Difference between revisions of "Starting out"

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(Progress: tried to get balance right (focus on how to get to tier 2, since after that is done it is clear))
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== Creating your Knight ==
 
== Creating your Knight ==
 
[[Image:Creation.png|350px|thumb|left|Creating your knight.]]
 
[[Image:Creation.png|350px|thumb|left|Creating your knight.]]
After you've created an account and run Spiral Knights, you need to create a knight before you start playing. You can choose your knight's beginning helmet and armor, as well as the design color of your gear and your personal color. Your design color will be used as the base color in helmets and armor that you wear, depending on the design of the gear.  Your personal color will be the highlight color on your helmet and armor, and it will also be the color of your name in game.  Once you've created your knight and start playing, you will be able to buy and craft new gear to wear, but your design color and personal color cannot be changed.   
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After you've created an account and installed Spiral Knights, you need to create a knight before you start playing. You can choose your knight's beginning helmet and armor, as well as the design color of your gear and your personal color. Your design color will be used as the base color in helmets and armor that you wear, depending on the design of the gear.  Your personal color will be the highlight color on your helmet and armor, and it will also be the color of your name in game.  Once you've created your knight and start playing, you will be able to buy and craft new gear to wear, but your design color and personal color cannot be changed.   
  
 
You must also choose a single-word name. If you cannot think of a name, there are many [http://www.google.com/search?q=fantasy+name+generator random name generators] on the web that can make sequences of random syllables to help you come up with name ideas. Knight names cannot contain any [[List_of_known_filtered_words|filtered words]].  When you click on the "Confirm" button to create your knight, if the name you tried is already in use by another player, you will get a message saying "Sorry, that name is already in use." and you will need to try another name.   
 
You must also choose a single-word name. If you cannot think of a name, there are many [http://www.google.com/search?q=fantasy+name+generator random name generators] on the web that can make sequences of random syllables to help you come up with name ideas. Knight names cannot contain any [[List_of_known_filtered_words|filtered words]].  When you click on the "Confirm" button to create your knight, if the name you tried is already in use by another player, you will get a message saying "Sorry, that name is already in use." and you will need to try another name.   
 
{{clearleft}}
 
{{clearleft}}
== The Game Window ==
 
  
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== The Game Window ==
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The game window consists of a few different parts. Most of the window is taken up by the world view. Here you can see your knight walking around (use your left mouse button to move), or other information such as your knight information, arsenal, mail, etc.
 
[[Image:Interface.png|center|450px|thumb|Game Interface]]
 
[[Image:Interface.png|center|450px|thumb|Game Interface]]
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The top left corner of the screen includes:
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*[[Image:Icon-settings.png|20px]] The [[main]] menu
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*[[Image:Icon-social.png|20px]] The [[social]] menu
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*[[Image:Icon-mail.png|20px]] The [[mail|uplink]] menu
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*[[Image:Icon-help.png|20px]] Help
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The top right corner of the screen is the [[minimap]].  This provides access to your [[character]], [[arsenal]] and [[crowns]].
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The bottom right corner of the screen shows your [[energy]].
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The bottom left corner of the screen displays your [[chat]].  Type ENTER or / to initiate chat.
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While in the Clockworks, you can click [[Image:Icon-HUD lock.png|20px]] in the top right or use the '''Q key''' to lock and unlock your HUD (heads-up display).  This will prevent you from accidentally clicking open your character or arsenal while in the heat of battle. 
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== Rescue Camp ==
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All new knights begin at the Crash Site.  This will give you basic instruction in the game [[controls]].  Proceed through this area to find the Rescue Camp.  Here you will be able to interact with other players, play the tutorial gate, and learn more about [[Cradle]]. The Training Gate elevator costs 5 energy.  Once you are ready, proceed to the final gate and cross the chasm to [[Haven]].  You will not be able to return to the Rescue Camp, but there are more adventures and items available in Haven.
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== Haven ==
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{{main|Haven}}
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Haven is the headquarters for the Spiral Knights while exploring [[Cradle]]. 
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*The Town Square includes the Firefly gate, which is a gate for knights who want a short venture, or for new players who are still unsure about the Clockworks.
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*The Bazaar has a variety of [[Strangers]] selling [[equipment]], as well as the Spiral Quartermaster selling [[recipe]]s for [[crafting]].
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*The Arcade is the location of the [[gate]]s knights use to enter and explore the Clockworks.
  
