Sony Online Entertainment has released some info on the upcoming Everquest patch, which is scheduled for February 21^st. While they list some great updates, they also state that they cannot guarantee that all the listed changes will be in the upcoming patch. There is a list of new "Hot Zones" as well, if you are looking for some good XP, check them out after the patch!

We expect the following items, along with the items listed under the December 20th message, will be going to Live Servers in Upcoming Live Updates, but can not guarantee they will be in the next Live Update.  The next Live Update is scheduled for February 21, 2006.

*** Events ***

– Raids in Dynamic zones in Gates of Discord now require a minimum of 12 people to be started.

- Sendaii the Hive Queen raid will now lock out the expedition after the glowing egg is broken.

- NPC’s should no longer re-spawn after being killed in the Controlling the Beast mission set in Stoneroot Falls.

- The mission “Taking Control” from Stoneroot Falls now only requires 3 people to start it.

- Adjusted the rewards on monster missions so they scale better based on how long it’s actually taking to complete the mission.

*** Tradeskills ***

– Deep Orc Essence now requires less meat.

– Disabled the spell research creation of the spell Draught of Lightning.  This was done because it is a quest derived spell.

– Some very old erudite only combines have had their trivials adjusted up from being no-fail to on par with other combines of that era.

*** Items ***

– Changed the Slot12 Tradeskill augments that have Cleave, Ferocity, Furious Bash, Improved Dodge, Improved Parry and Sharpshooting to be worn effects instead of focus effects.

*** New Hot Zones ***

- The time has come to once again update the "Hot Zones" throughout Norrath. The previous zones have been reverted to their former states and the following zones are now a great place to go for experience and fun:

• Level 20: Najena
• Level 25: Iceclad Ocean
• Level 30: Rathe Mountains
• Level 35: Frontier Mountains
• Level 40: Gulf of Gunthak
• Level 45: Velketor's Labrynth
• Level 50: Fungus Grove
• Level 55: Old Sebilis
• Level 60: Cazic Thule