New players and the economy

[nimanth]

So I am a brand new player (started on Friday night) and I was looking at the Auctioneer postings and I was astounded at the inflation for level 1 -3 gear. Is this typical for all times of just the price gouge of the weekend?

[Kraak]

Choice low level gear is often in demand for those that power level. Frequently there are good deals on low level gear, you just need to be patient. Also, with the latest updates that Turbine has made with the New Player Experience, the bound gear isn't half bad. Working your way up to your own warchest can be challenging. A couple of things, check the broker's instead of the AH (Level 2 items in the Rusty Nail, level 4+ armor in House K, and level 4+ weap's in House D). The AH is pricey compared to the brokers. Also, sell all your gear to the brokers, you'll build up 10-20k plat really quickly (which is a good amount for a 1st timer), and your cash pile will start to accumulate quickly there after.

There are also haggle strategies which someone else can post on, or link to a previous post. GL in game and if you need any 1-1 help, post in the mentoring program, get a mentor, and they'll help you out. Cheers.

Edit: its stickied above, but here you go: http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=156768. Also be sure to mention if you are a power gamer new to DDO, a casual gamer, a Role Player, or what have you.

[weyoun]

So I am a brand new player (started on Friday night) and I was looking at the Auctioneer postings and I was astounded at the inflation for level 1 -3 gear. Is this typical for all times of just the price gouge of the weekend?

Low level gear prices are aimed at folks who "think" they are twinkers. The low level content is so easy that you don't need to gear out your toon (other than a weapon or two and a mod fort item) until they reach level 9 or so. Let me know what you're looking for and I'll see if I have it laying around.

[tihocan]

That's because older players can easily afford this twinking gear.
Don't sweat it though, a lot of us started with crappy equipment and still enjoyed the game. I remember when I pulled my first +5 full plate (at the L10 cap) and I was really excited about it
Also, don't worry too much about being broke, it's normal... you really start making money around L8-10.

[Fenrisulven6]

So I am a brand new player (started on Friday night) and I was looking at the Auctioneer postings and I was astounded at the inflation for level 1 -3 gear. Is this typical for all times of just the price gouge of the weekend?

Hey nim, I ran into the same issue when I started playing 6 months ago.

PM me your toon's name & class and I'll send you some plat/gear to get you started.

[nimanth]

Thus far, I have not had any issues with gear, it was just a perception to what to expect at the latter levels of the game. I have been playing AoEHammer for the last six months, and this game has been such a breath of fresh air. As far as the type of player, I am everything from a RPer, to a hard core PvPer. To put a label on what type of player I am would be fairly difficult.


As it stands, I found a cheap dagger so my little halfling has her two daggers, and I came across some Studded Leather in a chest on one of my dungeon crawls this morning. So I appreciate the offer weyoun, but you said, most of the gear I get from quest/crawls will be suitible.


Thus far I have played the Cleric and a Rogue with a lot of enjoyment. Unfortunatly for me, I am completely uncertain to what I want to stick with. I have noticed (as some others have said) is the lack of open communication in the General Channels. I know they are normally filled with constant dribble about Chuck Norris and his exploits, but can anyone make a suggestion to what channels are more social?

Edit: Woot! Nice people still play MMOs!

Characters:
Melicia Greenleaf ~ Trap tripper
Umaleth Winterchill ~ Cleric
More alts to come I am sure.

[Enir]

Welcome to the BEST Darn MMO around!
I agree with the previous posts on gear. My first rogue carried a masterwork rapier until lvl 4!! My new 32-pt build is twicked to the max and things are just way too easy!

As far as chat, you will really only get this in groups or guilds. Very little general chat. I should note that Thelanis does have RPing on Thursdays in one of the taverns. Sometimes there will be special events/ player generated events that use general chat. I try to stay on the general chat channel when running around town; but I tend to find a group or jump into a dungeon within a couple minutes.

[Kraak]

One other thing - until you feel comfortable on your own, let the groups you join, know that you are new and or familiar/un-familiar with the quest. This will tremendously improve your experience, as the more experienced players will tone down, slow down, and help. Or just tell you that they have limited time, and are going to zerg (which means no harm/no foul if you drop). Either way - you win. For those that are a jerk to you after you let them know you are a new player, well they're just jerks and recycle out of the game fairly quickly (at least on Thelanis).

Again GL to you. And don't get too hung up on gear, there are few quests where specific gear is required. This game is about 3/5 game play, 1/5 build, 1/5 gear.

