When can you start playing co-op?

Simon Tailby

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2007

Northants, United Kingdom

Mo/E

Hi folks,

Me and a friend have just decided to try the whole RPG experience by buying GW Prophecies to play together online.

However, at what point in the game can we actually play together on screen?

The reason I ask, is that i've read the beginners guide 'Road to level 10' on this site (which is very good) which talks about training etc in Pre-Searing Ascalon and so on. However, it doesn't mention whether these stages are something you complete 'single player' as it were, before going somewhere else to hook up and play co-op with others, or whether you complete those early stages along with other new players.

Thanks for your help with this, and my apologies if this has been previously posted and I was unable to find it.

Cheers,

Simon

Etta

Etta

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jun 2006

Mancland, British Empire

You can start teaming up as soon as you're in, BUT the maximum party size in pre-searing is 2. When you move to post the size will be 4, then later on 6 and finally 8.

And make sure you guys are in the same district, up on the top left corner of the screen you'll see what district you're in. If it's different, just click on it and pick the same district.

Simon Tailby

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2007

Northants, United Kingdom

Mo/E

Cheers fella, much appreciated.

That's a result that we can go through the 'learning' process together.

Simon

Yanman.be

Yanman.be

Banned

Join Date: Dec 2005

Belgium

[ROSE]

A/

You've probably seen other players in towns haven't you? If you're in the same district, you should be able to see your friend too. Simply click his name, and hit the green + button on the party window. If your friend accepts, you can party now and go outside and own some mobs!

Simon Tailby

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2007

Northants, United Kingdom

Mo/E

Thanks mate.

I've not actually done anything as yet. I've loaded the game and got to the point of creating a character but no more. I'm now waiting for my mate to get his game and then we'll go from there.

Cheers for the info though, at least i'll know what to do once were in.

Simon

Kook~NBK~

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Mar 2005

A little chalet outside Drok's

Natural Born Killaz

Welcome to GW! Hope you and your friend enjoy the game.

Don't sell any Dyes you get until you talk to a dye trader to find out what they're really worth. (it's much more than the 1g that the merchant will give you for it.)

Simon Tailby

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2007

Northants, United Kingdom

Mo/E

Thanks mate. I hope we do too.

Dye? As in, to colour things with?
Cheers for the tip.

Simon

Sofonisba

Sofonisba

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jun 2005

Tucson, AZ

The Black Hand Gang [BHG] and The Black Helm Gang [BHeG]

Dye is used to color your armor, weapons, etc. Hoard them until you come to a dye trader in post-searing (if you read the guide, you may remember reading about that). I'm not sure what the prices are recently, but black dye is probably selling anywhere from 6-8k gold at the trader. Do not, under any circumstances, sell to another player or to the merchant until you know what the dye is worth. (There will be many scammers! but many nice people too.)

You guys have fun! Remember to do ALL the profession quests before choosing a secondary class, and all the quests you can before going through the academy. It's best to have 1k in gold and be level 8-10 before progressing (on your first char through). You'll need to buy armor immediately after reaching post, and also purchase access to your (account-wide) storage. Good to have a little cushion there.

October Jade

October Jade

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2005

drifting between Indiana and NorCal

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sofonisba
It's best to have 1k in gold and be level 8-10 before progressing (on your first char through).
I disagree to a small extent; level 7 should be amply sufficient. For someone who is unfamiliar with the game, level 10 could be impossible to reach. Most veterans of Prophecies prefer to hold off on accepting quest rewards until 9+, but for new players it makes little sense to do so. They're in pre-searing to learn the basics, not maximize their xp grinding.

Also, it takes between 3.5 and 4 hours just to advance from level 8 to level 9 from the Golems in Wizard's Folly, and that's solo. The OP playing with a friend could expect to spend much longer than that since the xp is halved. Farming 'Charr at the Gate' is quicker but more tedious, and the drop rate is terrible.

To me, a player on his/her first character is served much better by moving on with the storyline. It would be sad to lose two new players because they burned out on the grind of pre-searing. That particular aspect is not very indicative at all of the game that lies ahead.

Toutatis

Toutatis

Walking Wiki

Join Date: Nov 2006

Isle of Medication

Visitors from Aranna [VFA]

Me/E

Welcome to GW!

I would suggest taking a look at this site as well: http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Main_Page

Pretty much everything you will ever need to know about the game is there, with sections for first-time players and common scams to watch out for. If you'd like some in-game assistance or advice, feel free to add me to your in-game buddy list

Sofonisba

Sofonisba

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jun 2005

Tucson, AZ

The Black Hand Gang [BHG] and The Black Helm Gang [BHeG]

Quote:
Originally Posted by October Jade
I disagree to a small extent; level 7 should be amply sufficient. For someone who is unfamiliar with the game, level 10 could be impossible to reach. Most veterans of Prophecies prefer to hold off on accepting quest rewards until 9+, but for new players it makes little sense to do so. They're in pre-searing to learn the basics, not maximize their xp grinding.

