Girlfriend Going to Try P1999 - Thoughts on a Class?

[Obwin]

Had to make an account here to post on this thread (stalker status until now). I play on EQ for Mac but wanted to throw my two cents in. Please post and update after she starts playing. I am also trying to get my GF to start playing. Until now she has been content to hang out in the same room and watch/TV, read etc. while I play. She is moving away for 1 year to do a work contract and she suggested she learn to play EQ so we can play together while she's away.

My GF is not the gamer type. Although, being younger than me she played a ton of Pokemon as a kid, haha.

I was trying to figure out the best way to introduce her as well. I don't think anyone particularly likes being told l2p but my girlfriend would also be sensitive to this since she's not use to pent up nerd rage online. I would warn her in advance or just make sure she is aware it could happen if she chooses a class that could end up being main healer, CC or puller. I really don't think anyone should play a puller as their first char unless they are really dedicated to learning outside the game, memorizing maps, spawns timers etc.

My two cents would be to not twink out too much but enough to make it so you aren't dying because you missed 1000 times in a row trying to kill a rat but not so much that it is not challenging early. I would also start a new character that duos well with whatever she chooses well (you know you aren't going to quit out of frustration) and you can always switch back to your "main" when she reaches your mains level. For God's sake let her CHOOSE what she wants to play, don't try to persuade her or she will never let you hear the end of it when you are level 30 and she wasted all that time only to re-roll what she wanted in the first place (or quit). I did this to my brother when he first started EQ and he rage quit because I strongly suggested he play a char that duo'd well with me, instead of a bard like he wanted. Eventually found out he had secretly made a bard on a different sever and was loving it. Give her all the info but you can only loose if you TELL her what to play.

I think getting to level 5 (or 4 if she chooses an int caster) is probably a good idea. Nothing sucks worth than a mage before a pet or wizard before root etc.

In general certain guys and a lot of girls like feeling helpful and needed. This lends them to buffing, healing and utility classes (I'm included in this group). If you want to nudge her to a shaman I would make her aware they get wolf pets eventually. This might keep her motivated to level. FWIW I played an enchanter EQPC 1999-2003 and while it is hard, it is a class that keeps very busy and people will LOVE you. Feeling needed and having online friends are what keep people coming back. The learning curve is pretty steep but on p1999 leveling is slow enough I'm sure anyone with half a brain can handle it.

Let me know how it goes and good luck! Any tips you discover after she starts are appreciated on my end.

[Danyelle]

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

Basically you want to avoid a class where she'll be likely to mess up and wind up with a lot of people yelling at her, because that'll drive her out of the game in a hurry. The issue isn't her gender, but her being a newbie. The romantic might debate the ethics of yelling at people for mistakes in a video game, but the pragmatic player accepts that it'll happen and plans accordingly. In the unlikely event she grows into liking this game and wants to branch out, that's when it's time to start experimenting with more advanced classes and strategies.

While this may be true...don't push her into doing one particular class out of fear.


Tbh, here's what I would do (Note: this assumes you live with, or near, her). Load up the game. Sit her ass down in the chair. Click the "Create New Character" button. Cycle through all the races and classes (avoid Vah Shir and Froglok, Beastlord and Berserker. As, if she takes a liking to one, you'll have to explain to her how we're on a dogmatic-Classic server and Space Cats+ is an evil sin created by Satan to destroy video games and pixels. This will be over whelming for her on her first day so don't even click those buttons). Read every class/race description with her. Then tell her simply "You're in a fantasy world now. You can do and be whatever you wanna be. Pick what seems interesting and that you think will make you happy and let me know."

Once she makes a selection, regardless of what it is (ensure though she understands class/race restriction. What races can be what class etc) walk her through the creation process. Let her select her name. If it's rejected, cycle to a new one. Then enter the world.

DO NOT log in your character yet. Sit beside her. Walk her through her first few levels right by her side. Explain the spells, discs, skills, npcs, basic functions, UI functions. Literally everything there is to know about the game. Go slow. Unless she has MMO experience (not gaming in general, but MMO) you're gonna have to basically explain it like you would to a child. But don't make it sound that way, makes you look rude. Once you think she gets it you'll be able to tell if she is having fun or not. If she is enjoying herself load in your character and start playing with her. At this point, if she didn't pick the same class as you or a class you have experience with, you can find someone who does to give her some pointers (don't be a jealous ass about it either. It's the internet. Guys will hit on her. Live with it and move on).


Last but not least, you may want to reroll your toon. I know it seems annoying, especially on a Classic server where stuff is hard to get, but hear me out. It's better for you, a person who already knows you enjoy, and even love, this game, to be forced to make a class/race selection based on HER choice. Than for her, a person who has no idea what this game is about or if she'll enjoy it, to have to pick from a limited spectrum of classes/races just because you want it to compliment YOUR pre-existing character.

