View source for Advice for Beginners

== Advice ==
=== Pregame ===
* First, read the [[Game Rules]]. You might benefit from these [[Guides]] too.
* Review the list of in-game [[Commands]] and the list of game [[Abbreviations]].
* Do you know what an [[Exit Grid]] is?
* It's a very good idea to review the [[Changelogs]] too.
* How to get music in Reloaded, do the following: Copy the /music/ folder from your Fallout 2 installation or CD or find link to music files on Forum and paste it in your FOnline Client /data/sound/ folder.

* '''Get familiar with the [[FO2238Config.exe]] and the [[FOConfig.exe]].''' Both of these configuration tools are integral parts of the game, and control how you play it.
* Understand that '''Reloaded is significantly different from the original Fallout games''' in terms of mechanics. Old builds, [[perks]], [[weapons]], [[quests]] and [[NPC]]s will not behave similarly and are balanced for a multiplayer platform. Choosing to roll a [[Gambling]] build may not be in your best interest, and don't expect to be able to easily obtain [[Advanced Power Armor]].
* '''Research and plan out your character's [[Builds|build]].''' It is very easy for new players to ''wing it'' and treat this like a single-player Fallout game with no real thought put into [[Builds]]. Rolling a half-assed build will get you killed a lot, and may severely limit your game experience. Make good use of the [http://forum.fonline-reloaded.net/index.php?topic=6.0 FOnline Character Planner] tool. Here are some tips to get you started:
:* Making a well rounded character (as in, all 4-6's in [[SPECIAL]]) is one of the worst mistakes new players make. No matter what the character is for, specialized [[Builds]] are important.
:* Understand that [[Small Guns]] is by far the easiest weapon skill to begin the game with.
:* At [[Levels|level]] 1, talk to the [[Boneyard Guard]] to get a bonus to one of the combat skills: [[Small Guns]], [[Energy Weapons]], [[Big Guns]], [[Close Combat]] or [[Throwing]].
:* If you're choosing a ranged weapon skill ([[Small Guns]], [[Big Guns|Big Guns]], [[Energy Weapons]], or [[Throwing]]), be sure to invest into that skill to at least '''180''' and incorporate the perk [[Bonus Rate of Attack]]. It reduces the [[AP]] cost of your attacks by 1, and therefore enables you to squeeze out more shots per turn.
:* You require at least 4 [[Intelligence]] to interact with some [[NPC]]s. However for most [[merchants]] and quest-givers, 2 [[Intelligence]] will be enough, and [[Mentats]] helps too.
:* 50 [[Repair]] can go a long way for someone new to the game. It allows you to take the first level of [[Armorer]], and both basic Gunsmith ([[Profession: Gunsmith (Small Guns)|Small Guns]]/[[Profession: Gunsmith (Big Guns)|Big Guns]]) [[professions]].
:* [[Outdoorsman]] is a valuable skill for newer players. Having an '''OD''' of 100 will provide you significantly more [[Random Encounters|encounter]] ''prompts'' while traveling on the [[The World|world map]], and will allow you to obtain the [[Ranger]] support perk which enables you to build [[Safe House]]s instead of simple [[Tent]]s.
:* You can save up to 99 [[Skill Points]] for later [[Levels]], but don't save up that many. Skill Points cannot be saved forever, ''and are lost'' beyond this limit. You can delay choosing a Perk, but you must choose it before you reach the next Perk. '''If you have an unspent Perk, and gain a new Perk-giving level, your saved Perk will be lost.''' Temporarily delaying your choice of a Perk can be useful if you cannot afford its requirements with your current skills; you may be able to still get it in the next couple of levels, in time before you reach the next Perk.
* Review the list of [[Guides]] too. Experienced players have contributed [[Guides]] and other helpful [[More Advice for New Players|advice]].

