Dakota's New player guide and tips

[Dakotahorn]

Hello all,

*Disclaimer*
I want to say up front that I'm sure many of these newbie tips have been written, and that I am aware of that. But this is not really a 'guide' per se, but rather some personal notes I have gathered since I started playing DDO, that I thought might have the possibility of helping at least a few people.

To give a very short background on the OP:
My MMO experience: Practically ZERO outside of DDO. Prior to this I mostly had experience with D2 (if you don't know what D2 is....I guess you could summarize it as WOW's grandfather - simplistic gameplay at best, and I sure would not classify it as a MMO).
My DDO experience: about a years worth at the time of this post.

To get started I would like to give out what I call the *Golden Rule* for DDO....

If you have never done a quest before, it's fine, just let your group know!!!
It's perfectly fine to be a 'Newbie'!!!! Just tell your group. Plain and simple. I would consider myself a 'vet' at this point since I have ran every f2p quest in the game plus 80% of p2p content, and I have absolutely no problems guiding new players through their first time of a particular quest. Just let me know that you will not know all of the little quirks of the quest like the back of your hand like the rest of the party will. I welcome newbies in my group, and I guarantee that 95% of DDO players feel the exact same way I do about this. Don't be shy, I'm not going to kick you, and just speak up about any questions you might have.
Now when you say you have never ran the quest before I will expect the following: Listen to instructions, follow the 'leader' of the group as tight as you can, and ask questions if you have questions.

Ok, got the "Golden Rule"? Great now we are going to go through some others rather quickly. These should be considered more like tips than anything else. (And please forum trollers, these are for 'new' players as helpful tips, not DDO RULES that are SET IN STONE)

*DDOWiki is fantastic! Might I suggest you bookmark this page: http://ddowiki.com/page/Free_to_Play_quests

New Characters:
1.) Understanding Ability Scores are the most basic fundamentals of playing DDO. - I will cover stacking later
http://ddowiki.com/page/Ability - Read this to get an idea
2.) It really is best to have 32 point buy for monks.
3.) Constitution should NEVER be lower than 14. Period. It is almost ALWAYS your 2nd most important ability.
*Recommended 'NEWBIE guides'*
TWF Fighter - http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=231816 - By Goldeneye
Sorc - http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=175911 - By Aspenor (end-all-be-all-IMO)

Multiclassing
1.) Don't worry about muticlassing!!! - Play pure builds for you're first toon
2.) NEVER multiclass Sorcerers - again, if you're reading this, you shouldn't even be thinking about multiclassing
3.) It's ok to delete and reroll characters

TURBINE POINTS
1.) When you complete a quest you get favor. Every 100 favor earns you 25 turbine points to spend in the store(hit ctrl+S to access store in game). In addition, ONCE PER SERVER when you hit 5, 25, 50, 500, 1000 you get bonus Turbine Points.
2.) How to spend points: BUY ADVENTURE PACKS!!!!!! HIGHLY suggest the following purchases in this order:
a.) Delera's
b.) Gianthold
c.) Vale of Twilight
Check out Sirgog's thread for more pack information here - http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=199945
3.) DO NOT buy weapons in the DDO store! EVER!
4.) The following can be unlocked per server by earning favor amounts on ONE character: Drow(400), Veteran status{start new toons at lvl 4}(1000), 32-point buy(1750), Favored Soul(2500). *Once you have unlocked these, they are unlocked on that server forever, even if you delete your character that unlocked it.

Types of Subscriptions
F2p = Free to Play - never spent 1 penny on game
Classes: Fighter, Barbarian, Bard, Cleric, Ranger, Rogue, Wizard, Sorcerer, Paladin + purchased classes
Races: Human, Dwarf, Halfling, Elf + purchased races
Character slots per server: 2
Auction posts: 1 at a time
Gold limit: Based on level
P2p = Pay to Play - Have spent Real life cash in ANY increment at least ONCE! (yes, spend $6 just once, and it's unlocked forever) *I HIGHLY RECOMMEND BECOMING PREMIUM*
Classes: same as f2p
Races: same as f2p
Character slots: 4
Auction posts: 50
Gold cap: None
VIP = Monthly subscribers - I think it's $15/month now unless you got in on a special
Classes: f2p + Monk
Races: f2p + Warforged, Half-elf, Half-orc
Character slots: 10 (IIRC)
Auctions: same as p2p
Gold cap: None
BONUS: ALL CONTENT UNLOCKED, 500 Turbine points a month added to your account, and a 'shared bank' between your toons on the same server.

