My first day on mainland and my impressions of it

[browserice]

On Thursday, I left Silan to on mainland in the Mantis world (my char is Mantis). I had done all missions on Silan and was average level 37 on all 4 skills.

Upon arriving on mainland, in front of me was a city welcomer NPC to whom I talked to and he asked me if I was looking for anyone. I asked for a crafter trainer and he pointed me to 3 of them. I chose the first one.

Going to the actual indicated spot was quick. I took a look around while going there and found that it was more populated then Silan and more compact in terms of space between all the different locations of that camp. Once I got there, I was kind of confused as I had found the trainers there but no quest givers. I went to the house that was there and found some overseer (or something spelled similar). I looked at his quests but soon realized they were for people having more skills them me. So I left the house.

Once I got outside I started asking around the chat and few seconds later, someone showed up in front of me to guide me. I really appreciated that. In fact, it is that kind of friendliness in Ryzom that love.

My guide and I went to another camp where suprisingly, I was given jewels of lvl 70 (WOW !). I thanked my guide and we went off to get some XP because apparently my level wasn't high enough to even use those jewels. So I followed my guide onto a road. I thought we were going in some other town but I realized we were there to actualy fight MOBs (dogs). My guide kept healing me while I was fighting them. My fighting level was initialy 44 and we raised it to 45 through those fighting.

I was then able to use all those jewels. We then rushed back to the same shops where were before heading out. I had learned that in that part of the map, there were 3 shop spots for different ranges of quality materials. I asked my guide why this wasn't indicated in the first place upon my arrival to mainland because I would never have found that out on my own. My guide said that he didn't know.

We then went back to the first place we met where there was a stable. I was explained a few thing and amazingly, I was giving 200,000 in money so I could buy myself a mount or pack (don't remember the terminalogy) so I could store more materials.

We then departed but I stayed behind to start harvesting just outside the barrier. I was surprised to see that the materials there were at least quality 50 but was only able to extract quality 40. I diged for 30 mins and disconnected.

Ok, this was my first day. Now my impressions.

1) even if I didn't travel much, it is a beautiful place.

2) the environment is very friendly and especialy the people (got help withing
10 min of geting there, can you imagine ?)

3) I am surprised that if I would have been on my own, my skills were not even enough to pick up where I left on Silan. I mean, the first quests I saw needed higher skills and the materials to be digged up were of a higher quality then what I was able to (so I had to settle with the quality level that I had). I managed to have harvesting skills up to quality 40 but that is only because I stayed longer on Silan to get as much as possible. I assume the majority of people leaving for mainland still had around level 20-30. The same goes for crafting. So having somekind of warning of the levels I would have needed once on mainland would have been appreciated. I could always keep harvesting a bunch of materials to craft XP so I could raise my crafting levels. But then, even with level 45 fighting skills, I would probably often get killed by MOBs of level 4/5 before reaching a high enough XP.

4) so realted to 3), being alone on mainland would actualy be a very long process to raise up your skills XP to be totaly independant. If you cannto wait that long, then I strongly suggest you get someone who help you raise faster. I had people like that offering it to me back on Silan.

5) now personnaly, related to 4), I have never been the kind to accept shortcuts in learning processes. I have always been on my own and thought that would be the case once on mainland. Having to learn how to get to the point of being totaly independant is something that doesn't scare me. Yea I know I still accepted help from someone even if I said I prefer the oposit. But honnestly, I wasn't expecting to have that MUCH help. I admit, I am thinking about geting rid of those jewels so I can start from scratch and enjoy the learning experience (and pains) of get to the same point on my own. I still haven't made up my mind. When I first started Ryzom, my aim was (and still is) to learn as much as possible so I could help as soon as possible in every possible way. Now not everyone is like me and would rather prefer to level up as soon as possible through the help of others. I have nothing against that. Go ahead and do it. I just usualy like going through the learning pace of geting there. I will have to decide what do I do with those jewels I graciously received.

Any comments ?

[iceaxe68]

Let me start by saying "Welcome!"

You have indeed found the friendliest people in any game anywhere. If you spend any time in this forum you're likely to catch a few flames flying about, and some general moping, but for the most part you won't find much of either in the "real" deal.

As regards help, please feel free to pursue your own course, accepting help or not as suits you. You'll get no grief from anyone either way. Be aware though that as you increase your levels going it alone gets very very hard.

However, for me the very best part of the game is spending time with my guildmates, whether teamed up for mutual assistance or just laughing and joking in guild chat. (You guys rock, I love you, PF!)

You'll no doubt get recruited by every passing guild officer (we're all vultures) so if you do decide to remain guildless you may want to do like Beau and form your own guild of one just to keep your sanity. If, on the other hand, you decide to join a family, whether for help or just for socializing, mine's the best.