=== Basics ===
* '''When you exit the game, your character remains in-game for 3 more minutes before it disappears.''' In that time, other people can see you, kill you, [[Steal]] from you, and shove you into an [[Exit Grid]], so be careful where you logout. Most players chose to logout while on [[The World]] map.
* Once you're in the game, you may want to know some [[Hotkeys]]. Here is a list of some useful ones:
::'''Control+G''' shows
::'''Q''' shows your character's [[Sight#Field of View|field of view]].
::'''W''' shows the effective [[range]] of your equipped weapon.
::'''A''' changes to attack mode.
::'''B''' switches between your two hand slots.
::'''G''' picks up items from the ground.
::'''Control+G''' picks up all items in that hex!
::'''Control+D''' drops all items from inventory at once!
::'''P''' opens your [[Pip-Boy]].
::'''F''' opens your [[Fix-Boy]].
::'''F1''' displays shortcuts and ping.
::'''F2''' saves messages to a file.
::'''F3''' saves a screenshot
::'''F4''' show/hide command bar
::'''F5''' expand/collapse the message window
::'''F6''' displays names above players' heads. It should be on by default.
::'''F8''' mouse-scrolling toggle (helps in window mode)
::'''F10''' toggle [[Town Control]] display area
::'''F11''' toggle [[Town Control]] alerts
::'''F12''' minimize client window
* '''Beware when you're in towns without guards (Most Northern towns!).''' Players and gangs there will kill you without hesitation. You should try to do some [[Quests]] to gain your first [[Levels]].
* '''Guards punish assault with deadly force, however they will ignore theft unless the [[Thief]] fails in their attempt, in which case they will be attacked.''' Keep your most valuable items in your hands where they cannot be stolen. (Note that open carrying of weapons can trigger some [[NPC]]s to become hostile, so keep your weapon in your second hand slot or inside of your inventory.)
* Use of [[Drugs]] is an effective way of enhancing your build and is popular among most players. (Drug addictions are currently not an issue.)
* '''Pay attention to your [[reputation]].''' Attacking or stealing in a [[guarded town]] may make town NPCs hate you. Killing [[Slaver's Guild|slavers]] will get you hated in [[Den]], and killing [[NCR]] patrols will make you hated in [[NCR]], and so on. Of course, animals are usually reputation-free so you can kill them guilt-free with no change to your reputation.
* '''When communicating in-game you may encounter some of these [[Abbreviations]].'''

=== Survive ===
* In the beginning, '''trust nobody'''. Seriously, newbie-abuse is very popular.
:* If a player puts a bomb on you in a guarded town, do not try to drop it from your inventory, as guards will attack you for having it. Your best bet is to quickly leave and drop it on the world map.
:* Even in guarded towns, do not idle in public or let anybody stand or walk next to you. Keep moving and keep on guard. 
:* If you do idle in a public area, do not bring anything you don't wish to lose.
* '''Communicate with other players.''' The best way to communicate with other players is [https://discord.gg/qj4wVv7 Reloaded's Discord chat], or the [http://www.fonline-reloaded.net/forum/ Official forum], or lastly in-game radios.
* '''[[Shoveling Poo]] for [[experience]] and [[caps]]'''. Several towns contain a [[brahmin]] pen ([[Klamath]], [[Modoc]], [[Vault City]], [[Redding]], [[NCR]]...). Talk to the pen keeper, grab his shovel and you're ready to clean the pen of all the brahmin poo there is! Talk to the pen keeper again when you're done, you'll be rewarded for your work. You can easily reach your first level this way.
:* Other than [[Shoveling Poo]], you can get [[XP]] and [[Caps]] [[Lifting Caravan Boxes]].
* '''Random encounters are deadly''' at the start of the game. Even [[Rat|rats]] can kill you if you don't run fast enough, and guns will often explode in your face with gun skills under 100.
* Once you have obtained your first weapon and gun skill 100 or more, look for [[:Category:Creatures|creature]] encounters. Human NPCs are tough for a new player to kill since they're armed, and don't provide as much [[XP]] as monsters. [[Spore Plant]]s, [[Rat]]s, [[Silver Gecko|little geckos]], [[Radscorpion]]s, [[Brahmin]], [[Molerat]]s, [[Pigrat]]s, [[Ant]]s, and [[Mantis]] are good to begin with. [[Dog]]s are tough and fast, so beware. The [[Scout]] perk will be very handy once you can get it.
* In the wasteland, you may find [[Resources]] in random encounters and some public locations. These raw resources can be [[Crafting|crafted]] into usable items and equipment.
* '''[[Crafting|Craft]] your own gear.''' You start the game with no gear, but you can collect resources and craft your own. Everyone can craft basic weapons and [[Ammo]].
* When you do trade with other players, use [[Barter Ground]], the world's safest place for this.

