Recommended Levels and ZEM List
Zone Experience Multiplier (ZEM)
If all things were equal, you would receive an equal amount of XP for killing equivalent mobs in different zones. This is not the case. Some zones give a higher amount of experience than others. Some zones actually give a significantly lower amount of experience. ZEMs were put in place to encourage players to adventure in less frequented zones, as well as reward those adventuring in significantly more difficult areas. For example, dungeons typically have higher multipliers than outdoor zones.ref
In the old days of live EQ the server sent the actual ZEM values, which were recorded by studious players. These values were used as a basis for the EQEmu numbers, and so are in place on most stock EQEmu servers. These numbers were never known to have changed over the history of classic EQ live.
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)
ZEM is the acronym used for Zone Experience Modifier. This corresponds to the per zone boost to experience you receive over the flat, normal amount. Note that on this scale a value of 75 represents normal. Below 75 indicates a experience penalty, and above 75 a bonus.
Antonica
Zones highlighted in Gray are not available yet in-game.
| Continent | Zone | ZEM | % XP | XP Min | XP Max | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antonica | Lost Temple of CazicThule | 100 | 133% | ? | ? | |
| Zone version not in-game on EQA (see Lost Temple of Cazic Thule) | ||||||
| Antonica | Arena | 75 | 100% | N/A | No mobs | |
| Antonica | Befallen | 160 | 213% | 5 | 20 | |
| Antonica | Blackburrow | 100 | 133% | 5 | 15 | |
| Antonica | East Commonlands | 75 | 100% | 1 | 15 | |
| Antonica | East Freeport | 75 | 100% | 1 | 50 | Mostly 1-5 and 30-40 (guards) |
| Antonica | East Karana | 75 | 100% | 10 | 35 | |
| Antonica | Erud’s Crossing | 75 | 100% | 5 | 15 | |
| Antonica | Everfrost Peaks | 75 | 100% | 1 | 50 | Mostly 1-10 and 40-50 (guards/giants) |
| Antonica | The Feerrott | 75 | 100% | 1 | 10 | |
| Antonica | Gorge of King Xorbb | 75 | 100% | 15 | 25 | |
| Antonica | Grobb | 100 | 133% | 35 | 45 | Guards |
| Antonica | Halas | 100 | 133% | 40 | 50 | Not many xp mobs |
| Antonica | High Keep | 150 | 200% | 20 | 40 | 20s goblins and 30s guards |
| Antonica | Highpass Hold | 80 | 107% | 10 | 20 | |
| Antonica | Innothule Swamp | 75 | 100% | 1 | 10 | |
| Antonica | Jaggedpine Forest | 75 | 100% | 35 | 60 | |
| Antonica | Kithicor Forest | 75 | 100% | 30 | 40 | Undead mobs |
| Antonica | Lake Rathetear | 75 | 100% | 15 | 25 | |
| Antonica | Lavastorm Mountains | 75 | 100% | 10 | 20 | |
| Antonica | Lower Guk | 80 | 107% | 35 | 50 | |
| Antonica | Misty Thicket | 75 | 100% | 1 | 40 | Mostly 1-10 and 30-40 (guards) |
| Antonica | Nagafen’s Lair | 80 | 107% | 45 | 55 | |
| Antonica | Najena | 130 | 173% | 15 | 30 | |
| Antonica | Nektulos Forest | 75 | 100% | 1 | 20 | Mostly 1-10 with some 15-20 (guards) |
| Antonica | Neriak Commons | 100 | 133% | 1 | 50 | Not many xp mobs |
| Antonica | Neriak Foreign Quarter | 100 | 133% | 35 | 55 | Guards and arena troll/ogre mobs |
| Antonica | Neriak Third Gate | 100 | 133% | 35 | 40 | Not many xp mobs |
| Antonica | North Freeport | 100 | 133% | 30 | 40 | Paladin guards |
| Antonica | North Karana | 75 | 100% | 20 | 35 | |
| Antonica | North Qeynos | 75 | 100% | 1 | 20 | Mostly 1-10 with some 10-20 (guards) |
| Antonica | North Ro | 75 | 100% | 1 | 20 | |
| Antonica | Oasis of Marr | 75 | 100% | 10 | 45 | Mostly 15-20 and 30-45 (spectres) |
| Antonica | Oggok | 75 | 100% | 35 | 45 | Guards |
| Antonica | Permafrost | 90 | 120% | 15 | 50 | |
| Antonica | Qeynos Hills | 75 | 100% | 1 | 10 | |
| Antonica | Qeynos Catacombs | 160 | 213% | 1 | 35 | Mostly 1-15 with a few 30-35 spectres |
| Antonica | Rathe Mountains | 75 | 100% | 15 | 45 | |
| Antonica | Rivervale | 100 | 133% | 30 | 40 | Guards |
| Antonica | Runny Eye | 100 | 133% | 15 | 30 | |
| Antonica | Solusek’s Eye | 130 | 173% | 25 | 35 | |
| Antonica | South Karana | 75 | 100% | 15 | 30 | |
