LF vanilla/low-custom, pre-renewal, single-client server hosted in North America

[distilled1]

Maybe I'm too old or maybe I missed a server while checking, but can anyone recommend or find a server with the following requirements?

• One client or two running per person rule. Preferably only one client per person.
• Low customized pre-renewal style server. Some minor balancing tweaks to already existing items, monsters, skills, etc are fine. Some additional but not game-breaking NPCs are fine, but limited additional custom quests, no additional maps, no additional monsters, no additional items, no changed BGMs, etc. Want mostly a vanilla experience like how most people remember pre-renewal RO.
• Max base level is 99 and max job level is 50-70.
• Will not go beyond pre-renewal episodes or adapt renewal content into the server.
• Hosted anywhere in North America.
• Anti-cheat. No botting or auto-gameplay mechanics.
• Vanilla-like GRFs only. No soulless GRFs like "greyworld" which remove or replace original RO textures or models.
• Makes an attempt to maintain the spirit of pre-renewal.
• Preferrably no autoloot. Arealoot is acceptable if anything.
• Rates: Prefer low rates but I don't care how high the rates are so long as the other requirements are met.

It's hard to believe there's nothing out there as described.
I tried PayonStories for a while only to discover how far it departed from Vanilla pre-renewal, including custom maps, custom items, custom monsters, odd BGM tracks including what sounds like Sonic the Hedgehog and JRPG music, among many other changes requiring extensive research in order to become familiar.
The closest server I could find which meets all of these requirements is RagnaGoats, and I'll play there for now, but the latency from North America isn't ideal.

I don't even care if it has a cash shop at this point.
I'd gladly pay for VIP or subscription fees to support the server's future funding, even if it also had a cash shop, as long as I can avoid all of these so called "pre-renewal" servers that look and sound like Renewal barfed up all over them, or allow cheating/botting/weird GRF edits.

Thanks.

[griffinv]

If you don't mind a small playerbase, I'd suggest MomoRO. It's a 3x/3x/2x few weeks old server and while it does have a VIP system and a small cash shop, things remain balanced as KP is easily earned through events.
So far it's the best option I found to play at my own pace without extra custom changes other than daily costume quests, daily hunting quests -which I am thankful for- and an endow npc in prontera

[distilled1]

Thanks for the suggestion, griffin.
I did briefly consider MomoRO until discovering that it highly modified many class skills. This server also seems to be prioritizing the Chinese language over the English language as seen in its wiki pages.
Also, it lists the "NyddhogsNest" and "Orcs Memories" instances on its wiki pages. This is post-renewal content I'd rather wasn't included.

I don't mind playing with a smaller population, especially if it's a newer server, but this one is too customized beyond pre-renewal for my liking. The homepage looks very nice, and I'm glad there's only 2 clients allowed.
Not bad.

[iamtatin]

may I suggest you try OmaRO? though it's a low population server

[aavy]

Project Sunshine seems to check all your boxes, even prohibiting GRF edits via gepard: https://www.project-sunshine.net/

[distilled1]

may I suggest you try OmaRO? though it's a low population server

I appreciate suggestions, but this isn't a very good one because OmaRO doesn't even list its rules anywhere.
I checked both on the OmaRO website and on its discord, and in fact there's very little information what so ever, so not only is it impossible to tell if any of my listed requirements apply to this server, except the max base/job level, the little bit of info that was provided are the existence of unusual custom events such as cock fighting and and disguise event.

Also, I should have been more clear from the start, but please don't suggest servers in which the playerbase are overwhelmingly non-English speakers as is evident from OmaRO's discord.

Thanks anyway.

[Nova]

https://ragnaroktimelines.net/?module=main

https://wiki.ragnaroktimelines.net/index.php?title=Main_Page

[hellomynameis]

If you just want to dab a bit into RO casually again and don't mind low population, you can also take a stroll in NiktoutRo (ep8). It has a web browser version, so you won't even need to download.
https://classiccp.niktoutro.com/main/

As far as I can tell:
- Not having rebirth anytime soon
- 2~3 multi-client
- No vip/donation
- Autoloot
- Job changing npc
- Quests for kafra shop headgear
- Lowest card rate is 0.03, lowest gear rate is 0.07
- Level up reward at particular levels
- A starter pack for novice, tied to account
- Small amount of zeny per monster killed
- Relatively vanilla, but some monsters and equipment from different episodes are mashed together
- No WOE

Then there is GodRO (ep5, won't have rebirth) with vip rates and no cash mall. Seems like the server is growing, can't comment much because I haven't tried it yet.

[distilled1]

https://ragnaroktimelines.net/?module=main

https://wiki.ragnaroktimelines.net/index.php?title=Main_Page

Excellent suggestion, Nova.

Despite multi-clienting being allowed in Ragnarok Timelines, it's very restricted, and the devs seem to actually care about single-client players having a great, social experience.
Their multi-client policy is copy pasted below for anyone who is interested.

Spoiler

Multi Client Policy
Timelines has been designed to be as single client-friendly as possible. Bless/agi scrolls, endow NPCs, a wide range of maps for many different class and build types, empowering of additional support archetypes for parties, and additional items, are all available to aid your experience here. Still, we recognize that there are situations where running a dual client is especially helpful.
Dual clienting is allowed within reason, however, engagement of other players must be considered. This will be a judgement by Staff.

Examples of disallowed multiclient behavior
    Forming a party of only your clients on a map which has other parties present
    Using many clients simultaneously to boost leveling speed or to gain access to areas which require a specific number of party members (for example, Thanatos Tower Upper Floors)
    Multiclienting in WoE for in-castle advantage
    Using a client to grief other players during MvPing while attempting to complete the MvP fight on other characters

Examples of allowed multiclient behavior
    Transferring items between your auto trade merchant and your main account
    Using an aco or priest to warp your guild and yourself to a castle during WoE
    Using your own priest to cast bless/gloria during forging or brewing

Note that auto following has been disabled on Timelines. Bypassing this restriction shall be treated as client/packet manipulation and handled accordingly.

[close]

Upsides for oldschool NA players:
-Server location is North East US, and mostly English speakers present.
-Restricted multi-clienting experience.
-No unofficially added items, maps, instances, monsters from what I can tell besides the addition of a Valkyrie card for the officially existing Valkyrie enemy who never had a card to begin with.
-No @autoloot.
-No content beyond Episode 12.1. E X C E L L E N T
-No GRF edits unless approved by GMs.
-Existing rules against cheating and auto-style gameplay.

Concerns:
-No apparent form of server funding from the playerbase to ensure longevity of the server's existence. I'd prefer if there was a VIP service, or cash shop.
-The allowance of multi-clienting, despite restrictions and rules, forces that much more policing necessary by GMs to ensure fair gameplay for single-client players. Takes away time and energy of GMs which could be better spent elsewhere. And if no one is spending time to police it, the rules might as well not exist, and single-client players are going to be extremely disadvantaged.
-Quite a bit of customization to skills, maps, mobs, and items, but at least most of these changes make logical sense and are extremely minimal.
-The playerbase is still small, but the server is still very new with time to grow, only having opened in April 2024.
-Rebirth is permanently disabled - no transcendent classes. I find rebirth skills to be a fun addition, and I would likely miss using those skills a lot.

Overall great suggestions, and I'll likely either play on Ragnarok Timelines or RagnaGoats.
Thanks a lot, everyone!