Thinking of coming back

[Jobu]

It's been a little under ten years since I last played, and for some reason I've really got the urge to get into the game again. It's hard to believe how much has changed since I left, but I think Krakiipedia and these forums have given me a pretty good idea where to start.

The only thing that I'm kind of concerned about is the community. It's pretty evident that that the game is still well supported and populated...but with a game this old, I'm worred that the player base will be topheavy. I don't even remember the name of my ten year old character, so I'd be starting from the ground up, without any friends or financial resources. I guess what I'm asking is if there's any sort of low-level population whatsoever. I don't know how much I'd like grinding out those low levels all by myself while 95% of the rest of the players are off on Teras, or wherever high level important people congregate these days.

Ok enough rambling..any info or advice would be greatly appreciated...thanks!

[Fallen]

You wont be low level for long. For 6 hours a week you are given a 3x multiplier for 3 hours, and a 2x multiplier for 3 hours. It makes the lower levels fly by. They also restructured how much EXP it is to level. Lower levels go faster and higher ones are longer.

What profession are you looking to join?

[TheLastShamurai]

Plenty of low-leveled characters. Just don't be a Paladin, they suck.

[Athgo]

Empaths kick ass.

[Poppatrunk]

just what we need more young whipper snappers off the turnip farm that make the Lords and Ladies wanna blow them outta their muddy boots!
________
Paxil attorney (http://www.classactionsettlements.org/lawsuit/paxil/)

[Fallen]

Most of the population is still in the landing, but everyone is pretty spread out these days. I would suggest starting in the Landing. You will be familiar with the areas after a bit of running around. I would also look to get involved in RP early in the form of a CHE or an MHO. I would suggest the Dae'randir or the Northern Fury. Something big with lots of people and events.

[Gan]

Jobu?

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_GkyZ4bgfTOw/SZI_rZmqCWI/AAAAAAAAAAM/Vp94PZhOFz8/s1600-R/jobu.jpg

[Belnia]

If you call up Billing, and even remember the account name, they can fish around and see what turns up in the old records. Of course, character restorals from Way Back When run $250 a pop, not sure if that's worth it or not. If you weren't super high level, or had some nice items, I would say just play through again in GS4 and see how you like it.

As for gear, there's a boatload floating around here that people will probably never use. Figure out what you need and the PC community can hook you up with the basics.

[Jobu]

Wow....I didn't expect so many responses so quickly. In no particular order..

- I'm thinking of going with a archery-flavored Ranger. That would be a nice change from the straight-up warrior I used to play, but without getting into the squishy pure magic classes that might not be as soloing friendly.

- Yeah my old character is definitely not worth $250 to rescue. I know he had a sweet veniom hafted silvery rolaren waraxe, some 4x matte black elven chain, a scripted butterfly charm, some coin, but not much else.

- Is a character's starting location still random, or do you get to pick? If at all possible, I'd much rather start in the Landing, both for practical and nostalgia purposes. Even with a script, I don't think a level 1 would survive the trip in from Icemule, let alone one of those unpronouncable Elven cities.

- I don't want to beg for gear handouts, but suggestions would definitely be welcome as to what I should be looking for in the lower levels.

- Yes, THAT Jobu.

[Rolton-Sammich]

You get to choose starting location if you go Premium, otherwise it's random-probably-in-Vaalor for basic.

Of course without having to roll for stats anymore it doesn't take too long to recreate the character until you hit the Landing.

[kallindra]

Even if you DO start in vaalor or anywhere, you come with a nifty travel token that'll get you anywhere you want to go (provided you pay the debt of the money they lend you to begin with). So random starting isn't even that big of a worry (Though that first trip from Vaalor ---> Landing is a little long)

[Rolton-Sammich]

(Though that first trip from Vaalor ---> Landing is a little long)
Yeah, like crazy long.

[Toxicvixen]

You can pick your starting location if your premie, but basic still is a random location starting point.

