New Player - Learning the game and looking for some help

Stomphoof

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Apr 2007

Orlando Fl

So I have all 3 games, but have never actually sat down and PLAYED them. I read the thread about "Which game should a new player get" and a few others, but have my own set of questions and I was hoping I could get some answers here:

1) If I am starting out in Prophecies and want to solo, would a Warrior be decent? Or should I go for something range oriented like a Ranger or Elementalist? Or even a Necromancer given the amount of dudes I can make?

2) If I own Nightfall are there any heroes that I can access in Prophecies? If so, who and when?

3) How the hell does upgrading weapons/armor freakin work?! I am so lost with that!

Thanks in advance. I tend to solo mostly so if you guys have any suggestions on what class would solo well that would be helpful as well!

bsoltan

bsoltan

Site Contributor

Join Date: Dec 2005

UK

[SoF]

Well, welcome back to the game!

1) When you mean 'solo' do you mean with just yourself in a party? Or with the NPCs, and just no other human players? Guild Wars is designed to be played as a team and as such the majority of the game requires you to be in a team.
Yes there are solo builds but these are designed around specific areas and for a specific purpose (farming).

2) No heroes are accessible in prophecies, not directly. You will have to travel to Kamadan in the Nightafll campaign in order to obtain heroes. Olias is a Prophecies hero however the quest to obtain him is picked up in Kamadan. You can access Kamadan when you reach Lions Arch, even if you just pop there to get some heroes then come back to carry on with Prophecies.

3) You don't upgrade weapons and armour, you simply aquire better weapons and armour. Armor can be bought from armor traders, or obtained from collectors, there is no other way to get it. In different outposts as you progress through the game different armour will be available, max level armour is designed to be available when you reach level 20 (max level)
As for weapons, these you have to look out for from drops while playing, visiting a collector, waiting for end-game rewards, or in Factions/Nightfall they could be crafted at different places. There is a set max damage for all weapons, after that they can be modified using various addons that differ per weapon, these addons can be found from weapons that drop while exploring, salvaged and applied to other weapons.

When you first start out there isn't much point worrying about weapons, just use what you find and by the end of the campaign you'll have a better understanding of what to use and look out for. As for armour, if you can buy the best available set to you as it will help trying to survive.

As I mention, the game isn't 'soloable'. You can pick any profession you fancy and play through with henchmen until heroes become available in Nightfall. The most important thing is to pick a profession you're going to have fun playing.

Hope that helps a bit, good luck and have fun!

Stomphoof

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Apr 2007

Orlando Fl

Well I mean solo in the sense that I am the human player. I know I need a team in general, but I like being in control.

Thanks for the answers!

Darcy

Darcy

Never Too Old

Join Date: Jul 2006

Rhode Island where there are no GW contests

Order of First

W/R

Any profession can play the game with just hero/henchman parties although there are a few missions that are extremely difficult without another real player. No profession can play the game as the sole member of a party.

That said, try out the different professions until you find the one you like best. You will be together a long time, so enjoyment is your goal. The sub forums in our Campfire section will give you information on each profession in a stickied "basics" thread. The wiki http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Main_Page can also answer questions about armor and weapon modifications (the wiki is also available in-game via F10 or help on the menu).

Oman Hunter

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Oct 2010

R/

as for 3)

:weapons When you have a max dmg weapon (q9) weapon you can upgrade it with 3 mods: 1 inscription and 2 mods
the inscripion mostly upgrades DMG/energy
the prefix mod upgrades your damage type/adds vampiric etc.
the suffix mod upgrades you health/armor etc.

Weapons
Inscriptions
Upgrades

:Armor when you have max armor you can upgrade it with 2 things a rune and a insignia.

Runes Upgrade your health/energy/attributes, etc.
Insignias upgrade your armor/health/energy, etc. ( but less health etc. then runes)
Armor
Armor_bonus

Roen

Roen

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jun 2010

GMT-5

[Nite]

R/

1) I solo mostly. I play a Ranger mostly. Works fine for NM. Later on in HM it's not as effective. If I were starting over knowing what I know now, I'd go with a Rit or Mes primary. But I don't like melee. Lots of people love warriors and assassins. They're just not my thing. You can complete the game with pretty much any class so just play what you like.

