Tips For Newbie

Hey,

Just joined the forum but most of all just ordered Guildwars Nightfall which will be delivered to mine tomorrow morning. Cant believe I waited this long to start playing the game but owell.

Anyway, my question was since this is all new to me before I begin playing are there any tips or things I should do or any updates or downloads I should get before I start the campaign of the game.

Thanks alot,

Rowan

Run gw.exe with "-image" [like d:\GW\gw.exe -image] and sit back until everything's downloaded, unpacked. Makes level transitions/loading quite smooth.

Start it without the "-image" afterwards.

Ok so first thing to do, right click the shortcut icon, and change the target to "bla bla -image". Then run the game, let the updates run and download, then once its done delete the -image from the shortcut and start the game?

Is that correct?

Yes,

you can just keep that shortcut and keep it for future (major) updates and create a second one you use for normal play (without the image of course).

Ok, but what is the purpose/function for doing that? And does that mean I have 2 shortcuts, 1 for doing updates on and 1 for playing the game on?

Normaly, when you enter a new zone/area, that you have not been to before, you need to download and unpack files for that area, creating longer load times first time through. The -image loads and unpacks the game fully before you start playing, so you do not have to deal with it once you begin.

Also, be shure to check the traders for prices on runes/materials/dyes before you sell/buy them from other players.

Ok so,

-image makes the game load faster as it loads everything from the shortcut, should I not just use that all the time then?

and dont buy from players until you check the cpu traders first so you dont get scammed lol..

Thanks

Yes, it's not necessary of course since all it does is saving you the seconds you would need to edit your link.

Not the least complicated welcome in these forum but I am trying my best.

Lol, great job

Anyways thanks for the heads up, ill play the game with the -image" command just to be sure so it does save time lol.

Cant wait to play it.. figured even though I got it this late its still a very popular and well rated game Plus GW2 comes out next year so I better get practising :P

Btw, I got the Collectors edition over the basic.. whats the main differences.. it was only like £3 more.

-image is a good idea to get every bit of data in one go, fix some problem, make the lag a bit better, but it will take forever and a half before it finish. Since this is your first go at GW, I would suggest install the game from the disc as normal. Then the game will upload all the data it needs for now, update, bugs fixed etc.

Then play the game for a bit and when you enter a new area it will load the data for that area. This may or may not take long at all, depend on your connection speed.

Also this is your first time in Nightfall there is no need to get all the data form Ch1 & 2 yet. But then again it's your choice. Just remember to delete -image from the short cut when you done.

Oh yeah! welcome to GW

Thanks, should have told you I have 10meg Cable Broadband which is getting upgraded to 20meg next month for free..

Should that be fine?

It doesn't exactly save time, it simply loads and unpacks all the files when you first run Guild Wars, instead of during play time.

The advantages are that you will have quicker load times and less lag when you first start playing. The disadvantage is that you will spend your first hour or two downloading files instead of playing.

Well, the connection has to be stable and offer a good ping. That's more important for your bandwith is more than enough.

Ahhh, I see... well what ill do is install the game and play normal for a while, then when I finally need to take a break, ill change the shortcut, run the game, and let it load all the files.

Also, what is the difference in the collectors edition to basic?

Rowan, once you start playing, I'd suggest that as you start picking up more valuable items, that you always identify them before selling to the merchant. Always keep an ID kit handy for this. In the beginning, it doesn't net you anything, or very little, so I'd wait until you are off the island of Istan.

To see the impact, you can always look at the selling prices at the merchant. ID an item, and watch the item go up in value. It takes a tiny bit of effort, but it will increase your income from "drops" by 20-30%.

Most of the quests on Istan reward you with a Battle Commendation, which you can trade in for ID kits at the Sunspear Great Hall. Quite useful, and saves you some money...

- Grunntar

And when you have the time, do visit wiki:
http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Main_Page

to get all the basic need, information, skill etc for your GW adventure.

Experiment with one of the basic core classes first (Warrior, Ranger, Elementalist, Monk). Not necessary, just a tip for getting your feet wet with the skill system before moving on to try the other classes.

Get used to visiting GuildWiki. Lots of tips for new players there.

Pay attention to what skills your enemies are using.

On the -image thing, understand that it will delay your initial login by quite a while depending on your connection speed. If you want to login right when you get the game, go right ahead. The client will download stuff in the background while you go through character creation and the tutorial stuff at the very beginning. -image downloads and unpacks areas that you won't be seeing for a while, so I'd run it when you have something better to do.

Thanks for the tip

Don't join a guild just because it asks you for it or spams you with invites. Ignore people who believe you should play as they want to. GW has become a game where veteran players are so specialized that anything non-regular offends their limited mindset. Experiment as advised here, have patience with quests/missions, game elements which might frustrate you as a beginner (should not happen though).

As you progress through the island of Istan, especially down towards Mehteni Keys, explore thoroughly and keep your eyes open for Treasure Chests or Hidden Treaures. Free money and purple items! Once you cross onto the mainland, the Hidden treasures usually produce gold items or even jewels (I've had two rubies) and of course the money goes up the further you go in the game.

Note these are different from the normal chests and don't require keys.

You'll find the GuildWiki an invaluable source of information although there is a new, official Wiki starting up as well.