Hi! I just wanted to know how long you've been playing GW2, and if you had any tips/advice for someone new to Tyria!
Hello! I've been playing since the betas. :) Here's some helpful tips:
Play with the right mind. Do not play the game from how you've played other MMOs, coz you might be suprised. Just slowly learn things.
Before you start anything, look at the interface, read the tool-tip, the functions/controls of the keys.
Talk to every NPC if possible. They have interesting facts to say about the zone, or clues about events. Look at each item from Karma vendors. If NPCs have nothing to say, they'll just simply greet you.
Harvest everything you see. The first vendor on your map after the starting instance sells salvaging & gathering tools. Don't forget his location and get those tools from him.
Deposit all collectibles in your bank (inventory > deposit all collectibles at the top right cog)
Do not miss dynamic events (DE). If you see a new event nearby, go ahead and join in. Help someone or a group. I made friends thru this too :D
You will lose health if you don't move, so use dodge. You will learn how to use it at the right time pretty soon.
Don't do CRAFTING yet until you're lvl 50+ (lvl 50 content becomes a bit harder with less heart quests, so it's best to do crafting for exp). If you want to try it, best start is Cooking (for FOOD buffs and it's easy).
WvW gives you great exp, so do it too, while at the same time doing zone completion.
Offload your unnecessary stuff thru AH. You can buy/sell anything from anywhere, and collect money/goods in town.
Asura portals (violet mark on the map) can get you to other starting zones. There's one in your race's main city.
Killing anything you see can give you an achievement, even killing the innocent ones.
Do dungeons once you're at the right level, and whenever you do it, feel free to tell your party members that it's your first time and ask for their instructions. Dungeons are quite challenging in this game, so be attentive to what they instruct.
Personal story is not that great for exp, but it's fun and worth doing. I started doing mine when I reached 80 though.
Rez everyone (even ranger pets). It gives you exp too and an achievement.
Check out "farms" from each zone. There are 8-10 plant nodes to gather there (awesome exp).
Do your DAILIES.
Cooking buffs (food) give you bonus exp and extra stats/boosts.
Evade red circles on the ground, they're deadly. Blue circles are heals/buffs. White does nothing.
Map completion rewards you with exp and shiny stuff (or crafting mats).
If you want to take a break from leveling, you can play some mini-games or do jumping puzzles.
Do what makes you happy, you'll get rewarded for it: PvE, crafting, gathering, WvW, events (except for sPvP, it doesn't give you exp)
DO NOT RUSH. Just explore and enjoy the game ;)
Some Keyboard Controls/Shortcuts Tips:
To quickly take a screenshot without the UI, just press Shift + PrintScreen (saves you time from pressing Ctrl + Shift + H which removes the UI)
Shift + Left Clicking an item, waypoint or skill will link them on chat. However, Alt + Left Clicking will automatically send it to chat without having to hit Enter.
Set a ping on the map by Shift + Left Clicking on the location or mini-map, just in case you need help from people around. Helpful when you're fighting a boss alone, and you have no time to chat.
To split stacked items, just Alt + Left Click the stacked items and drag to an open slot in your bag.
Autoattacking skill - just Ctrl + Right Click the skill and it becomes autoattack
To target something (first boss to kill or someone), just Ctrl + T to the target. It will tell your party members to just Press T to assist you.
If you want to add a dye in your favorites, simply Right Click on the dye color.
There are many tips I can share but these are the basic ones. You can find lotsa guides and tips for crafting, salvaging, emotes, dungeons, making money, evading, etc online. Good luck! ;)
