Boxed copy + Build Help

[Whiteblade999]

Hi all! Complete newb here but loving the game so far. Looking to get more actually. I did some searching on this and the only thread was from 2009. My question is what do I get aside from the month + points if I register a boxed copy? I ask because in Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria you get Mines of Moria content, the points and a free month.

On another note I started my first character as a sorcerer since thats what I played in Baldur's Gate and Neverwinter Nights 2. Followed some of the advice from the caster forum to make a(n) acid/fire based sorcerer. I've heard that the fire spec is strong to level but gets weak as you get higher so what should I ultimately change into? Also I'm really unsure on where to look on starting to get an idea for gear choices later on.

[Farayon]

I hope this link helps answer your questions: http://ddowiki.com/page/VIP

Some of those benefits are only theoretical like the unlimited chat and the high priority log in queue.

As for end-game sorcs, imo water and air savants are the strongest choices in the highest levels but really anything works as long as you like it.

[mojobie]

Hi all! Complete newb here but loving the game so far.

Hi. :)


My question is what do I get aside from the month + points if I register a boxed copy?

In addition to the free month of VIP access and 500 Turbine Points, you should become a Premium member instead of a Free member. This entitles you to 4 character slots per server, no AH, plat, or tell limits, and opens access for you to post in all sections of the forums (see the link above). Note that if you make a class or race only available for free to VIPs (i.e. Monk, Warforged, etc...) you'll have to buy those options with TP if you want to continue using them after your VIP subscription is over.


On another note I started my first character as a sorcerer since thats what I played in Baldur's Gate and Neverwinter Nights 2. Followed some of the advice from the caster forum to make a(n) acid/fire based sorcerer. I've heard that the fire spec is strong to level but gets weak as you get higher so what should I ultimately change into? Also I'm really unsure on where to look on starting to get an idea for gear choices later on.

Depending on what content you're going to be running at cap, any of the savants can be quite powerful. However, I would not recommend Fire Savant because it's quite likely you'll be spending a fair amount of time in the Vale (Shroud) and Amrath. These two areas contain many mobs (devils) that are immune to fire damage. Also, quite a few mobs are somewhat resistant to both Cold and Acid (~30-50 points), and very few are immune or resistant to Electric.

[Therigar]

Also, quite a few mobs are somewhat resistant to both Cold and Acid (~30-50 points), and very few are immune or resistant to Electric.

IMO fire is great for leveling as Wall of Fire is especially powerful. As was pointed out, once you start playing in the Vale (Meridia/Shroud) it loses much of its glamour.

Water (cold) seems to have a lot of support at the moment although certain effects seem destined for some nerfs. I personally like the cold line because, even though there are resistances, the spells you're likely to use at high levels don't allow saving throws. That makes total damage a bit higher than electric spells in many situations.

I do like electric. As is pointed out, there are few cases of immunity or resistance. However, many electric spells allow saving throws for half damage. That makes them less effective in some cases than cold spells. But, I run cold and electric on my wizard and would do the same on a sorcerer.

[Whiteblade999]

Just received my boxed copy in the mail and am waiting to settle on a permanent character before using the month. Found the Sorcerer does good with a party but my interest is in soloing. So I rerolled into a Warpriestess of Siberys using the recommended build from Tihocan. Really liking this at the moment because my character can literally do anything and makes it so I don't have to rely on a braindead hireling.

Another question: after my free month is over I suspect that it will be time to start gearing up on whatever I pick. Which quest packs would be best for someone who is planning on casual play (maybe running another character through the levels or experiencing the lore type of thing) with the possibility of doing some raiding (never done it in a game unless the elite areas of Guild Wars count)? The consensus I'm seeing from the posts of people asking the same question seems to be The Vale of Twilight but that doesn't seem like its enough.

Thanks a lot for the help so far, really liking the community.

[PresentTense]

The free content will start to run out around level 12. It's certainly possible to reach level 20 with no additional content, but it will require running the same quests many times. The two best packs, imho, are Gianthold and the Vale of Twilight. The two have enough quests and experience available to easily get you to level 20 and will give you four raids to work with. If you're looking for additional content, Delera's Tomb at low levels and Sands of Menechtarun in mid-levels are also excellent packs, but not as necessary since there are free options in their level ranges.

