Runes of Magic US / AU

There's going to be a large server merge where all the existing servers will be joined to either Govinda or Artemis. So to be safe, I'd recommend choosing one or the other (not too sure which server has a higher population in it though).

As for hitting late game, it will take a LONG time, especially if you guys are new to the game. I would say for now, just take it slowly and enjoy the not-end game content for now. (Especially because end game is filled with p2w and lots of grinding)

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask! \o/ Also, welcome to Runes of Magic! :3

Artemis has higher population than Govinda. That has both good and bad sides to it.

There is not a huge population of new players, so for a while you probably will be questing solo (well, two of you together, but with not too many other people). That said, finding a nice active lower level newbie-friendly guild should help a lot. Don't be shy - a lot of guilds welcome new players as long as they are active, friendly and don't constantly beg for stuff.

The first thing two of you should decide is which role you want to play later on in game - DPS, tank or healer, pick right class and race for that role and then learn start working on your characters. All three races have starting zones that are made to learn the game, although IMO, game is much easier to figure out from human starting zone. Still, experimenting with different races/classes to see what class combination works well for you is a good idea.

First steps are a little difficult. You will probably have to ask someone who plays the game to find a class combo that still can be played. Several classes and many combos are not playable at all. They are poorly designed or have been nerfed to the point they are useless. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to play a game where all you do is die or you can't do any damage to the monsters. This really doesn't become evident until you are far into the game and have a great deal already invested in your character.
The best thing to do is to join a guild that finds helping new players as one of their main functions. Some guilds are siege guilds only and are only interested in high level players completely stated and geared out. Other guilds are instance guilds who concentrate on running dungeons. These guilds will also prefer players of certain class combos. So find a guild which will help you out. This game was designed to be played as a member of a guild so it is very important to be a member of a guild. It is also the best way to get help in starting the game.
Then decide if you are playing to game as a Free to play character which will require a great deal of time to get a good character or a Pay to play character which will require a great deal of real world money.
The game is a lot of fun but takes a good deal of planning so be prepared and ask for help. There are plenty of people in the game who will be glad to help you.

Depends on your playstyle. It is possible to be an endgamer and still be f2p, but it will take a lot more time than if you were p2w. IMHO you shouldn't worry about investing money into the game until after level 50. Prior to that you should be able to run all the content using gear obtained from quests and/or dropped by instance bosses. This is also around the same time that the difficulty curve for instances gets steeper and you will begin to have to strengthen your gear by putting stats on them and tiering your weapon.

Consider how often you plan on playing and how you want to play. If you want a leisure type game where you're exploring everything and not worried about being the best, then stay f2p. If you have to be an endgamer, you will probably need to spend some money or learn how to farm enough gold in the game to buy dias (currency for higher end stuff) from other players. There are a few endgamers that are f2p, but they've had to invest a lot of time and effort to do so.

Also we are having a 200% XP bonus till the 22nd, so if you wanna start up and level fast it is the way to go. You will be losing on the TP side but you can always farm mobs later to get some TP back.

Level as fast as you can with this XP event, there is good gear in the auction house for all levels or you can ask in the trade channel of the server you choose for players that might have some for sale.

You will also find a lot of information on these forums for all aspects of the game. Have fun!!

ROM is huge and vast in scope and so detailed in many ways, from weapons and gear, crafting, pets, and economy. ROM is the best game I've ever played, but it's also very time consuming with a lot of tedious grinding required to improve your toon later on.

To answer your question about population, that's a really big negative side, unfortunately, as the population is pretty low on all servers. It's not so bad when you are just questing, but you will not get to enjoy one of the most fun parts of the game--instances--because there won't be enough low level players to group together with to do them as you go higher.

One note on which class to play, pick whatever you think will be fun as long as it's not scout. Scout is very weak relative to other damage dealers so later on you might regret all the time you put into it.

if you are interested in endgame content and want to be endgame (be able to down the newest instances etc...) i'd recommend you visit this thread:

$1600 to +16 all your gear?

Wow BB great way to scare off new players from the game, now we know where you stand, just wow.

Quoted from "zidlef"

Wow BB great way to scare off new players from the game, now we know where you stand, just wow.

I agree, if we want new players to come in and stay, best not to scare them off. It would take a LONG time for new players to even need to start worrying about +16ing their gear and stuff.

better the learn it early before they invest time and learn later IMO.

that being said, the game can easily be enjoyed without any monetary investment. you just won't be running endgame. some would argue that mid game is actually more fun than endgame, as there is not constant competition and the stress of min/maxing(both class/gear).

Well what BB and Cike are not saying is that they don't spend a dime on the game, Cike also said he retired his toon a while back. so hard to listen to someone who doesn't play the game anymore. When you get to endgame, you will have found ways to make gold and purchase diamonds from players, if you're in a guild you might get gear and weapons loaned to you or sold cheaply that will be fully statted or close to it.

Depending what type of player you are, we had a lady who got to level cap 85/85 in a month of playing the game and doing all the quests, she did spend money to +16 her gear, but took her a month to get there. It all depends on how fast you get to level cap. Don't listen to players who do not believe in playing the game or endgamers that are just hoping to kill off and scare off new players.

Play the game, join a guild and see if you like it first, i've been here since 2009 and still having fun.

Cike your toon is still level 65/50??

Quoted from "Emrillia"

Alright...should that not be scaring me off? I'm going to be honest IT has a bit. Those numbers x2 since there is two of us is not something I want to spend. 3200 and 100 a month are Really high numbers for playing a game and it worrys me.

It's perfectly possible to play this game and enjoy it without spending any money at all. The bare essential items can be obtained ingame using an ingame currency called Phirius Tokens. If you have no interest in being able to run all the top instances and just want to spend your time relaxing and enjoying the game, it's just not necessary to spend.

Let me link you a thread from the EU forum: Free to play guide
The guide may be coming on for 4 years old and not all of it will apply, but for the most part, it's still pretty accurate.

Also, check out this video from Bluesons00:

Quoted from "zidlef"

Cike your toon is still level 65/50??

it was 65/60 tyvm. i am proud of those 10 levels.

also notice the lack of "retired" tags on my siggy.