NEW to GW2? - Suggestion Thread

[Voa]

Those that have had a chance to play in BWE#1 and the Stress Test (or after this weekend BWE#2) - please post your suggestions on this thread for those that are just learning and coming into the game.  We don't want people feeling lost    it can be overwhelming for some.

1 - First - Read Nightsong's Guide to GW2 - link - http://www.guardianhq.com/gw2/the-guardian-guide-to-guild-wars-2/

2 - When you are ready to play log into the Mumble server and say hi to everyone (don't be afraid to ask questions).

3 - Create a character and load into the game - you will start in a starting area (there are no formal tutorials - they assume that you have prior MMO experience).  Get comfortable with the UI and do a few quests and attack a few things. 

4 - I personally suggest you take break from PVE after you are comfortable with the UI and killing things (you'll come back to PVE later if you want - see below).  NOTE - BWE#2 changed where you have to complete the introduction before you can go PVP.

5 - Go to your Hero Panel or type "H".  Then look on the left side of the panel and click on the Cross Swords Icon.  From there click on "Go to the Mists."  Once you are in the Mists you will notice that you are Level 80 (max Level) and you have all of your skills available.

6 - The Mists has a Tutorial Zone - once you are there (much better than the PVE areas) - try each tutorial then when you are ready go up the stairs and go into the portal to the next PVP zone.  You are not only coming to the PVP areas to use the Tutorials but you "should" (strongly recommended) try PVP (even if you don't like it) with your character.  You will be matched up with other new people so you won't get smashed.  Then create other characters and try them out to in PVP.  At Level 80 while doing 1-2 matches you can "discover" if you like that paticular profession you have chosen.  Try all the professions.  This will allow you to "better" decide your choice for your main character to PVE with if you choose to go back to PVE.  I am personally saving PVE for game launch (to not ruin the surprise).

7 - You will find Vendors there for Armor - Weapons and Jewelry.  Everything you buy from them is free.  Buy extra weapons that you think you want to use and equip them.  Buy Sigil of Ice and equip it on your main hand weapon.  Buy Sigil of Hydromancy and equip it on any offhand weapon (buy others if you have experience with PVP).  After you have your weapons go to the Armorer and buy and equip 6 Runes of Divinity (see http://www.guardianhq.com/gw2/the-best-runes/)  -  buy different ones if you have experience (NOTE - they nerfed these slightly on Saturday during BWE#2 - from +5% crit to +3% crit - they are still the best overall for beginners but experiment with others later on).  Then go to the vendor selling Jewlry and buy and equip 5 Ruby Jewels (see http://www.guardianhq.com/gw2/the-best-jewels/)  -  buy different ones if you have experience (NOTE - BWE#2 changed this so you can only buy Amulets and Jewels for them and there are no more Ruby Jewels - so pick any one - they are all equally good now).  Also make sure you also buy an Amulet -- If you want to go offensive buy one that has Power and Precision -- if want to go defensive buy one with Toughness and Vitality (do not buy the one for critical damage - unless you have experience - it will make you a glass-cannon). --- (NOTE - they removed this crit amulet and turned it into the Berserker Amulet and Jewel - still somewhat of a glass-cannon build but not as squishy as before - no they give you some Vitality on it).

8 - Adjust your Virtues - Go to you hero panel (or type "H").  Hit the "reset" button so it refreshes all your Virtues to zero.  Spend up points (up to 70) in each row as you like.  The first two rows are Offensive - the second two rows are Defensive - the last row is Profession specific.

9 - After you are equipped - go to the practice dummies and practice.

10 - After you are done practicing you can either go to the NPC that starts a PVP match or you can click "H" or Hero Panel and hit Play Now (NOTE - BWE#2 changed this - you now have to go to the NPC to play now but they also added a tournament NPC that you can try for tourneys).

11 - Per suggestion (6) above - try at least 1-2 matches with ALL 8 professions.  Then you can pick your Main (with better knowledge of the game) and either continue sPVP or try PVE and WvW.

12 - If you have any questions about a specific issue - either ask a fellow Guardian in Mumble or do a search on the GW2 Wiki site - see link - http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Main_Page

HAVE FUN!!!! 

[nautix]

Stickied! 

[Duck]

This is where I am the odd....umm...Duck.

The way I find my main is through PvE with a touch of PvP. I do not choose them based on their combat, but more so on the feel I have when I am running them. Do I enjoy their story, does the character seem as though it is an extension of myself and so on. The character that I feel like I am in sync with the most is the one I choose as my main.

I do think that the sPvP is an awesome way to get to know the characters and how they work at end game. I am not trying to say that is wrong at all, just listing how my mind works when I try to find a main.

Now rather than  trying to derail this thread...my tips from my experience.

#1 Get in mumble. You do not have to be the chattiest Cathy around, but we coordinate most things though voice and if you want in on those the only way you are going to know about it is through listening on mumble. Plus it is an awesome way to get to know your fellow guildies and for us to get to know you.

#2 group up. I understand that some like to run solo. I do quite a bit as well, but you joined this guild for a reason and that is the community and let me tell you that your enjoyment of the game will increase tremendously running with guildies.