[gorloch]

You hinted that you enjoy both the cleric and the rogue but uncertain as to which to play. I would go with the cleric. Would be easier to find groups and reach the favor to open drow/32 point builds. At 400 favor (which is extrememly easy to obtain) you are given the choice to play drow which would be the better choice in making a rogue. Once you reach 1750 (not quite as easy but much more doable than it was when it was first released) you have the option of 32 point builds on all the races except drow. Hopes this helps a bit. If you have any question or need any help feel free to send me a PM here or find me in game. Main and alts are in my sig. Good luck and welcome to DDO.


PIXA

[nimanth]

You hinted that you enjoy both the cleric and the rogue but uncertain as to which to play. I would go with the cleric. Would be easier to find groups and reach the favor to open drow/32 point builds.
PIXA

Yeah I figured as much, healer classes are ALWAYS in high demand, I will say that I am the Melee healer (I forget what it is called) and not the more "squishy" healer.

At 400 favor (which is extrememly easy to obtain) you are given the choice to play drow which would be the better choice in making a rogue. Once you reach 1750 (not quite as easy but much more doable than it was when it was first released) you have the option of 32 point builds on all the races except drow.PIXA

So instead of a halfling rogue I should wait for Drow rogue? I am not a particular fan of the Drow (outside of everyone's favorite novel series) but I will do some more research on the drow rogues setup. As far as point builds are, that is all greek to me. I guess I need to do some online reading and setups, but for now, going to go play!

Hopes this helps a bit. If you have any question or need any help feel free to send me a PM here or find me in game. Main and alts are in my sig. Good luck and welcome to DDO.PIXA

Thanks to all of you guys responses, I really appreciate the help!

[tihocan]

So instead of a halfling rogue I should wait for Drow rogue? I am not a particular fan of the Drow (outside of everyone's favorite novel series) but I will do some more research on the drow rogues setup. As far as point builds are, that is all greek to me. I guess I need to do some online reading and setups, but for now, going to go play!

As a new player, when you create a new character, you get 28 points to distribute (this is when you customize your character instead of picking the pre-planned builds).
Once you reach 1750 total favor on one character, you'll be given 32 points on new characters you create, *except* for drow (because drow already have superior racial bonuses compared to other races).
So for people who really want to optimize their builds as much as possible, the ideal way to get started is have a "dummy" character unlock drow (with 400 favor), then roll a drow, then play him to 1750 favor and only then create more (non drow) characters, with 32 point builds.

But it's really not necessary for you to go this way, the improvement of 32 pt builds over 28 pt is really small, and your halfling rogue will be just fine

[Delt]

It would be inadvisable to build a rogue as an early character. Most "experienced" players can't seem to build/play them right, and even then, they are heavily gear dependant.

A 28-pt cleric and a drow sorc would make the easiest and ideal first two characters. And be the least likely to need a reroll. Either way, good luck.

[Ministry]

...

A 28-pt cleric and a drow sorc would make the easiest and ideal first two characters. And be the least likely to need a reroll. Either way, good luck.

/Signed

or 28 pt. cleric and a drow cleric. I always tell new players to start with a cleric or two and unlocking drow is pretty easy and you can stop playing your 28 pointer at that point.

Clerics have no troubles getting onto teams or forming them, thus allowing you to maximize your playing time. Clerics also aren't expected to lead parties, so you can stay in the back, heal the group and ask questions and look around as you go.

[weyoun]

/Signed

or 28 pt. cleric and a drow cleric. I always tell new players to start with a cleric or two and unlocking drow is pretty easy and you can stop playing your 28 pointer at that point.

Clerics have no troubles getting onto teams or forming them, thus allowing you to maximize your playing time. Clerics also aren't expected to lead parties, so you can stay in the back, heal the group and ask questions and look around as you go.

I would say WF sorc to 1750 or to 400 and a drow bard to 1750. The reasons for this are solely based on financial considerations. Nothing is cheaper to run than a WF sorc. The bard doesn't have boosts but will still make a great bank toon/hagglebot later.

[Missing_Minds]

So I am a brand new player (started on Friday night) and I was looking at the Auctioneer postings and I was astounded at the inflation for level 1 -3 gear. Is this typical for all times of just the price gouge of the weekend?

*chuckles* I'm sorry. I used to play Ghallanda... I actually find the prices for the most part reasonable, esp the lowbie gear.

Take what you see on Thelanis, and mark it up by x10 to x100. Saddly, I joke not.

