Best character to start the game with? - Guild Wars Forums

Wyld Kard · Jan 03, 2006, 06:11 PM // 18:11

I was thinking a wa/mo since warriors are the most user friendly of characters, would you guys/gals agree or is there another character class combo that is better suited for a first timer thats comming back to playing the game.

DeanBB · Jan 03, 2006, 08:53 PM // 20:53

Wa/mo is a good solid character for PvE. Wa/ne or wa/el may offer some more offensive options, but they're all fun if you ask me and later you can change your second to try other builds.

I'm not sure other classes are hard to play but agree warrior is probably easiest. Mesmer may be the hardest.

Rico Carridan · Jan 04, 2006, 01:16 AM // 01:16

W/Mo is by far the easiest character to play. The problem really is that it is too easy to play, to the point that you may not learn much about strategy or effective play. Far better, in my opinion, to start with a slightly more challenging class, I recommend a ranger or elementalist, maybe with monk secondary if you want to make things a little easier, to learn the ropes, then play a warrior through later once you have finished with one of those classes. Don't play a monk or mesmer for your first character.

Rico

Dentenko · Jan 04, 2006, 01:20 AM // 01:20

W/Mo are really hard to Kill in PvP if you know how to use it well. Its also REALLY easy to play and good for beginners. Its also sorta cheap, lol.

Or you can go like a bunch a noobs do and be a W/R with the IWAY build.

Xuphor · Jan 04, 2006, 02:00 AM // 02:00

i'm a E/N first time playing, is that smart? or should i start anew?

chippxero · Jan 04, 2006, 02:13 AM // 02:13

I think if you want to learn about the game and want to get in groups whenever I suggest a monk/anything.

You see all sides of the guildwars community as a monk, from the leeroys to the whole groups of people telling you how great you are.

In the begining you get to experience offensive and passive spells and you will quickly learn about conditions and hexes and how to build a character to deal
with most situations.

Later in the game you will be relied apon greatly but if you go through playing all missions and don't take the easy routes of runners, you should learn everything you need to know along the way.

This all depends on the type of character you would normally playing in a RPG and how you want to play in guildwars,if you want to be an attacking caster don't go with monk as later in the game it's very hard to get groups to take you even if you are very good at smiting.

I think for ease of gameplay no matter which class you pick you'd be best to have monk as your secondary if you decide you don't want it as a primary, being able to heal yourself quick and cheaply makes for a much easier time.

awesome sauce · Jan 04, 2006, 02:13 AM // 02:13

Monks pwn in presear. I remember how easy the charr were with my monk compared to doing it with my other chars.

And chip is right. My monk was my first char and he is still my favorite char today. You can do just about anything with them. Just make sure it's a mo/me or a mo/n as you will come into conflict with energy management later on.

Rico Carridan · Jan 04, 2006, 06:43 AM // 06:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xuphor

i'm a E/N first time playing, is that smart? or should i start anew?

There are no "wrong" choices in Guild Wars. All of the classes have their strengths and weakness. E/N is a perfectly viable combination for most of the game. Worst comes to worse, you can always forget about your ele skills and play as a pure necro (not recommended) or forget about your necro skills and play pure ele (better option--it is harder to play your secondary than your primary). The only classes I would really strongly suggest against for beginners are mesmer and monk. Mesmer, because it is quite challenging to play in general, but moreso because they are rarely selected in groups, especially later on, and it might give you the wrong impressions about the game. Monk, because in order to be an effective healer, you need to be able to "empathize" with players--that is to say, you won't be able to priorize your abilities effectively, particularly in terms of things like condition and hex removal, because you won't really understand if and when such things should be removed by you, or if you should just let them run their course.

Rico

Claire Wolf · Jan 04, 2006, 07:23 AM // 07:23

It's based on your personality.. I disagree with the monk post though, that would probably give a BAD impression for a first timer, and starting out as a monk seeing as they probably don't know the ropes very well. If you like constantly doing things, moving through the game quickly, and laughing at people become a monk. ( It is still a fun class ) With the Wammo's though, you don't get much experience. I would recommend a spell caster for your first character, but thats just me.

VGJustice · Jan 04, 2006, 07:26 AM // 07:26

The best character to start the game with is the one that hurts your eyes the least. No joke.

Mitsuko · Jan 04, 2006, 07:39 AM // 07:39

my first char was a R/E and it proved to be hard... so I reversed it to E/R and it was much easier...

Farin · Jan 04, 2006, 11:24 AM // 11:24

I started with a R/Me. I never really used the Mesmer part. I didn't really like the damage they dealt and eventually deleted it at the Southern Shiverpeaks. Now that I know pretty much everything I regret that move. I'd go with Anything but a Mesmer or a Monk as it's already been said.

