Scratch everything below. Thryn informed me of some things that I didn't know. Basically, the suggestion below are already in place in one form or another.
Last night I made a post that would benefit older players. But I've been putting some thoughts to benefits to new players.
Please keep in mind... I have no clue when it comes to coding & scripting. And I have no idea of the ability levels of the current dev team. So I'm giving these tips with no real knowledge if any of the suggestions below could ever be achieved.
I have 3 suggestions.
Suggestion 1
Any newly created character start at level 20. I mean character... not account. So this could even help existing players who make new characters. But this will also help new players who make an account. When they create a player... it starts at level 20. This will allow them to have some points to spend to give their build some shape. And having a few points to spend... just maybe they can be halfway effective in combat.
Being a new player has enough challenges. Starting as a peasant at level 1 with like 3 STR is brutal. And while you can jump up to level 10 in no time... they'll just be constantly (and instantly) slaughtered their first few hours of gameplay.
Maybe this could help give new players some relief. And while it also benefits old players that make new characters... there no negative to that. And in truth, most existing players have established characters that have be retired several times. They are not looking to make a new character that has doesn't have an XP or Gold bonus. They are going to stay with their established characters and keep leveling them up. With a free weekly respec... there's no need for existing players to want a new character... simply because it starts at level 20.
Mind you... once a character retires... they are back to level 1. This would not change. This suggestion would simply help new players when they first make a character. They get a few points to spend to shape their build. They may be a little more effective in combat. And they are a little closer to level 35 and their first retire. But after they retire... they are back to level 1.
Suggestion 2
New characters start with a little better weapons and armor. I haven't started a new character in forever. But if I remember correctly, you start with garbage peasant items.
Now I know they start with garbage because new users have only 3 STR and can't really use any items. But my suggestion above will help that. Of course, still give them the peasant stuff, in case they don't dispense their points.
And these items don't have to be amazing. Just medium. Something like the regular Sword (1-hand). It has 9 difficulty. New players at level 20 can afford to give 9 point to STR. And almost any normal build will at least have that much STR.
For armor... something like the Gambeson that takes 9 difficulty (STR). Maybe even a regular Round Cavalry Shield. Even if they don't put point to shield... they can simply sale it for a few extra gold. Maybe even a regular Spear and Two Handed Axe (both take 9 STR).
Again... these items won't be amazing... but it may help a decent amount. At least give them a chance to survive and maybe even get a kill. And give them something a little better to sale when they want to upgrade.
Suggestion 3
New accounts start with x2 experience for 7 days. Again, not sure how this would/could be scripted.
This would only be for new accounts... not new characters. So this won't benefit existing accounts/players in any way.
This can be something done along with or without Suggestion 1. But if done with Suggestion 1, it would really help new players get to level 35 that must faster... and getting to their first loom that much faster.
This may help them feel a sense of accomplishment earlier in the game... and helping them have a more enjoyable experience... which will hopefully help keep them playing.
After 7 days, the x2 experience ends. The amount they have played during this time is on them. If they got in 2 or 3 retires during this time (which will be tough)... then more power to them.
