Newbie to TQ~

[Afini]

Alright so I'm still pretty new to the game~ A few questions to start off :3

1. When building up your class is it best to work towards maxing the mastery asap and dumping 1 point or so into key skills.. or is it better to go about maxing out certain skills before worrying about boosting the mastery level?

2. What are a few recommended classes for a new player? So far I've fiddled with Nature and Defense and Hunter masteries a bit to around level 10 or so.

3. Any recommended farming spots for exp/gear when starting off?

4. What is the last equipment slot for in the lower left corner of the character screen? I haven't found any items to fit there.

Thanks in advance for any help/replies ^_^

[dutch81]

Pretty new myself but I'll try to help.

1. It kind of depends but I would take 1-2 points in key stuff and otherwise mostly work your way to the top where the better stuff is anyway.
2. Those classes are great places to start ... the Hunter is especially lethal. Warrior is also good I have a rather low level one as well with only onslaught skill maxed and nothing else and he wipes anyone he has come across out he is even deadly to the mobs despite no area of effect skills as yet.
3. Farm any areas with a Boss depending on what your character (toon) can handle although I'd just move on there is always better gear right around the corner every level (area of the map) seems to have a steady increase in the quality of stuff.
4. That is for lesser artifacts ... you will find little envelopes that allow you to make something out of the artifacts you are finding and hopefully putting together. They can be a real boost if you get one that goes nicely with the skills of your toon.

Enjoy the game I have a mere 75+ hours under my belt and just now getting my primary charcter into Act II in Normal this game is HUGE!

[Afini]

Thanks a lot for the response~ and I just managed to put together my first artifact not long after I asked question 4 ^^

[Medea Fleecestealer]

dutch81 is right, most players favour climbing the masteries and only putting a point, or maybe two, in the skills you want. This is because, depending on what masteries you're playing, climbing up will add strength, dexerity, intelligence, health and energy for every level gained, increasing your survivability chances as well as increasing damage, OA and DA, etc. There are exceptions of course (see Poinas's Pwning with Spirit guide under Spirit in the Classes section of the forum), but maxing masteries is the general rule, particularly for beginners who are still learning how the game works.

Casterwise, an Oracle (Spirit/Storm) or Diviner (Spirit/Dream) are good choices for beginners. You could also combine your Hunting with Dream for an Haruspex. Defense plus Warfare will give you the RPG tank called a Conqueror who has good defensive survivability combined as Afini says with Warfare's Onslaught capability.

Early on for experience, well you've already tackled the areas just before and after the Sparta camp. Tegea is quite good, the run out of Megara on the way to Delphi has a lot of foes as well as a couple of side quests and the area after Delphi through the Parnasses Caves and beyond, especially the monster encampment and ruins have lots of opportunities for loot and experience gains. And that's even before you get near Athens. AND that's still all in Act I. Just make sure you explore every part of the map you're in so you don't miss any side quests or tombs/caves off the beaten track.

You'll find Greater and Divine artifacts later in the game too. Don't sell the lesser ones though, you might need those to make up the others as they often need a combination of Lesser artifacts and relics/charms to complete.