Numa Pompilius · Jan 04, 2006, 11:43 AM // 11:43

My first character was a sword-using Warrior/Mesmer. That's, mildly put, not a great choice for PvE (although it's quite good for PvP). Oh, it's viable, you can do the entire game as a W/Me, but it's slow going.

My suggestion to anyone starting a new PvE character and who hasn't played before is to make it part monk; what else you are doesn't really matter, or even if you're primary or secondary monk, select whatever takes your fancy, but being part monk will make your life a LOT easier.

Pyrrhus · Jan 04, 2006, 12:03 PM // 12:03

My first character was E/Mo but you shouldn't base your first character on others. It all depends on your own playing style and what you find to be best for you.

ignis · Jan 04, 2006, 12:10 PM // 12:10

yeah, if you want to seem like a stupid brainless chav, then w/mo is definately the way to go.

on the other hand, if you don't want to be left out of missions and considered a reject, start off with something easier. personally I found monk to be the easiest and the most demanded profession in PvE. you'll never be without a group.

Argentus · Jan 04, 2006, 12:49 PM // 12:49

Monk/Anything would be my recommendation for a 'best character' to start the game with. Here are my reasons why:

1) The monk's healing abilities in pre-searing Ascalon are quite good. Other than the Charr found across the wall, there are few monsters that can actually kill a low level monk in pre. You would basically have to not cast any healing spells on yourself and somehow manage to aggro a large number of foes to get killed. Otherwise, monks in pre are quite safe.

2) Monks typically don't need to worry about a secondary profession. Most likely a monk character will never use skills from their secondary. I chose Warrior for my secondary only to be able to use the 'Sprint' skill to run away when a situation gets ugly, but I could just as easily have chosen Ranger and used 'Dodge' for that. Since monks typically stand at the back of a group anyhow, running away quickly isn't always necessary, so your secondary really doesn't matter. As a first character, monk/anything means you most likely won't regret your choice of secondary later on.

3) As mentioned previously, monks are one of the most sought after group members in PvE. It is typically very easy to find a group as a monk, which makes them a good first character to try. You won't have to go it alone as a monk.

4) Understanding how monk healing and protecting works is a fundamental concept of this game. By starting out with a monk character, you learn early on what monks are capable of and what their limitations are. Many players lack this understanding, and these uneducated players blame monks for their own failures. Learning about how a monk works early on will give you an appreciation for this profession when you are playing some different character later on and have to work with someone else's monk.

megaforcetkd · Jan 04, 2006, 01:23 PM // 13:23

My first char was a Me/E, but i didnt get the skill quests in presear (my friend told me). So I remade my char to a E/Me and it was easy as hell. I deleted it at level to make space for some other chars xD.

Jaythen Tyradel · Jan 04, 2006, 03:07 PM // 15:07

Unless you want to rush right into the academy...TRY THEM ALL.
Start one..try out the first few quests...try out mixing up the other profession skills with your primary.
If you dont commit to any secondary professions, you can try out all the professions in presear.
Wa/Mo is the easiest to play, but often gets typecast as the stupid "leeroy jenkins" who aggros and bosses people around.
I like my ranger/mesmer build. Not as easy, but I find the challenge adds more fun to the game.

Arkayne · Jan 04, 2006, 03:27 PM // 15:27

AxeMe · Jan 04, 2006, 03:29 PM // 15:29

It's funny - lots of advice. I agree with some, disagree with others, but I can understand the logic even in the stuff that I disagree with.

The best advice I can offer is to take your own personality into account when selecting a character. For instance, if you select a monk you'll spend a lot of time watching the health bars - not the game. And, even if you do a great job, you'll often be blamed when some idiot dies. It's a great character for someone who wants to be a true student of the game. But, without knowledge of how the other characters work, I think it would be a really tough way to start.

I also agree with the various posters who said (1) that a warrior/monk is the easiest character to start with and that (2) it's often considered a brain dead choice. Truth? I wouldn't worry too much about that. I've been playing since the game began and - at times, farming for instance - the warrior/monk is a terrific character to use. Keep in mind that you'll be able to change secondaries at will before the game is over. And that's what I do now -- using the secondary that best fits the task. I think warrior/monk is a choice worth considering.

Another character that tends to rule early in the game is the necro. In random PvP, especially in the early arenas, you can dominate. It's also great in PvE groups. So put that on your list.

I'm in danger of writing too much here - that's the trouble when you can type faster than you think. But - like someone else said - there really are no wrong choices.

Jan 03, 2006, 06:11 PM // 18:11	#1
Wyld Kard Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Cantha Guild: The Dirty Devils [TDD] Profession: Mo/Me	Best character to start the game with? I was thinking a wa/mo since warriors are the most user friendly of characters, would you guys/gals agree or is there another character class combo that is better suited for a first timer thats comming back to playing the game.

