The big step - going to the mainland

[lazarus]

I've been pondering this for several days now, and wondered what other people's thoughts are.

In the 'old' days (up to and including first open beta) it was generally the case that people left the island for the mainland once they hit level 20 in one or more of the 4 skillsets. Now, I see people that are over level 50 in more than one skill still on the island with no plans to leave soon.

I myself (as of my last play session) have 2 skills over level 40, one in the mid 30's and the other I'm not bothering about for now. Consequently, it's getting harder and harder to level, as the XP returns are so low as I am operating way below my optimum. Having said that, I've been toying with the idea of getting my skills up to 50 before going.

So I was wondering - what (if any) is the general consensus on when to leave the island?

If you've left already, what were your levels and do you think you left too early or too late?

If you're still there, when do you plan on heading to the big bad mainland?

As always, thanks in anticipation of your responses...

[vguerin]

We have a similar thread as this in the NA forums... basically there is no consensus, but it seems most leave around level 20. I left at levels 1, 1, 1, 7 but everyone pretty much knows my priorities are different Whatever you feel comfortable with depending on your SoR experience...

Ultimate Harvesting Guide

[philhous]

IMHO the later the better - what's the rush?

But seriously, for me, I'd like at least to be able to harvest mats and craft all my own good qual weapons & armour, have at least 150,000 - 250,000 dapper and be at least half confident that I don't look a complete wassock when I get there. But I'm sure you're already past that stage Laz - in the beta I left, with a partner, at about the stage you are at now.

In an absolutely ideal situation I'd be tempted to build strength in numbers on the island and go over as a strong group to be honest but that ain't gonna happen.

[miths999]

Just started playing today (and already hooked like I have not been on a game in a very long time - online or singleplayer), and have been focusing almost exclusively on fighting skills (level 18 currently).
I have picked up some basic magic skills but I expect to use offensive magic mainly for pulling, and I am considering trying out crafting as well.

Since my focus has been and probably will continue to be combat, I can hardly see myself staying on the starting island much past level 25 in fighting and much less in magic.
I have been having the time of my life there (well, almost ), but I cannot see myself whacking the crap out of Puny Gorias forever - I need a bit of variation.

I just bought a nice full set of heavy armor from a crafter, and I can probably see the incentive to stay for quite a while if your focus is on crafting, trying to get your skills up to be competetive when you get to the mainland - but me, I am planning on hitting the mainland before I go to bed way too late tonight - or tomorrow at the latest.

[Cilar]

Well for fighting, my advice is to stay on the newbee island until lvl 25 or 30. Especially if you are a Matis. There are a lot of Gingos around the Matis Capital on mainland and they are quite hard to kill at level 20 ==> bring frustation to die often. At level 30 they are quite easy to kill alone.

[weiseman]

I myself left at around level 30 fight skill.
I don't see the point staying longer on starterland:
-equipment won't be better (cap at q20) so you won't hit harder
-mobs aren't tougher, low xp, need to kill dozens to see your bar move.
-money? That's what most think 1st, but i did way more money once on mainland (bigger mobs, bigger drops, more xp... more money! I'm doing over 100k in a short run now)

And anyway, the game really starts once on mainland, there's not much to see of it on starterland.

"Duster" - come to Pyr, our great city in the desert.

[shrike]

If you want to harvest go out as soon as possible. Simply because you get q25 mats on the mainland while you get only q20 mats on the newbie islands.

I left with around lvl 15 in fighting and harvesting. In theory you can leave without any problems at lvl 1 - there are plenty of suckling yubos and mektoubs/caprynies on the mainland...

[arandell]

The only reason im sticking around into my lvl50's in craft is because the craft missions in n00bland are easier, so i can get xp with no loss of cash.

having said that, it is getting hard to level when im almost lvl60 in heavy armour crafting >_<

[ayne31]

Crafter and harvesters have no reason to stick around for longer than around 30 for the mat-quality mentioned allready. Fighters could probably stay longer but sooner or later the only kind of mobs still giving decent XP will be overcamped so the "problem" will solve itself eventually.

At least after the next large flock of players will hit the servers everyone capable of leaving for the mainland WILL get out asap

[miths999]

Speaking of the mainland. I just arrived (Tryker) and have been doing a bit of scouting around. Looking at the map it seems like it consists of a fairly large area enclosed by mountains (and with fewer aggressive mobs than the newbie island - at least in the square kilometer or so I have covered ), and intersected by what looks like border zones in a few places.
I know I am getting a bit ahead of my own progress here, but is this map only part of the Tryker territory - as I assume it is - and how do you move on to other areas (including desert/forest/jungle belonging to the other races)?

Also should I expect to see only one basic type of terrain for each race - beautiful beaches, palm trees and crystal clear lakes for Tryker for instance, or will there be more variation in higher level zones?