Hotbars:

- As you get more comfortable with the Everquest II user interface (UI) the hotbars can be used for many different things. To keep things simple when you are first starting out use them mainly for spells and Combat Abilities (CA).
- Healing/power potions are very handy to have in your hotbar if you have the room. You only need one icon per potion type in your hotbars no matter how many potions of that type you have in your backpacks. When the potions are all used up, the hotbar icon will grey out. When you restock with the same potion, it will become usable again. The number of uses a potion has left will show in the bottom right of the hotbar icon.
- When you run out of hot bar space, assuming you have room on your screen, right click on the single default hotbar to add another hotbar. I play with at total of 4 hotbars.

Spells/Combat Abilities:

- When you gain an adventure level you may get new spells/CAs or replacements for your current spells/CAs. Replacement spells are higher level versions of spells/CAs you currently know. This is known as the “spell line”.
- New spells/CAs will use a new icon so it’s clear that it’s a new ability line. Replacement spells/CAs will reuse the same icon as the previous level spell/CA in it’s line.
- Group your spells/CAs by category. For example a priest will have spells with the categories of: a golden hammer, a crescent moon, and a golden eye. You can see the category by hovering your mouse pointer over the spell/CA icon in your hotbar or in your knowledge book. By grouping your spells together in categories it will really help make finding spells easier. Also, it becomes plainly obvious when you have two spells/CAs from the same line in your hotbar. Grouping by category will also help locate the proper spell/CA when it comes to advancing Heroic Opportunities (HOs).
- When you get a new spell/CA it will be given to you at the Apprentice I level. These are very weak and should be upgraded ASAP. You can buy Apprentice II level spells/CAs from your class trainer found somewhere in your home city but that should be your last resort.
- The preferred method to upgrading your spells/CAs is to locate a broker. There is a broker in every tradeskill instance. Tradeskill instances will have a tradeskill trainer standing by something that looks like a basement bulkhead. Once you have located a broker, search for the spell/CA exact name. Note: some spells/CAs are non-upgradeable. If it is not called Apprentice I when you hover over the icon then it can not be upgraded. The scout class ability Cheap Shot is one such example.
- Usually you will find that your best value in spell/CA upgrading is an Adept I. These upgrades are looted off mobs and put up for sale when the owner can not use it. It seems that you never loot an Adept I you can actually use! If the price from the broker seems reasonable to you, buy one.
- Sometimes Adept I’s are too spendy or not available on the broker at that time. In that case look to an Apprentice IV. These are player made using common harvested items. Adept III spells are also player made but they require rare harvests, as such they can also be quite spendy.
- Master I spells/CAs are the best you can buy. They are usually very, very expensive and unless you are raiding, App IV or Adept I should get you by just fine. This is especially so until you get into your 30’s or 40’s. Note: every 10 levels or so you will get to choose one spell/CA (off a list of about 6) to upgrade to Master II level, for free! These are the only Master II spells in the game. Knowing what your Master II options are before you are presented with them will help you decide where you want to spend your hard earned gold.
- IMPORTANT!! You do not need to buy Apprentice II, then Apprentice III, then Apprentice IV, and so on to upgrade to a higher level ability. You can jump straight from Apprentice I to Master I if you want.
- Usually you will want to use the highest level spell/CA you have available but sometimes an older upgraded ability is more effective than a new Apprentice I. This is especially true of the Master II choice. I continued to use my Wisdom of Zephryl Master II combat ability even when it’s replacement was at Adept I, the Master II was that good.
- To determine if you are using your latest and greatest spell/CA: open your spell book (alt k), click on the middle tab and choose sort. Sort by; category - across. This will align your spells/CAs so that each spell/CA line is grouped next to each other in ascending order. Verify that your best choice is the only one of that line in your hotbar.