2) There are no heroes in Prophecies. Play thru NF first. Then bring your heroes with you. You can't go to pre-searing Ascalon without starting there, though. And it's thus far my favorite place in-game. YMMV.

3) Get a max damage weapon with as low a requirement as you can (r9 seems to be what most people look for) just because it gives you flexibility in builds and what you spec into each attribute. Each weapon gets two mods (three if including inscribable weapons). Take bows for instance: You can get bowstrings to attach to the bow to alter the damage type or give the weapon some bonus property and bow grips as well. For instance you could get a sundering bowstring (adds armor penetration) or a fiery bowstring (fire damage) and a grip of fortitude (adds to your toon's HP). Then you can get inscriptions that add other bonuses like additional health, extended effect duration, quicker recharge of skills, etc. I've been running around with this: http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Deldr...w_%28unique%29

It's a Prophecies end-game bow. I switch it out for other weapons in specific circumstances but it's a good general bow.

You can buy weapons and mods or just play the game and you'll eventually get some drops with good salvageable mods and even nice gold drop weapons.

I played thru prophecies a long time ago, then got EotN when it came out. Just recently started playing Factions and have traveled to Kamadan but that's as far as I've gone in NF. After I complete Factions storyline, I'm off to Elona.

If you ever want someone to just run around and kill things in game, PM me.

Olle

Olle

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Aug 2008

Ign: Miniature Julia

Teh Academy[PhD]

W/

Quote:
Originally Posted by bsoltan View Post
3) You don't upgrade weapons and armour, you simply aquire better weapons and armour.
Ever heard of runes&insignias&inscriptions?
those 3 are the most used to upgrade armor,and weapons, go to Wiki.guildwars.com, and search for "Rune" "insignia" "inscription", and you'll learn alot!

bsoltan

bsoltan

Site Contributor

Join Date: Dec 2005

UK

[SoF]

Quote:
Originally Posted by kajusbonus View Post
Ever heard of runes&insignias&inscriptions?
those 3 are the most used to upgrade armor,and weapons, go to Wiki.guildwars.com, and search for "Rune" "insignia" "inscription", and you'll learn alot!
Doh!

They completely slipped my mind.

Stomphoof

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Apr 2007

Orlando Fl

Thanks for the tips thus far. Looks like I am gonna start in Prophecies. Now if I can just settle on a damn class.

>.<

Fedetic

Fedetic

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Jan 2010

The Netherlands

FoE

R/

Ranger: All-around, can do a lot of builds using the right amount of expertise.
Warrior: Brutal armor + weapons for close combat
Necromancer: If u love minions :P
Ritualist: For calling some spirits (<- most easy to play @ PvE imo)
Assassin: Like a mix between the ranger and warrior, close-combat but fast, agile etc. but has less defence than the warrior
Monk: Pretty useful for farming or heal other people

Those are the professions I play with

Kojima

Kojima

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Sep 2010

Home

En Caligne Veritas [DARK]

R/Rt

About Heroes:

You get max level heroes straight if you have Eye of the North. Three of them within the first few minutes of landing there actually and if you are playing on your own, they will help tons. So if you do not have GW:EN, consider getting it.

Olias is in Prophecies and you get Zeimei the Sin (I think that's her name) in Factions also but all the quests to get them come from Nightfall. If you are thinking of getting heroes than do the missions/quests with them, you may want to start with NF because NF Heroes need leveling.

