EverQuest: Shattering of Ro - Murder in the Plane of Magic Ignites Divine War in 32nd Expansion

Druzzil Ro, the Matron of Art and goddess of magic, is dead. The cataclysmic explosion that shattered the Plane of Magic left only one survivor—Firiona Vie, found unconscious in the Plane of Growth. Storms of broken magic now sweep across Norrath and the planes, while Solusek Ro, the Burning Prince and son of the slain goddess, seeks vengeance against those he holds responsible: mortals. His rage "burns hotter than it has in centuries," and he's convinced the other gods to end their ancient protective pact. War is coming to the planes, and adventurers must stand with the defenders or watch reality tear itself apart.

EverQuest's Shattering of Ro expansion launches this December 2025 as the game's 32nd major content release in nearly 27 years of continuous operation. Daybreak Game Company positions this divine murder mystery as a watershed moment for the venerable MMORPG's lore, pitting Solusek Ro, Rallos Zek, and Innoruuk against Tunare and Mithaniel Marr while Quellious seeks peaceful resolution. The expansion raises the level cap to 130, introduces six new zones across two difficulty tiers, and finally allows Vah Shir to become Druids for the first time in franchise history.

The Burning Host Invades the Plane of Growth

Scarred Grove serves as the expansion's entry point—a war-torn section of Tunare's Plane of Growth under direct assault by Solusek Ro's Burning Host. Rallos Zek (God of War) and Innoruuk (God of Hate) have joined the offensive, their combined forces seeking to punish mortals for Druzzil Ro's death. Players begin their journey here before branching into two content tiers.

Tier 1 zones include Candlemaker's Workshop and Arcstone, Shattered Isles, both afflicted by the magical storms that erupted from the Plane of Magic's destruction. Tier 2 advances through Ruined Relic and the Labyrinth of Spite before culminating in The Vortex—an entire zone manifesting as pure chaotic magical energy. These churning tempests of unstable magic deal massive damage (reports indicate 500,000 damage when players run through them), though the expansion hints that their unpredictable power might be harnessed by those brave or foolish enough to try.

Four group missions span the zones: Waxwork Abolition in Candlemaker's Workshop, Colossus in Arcstone, Shar'Drahn in Ruined Relic, and Echo of Hate in the Labyrinth of Spite. Mission rewards grant Rift-Touched Sigils—one of two new alternate currencies purchasable from specialized merchants in Scarred Grove. Raid content follows a staggered three-tier release schedule beginning January 3, 2026, with notable encounters including Xanzerok, Colossus of Skylance, Ashenback, and Tallongast the Egg. Completing all raid challenges awards an Arcane Tome Type 5 augmentation.

Vah Shir Druids and the Balance of Magic

The expansion's most unexpected addition allows the cat-like Vah Shir race to become Druids, described officially as those for whom "balance is their song, the wilds their choir, the moon their guide." This marks the first new race/class combination since previous expansions gradually opened EverQuest's rigid original class restrictions. The timing proves thematically appropriate—with magic itself sundered and reality destabilizing, nature's balance becomes paramount.

Progression rewards include the Armored Bee Harness mount, Brazier of Magic trophy, Candlefolk Whistle familiar, and Masks of the Vortex—evolving face items that improve throughout expansion content. Spell ranks follow the established three-tier system: Rank I vendor purchases, Rank II mission drops, and Rank III raid chest drops. Type 3 augmentations now convert to quest-based alternate abilities for focus effects, purchased via Faycite Focus Shards from expansion vendors.

Beta testers highlighted one unassuming quality-of-life improvement as potentially the "biggest crowd pleaser": two additional shared bank slots. For veteran players managing inventories across multiple characters in an expansion-heavy game approaching three decades of accumulated items, this seemingly minor addition addresses a persistent pain point more effectively than flashier features.

Four Editions from $35 to $250

Daybreak offers four purchase tiers when pre-orders open October 7, 2025. The Standard Edition ($34.99) provides base expansion access plus three Shattered Weapon Ornament augmentations convertible to 31 weapon type variations. Collector's Edition ($69.99) adds Tunare's Lily personal teleport device to Scarred Grove alongside additional cosmetics. Premium Edition ($139.99) includes all previous expansion content—a catch-up mechanism for returning players—plus Mithaniel Marr's Strategy Table guild hall teleporter, two Shared Goblet of Adventure III potions (4-hour 50% group experience bonuses), and a tradable 60-slot Runed Strong Box for bank storage.

The Family & Friends Edition ($249.99) bundles Premium content with a tradable expansion copy and level 100 character boost. All Access members receive 10% discounts across all tiers. Pre-order customers gain immediate beta access and dedicated beta forum participation, with a cosmetic Metamorph Wand - Broom reward for beta participants. The staggered raid release schedule—Tier 1 on January 3, Tier 2 on February 7, Tier 3 on March 14, 2026—ensures months of endgame progression for the guilds willing to invest in premium editions.

26 Years of Planar Adventures

EverQuest's return to planar content echoes the game's foundational expansions from the early 2000s, when zones like the Plane of Fear and Plane of Hate defined high-level raiding. Shattering of Ro recontextualizes that classic framework through a murder mystery narrative: Who killed Druzzil Ro? Why does Solusek Ro blame mortals specifically? The expansion's producer's letter closes with a cryptic line—"Don't get Underfoot"—referencing a previous expansion while hinting at the mysterious silence from the Underfoot deity regarding the conflict.

As EverQuest's 32nd expansion in nearly 27 years, Shattering of Ro demonstrates the durability of Daybreak's formulaic yet commercially successful development cycle. Community reception mixes excitement about divine conflict storylines with pragmatic acknowledgment that premium tier sales ($250 Family & Friends purchases) justify continued development for a game celebrating its 26th anniversary in 2025. The expansion machine persists because dedicated players value both new content and quality-of-life refinements—proving that even after more than a quarter-century, Norrath's planar battles still draw adventurers willing to defend mortals from godly wrath.

For more information about EverQuest and the Shattering of Ro expansion, visit the official EverQuest website.

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