Jan 03, 2006, 08:53 PM // 20:53	#2
DeanBB Forge Runner Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Arizona Guild: Wizardry Players Guild, http://4guildwars.7.forumer.com	Wa/mo is a good solid character for PvE. Wa/ne or wa/el may offer some more offensive options, but they're all fun if you ask me and later you can change your second to try other builds. I'm not sure other classes are hard to play but agree warrior is probably easiest. Mesmer may be the hardest. Last edited by DeanBB; Jan 03, 2006 at 08:55 PM // 20:55..

Jan 04, 2006, 02:13 AM // 02:13	#7
awesome sauce Krytan Explorer Join Date: Dec 2005	Monks pwn in presear. I remember how easy the charr were with my monk compared to doing it with my other chars. And chip is right. My monk was my first char and he is still my favorite char today. You can do just about anything with them. Just make sure it's a mo/me or a mo/n as you will come into conflict with energy management later on. Last edited by awesome sauce; Jan 04, 2006 at 02:17 AM // 02:17..

Jan 04, 2006, 01:16 AM // 01:16	#3
Rico Carridan Krytan Explorer Join Date: Aug 2005 Guild: Eternal Comrades Profession: E/Mo	W/Mo is by far the easiest character to play. The problem really is that it is too easy to play, to the point that you may not learn much about strategy or effective play. Far better, in my opinion, to start with a slightly more challenging class, I recommend a ranger or elementalist, maybe with monk secondary if you want to make things a little easier, to learn the ropes, then play a warrior through later once you have finished with one of those classes. Don't play a monk or mesmer for your first character. Rico

Jan 04, 2006, 01:20 AM // 01:20	#4
Dentenko Academy Page Join Date: Sep 2005 Profession: Mo/Me	W/Mo are really hard to Kill in PvP if you know how to use it well. Its also REALLY easy to play and good for beginners. Its also sorta cheap, lol. Or you can go like a bunch a noobs do and be a W/R with the IWAY build.

Jan 04, 2006, 02:00 AM // 02:00	#5
Xuphor Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Dec 2005	i'm a E/N first time playing, is that smart? or should i start anew?

Jan 04, 2006, 02:13 AM // 02:13	#6
chippxero Krytan Explorer Join Date: May 2005 Location: norfolk Guild: Super Anti Rabbit Squad [SARS] Profession: Mo/Me	I think if you want to learn about the game and want to get in groups whenever I suggest a monk/anything. You see all sides of the guildwars community as a monk, from the leeroys to the whole groups of people telling you how great you are. In the begining you get to experience offensive and passive spells and you will quickly learn about conditions and hexes and how to build a character to deal with most situations. Later in the game you will be relied apon greatly but if you go through playing all missions and don't take the easy routes of runners, you should learn everything you need to know along the way. This all depends on the type of character you would normally playing in a RPG and how you want to play in guildwars,if you want to be an attacking caster don't go with monk as later in the game it's very hard to get groups to take you even if you are very good at smiting. I think for ease of gameplay no matter which class you pick you'd be best to have monk as your secondary if you decide you don't want it as a primary, being able to heal yourself quick and cheaply makes for a much easier time.

Jan 04, 2006, 07:23 AM // 07:23	#9
Claire Wolf Krytan Explorer Join Date: Aug 2005 Guild: The Zephyr Of Tyria [tZoT] Profession: A/	It's based on your personality.. I disagree with the monk post though, that would probably give a BAD impression for a first timer, and starting out as a monk seeing as they probably don't know the ropes very well. If you like constantly doing things, moving through the game quickly, and laughing at people become a monk. ( It is still a fun class ) With the Wammo's though, you don't get much experience. I would recommend a spell caster for your first character, but thats just me.

Jan 04, 2006, 07:26 AM // 07:26	#10
VGJustice Desert Nomad Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tyria, cappin' ur bosses Guild: Boston Guild [BG] Profession: R/W	The best character to start the game with is the one that hurts your eyes the least. No joke.

Jan 04, 2006, 07:39 AM // 07:39	#11
Mitsuko Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Uranus Guild: Ember of War Profession: E/R	my first char was a R/E and it proved to be hard... so I reversed it to E/R and it was much easier...

Jan 04, 2006, 11:24 AM // 11:24	#12
Farin Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Aug 2005 Guild: Delta Formation [DF] Profession: W/	I started with a R/Me. I never really used the Mesmer part. I didn't really like the damage they dealt and eventually deleted it at the Southern Shiverpeaks. Now that I know pretty much everything I regret that move. I'd go with Anything but a Mesmer or a Monk as it's already been said.

