Starsworn's New Player Bullet Guide

Starsworn’s GSIV New Player Bullet Guide

Game commands are shown in all capitals to indicate exactly what you type.

How do I ask for help?

• You can speak to other players by prefacing your comment with **‘** or by typing **SAY**, for example:

 * `’Hello!` → You say, “Hello!”
 * `SAY hello` → You say, “Hello.”

• **ESP TUNE HELP x2** will tune you to the “thought net,” where players anywhere in the game can hear and respond. Then you can use:

 * `THINK Hello, I have a question!`
 * `THINK TO JOHN Hi!`
 * `THINK ON HELP Can someone help me, please?`

• You can freely discuss questions in **Help**, **Merchant**, and **OOC** channels; **General** is in-character.
• Use **DIR** to get directions (e.g., to Silverwood Manor), and **RING** the bell to call a Mentor (an experienced player willing to help).
• `DIR TOWN SQUARE` leads you to the town center, where other adventurers are likely present and happy to assist.
• **DISCORD** connects you to the official Discord server. The community is mature, welcoming, and well-moderated—many will help you get started in this beloved world!

How should I build my character?

• Experiment freely—most imaginative combinations can work!
• **Stats** (Strength, Wisdom, etc.):

 * Stats depend on race and class, and grow with each level.
 * Avoid hitting 100 too early—best to aim for stats reaching 100 by level 100.
 * You can change stats up to five times before level 20.
 * To optimize stats, use a calculator (e.g., https://www.nitefallz.com) or ask someone for help.
 * Recommended build paths:
   # Optimize up to level 19, then switch to path (2) or (3)
   # Optimize around level 70ish, then use a fixstat potion (~15 m silver) to finalize for level 100
   # Optimize directly for level 100—“set and forget”

• **Skills**:

 * You may change skills freely and instantly until level 20.
 * Core/default skills vary by class:
   * Use defaults from character creation
   * Follow your class’s ``Beginner’s Guide`` (Beginner’s Guide link)
   * Ask on ESP Help or your class’s Discord for tips
 * For bounty tasks (skinning, bandits, search, herb):
   * Perception ×1–2, First Aid ×1–2, Survival ×1

How should I manage my items?

• `SET SORTED ON` improves container display.
• `STOW SET BACKPACK` makes your backpack the default container.
• Use `STOW ITEM` or `STOW RIGHT/LEFT` to store items in the backpack.
• Encumbrance is a constant concern—keep your load light; avoid carrying extra armor, bulky orbs, etc.
• Early-game essentials: one or two large containers (cloak, backpack), armor, weapon, and shield (if relevant).

How do I kill things?

• To attack: use `KILL X`
• Be conscious of stances:

 * `STANCE D` (defensive) boosts DS—favored by most casters early on
 * `STANCE O` (offensive) boosts AS
 * `STANCE ADV` offers balanced AS/DS for physical attackers

• Watch your roundtime—if it exceeds 5–6 seconds, lighten your load!
• To cast: `INCANT SPELL`, for example `INCANT 1700`
• Special attacks:

 * Use `WEAP LIST` or `SHIELD LIST` to view options
 * `QSTRIKE -3 X`: fast attack with reduced roundtime (costs stamina)
 * `MSTRIKE`: mostly outdated; WEAP abilities are preferred
 * **GLD** for guild skills, **FEAT** for other abilities (both unlocked later)

How do I level up?

• Complete the introductory quest.
• Visit DIR areas in your town for one-time EXP rewards.
• NPCs (e.g., Warrior Thraak in Wehnimer’s Landing) may deliver XP after a short Q&A.
• Deliver messages to bondsmen or similar NPCs for silver and EXP.
• **Hunting**:

 * Kill creatures (“hunt”) and rest in town to absorb Field Exp.
 * Use `EXP` to check your experience.
 * Absorb Exp faster in safe zones (“nodes”) like town centers or taverns.

• **Bounties**:

 * Visit the Adventurer’s Guild and `ASK TASK FOR BOUNTY` (or `ASK NAME FOR BOUNTY`).
 * View details with `BOUNTY`.
 * If too difficult, `ASK TASK TO REMOVE BOUNTY`.
 * Upon completion, `ASK TASK FOR BOUNTY` again for rewards (EXP, silver, bounty points).

• Advanced content: Reim, Open Seas, empath healing, cleric resurrection (after level 18).

What are some tips for early success in combat?

• Early weapon bases:

 * Two-handed: **claidhmore**
 * UAC (unarmed): gloves + boots
 * Edged: **falchion**, **longsword**, **handaxe**, **katana**, **short sword** (ambushing)
 * Blunt: **morning star**, **mace** (ambushing)
 * Ranged: **longbow**, **heavy crossbow**
 * Polearm: **naginata**

• Drake weapons may randomly flare with fire—great early choice.
• Weapons and armor may include enchantment bonuses—adds directly to AS (weapons) or DS (armor, shields, runestaves).
• Common materials and their bonuses:

 * Mithril +5
 * Ora +10
 * Imflass +12 (lightweight)
 * Glaes +15 (very heavy)
 * Vultite +20
 * Level requirements: half the material bonus rounded up (e.g., level 3 for mithril, level 10 for vultite).

• You can borrow items or check pawnshops.
• Buffs from other players (e.g., wizards) often last up to 4 hours—ask in **Help** or **General**, or **DIR TOWN SQUARE** to request.

• **Caster spell recommendations** (lookup by query like “GSIV cleric 302”):

 * Cleric: 302
 * Sorcerer: 702
 * Wizard: 901, 904, 903 (after 20 ranks of elemental lore – fire)
 * Empath: 1106, intermingle 1101 and 1700 to conserve mana

• Recommended wands: twisted (for sorcerer/empath/cleric), gold, glass, aquamarine, metal, slender blue (for wizard)

I got injured or died! Now what?

• **Injured**: head to town center and ask an empath for healing.
• **Dead**: `THINK ON HELP I’m dead, can someone please rescue me?`—someone will revive you in town.
• Once returned, an empath can heal you and a cleric can resurrect you.

What else can I do that’s fun?

• Check play.net calendar for daily official events!
• Explore Elanthia—a richly hand-crafted world with vast lore and areas.
• Socialize, roleplay, and form adventuring groups.
• Use `SERVICE` to browse NPC and player-run shops.
• Search player shops with `SHOP DIR` or visit https://ps.lichproject.org/.
• Join groups for bounties, warcamps like Grimswarm, Reim quests, or repeatable quests (e.g., Black Swan Castle).
• Learn and participate in non-combat systems:

 * Artisan crafts (grant EXP)
 * Forging, cobbling, fletching, fishing
 * Special hobbies: bird watching, bug catching, knitting, jewelry making
 * Spirit beasts (grant EXP)
 * Siegy miniatures
 * Professional guilds and player Houses (collectives)

Special thanks for edits and feedback: Drizdark