Newbie Here

Hi guys, I just registered here, and I hope that I can stay for a long time and make friends with all of you. Anyways, to the point... I went to the local game store (Game Stop) and preordered Guild Wars. I already have the client installed, updated, account created and whatnot. What I'm wondering is, can you only play during beta weekends? Regarlessly, could you guys provide me with a link to some useful guides to an abolute beginner as to how to play? I play Final Fantasy XI right now, so if it's anything like that I'm good to go. Thanks in advance!

you can only play dureing BWE's. the next BWE is scheduled for march 18-20, and then april 15-17, then game release is on april 28th, thissite should have everything u need as a guide to the game, and this game is nothing like any other MMORPG. it has some of the same elments, but with a great twist, trust me you will love it.

welcome

until the general release on april 28 (27 april for preorders) you can only play on the listed beta weekends of march and april (check GW site for exact dates around 3rd weekend)

there will be a complete wipe of everything except character and name to make things even for all (reduced to level 1)

You're correct that you can only play on the special weekends (March 18-20, April 15-17) and on the day BEFORE the Retail Release (April 28, so you can play on April 27).

As for beginner guides... I think this site has some excellent guides for just about anyone who's interested. If anything, just read some of the posts on the forums here; they often offer a wealth of information that a static and unchanging guide can't offer. All of the GWGuru staff have a ridiculous amount of knowledge about the game so I'm sure they won't mind answering some specific questions, but it never hurts to read up on it first, and post if you still are curious.

Other sites have some other material (but not only do I not wish to endorse them, I don't think they quite measure up).

Thanks for all of the input, I appreciate it. I was wondering though, about the preorder unique weapon things you get (I think I got the war pick thing)... Do your characters automatically have those? If so, during the beta, when my character gets wiped, do I lose my unique item too?

It should automatically appear on any character you create ATFER the Character Wipe (so April 27).

This is how I understood it, anyway.

you get them at full launch (or the day before full launch for those with Pre-Orders). so, no, it won't get whiped. but it's probably a crappy weapon anyway seeing as you get it right at the start (maybe its good for a beginner weapon... but i'll bet you'll quickly ditch it)

This might be some help on the pre-order (i.e. what you get from where you buy it) Pre-Order Items
As far as I can figure out, the Pre-Order items will be available to Players for April 27 (all Pre-Orders get an extra day). They are supposed to be stronger than the traditional starter items and will have a value to them (starter items are worth 0 gold and basically have to be thrown in the trash can when you find something better)
As far as a starting point on the main page here covers a lot; Areas, Class breakdowns, Quest descriptions etc. lots and lots of info.

Yeah, you can only play on BWE but when teh gamew is launched on the 28th of aApril, u will be able to play always.

Yeah, when game launches they will wipe your char. however, you dont even get the pick or w/e until teh launch of teh game. I bought mine at CompUSA so i get some bone thing. yeah i havent even played teh game. i know this stuff from www.guildwars.com. The FAQ's are great for info and stuff.

I ordered at EB Games so I get a bow when I start... good thing I'm a Ranger

Hehe, whatever I will get I am prety sure its for casters.....

Good thing I'm gonna be a Mesmer.....

According to this page you are getting a Bone Idol. I believe it gives energy to any class but gives a bonus to death magic.

How exactly does that work, giving the weapon and all?

Yeah, I knew it was bone somehting. Well awesome taht will help me.

Well, Kiwi, when the game is launched on April 28th, your account will recieve the item. Awesome, eh?

What I want to know is, what happens when you have 2 preorder pkgs?? I bought a preorder pkg from Amazon.com for $1 after the first public bwe, you didn't have to buy the game. I got it just to play in the all the bwe's, and to see if I would want the game after that. I've decided to buy the game, got another preorder from a different place with a different bonus. I would rather use the code from the 2nd game, as Amazon gives a censor icon, which sounds like its for monks. Are we going to be able to input another preorder number at game launch, or is it going to just use the one I already input??

With the complete wipe, will characters lose their items? Also, will guilds which were created during the BWE's be lost, and will it not have a hall or capes?

The wipe means that all items, character levels, professions, etc will be lost.

Basically, the only thing you keep is a placeholder for your four names. Guilds will be wiped as well. However, I'm still hoping that there will be a way to reserve guild names.. No official word yet, however.

thanks for the response. So in other words, the BWE's are used for name reservation, and to give people a taste of the upcoming game. Do you keep your secondary class though, and your skills?

Yea, I have spring break on the last BWE, but why couldn't it have been one weak later, then I could play the full game 24/7!

Not your skills, and no, not your secoundary class either. Just your name and primary IIRC.