flatscan said:
I finally got Windows XP up on my Mabook Pro. Now I've just got to install Age of Conan, which by all accounts should take a day and a half. :wink:
That's about right!
Any servers you all can recommend for a n00b?
I'm on the Cimmerian server. It's PvP (Player vs. Player), so, if that's not your thing, you can pick another. I picked Cimmerian because it's supposed to be the only RP server (role playing), but there is little RP from what I've seen.
Go with a PvE server if you don't want to fight other players. I like PvP because it adds a layer of grit and danger that PvE (Player vs. Enviroment) never provided me. But, if you've been reading the thread, PvP ain't for everybody. Me? I got bored with PvE the first time around. I stopped my subscription for several months (about six), then re-upped a month or six weeks ago. I started a new toon (character), and just made level 61 last night. It's fun. I like it. I'm going to take this guy all the way to 80 (max level right now).
If you join Cimmeria, let me know. I'll put you in my "Friends List" and be around if you have any questions that pop up. If you join a PvP server and decide you don't like it later, you can move your character to another server for a $20 charge (or just start another character on another server for free).
Be warned about PvP. In the early levels, it's brutal. People get on, especially those on free trial, and just hack away at everything that moves. Don't think it's always like this, because it's not. As you increase in level, you learn the game better and you don't get attacked near as much (although the attacking, called "ganking", never completely goes away...but, it's not supposed to since you're on a PvP server).
You'll think the attacks are relentless until you get about 35 or so. Then, you'll notice it will start to subside a bit.
There's lots to do.
- Questing is always fun.
- Grab some friends (or meet some friends) and go PvPing (ganking other players). That's fun too.
- Go PvPing by yourself.
- Work the Trader for coin. Equipment is much more important on a PvP server than on a PvE server. I always try to keep my toon in the best gear possible, where as, on a PvE server, I might skip some things if they're too expensive. On a PvP server, its always worth it.
- Resource Gathering, for your professions or to sell at the Trader. You'll get ganked by mobs (NPCs) as well as real players sometimes when doing this, keeping the game action oriented.
- Group Quests. Some quests can only be accomplished if in a group with other people. Healer is usually important. And, you'll find some of the best loot this way. But, the quests are tough.
- Work your profession, either for the Trader or for yourself. In the game, at level 40, you can pick two professions. My toon is a gemcutter and an armorsmith. You can also be a weaponsmith, an alchemist, or an architect.
As you can see, there's lots to do, sucking up hours and hours of your time.
Right now, mages are overpowered in the game, especially Necromancers. But, we've got a patch coming soon that supposed to nerf them a bit.
Guardians (my toon) and Dark Templars are some of the least popular classes on the PvP servers because it takes real skill to win at PvP. The mage classes, as I indicated, are the easiest to play and most popular.
Also popular are Assassins and Barbarians.
Healers (Bear Shamans or Priests) are always needed in group quests, so you'll always be invited.
Melee in AoC is fun, fun, fun. It's like an arcade game. And, that's just PvE. In PvP, it's even more fun because you're up against a real person, not some NPC that's never going to move around as you fight. In PvP fights, you'll see people jockey for position all over the place.
In PvP, you realy have to learn your toon, learn his combos and abilities, and know when to apply them for maximum effect.
In PvE, chances are you'll get to a point you'll be able to defeat the NPCs but not have to know what everything does as well as you do in PvP.
Mages in AoC are a bit less hectic--not like the melee classes. You just have to cast spells rather than split-second time blows.
Rangers, with their bows, are in the middle. They're a bit more complicated than mages, but they tend to do the same routines over and over. I like the melee classes because combat is never repetitive! It's just down right fun!.
Assassins do the most damage in the entire game, with their precision dagger strikes and poisons, but they are also the least armored in the entire game, having to rely on Cloth armor only. Still, they are quick, and a skilled player can dodge PvP blows from another player.
Guardians can take the most damage than any other class in the game, affording them some room to not excell in PvP. But, they do very little damage (which will hopefully be buffed up in an upcoming patch).
Word is that Guardians with polearms are doing better than guardians that specialize in sword & board, although I'm sticking with my s&b right now. I may re-pec my character for polearm later, though.
Right now, Necromancers are, hands down, the most powerful toons in the game. We'll see how that shakes out after the upcoming patch, though.
Hearalds of Xotli are also fairly powerful. They're mages that morph into hideous monsters wielding two handed swords. They can be damn tough.
Also, how important in AoC is the right-click? Macs have always had only a single mouse button and my trackpad is the same, though there are ways to make it register a click as a right-click.
Fairly important, but you can set your keys any way you need or want. Rt. click duriong auto move will steer your character in the direction you want him to go. Shift+Rt click on items will give you info boxes about them. A quick Rt click in a fight will instanty change your facing to that direction--that's real handy in a fight, but not near as important if you're going PvE. Rt click and move is also realy important in PvP fights, in order to have complete control of the toon during that time. You may find some other way to set up your keys, though.
I've got a gaming mouse, the Razor Death Adder. It's a three button mouse (rt/lt plus the roller) with two thumb buttons added. I've got it set so that I can do all my blows with my mouse, leaving my left hand free to control movement and other quick keys.
If you find you have questions, just let me know!