As for traveling though, there is a handy dandy travel office with an agent to whisk you away to exotic locations like Icemule or wherever else your heart desires. You get a token in your pack right when you start.

[Toxicvixen]

DANG! Never fast enough!

[Quazyd]

I had my character account just re-activated from 99 (last I played) in 08. I dont believe your account needs to be restored for a 250$ price tag, just ask billing if they have your account still and just re-activate it.

[Durgrimst]

If you reactivate you will also get the 30 days to adjust your skills/stats since you haven't played since GS3.

Not sure if anyone has stated that yet...

[Khariz]

If you reactivate you will also get the 30 days to adjust your skills/stats since you haven't played since GS3.

Not sure if anyone has stated that yet...

There's a reason why nobody has metioned it, hehe.

[Gan]

I'll iterate the 'call billing' mentioned earlier. As far as I know, the $250 only applied to characters lost to demonic.

I reactivated an old account and all they did was confirm my ownership of it and then ask which characters I wanted restored. And yes I got the 30 day conversion period for skills/stats.

[Rolton-Sammich]

Yeah the $250 is only if they need to schlep over to their crusty old data storage and haul your crap off an archived backup somewhere.

Otherwise, they only guarantee to keep your stuff around for a year... but in practice I think they basically have all the accounts and characters since at least the move to the web lying around.

[Lumi]

That would be a nice change from the straight-up warrior I used to play, but without getting into the squishy pure magic classes that might not be as soloing friendly.

Nothing solo-unfriendly about casters :D

Honestly, virtually ANYTHING is viable these days, and even easy at the lower levels. If you want to be an archer-ranger, by all means, do it. They kick ass. But if you wanted to do a caster and didn't because you figured you'd have to find a group to hunt well, you may want to reconsider. Casters get by just fine, even at low levels (ESPECIALLY with the 30 day insta-migration period).

Welcome back!

[Anothi]

Rogue archers are superior

[Morrff]

:yeahthat:

[DoctorUnne]

Icemule has a good low-level community. There's a hunting gap there from 55-75 and no legit 100 hunting ground, so most of the Icemule regulars are 55 and below. Good people for the most part too.

[Jobu]

One or two more things and I'll quit pestering you guys, I promise.

1. How fast is level progression now? I remember hitting level 20 being a pretty significant deal back in the old days. I was looking at some stat calculators, and planning on optimizing my stats for level 50. Is that a realistic goal for a semi-casual (10ish hours a week) player?

2. How important are some of these new magic-related skills? If I'm going to be going with a mostly physical-based ranger, should I still worry about investing in Spiritual Lore and Mana Control?

Thanks again, all of you, for the help and encouragement.

[Drunken Durfin]

0-5 in a day.

5-10 in a little over a week.

Some have made 20th in a month, but that is nuts.

[Rolton-Sammich]

Some have made 20th in a month, but that is nuts.

Slacker.

[Maerit]

I also believe the bounty system is a major factor in leveling these days. Not sure how early on you can start getting bounties, but if you can start right away, you'll be leveling up ultra fast.

Basically, they put an adventurer's guild in every town. The taskmaster there will give you a "quest" to go kill X number of critters, collect X number of some-such quality hides, find a certain number of a specific gem, kill a "seasoned" critter in a hunting area, or rescue people from critters, ect ect... It's all very nifty and brings purpose to your hunting rather than selecting a "grind" area for XP reasons. When you succeed in a bounty, turning it in almost always guarantees your mind will be extra crispy fried, and you'll absorb a significant amount of XP. I picked up over 40K in exp in just a day doing bounty hunting. Turning in a bounty also gives you a number of bounty points, which act like currency for the adventurer's guild to spend on items, temporary enhancements, and for stuff you can even sell for millions to other players (provided you just save your points for the expensive stuff).

It's a good leveling system these days, and getting totally fried really frees up your time in between hunts and bounties to interact with the playerbase. You'll have plenty of time to hang around and absorb all that extra XP.

