New Player Startup
Hopefully, this will be an easy-to-follow, straightforward guide to getting started with Darkwind. If it isn't...either change it (it's a Wiki after all), or comment on it in the discussion section so somebody else can change it. :-)
Introductions
It would be really unusual to be alone in the Lobby, so the first thing you should do is introduce yourself. A simple, 'Hi. I'm new' should suffice, and lets the veteran players and Marshals (players whose names are bracketed by asterisks (*)) know that you are new, and may need some help getting up and running.
Driving School
To learn how to control a car enter the Driving School. Control means more than steering and speed in Darkwind. It also includes changing drivers, assigning gunners to any weapons in the car, and reloading those weapons.
Do not hesitate to ask another player to join you in the Driving School event. This serves a couple of purposes:
- It gives you a human to drive with/against. Since you are just starting out, it is entirely possible that the NPC drivers in the school will leave you behind, and that's no fun, as there won't be anything to shoot at. ;-)
- It will get you and your helper out of the general Lobby chat. General Lobby chat can get very hard to follow with a lot of players online. If you and your helper are in Driving School alone it will be easier to ask and answer questions without a lot of extraneous noise.
Characters in Driving School do not come out of your gang; they are random, 'disposable' characters for use only in the school. As such don't be concerned if they get hurt or even die.
The school event is a 4-lap race. The vehicle used is somewhat random, but is usually something small, fast, and lightly armed (a Machine Gun, for example).
It is not necessary to finish the entire event. Because it is a training event, as soon as you feel comfortable controlling your car you can Resign or Exit the event.
Other Events
When you return to the Lobby, look for an event that is starting soon. In-town events are Races, Deathraces, and Arena Combats, and their League equivalents.
It is recommended that you start with the Racing events, then progress to the Deathraces, and finally to the Combats.
The League events provide League points in addition to prize money for contestants who place (usually 8th or higher).
Again, don't hesitate to ask others to join the event. Often, you will get some veteran players involved, and that will increase the prize money (and League Points for League events) available.
Doing the events in the order above will do a couple of things:
- Get you used to the various cars, and driving surfaces in Evan (Races)
- Get you used to managing your car and its weapons at the same time (Deathraces)
- Introduce you to combat tactics (Combats)
- Teach you patience
The last one is really the most important, as patience is key when you get involved in wilderness scouting (Initial Scout Guide).
Enjoy Darkwind!