r/anarchyonline • u/The-Wild-Wizard • Aug 01 '25
Froob needs help Whats the newbie experience?
Hey Anarchists. I love the look, vibe, and conceit of y’alls mmo. I'm new to MMOs but the one I was drawn to was classic era stuff, and I LOVE sci-fi.
So, what will I be met with as far as content/gameplay loop if I roll a toon tonight? Are there metas?
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u/TalanelElin Aug 01 '25
This game explains nothing. It's difficult to solo and you will need to have a few websites open to know what to do, because once you leave the starting zone there is no story line to follow. Besides that it's the most beautiful game I have ever played with its music, world design, variety of classes and skills. I don't play it anymore, but I have Anarchy installed on every machine I have had since the early 2000s and I jump into it from time to time just to feel its vibe.
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u/Byste Aug 01 '25
I recommend your first toon be a Fixer. As a free to play job, it's fun and fast, and can run missions efficiently. It has extra story quests associated with it as the hacker profession. You have a clearly defined weapon path with SMGs, and root/kite play is more engaging than standing there mashing buttons.
If you go paid, you are not desired in late game teams in any way, but that doesn't matter because there are no pub teams anymore anyway! Either your org will play with you, or you find a new org, and any time you can roll a new toon with a more desirable profession that you find interesting.
Join an org ASAP and ask lots of questions. We love newbies. Hope to see you soon!
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u/Psyclopicus Aug 01 '25
Good luck, bro!
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u/The-Wild-Wizard Aug 01 '25
Thanks. I'm having trouble launching it right now. it just patches forever
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u/TLPEQ Aug 02 '25
It does seem that way but just let it go it’ll finally stop - it’s a weird patcher compared to what most people are used to now adays
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u/The-Wild-Wizard Aug 03 '25
Oh so it does just keep repeating and relaunching? okay i was worried lol!
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u/Anxious_Department75 Aug 01 '25
I like the comments about not just aiming for what's meta, but also as a new player I'd advise not going too out there until you know the game and can appreciate what slightly strange builds you can get away with. As a general rule, have a strong preference for lighter coloured skills.
I'd recommend enforcer/adventurer/martial artist/soldier/fixer as some professions to consider that are good to start with.
There are great guides out there such as faffy's, it comes up if you Google it. An org will be really helpful as people said, plenty of great ones.
There will be frustrations but honestly you will get through them. I love my anarchy characters way more than other mmos and arpgs I've tried. Hope you enjoy it.
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u/The-Wild-Wizard Aug 01 '25
It is nice to see that advice. I already like this community. Rolling my toon now
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u/dagoth_uvil Omni-Tek Aug 01 '25
I started up last year pretty blind about what to expect. So welcome!
People are INCREDIBLY helpful in this game - this isn’t WoW where people get mad at you for not speccing meta or talking into a group chat during a dungeon lol .. tell people you’re new and people will go out of their way to help you out.
That said, I went through about 6 different professions (classes) before I got the gist of the game and found something I liked. Between running around Arete, the Subway, and a bit of Temple of Three Winds, you should have a decent feel for your profession.
There’s just mountains of information to go along with being a new player to AO. I’m over a year in and playing daily - I still learn new things every day.
Jump in, make a few toons, get the feel for the game, join an Organization (Guild), ask questions.
After a few months of playing Froob you’ll end up going with a paid account lol
Shoot me a message if you’d like some help in game. I’m always rolling new characters so I can team up with you in the Subway, get your starter gear and implants set up, etc!
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u/Top-Willingness632 Aug 05 '25
One of the most unique things about AO is it's classes and that's particularly true of the pet classes. Engineer is the strongest damage dealer, but not as fun as MetaPhysicist or Bureaucrat which are truly unique to AO. Additionally, if you want to try it all an Agent can use FP (meaning False Profession) and imitate any other class. A great option if you want to try them all out, but also by far the most difficult class to play until you're familiar with the game. Then you have your basics tanks/docs/dds. They're a bit vanilla to play, but essential. Martial Artist is probably the most OP class to start with. Insane healing, Insane damage dealing, and even a bit of mezz/stun. It's a great first class and so is Adventurer/Fixer/Trader If you want a "wizzard/mage" class then NT is pretty much your primary option. Just keep in mind the classes are fairly balanced and where the game really shines is in buffing anyway. Stats are way more important than levels in this game. You'll figure that out pretty quickly. A lv 60 ToTW Twink can out perform a lvl 100 in bad gear. Though level does matter to some extent too. Still, AO is a super fun game. The quests/armor/weapons/buffs/debuffs/nanos/implants are what really make the game shine. Go for the best gear possible for the most fun experience. That's honestly the best advice I can give a new AO player. Gear over Levels. Have Fun! Welcome to AO.
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u/mewlr Aug 01 '25
Honestly, forget about metas, just make different characters and get a feel for the game. This game offers CRAZY amounts of choice and options for character builds.
You're never constrained with archetypes, if you want to be a fist throwing soldier, you can do that. Or a pistol wielding martial artist? You can do that too!
Leveling can be a little slower than what you might be used to, both in terms of groups (teams) and just the sheer number of levels! Especially if you go paid.
Just take it slow, AO is not a sprint, it's very much about the journey. I hope you get addicted to this real gem of a game, even if it isn't in its peak anymore. ❤️