DD FAQ: Section 7

Tips for Newbies

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[7.1]  Okay, I've got no idea where I am or where to go. What do I do now?

You need to digest the contents of this FAQ, especially Section 3, Section 7 and Section 11. After familiarising yourself with basic survival and movement throughout the world, you should carefully read Sections 4-6 before trying to increase in level.

[7.2]  Where are some areas good for newbies?

There are a few places you can try, close to or inside Midgaard:

• The MUD School Arena (Open south from the Entrance to MUD School)
  You can kill the mobs here to get to 2nd or 3rd level without too much danger. Head upwards to escape.

• The Dwarven Daycare (6 east, down and south from Market Square)
  More mobs to kill for those under level 5. Double check before attacking the Nannies. There is eq here [see FAQ 7.4].

• The Foundry (3 west and northwards from Market Square)
  For under-5's. A few aggressive mobs here, but some eq you will want.

• The Shire (5 west then northwards from Market Square)
  A little tougher. Some eq here.

• The Rat's Lair (East and down from Common Square)
  For those level 3 and higher. Some poisonous mobs, and a few nasty creatures at the bottom, so be careful.

• The Circus (Southwards from Inside the Eastern Gate)
  Nice levelling area for newbies, and some good eq.

• Dangerous Neighbourhood (2 south, then east from Inside East Gate)
  A range of mobs for level-4's and higher. Good for levelling.

• The Lemming Caves (7 west, 2 south, 2 west and south from Market Square)
  For those over level 5 and not too feeble.

• Other newbie and low-level areas include: Ambush, The Sewer, The Wyvern's Tower, Troll Den, Arachnos, Goblin Caves, Gnome Village, Valley of the Elves, Elemental Canyon, and Ultima (lower levels).

Check the website for directions; use the AREA command for a list of areas (try "AREA [your level]").

[7.3]  Where are the Smurfs?

The Smurfs are DEAD! You won't have to put up with their horrible blue faces and inane singing any longer! The Smurf Village has been replaced by the Foundry, which contains the eqivalent of Brainy's glasses and Smurfette's necklace, and which isn't so naff.

[7.4]  What equipment should I be trying to get?

In addition to the standard eq from Mud School, there are a few special items that newbies should try to get a hold of:

• From the Dwarven Daycare
  Pink ice rings
  Linen robe

• From the Foundry
  Blue leather boots
  Silver circlets

• From the Circus
  Tightrope-walker's pole
  Strongman's bracers

• Quest reward from the Midgaard Jeweller
  Glowing bracers

• Found east along Midgaard river before the Desert
  Amulets

• Found in Ambush
  War dog collar

• Found in the Shire
  Thain girth

• Found in Troll Den
  Troll skin
  Opal rings

• Sold in the Dwarven Kingdom east from Midgaard
  Dwarven gloves

• Sold in Solace *
  Talisman of Enlightenment

• Nice weapons sold in Draagdim *
  Flamberge
  Nildaeth

• Also sold in Draagdim *
  High Quarter cloak

• Sold in Kerofk *
  Target armour

• Found on the Anon docks *
  Coiled rope

(*) These items will be difficult to get if you are inexperienced; you'll need to convince a higher-level player to make the trip for you.

[7.5]  I keep dying. What can I do?

If you are a new player you may find yourself dying a significant number of times per level. Make sure you are not being too reckless when you attack creatures: learn how to judge what mobs you can safely kill using CONSIDER [see FAQ 3.27]. Be careful of wandering creatures that may attack you.

If you are being fairly cautious, consider levelling in an easier area of the MUD, or where there are fewer aggressive or otherwise dangerous creatures about [see FAQ 7.2 for a list of some low-level areas]. If you are playing a non-fighting class, such as a Psionic or a Mage, you might like to start again as a stronger fighting class, such as a Warrior or Shapeshifter. Consider whether your equipment and weaponary are good for your level. See if you can group together with a more experienced player or players for safety and experience. Reset your 'wimpy' threshold to maximum (type WIMPY; see FAQ 3.19). Keep your beltpouch full of healing potions or pills. Avoid starting combat or heading into unknown territory with low hit points. Be careful where you choose to sleep or rest if you must heal in the field.