GENERAL TIPS!!! (Did you knows?)
* You can separate stacked items by holding ctrl and dragging the items into an empty inventory slot.
* You can buy multiple item with vendors very quickly by holding ctrl and clicking on the items (like potions, arrows, etc.).
* You can link an item to the chat window by going to the general tab and holding ctrl and right-clicking on the item. You can link these to party chat by typing '/p' before it, or guild chat with '/g'.
* DO NOT SHARE CHAINS!!!! This will cause some chains to bug-out. Always beware of accepting blind shared quests.
* DO NOT BUY Medium bags in the AH for 30kpp!!!!! There is a vendor in House P that sells them for like 8kpp
* ALWAYS wear the highest 'fortification' item you can.
* Carry potions on you!!!!! Not just Health, but Poison, Lesser Restore, and resist pots at lower levels.
* AC is important at lower levels, but CONSTITUTION is the most important thing to survive especially at higher levels.
* Invulnerability is the best mod you can have on an armor up to level 8
* You can remove the profanity filter by going into Options -> Gameplay -> Very bottom of list
* You go into 'Window Mode' by hitting Alt+Enter (great for browsing between Forums/Wiki while playing)
* House K favor gives you the ability to purchase more bank slots
* ACID HEALS CLAY GOLEMS!!
* FIRE HEALS IRON CONSTRUCTS!!
* DR/Good gives you damage reduction from everything BUT Good damage

Stacking
Stacking golden rule: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
+X of the same ability DOES NOT STACK
Example: Wearing a +2 Charisma Helm and a +3 Charisma cloak would yield a total of a +3 bonus to Charisma
Power items do not stack, even with wizardry items

With that I think I'm out of any more tips for new players, so I hope this helps at least one player. I know, I know there are probably thousands of these around on the forums, but I have really wanted to make one these for a while now. Take it or leave it.

Thanks, and be sure to rate if you guys liked it/disliked it.

[Kourier]

The only thing I can see wrong here is that the once-per-server favor amounts are off, but everything else is gravy. I believe the correct numbers are 5, 25, 50, 500, 1000, etc. Check Robi's F2P guide... It should be in there.

[Dakotahorn]

The only thing I can see wrong here is that the once-per-server favor amounts are off, but everything else is gravy. I believe the correct numbers are 5, 25, 50, 500, 1000, etc. Check Robi's F2P guide... It should be in there.

Of course lol....has been awhile since I did my favor grind

Fixed and ty

[FuzzyDuck81]

Simple, straightforward & good tips for new players

the only thing missing: get the highest fortification as soon as you can conveniently afford/find it - some will say you MUST get it at the earliest levels it can appear, however if you're short on cash you can often pick up an item with fortification plus something else (eg. +1 CON) with a slightly higher minimum level from either the brokers or in the auction hall for far less than a "clean" version. Race restricted ones are also often available in the auction hall & have a minimum level thats 2 levels lower than normal, however they will often be VERY expensive.

[FlyingTurtle]

Something that helped me:

Money

The best way of getting money on a lowbie is to gather collectables used on this page and sell them on the Auction House:
http://ddowiki.com/page/Stone_of_Change_-_Recipes

[Jean-carlo]

Well this seems to be a good place to have my 1st post

1. How do you select another character (PC or NPC?) to heal them? My char is a Cleric and I can't seem to select NPCs (when I did the grotto) to heal them and all my heals seems to go to Me.
1A. Can I heal my summoned pets? Another NPC I can't seem to select for healing.

2. Level of Quests. Do these scale with your level? i.e. if I enter a Level 1 quest (E.G. The Storehouse's secret) at L2, does it become a L2 quest?
2A. How hard is Hard? Would this be something I can attempt by myself On Level (assuming no scaling)? I've completed all the initial quests and saw that they are being offered Again, but now have the Hard mode option available...
2B. What XP penalties are there? Again assuming a No-Scaling system, how much XP would I get doing a L1 quest if I'm L2? L3? L15?

