Ok so I want to cut the normal noob mistakes when starting an MMO. I've tried this game a while back but didn't put too much into it as I was happy with my other MMO's. But I have always liked the look of this game. What I want to know is what classes are worth playing for a new character and what classes play best in pvp. also any tips on starting out in this game wouldn't go a miss =)

Thanks.

Adventurers, enforcers and martial artists are the easiest classes to use. Martial artists don't have too many nanos and while they generally don't use weapons they can use special attacks which you could buy, earn through missions or by collecting items. They can do good damage and have pretty decent healing abilities too. Enforcers are for taking and dishing out lots of damage. They don't have a lot of nanos and generally use one or two handed blunt weapons. Adventurers are good dual wielders using one handed edge weapons or pistols. They also can shape change into various things and have other nanos that provide protection, damage shields or healing.

I don't do much PvP myself but all classes have different strengths and weaknesses so some will be better or weaker than others in PvP against other classes and some better earlier while others better later on. So just find a class you enjoy playing. If you're really interested in PvP you'll want the expansions as the gear, nanos, perks and so forth available in them really is better, you should be able to get in fr00b PvP if you don't have them though. Lost Eden is a coming expansion and will add various new PvP aspects. See this page for some more info.

Get the manual as there is a lot of good info on playing, the UI, shortcuts and so forth. The Official AO Forums also has a lot of good info. Most do not start and keep a new class they're not familiar with. Usually down the line we find out what errors we've made, strip the useful gear and start over. See the below for more helpful starter notes.

.

.

Helpful in-Game Bots
There are various handy chat bots people have set up to help with different things like crafting, item info and other things. Add them to your friends list so you can get at them later easily.

Recipebot
Recipebot has on record most to all the recipes available in the game. Just type: "/tell recipebot search <type some or all of the name of an item>" or "/tell recipebot " then drop the item in the chat edit area to add a link (in both cases don't include the quotes or brackets). If you have a number you want to check it would be best to open a tell window to save you a bit of time.

Itemsnet
Use itemsnet to get the description of probably any item in the game. Type "/tell itemsnet <type in part or all of the name>" without the quotes or brackets. To see the item at a specific QL type "/tell itemsnet <the QL> <type in part or all of the name or drop the item at another QL in to send a link>" again without the quotes or brackets.

Helpbot
Helpbot is a handy resource you can use to get info on the title break down (little off though), have a random number generated or other things. For a list of commands type "/tell helpbot help" Also for fun type "/tell helpbot what are you wearing?"

.

Helpful Web Sites
Official AO Forums
Sections offering general and class specific game play help, guides, link lists and various other things. There is a wealth of info in the rooted posts. While anyone can view these only paying players can post in these forums.

Anarchy Mainfraim
Item database and planing aids.

Anarchy Arcanum
Info on items you can craft and how plus quest notes and other helpful things.

Auno.org
Helpful planing aid and another item database.

AO Universe
Lots of info on dungeons, quests, tradeskilling and other things.

AO Vault
Quest help and other such matters.

AOFroobs.com
A general info site with a forums directed towards those playing AO for free.

Faunlore
MoB and dungeon info for both Rubi-Ka and SL.

Travel.to Rubi-Ka ( http://travel.to/rubi-ka/ & http://www.nepentheim.com/rkplayfields/index.html)
The original huge map.

CSPmap
The newer huge map project.

www.halorn.com
Various helpful little programs including Click Saver.

See page 104 in the manual and the links list on the AO site for some others. There is also an AO Bookmarks thread in the forums.

.

Better Planet Maps
The basic planet map being used by default isn't that useful really but a much better one is included with your install of AO called the Dovve Map. To switch to this map hit the "P" key to open the planet map window, click on the "?" button found towards the bottom of that window then select the Dovve Map from there. This map provides more detailed info showing cities, Whom-pahs, zones, landmarks and other such things then the info given is different when zoomed in or out. You can also get even more detailed planet maps called Huge Maps provided as downloads from two sites listed in the previous topic.

Thanks! =) alot of helpful stuff there, time to get playing.