Hello. I just heard about this server and am thinking about playing, but would like some insight on a few questions that probably aren't gonna be addressed in any of the FAQs.

First, what's the population like during US prime time?

Is the 8v8 pretty good here? I just restarted on Ywain a few months ago and really loathe TOA. This place looks great, assuming it's active.

This one's probably in an FAQ somewhere, but can you install the client for this shard in a separate directory than Mythic's client? I assume that'd be the way to do it, if you want to keep playing both, right?

What's the community like on Hib in general? I started Hib for the first time on Ywain, having played the other two realms on and off since release. Would like to play Hib here as well, unless it's severely underpopulated or something.

Is there any accelerated gains with levels or tradeskills?

What battlegrounds are here (Thidranki, Murdgaien, Caledonia), and are they active?

One more, that's again probably in an FAQ somewhere: How are buffs done here? Similar to on Classic servers, where you had to be grouped to get them?

All I can think of for now. Thanks!

locke wrote:This one's probably in an FAQ somewhere, but can you install the client for this shard in a separate directory than Mythic's client? I assume that'd be the way to do it, if you want to keep playing both, right?

The Mythic client doesn't need to be installed. You can copy the whole folder wherever you want, double click on the .exe and play.
The program used to make the official client being able to connect on shard servers (i. e. DaoC Portal), simply patch few files, included the one that point the client to the server.
If you play on both servers, instead of patch and repatch every time you change server (official/free), simply copy your installation and make DaoC Portal point to the folder you will only use for playing on Uthgard

There are no accelerated features of any kind. Leveling on Uthgard is like leveling in Shrouded Isles, but without the Shrouded Isles zones, and with some NF Battlegrounds. At level 50 you go to the Old Frontiers, where most action is in Emain Macha, and soloers sometimes go to Odin's or Hadrian's.

The Battlegrounds have been reworked (for some reason), and are now as follows:

Braemar: L20 - L35 (RR2L2 cap)
Wilton: L36 - L43 (RR3L2 cap)
Thidranki: L44 - L49 (RR4L2 cap)

The community in Hib land is great. The people, for the most part, are very friendly and laid back and good about answering questions or helping you out if you need it. The only downside to Hib is that we are the most underpopulated realm and we suffer a bit in Frontier RvR because of it. If you were in Europe this would probably not be a problem but since you, like myself, are in the US then you will notice that by 8pm (CST) the population drops down to under 300. At that point if you are looking for emain RvR then you will either have to go with small man RvR or be very lucky to find a FG. I played Hib on live and Hib here so I couldnt really tell you what the community is like in Mid and Alb.

The 8 vs 8 action is very good at times for us in the USA. During weekends you can get some great action, and you can also have some great 8 vs 8 action later at night during the week, but its alot more hit and miss during the week.

There is not excelerated gains on this server. As a matter of fact there is an xp cap to prevernt power lvl'ing. If anyone in the group is over 10 lvl difference then the whole group will suffer a HUGE loss in xp. I actually like this. People have to put time into their chars and not just "easy mode" to lvl 50.

The bg's are listed above and realise that in about a year or so they will be doing some updates and may add 1 or 2 more bg's into that. It is unknown for sure how they will handle it, but there will be a change to them in the future.

As far as buffs go, this is a non buffbot server. You do not have to be grouped to get them, but there is a range to them to prevent people handing out buffs at safe spots then letting peope fully buffed run out to emain.

The range on buffs is just like it was on Mythics Classic servers.

You do get bonuses for leveling in the frontier. And an additional 20% bonus to exp when your level range owns the Battleground keep for your level. So going to the BG does help out your realm.

And please don't wait until your 50 to go to the frontier. Me and my friends have been taking back keeps to open Darkness Falls since we were around 40 (first went to the frontier at 20 just to make the enemy blow SoS and other timered abilities). Most of us are 49 now. We sometimes take a 35 with us to the other sides of DF so he can kill the people that con to him, but would be gray to us.

Like any server, getting in the right guild and/or alliance can make all the difference. Don't stay with people that tell you how to play. Have fun.

And do read the server rules. They are enforced here, which makes this a great server to play on.