Starting out
From SpiralKnights
Welcome to Spiral Knights! This is a tutorial for starting out in the game.
Contents
Creating a Knight
After installing Spiral Knights and creating an account, players need to create a knight before they can start playing. In the first step, the knight's beginning helmet and armor is chosen, as well as the design color. The design color will be used as the base color in helmets and armor worn, depending on the design of the gear. Step 2 adds up to two optional accessories to the chosen gear. Step 3 allows to select the knight's height, eye shape, and personal color. The personal color will be the highlight color on helmet and armor, and it will also be the color of the knight's name in game. It will also be the color of the battle sprites eyes that belong to the knight. Once the knight is created and after playing the game, knights are able to buy and craft new gear to wear, but the design color cannot be changed. Height, eye shape, and personal color modifiers are available in game.
In the last step of character creation, players must choose a single-word name which follows these guidelines:
- Names can only be 4 to 18 characters long and can have no more than 2 consecutive letters (e.g. Moo, but not Moooooo).
- Players can have up to two dashes in a name, but there needs to be a minimum of two characters between dashes. Each new word is automatically shown with a capital letter. (e.g. Knight-Of-Green)
- If a player cannot think of a name, there are many random name generators on the web that can make sequences of random syllables to help them come up with name ideas.
- Knight names cannot contain any filtered words.
- After clicking on the "Confirm" button to create the knight, if the name tried is already in use by another player, the player will receive a message saying "Sorry, that name is already in use." and they will need to try another name.
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The Game Window
The game window consists of a few different parts. Most of the window is taken up by the world view. Here is possible to see the knight walking around (left mouse button, WASD Keys, OR Arrow Keys to move OR personalize movements and actions by hitting ESC and going to controls.) Left mouse button is used to access other information such as knight information, arsenal, mail, etc.
The bottom left corner of the screen includes:
The top right corner of the screen is the minimap. This provides access to the character, arsenal and crowns.
Once the knight exits the Crash Site, the bottom right corner of the Arsenal will show the energy the knight owns.
The bottom left corner of the screen displays the chat. Type ENTER or / to initiate chat.
While in the Clockworks, click 
below the mini-map or use the Q key to lock and unlock the HUD (heads-up display). This will prevent players from accidentally clicking open their character or arsenal while in the heat of battle.
Rescue Camp
All new knights begin at The Crash Site. This area gives them basic instruction in the game controls. Knights should proceed through this area to find the Rescue Camp, where they will be able to interact with other players, save the rescue camp, and learn more about Cradle. Once the knight is ready to move on, they can proceed to the final gate and cross the chasm to Haven. Knights will not be able to return to the Rescue Camp, but there are more adventures and items available in Haven.
Haven
Haven is the headquarters for the Spiral Knights while they are exploring Cradle.
- The Town Square contains an Auction House, an Advanced Training Hall, an alchemy machine, and a variety of Strangers to talk to.
- The Bazaar has a variety of Strangers selling equipment, an alchemy machine, a Spiral Quartermaster selling recipes for crafting, and a Token Trader taking tokens for materials.
- The Arcade is the location of the gates that knights use to enter and explore the Clockworks.
- The Garrison contains an entrance to The Lab, Guild Halls and the Hall of Heroes.
The Clockworks
The Clockworks consist of many levels grouped into three tiers that are divided by two Subtowns, Moorcroft Manor and Emberlight. Knights can enter a gate and explore the levels with a party of 1 to 4 knights.
While exploring the Clockworks, knights will find Crowns, Materials, Heat, Minerals, and other special items like Mecha Knight Kits, and Energy Gates.
The entrance to each subtown is guarded by the Spiral Warden. To proceed to the next tier the player must equip a certain star level of equipment and speak to Barrus in the Hall of Heroes. Players can check their progress toward gaining access to the next tier through the P key and choosing the progress tab, or by speaking to the Spiral Warden.
Various Clockworks levels can also - and sometimes only - be accessed via the Missions interface, these missions take knights directly to the relevant depth of the Clockworks. The higher the rank of the mission, the deeper it is likely to be located within the clockworks.
Heat & Leveling Equipment
Heat is the resource that is used to level up equipment. It is acquired by collecting special consumables called embers. Embers are the small heat tokens that are found in The Clockworks by defeating monsters or exploring.
Upon successfully reaching the exit elevator of a gate level, the acquired heat is automatically distributed and applied to all of the equipment the knight are currently wearing that has not finished leveling. Once the knight has acquired enough Heat to satisfy the requirement, they can use the Forge to upgrade the equipment to the next level. Equipment can reach a maximum of level 10.
Leveling equipment makes it more powerful, is needed for some precursor items used in crafting, and sometimes adds bonuses to equipment. However, be aware that when a knight's equipment surpasses the current tier's equipment rating, its effectiveness is reduced.
Getting More Energy
Energy can be purchased through the Energy Depot for real life money or using crowns in-game. The Energy Depot can be accessed by clicking on the blue circle with the horizontal line, the energy symbol, in the lower right hand corner of the Arsenal, or by interacting with a Stranger with the same symbol on his mask.
The Purchase tab in the Energy Depot allows players to purchase energy with real money through various payment methods, including credit card and PayPal. Credit card payments can be completed in the game screen or in the billing page.
The Trade and Market tabs in the Energy Depot allow players to purchase energy with crowns or sell energy for crowns. The Trade tab allows one click purchase for the current best offer for buying or selling energy for crowns. The Market tab allows players to set their desired price for buying or selling energy and then wait to see if someone takes their offer.
Finding a Guild to Join
Guilds are associations of people with the same goal or objectives. In Spiral Knights, joining a guild gives access to a special guildhall where all members can go to meet. Guilds also have their own chat channel that can be used anywhere.
There is a forum section devoted to guilds looking for more members. It can be found here.
What to do with all the crowns and materials?
When a knight is ready to upgrade equipment, there are two choices: buying from a vendor, or crafting. Most vendors have a randomized list of items or recipes, so it is a good idea to check with the vendors on a regular basis. To craft items, a knight needs to know the recipe and have all the required materials. As well as the materials, crafting has a cost in crowns and requires Orbs of Alchemy.
See Also
- New Player Briefing - for some quick information about how the game works
- List of commonly used abbreviations
- Category:Terminology
Other links
- Deutscher Artikel: Der Anfang
- Artículo en español: Cómo empezar
- Article en français: Débuter
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| Starting Out | New Player Briefing | User interface | Useful Links |
 Bombing Guide |  Gunslinger Guide |  Swordmaster Guide
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 Shieldbearer Guide
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 Hybrid Guide
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