Avoiding Newbie Item Scams!!!

Ok, first of all, let me welcome you to one of the greatest online games ever - Perfect World. You made a good choice for fun online gaming. That said, like any online game you will get your fair share of scammers. I am hoping this post will help you avoid them.

Let's get started. Now, in this game, you kill things, they drop goodies, you pick them up and sell them or use them, depending on what they are and your needs.

Now, some things drop that sound like they are useful, but they are not. They have no use other than to be sold for money. However, because they have useful-sounding names, you will see them sold in shops to buy. DO NOT BUY THEM!!! They are useless and serve no other purpose except to sell at a merchant for money.

Here is a list of things that drop, that have no practical use:

Ragged Fur
Organic Glue
Budda's Hand
Limestone
Green Fragments
Mystical Fur - not to be confused with Mystical Meat which DOES have other value
Element Powder - not to be confused with Element Dust which DOES have other value.

IF you see ANY of these things in a player's catshop, DO NOT BUY THEM!! It is a common newbie scam. Most are commonly dropped in the beginner quests. You rarely see them dropped after level 20.

Now, for some newcomer friendly advice.

1. PICK UP EVERYTHING!!! Everything has a value, no matter how small, either in pure sell-for-cash, or materials to be used for making things, stuff to redeem for awards or points, etc. Many players leave cash, or smaller things like arrows and bolts lying around cause they don't seem to initially bring much money. But, look at it this way, it's all free profit, and all these so called "little value" items add up. I've made quite a bit of money just grabbing and selling all these little things, so when I reach higher levels, I have a nice bit of cash socked away.

2. Save any and all items like fruit that will level you quickly for when you are much higher, like 40+. Why? You may level fast, but then your quest lists get pretty long AND you miss out on special quests that allow you to progress to next skill levels. At lower levels, it's not really worth it and more of a hassle. PLUS, when you hit 40 or so, you gain experience much slower and can often end up with all your quests for that level being done and still not close to going to the next level. That's when these experience fruits will help the most, getting you over that "hump" to the next level.

3. I would find a nice faction and join as soon as you can. Not only will they usually help you out when you are over your head with a monster, but also for certain quests, you WILL need a group (squad) and it's easier when you have a 'Faction Family' to call on. Not to mention making new friends fast. You don't need to stay in a faction if you don't like it, there are TONS out there that might be a better experience. Feel free to change if you don't feel comfortable.

4. Be aware of "Kill Stealers" or "Poachers". There is a false rumor going around that if you get either the first shot at a monster, OR the last shot, you will get credit for the kill. This is false. The person that does the most damage gets the credits. But enough people believe it that you may experience someone trying to kill the same thing you are. Now, a lot of times, this is just a mistake so don't jump the gun too quickly. And also, unfortunately, there are just some people who like to be mean. In any case, just move to another nearby area, there are plenty of monsters for everyone, and they respawn fairly quickly for the most part. HOWEVER, if someone does follow you to be mean, get their name and faction if any, and file a report on them here at the website.

5. PICK UP YOUR DROPS IMMEDIATELY!! There is a 30 second window in which no one can touch what drops from your kill except you. After that, its whoever gets to it first.

Well, there may be more, but these things are the first that come to mind. I've been playing PWI for 3 years now, on all 3 current PVE servers, so I understand how confusing some things can be.

Good luck, be courteous, and just have fun!!