Public Newcomer Helper Log Thread

[chovynz]

Don't know if this is any use to you guys anymore. I found it in some of my old records. Not sure if I passed it on. Do what you will with it.

------------------

Angels
Standard Operating Procedure.
A.K.A How do I help someone?
Contributors (Sovereign, Seth Karlo, bluntpencil2001, Dusty Lens)
Written by Hyung Soong
A Guide to helping people. (It's only a guide, not set in stone)

Operating Methods of Helping.
Many new people do not seem to know how to use the icons or how to trade with other people. But before you jump on them and try to teach them the basics, find out how new they are and how much help they actually need. Do they need a hands on approach or would just answering their questions help them? Basically there are two methods for helping people. Either approach works, and it depends on what your goal with that person is, and what the new person wants out of the experience.

The first method is just as simple as answering any questions they have. If they have some experience or have their head screwed on correctly, just answering questions is all they need sometimes. And you can do that from anywhere. If anyone asks you something, answer to the best of your ability. If you don't know the answer ... say so. Saying the truth is better than bull****ting an answer. Or you could just say something like, "I don't know. But I will find out for you. I'll be a minute," then come to Skype and ask if anyone knows the answer to the question. Or google, or wiki it, depending on the question.

The second helping method involves taking them under your wing for awhile and "mentoring" them. They often appreciate the extra effort that you go to and seem to remember the lessons better. This method takes much more concentrated time but can be rewarding when you see them take their steps and then the next week, they are self sufficient.

The first thing that many Angels do when they log on is announce in system chat that they are available. Often that is enough to keep you busy for awhile. Here are some examples of what you can say:

"If you have any questions, feel free to ask an Angel. We are here to help."
"Hello, Your local Angel is ready to answer your questions. Angel Nathan at your service."

Sometimes you will get ignored. That's fine - sometimes theres no one to help or they got distracted. Just wait for half-hour to an hour and announce again. Alternatively you could always go hunting for someone to help. It is often a good idea to answer questions in a private message to the new person. If the question is asked in system chat, then answer to them in private. There could be Roleplay going on that by answering in system, you will interfere with their Roleplay. Our goal is to help people turn into useful contributors to the Disco community. Talking over Roleplay about stuff that doesn't need to be said in System is discourteous to those people that are trying to Roleplay and is not useful.

Generally speaking, don't interfere in people's Roleplay. They do not see us as server police and we wish to avoid being seen as that. If you see some suspect Roleplay going on just send a nice friendly question to the involved. See what's going on rather than telling them what they can and can't do. If people start getting argumentative, always be gentle. There is no need for aggression from an Angel. Be firm, but avoid getting into rule lawyering with anyone. It doesn't help anything and is also against the server rules.

Always be friendly. Never call someone a noob to their face. Have a sense of humor with things that happen or dont happen. Be relaxed about the speed at which they learn. It helps the people that you are helping when they don't feel like they are being laughed at. Be patient with them - remember that you were a noob once. Occasionally, start a new char yourself to remind yourself what it's like starting out.

Get them to lead your group. Putting them into the leaders role helps them in ways you won't even know until much later.

Tip: It might be useful to hand out little missions: "Find the Colorado Jumphole," "Tell me what the cost of a Battleship license is." Or something similar; this can go a long way to teaching them how to find things for themselves. It also helps by teaching them how to learn. And they are fun!

Useful Beginning Questions
Here are some questions that you can use to help identify where the person needs help.
General Freelancer questions:

• How long have you been playing?
  
• Have you ever played Freelancer before?
  
• Have you ever played Discovery before?
  
• Do you know how to trade with people? Do you see the flashing red guy?
  
• Do you know how to send private messages to people?
  
• What do you know about the nav map?
  
• What do you think you can do to make money?
  
• What are the ways you can make money?
  

Discovery Roleplay Server Questions

• What do you want to be? (Pirate, trader, police, Junker, smuggler, nomad)
  
• Have you thought about the faction you want to join?
  
• What house do you want to operate in? (Kusari, Liberty, Rheinland, Bretonia, Border Worlds, Outcasts, Corsairs?)
  
