Hello all

I have recently become interested in Guild Wars. I had the trilogy set bought for me around christmas time but haven't really had much opportunity to play.

I know right now the hype is on GW2, but I want to play GW for the story and to understand the GW world better (I am a believer in RPG immersion).

I find GW is quite difficult to get to grips with. Not a lot is really explained to you and you're sort of thrown out to the sharks as it were.

Does anyone have good tips and advice for a new player with no GW experience. I'm looking for ways to attain resources (gold, etc etc) how best to establish myself as a player, if there's any newbie-friendly guilds out there, etc.

I have: GW trilogy.

I haven't purchased anything else except a costume pack for the moment.

I know it's probably a bad habit to get in to, but I do find myself making a lot of use out of the fire imp from the bonus summon item.

What are good upgrades to the /bonus weapon? Right now I'm using the two handed hammer for example. All the drops I'm getting are pretty crap in comparison (I'm still in what I believe is referred to as "pre searing" ascalon, if I did my homework correctly).

I'm also curious about how best to go about getting better armour upgrades and the like.

I have been told tanking and aggro works in a unique way for GW, what's the better option over all, two handed weapons or one handed and a shield?

Hi and welcometo one of the best games ever.

First off - theres a guild wars wiki here where you can get more information on upgrading weapons and armor.

Second, pre-searing ascalon is a tutorial area, so the upgrades and armor you can get is very limited. Armor you get from NPC traders all over the map. Weapon upgrades and runes and insignia you get beyond the great wall by fighting the charr bosses there. In ascalon you will find players asking for gate monkeys to open the gate to that area. GW is set up to encourge teaming up with other players, and therefor if you want to go there solo, you need someone to open the gate for you.

To answer your last question, I will ask you a question: are you playing a warrior? If not, what are you playing because it all depends on what class you are.

I am playing a warrior, and am considering making monk my second class. That seems like the easiest "beginner" combo to me.

Welcome to Guild Wars. I assume you started your character in Prophecies?

First thing I will advise you of, read each and every quest, making sure of what you are agreeing to. The reason I stress this, about 6 quests in, if you are concentrating on quests alone, you will be sent to the main part of the game. Although it's not impossible to progress once you get there, it will be much easier to save that quest for a little later. Also, there will be no coming back on that character to finish any other quests still in your log.

Second thing to encourage you to do, explore, explore, explore. Uncover every area of the map while in the explorable areas. There are "collectors" scattered throughout all the maps as well as crafters and other beneficial NPCs. The collectors trade items dropped by the bad guys for pieces of armor or weapons. The material crafters will "craft" rare materials in exchange for common mats and a few gold coins.

As for making money, early on the only real option is to pick up every monster drop and sell them to the merchant. Making big money comes later in the game.

One question that is asked a lot in these forums, "I am now level 20 (max), what do I do now?" In all actuality, the game doesn't really begin until you reach level 20. You will continue to gain experience, and you will receive a skill point each time you "level" after level 20. Skill points will be needed to obtain skills further into the game and are also traded for consumables in other maps.

One more thing I can think of, during missions, there will be cut scenes, you have the option to skip these, but I highly suggest watching them at least the first time through. They tell you what is going on.

The wiki gives some very good, detailed information and is available from in game. In the chat box, type /wiki {item name} or {quest name} or {monster name}, etc.

Hope this helps and that I didn't bore you. Enjoy the game.

I decided to start all over again, because I left the newbie place at like level 2. I'm now a Ranger/Monk and I'm finding this a lot more fun than warrior, plus I get a pet

I'm going to do my best to explore the newbie place as much as I can this time. Is there a "recommended level" you woulod suggest i reach before advancing past "pre searing" ascalon?

Best level to leave, 5 to 7. My main concern is to take at least 1,000 gold when going to post. That will get you the best upgraded armor in post Ascalon City.

Hi!! and welcome to Guildwars!! AS Perkunas said, something like level 5 through 7 would be good to leave the Pre Searing Ascalon, I left when I was like level 8-10 on all my characters and they are having a ball!! When you arrive in Post Searing Ascalon the scenery will be a lot lot different and there will be people around to help, guilds are recruiting also that you can join. I like to point out that you may want to try to do all the quests through the surrounding regions.
Now here's a kicker, you will need to ask someone to "run" you to Lions Arch to pick up more quests, meaning find another ranger to run you to Lions Arch. It's located on the southern coast of Tyria and believe me its an adventure when you are running because you will be fighting and looting on the run, just make sure before you go to get your bags to put your loot in, I also suggest to get the "Rune of Holding" as this will give you additional space to put your loot in.

I play a Ranger as well and really really enjoy playing that more so that my casters LOL and I have a pet too.

In conclusion don't be afraid to ask in local or even here for help, somebody will help you out any way we can.

TBH I know prophecies is where it all started, but since you have the trilogy, starting in nightfall would be your best bet because that way you can obtain heroes. Why heroes are important are because you can adjust their skills to your likings, with henchmen you can't. And since you would be playing probably 95% of the game yourself, cause the playerbase is VERY low and most likely there is no one to team up with cause most outpost and mission areas are ghost town. Heroes will be your best friend, make the game easier to progress rather than just playing henchmen. Find an active guild, i don't know if any are around, but good luck!

