by Erae Nelsen

Created on: November 18, 2008

If you're new to World of Warcraft then congratulations, you're in for a crazy fun time. With Wrath of the Lich King out you have a long journey ahead of you- all the way to eighty! Like any new game Warcraft can seem confusing and somewhat overwhelming in addition to fun and exciting, so here are some tips for starting out with World of Warcraft:

1) Server type. PvE servers don't allow players to hunt one another unless they flag up by attacking an enemy camp or type in /pvp. PvP servers have you always flagged unless you're in a sanctuary or spend enough time in a safe zone. RP servers are for people that like to play as their character (playing pretend so to speak) and they have PvE mechanics. RP-PvP servers are for people that like to play as their character and have the mechanics of a PvP server. This is explained in greater detail, along with the rules on the Warcraft community board.

2) Experiment with your class and race. Get your rerollies out now. Try the alliance, try the horde. Try the warlock, warrior, hunter, etc. Attempt to get these classes to level ten at least, so you know what you're going to want to play. If you're not a fast leveler than do some on line research instead of actual game play. You don't want to spend a year getting all classes to level ten, the point here is to figure out what you find the most fun.

3) Find a guild. Warcraft is fun to play solo sure, but you're going to be running without support and random players aren't always nice enough to offer helpful assistance. In fact, Warcraft happens to have one of the harshest gaming communities I've ever experienced. This is, I believe, due to the mass appeal of the game. Instead of getting just the usual MMORPG nerds you've got everyone, and not everyone gets along.

A guild will rally with you and eventually you can offer as much help as you need and just listening to that green chat can help you be a better player. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Everyone was a newb at one point or another.

4) Easy ways to make money. Sign guild charters. Veteran players with lots of gold are always starting up guilds for their alts, for their pvp buddies, or just to have something special under their name. These veterans often pay big gold for a simple signature and then you can leave the guild immediately after it is formed with /gquit.

5) Pick your professions. If you want something fun pick a craft skill and the appropriate gathering skill. More specific information is all over the web. If you want money pick mining and skinning, or herbalism and skinning. Keep that node tracker up and level and gather. For some reason double gathering is very satisfying. You'll be pulling in hefty sums once you reach the mid levels. And later on you'll have two farming options to make money for epic mounts.

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