Jan 04, 2006, 11:43 AM // 11:43	#13
Numa Pompilius Grotto Attendant Join Date: May 2005 Location: At an Insit.. Intis... a house. Guild: Live Forever Or Die Trying [GLHF] Profession: W/Me	My first character was a sword-using Warrior/Mesmer. That's, mildly put, not a great choice for PvE (although it's quite good for PvP). Oh, it's viable, you can do the entire game as a W/Me, but it's slow going. My suggestion to anyone starting a new PvE character and who hasn't played before is to make it part monk; what else you are doesn't really matter, or even if you're primary or secondary monk, select whatever takes your fancy, but being part monk will make your life a LOT easier.

Jan 04, 2006, 12:03 PM // 12:03	#14
Pyrrhus Academy Page Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Alba Longa Guild: The Peoples Front of Tyria Profession: E/Mo	My first character was E/Mo but you shouldn't base your first character on others. It all depends on your own playing style and what you find to be best for you.

Jan 04, 2006, 12:10 PM // 12:10	#15
ignis Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Norway Guild: Rus Corp Profession: Mo/	yeah, if you want to seem like a stupid brainless chav, then w/mo is definately the way to go. on the other hand, if you don't want to be left out of missions and considered a reject, start off with something easier. personally I found monk to be the easiest and the most demanded profession in PvE. you'll never be without a group.

Jan 04, 2006, 12:49 PM // 12:49	#16
Argentus Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Nov 2005	Monk/Anything would be my recommendation for a 'best character' to start the game with. Here are my reasons why: 1) The monk's healing abilities in pre-searing Ascalon are quite good. Other than the Charr found across the wall, there are few monsters that can actually kill a low level monk in pre. You would basically have to not cast any healing spells on yourself and somehow manage to aggro a large number of foes to get killed. Otherwise, monks in pre are quite safe. 2) Monks typically don't need to worry about a secondary profession. Most likely a monk character will never use skills from their secondary. I chose Warrior for my secondary only to be able to use the 'Sprint' skill to run away when a situation gets ugly, but I could just as easily have chosen Ranger and used 'Dodge' for that. Since monks typically stand at the back of a group anyhow, running away quickly isn't always necessary, so your secondary really doesn't matter. As a first character, monk/anything means you most likely won't regret your choice of secondary later on. 3) As mentioned previously, monks are one of the most sought after group members in PvE. It is typically very easy to find a group as a monk, which makes them a good first character to try. You won't have to go it alone as a monk. 4) Understanding how monk healing and protecting works is a fundamental concept of this game. By starting out with a monk character, you learn early on what monks are capable of and what their limitations are. Many players lack this understanding, and these uneducated players blame monks for their own failures. Learning about how a monk works early on will give you an appreciation for this profession when you are playing some different character later on and have to work with someone else's monk.

Jan 04, 2006, 01:23 PM // 13:23	#17
megaforcetkd Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Nov 2005 Guild: [DLS]	My first char was a Me/E, but i didnt get the skill quests in presear (my friend told me). So I remade my char to a E/Me and it was easy as hell. I deleted it at level to make space for some other chars xD.

Jan 04, 2006, 03:07 PM // 15:07	#18
Jaythen Tyradel Jungle Guide Join Date: Apr 2005	Unless you want to rush right into the academy...TRY THEM ALL. Start one..try out the first few quests...try out mixing up the other profession skills with your primary. If you dont commit to any secondary professions, you can try out all the professions in presear. Wa/Mo is the easiest to play, but often gets typecast as the stupid "leeroy jenkins" who aggros and bosses people around. I like my ranger/mesmer build. Not as easy, but I find the challenge adds more fun to the game.

Jan 04, 2006, 03:27 PM // 15:27	#19
Arkayne Academy Page Join Date: Apr 2005

Jan 04, 2006, 03:29 PM // 15:29	#20
AxeMe Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Atlanta Guild: HEX Profession: W/	It's funny - lots of advice. I agree with some, disagree with others, but I can understand the logic even in the stuff that I disagree with. The best advice I can offer is to take your own personality into account when selecting a character. For instance, if you select a monk you'll spend a lot of time watching the health bars - not the game. And, even if you do a great job, you'll often be blamed when some idiot dies. It's a great character for someone who wants to be a true student of the game. But, without knowledge of how the other characters work, I think it would be a really tough way to start. I also agree with the various posters who said (1) that a warrior/monk is the easiest character to start with and that (2) it's often considered a brain dead choice. Truth? I wouldn't worry too much about that. I've been playing since the game began and - at times, farming for instance - the warrior/monk is a terrific character to use. Keep in mind that you'll be able to change secondaries at will before the game is over. And that's what I do now -- using the secondary that best fits the task. I think warrior/monk is a choice worth considering. Another character that tends to rule early in the game is the necro. In random PvP, especially in the early arenas, you can dominate. It's also great in PvE groups. So put that on your list. I'm in danger of writing too much here - that's the trouble when you can type faster than you think. But - like someone else said - there really are no wrong choices.