[DrKvothe]

There seems to be two ideas circling each other in this thread: 1) nothing wrong with self-found gear, you don't need a fucking fungi to have fun, guy, and 2) it's pretty easy to get to the point where you can find/buy your own gear. These ideas aren't contradictory, but they're not the same either. I usually twink over a decent weapon and 5/55 rings to my new characters. Don't get me wrong, I know it's not necessary but I like feeling like a god from 1-10 with a 0.5 or better ratio weapon. I've never done the whole epics/fungi alt thing, but 1k gear can make a huge difference.

That said, some beginner tips: Certain starting locations leave you very vulnerable to early game poverty. I'm not talking about not being able to buy 5/55 rings, I'm talking about not being able to buy bags or early spells. Halflings in particular have it rough.

In general, being evil is considerably more profitable than being good. When faction isn't a problem, your leveling options open up to additional cash camps. Good races can do these camps too, but they need to plan their banking/travel long-term and do a cost/benefit assessment that includes faction hits. Examples include druids, guards, treants, sisters in OoT, etc. You're going to have a much harder time raising cash to pimp out your char in your 30s as a dwarf paladin than you would as a troll SK. Also, evil races tend to have profitable starting areas (minus nektulos, hate that place). Add in that ogres and trolls get ridiculous stats compared to other races, and that iksars and trolls get racial regen bonus (super OP), you're well off choosing an evil race. Exceptions include bards and enchanters, cuz faction spells/songs + illusion spells/masks = OP.

Once you hit lvl 12ish, regardless of your gear, there's no reason for you to be poor anymore if you don't want to be. Erud's crossing if you're not too evil to make the trip a pain in the butt or even just NK, EC, or WC have wisps which drop lightstones (vendor ~1pp) and greater lightstones (quest for ~10pp item). If you're really feeling broke, this is a good way to pad your wallet. On my red druid, I had to make a stop in NK every 5 levels (red lvls so fast omg!).

It doesn't take long before you can find a group that will get you a set of chain/plate armor. Ringmail, blackened iron (black banded look, runnyeye ftw!), bronze, etc. It won't have stats beyond AC, but the truth is that the marginal value of stats like str, dex, etc. in this game are nil until higher levels and higher stat values. 5 str just isn't going to do much for you beyond raising your weight cap.

There is not a class in this game that is too expensive to play from scratch, and dont let anyone tell you otherwise.