Also, it takes between 3.5 and 4 hours just to advance from level 8 to level 9 from the Golems in Wizard's Folly, and that's solo. The OP playing with a friend could expect to spend much longer than that since the xp is halved. Farming 'Charr at the Gate' is quicker but more tedious, and the drop rate is terrible.

To me, a player on his/her first character is served much better by moving on with the storyline. It would be sad to lose two new players because they burned out on the grind of pre-searing. That particular aspect is not very indicative at all of the game that lies ahead.
Well, OP and ^^Jade, everyone has different playstyles.

I spent forever in pre on my first char, I was having the time of my life not even knowing what was coming next.

Then again, I've also been playing 2 years straight, and haven't gotten bored yet while some folks burn out after a couple weeks. So, meh, c'est la vie.

I guess a better way of putting it would be, don't be too hasty to move forward. Take your time, there's no rush.

Every time i lag

Every time i lag

Banned

Join Date: Jan 2007

Belgium

Murder Death Sadists Of Doom [MDSD]

E/Me

i thought i finished game at end of pre searing xD
(same at yaks bend) lol

cosyfiep

cosyfiep

are we there yet?

Join Date: Dec 2005

in a land far far away

guild? I am supposed to have a guild?

Rt/

my hubby and I started together in pre sear almost 2 years ago....it was fun to have someone I knew playing with me (he had another character he had started with his brother but they were no longer in pre)...ah the memories.....

you will have a blast!

Simon Tailby

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2007

Northants, United Kingdom

Mo/E

Hi everyone,

Just to say thanks for all your replies and advice.

Up until now I have only ever played FPS games really, and this purchase came about after playing Neverwinter Nights at a friends house. Many web sessions later finding out about RPG, hey presto i've bought GW and to be honest I can't wait to play.

I'd been warned that with many online games like this, there is a danger of having to put up with many a youth giving me stick for being a new player, particularly as i'm a relatively 'mature' one at the ripe old age of 35.

However, so far this site has happily proven this to be far from true, and I hope i'll bump into some of you in game some time.

In fact, look for me, i'll be easy to spot. I'll be the Monk/Ranger or possibly Monk/Elementalist trying to look like they know what they are doing, when quite obviously they don't!

Thanks again,

Simon

Etta

Etta

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jun 2006

Mancland, British Empire

You will run into a.....(trying to fine a polite word for A-hole) not so nice person in any online games, FPS-Online Poker. When you do just be a bigger man, and ignore them. Hit "N" and you'll see friend list and idiot list (ignore).

Also don't worry about being....mature, I'm in my late 20, and a lot of people in my guild are 30+, some even 40+. Just let that kid inside you come out and have fun.

Oh and please do visit wiki :
http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Main_Page

For all your info, from missions, weapons, armors to a list of in game scams.
Have fun.

Sun Fired Blank

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Apr 2007

If I gave you one bit of advice, clear every skill quest in Prophecies, and be smart about how you clear them. Prophecies is a unique campaign in that you receive a much larger number of skills from quests, which saves you from having to purchase them. Consequently, don't purchase anything that you can't obtain from a skill quest in Prophecies or from the core profession changer. With that in mind, you should pretty much never complete the quest Helping the Dwarves (just take the quest and abandon it), and make sure that you pick up a secondary profession quickly, because that not only lets you do skill quests related to that secondary profession, but it makes "generic" skill quests more rewarding. Other than that, the game's not terribly complicated. Good luck.

Melei Hawke

Melei Hawke

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Apr 2007

SoF

R/Mo

Welcome to the wonderful world of guild wars! There was a lot of good advice above and you will find lots of nice people in the game. Not everyone in the game is a kid, lots of adults play here too. In my guild I have two grandmas, a grandpa and there are two different families that have 3 generations playing. Just beware because there are lots of scammers and jerks out there waiting to take advantage of people. Use common sense, read the sites, don't sell your dyes to people who want to pay you 50 gold or to the merchant for 1 gold. Be careful when you trade, buy or sell with strangers, double check everything in the trade window before you hit accept.

Enjoy pre-sear which is where you start out. Explore and try out the different professions, they are all good and there are many primary/secondary combos that are fun to play. Guild Wars is a big game, there is a lot left after you leave pre. Don't be afraid to watch the cut scene clips if you have not seen them before, people get impatient but they sometimes explain the mission a bit or advance the story line.