== Progress ==
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== The Clockworks ==
 
[[Image:Progress-window.png|thumb|The Progress tab of your Character popup.]]
 
[[Image:Progress-window.png|thumb|The Progress tab of your Character popup.]]
 
[[Image:Progress-mouseover.png|thumb|Mouseover each tier's star to see your progress toward getting access.]]
 
[[Image:Progress-mouseover.png|thumb|Mouseover each tier's star to see your progress toward getting access.]]
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{{main|Party|Exploration|Gate}}
  
The [[Clockworks]] consist of many [[Depths]], which are grouped into six [[Strata]] over three [[Clockworks Tiers|Tiers]], is well as two Towns, [[Moorcroft Manor]] and [[Emberlight]], which like [[Terminals|Terminal]] cost nothing to enter.
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The [[Clockworks]] consist of many levels grouped into three [[Clockworks Tiers|Tiers]], divided by two [[subtown]]s, [[Moorcroft Manor]] and [[Emberlight]].  Knights can enter a [[gate]] and [[Exploration|explore]] the levels with a [[party]] of 1 to 4 knights.
  
Usually it costs 10 energy to go down a depth, and this is taken from your mist energy first. To progress from the [[Rescue Camp|starter area]] to [[Haven|the game]] can be done with your starter equipment (all "zero star") and without completing any of the three tutorials (5 energy each).
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It costs 10 [[energy]] to use an elevator to go down a level.  Taking the elevator to the Clockworks Terminals or a subtown does not have an energy cost. While exploring the Clockworks, knights will find crowns, [[materials]] and [[heat]].
  
To be able to enter Moorcroft Manor (depth 8) and progress beyond, you will need (see image) 15 "level tokens" and four 2-star pieces of equipment. These level tokens do not appear in your inventory, you will need to press P to view your equipment, then select the "Progress" tab, and then mouse over the TIER-2 (unlit) star to see what exactly you still need. Alternatively, a gatekeeper just outside town can tell you this.
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The entrance to each subtown is guarded by the [[Spiral Warden]].  To proceed to the next tier requires a certain star level of [[equipment]] as well as experience in the previous (in the form of level tokens).  You can check your progress toward gaining access to the next tier through the '''P key''' and choosing the progress tab, or speaking to the Spiral Warden. 
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{{clearright}}
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== Finding a Guild to Join ==
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{{main|Guild}}
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Guilds are associations of people with the same goal or objectives. In Spiral Knights, joining a guild gives you access to a special guildhall where all members can go to meet. Guilds also have their own chat channel that can be used anywhere.
  
Tier 1 consists of Strata 1 and 2, which consist of depths 1-3 and 5-7 respectively. Getting the equipment will take long - much longer when trying to progress to Tier 3, which requires 25 "level tokens" of Tier 2, as well as 4-star equipment. By that point you'll have the hang of the game!
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== What to do with all these crowns and materials? ==
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{{main|Vendor|Crafting}}
  
For each piece of equipment, there are essentially two choices: buy or craft. For 2-star items, it is probably best to do both: buy an upgradeable weapon such as [[Brandish]] as soon as possible, then a [[helm]] or [[armor]], then craft the other or a [[shield]]. Although all you need to be able to enter Moorcroft Manor is a set of four items, you will certainly want a better pistol if you only still had a [[Proto Blaster]] before continuing into Stratum 3.
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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.  Crafting costs both crowns and energy.
  
