OT: Morrowind?

[AgentZero]

AgentZero said:

Currently milling around Newbie Isle blowing up cargo droids... Playing a neutral adventurer to start out with (loosely based on a character from my latest story, which I haven't had time to work on, but hasn't been forgotten), but don't really have a lot of free time lately, so I probably won't get off Noob Isle for another week. If we do manage to swing a rendez-vous, just try not to look shocked.

Hey, I'm quoting myself. How wierd is that? Anyway, just got off Noob Isle, and I freely admit to be completely lost. I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to be doing because all the equipment is really expensive and all the missions I get give you piddling amounts of credits and XP. How am I gonna afford that 50,000 credit gun (which seems to be the only one my character could use right now), when each mission only nets me about 200 creds?

[deccan]

AgentZero said:
Hey, I'm quoting myself. How wierd is that? Anyway, just got off Noob Isle, and I freely admit to be completely lost. I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to be doing because all the equipment is really expensive and all the missions I get give you piddling amounts of credits and XP. How am I gonna afford that 50,000 credit gun (which seems to be the only one my character could use right now), when each mission only nets me about 200 creds?

Note: I'm posting the AO advice here because it might e interesting to other people. But if it bugs people, then I'll remove it.

An essential part of AO is using the Clicksaver external program. Basically, in AO, you can generate random missions to do. The missions will give you a random item as a reward for completing the mission. Clicksaver gives you the exact name of the reward item and can automate the random mission generation process so that you can type in the item you want and it will request missions from AO until one turns up with the item you want as a reward. In my case, I never spend any money on armor pieces (weapons don't apply to me since I'm a martial artist), I simply clicksave my way to a new set of armor every 5 to 10 levels. Note that you can clicksave for nanos as well.

In my opinion, the early levels are the worst money-wise, but things get better very quickly, which is why some starting capital of 100k credits or so from a friend works very nicely. Over the long term, the only money sinks are:

1) Yalms
2) Player cities

Other than that, you should be able to make much, much more money than you can spend on NPC shops so long as you clicksave for most stuff. I prefer clicksaving anyway. It's actually far less tedious and more fun than trekking to every city and checking out all the shops in all the cities for the stuff I want.

The real need for money comes when you need to buy stuff from other players, either services or goods. But you shouldn't have to worry about that until post level 50.

At the early levels, I would recommend clicksaving for a decent set of weapons and armor, then enter the abandoned subway dungeon, preferably with a good group, and the levels will literally go by faster than you can spend the IPs. When you're about level 25 or so, you can start hanging out at the Temple of Three Winds. That dungeon is something of a money maker since the mobs there tend to drop okay amounts of cash.

Currently at my level, the only real expense I have are:

1) Implants.
2) Medical equipment.

I'm rapidly outgrowing the store buyable implants though, which is another reason why I'm thinking of joining a good org with engineers who can build custom implants for me.

[AgentZero]

deccan said:

Note: I'm posting the AO advice here because it might e interesting to other people. But if it bugs people, then I'll remove it.

I don't mind at all. In fact, I really appreciate it since there seems to be a dearth of useful information for new players. There's scads of info on how to build super-duper guns once you have 500 skill points in weapon smithing, but very little on where to get an effective low-level weapon. So if you want to provide more newbie hints, or have any good links, please do share.

[deccan]

AgentZero said:
So if you want to provide more newbie hints, or have any good links, please do share.

Hmm, here are a couple more tips then, though you might have seen them elsewhere before:

1)

Some items that low level characters can get are especially valuable to higher level players. These are generally low QL items that buff specific stats or skills, e.g. Concrete Pillows which buff stamina and strength, Old English Trading Co. Pistols that buff intelligence etc.

The stat buffs are very helpful when you need to meet the "to wield" requirements of higher-than-your-level equipment. This is one way how those super level 50 agents can run around with quality level 100+ sniper rifles and do uber damage.

This is especially relevant to low level characters because they can mission for low QL versions of these buffing items. Higher level characters can mission for them as well, but they can only mission for their higher QL equivalents. However, the buffing stats on the items never change with QL, only their damage and wielding requirements, and since no one wants these items for their damage dealing abilities anyway, only for the stat buffs, the best items are the lowest QL versions with the lowest wielding requirements. This is why low level characters can sell such items to high level characters for good amounts of money.

2)

You should know by now how to buy and use your profession specific nanos, but you should also be aware that you can use general nanos that are open to all professions. The mostly useful ones are the expertise / proficiency line of nanos that boost specific skills. For example, my martial artist uses the Martial Arts Expertise nano, which is a general nano. This is also helpful when you need to buff your skills up high to meet the wielding requirements of bigger weapons.

3)

Be aware of what professions can cast which buffs. If you walk around Borealis a bit, you should notice people asking for mochams or wrangles.

Mocham's Gift is a Metaphysicist only buff that boosts all nano skills. This is immensely useful for engineers who want to cast a bot much higher level than themself.

The various wrangles are trader only buffs that boost all weapon skills. This is, as above, useful to help players to meet the higher wielding requirements of bigger weapons. However, be aware that wrangles also drain the skills of the trader casting them, so it is sometimes customary to give the trader a tip for casting a wrangle on you.

4)

I chose to stay neutral for the ability to go everywhere and explore, but be aware that you're giving up a lot for this. Omnis and clanners have xp bonuses of about 10%, which really adds up. Omnis also generally have better equipment and they get more money when they sell loot to Omni NPC stores. And of course, neutrals don't get the token boards that Omnis and Clanners get. When upgraded, the token boards can give very significant bonuses.

One advantage of being neutral though is that you get to listen to all chat channels while the OTs and Clans only get their sided ones. This is especially useful when you want to buy / sell a lot with other players as you get much more market information from the various shopping channels on who wants what and what items go for what prices.

BTW, what is the name of your character anyway? I assume you are now RK2 as well?

[AgentZero]

deccan said:
BTW, what is the name of your character anyway? I assume you are now RK2 as well?

Well, I started as a male a soldier character, but I got hassled so much on Noob Isle to join people's team that I started up as a new character who's a short, slender build female named Saraea and nobody bothers me at all.