DrKvothe's Guide to Your First Character

[Splorf22]

Originally Posted by DrKvothe [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

When I get the time, I'll play an untwinked ranger, farm mad cash from the newbie zone, buy some sick dps gear from EC, and write a 1-30 guide about it.

At 30 your ranger is a) pulling with harmony like a god in Mistmoore or Unrest b) doing very solid damage for his level with his 16/24 100p silver swiftblade c) tanking just fine against L25 mobs that die in 20 seconds to his overgeared group.

At 55 your ranger a) can't use harmony in any major dungeon b) does way less damage than all the epic monks/rogues c) can't tank at all with low defense/hp/AC.

Originally Posted by Tecmos

But those "soloist" classes are the foundation of everything that is right and good in the game. That's why they get reccomended. Yes they are good soloers, but they are also good in groups.

The only differences between a good solo class and a good small group classes are a) the kiting classes take a hit and b) the pure melee get better with a healer.

[DrKvothe]

Originally Posted by Splorf22 [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

At 30 your ranger is a) pulling with harmony like a god in Mistmoore or Unrest b) doing very solid damage for his level with his 16/24 100p silver swiftblade c) tanking just fine against L25 mobs that die in 20 seconds to his overgeared group.

At 55 your ranger a) can't use harmony in any major dungeon b) does way less damage than all the epic monks/rogues c) can't tank at all with low defense/hp/AC.

This is exactly the description I think is missing. Too often new players just get the second paragraph of that, but the first is also important. Does that sound just flat out awesome to anyone else? What a fun way to be introduced to the game! Sounds a lot more fun that root/rotting solo or buffing/offhealing on a shm. Why worry new players with content they won't get to for several months (if ever) anyways?

[Lyra]

Originally Posted by Tecmos Deception [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

I ran into a BIG issue very early. I mean, I love the idea of a guide intended for new players (especially one written BY a new player), but the "play a character to make money so that you can make the character you really want" is almost certainly bad advice.

It takes so much time in p99 to level up, to get gear, to make money, to do ANYTHING really, that you really should be playing whatever it is that you have fun with rather than doing something that is strictly a grind to try to do something else that's fun 3 months down the line. Etc.

I leveled druid first, she's 51. Then leveled a cleric. She's 57. It was a great strategy for me. I'm still playing after 8 months, unlike so so many that have quit.

[webrunner5]

Originally Posted by Lyra [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

I leveled druid first, she's 51. Then leveled a cleric. She's 57. It was a great strategy for me. I'm still playing after 8 months, unlike so so many that have quit.

I must admit I NEVER have crap for plat till I leveled up my Druid. But I am sort of a alt whore!! [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

[Laugher]

Step 1: as a nub: make druid, get to at least 39 for full portage options, 49 for optional buffage for donations
Step 2: port/buff until rich and/or well off
Step 3: make the class you actually want to play; give away a couple buffs and ports for free because you're now 99 ingame bourgeoisie

[You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

(Unless you want to be a druid, in which case just gear out and keep on winning.)

[Vexenu]

I think it's good advice for people who are totally new to the server and not dead set on playing a specific class. It's easy for veteran players to forget how difficult it is to start up from nothing.

[DrKvothe]

I'm very appreciative of all the responses so far. Ephirith, to address the claims about erudite necro, I will explain my logic in a section at the bottom of the original post. I will recognize that erudite is non-negligibly weaker than iksar but defend the choice.

As for monk vs ranger, I agree that monks are significantly more powerful than rangers in terms of raw dps, and at mid to high levels mend and FD are extremely powerful. For new players, however, I think it makes a big difference that monks need to be weight conscious in order to keep their AC up. Rangers would definitely be at the bottom of the list, but their gear is just so cheap. You can get to some really solid dps for the kind of money any newb can scrounge up. I imagine that track also helps new players a lot more than experienced ones.

The argument you've made for shaman is pretty compelling, but i find the stretch from 14-24 to be particularly important for new players. You've moved out of the newbie zone and the adjacent lowbie zone and into the real world. That's not a good time to be poor AND underpowered. I made it through by purchasing a goblin parrying spear for 100pp (6/19, compare that to the similarly priced 16/24 ranger weapon I mentioned earlier) and killing tons of green gnolls for their fangs. Seriously, I did it until 24.

Poor soloer seems a bad argument against a class, considering how easy it is to find a duo partner, and considering how much more effective duoing is, often even for competetent soloists.

Tecmos, I think many people end up abandoning their first character. This guide is really to help people start classes that will best let them gain knowledge about the game in general. It's hard enough learning how to play some classes when you've got the gear, know the leveling spots, and have friends that can assist you when you need it.

[Pint]

I like that sks and warriors are expected to tank well but paladins don't have to hehe

[DrKvothe]

I will clarify at the top that any class can be played through from beginning to end. I just think that a lot of new players are pointed to the most powerful mid to endgame classes instead of to the most newb-friendly classes.

[Hastley]

Why would you make a guide when you have no clue about most things? Terrible guide