Although a set of 2-star equipment could reasonably be bought with crowns alone (3750 per piece), 4-star items cost 9 times as much from a vendor, and you will want to use 3-star items before you've saved up that much. Crafting and trading will be more cost-effective, although it may take some CE which needs buying with crowns or otherwise.
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== See also ==
  
Although you may have unlocked a Tier on your Knight, the Gates of the Clockwork move by, and to enter Tiers 2 and 3 costs 200 and 500 crowns respectively, for the first time on any given Gate. Again, a lit star shows where you can go for free, having already been there.
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*[[:Category:Terminology]]

Revision as of 20:20, 31 March 2011

This is a tutorial for starting out in the game.

Creating your Knight

File:Creation.png
Creating your knight.

After you've created an account and installed Spiral Knights, you need to create a knight before you start playing. You can choose your knight's beginning helmet and armor, as well as the design color of your gear and your personal color. Your design color will be used as the base color in helmets and armor that you wear, depending on the design of the gear. Your personal color will be the highlight color on your helmet and armor, and it will also be the color of your name in game. Once you've created your knight and start playing, you will be able to buy and craft new gear to wear, but your design color and personal color cannot be changed.

You must also choose a single-word name. If you cannot think of a name, there are many random name generators on the web that can make sequences of random syllables to help you come up with name ideas. Knight names cannot contain any filtered words. When you click on the "Confirm" button to create your knight, if the name you tried is already in use by another player, you will get a message saying "Sorry, that name is already in use." and you will need to try another name.

The Game Window

The game window consists of a few different parts. Most of the window is taken up by the world view. Here you can see your knight walking around (use your left mouse button to move), or other information such as your knight information, arsenal, mail, etc.

Game Interface

The top left corner of the screen includes:

The top right corner of the screen is the minimap. This provides access to your character, arsenal and crowns.

The bottom right corner of the screen shows your energy.

The bottom left corner of the screen displays your chat. Type ENTER or / to initiate chat.

While in the Clockworks, you can click Icon-HUD lock.png in the top right or use the Q key to lock and unlock your HUD (heads-up display). This will prevent you from accidentally clicking open your character or arsenal while in the heat of battle.

Rescue Camp

All new knights begin at the Crash Site. This will give you basic instruction in the game controls. Proceed through this area to find the Rescue Camp. Here you will be able to interact with other players, play the tutorial gate, and learn more about Cradle. The Training Gate elevator costs 5 energy. Once you are ready, proceed to the final gate and cross the chasm to Haven. You 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 exploring Cradle.

  • The Town Square includes the Firefly gate, which is a gate for knights who want a short venture, or for new players who are still unsure about the Clockworks.
  • The Bazaar has a variety of Strangers selling equipment, as well as the Spiral Quartermaster selling recipes for crafting.
  • The Arcade is the location of the gates knights use to enter and explore the Clockworks.

The Clockworks

The Progress tab of your Character popup.
File:Progress-mouseover.png
Mouseover each tier's star to see your progress toward getting access.

The Clockworks consist of many levels grouped into three Tiers, 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.

It costs 10 energy to use an elevator to go down a level. Taking the elevator to the Clockworks Terminals or a subtown does not have an energy cost. While exploring the Clockworks, knights will find crowns, materials and heat.

The entrance to each subtown is guarded by the Spiral Warden. To proceed to the next tier requires a certain star level of equipment as well as experience in the previous (in the form of level tokens). You can check your progress toward gaining access to the next tier through the P key and choosing the progress tab, or speaking to the Spiral Warden.

Finding a Guild to Join

Guilds are associations of people with the same goal or objectives. In Spiral Knights, joining a guild gives you access to a special guildhall where all members can go to meet. Guilds also have their own chat channel that can be used anywhere.

What to do with all these 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. Crafting costs both crowns and energy.

See also

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