[Rolton-Sammich]

At 10 hours a week, taking into account XXX... 30-35k experience per week? (I'm aiming with that estimate for hunting with regularity but not powarlvlxors.) I think that would put you at level 11-12 after one month and level 20 in 3-4 months. 50 in around a year and a half.

[Bhuryn]

At 10 hours a week, taking into account XXX... 30-35k experience per week? (I'm aiming with that estimate for hunting with regularity but not powarlvlxors.) I think that would put you at level 11-12 after one month and level 20 in 3-4 months. 50 in around a year and a half.

I typically average 33-36k per XXX. Depending on how regularly I get good tasks, that can go up and down somewhat. But, yeah, probably 30-40k in 10 hours.

[Fallen]

I typically average 33-36k per XXX. Depending on how regularly I get good tasks, that can go up and down somewhat. But, yeah, probably 30-40k in 10 hours.

Remember that this is likely taking into account being able to do the bounty guild. At levels 0-20, is the bounty guild even remotely feasible?

[Bhuryn]

Remember that this is likely taking into account being able to do the bounty guild. At levels 0-20, is the bounty guild even remotely feasible?

I did them on my bard at like level 4 or 5. Getting tasks for rats is hilarious. Grizzled Roltons...

[TheWitch]

Remember that this is likely taking into account being able to do the bounty guild. At levels 0-20, is the bounty guild even remotely feasible?

Oh, hell yes. My level nothing alchemy slaves take bounty tasks just because it gives me something to do besides wait for the next nymph hair to drop with them. Needing nymph hairs + tasked with killing nymphs = I feel a slight bit better about the timesink.

The rewards are obiously paltry compared to what we pull from OTF tasks, but it's definitely doable.

Of course, this was all before I quit.

[Bhuryn]

Oh, hell yes. My level nothing alchemy slaves take bounty tasks just because it gives me something to do besides wait for the next nymph hair to drop with them. Needing nymph hairs + tasked with killing nymphs = I feel a slight bit better about the timesink.

The rewards are obiously paltry compared to what we pull from OTF tasks, but it's definitely doable.

Of course, this was all before I quit.

Of course the all important experience is the same.

[NocturnalRob]

Of course, this was all before I quit.
http://www.turnstyletees.com/images/inventory/large/nobody-likes-a-quitter-s-300x300.png

[Hemloch]

Hello, I am thinking of returning as well. What is more important in everyone's opinion max tp or max stats at cap?

[Donquix]

If you're going to cap? Max stats i think most would say without question.

You can always keep getting TPs, once you're at cap your stats are your stats, period.

[Hemloch]

Thanks, I was playing around with the stat cruncher can anyone tell me if the stats listed are before racial bonuses? For example a lvl 100 giantman rogue had a str of 90 at cap would that be before their +15 racial bonus or would that be including?

http://home.mchsi.com/~cphillips73/StatCruncher/GS4/StatMaximizer/StatMaximizer.html


thanks!

[droit]

I think it's less important to set stats for max at cap these days, thanks to the fixstat potion. Depending on how you hunt, 1m BPs are not difficult to come by by cap.

[Swami71]

You'll probably be more likely to quit cause you'll suck for a long time with stats set for max at cap. I'm a fan of setting them for max at cap but its a hard way to go.

I have a few friends that have pretty good stats but not perfect and its hard for them to justify spending BP/cash for a fixstat too.

I would recommend max TP and if you get to cap then splurge for a fixstat. As a sorcerer I aimed at maxing my Aura at 40 trains and Wisdom at 60 trains.

[droit]

Also, it doesn't have to be one or the other. You can reach a happy medium with your stats. That's how Droit was set up until his fixstat some time in his 90s, and it worked fine for me.

[Swami71]

Thanks, I was playing around with the stat cruncher can anyone tell me if the stats listed are before racial bonuses? For example a lvl 100 giantman rogue had a str of 90 at cap would that be before their +15 racial bonus or would that be including?

http://home.mchsi.com/~cphillips73/StatCruncher/GS4/StatMaximizer/StatMaximizer.html


thanks!