[[Click on that link down there at the bottom of my sig.]]

All you other guilds may now commence throwing rotten yubo droppings at me...

Anyway, welcome again, and I expect I'll be seeing you in Yrk, so give me a wave.

[beaut666]

First of all, welcome to the Mainland!
If you need help, the universes channel is for asking Q and A about Ryzom, and is the single greatest source of answers. Region chat is generally used for general chit chat, and for asking for groups since it is easier to meet a group in your region than a group half way across the world.
Just ask away though, I think you'll find most players are just waiting to help new players, it's one of our favorite things to do!
There are many activities coming too, player ran events, all sorts of stuff. Just get used to reading all the forums, and checkin out the Chronicles section of the main Ryzom site.
If you need anything, /tell me ingame!
Beau

[killgore]

I know many will post that soling in Ryzom is almost impossible.It is not.A level 1 player can arrive and survive around the capitol cities. Soloing is a matter of patience and accepting less then the 3K cap on xp. If you experiment you will find MoBs that give quick xp in the 700 or so range.I've found fast easy kills work well and all the mats you gather you can craft.As far as being told where merchants that sell Q50 or lower or Q100 lower in which part of town. That is part of the learning and exploring process. Ryzom is not an easy game but worth the effort.There is always uni if you get stuck. Explore be patient and take the time to learn as much as you can and you will be rewarded.Welcome to our home.-Kilgoretrout

[jamela]

Originally Posted by browserice

3) I am surprised that if I would have been on my own, my skills were not even enough to pick up where I left on Silan. I mean, the first quests I saw needed higher skills and the materials to be digged up were of a higher quality then what I was able to (so I had to settle with the quality level that I had). I managed to have harvesting skills up to quality 40 but that is only because I stayed longer on Silan to get as much as possible. I assume the majority of people leaving for mainland still had around level 20-30. The same goes for crafting. So having somekind of warning of the levels I would have needed once on mainland would have been appreciated. I could always keep harvesting a bunch of materials to craft XP so I could raise my crafting levels. But then, even with level 45 fighting skills, I would probably often get killed by MOBs of level 4/5 before reaching a high enough XP.

It cannot be stressed enough or more often, that the mainland is not mission driven. There are NO quests except your own. Silan was only introduced a little over a year ago, before then there was a starter isle for each race which was very much more like the mainland - no missions, only errands to perform which the officials find a bit too onerous to carry out themselves. The popular advice then was generally to get a combat level of 20+ and / or feel safe travelling between the towns, before leaving for the mainland. As the trout said above, it is quite possible, and practical, to work up from level 1 on the mainland, the starter isles have always been intended to introduce people, not characters, to Atys and Ryzom.

4) and 5) follow on from 3) so I'll leave them.

Welcome to the mainland, Eciresworb.

Originally Posted by KilgoreTrout

I know many will post that soloing in Ryzom is almost impossible....

What?! I don't think that's a common misperception at all, Killy.

*Throws rice at Sasi for the shameless guild plug* .

Actually (this is not targetted at you at all, Sasi), I've always found it quite shameful that many guilds go recruiting for members, sometimes resorting to spam invitations to any unguilded homin they come across. If a guild is worthy of respect then they will have applicants queueing to join once they advertise for new members. I've never joined a guild that I didn't apply to, and I recommend anyone to do the same. If you think you are interested in a guild, make an application, interview one or more of the executives, and either party can walk away if the answers are not what was hoped for. Take responsibilty and take control.

[iceaxe68]

1. Soloing is hard. Not impossible. Hard. Also rewarding. I've done a lot of it as my play time tends to be when most are asleep. When you manage to do something that is hard, and you've done it on your own, it is yours to keep. I am in awe of those who set themselves the challenge of accepting no help.

2. Guilds, like homins, come in all shapes, sizes, and ethics. Large and famous guilds may have applications and waiting lists. Small new guilds have to recruit or die. Exclusive guilds may not be taking new people. Groups of friends decide to form their own. Roleplay guilds. PvP focused guilds. Kara guilds, Kami guilds, neutrals...

And some homins don't want to be in a guild. Some use their guilds for selfish acquisition of advantages. Some use them for altruistic purposes. Some fight with their guildies, some would die for their guildies. Some jump from one guild to another, some stay for life.

Some homins talk too much for their own good. Maybe I'm one of those...

Back on topic, I guess:
Eciresworb, find your own happy place - I'll bet it exists somewhere in this beautiful world we call Atys.

