Training your beginner

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Game Registration

If you are completely new to MapleStory, please continue reading. If you are not and still want to learn more about the game and the Beginner class, skip to "The Dice Roll" section.
Signing up for the game is simple. Go to the Maple Global Website and click the "NX Passport Sign Up" button located on the left side of the website.

http://img414.imageshack.us/img414/6671/reg7ww.png

Once you click the link, you will be taken to a page and asked for your birthday. Make sure to insert your CORRECT birthday because you will need it later to verify your account for multiple reasons (lost password, deleting unwanted characters, etc.).

On the next, page, simply accept all the forms and press okay.

The next page is the most important step in your registration. You will insert your account name, password, email address, and security questions. Make sure you either know this information by heart or have it written down and in a safe place. I highly advice you to NEVER give this information to anyone, but sadly, people still do. Giving this information to other people will give them the ability to steal your account and change your information. If you do decide to give your information to a friend or family member, be careful.

Press Next.

Make sure all the information on this page is correct also. You will be asked for your full name, gender, birthday (make sure it's the same one as before...), state, postal code (that's your zip code), and ethnicity. The last one isn't that important, but gender will determine how your character will look and what objects they can use and wear from then on.
I suggest only checking the last two boxes on this form, but if you want, you can check the top one as well.

http://img464.imageshack.us/img464/9397/reg29es.png

Now press finish.

You will now get a Congratulations message. Check your email and follow the instructions sent to you and you will be officially registered.
Now it is time to download the game.

Downloading The Game

Go to www.mapleglobal.com and click on the Downloads tab. Then choose to download the game in either the .exe format or the .rar format. Now that the file is downloaded, double click it and follow the instructions to install. This process should take 5-15 minutes. Once you've fully installed the game, double click the icon and you're in!

Logging In and PIN Numbers

Logging in is relatively simple. Once the loading screens have gone away, you will see an area for your username and password. These are the ones you used while you were registering. You will need to know them everytime you log in, so make sure you have them written down or memorized.
http://img365.imageshack.us/img365/8504/login8xq.png
Once you have logged in, you will be asked to choose your PIN number. When you choose your PIN pass, use the mouse and click on the numbers on the soft keyboard. This number is VERY IMPORTANT. DO NOT LOSE THIS NUMBER. Losing this number has become the main reason people are losing their accounts. If you forget this number, you will not be able to log in. If you do, there is a chance that you can get it back by emailing the Maplestory support team but this is usually is uneffective. Please write this down and keep it in a place you will not lose (preferably alongside your username and password).

Raven says: Mailing the Wizet team with all the Information of your account is needed, EVERYTHING MUST MATCH, but this is a long and tedious process so try not to loose it in the first place, and remember, don't lose it!

Choosing Your Server

There are five servers in MapleGlobal. One, named Tespia, was available to Beta Test accounts only, so we will not be talking about it. The five main servers are called Khaini, Windia, Broa, Scania, and Bera.

Scania

Scania is the oldest and most populated of the servers. This means it is both crowded and social which can be both good and bad depending on how you wish to play. If you want to experience a busy city feeling, choose Scania.

Bera & Broa

Bera was the second of the four servers to come along and has a medium amount of people. Bera is a bit friendlier than the other servers. Broa came out shortly after Bera. It's population is slightly less than Bera making it easier to train alone, away from the crowd, when you wish while still allowing you to trade and meet people in Channel 1.

Windia & Khaini

Windia and Khaini, the newest of the five servers, is filled with newcomers hoping to be the first to explore the new world. Once the excitement fades away, Windia is expected to have a population similar to that of Broa or Bera.

http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/9937/server8tt.png

• Picture requires an update, there are five servers now.

Each server contains the exact same world and same locations. The only difference is population and the players there.
Once you create a character in one server, that character can only play on that server. You cannot have a character move from Scania to Broa, or Windia to Bera, and so on, but you can create up to three unique characters per server. That means you can have a total of fifteen different characters in the game.

Entering the Game

To enter the game, you double click the server you wish to play in (Khaini, Windia, Broa, Bera, or Scania). There you will be given the choice to choose a channel (or CH). Don't fret because after you choose a channel, you can freely travel between any channel of your choice later on. Choosing a channel doesn't determine where you HAVE to play, only where you start out playing. To choose the channel either double click it or click it once and then click "Go to the Selected World". Channel 1 is mostly used for selling / buying things, so this channel is always the most crowded. It's easier to level up if you go on the channel that has the least people on it. That way, people can't hog the snails and stuff because they won't be there.

http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/4642/chan6wm.png

Creating your Character

Now that you are in the server and channel of your choice, you get to make your very first character! Double click the "Create a Character" button.
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Once in the character creation screen, play around with the options and make a character you like. There isn't that large of a selection, but later on you will get items and equipment so you can customize how you look even more. With the addition of the Cash Shop, you can even change your hair and skin color.

