As the readers may recall, Sony Online Entertainment updated EverQuest 2 with patch #44 just the other day. Now, if you happen to have just logged into the game and are wondering what's new to Norrath, here's a heads-up.

The devs have released a list of patch #44's updates, which range from tweaked combat mechanics to minor UI fixes. Here are among the changes included in the official notes:

• Highlights:
• The Shard of Hate is now open for high level raid groups willing to try their mettle against the Maestro. The influx of hatred into the world is affecting many throughout Norrath with increased hostility clearly evident.
• You can now choose to show off your equipped bow by displaying it in place of your melee weapons.
• Two new armored wargs have been discovered. Potential owners should look for the new beasts in Kunark.
• Gameplay
• Entrances to the Shard of Hate have been activated in Neriak and Nektulos Forest.
• Not to be outdone by their Qeynosian counterparts, the Coalition of Tradesfolke in West Freeport have refurbished their headquarters to provide more convenient facilities for crafters.
• You can now choose to display your equipped bow instead of your melee weapons by going to Persona->Options and checking Display Ranged Weapon.
• The Village of Shin's monk challenges will now scale to provide experience for players above level 70.
• Several avatar encounters have been rebalanced to provide a better play experience for players.
• Looting
• Raid Leaders can now create designated raid looters by right-clicking their names in the raid window and choosing add/remove looter.
• Designated raid looters are able to assign loot as if they were a raid leader when the group loot method is set to "Leader Only".
• It's now easier for the group leader to loot an item with the Leader Only loot method.
  

As we stated earlier - that's just a partial list of that changes that update #44 carries over into EverQuest 2. The rest of the change notes are available at the EQ2 site, via the source link below.