| Antonica | South Ro | 75 | 100% | 5 | 20 | |
| Antonica | Splitpaw Lair | 90 | 120% | 30 | 40 | |
| Antonica | Surefall Glade | 100 | 133% | 1 | 5 | Not many xp mobs |
| Antonica | Upper Guk | 150 | 200% | 5 | 30 | |
| Antonica | West Commonlands | 75 | 100% | 5 | 35 | Mostly 5-15 and 30-35 (guards) |
| Antonica | West Freeport | 75 | 100% | 1 | 45 | Mostly 1-5 and 35-45 (guards) |
| Antonica | West Karana | 75 | 100% | 1 | 30 |
Faydwer
| Continent | Zone | ZEM | % XP | XP Min | XP Max | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faydwer | Ak'Anon | 100 | 133% | 30 | 40 | Guards |
| Faydwer | Butcherblock Mountains | 75 | 100% | 1 | 45 | Mostly 1-15 and 35-45 (guards) |
| Faydwer | Castle Mistmoore | 90 | 120% | 20 | 40 | |
| Faydwer | Crushbone | 160 | 213% | 10 | 20 | |
| Faydwer | Dagnor's Cauldron | 75 | 100% | 10 | 20 | |
| Faydwer | Greater Faydark | 75 | 100% | 1 | 10 | |
| Faydwer | Kedge Keep | 100 | 133% | 35 | 50 | |
| Faydwer | Lesser Faydark | 75 | 100% | 10 | 20 | |
| Faydwer | North Felwithe | 100 | 133% | 35 | 50 | Guards |
| Faydwer | North Kaladim | 75 | 100% | 40 | 50 | Guards |
| Faydwer | South Felwithe | 75 | 100% | 40 | 50 | Guards |
| Faydwer | South Kaladim | 75 | 100% | 40 | 50 | Guards |
| Faydwer | Ocean of Tears | 75 | 100% | 10 | 45 | |
| Faydwer | Steamfont Mountains | 75 | 100% | 1 | 10 | |
| Faydwer | Unrest | 130 | 173% | 10 | 35 |
Odus
| Continent | Zone | ZEM | % XP | XP Min | XP Max | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odus | Erudin | 100 | 133% | 30 | 35 | Guards |
| Odus | Erudin Palace | 100 | 133% | 30 | 35 | Guards |
| Odus | Erud's Crossing | 75 | 100% | 5 | 15 | |
| Odus | Kerra Isle | 90 | 120% | 10 | 15 | |
| Odus | Paineel | 75 | 100% | 20 | 30 | Guards |
| Odus | Toxxulia Forest | 75 | 100% | 1 | 10 | |
| Odus | The Hole | 100 | 133% | 45 | 60 | |
| Odus | The Warrens | 100 (should be 150) | 133% (should be 200%) | 5 | 20 | ZEM will be updated at next server reset |
| Odus | Stonebrunt Mountains | 75 | 100% | 15 | 40 |
Old World Planes
Zones highlighted in Gray are not available yet in-game.
| Continent | Zone | ZEM | % XP | XP Min | XP Max | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old World Planes | Plane of Fear | 75 | 100% | 46 | 60 | Not really an xp zone |
| Old World Planes | Plane of Sky | 75 | 100% | 46 | 60 | Not really an xp zone |
| Old World Planes | Plane of Hate | 75 | 100% | 46 | 60 | Not really an xp zone |
| Old World Planes | 80 | 107% | 46 | 60 | Not really an xp zone | |
| Old World Planes | 100 | 133% | 46 | 60 |
Kunark
| Continent | Zone | ZEM | % XP | XP Min | XP Max | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kunark | Burning Wood | 75 | 100% | 40 | 50 | |
| Kunark | Cabilis | 100 | 133% | 50 | 60 | Guards (harm touch) |
| Kunark | Chardok | 85 | 113% | 50 | 60 | |
| Kunark | City of Mist | 85 | 113% | 40 | 50 | |
| Kunark | Dalnir | 95 | 127% | 25 | 35 | |
| Kunark | Dreadlands | 75 | 100% | 35 | 50 | |
| Kunark | Emerald Jungle | 75 | 100% | 35 | 45 | |
| Kunark | The Field of Bone | 75 | 100% | 1 | 15 | |
| Kunark | Firiona Vie | 75 | 100% | 25 | 35 | |
| Kunark | Frontier Mountains | 75 | 100% | 25 | 35 | |
| Kunark | Howling Stones/Charasis | 85 | 113% | 50 | 60 | |
| Kunark | Kaesora | 110 | 147% | 30 | 40 | |
| Kunark | Karnor's Castle | 85 | 113% | 45 | 50 | |
| Kunark | Kurn's Tower | 150 | 200% | 10 | 20 | |
| Kunark | Lake of Ill Omen | 60 | 80% | 1 | 30 | |
| Kunark | Mines of Nurga | 95 | 127% | 35 | 45 | |
| Kunark | Old Sebilis | 85 | 113% | 50 | 60 | |
| Kunark | Overthere | 75 | 100% | 30 | 40 | |
| Kunark | Skyfire Mountains | 80 | 107% | 50 | 60 | |
| Kunark | Swamp of No Hope | 75 | 100% | 1 | 20 | |
| Kunark | Timorous Deep | 75 | 100% | 20 | 50 | Mostly 20-30 and 45-50 |
| Kunark | Temple of Droga | 95 | 127% | 35 | 45 | |
| Kunark | Trakanon's Teeth | 75 | 100% | 30 | 55 | |
| Kunark | Veeshan’s Peak | 85 | 113% | 60 | 60 | Not really an xp zone |
| Kunark | Warsliks Woods | 75 | 100% | 15 | 30 |
