Maplestory guide for beginners and experienced players

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For those of you who don't know, MapleStory (MS for short) is a free-of-charge, 2D, side-scrolling MMORPG.

Now exactly what does that mean?


Well, it means that MS is a 2-dimensional (think of those classic arcade Mario games) "Massively Multiplayer Online Role-playing" game.

And to make a long explanation short, this means that there are millions of people playing this game at all times.

The RPG stands for "Role-Playing Game". This is just a short way of saying that you will take on the role of a character in the game, and you will decide how they grow.

MapleStory was developed by the South Korean company Wizet. Different versions are available for different parts of the world.

This guide only covers MapleStory Global (includes North America and any country without a localized server), though general information may be applicable to all servers.

MapleStory has over 50 million players worldwide and is free to download and play.

For Maplestory downloads go to: http://maplestory.nexon.net/

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So now that you have a general idea of what MS is about you probably want some specifics. The following articles will tell you much more.

MS is 2-Dimensional?!

When people first realize that MS is 2D they usually laugh or instantly become skeptical of this "outdated" style of gaming.

They point out how much "better" games such as World of Warcraft are because they are 3-Dimensional. But what these people don't know is that MapleStory's 2D view-point is a strength, not a weakness.

The fact that MS is 2D is what makes it special and different from all other online games. Its graphics are beautiful and never appear flat.

In fact, the colors and images of MS pop off the screen and are very different in every city and town of the game. Besides, MapleStory doesn't have more than 50 million players for nothing.

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Here we go-all the dreaded required specifications for running the game on your computer.

Many of us know that horrible feeling of finding a great game and getting really excited over it only to be really disappointed to find out that our computer isn't good enough to run the game.

Anybody who has looked at the specs for EA's Crysis will know what I'm talking about. But, don't worry-almost any computer can handle MS.

The MINIMUM System Requirements are as follows:


Operating System- Windows 98/ME/2K/XP and Vista*

CPU- P3-1Ghz

Hardrive Space- 2.5 Gigabytes

GPU- 3D Acceleration Card

Sound- N/A

Internet Connection- 56kps Modem

Here are the Recommended System requirements:
Operating System- Windows 98/ME/2K/XP and Vista*


CPU- P4-1.8Ghz

Hardrive Space- 3 Gigabytes

GPU- 3D Acceleration Card

Sound- 16bit Sound Card

Internet Connection- 56kps Modem

*Now exactly why did I put an asterisk here?
Well, the answer is simple; most people think that you can't run MS on Windows Vista because it is not yet compatible. This sadly is true. But before everyone who has Vista runs away, there is a solution to your dilemma. And unlike most software solutions, this is a very simple one.

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1. Download and install MapleStory online game to your computer. During the installation process it should ask where you want to install MS to. The default is usually something like C://Nexon (or at least that's what mine is). Whatever the default address is, write it down. Alright, now that you're all done installing and you have the orange mushroom icon on your desktop type the full address you wrote down into your start menu search. It should find the folder. Click on it and scroll down to step 3.

2. But if you didn't write down the address, you don't understand the directions, or whatever other reason, do the following:

* Open your Start Menu and click on "Computer" on the right side

* Click on "Local Disk (C:)" (or your main hard drive)

* There should be a few folders in there like "Users", "Windows", and "Program Files." One of the folders should be titled "Nexon." If not, open the Program Files folder and look for a "Nexon" folder in there.

* Inside the Nexon folder should be a folder titled "MapleStory" Open it.

* Go to step 3

3. There should be a few folders in the MapleStory folder and a bunch of files. Forget the folders-you need to find a file with the orange mushroom for its icon and it has to say MapleStory next to it and "Application" under Type. RIGHT-click it so that a menu pops up. Click on Properties on the menu. It might take a while for the window to pop up, so be patient.

4. At the top of the Properties window should be labels you can click titled "General," "Compatibility," "Security," and "Details." Click on "Compatibility" and don't mess with anything else. You should see "If you have problems with this program%u2026etc." You should also see a square titled "Compatiablity mode." Check off "Run this program in compatibility mode for:" and from the fall-down list select "Windows XP (Service Pack 2)." Also check off the "Run this program as an administrator." Do not click or change anything else.

5. CLICK OK to save the settings. You are now fully compatible and ready to play MapleStory!

Not completely sure if your computer can run MS because you're confused about some of the required specs?

Well here's a simple way to figure it out: if your computer is not more than three years old or runs on Windows Vista, then chances are you'll be able to run MS on full settings.