=== Grow Stronger ===
* '''Obtaining a [[Folded Tent]], by whatever means, should be your first priority.''' The wasteland is harsh, but having [[Tent]]s makes it more survivable. Each character can have multiple tents.
* Here are two ways to obtain a tent:
:*Once you hit level 2, you should be able to do the quest, [[A Tent in the Wasteland]]. If you are level 2 and cannot see the new encounter on your world map, go into and out of [[Hub]], [[Shady Sands]], or [[Vault City]].
:*You can craft your own [[Folded Tent]]s. The raw materials you'll need are [[Brahmin Hide]]s, [[Fibers]], and [[Wood]]. You may find some of these resources sold by some traders, but the best way to obtain them is by harvesting them yourself in the wild.
* Before you have a tent you can '''hide your stuff in town'''. Choose a town with very few people and hide your stuff well, it should be moderately safe if you don't leave it there too long.
* Once you have a tent you can begin gathering resources for crafting, and hunting for equipment. Look for NPC encounters commonly known as "'''versus encounters'''", in which two factions fight and the victorious one is often the non-aggressive one, for example ''[[Vault City Patrol]]'' versus ''[[Raiders]]'' around [[Vault City]]. The town patrols almost always win, and once ''they'' are done looting corpses, ''then'' you can loot the rest and get whatever is left over.
* Even with good gear, you need sufficient gun skill to shoot enemies accurately. Most people rush out too early and experience many weapon fails. Consider mining first. You can usually get several levels in a short time crafting [[Gunpowder]], [[Metal Parts]], and [[Alloys]]. Then making [[Ammo]] gives even more [[XP]] and also provides something you can sell. 
* '''Accumulate caps.''' After your tent is built, begin saving up your [[Caps]]. Caps are the most fluid currency of the wasteland.
:*'''Do not spend caps at merchants.'''  If you want an item from a trader, find out what that trader will buy and barter those items. Caps are best saved for buying [[Vehicles]], [[Bases]], learning [[Professions]], and trading with other players.
:* '''A note on the Economy.''' Most of the caps in circulation are already in the hands of other players. To get around this check back at the shops every hour, because the storekeepers' supply of caps is periodically refreshed. If you get lucky you can find individual traders who haven't been relieved of their wealth yet, and some of them carry upwards of 10,000 caps, or more if wealthy players have made huge purchases there!

=== Loot for the Win ===
* Start the game with a character that has [[Lockpick]] skill tagged. Level up a few levels and put all your points to [[Lockpick]]. Since [[Random Encounters]] in city ruins have a fairly high chance of spawning [[Footlocker]]s, you can unlock them and find valuable loot. Be wary of [[Types of Traps|traps]] around the footlockers. You can find good armor and weapons, plus many other items including [[Drugs]] and [[Ammo]]. You will also find [[Blueprints]] which you use for superior crafting, or sell to other players for a quick buck.
* A popular [[Footlocker]] hunting area is the small city ruins near [[Lost Hills Bunker|Brotherhood of Steel-Base]] and [[Junktown]]. Most of the times you only encounter neutral Junktown Scouts or BoS-Patrols, making this zone appealing to weaker characters. '''But beware: PKs hunt players here a lot too!'''

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[[Category:Guides]]