3. Are inventory bags limited only by In Game money? I.e. if I have enough money, can I buy as many bags/bag slots as anyone else (i.e. as much as a VIP)? Or do I need to acquire some via TP?



On a more general note: What Exactly do I get if I buy the DDO:Stormreach BOX? (Compared to LOTR): Does this come with 30 days VIP? 500 TP points (within those 30 days)? What happens when my 30 days run out (and not subscribe); do I "keep" any thing from being VIP?



Thanks! (I may have more... later )

[FlyingTurtle]

Well this seems to be a good place to have my 1st post

1. How do you select another character (PC or NPC?) to heal them? My char is a Cleric and I can't seem to select NPCs (when I did the grotto) to heal them and all my heals seems to go to Me.
1A. Can I heal my summoned pets? Another NPC I can't seem to select for healing.

2. Level of Quests. Do these scale with your level? i.e. if I enter a Level 1 quest (E.G. The Storehouse's secret) at L2, does it become a L2 quest?
2A. How hard is Hard? Would this be something I can attempt by myself On Level (assuming no scaling)? I've completed all the initial quests and saw that they are being offered Again, but now have the Hard mode option available...
2B. What XP penalties are there? Again assuming a No-Scaling system, how much XP would I get doing a L1 quest if I'm L2? L3? L15?

3. Are inventory bags limited only by In Game money? I.e. if I have enough money, can I buy as many bags/bag slots as anyone else (i.e. as much as a VIP)? Or do I need to acquire some via TP?



On a more general note: What Exactly do I get if I buy the DDO:Stormreach BOX? (Compared to LOTR): Does this come with 30 days VIP? 500 TP points (within those 30 days)? What happens when my 30 days run out (and not subscribe); do I "keep" any thing from being VIP?



Thanks! (I may have more... later )

1. Right click to target, then cast away. Yes summons and NPCs such as Heyton can be healed.
2. http://ddowiki.com/page/Difficulty_Scaling, see also http://ddowiki.com/page/Experience_points
Hard makes the quest level +1 but makes it harder than that (I'd say its actually like Normal at quest level +2).
Elite makes the quest level +2 but makes it even harder than that (I'd say its actually like Normal at quest level +4).
3. Extra inventory space is given for Coin Lord Favor
http://ddowiki.com/page/The_Coin_Lords

[Bahgs]

On a more general note: What Exactly do I get if I buy the DDO:Stormreach BOX? (Compared to LOTR): Does this come with 30 days VIP? 500 TP points (within those 30 days)? What happens when my 30 days run out (and not subscribe); do I "keep" any thing from being VIP?

Using the activation works just like paying for a month of VIP. VIP status for 30 days and 500 TP. A nice deal if you can find a box at a value price. After the 30 days you revert to premium (or P2P) status.

One potential hitch is that activating through the box requires you to set up a recurring billing account and therefore you need a credit card or similar. Give it a few days to make sure everything is good to go and then cancel the recurring payment through your account page and all is well.

Edit - Upon reflection I should put in one large caveat to the above statements. If the box you buy was distributed by Turbine for usage on North American servers, you are fine. If the box was for European servers, distributed by Codemasters (if such still exist), the box is worthless except as a paper weight.

[Dakotahorn]

Well this seems to be a good place to have my 1st post

1. How do you select another character (PC or NPC?) to heal them? My char is a Cleric and I can't seem to select NPCs (when I did the grotto) to heal them and all my heals seems to go to Me.
1A. Can I heal my summoned pets? Another NPC I can't seem to select for healing.

2. Level of Quests. Do these scale with your level? i.e. if I enter a Level 1 quest (E.G. The Storehouse's secret) at L2, does it become a L2 quest?
2A. How hard is Hard? Would this be something I can attempt by myself On Level (assuming no scaling)? I've completed all the initial quests and saw that they are being offered Again, but now have the Hard mode option available...
2B. What XP penalties are there? Again assuming a No-Scaling system, how much XP would I get doing a L1 quest if I'm L2? L3? L15?

3. Are inventory bags limited only by In Game money? I.e. if I have enough money, can I buy as many bags/bag slots as anyone else (i.e. as much as a VIP)? Or do I need to acquire some via TP?