HOWEVER, no matter how old your computer, you have to make sure you have 3 gigabytes of free memory to download the game.

Newer computers all come with at least 120 gigabytes of free memory, but you have to check if you have enough free space left on older computers.

To do that, open "My Computer," right click the C drive (or your main hard disk drive) and click on Properties.

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Now that you've installed and started MS we must begin the game.

Here comes the all-important decision of what class you want your first character to be.

Thankfully, MapleStory has pretty well-balanced classes. The down side is that some have advantages over the others.

However, keep in mind that these advantages balance out as you level, so don't base your choice on these.

Your first character may not be the greatest. But because they all balance out there is no "greatest" class.

Instead, I recommend that your decision is based on which class fits your personality and play-style best, rather then which class is "#1."

Also, every class plays very differently and has a different feel, though it may not seem like it.

Now let's take a close look at the four different classes.

A NOTE ABOUT CHARACTER CREATION:

Before you create a character you must pick one of the four classes below, so that you can distribute ability points correctly.

Ability points go into four different catagories:

* Dexterity (DEX),
* Luck (LUK),
* Strength (STR), and
* Intelligence (INT).

Each class focuses on two of the four categories for their specific powers. The other two are unimportant and should never be given additional ability points.

When you are rolling the dice for ability points make sure you know which two categories are useless for the class you pick.

Try to roll those categories 4 or no more than 5 points, so that the other two get the most possible.

For example, if you choose to be a magician, magicians focus on the INT and LUK categories. Try to get both of the useless categories for magicians (DEX and STR) no more than 4 or 5 points each.

This way you start out with as many points as you can get - those that matter for your class. And be more powerful quicker!

The warrior is a great all-around class because they have the highest weapon defense and health of any class, and they have skills that boost both.

They also have many of options weapon wise, especially as they choose to specialize in one type or another at level 30.

Whether you want to attack with a speedy blade or a high damage-inflicting spear, the warrior has it. About the only weakness that the Warrior has is that they have low magic defense which means that fighting magic monsters is difficult.

The warrior's "hometown" is Perion, where you can take the first job advancement at level 10 with Strength (STR) at minimum of 35.

Every time you level you must put your ability (stats) points like this:

Dexterity (DEX) must always be two times your level and the rest of the points go into Strength (STR).

For example, by level 10 you should have 20 points in DEX, and at least 35 in STR. Don't bother wasting your precious points on anything else-you only get 5 each time you level.

Make sure you follow this formula from level 1 on if you want to be a Warrior.

To take your first job advancement, travel to Perion. Just take the taxi, or if you're sure you can make it all the way through, go on foot.

Then go all the way up the mountain in Perion to where you'll see a temple and a door.

Press the up arrow key (as always) to enter and speak with Dances With Balrogs.

You will find all warrior-specific clothes and weapons in the Perion armor shop, but potions are the same for all classes and can be bought at any town potion shop.

This class is mainly ranged because they focus on strength and dexterity.

In this class you can choose to focus on the bow or the crossbow.

The bow shoots faster, but the slower crossbows inflict higher damage. The bow has always been the more popular of the two. But the choice is up to you as both are good.

One setback for a bowman is that when monsters come too close they can no longer shoot arrows; they hit with the end of the bow/crossbow, which doesn't do any damage.

The offset of this is a phenomenon called knockback. A knockback is the power that all bow/crossbows have that allows them (with a certain success rate) to hit a monster and send them flying away.

Higher level bows and crossbows have a better chance of getting a knockback.

The bowmen are based in Henesys, the most popular town to train, trade, and socialize in on Victoria Island.

The formula for bowmen to follow always is:

* 1 point to Strength (STR) and
* 4 points to Dexterity (DEX).

To take the first job advancement go to the Henesys Mushroom Park, then go all the way to the right to a big tree house and press the up arrow key (as always) to enter.

Talk to Athena Pierce inside to receive your blessings.

You must be level 10 with a minimum of 25 Dexterity (DEX) points to receive the first job.

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Even though magicians of any level use wands or staffs, they attack with magic.

So, even high-level mages won't do more then 30 damage to a monster if they physically hit it, but if they hit that same monster with a spell, then they can equal or even exceed the damage a warrior of the same level would do.

While mages can compete with warriors in the damage (DMG) department, they don't stand a chance in the comparison of health (HP).

While warriors have tons of HP and a little mana (MP), mages have the most MP but the least HP of any class. This means that warriors can take the most damage of any class, while mages are always in danger of dying in combat.

Fortunately, mages acquire skills later on that reduce/eliminate this weakness.

