Armor

Okay I'm new to GW and I'd like to know where I can buy some in-game armor. I'm not sure where the merchant is in the towns and I haven't gotten any drops.
Also, can anyone tell me about weapon and armor forging/crafting?
I have a level 4 ranger so far.
I'll probably be posting more newbie questions.

Hi and welcome to GW here are a few links

Always use the search function and when you are in the game press f10 and enter the question it will direct you to the correct page here are a few links for you to click to get you started

http://www.guildwiki.org/Armor_types

http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Main_Page


http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/campfire-f17.html

Most of all have fun and enjoy the game

Armor crafters are in towns, they are noted with the [armor] tag after their name. If you are in the starting area of Prophecies, then there are no armor crafters yet - but there are collectors that will trade monster bits or other trinkets for newer armor. Check with NPCs as you see them when you're out questing/killing stuff, or check the wiki here: http://www.guildwiki.org/Armor_colle...Pre-Searing%29

I assume that you are starting in Prophecies (the 1st GW) and that you are in "pre-searing", where it's green and pretty. Pre-searing is the starting/tutorial section of Prophecies and there are no armor "crafters" in pre-searing, but I think there's at least one collector who gives armor pieces.
You're first crafter will be in Ascalon City, after you leave pre-searing.

Also keep in mind to not always buy the next level of armor when you can get it. if you have all games the sequence should be:

1: pre searing: get the collector armor (lvl 7 for casters).
2: post searing ascalon: get the next lvl armor (lvl 30 for casters) (when repeating on a second char, you might wanna pay a runner to skip this and get a run to lion's arch).
3: When in Lion's Arch go to factions (Kaineng center) or Eye of the North (Boreal Station) to get max lvl armor.

If you have to buy the materials max lvl armor will cost you an amount of 10k.

After you get max lvl armor you shouldn't need to change your armor unless your ready to get elite armor (they are just as good, but cost a minimum of 60k, this is only for looks).

Also, while playing the game try to save up on materials for the armor you plan to buy. Most ranger arbor requires Tanned Hides to craft, and various other materials. The armor pieces dropped from monsters cannot be used directly, you must recycle them for materials. Use a Salvage kit purchased from a merchant. All leathery looking armor pieces can yield Tanned Hides. If their name is written in blue, purple or gold lettering they do have magical upgrades on that you can take off with Expert or Superior Salvage Kit and use on your new armor.
Other classes' armor often reqires other items, like Warriors armor require Iron and elementalist robes require Cloth, but aslong as you play your Ranger you don´t need to worry about that.

Just a little tip for you, if you hold in left alt in towns & outposts it makes it easier to find armour crafters, weapon traders and other npc's so you aren't running around allover the place trying to find them. Left ctrl makes it easier to see other players.

Ps. These also work outside of towns, makes it easier to target those pesky Monks that hide behind the scenery

I would recommend the exact opposite of this - always get the next level of armor available.

Of course, this depends a bit upon your style of play. If you are just interested in zooming through the early parts to get to the "end game", which seems to me to be a big waste of gaming fun (unless it's your 3rd+ character), then you can skip lots of stuff.

But, if you are interested in actually playing an RPG and doing RPG type stuff, then having the best armor you can get for an area will help make things easier. If you play the game in a "normal" manner - doing quests, acquiring skills/weapons/items, exploring, etc - you will easily be able to afford to upgrade your armor.

Of course, once you get to the point where you can get "max" armor, this all becomes moot. I would say that the armor progression in Prophecies is a bit slow, so once you get to Lion's Arch it is beneficial to travel to Kaineng Center (Factions) or Kamadan/Consulate Docks (Nightfall) to get max armor early.

I still can't for the life of me find the armorer in Ascalon City. I tried holding down the alt button but I don't see Baniot.
Can anyone help?

Sounds like you might not have passed a certain point in the storyline/game (I won't say more so as no not spoil it). Is the Ascalon town green and grassy?

Initially in Prophecies you'll only be able to upgrade your armor from NPC collectors. They will take a number of a certain item and give you an item of your choice from what they offer.

After a certain point in the storyline, the armor NPC will move into Ascalon City and you will be able to upgrade your armor via him if you want.

Yeah, I probably am missing something. The area is bright and grassy but not in a cheerful Disney sort of way. Is it related to taking a quest by the gates inside the city?

There are two armorers in Post-Searing Ascalon City: Banoit and Corwen. Banoit crafts AR 15/25/35. Corwen crafts AR 30/40/50, which is the same level as armor crafted at Yak's Bend. If you buy from Corwen, your armor will cost a little more, but it will be good all the way to Lion's Arch without buying another set.

As I suggested before, you seem to be in "pre-searing", which is the starter/tutorial area. There is no armor crafter in pre.

You won't get into "post-searing" (the real game) until you do the quest The Path to Glory, which you get from Sir Tydus in Ascalon City. Note though that this is a one way trip out of pre-searing - you won't be able to go back. Don't take that quest until you have done all you want to do in pre. For a first character I would recommend being somewhere around at least level 6-8 before leaving.
Save up any Tanned Hide Squares you get - they'll be needed for crafting Ranger Armor.

Besides the official wiki - http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Main_Page
here's another great resource - http://www.guildwiki.org/Main_Page

in pre-searing the only way to get better armor is thru collectors--they will trade things like unnatural seeds or gargoyle skulls for pieces (http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Ranger_Krytan_armor this will help you with ranger armor in pre-searing). You will find these collectors in different towns other than ascalon city.

Noted. I'm level 5 by now, and I guess I'll wait until I get a little more practice. What monster usually drop the Hide?

I'd like to kiss a little more GW butt and say the NPCs that follow you around for quests is a really nice touch. I never heard of that one before. It's fun.

There are occasions when Tanned Hide Squares drop, but mostly you get them from salvaging dropped armor - particularly leather type armor. After doing some salvaging, you'll get a better idea of what salvages into what. You can also check items on wiki to see what they can salvage into.

A few more advices :

- Collecting skills should be your first priority (8 rangers skills are available)

- Melandru's stalker is needed for a quest later, it should be your best animal companion choice.

- If your inventory is only a backpack, you can add a belt pouch (collecting 5 skale fins, or 5 worn belts), 2 Charr Bag (many players sell them), and 1 equipment pack (50 iris flowers)

- Nicholas Sandford collect a different item each day, and can give you 5 Hunters Gifts each day.

- What is usefull in the second part of the game ?
-- Bags,belt pouch and equipment pack
-- Your amor
-- 1 weapon
-- Trapestry Shred from Gwen (this is the only thing that you cannot get later)
-- 50 Gold pieces for Xunlai Storage

Everything else should be sold and/or transfered to a second character.