How well would I do?

[dahero]

I've beaten Neverwinter Nights 2 on normal difficulty. I also have been running through the DnD ruleset books for some time.

Would that knowledge be helpful or am I in new waters here?

Just wondering...while I'm downloading...

P.S. yes...I'm new.

[ArloOne]

You will find this to be a new experience. Although, there is alot of similarity to the DnD books...generally they will not aid you with the game. My suggestion is search the forums for some basic build in the type of class you prefer to play. Go with one of these customized builds. take it slow and collect every pile of coin/potions/collectable you can by smashing boxes and such. You will want to begin to get some coin quickly as this will help you to purchase healing pots early in the game.
Find some folks in the social panel running low level stuff. Get with them...explain your new to the game and ask for guidence. Most of the time you will find helpful players. Begin to add the people you meld well with to your friends list(ask them if that is ok) and look them up whenever you come on.

And Have fun!

If you are on the Argonessen server look me up in game and, if you want, I will hook you up a bit to get ya started!

[dahero]

That'd be really nice, finding some people that don't drop you because you're new (other MMORPGs)

Really sounds like this could be fun, doesn't really matter to me what server I join so okay.

EDIT: No matter how many times I look at builds, I STILL fail the "intimidation check" @_@

Probably going Savage of the Wild, I'm a big 2H Sword person.

EDIT: Nevermind, going Vanguard Warrior or...Paladin or...wow this could take a while >.<

[tihocan]

Previous knowledge will be very helpful in grasping mechanics faster. But DDO has some specifics that you just can't learn without playing the game.
If you're about to roll a pre-made path, make sure you read this thread (http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=232660) first.

[dahero]

I wasn't planning on going completley pre-made, however a good foundation would be a nice step. I was thinking of winging it with some feats to be unique.

[ReaperAlexEU]

another thing to bear in mind is the control style, its similar to an FPS game for the movement, no point and click. unlike a FPS game you don't need to aim at the head, just facing the right direction is enough to swing your sword at the monster you have targeted.

what this control style brings to the game is a very dynamic feeling of being in the fight, as opposed to directing it. you may find its more of a learning curve than the house rules DDO has. once you are used to it then you will be ducking behind cover when you see a fireball headed your way.

as for a 2-handed fighter, with max STR and lots of CON you can easily build a glass cannon. DPS is always helpful, though you will need to work on your playing skills to avoid being a liability (just being aware of your limits can often help). focus on tripping and killing casters first and if possible let a proper tank go in first and get the aggro before you vault over them to start breaking bones. also with a good attitude you will find any vets you bump into are likely to give you all the pointers you ask for.

let people know your new in parties, if they get funny about it you do not want to party with them. hopefully you will find there are more that are helpful than not.

[lord_of_rage]

Welcome and I hope you enjoy the game. You will find as others have said some things you just need to learn while playing. This game is constantly evolving. Good luck on your first char. Let us know what you are thinking about playing and we might be able to help you out.

Cheers
Rage

[Newtons_Apple]

That'd be really nice, finding some people that don't drop you because you're new (other MMORPGs)

Really sounds like this could be fun, doesn't really matter to me what server I join so okay.

EDIT: No matter how many times I look at builds, I STILL fail the "intimidation check" @_@

Probably going Savage of the Wild, I'm a big 2H Sword person.

EDIT: Nevermind, going Vanguard Warrior or...Paladin or...wow this could take a while >.<

If you're going for DPS - try either a dwarf THF Barb or a Human THF Paladin.

The dwarf will hit nice 'n hard, and have plenty of hp's, but will depend on potions or even a hireling for healing.

The Paladin will hit almost as hard, especially at low levels, but is very self sufficient. A decent paladin at low levels can DPS and heal the party (with wands of course).

Each one is straightforward enough not to be "intimidating", and still be fun to play.

[Montrose]

One area where the knowledge will help a bit is with monsters. Knowing various things about the monsters you are facing (animals are immune to enchantment, oozes split if you hit them with pierce/slash, etc) will give you a small edge when you play the game.

[nibelung]

it feels alot like NWN2...at the end of neverwinter nights 2, they tell you about going to a desert. But the game suddenly ended, in ddo you can finally go explore the desert which is pretty sweet

[dahero]

I've made it to level 3. I decided to be a Human Fighter. I figure that if I start to have problems, I can always go with a Paladin build for my second character.

Already got yelled at too...well how was I supposed to know releasing would fail the quest? Didn't we JUST pass a rez shrine? Oh...so I have to click on it...

[Kepli_Moonshadow]

I've made it to level 3. I decided to be a Human Fighter. I figure that if I start to have problems, I can always go with a Paladin build for my second character.

Already got yelled at too...well how was I supposed to know releasing would fail the quest? Didn't we JUST pass a rez shrine? Oh...so I have to click on it...

lol- you'll be just fine. AND, you'll do things worse than that. just remember, there are good/bad players anywhere. The good ones will get over it. What server did you go with?

[dahero]

I joined the Argonesson (?) server...or however it's spelled.

[ReaperAlexEU]

hehe, shrines are a new thing to get used to, you can't just curl up on any bit of floor for some rest :)

on hard and elite rest shrines can only be used once (resurrection shrines can always be used as many times as you need). so try to keep that in mind and pace your self on shrine usage (even on norm, its a nice backup for them to reset in 15 mins, but don't get used to that). don't jump at a shrine the second you see one, first find out if you can return later and save it if you can.

on a fighter your shrine usage isnt that critical, you can still dish out a good beating even if your boosts are all gone. but its a great thing to think about for when you start playing any class with spells.

also try not to leave a quest before its all done. the whole party looses 10% exp from the quest when one person re-enters. if you wind up dead wait to see if its a wipe or not. if there is a vet in group with you there is a good chance they will be able to solo the korthos and harbour quests and can carve a path to the next shrine where you can all rest up and get back on your feet. its also a good time to watch how they play and learn a few tips. ok, i say vet, but only because they are probably used to doing crazy stuff like that (i still have vivid memories of watching that happen :) ). if you wind up with most of your party decimated try to encourage the last standing members to have a go at getting the dead to a shrine, its a great learning experience for them too, and it can really put you on the spot to think a bit more about how you approach the next pack of mobs.

death only costs money on the repair bill now, and the experience you gain from doing stuff like that as a player, and the 10% you dont loose for re-entering is normally worth risking a repair bill for. especially early on when gear is cheap to fix.

oh, one more tip about death, you can only run a certain distance away from your soul stone before a 10 second timer starts that will pull you back. so you can scout, you can try running for a shrine. but if you just have to stand there and wait step off your stone. this makes it a lot easier for your fellow party members to run past and grab your stone while being under fire (literally if you died in lava ;) )