That site was wrong for me. I plugged in my starting stats and it said my capped DEX was 89 when its 100 and INF was 100 and its really 90. I use the spread sheet on Tsoran.com. It takes race into account too.

[Fallen]

Max stats are pretty. That, and you can't play with enhancives if your first million bounty points go solely to the fixstat.

[DoctorUnne]

I haven't found it hard to hunt at all from 0-50 with stats set to max at cap, and it saves you 40 million silvers or 1 million bounty points or whatever the rates are. I guess it depends on profession and build though. You do have to make sacrifices.

Plus when you use the fixstat potion at 100 you'll have to make a lot of downtweaks to skills you had grown accustomed to in order to fit it under the much fewer TPs you will have, which can be hard to swallow.

[droit]

The TP differences often aren't that bad at all, and once you reach cap, you start to think of TPs differently anyway. Losing 50 ptps suddenly doesn't mean much in the greater scheme of things.

[Hemloch]

Thank you everyone, and I apologize to the original poster I wasn't trying to hijack your thread, just thinking of returning myself.

[Jobu]

Thank you everyone, and I apologize to the original poster I wasn't trying to hijack your thread, just thinking of returning myself.


No worries, you brought up a good question. The previously linked website shows you how to get the maximum stat growth...are there any similar sites with advice on how to place stats for a max TP setup?

[Hemloch]

I found this:


http://home.mchsi.com/~cphillips73/StatCruncher/GS4/StatCruncher.html

[Jobu]

Two more questions that have occurred to me as I start plowing through the lower levels. As always, help/advice is very appreciated.

1. As fast as the lower levels are seeming to go...is it still a good idea to invest in an imflass/2x weapon at 5? Or would I be better off just using my off the rack weapons until I can get my hands on a 4x. I always used to upgrade to imflass, but I seem to be outlevelling my bank account.

2. I just hit 2nd level, and when I went in the "goals" screen to train, I was being charged double TPcost right off the bat for some of the things I had been 2x-ing up to this point. Am I doing something wrong, or was the mechanic changed? Having 6 ranks of ranged at level 2 is perfectly normal, right?

[Khariz]

Two more questions that have occurred to me as I start plowing through the lower levels. As always, help/advice is very appreciated.

1. As fast as the lower levels are seeming to go...is it still a good idea to invest in an imflass/2x weapon at 5? Or would I be better off just using my off the rack weapons until I can get my hands on a 4x. I always used to upgrade to imflass, but I seem to be outlevelling my bank account.

2. I just hit 2nd level, and when I went in the "goals" screen to train, I was being charged double TPcost right off the bat for some of the things I had been 2x-ing up to this point. Am I doing something wrong, or was the mechanic changed? Having 6 ranks of ranged at level 2 is perfectly normal, right?

1. Just wait unless you have the counts to blow on every incremental upgrade. You won't need it.

2. This is hard to explain. You don't finish getting all the TPs you will get for the whole level until you are nearly at the next. All the TPs you gain in between the levels are part of the previous level. When you hit the next level, anything that you are "overtrained" in will be refunded back to you via TPs for not going over the designed maximum of 2x per level.

I'm trying to think of a better way to explain it.

[AestheticDeath]

Skills are 1x, 2x or 3x a level. But you get TPs quicker than you used to, which allows you to train some skills to the NEXT level, before you reach that level.

Ie at level 2, you should have ranks for lvl 0, lvl 1, and lvl 2. Which would be 6 ranks if you can 2x the skill. But 8 ranks should be possible.

[Allahinside]

Not sure if this was covered, but I saw the post on the first page and thought I'd comment...

It doesn't always cost 250 to restore your old charecters. I recently wanted to bring back some old guys to grab equipment off of them, and when I called simutronics they emailed me a list of all the charecters that were available to be reactivated. That list included my first charecter that I'd ever made, which was approximately 10 years ago as well. Didn't pay any charges to get them reactivated, either.