[Wrigley]

It's a common problem in any established MMO. As the game matures there is more and more gear and gold in the economy. Folks that have been playing for years have plenty of resources to buy what they need as they need it. Inflation occurs. Unlike every other MMO I've ever played there is an easy solution. Just post what you need at low levels. Your mailbox will fill up. This is a generous (and more mature) community. Also, take Kraaks advice (on this anyway - ignore him the rest of the time). When you join a party let them know you are new. Most will slow down, and explain what's going on and help you learn.

Last bit of advice. Pixa is a real girl. She love's purple. Send her all your purple armor and she will be a huge help.

[DirkTyrant]

I'm new also.... and I agree that way too many items in the auction houses are priced at over 100x their stated value. I don't get it either. Are people paying those prices? seems silly...

I am also discouraged by the zerging. Most people are nice.... but I have a hard time just keeping up. In one group.... I didn't even see most of the fights... Why do they go so fast? It can't be as much fun. Unfortunately for me (a rogue) I don't get to do what my character is designed to do - stealth.

I had one group that got mad at me because I didn't ALREADY know where all the traps were and go straight to them. They point at places, jump up and down, and get impatient. One group kicked me out because of it. Cussed me and laughed about it.

That is not the norm, but I really would prefer to go slowly and enjoy NOT KNOWING where everything is. Where can I find like-minded players to group with?

[weyoun]

I'm new also.... and I agree that way too many items in the auction houses are priced at over 100x their stated value. I don't get it either. Are people paying those prices? seems silly...

I am also discouraged by the zerging. Most people are nice.... but I have a hard time just keeping up. In one group.... I didn't even see most of the fights... Why do they go so fast? It can't be as much fun. Unfortunately for me (a rogue) I don't get to do what my character is designed to do - stealth.

I had one group that got mad at me because I didn't ALREADY know where all the traps were and go straight to them. They point at places, jump up and down, and get impatient. One group kicked me out because of it. Cussed me and laughed about it.

That is not the norm, but I really would prefer to go slowly and enjoy NOT KNOWING where everything is. Where can I find like-minded players to group with?

try static groups:
http://forums.ddo.com/forumdisplay.php?f=48

[Delt]

I'm new also.... and I agree that way too many items in the auction houses are priced at over 100x their stated value. I don't get it either. Are people paying those prices? seems silly...

I am also discouraged by the zerging. Most people are nice.... but I have a hard time just keeping up. In one group.... I didn't even see most of the fights... Why do they go so fast? It can't be as much fun. Unfortunately for me (a rogue) I don't get to do what my character is designed to do - stealth.

I had one group that got mad at me because I didn't ALREADY know where all the traps were and go straight to them. They point at places, jump up and down, and get impatient. One group kicked me out because of it. Cussed me and laughed about it.

That is not the norm, but I really would prefer to go slowly and enjoy NOT KNOWING where everything is. Where can I find like-minded players to group with?

That's actually another reason not to play a rogue as a new player, but I chose not to mention it. You'll get lowbie wannabe elitists (not to be confused with actual experienced zergers) that'll give you a hard time for not knowing where every box is and blowing traps.

As for finding like-minded new players...that's a tough. The content is 3 years old and the vets outnumber the newbies by a large margin. Just be honest when you join a group and say "Hi, Im new to the game".

[sephiroth1084]

Welcome to the game!

As someone who has been helping a friend new to the game through the content, I can say that it is sometimes difficult to shuck the inclination to run through the early stuff quickly, but if my friend asks for us to slow down or for explanation as to what's going on, it recalls me to the task at hand (showing him the game) and I start going at a more reserved pace.

If you have other friends in the game, see if they'll join you and go slowly. Also, if you end up playing with some other fairly new players who you enjoy grouping with, ask them if they'd like to form a static group to run quests on a regular schedule. While this can be difficult to get together and manage, this is probably the best way to experience the game. A group of 4 is the ideal size (though 5 or 6 will make running quests easier) people consisting of: someone with trap skills (rogue), healing (cleric, bard or to a lesser extent paladin or ranger), someone who can take hits, dish out damage, and help the rogue get sneak attack (barbarian, fighter, paladin, ranger), and someone who can throw down some crowd control (wizard, sorcerer or bard).

As for prices, everyone has already offered solid advice. I will say, though, that I wish more vets put good lowbie items on the AH for real lowbies/new players and left them there. I tend to put most decent gear on the AH for about half of its listed value.