It can be hard for new players to avoid numerous deaths, especially if they are playing spell-casting classes. Prudence, good judgement and care are needed if you want to survive to your next level.

[7.6]  How can I detect invisible or hidden things?

If you don't have the appropriate spells, or the skill 'heighten senses', then the Wizard in Midgaard sells potions of see invisible. Poultices sold by the Wizard in the Mirror Realm can also help.

[7.7]  How can I become invisible? How do I become visible again?

You can cast the spell 'invis' or get potions of invisibility, found on your way to the Elemental Canyon (see the website for directions). Type VISIBLE to become visible again.

[7.8]  How can I get across a river, climb up a cliff, or fly?

To get across a body of deep water, you must be flying or have a boat. You can buy boats from the Levee in Midgaard. To climb up a cliff or wall you need the 'climb' skill or must fly. In order to fly, you need to cast the spell 'fly', have the 'flight' skill if your race can fly (type FLY), or get a potion of flight from the Wizard in Midgaard.

[7.9]  Where can I get a good weapon?

There is general agreement as to which weapons are the best for any given level: you will come to learn what these weapons are as you observe and talk to other characters on the MUD. If you are a low-level character, flamberges and nildaeths from Draagdim have nice bonuses [see FAQ 7.4].

[7.10]  Can I get higher level characters to get me eq?

Getting higher level characters to get equipment for others is considered okay if it's for new characters. Newbies are not expected to make the trips to different towns safely. Characters 10 levels and above are expected to be able to get all of their own gear. See FAQ 8.3 for relevent comments.

[7.11]  I'm having real trouble in Purgatory; how do I find my corpse?

Purgatory is a random area, but not so bad as they go. Keep an eye out for notes in the rooms you pass through: they will quickly lead you to your corpse.

[7.12]  How can I identify eq?

If you don't have the spell, you need to buy scrolls of 'identify' from the Wizard in Midgaard. Some fighting classes gain the skill 'lore', which allows weapons and armour to be identified. Some mobs will identify your equipment for a price, e.g. the Sage in Anon; type "IDENTIFY [item]" at the mob to have your items appraised.

[7.13]  Is there anything that I should find or any quest I should complete while I am low level?

You should try to get the eq listed in FAQ 7.4. Generally you want gear that maximises your constitution, wisdom and intelligence to wear just before your level, so that you receive good hit point and practice bonuses. You needn't wear this eq during most of the level.

The Jeweller in Midgaard runs a quest for newbies. Also, the Midgaard questmaster Suturb will not give quests to players above level 20; you will need at least 1 quest point to be allowed to reach level 31 [see Section 5 of this FAQ].

[7.14]  How do I change my title from 'is a newbie'?

Enter "TITLE [new title]". To force your title blank, type TITLE. You may incorporate colour into your title: see "HELP ANSI2".

[7.15]  How can I carry more stuff?

The number of items you can carry is controlled by your dexterity. The total weight of items you can carry is controlled by you strength. You need to increase either or both of these attributes in order to carry more items. Type SCORE to see the number and weight of items carried. Items inside containers do not add to your numerical limit, so you will be able to increase the number of things you carry by using containers.

[7.16]  How can I steal?

You can steal items or coins using the STEAL command (see the online help entry), but you won't be successful unless you have the specific thief skill. You will also get a THIEF flag if you try to steal off another player, unless you are both clanned or ronin [see FAQ 3.26]. You may not steal if you're in the arena, and you may only steal from victims within your pkilling range.

[7.17]  Where can I get a pet?

Pets can be bought from the Pet Store in Midgaard, eastwards from Common Square. You can buy one per level. Other shopkeepers may sell pets also.

[7.18]  Is the EQ here level based or something?

It sure is. Items carried by mobs are usually 2 levels lower than the level of their owner. You cannot equip an item above your level, and any items in your inventory higher in level than you will be transferred to the Donation Temple when you quit.

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