Admittedly, mages are the most powerful class after the first job advancement of all. However, the joy is short-lived as all the other classes start catching up around levels 40-50.

Mages also level quickly at the beginning, but start slowing down the higher they get.

Magician's hometown is Ellinia, the forest town, and possibly the most unpopular and most difficult town to navigate in Victoria Island.

The magicians are the only class that can receive their first job advancement at level 8. This is because it is impossibly hard for magicians to level without a magic attack, because they have no STR.

The formula for magicians to follow is:

* Luck (LUK) always has to be 3 point higher than your level, and

* once you get there always add 4 points to Intelligence (INT) and 1 to LUK.

Just make sure that when you're ready to get your first job advancement at lvl 8 your INT is 25 points or higher.

To receive your first job advancement travel to Ellinia by taxi. Climb the ropes, the ladders, and jump the steps all the way to the top where there is a big tree-like house.

Enter and speak to Grendel the Really Old to officially become a Magician.

A class that either uses throwing stars to attack enemies, which is ranged combat, or uses daggers to quickly attack multiple times up close.

This is the only class that has the choice of close or far-ranged combat. And it is the only one I wouldn't recommend as your first character, especially if you want to be an Assassin.

Why?

Well, Thieves can apply tremendous damage, but are harder to start out if you don't have another high-lvl character to financially support your thief.

This is especially true about Assassins who use throwing stars, because instead of buying a new better dagger every few levels you have to buy throwing stars which can't be bought at any store (except the first and weakest throwing star which can be bought at any potion shop).

The better throwing stars sell for a couple million mesos for a pack of 500.

Most of these packs can be refilled at any potion shop for a couple thousand mesos, but you can't only have one pack.


To have enough without having to refill constantly you would need around 10 packs. That's 5000 throwing stars and many millions of mesos to buy those 10 packs.

But if you want a challenge, I can't stop you from picking this class. Of course, being an Assassin is not your only choice (though it is one of the most powerful after lvl 30). Anyhow, we still need some basic class info too.

Thieves focus on dodging attacks rather then taking the full damage like warriors.

Their motto is something like, "Why do we need lots of health and armor when nothing can hit us?"

Thieves' HP and MP are pretty balanced as they don't really focus on either physical or magic attacks, but have a bit of both. This is the defensive class, a complete opposite of warriors.

The formula for thieves for the distribution of ability points is:

* your Dexterity (DEX) should have twice the points of your level and

* the rest of the points go to Luck (LUK).

Example: if you're lvl 20 your DEX should be 40 and the rest of the points are in LUK.

To receive your first job advancement travel to Kerning City and find the Jazz Bar on the middle-ish level.

Press the up arrow key at the door to enter (as always) and climb the ladder in the toilet down. Jump over the fence and talk to the vampire dude to officially become a Thief.

You must be level 10 with 25 DEX points to take the first job advancement.

The following are keyboard shortcuts, most of which you will memorize naturally as you play the game.

Note that to add ability points every time you level (lvl) press "S" and "K" to open the windows where you can do that.

Alt= Jump

Ctrl= Attack

F1= Angry Face

F2= Happy Face

F3= Annoyed/Whistling/Kissing face

F4= Pouting/Crying face

F5= Mad Face

F6= Shocked face

F7= Disappointed face


Scroll Lock= Take Screen Shot

S= Stats

K= Skills

V= Sit on a bench or chair

Z= Pick up item/meso

I= Check Item Inventory

E= Check equipments-what you're wearing

R= Buddy List

P= Party List

G= Guild List

Q= Quest List


H= Whisper to someone

M= Enlarge/Minimize map

W= Check world map

\= configure controls

/find (name) Find that person

/invite (name) invite someone to chat with you

/trade (name) trade with that pereson

/partyinfo checks the party's info : P

/partyleave leaves current party

track= to find a person (usually used in party
quest)

Abbreviations

These are some abbreviations that are always used in chat that you have to know to understand what everyone is talking about:

NX= Nexon items or cash (Cash Shop items)

ks= kill-steal (when someone or you steal items/mesos that monsters drop-a major offense in MS)


fm= Free Market

cc= Change Channels

PQ= party quest

sin= Assassin

dit= Bandit

DK= Dragon Knight

gms= Global MapleStory

wg= work gloves


I/L= ice/lightning mage

F/P= fire/poison mage

HPQ= Henesys party quest

KPQ= Kerning party quest

APQ= Amoria party quest

CPQ= Carnival party quest (Spiegelmann)

LPQ= Ludibrium party quest

LMPQ= Ludibrium Maze party quest