I also do everything with Heroes and Henchies and I think they are great. Just need a bit of control. And LiquidSolenoid has a whole series of missions through the three campaignes on youtube running with Heroes and Hencies for you to take a look at if you need help as well.

http://www.youtube.com/user/LiquidSolenoid


For class? Try them all and then decide. The game starts at level 20, really and until you try them out, you really wouldn't know what suits you best. I started out with warrior and elementalist but ended up rather be playing my ranger and ritualist (I never though much of a ritualist at first). I am not as good being a monk or nerco even though every where I read seems to speak so well of them. I have all the classes and played all till level 20. All I can say is, you will never know.

Stomphoof

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Apr 2007

Orlando Fl

How does MOX fit into the hero thing? I own all 3 games (Factions, Prophecies, and Nightfall) so he is available. Not sure how good he is.

Also do Henchmen ever get a second class? Or are they always one class? Also, do they reach level 20?

Kojima

Kojima

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Sep 2010

Home

En Caligne Veritas [DARK]

R/Rt

MOX is a dervish and works like a tank. By level 10 you should be able to unlock him. Just go to him and click on him and he is yours. He is great except on some days, he might aggo too much. I usually do not have problems with him 90% of the time.

Henchies only have one class and they do not level up. As you move on from place to place advancing in your game, The henchies there will be of higher level until they reach the max level of 20.

Stomphoof

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Apr 2007

Orlando Fl

New quick question: Since I am basically VERY new to this, should I focus on just my primary class even when i get access to my secondary?

I am thinking Warrior for my primary at the moment, since I like being the big heavily armored dude in most games.

Roen

Roen

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jun 2010

GMT-5

[Nite]

R/

Also, you can search Guild Wars Wiki on the henchies names and get their builds so you can pick the best ones for your missions. Rune him up and Mox works okay. He's just the hero you get automatically for owning all three campaigns. You can't get hero armor for him but hero armor is purely cosmetic anyway (and for HoM but Mox will go in as is so it's moot).

Kojima

Kojima

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Sep 2010

Home

En Caligne Veritas [DARK]

R/Rt

And here is a great place too for builds of any kinds.

http://pvx.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page

You can have a few of your secondary class skills that help you in your bars any day. Just go with what works best for you. If you are war/monk, get the rez and heals or protection to go with it, etc. war/rang - get some shots for pulling or a pet for extra damage, etc. And so on so forth.

Stomphoof

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Apr 2007

Orlando Fl

I was thinking War/Ranger so I could have a pet for added DPS...

Kojima

Kojima

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Sep 2010

Home

En Caligne Veritas [DARK]

R/Rt

There you go! Have fun!

Stomphoof

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Apr 2007

Orlando Fl

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kojima View Post
There you go! Have fun!
Thanks I will try.

If you see a guy named Argothial Lionheart in game that would be me.

Grav

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jan 2010

New Zealand

W/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stomphoof View Post
New quick question: Since I am basically VERY new to this, should I focus on just my primary class even when i get access to my secondary?
This is a common trap new players often fall for, that the secondary class is somehow as important as your primary. It isn't. So yes.

Generally, the idea is to use skills that mostly (if not completely) belong to your primary class, while only looking to your secondary for ways to complement your build that your primary can't.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stomphoof View Post
I am thinking Warrior for my primary at the moment, since I like being the big heavily armored dude in most games.
That's entirely up to you. Remember you also have multiple character slots on your account, so just create another character of a different class if you feel you're not getting along with your warrior. Having said that, my first char was a warrior and it worked out OK for me.

Darcy

Darcy

Never Too Old

Join Date: Jul 2006

Rhode Island where there are no GW contests

Order of First

W/R

If you have MOX, you should also have the Fire Imp for help as a new player. Just type /bonus in the chat box (make sure your inventory has lots of room) and the Fire Imp Stone and various bonus weapons will appear. This is repeatable on any character as many times as you wish. That means that not only can all of your characters start out with max weapons but most of your heroes (except dervish, paragon, assassin and ritualist) can also be equipped immediately upon accessing them.

While the Fire Imp cannot be controlled by you, he is quite handy to have around. Once you are level 20 (max level), you will no longer be able to access him.