On a more general note: What Exactly do I get if I buy the DDO:Stormreach BOX? (Compared to LOTR): Does this come with 30 days VIP? 500 TP points (within those 30 days)? What happens when my 30 days run out (and not subscribe); do I "keep" any thing from being VIP?



Thanks! (I may have more... later )

Also try using the 'F#' keys to target your party, like F1-F6. For NPC's you have to right-click like turtle suggested.

[PNellesen]

1. Right click to target, then cast away. Yes summons and NPCs such as Heyton can be healed.

You can also select a player's bar on the party list - this works pretty well for me. I believe you can hit F1-F6 as well to cycle through them.

[Jean-carlo]

Thanks every one! LOTs of helpful answers!

2. http://ddowiki.com/page/Difficulty_Scaling, see also http://ddowiki.com/page/Experience_points
Hard makes the quest level +1 but makes it harder than that (I'd say its actually like Normal at quest level +2).
Elite makes the quest level +2 but makes it even harder than that (I'd say its actually like Normal at quest level +4).

I read the links you provided, and add'l links from there; unless I missed something quests/dungeons don't Actually go up in level, right? If I read every thing correctly, a L4 char can enter a L1 dungeon on Elite and be "about the same level", tho the dungeon would still be L1?

Using the activation works just like paying for a month of VIP. VIP status for 30 days and 500 TP. A nice deal if you can find a box at a value price.

Is this good? $7.50 DDO: Stormreach LE by Atari (US/NA I assume?)
http://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Drago...9425232&sr=8-8


or this
$1.50 for Non LE
http://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Drago...9425232&sr=8-5

Also try using the 'F#' keys to target your party, like F1-F6. For NPC's you have to right-click like turtle suggested.

Does this work if your party member is an NPC (hireling, or Cleric pet)? In LOTRO, pressing F1 twice selects your pet (no hirelings to compare tho).

[Bahgs]

I read the links you provided, and add'l links from there; unless I missed something quests/dungeons don't Actually go up in level, right? If I read every thing correctly, a L4 char can enter a L1 dungeon on Elite and be "about the same level", tho the dungeon would still be L1?

There is a base dungeon level that you can see if you look on your Patrons window (hit 'P' by default to get it open). That is the level of the dungeon on normal difficulty. If you run the dungeon on hard add 1 and elite level add 2. The level of the character entering does not affect this level.

EX: Misery Peak quest.
Normal: level 2
Hard: level 3
Elite: level 4

Your character level with respect to the dungeon level affects the amount of experience you can earn on completion. This page has a lot of good information, although you may need to chew on it a while.
http://ddowiki.com/page/Experience_points

Is this good? $7.50 DDO: Stormreach LE by Atari (US/NA I assume?)
http://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Drago...9425232&sr=8-8


or this
$1.50 for Non LE
http://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Drago...9425232&sr=8-5

I'm pretty sure the box I used looks like the one in the second link. After shipping and handling I think I paid just under $5.00. I'm pretty sure that the limited edition box will also work but I don't know what sort of extras you would get with it so have no clue if the extra money is worth it. As I said, I went for something similar to your second link (and used an Amazon.com partner retailer).

[Jean-carlo]

There is a base dungeon level that you can see if you look on your Patrons window (hit 'P' by default to get it open). That is the level of the dungeon on normal difficulty. If you run the dungeon on hard add 1 and elite level add 2. The level of the character entering does not affect this level.

EX: Misery Peak quest.
Normal: level 2
Hard: level 3
Elite: level 4

Your character level with respect to the dungeon level affects the amount of experience you can earn on completion. This page has a lot of good information, although you may need to chew on it a while.
http://ddowiki.com/page/Experience_points



I'm pretty sure the box I used looks like the one in the second link. After shipping and handling I think I paid just under $5.00. I'm pretty sure that the limited edition box will also work but I don't know what sort of extras you would get with it so have no clue if the extra money is worth it. As I said, I went for something similar to your second link (and used an Amazon.com partner retailer).

Thanks a ton!!

[Ainimache]

I'm not sure if this was answered clearly...