I am in game quite a bit and if you say hello and let me know where you got my name, I will be happy to answer any questions that I can.

Most important...have fun! This is a great game!

October Jade

October Jade

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2005

drifting between Indiana and NorCal

Another thing to keep in mind...

Pressing the ` key opens the chat menu, allowing you to filter out certain forms of communication. Most people use it to ignore the local spam while in town. I only bring this up because over the last six months or so, pre-searing (at least on the American server) has become a gathering place for the the most immature members of GW society. Lots of spoiled, angry children making crude anatomical comments and uninformed innuendo.

Take solace in knowing that most of the community isn't like that. It's just something to be endured for the length of the tutorial area.

visitor

visitor

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Apr 2006

Kronos HQ

W/

Oh and dont forget under 15 does not equal immature in all cases. In most , yes but in some, no.

tijo

tijo

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Feb 2007

Montreal

[CDDR]

R/

You will run into the immature part of the comunity eventually, but you'll aslo run into nice people who will answer questions you might have, prevent your from getting scammed and other such things.

Also welcome to GW, as stated previously, the wiki is your friend. If you computer is your friend, the in game access to the official wiki (access by pressing F10) will also be a very good friend, it'll keep track of skills and areas you encountered recently if you have any questions about those, just follow the links and they will redirect you directly to the right page on the wiki. Just note that at the moment the official wiki isn't as complete as the unofficial wiki to which people in this thread directed yout to.

I Might Avenge U

I Might Avenge U

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Dec 2005

California

R/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sofonisba
It's best to have 1k in gold and be level 8-10 before progressing (on your first char through). You'll need to buy armor immediately after reaching post, and also purchase access to your (account-wide) storage.
If it's your FIRST character, I guess that's be ok, but like Jade said, don't get over-obsessed with getting that high level. Believe it or not, you level SUPER fast in post-sear. On my new Ranger (4th I plan to make lvl 20) I just got to level 12 or 13, and I'm only on mission 6 of like 25. Then again, I left Pre at level 3...

Just have fun in Pre, and enjoy the scenery, cause you might never see it again... In the game of course... Unless you live in Arizona (US)

Don't worry too much about gold on your first play through either. Just pick up Everything and sell to merchant. Unless it's gold, a dye, or other things that that you can recognize as "good". That just comes with experience.

You might want to go into your Class's forum, and formulate a build with some of the other Guild Gurians(?)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Simon Tailby
I'd been warned that with many online games like this, there is a danger of having to put up with many a youth giving me stick for being a new player, particularly as i'm a relatively 'mature' one at the ripe old age of 35.
Yea... You get plenty of "demanding" people, that look at certain classes to have a specific "role" in the game. E.g. A Ranger is the Interrupter..

Not true, or Warriors are ALWAYS tanks, so they will get mad at you if you do anything that takes away from that role. So just play the game, and you will get experienced enough to figure out the interface, aggro, farming, pulling, etc..

Mind telling us your profession? We could help you to learn the class better.

Quote:
Originally Posted by visitor
Oh and dont forget under 15 does not equal immature in all cases. In most , yes but in some, no.
QFT, 14 here. 15 in September . Summer's in a few weeks, and that's when I really get to PLAY. I may be young, but I'm not immature. Not too much.. At least I have common sense...

*I like to use Ellipsis *

cosyfiep

cosyfiep

are we there yet?

Join Date: Dec 2005

in a land far far away

guild? I am supposed to have a guild?

Rt/

maturity has very little to do with linear age.....I have met lots of people older than I am (at 41) who act worse than my 12 year old nephew!

Get a 'thick skin' about it....or just ignore them. After you have played a bit you wont need to worry about looking new....and we at guru are always here to help out from answering questions to filling you in on the 'scoop' to keeping you away from scammers and everything inbetween.

Enjoy the game!

Simon Tailby

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2007

Northants, United Kingdom

Mo/E

Once again folks, thanks a bunch for all the replies.

I hope I have not offended any age group with my comments, I just want to enjoy playing with others that will tolerate me learning as I go.

I am waiting for my mates game to arrive in the post - should be mid next week - before I play, however I have decided after much reading to play a Monk and either an Elementalist or Ranger as a secondary.

When i've decided for definite, i'm going to try and 'build' my own character by using the details of each skill on the forum as a guide. Then i'm going to dive in and try and learn/fine tune the character as I go along.

Having read loads of people's ideas about how to 'build' a character, it strikes me that half the fun is making your own and learning from your mistakes. That said, I might be changing my view on that once i've played a bit...

Thanks again,

Simon