So new I'm still wrapped in plastic! (question on race selection)

[jcatlin]

Hey there everyone - looks like I'm the first to ask a question in the newly created "Newcomer" forum - very appropriate considering I haven't even installed the game client yet

I've been reading lots of guides and new player tips, but one thing I haven't been able to find is any info aimed at the brand new player regarding race selection. I understand the basic lore differences in the 4 player races, but beyond that I don't know what I need to be aware of.

* Is there any gameplay difference between the races?
* Are some "things" (skills, items, locations, etc.) only available to certain races?
* Does race affect starting location? (after the starter island I mean)
* What else should I keep in mind as I create my character?

Thanks for any advice you can offer me. I have a feeling I'll be back with many more questions and I just hope someone will take pity on my ignorance

FYI - I consider myself experienced with MMORPGs in general so hopefully that will help me overcome some of the learning curve here... or maybe it will only burden me with preconceptions

[oldmess]

* Is there any gameplay difference between the races?
* Are some "things" (skills, items, locations, etc.) only available to certain races?
* Does race affect starting location? (after the starter island I mean)
* What else should I keep in mind as I create my character?

Gameplay - no

Things - no

Spells - no (there are 4 racial magic spells, but anyone can get them all)

Start location - yes, you'll start in your race's main city.

Other location issue - each location has different attributes (some have more aggressive predators, some have water to hide in). Until you can hookup with trek to another land, you will have to live with those attributes. Some here believe that one land is easier/harder than another. Overall, each land has aspects that make it harder AND easier. Is it perfectly balanced? Probably not, but it's balanced enough that I wouldn't use this to make my choice.

To me, there are 2 main factors that you can use.

1. Do you have real life friends in the game? Pick a common race so you can hookup sooner. If I'd done that, I would have started a Matis character, but instead went with #2 and chose a Tryker. Got lucky and found a trek to the Matis lands my first week. Been there ever since.

2. The lore. Pick the race that appeals to your aesthetics best.

[sehracii]

Hi and welcome!

* Is there any gameplay difference between the races?

The dfferences are basically the lore and starting location, and appearance of course.

* Are some "things" (skills, items, locations, etc.) only available to certain races?

The races are all the same as far as abilities and skills and stats. They each have their own style of craftable items, but it's possible for a crafter of any race to learn the patterns for the other three.

* Does race affect starting location? (after the starter island I mean)

Yes, each race after moving off their race specific starter island moves to the capital of their races region. The Matis go to Yyrkanis in the forest, Tryker to Fairhaven in the lakelands, Zorai to Zora in the jungle, and fyros to Pyr in the desert. The regions can be hard to travel between, and practically impossible for a new player alone. However, there will be group treks that will help you travel between them and any player of any civilization has the ability to go everywhere in the game

* What else should I keep in mind as I create my character?

The home regions of each race are not identical in what they have to offer, but have various strengths and weaknesses. It can be a lengthy discussion to determine what you might prefer, but I'd say in the long run it really doesn't matter. You get accustomed to your home fairly quickly, wherever you go. The option is even there to transplant yourself, take up a different civilzations region as your home.


The only other starting advice I can give is don't choose the "fight" skill pack on character creating. You have the option to pick 3 of fight, magic, harvest, and craft. Can be 3 different packs or 3 of the same for a headstart in that skill. I say no fight pack, because you can jump on the island and start punching creatures for fight XP. On the other hand, the other three skills require you to save up skill points to start earning experience in those fields.
I'd probably say get one each harvest, craft, and magic. But in the long run, that doesn't matter either. There willl be more skill points available down the road then skills you'll really want to learn. So choose as you wish


Other then that, really nothing more I can say! I'm sure you'll pick things up quick. Don't be discouraged by starter island populations, most people are on the mainland. Head over when you feel comfortable with game mechanics.

And enjoy Atys! Hope to meet you someday soon.

[jcatlin]

Thanks for the quick response. I think you've allayed my fears enough so I'll not worry that I've somehow made the "wrong" choice. I don't (yet) know anyone in game so I have the luxury of basing my decision on lore

[mmatto]

* Is there any gameplay difference between the races?
* Are some "things" (skills, items, locations, etc.) only available to certain races?
* Does race affect starting location? (after the starter island I mean)
* What else should I keep in mind as I create my character?