Now that your character looks the way you want him/her to, it's now time to choose your name. I suggest one unique and creative. Names like "AznSamantha41561" aren't unique. After you have your name, click the button that says "Check". If the name is available, you're almost ready, but DO NOT click the "Okay" button yet, there's more.

The Dice Roll

The Dice Roll is one of the least-liked parts of the game. Perfectionists can spend up to 45 minutes rolling the random number generator.
Every job type has a unique set of skills.

Magician uses Intelligence and Luck (INT and LUK).
Warrior uses Strength and Dexterity (STR and DEX).
Thief uses Dexterity and Luck (DEX and LUK).
Bowman uses Strength and Dexterity (STR and DEX).

Depending on which job class you wish to join, you will want to have as many points as possible in the two main skills. Adding points to the other skills is pointless and can cause your character to be weaker than it could be.

Rolling for Magicians

To get a high level of Luck and Intelligence, it is important to have a low level of Strength and Dexterity. You should roll until your stats look similar to this:
STR: 4/5 DEX: 4/5 INT: X LUK: X
The X can be any number as long as strength and dexterity are 4 or 5 each. I suggest 4 for both STR and DEX because in the higher levels, every single point is important. However, aiming for a 4/4/X/X can take a very long time and makes the game lose its appeal.

Rolling for Warriors

To get a high level of Strength and Dexterity, it is important to have a low level of Intelligence and Luck. You should roll until your stats look similar to this:
STR: X DEX: X INT: 4/5 LUK: 4/5
The X can be any number as long as intelligence and luck are 4 or 5 each. I suggest 4 for both INT and LUK because in the higher levels, every single point is important. However, aiming for a X/X/4/4 can take a very long time and makes the game lose its appeal.

Rolling for Thieves

To get a high level of Dexterity and Luck, it is important to have a low level of Strength and Intelligence. You should roll until your stats look similar to this:

Note: If you would like to become a strength thief (different weapons, go on mapletip) Strength is not a bad idea. You need 20 strength by level 15.

STR: 4/5(X*) DEX: X INT: 4/5 LUK: X
The X can be any number as long as strength and intelligence are 4 or 5 each.I suggest 4 for both STR and INT because in the higher levels, every single point is important. However, aiming for a 4/X/4/X can take a very long time and makes the game lose its appeal.

• If becoming a STR bandit, it doesn't matter what your STR is. If so, you should actually try to get a high amount of STR into the character during the roll.

Rolling for Archer

To get a high level of Strength and Dexterity, it is important to have a low level of Intelligence and Luck. You should roll until your stats look similar to this:
STR: X DEX: X INT: 4/5 LUK: 4/5
The X can be any number as long as intelligence and luck are 4 or 5 each. I suggest 4 for both INT and LUK because in the higher levels, every single point is important. However, aiming for a X/X/4/4 can take a very long time and makes the game lose its appeal.

Remember, each point is vital throughout the game. It may seem like 1 or 2 points now, but later on you'll realize how important it was.
Once you have achieved the dice roll of your choice, you can now press the "Okay" button.

Starting the Game

If this is your first time playing Maplestory, I highly suggest you speak to every NPC (Non-Playable Character) at the beginning. Once you begin the game, you will receive a message telling you the basics of gameplay. These controls will allow you to move, jump, fight, climb ropes, pick things up, etc. If you are new, it is very important to familiarize yourself with these controls.
Each NPC will give you information and small tasks to complete. It should only take a few minutes to do each task. With each task, you'll learn the basics of gameplay and you'll get a few items and experience points along the way. I highly advise you take the time to learn these aspects of the game.
Once you enter the first map with monsters, you should be ready to fight and play the game. As you play around, you will probably level up a few times or will find yourself thinking the controls just don't feel right.

Changing the Controls

Many people find the default controls hard to use and remember. To change these according to your tastes, click the "\" key while playing (make sure you are in a safe place away from monsters while doing this).
A screen similar to a keyboard will show up.
http://img471.imageshack.us/img471/1383/keyboard7kg.png
The keys with text on them are all keys you can use in game. If you are unsure what a key does, press the button and you'll easily find out. To move keys, click and drag them to the key of your choice. You cannot change the facial expression keys. You can also put unwanted actions in the slots below the keyboard. When you are done editing the board, it could look something like this:
http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/5370/keyboard27zg.png

Don't like your changes? Never fear! Simply press the green "Default" button and all the keys will return to their original settings.

• The screenshot key, like the facial expressions (F1,F2,etc.), is unable to be changed via the keyboard menu. However, the location of screenshots can be changed:
  

"Menu"-->"System Option" Then use the scroll bar to choose a location.