Marty Silverblade

Marty Silverblade

Administrator

Join Date: Jun 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kojima View Post
Henchies only have one class and they do not level up.
This is true for the most part. In EotN, and possibly other places, the henchies get skills from other professions (though their secondary won't be displayed like it is for everyone else).

Also, I've heard that it is possible for henchies to level up. Henchies start with an empty xp bar everytime you leave a town/outpost and if they gain enough xp by killing things then it is possible for them to level up. They will return to whatever level they were when you return to a town/outpost though. I don't have a credible source for this so it may be wrong, but for the most part it doesn't matter because it never happens.

NuclearSlug

Academy Page

Join Date: Feb 2009

Irontoe's Lair

[JAGG]

R/A

As I'm sure you've figured out, there's a whole lot to this game and its hard to grasp it all at first. For the first year of playing, I had a minion master necromancer and that's all I did. I had no idea what else was available to me. My best advice is to join a guild and use Ventrillo (voice chat) whenever possible. That way you can outright ask questions and get a realtime answer and your guild members are more likely to be patient with you and help you whenever they can.. As far as if you're going to PUG (join a group of players that you don't know), they'll boot you out of their group usually and will rarely provide assistance. So my advice with them is to not mention your inexperience. If you need a guild to join, you can reach me in game as Whoda Thunk It.

Best of luck!

Stomphoof

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Apr 2007

Orlando Fl

I am kinda hesitant to join a guild right now as I am a very casual sort of player. I tend to hop on for an hour or two, and then leave (save on weekends unless I am busy with something)

Also what is this Hall of Monuments everyone is talkin about? Is this something I need EotN to get access to? Also, does anyone know if they are going to turn off the GW1 servers when GW2 comes out?

lodgeinator

Academy Page

Join Date: Sep 2007

Right now i wouldnt worry at all about the servers going off, the anet team said that they will keep the servers up as long as people play ( so i can imagin at least 5 years of them staying on).

The hall of monuments is a place in Guild Wars where you can display your in game achievements such as titles or elite armour that you have bought.

There are some benefits that you will get in Guild Wars 2 if you have things in your hall but nothing that would give you a real advantage.

Stomphoof

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Apr 2007

Orlando Fl

So does everyone have a Hall of Monuments? How does one access it?

Roen

Roen

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jun 2010

GMT-5

[Nite]

R/

You travel to EotN (the outpost) and enter it from there.

See: http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Eye_o..._%28outpost%29

Stomphoof

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Apr 2007

Orlando Fl

So you need Eye of the North, the one thing I do not have yet.

Ah well, its not like I have a level 20 or anything :P

Roen

Roen

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jun 2010

GMT-5

[Nite]

R/

Newegg has EotN for 5.99 right now: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832197013

Stomphoof

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Apr 2007

Orlando Fl

Quote:
Originally Posted by Roen View Post
Newegg has EotN for 5.99 right now: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832197013
>.>
<.<

YOINKS!

*purchases*

I was hesitant in paying $30 bucks for it, but $6? Hell yea!

Rushin Roulette

Rushin Roulette

Forge Runner

Join Date: Sep 2007

Right here

Ende

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fedetic View Post
Ranger: All-around, can do a lot of builds using the right amount of expertise.
Warrior: Brutal armor + weapons for close combat
Necromancer: If u love minions :P
Ritualist: For calling some spirits (<- most easy to play @ PvE imo)
Assassin: Like a mix between the ranger and warrior, close-combat but fast, agile etc. but has less defence than the warrior
Monk: Pretty useful for farming or heal other people

Those are the professions I play with
Id like to change this list a bit to tailor to a new player:

Ranger: All-around, can do a lot of builds using the right amount of expertise.

Warrior: Brutal armor + weapons for close combat

Necromancer: If u love minions
Planing a Minonmaster isnt really verys beginner friendly. As a Beginner the Curses line offers less hassle and micromanagement. Id suggest playing Minionmaster only after you have grasped the game mechanics.