#3 It is beta do not expect polished product. Fill out the surveys do not skip them, that is how they improve upon the game and fix those bugs, also if you encounter a bug...REPORT IT. Complaining in chat gets you nowhere. Submit a ticket to let the right people know so it can be addressed by them.

#4 You will have plenty of time to grind your character up once the game launches. I would suggest trying several races and classes to figure out what you like and what you do not like. There is no rush, go at your own pace. If you enjoy the grind, then by all means do so. Sometimes when you hear so many people have characters at higher levels already you feel rushed to get there as well...don't.

#5 HAVE FUN.

[Voa]

Duck - Thanks for adding the post!   

This thread was intended to have other experienced GW2 players post their suggestions on how to help new players not get overwhelmed and lost  when they start GW2.

Hopefully we can get others to post their suggestions as well here (I really like your #2 and #3).

Thanks,

Voa

[franeth]

Both Great posts. Still trying to decide which class/profession I want. I'll probably spend tonight trying out several. Several good tips so far!

[Victoriella]

Awesome Posts and very informative!!  I am going to be referring to it for the next BWE.   I was really tired this past BWE from working all three days but after work, I tried to experience a little bit of everything and finally last night it was fun just to go exploring.     Over the weekend, I did some WvW, tried pvp on 4 different toons, did some questing and finally last night spent some jewels for that awesome pirate outfit.   

[farsight]

#4 You will have plenty of time to grind your character up once the game launches. I would suggest trying several races and classes to figure out what you like and what you do not like. There is no rush, go at your own pace. If you enjoy the grind, then by all means do so. Sometimes when you hear so many people have characters at higher levels already you feel rushed to get there as well...don't.

#5 HAVE FUN.

^this.

try things out. experience different starter areas. while the fundamental mechanics are the same i am happy to say that the experience is not.

secondly, for combat, don't stand still. doesn't matter if you're a guardian or a ranger, standing still equals quick health loss and more than likely death.

third, don't be afraid to try something even if folks in general chat say its bugged. i did not find out that mesmer was bugged until i reached level 6 and even then it was only because someone told me. i found the class difficult to play but quite rewarding. i was able to handle scenarios in which any of my other classes would have gotten me killed.

so! experiment, have fun, enjoy!

[Cabren]

great guide!  I need to look for one on crafting, there is probably one this board somewhere but next beta event i want to try some of that.

[Voa]

great guide!  I need to look for one on crafting, there is probably one this board somewhere but next beta event i want to try some of that.

I think Nightsong has a section on crafting but you can also find - How-To - vids on You-Tube that are very informative.

.... and finally last night spent some jewels for that awesome pirate outfit.   

WOW - Nice outfit Vic.  ------ You just figured out the most important thing in GW2 that we all forgot in our guides........ 

The most important thing is you gotta look good !!!!!!  ---- Get some great outfits and transmute your weapons so you stand out in a crowd and are unique  ------- this is what the end game of GW2 is all about since there is no equipment grinding    ----- You can get these awesome unique cosmetics and dyes through PVE and sPVP (it is very easy to get dyes in sPVP with the gold chest glory rewards - and they have other goodies like bags, etc...).

[Martini]

Looking good is like... priority #1 LOL well I guess having fun is 1 and looking good is 32. either way! FASHION SHOW! xD

[Ambrosia]

ROFL we should totally organize fashion shows. How fun would that be? What's the point of finding exotic dyes and fancy outfits if you don't get to show them off to everyone!

[Nightsong]

The guide will be updated sometime in the next few days with the new information from BWE#2.

[Voa]

The guide will be updated sometime in the next few days with the new information from BWE#2.

Nightsong - you may want to add this link to your crafting guide -

http://www.guildwarsinsider.com/mystic-vendor-skill-points-currency/

ROFL we should totally organize fashion shows. How fun would that be? What's the point of finding exotic dyes and fancy outfits if you don't get to show them off to everyone!

Ambroshia - how about you and Martini organize a Guardian Fashion show event once a month in Lion's Arch after the game launches? 

It should be a 3-5 person panel (Maybe Victorella would want to be on the panel) - that can judge the costumes maybe on a score of 1-10.  You can have them judge the following.....

Creativity ----- How creative the outfit is.
Theme -------- If the outfit goes together in a theme.
Colors -------- How well the color scheme goes together.
Originality ----- Instead of just buying store bought costumes - how unique the outfit is.
Rarity ---------How rare the costume items are and more points would be awarded by how hard the item is to get.

We can get all the participants to line up in a circle around the Lion in Lions arch for the judges to review.  Then we can do a short little parade through the city.    Should be fun and I think other spectators and even ANET would have a blast out of the spectical 

[Ambrosia]

We could use the art gallery. I would love to organize this once a month. Of course people who buy outfits are welcome to join in, but they probably won't "win" whatever prize we have. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say maybe we could have cosmetic items as rewards, dyes or costume pieces etc. if that is possible? Surely not everything cosmetic is BoP.

[Martini]

Omg that would be so fun! Haha I was thinking of doing just that! Since GW2 has such amazing clothing and color dyes! YAY! <3