True in part, but not necessarily. Heroes are handy, but they can only use skills that you have unlocked yourself on your account. This makes them weak until you are quite a way through the game.

The nature of Guildwars is that it has Guilds. Once you make it out of presearing in Prophecies, you will be able to find a guild to join quite easily. There will usually be someone advertising for members to their guild. Once you have joined a decent guild (You might need to try a few first), you will be able to call on their help in missions. You won't have to play alone.

Yes, its true that the playerbase is smaller than it was last year, but there are specialist guilds that have decided not to move to GW2 for various reasons. Do some homework on which guilds you want to join. There is a section on this website for guilds who are recruiting.

Once you join a decent Guild in a decent Alliance, this game will suddenly open up and you will love it.

Max.

I am enjoying the game so far, but it seems more like an offline RPG at the moment. I barely see anyone in outposts.

Right now I'm a level 9 ranger/monk and I am at the mission where prince rurik wants to rescue kidnapped soldiers.

I seem to rely a lot on my fire imp, is that much of a problem?

----------

Oh, I also have no guild yet, not seen anyone around asking

Yep, Guild tactics have changed a bit since GW2 came out. You used to be able to get a party together an nearly every outpost, but now you have to plan more tactically. You'll need to gather a party from the people who are online in your guild or alliance to tackle a particular mission. You'll meet them either in your Guildhall, or in a particular district for the mission start. You'll find that everyone needs to complete every mission at some point. Might as well team up.

Try other districts too For example, I bet you 100 gold that the Europe Italian district is empty most of the time. Try the American English district instead.

Max

I tend to pick "International - Active District" which I assume takes you to the most populated one, but not 100% sure

Ironcally, International is the most deserted district

is there any way to cycle through every single available district, or can I only pick from the options it gives me?

You can keep choosing districts until you fall asleep.. just keep choosing from the available ones. Those are the only districts available. But try Ameraican English 1. It'll save a lot of boredom. Especially in Old Ascalon and Piken Square (if you're there yet). Those are the largest towns available to you.

Max

O.O I SEE PEOPLE.

I went to American Active District of Ascalon City

yay \o/

Thank you

I would suggest you stay in pre untill you reach 20 to get your Legendary Defender of Ascalon title.It doesn't take to long and making $$ in pre is not that hard better than post in way.

How do you reach level 20 without going past the tutorial? I found it got insanely slow after level 7, there were no quests to do and everything I killed gave insignificant exp

You will get daily quests once you reach lvl10.

http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Lieutenant_Langmar

How do I go about reaching level 10 though, when I'm getting barely any exp from anything at level 7?

The best way is to kill the Oaks on the other side of the wall if you have done all the quests.It is best not to do them untill lvl 7 or 8 but do get the ranger pet skills as it is usefull on the other side of the wall.Don't pick ranger though as a secondary.

Staying in presearing until lvl 20 will kill your will to live.

Don't stay there just to get a VERY grindy and boring title. Play the game, don't start title hunting yet.

Proceed out if presearing when youvfeel ready.

It's more fun to play the game as it flows rather than limit yourself to just 2% of the entire game. Presearing is no challenge, and will detract from the overall gameplay if you just stay there.

Max

He can leave once has acheived the LDoA title and gotten plenty of charr bags to sell in post.

He can leave whenever he wants.

Don't encourage him to stay in pre to get a pointless title. It's a massive drain on time, and the game is more fun if you continue onwards.
Just cus LDOA is a title doesn't mean he HAS to get it.

Would you just eat the starter course over an over when there is a fantastic banquet waiting for you?

Max

He can leave when ever he wants but once he does he can never go back so it is best to stay.

No it's not. It's a colossal waste of time to stay.

Giving advice like that could result in him getting bored and quitting. He should sample the game as it goes on because it gets better the further through he goes. Once he knows what it's all about he can make that decision, but saying he should just stay in pre is bad advice. Think about what you're advising as people will listen. Just because you want that title doesn't automatically mean that he will.

Pls close this one mods if it turns into a flaming match.

Max

He should definetely get out of Pre once he has the feeling he understands the basic mechanics of the game. It gets 100x more fun once you get out of there, LDoA is more of a nostalgia title imho anyway. What I mean by that is, that most people I know who got it, made a character solely for Pre after they beat all the campaigns etc. just for fun. They keep that character in Pre and level them to 20, and don't ever take them to post.

Rapthorne - Just keep on keepin' on with your R/Mo. At a later date, you may decide you want to try to get the LDoA title. If that day arrives, I will gladly tell you what I have found as the "quickest, easiest" way to reach level 10 in pre. And if you are relatively careful, you will be well on your way to R1 survivor also.

If you are still having a difficult time finding someone to party with, leave me a PM here. I will then meet up with you in game. I live in Missouri, central time, United States. Available most days, all day and evenings.

^
Imho LDOAD is a tedious title to do on a secondary char when you've seen all in the game and got bored, nowadays. Doing it before starting will make you sick of the game, and being 20 already when you leave pre will also ruin you the experience of prophecies, since everything will probably be too easy and boring.
Go on the way you feel comfortable with, just that. If you feel you did everything you wanted in pre and are ready to leave for good, 7 is already a good level to do it at.

Almost forgot: Welcome!