Hirelings are considered party members and appear in the party list. This means you can right click on the actual character to select them, or left click on their name/picture in the party list, or use the F# key corresponding to their position in the party list. You are always on the top of your party list, so you are always F1. If it's just you and a hireling, the hireling will be F2.

Summoned creatures (pets), as well as those guys from the tutorial, don't count as party members, so you must right click on them to target them for spells (or clickies - spells from items, like rings or stuff). Right clicking is the only way to target them.

---

As for doing dungeons over while on Korthos island, most of them should be do-able on hard at level and elite, especially if you get at least one buddy and/or hireling. As you enter a quest, the pop up where you select casual/normal/hard/elite should also say something like, "This quest is easy for it's level" or "this quest may be difficult for it's level." Usually those really mean what they say. I think most (if not all) of the quests on Korthos say "easy," but you'll start seeing "average" and "difficult" ones once you hit Stormreach proper.

Welcome to DDO! Have fun!

[lugoman]

My top 2 picks for new players:

1) Never be the first to open a chest. Some may be trapped or someone may have dc'ed or the rl has a peculiar way to open them. You can avoid making people angry by waiting for someone else to open it.


2) Never be the first through a portal. It could be scary on the other side.

[Jean-carlo]

I'm not sure if this was answered clearly...

Hirelings are considered party members and appear in the party list. This means you can right click on the actual character to select them, or left click on their name/picture in the party list, or use the F# key corresponding to their position in the party list. You are always on the top of your party list, so you are always F1. If it's just you and a hireling, the hireling will be F2.

Summoned creatures (pets), as well as those guys from the tutorial, don't count as party members, so you must right click on them to target them for spells (or clickies - spells from items, like rings or stuff). Right clicking is the only way to target them.

---

As for doing dungeons over while on Korthos island, most of them should be do-able on hard at level and elite, especially if you get at least one buddy and/or hireling. As you enter a quest, the pop up where you select casual/normal/hard/elite should also say something like, "This quest is easy for it's level" or "this quest may be difficult for it's level." Usually those really mean what they say. I think most (if not all) of the quests on Korthos say "easy," but you'll start seeing "average" and "difficult" ones once you hit Stormreach proper.

Welcome to DDO! Have fun!

Thanks for the welcome and the clarifications I don't have a lot of time to play so didn't want to just go in (i have one of the Korthos quest on repeat) and take time to only find out I'm bending over for myself.

[Jean-carlo]

My top 2 picks for new players:

1) Never be the first to open a chest. Some may be trapped or someone may have dc'ed or the rl has a peculiar way to open them. You can avoid making people angry by waiting for someone else to open it.


2) Never be the first through a portal. It could be scary on the other side.

LOL I doubt I'll be able to follow either of this since grouping will probably the last thing I'll do in the game (just don't have time to commit unfortunately) but thanks!

[PNellesen]

LOL I doubt I'll be able to follow either of this since grouping will probably the last thing I'll do in the game (just don't have time to commit unfortunately) but thanks!

That's what I thought when I first started playing too... now I usually don't bother playing UNLESS I have time for a group (unless I feel like hitting an adventure area). The game is so much more fun when you get a good group of people going, especially if it's people you've run quests with in the past. (One word of advice, though - use a character other than a Cleric the first few times you join up with people you don't know. Expectations for what Clerics should do can be "unrealistic"...)

[Jean-carlo]

That's what I thought when I first started playing too... now I usually don't bother playing UNLESS I have time for a group (unless I feel like hitting an adventure area). The game is so much more fun when you get a good group of people going, especially if it's people you've run quests with in the past. (One word of advice, though - use a character other than a Cleric the first few times you join up with people you don't know. Expectations for what Clerics should do can be "unrealistic"...)

Thanks for the tip! I'm planning on running a 2nd char (Fighter I think) eventually, but I saw from the char selection that Clerics are the easiest (well, it had Very good instead of just Good like most) to play so that's what I'm running with first

[Stitch78]

2) Never be the first through a portal. It could be scary on the other side.

+1 for the LOL.



Newbie Tip: not all NPC's pay you the same for your loot. In general you will get more from the "brokers" which are in the Market, House D and House K and identified by a pale blue dot on your map.

Bonus newbie tip: not all NPC's charge you the same for repairs. Experiment to find out what works best.