Hi there,

all races are identical expect graphics although Nevrax is planning to introduce minor racial differences later on. However, there are differences in gameplay because home regions are different. When character arrives to mainland he starts at his race's capital city.

Each region's skill trainers gives general and race specific skills. Race specific skills are crafting styles, foraging terrain specialization, racial spells. You can get other race's skills when you get to foreign lands and you have some extra skill points to spare. Trip is dangerous but you don't have to do it alone and it will be very rewarding experience.

Small summary of region difference:

Matis Forest - most populated race but lots of agro in low level regions. Some say that devs like matis and there some things are easier for them I won't say much else here without spoiling but those are foraging related things, nothing uber though. Lots of items at markets.

Fyros Desert - highly populated. Towns are nicely dispersed and provide safe havens in many regions. Lots of items at markets.

Tryker Lakelands - medium population. Tryker lands are nice but swimming everywhere is slower than running. Also, foragers won't get easily. Not that much items at markets. Presence of water everywhere provides escape from mobs though.

Zorai Jungle - low population and poor markets but otherwise nice and easy.

[xenofur]

races in ryzom are a lot like countries in RL, they look different, the landscape and ressources are different, some countries produce different items but in the end every could get anything as long as he invests enough time and money
another big aspect is politics tho
the four different races have a different standing to each other, which has developed due to their history
added to that there are two religions that have also ingame manifestations and make the standings to each other even more complex and a few oddballs like tryton and his guild
in order to get in-depth information i suggest reading up in the Lore Section on the official webpage

[mrozzy]

ps: Pick Fyros

[jcatlin]

Hi and welcome!

Thanks

The only other starting advice I can give is don't choose the "fight" skill pack on character creating. You have the option to pick 3 of fight, magic, harvest, and craft. Can be 3 different packs or 3 of the same for a headstart in that skill. I say no fight pack, because you can jump on the island and start punching creatures for fight XP. On the other hand, the other three skills require you to save up skill points to start earning experience in those fields.
I'd probably say get one each harvest, craft, and magic. But in the long run, that doesn't matter either. There willl be more skill points available down the road then skills you'll really want to learn. So choose as you wish

Seems like I read something to this effect elsewhere, but I know I wouldn't remember it hehe. I'll probably go with the harvest/craft/magic 3 pack then.

Other then that, really nothing more I can say! I'm sure you'll pick things up quick. Don't be discouraged by starter island populations, most people are on the mainland. Head over when you feel comfortable with game mechanics.

This is probably food for a new thread, but how does grouping work for someone who's new like myself and others that are much farther along?

And enjoy Atys! Hope to meet you someday soon.

Thanks for the advice and the warm welcome. It's much appreciated That's the sort of interaction that really encourages the new player (sorry, I've always hated "newbie" and any derivative) to swallow their pride and ask for help!

[mmatto]

Thanks
This is probably food for a new thread, but how does grouping work for someone who's new like myself and others that are much farther along?

Experience gained is dependent on how high level skills are used in battle. So, if lvl 250 bare handed fighter doesn't use his bare handed skill but he uses his healing magic lvl 50, he will count as lvl 50 character.

I would say that grouping with higher lvl characters is quite easy especially after lvl 50 as some of the older characters may have trained all skills to at least 50 or so Skill trees will branch later on so there opens up new possibilities and lvl 50 is significant branching point for many skills.

Also, healers can easily tag along with higher lvl parties as healing magic is quite powerful and healers does not have to hit high level mobs in combat.

[sehracii]

This is probably food for a new thread, but how does grouping work for someone who's new like myself and others that are much farther along?

I don't have a lot of experience with other MMORPGs, but I get the feeling the Ryzom system is the most flexible in this regard.

Any player of any level can team with any other and hunt. The XP earned in a group is based on the level of the mob with regards to the single highest level being used in the team, and how many people are in the team. For offensive actions, it will become difficult to hit mobs much higher level than yourself, and if you don't land a hit you don't get xp. Healing is very easy to level with higher players, as you don't have to hit the mob so simply casting a heal during battle nets you the xp.

On top of that, what makes the game even nicer is players aren't determined by a single level score. Someone who is lvl 200 in a melee skill can still be level 50 in magic. So if your highest lvl is 50 fight, you can hunt mobs at your level with the 200 fight, as long as they only use their lower level skills in battle. Does that make sense?

I love the system.