Race Unlock Guide — Dark Elf Priority
How to unlock Dark Elf and other races via faction achievements. Data from Alanna's Race Unlock Guide on eqlwiki.com.
🎯 Your Goal
Both characters want to switch to Dark Elf as soon as possible. Dark Elf gives Ultravision (see in darkness), Hide (sneak while standing still), and excellent hybrid stats: STR 60, STA 65, AGI 90, DEX 75, WIS 83, INT 99, CHA 60 — the best INT for Enchanter/Necro/Wizard while still having solid WIS for Cleric/Paladin.
How Race Unlocking Works
Races are unlocked via achievements in the "Races" subsection of "Untapped Potential" (EverQuest > Progression menu).
- Each unlockable race needs +2000 personal faction with 3 specific factions
- Faction starts at 0 and goes to +2000 — no negatives
- Minimum +5 faction per action guaranteed
- Race Unlock Tokens (FAQ mentions L50 reward) are not yet implemented — faction grinding is the only method
- Starting as a race auto-grants its achievement
- Change race via the Loadout system once unlocked
Dark Elf Unlock — Step by Step
Achievement: "Race Unlock - Dark Elf"
Required Factions (+2000 each)
| Faction | Wine Method | Book Method |
|---|---|---|
| Dreadguard Inner | Red Wine +5 | Book +5 |
| Dreadguard Outer | Red Wine +5 | Book +5 |
| Dark Bargainers | Red Wine +10 | Book +5 |
Method: Bottle of Red Wine (Cheap, Recommended)
- Buy 400 Bottles of Red Wine — cheap from any vendor (Swin Blackeye in East Freeport, or Neriak merchants)
- Travel to Neriak Third Gate
- Find Lokar To'Biath. If KoS, use Sneak (behind him), Feign Death, or Invisibility (cast invis after opening trade window)
- Trade wines 4 at a time. Each gives: Dreadguard Inner +5, Dreadguard Outer +5, Dark Bargainers +10
- 400 wines = all 3 factions capped. Dark Bargainers caps at 200
- Achievement unlocks — change to Dark Elf via Loadout UI
Starting Race Recommendations
| Character | Start As | Why |
|---|---|---|
| David (Bard) | Half-Elf | 90 starting CHA — best for Bard songs and Enchanter charm tick checks. Then unlock Dark Elf and switch. |
| Christy (Cleric) | Human (Freeport) | 75 all stats, balanced. Freeport start = closest to Neriak for the wine turn-in. Then unlock Dark Elf and switch. |
💡 Faction Tricks for Non-Dark Elves
Enchanter Alliance spell (+100 temp faction), Bard faction song, or simply Sneak behind Lokar — he'll con Indifferent while you trade. Cost is only a few platinum for the wine.