MapleStory/Gameplay: Difference between revisions

MapleStory's 2D side-scrolling viewpoint more closely resembles a platformer than the typical 3D or top-down view of other games (such as [[Guild Wars]] or [[Mu Online]]). The controls for the game are executed using the computer keyboard and mouse. The keyboard is used for many game functions, and much of it can be re-arranged to suit users' needs. The mouse is mainly used to trigger ''NPCs'' (Non Player Characters) and manipulating items.

MapleStory characters exist in "worlds" or "servers". Players are allowed to create up to three different characters in each world. Each world, similar in content between each other in the same version, is split into ten, up to twenty channels, among which characters are allowed to freely switch. In  MapleStory Global, the number of channels for all servers was reduced from twenty to nineteen for "bandwidth efficiency and a performance boost". In MapleStory Europe, there are fourteen channels, however, a single player can only access six (only five for non-english playing people) according to the language set to their client. However, characters and their items cannot be transferred between worlds, although there is limited functionality in transferring items between characters of the same world.

Before you begin, you'll need to choose the sex of all of your characters, Male or Female. Once chosen, you cannot switch. This choice is meant to reflect your own gender, however don't be surprised if many people do not. Then comes character creation: you'll have the ability to roll for its basic abilities (stats), choose what your character looks like, and name your character.

Most important of these is stat allocation. You will be able to allocate ability points amongst four different [[#Stats|stats]] that affect your character's inherent strengths. Players cannot manually choose where these points will be placed, as the distribution is randomly generated by a dice roll ({{mouse|L}} the dice to roll for new stats). These stats are extremely important, as they designate what class you should become. If you know what class you want, you'll want to optimize the stats before beginning (you'll have to keep rolling until you get what you want). If you don't care what class you are, just roll until the game suggests a class you like, or just begin!

There are very few naming rules for your character, so name it whatever you like! Know, however, that MapleStory tends to censor, so anything slightly inappropriate may not be a good idea.

After the birthing process is complete, your character, when double clicked on, will be sent to [[#World|Maple Island]], a floating island specifically designed to be beginner-friendly.

There are four types of stats and two sub-types of stats, with varying degrees of value, depending on character class. General effects of each stat do not depend on a character's class; however, damage will vary based on job, level, and the equipped weapon. Characters generally raise one main stat to increase their damage output, as well as one minor stat to meet the requirements to equip weapons and armor and/or increase the specialties that come with some of the stats. Also sometimes a character will choose to raise their health or mana. These are also raised using Ability Points (AP).

*'''Active skills''' are skills that are used to damage and defeat enemies. Like supportive skills, they require MP, and sometimes HP. In most cases, a specific type of weapon is required to use an active skill.(eg. Double shot, Magic claw, Lucky Seven)

Players can kill monsters alone, or they can form a party with up to 5 other characters. One character forms a party as the leader, and invites others to the party. The leader must be at least level 10 or have already completed the first job advancement to create a party. While killing monsters, Mesos and EXP are shared based on damage dealt to the monster as well as each character's relative level, more of each being given to higher-level members. Party members who are significantly weaker than the monsters killed by other members will not receive shares of the EXP unless they have dealt at least 1 point of damage to the monster before it is killed. The EXP and Mesos gained are only shared if the party members are on the same map and channel. Joining a party without helping is known as "[[leech (computing)|leeching]]" and is generally considered rude.

Guilds have a customizable hierarchy of five ranks. The "Guild Master", who initially created the guild, has complete control over the guild. "Jr. Masters", appointed by the Guild Master, have limited control over the guild. Each guild member's rank, level, and job is displayed in the guild window.  A special guild-only quest called "Sharenian" is available. It is much like a [[#Accompaniments/Party Quests|party quest]], but more difficult.

 

There are now guild forums in the global version.