When I started I was boxing by hand a team of 3 with 3 mercs too. It was hard to get going, there is so much to think about. Once I got those 3 running, I added one more char at a time, replacing a merc until I have a 6 man team. After my first 3, each of the others was easy to add. The hard part was getting them leveled up. Now, I have a full group who can do anything except raids. I can now do thinkgs like Missions and Hunters that I could not do before. I'm actually getting to use the whole game I'm paying for, not just a small piece.
Now, there are things you have to accept. The management of DPG does not like us - not one bit. You will eventually get caught up in a suspend or a ban. It may be years or it may be weeks. It's the cost of admission here. I've been playing EQ since 2001. Still have my oldtest char in action. I've expereinced one 7 day vacation - all my fault really. I got into a spitting match with a guy who was obviously warping and I'm sure he retaliated by reporting me.
Stay hidden in plain sight. Don't be obvious about what you're doing. Places like the POK and Guild Lobby are terrible places to accidently type "/war mode 7" in say instead of MQ. Make macro buttons out of common MQ commands so you don't end up inzipping your pants in public. I have buttons for Pause On/Off, Team double Invis, Camp On, Chase, Click Door, etc. You can add random timers into the commands to make your team less obvious. Take a good deal of time to set up your commands - in the long run, it will pay off.
Don't play unattended. Again, Don't play unattended. It is a ticket to the top of the "pick me, pick me" line when they want to issue "random" bans. This tool is used to expand your abilities, not totally replace you. The temptataion will be there, expecially when leving up a new char. You can get away with it and feel like your untouchable, right until you're not. Being boring and not attracting attention is your best strategy, but again, accept that eventual pain is the cost of admission. For me it's worth it. I'm not the young man I used to be and my reflexes show it. I'll never play without MQ, and if I'm banned, I'm just going to be done with EQ. It's not worth playing anymore the old way. All my old guildmates are long gone and pick up groups are a myth or just bad. I have limited time and need to come and go as I'm called. Hours of grinding are no logner fun.
I work from home and have my system setup at a 90% angle from my work system. I can run MQGrind (well worth the extra $) while I work and level up toons and get supplies for Trade Skills.
Have fun and take your time learning each phase. It looks overwhelming, but like anything it's not so bad when you dive in.
Last thing. I know we are considered Cheaters. We violate the Ts & Cs of the game. I don't consider it cheating, however. Not for me personally. I'm breaking the rules, but cheating implies robbing otehrs to win. I don't rob anyone of anything. I also reject that you can "win" EQ. Perhaps some might try and sell game items for RL cash, but man the returns on that make being a DooorDash guy look like a six-figure job.
I'm playing my game, doing my thing, hurting no one. I don't compete for camps; I always leave an area if someone else shows up. I'm polite, quiet and respectful to others. If that is cheating, I wish everyone would cheat.
You can only win this game when you quit. Quit for the last time and never come back. Until then we are hamsters on a very fun wheel. You now have access to a better wheel. Use it responsibly.