From there, enjoy EQ.

[finalgrunt]

Make her play WoW maybe. EQ isn't much forgiving, and if she isn't a hardcore gamer, the grind might put her off.

On a more serious note, druid might better. Gives sow, wolf form & snare / tp (she'll feel freer this way), will enjoy having an easier role (buffing & healing).

Once she get used to the game, maybe she'll want to try an alt of some sort. Only then you can help her with trying new style until you find what she really likes/wants.

[Arclanz]

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

...On the other hand, if she is COMPLETELY new to games, you should probably give her one of the melee classes...

/agree. I know two women who played EQ as their first game and they played a warrior and monk, respectively, and got hooked. I think more involved classes would overwhelm people new to gaming.

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

...my girlfriend wanted to play ..I convinced her to play a monk... .One morning...she was in tears because she was trying to pull something hard and her group was giving her a bunch of shit. She never played again...

Excellent point. That Monk I mentioned left our guild in frustration over a similar situation (but I convinced her to come back within the hour).

Have her play a wood elf warrior or ranger. You play the support class; she will feel more heroic being out in front with you helping her from behind (no pun intended)

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

Everyone should be doing this, girlfriend or boyfriend, dating or not, stranger or long time friend.

It's a fucking game. We're here to enjoy ourselves not make other people feel like shit because they don't take pixels as seriously as we may.

/swoon Dany

OP don't twink your GF, she won't understand it; don't PL her. start a new toon and play and die with her along the way. Instruct her to inform others she groups with that her BF just got her into the game and she is new to it. As long as people know someone is new, they are generally very forgiving and helpful (or will at worst leave the group because "something came up.")

Dany's last post, above, is solid advice. Do that :P

[Danyelle]

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

OP don't twink your GF, she won't understand it; don't PL her. start a new toon and play and die with her along the way. Instruct her to inform others she groups with that her BF just got her into the game and she is new to it. As long as you tell them she is female people won't give two fucks what she does while in group (just don't look at her tell window, for your own good.)

Fixed that for you.


But seriously. I would recommend leveling with her. And people WILL be nicer about it if they know a person is new. Especially at lower levels. Though like I said, people should be that way anyway.

[Safon]

Where do all you people find girls who would even consider playing this game. It always amazes me how many people claim to have girlfriends who play or are getting into the game. Something always smelled a bit fishy with the whole thing...

I have some theories as to explanations, but they are mean so I will hold my tongue

[Danyelle]

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

Where do all you people find girls who would even consider playing this game. It always amazes me how many people claim to have girlfriends who play or are getting into the game. Something always smelled a bit fishy with the whole thing...

I have some theories as to explanations, but they are mean so I will hold my tongue

People usually are attracted to others who share similar interests or states of mind etc. There ARE actually women out there that do things like browse the internet or play games. And not all are the attention whoring "lol look at me playing call of duty I'm such a nerd XDXDXDXD don't hit on me silly boys" people like Tralina. Only idiots actually believe that whole "no women on the internet" shit is true.

[Lagaidh]

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

Make her play a druid, so she can transform herself into a super cute wolf <3 Most importantly, its a class that benefits from twinking (a bit), and at the same time has complete solo capabilities!

On the other hand, if she is COMPLETELY new to games, you should probably give her one of the melee classes. Because spell casting can be arduous (not hard necessarily) for a completely new player. Monks, rogues and the like are a decent bet.

I disagree. I think the which-is-easier-to-a-new-player question depends solely on that person. My wife was a natural caster. Tried shaman, druid then settle on cleric in live. Here she plays a druid and misses her cleric a little.

I remember my buddies trying to get me to play and they asked me what sorts of characters I liked in video games. I said "a fighter that can heal a little". A few more questions later and they steered me towards a paladin. I chose dwarf because they are obviously awesome and that's been my EQ main forever more.

I think the key is to try and figure out some questions for the girlfriend that will translate to gameplay. This isn't trivial, but I believe it gets the best result. Just some shots in the dark:
- Do you prefer to be in point blank range to your enemies?
- Do you prefer self sufficiency to teamwork?
- Are you interested in rocking a beard, but still having boobs?

You get the idea. Map those questions to something she can try. It's no giant investment really, so if she doesn't like that particular class, refine the questions and try again. Should only take a few play sessions to find a class that "speaks" to her.

[Lagaidh]

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

Yes.

I have too! And she even married me later.

That is what we call "a keeper".

[quido]

I tried to get a non-gamer ex-girlfriend into Counterstrike years ago. I found it was really helpful when I could associate stuff in the game with stuff with which she was familiar. For example, when I wrote her a noob guide for getting familiar with the weapons, I associated each pistol with a character from Saved By The Bell - this really helped her! Maybe you should adopt a similar approach and tie it to whatever dumb shit she's into, whether it's Jersey Shore or Sex in the City or Gilmore Girls or what have you.