If lore is more of your concern, there are a couple of threads that run through the game, the prophecy thread and the invasion thread. The invasion thread begins in Necropolis I and runs through Necro II, Necro III and Necro IV, then jumps to the Vale of Twilight, then heads to Shavarath. The prophecy thread runs through the early free quests, culminating in Tempest Spine, then goes to Vault of Night, then Gianthold, then Reaver's Refuge. It continues in the Inspired Quarter, followed by the Dreaming Dark.

[mojobie]

Depending on how casual you are, it may be quite a while until you get out to the Vale (minimum level 12 for the explorer area, 13 for the quests I believe). Your TP may be better spent on the better lower level packs (check out this thread (http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=199945)). What you may want to do is hold on to the boxed copy for a while until you hit level 10 or so, then use it. You'll be able to access a bunch of VIP content around that level and be able to decide better what you want.

[Whiteblade999]

Depending on how casual you are, it may be quite a while until you get out to the Vale (minimum level 12 for the explorer area, 13 for the quests I believe). Your TP may be better spent on the better lower level packs (check out this thread (http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=199945)). What you may want to do is hold on to the boxed copy for a while until you hit level 10 or so, then use it. You'll be able to access a bunch of VIP content around that level and be able to decide better what you want.

I do about 3 or 4 hours a day depending on homework. That may slow down or speed up depending on if the content keeps being fun.

I put the casual in since that seems to be a really small amount compared to the 'core' group who play MMOs. Took me a day since I started the Cleric to reach Rank 12. Just guessing it would take a week or two before I hit that high at the very least.


The free content will start to run out around level 12. It's certainly possible to reach level 20 with no additional content, but it will require running the same quests many times. The two best packs, imho, are Gianthold and the Vale of Twilight. The two have enough quests and experience available to easily get you to level 20 and will give you four raids to work with. If you're looking for additional content, Delera's Tomb at low levels and Sands of Menechtarun in mid-levels are also excellent packs, but not as necessary since there are free options in their level ranges.

If lore is more of your concern, there are a couple of threads that run through the game, the prophecy thread and the invasion thread. The invasion thread begins in Necropolis I and runs through Necro II, Necro III and Necro IV, then jumps to the Vale of Twilight, then heads to Shavarath. The prophecy thread runs through the early free quests, culminating in Tempest Spine, then goes to Vault of Night, then Gianthold, then Reaver's Refuge. It continues in the Inspired Quarter, followed by the Dreaming Dark.
I'll have to grab Gianthold and Vale of Twilight after I use the free month then. Will keep the other packs in mind.

The lore is a secondary concern but being Dungeons and Dragons it has to be good right? I'll have to try both threads during the free month to see which ones are worth it. If they are both good I can see myself doing the 3 month for $30 thing, saving the points for the quest packs and just grabbing the one I like most on sale on top of the Gianthold + Vale of Twilight.

[jillie]

One thing you may wish to note - when you're a VIP, you can't buy quest packs. Of course, taking the three months for $30 once or twice, then letting the VIP lapse over the solstice holidays (well, there are a lot of them, and it IS the winter solstice period...) can often result in finding very good "sale" "prices" on the various packs, and on races, and character slots and bank slots ....... :D

[Bahgs]

One thing you may wish to note - when you're a VIP, you can't buy quest packs. Of course, taking the three months for $30 once or twice, then letting the VIP lapse over the solstice holidays (well, there are a lot of them, and it IS the winter solstice period...) can often result in finding very good "sale" "prices" on the various packs, and on races, and character slots and bank slots ....... :D
Was going to mention this. It was the only frustrating part when I did as you are doing. They had a couple 50% off sales on packs that I couldn't take advantage of. Otherwise it is a good deal.

When you register your box, you will have to set up your account as reoccurring billing, as if you are going VIP. Therefore, you will need a credit card or similar. I have had problems in the past when I set up a subscription and canceled it on the same day, so I would suggest that you not cancel until a week or two goes by.

You get 500 TP for your free month, but it is not instantaneous. Mine took about 4-5 days to show up. So, if I would give advice it would be set up your subscription, wait for the TP to hit your account, then cancel the sub. You will still be VIP until the 30 day expires and then Premium after.