Ritualist: For calling some spirits (<- most easy to play @ PvE imo)

Assassin: Like a mix between the ranger and warrior, close-combat but fast, agile etc. but has less defence than the warrior

Monk: Pretty useful for farming or heal other people

Mesmer: Good at controllling and punishing the actions of the opponents. The mesmer has been made more effective recently, but I would not recommend it to a new player much like the Necro Minionmaster. If played too early and without knowledge of the game mechanics it can frustrate and confuse too much.

Elementalist: Mage type damage dealer and damage mitigation profession.

Dervish: Warrior type profession that relies on enchantments for energy management. Doesnt carry a Shield normally, but therefore teh main Weapon (Scythe) can hit up to 3 foes with a normal attack.

Paragon: Long ranged melee damage dealer much like Ranger. This Proffession however focuses on party support by running around in short skirts (Even the Male ones) while shouting at players.

Actually the Paragon works with Damage support, damage mitigation and party healing or buffing the party with running speed and attack speed enhancements.

Stomphoof

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Apr 2007

Orlando Fl

So last night I made my Warrior and did my /bonus command to get my Summoning stone and my weapons, and equipped the Rhino Hammer...

Should I stick to leveling with a 2 handed hammer or can I level effectivly with a sword/shield?

Rushin Roulette

Rushin Roulette

Forge Runner

Join Date: Sep 2007

Right here

Ende

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stomphoof View Post
So last night I made my Warrior and did my /bonus command to get my Summoning stone and my weapons, and equipped the Rhino Hammer...

Should I stick to leveling with a 2 handed hammer or can I level effectivly with a sword/shield?
Stick with whatever you feel happy with. There are up and downsides to both sets of weapons.

Hammer : Slower attack speeds and less defence but higher damage per hit.

Shield and Sword: Faster attack speeds and more defence but less damage per hit (Same with Shield and Axe).

If you have a good Monk with you, then the lesser armor due to the missing shield is negligible for a Hammer Warrior.

Stomphoof

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Apr 2007

Orlando Fl

Choices choices! So many damn choices! 0_o

I will figure it out I am sure.

Stomphoof

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Apr 2007

Orlando Fl

Hey what is this "War in Kytra" that everyone is talking about? And how do I get in on that? I looked it up on the wiki but I dont quite get it.

Roen

Roen

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jun 2010

GMT-5

[Nite]

R/

It's just additional content. New missions, etc. Nothing new to buy. You just have to have completed so much of the game to get to the place where you talk to the right NPC to get going on the WiK storyline.

Darcy

Darcy

Never Too Old

Join Date: Jul 2006

Rhode Island where there are no GW contests

Order of First

W/R

War in Kryta content is available to level 20 characters who have completed Prophecies and/or EotN. You don't have to worry about this yet. And when you do they will have made it a little easier for less experienced players per John Stumme's (ArenaNet Live Team leader) latest blog post.

Just concentrate on getting your warrior (my favorite profession) through Prophecies. I barely remember my first time with my warrior but it must have been fun as I am still playing almost five years later.

Stomphoof

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Apr 2007

Orlando Fl

Hopefully I can figure out what I am doing with my warrior soon enough. I got my big Rhino Hammer (from /bonus) and Fury and Healing Signet. Weeeee! :P

I should start using my fire imp to make things go faster too.

Bumble

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Oct 2010

So I am actually close to being in the same boat. I purchased Factions and Nightfall back in the day, but never got the 1st one, and I actually never played the game. I have also puchased EotN which is on its way. Do I need to go back and find prophecies? or will I be OK just going through the game with with what I have?

I got interested in this because of the hall of monuments and GW2 looks outstanding. I want the chance to see some of the things that will play into GW2 (war in kryta?), and enjoyed the GW2 book that was just released.

With that in mind .. will I need prophecies?

Thanks!

Darcy

Darcy

Never Too Old

Join Date: Jul 2006

Rhode Island where there are no GW contests

Order of First

W/R

You cannot play the War in Kryta content without Prophecies as that is where Kryta is located. So, yes you will need Prophecies.