediately, I highly recommend everyone get in now in case SOE decides to patch the version that has been on Steam since May 10th 2013.
This new client is nearly 100% as compatible with EQEmu as the UF and previous clients are. For the latest status of development for this client, refer to the
Steam RoF2 Development Tracking thread.
The stability and performance of this client seems to be far better than any previous EQEmu client due to a high focus by the SOE team to improve these areas of code around that time. It is 3 years newer than the Underfoot client, which isn't quite as far of a jump as going from Titanium to Underfoot, but it is still enough of a jump to see very noticeable improvements immediately.
There are too many cool new features to list them all. Here are a few highlights off the top of my head:- Augmenting has never been easier. No more aug pool or combines. You simply put the aug in a slot in the item and remove it in the same way you would put something into a bag.
- Clickies can now be used from inside bags!
- More hotkey bars available.
- Copy layout, hotkeys, and more to easily setup multiple characters UIs.
- Hero's Forge Armor Models are available, but server's need to implement them into their database and content to make them available to players (some servers are already doing this).
- New 6th aug slot available for items (requires server owners to add them to their database as desired).
- More inventory space and bigger bags. There are 2 more main inventory slots and the client can handle at least 100 slot bags (and probably even bigger). This still needs to have support added to EQEmu for it, but it is already in development (no ETA).
- Even more NPC Races, new Zones, and an insane number of new Weapon and Armor models and item icons.
- Lots of memory and performance tweaks as well as increased stability. This is great for anyone that boxes multiple accounts.
- Tons of new minor features and options such as hotkeys showing cooldown timers on them and options to be able to click through yourself and/or your pet/merc if you prefer 3rd person view.
Note that not all servers currently support this client, but there is a decent list so far including PEQ, EZ, Storm Haven, and I am sure at least a handful of others. As more servers update their source code, this client will be useable on them as well.
There are still a few issues to work out such as Bazaar trading and some Guild Functionality, but overall the RoF2 client is very functional and polished. The Dev team is still working hard to resolve the remaining issues.