[gix74]

About receiving "too much help"...I suggest you not to accept it and this is why:

I first played Ryzom 2 years ago and left it after 4 months.
At first, when I was an young matisain, I met some friendly guys that soon joined me in a guild.
As soon as I joined the guild, I was given some nice equip to play with (amp, armor, jewels..); they also gave me the money to buy a mac (like they did for you)
After 2 or 3 days, someone organized a so called "world tour". With the help of many high level players, me and a bounch of new players where carried all around the world and we were given the money to buy the teleport ticket we found during the trip.
Sure it was a nice trip (a bit chaotich tho) but in the end, all this help from the community wasn't that good.
I mean, everybody was kind and I really enjoy the trip and the gifts but, after 2 or 3 months I felt like I had nothing more to do/discover.
I know this was probably a wrong impression but, after all, what keep a game interesting is the exploration of new lands, is the run for the next quality of weapon, is the "ooohh look at this, I didn't ever imagined it was possible".
If you burn all these experience in a matter of few days, in the end will not pay.

This is why now that I've subscribed again to Ryzom (and started with a new player), I intend to play with as little help as I can.
No organized world for sure. I want to go explore by my own and maybe with the help of other low level players like me.
Sure we're gonna die a lot...sure we are gonna be lost in the noman land but, damn, it's gonna be a long and funny adventure.
And I don't want to join a guild, at least for some months.
I don't want to be teleported here and there to fight mob that I barely can hit so that I can level up faster.
I don't want to see place where I can't relax for a while just to look around because I will die if ever a mob look at me.
I want to play with ppl that are low level like me so that a puny gingo is something we fear and so that we can grow together, become friends and maybe starting a new guid.

Yes, I'm glad that people in this community is so friendly and surely I will stress you with silly questions here and there, but I'm a newbie and I wanna discover this game step by step, like most of you did 3 years ago.


BTW: My name in game is "gialla". I'm still on RoS but I plan to go to mainland in a few days..send me a tell.

PS: I know this will be hard for you but I suggesst you should give back your mac...you will buy it again with your money after a month of hard digging/fighting/questing/exploring. Will be much satisfying, beleive me :-)

[browserice]

gix74, alot of what you said reflects how I see myself in the game. In the sense of having the joy of acheiving it on your own, exploring at your own pace, the "Wow !", the "Oh !", the "Doh !", the "Humm, time for Plan-B!".

Sure I expect to die often against MOBs and that it will be a long process but I am of a very patient nature.

Starting Ryzom, I didn't intend on anything specific except, helping others whenever I can but more like when they are asking for help in mission or fighting a MOB. I am not saying I will never join a group, team or guild. I was thinking on developing all I needed for this on my own.

Now that I think of it, it is like making my own Quest. To achieve a goal.

I just feel a bit bad about geting rid of those jewels that were given to me. I think I'll keep the money as a security precaution.

We evolve in time and so, for now I'll take this path and once I have completed my personnal Quest, I'll see into what I can evolve.

By the way, not a bad idea of creating a Guild of my own where I would be the only one (for now). How do you create a guild in Ryzom ?

[iwojimmy]

The Mainland - apart from not being quest driven - is divided into regions which are generally defined by their hardness. Capital city regions are level 50 regions.. the mats you can dig there max out at level 50, and the mobs dont get much above level 50 (named will be level 60, and boss mobs level 70)

If you feel level 50 mats are too high, improve your digging skill. Same with mobs.. improve your combat skills by picking on weaker creatures. There is no law saying where you must dig or level, many players dig in 200 or 250 zones while only being able to pull mats lower than q150.

Finding shops is something you should be able to do for yourself, exploring the new cities is supposed to be fun, and the degree of hand-holding currently ingame is taking that away. How long until mission givers get gaint glowing exclamation marks over their heads ??

Soloing is perfectly possible, but going it completely alone isnt really - you cant craft ALL the equipment you need at the levels you require. Thats why you can buy stuff from merchants, or trade directly with players. Many crafters dont want much for their work - you may even have to insist on paying if you want to be independant. If you want to feel you have really contributed to providing your own gear, provide the raw materials to the crafter for them to use.

And never be afraid of death penalty

[cloudy97]

Welcome to the mainland!

I was also suprised when I first landed on the mainland, that people here are very generous. I had just quit a popular MMO where the situation was the opposite.

Don't worry about taking shortuts in the learning, there's a lot to learn. The gameplay is actually deeper than it may seem at first. But, in my opinion, don't rush to all other lands - you can only make the first trek once. Discover the planet in your own pace, or even solo trek at low level (north, south is much harder). You can't get more than 10 x death penalty and it's worth it.

Before Silan people were adviced to come over as quick as possible, when they learnt the interface and movements. The mobs are as low level as in Silan, but there are some differences - they are more social - attack one bodoc and his buddies will go mad.