Level Up!

Training to reach new levels is the main gameplay element of Maplestory. Whenever you complete a quest or kill a monster, you will receive things called experience points (EXP). Once you reach the set amount of exp for your level, you will "Level Up". Killing monsters in order to reach this number is calling "training". There are many benefits from training. Once you have a job, you can add new abilities to your character. You will earn ability points as well. These will be explained later. Your Hit Points (HP) and Magic Points(MP) will increase everytime you reach a new level.
http://img483.imageshack.us/img483/4607/lowerbar22ac.png
The amount of EXP required to level up also increases every time you level up.

Ability Points

Ability Points (AP) are used to increase your Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, and Luck. Every time you level up, you will gain 5 APs. Each job type has a formula for AP distribution:

Magician AP Formula

Luck is equal to your level+3 (Ex: [Level: 12] 12 + 3 = 15 LUK)
All other points go into Intelligence.
NEVER add points into Strength or Dexterity.

Warrior AP Formula

Dexterity is equal to double your level.
The rest goes into strength

Thief AP Formula

Before reaching level 10, put AP into Dex until it reaches 25. From then on, put the rest in Luk.
After level 10, follow this formula:
Luck +5 for three levels.
Dexterity +5 for two levels.

Archer AP Formula

Bowmen
Strength is equal to your level +5.
All other points go to Dexterity.

Crossbowmen
Strength is equal to your level.
All other points go to Dexterity.

IMPORTANT: NEVER put AP into the HP or MP slots. This is a giant waste and will only make you weaker. For more detailed information on each job type, go to Mapletip Go to perma beginner/supernoob section for details on exeptions.

Note from an experienced player: In my opinion, it is much better to try and get at least 9 in your main stat and a decent number in your sub stat. The highest you can get from the dice roll is 12 and when that came up as INT for my mage, I used it. This greatly helped her.

Maple Island

Training on Maple Island

I suggest every job train on green snails until they reach level 10 (magicians leave the island at level 8). They may give less EXP, but they give a nice, constant flow. It's better to kill 4 green snails and get 12 exp points total than to kill only 1 red snail and get 8. If you are planning to be a warrior and become strong enough, you probably can switch over to killing Blue Snails, Red Snails and Shrooms (small mushrooms). To-be-Bowmen may also switch to these.

Maple Island Quests

Please see Quests to find descriptions of each of the quests on Maple Island.

Leaving Maple Island

Once you reach level 10 (level 8 for aspiring magicians), you need to leave Maple Island. It is important you do not level up again until you choose your job.
Head to Southperry and go east until you see a ship and a NPC named Shanks.
http://img481.imageshack.us/img481/8679/shanks1ae.png
Shanks will ask you if you are ready to leave and will tell you that you need 150 mesos to go to Victoria Island. Once you leave, you can never go back to Maple Island with this character. Say yes and cough up 150 mesos for him and you'll find yourself in Victoria Island's Lith Harbor. Congratulations!

Jobs

Job Requirements

Each job has a set of requirements.

Magician Requirements:
Level 8
INT: 20

Swordsman Requirements:
Level 10
STR: 35

Rogue Requirements:
Level 10
DEX: 25

Archer Requirements:
Level 10
DEX: 25

Job Advancement

Now it is time to go to the city specified for your job. Magicians go to Ellinia, Archers to Henesys, Thieves to Kerning City, and Warriors go to Perion. Because Beginners get highly discounted cab fees, I suggest you use the cab to go to the city of your choice. DO NOT click on the VIP Cab, that is a completely different thing. It will take you to a place that has monsters much stronger than you and will trap you in the island. The "cab" for Lith Harbor comes in the form of a man named Phil. He is inside a ticket booth to the right of the ship. Double click him and ask him to take you to your job's city.

Each city has a "leader" who will grant you your job.
Magicians have Grendel the Really Old.
Warriors have Dances with Balrog.
Thieves have [The]Dark Lord.
Archers have Athena Pierce.

Magicians, after reaching Ellinia, need to enter the building at the highest point in their town to find Grendel.
Warriors, after reaching Perion, need to enter the building at the highest point in their town to find Dances with Balrog.
Thieves, after reaching Kerning City, need to enter the basement of the Jazz Cafe to find the Dark Lord.
Archers, after reaching Henesys, need to enter "Mushroom Park" and enter the building to the west to find Athena.

Check Mapletip and other Maplestory fan sites for guides made specifically for your job type. This is a guide for beginners, so there's not much more for me to say on the topic of jobs.

The End?

Although almost everyone who plays MapleStory will decide to advance into a job at level 8 or 10, some might decide to not do so. These players are called Permanent Beginners (Perma Beginners, also known as supernoobs). To find out how a Perma Beginner works, consult the article on Perma Beginners.