• When are you going to sign up to the forums? (www.discoverygc.com)
  
• Are you aware of the server rules? Have you read them?
  
• Are you aware that we have a wiki? (www.discoveryfl/wiki)
  
  
• What does "staying in character" mean to you?
  
• Can you describe what Roleplay means?
  
• What would you like to do next?
  

Commonly Asked Angel Questions
Any ideas for a new faction I can join?
A good idea is to see what factions or what houses they like best and steer them towards operating in those houses, rather than joining the LN or LSF straight away. If they really want to stay in Liberty then you can direct them to whichever side of the law they want to go. If a new player would like to join a faction, point them in the direction of the recruitment forums.

What ship should I get?
A good ship to start off with is the Rhino, as a new player can start mining in Colorado
Alternatively, you could try and buy a Patriot or a Defender, and try doing missions.
Another way to go is to purchase an unlawful ship and go on the darker side of the law.

Where should I go first?
Usually, most people head to the Colorado system, located past Fort Bush. There they can Mine silver, return it to the New York system, and make there first few thousand or so. Then they can start trading.

What are the best guns?
The answer to this question is often dependent on what they want to do and who they want to roleplay. Mining? Quick-firing guns can be more useful. Playing a Corsair? Then go for Corsair or allies guns.

A lot of people collect CODENAMES and sell them. These people are commonly called Arms Dealers. Explaining who they are to a new player could be useful. Codenames are more commonly used as weapons for bombers due to the high energy costs, however everyone can use them.

How do I make money?
Mining, trading and doing missions are good ways to make money, just like in the original game. Even if you have zero credits you can always scrape up some money by mining. Some good first choices 1) are in the silver asteroid field, Colorado to Manhattan, New York; Or 2) Copper mining to Pueblo Station in the Colorado System


Weapon groups
There are several types of weapon group.

They can be categorized into the following:




What are the types of weapon?
Weapons are sorted in 2 ways, via general categorization, and via technical categorization.

General:
Hull busters: Weapons with a high hull damage rate. Examples include the Liberty navy Magma Hammer


Shield Busters: Weapons with a high shield damage rate. Examples include the Corsair weapon Tizona del Cid.

Chainguns: Weapons that fire a very fast succession of bullets. These weapons have a low damage output, and a low energy requirement. Examples include the Wildfire Chain gun.

Missiles: Missiles are very useful to deal large amounts of shield or hull damage, however, they do run out, and they are limited by the fact that they don't always hit.

Technical:
Weapons will say in their infocard whether they are laser, something or something (Fill out later pls Nath, i forget), these weapons will have increased damage output to certain shields, and be weaker against certain shields (Graviaton, Molecular or Positron), creating a good variation of weapons to cover all types of shield can be very difficult.

Whats E-Kill?
[9:49:52 a.m.] Chris (Sovereign) says: Codes drain energy too fast for fighters
[9:49:53 a.m.] Chris (Sovereign) says: O.o
[9:49:56 a.m.] Chris (Sovereign) says: Engine kill
[9:49:57 a.m.] Andy (Seth Karlo) says: Yeah
[9:50:03 a.m.] CHL says: You hit Z, it sends you into Neuton mode
[9:50:09 a.m.] CHL says: you fly straight ahead and can turn in place
[9:50:12 a.m.] Nathan (Hyung Soong) says: is that when you kill someone with your engines?
[9:50:13 a.m.] Andy (Seth Karlo) says: My E-Kill never works...
[9:50:17 a.m.] Adrian Young says: I remapped mine to middle mouse
[9:50:20 a.m.] Andy (Seth Karlo) says: No, it stops you
[9:50:22 a.m.] CHL says: Fly forward, hit z, try to turn
[9:50:23 a.m.] Chris (Sovereign) says: Like how you actualy move in space
[9:50:24 a.m.] Adrian Young says: dont change speed when in EK
[9:50:27 a.m.] Andy (Seth Karlo) says: V quick
You can change direction without leaving EK by using your AB
[9:50:50 a.m.] Nathan (Hyung Soong) says: AB?
[9:50:52 a.m.] CHL says: After Burner
[9:50:54 a.m.] Adrian Young says: that never works for me, though
[9:50:55 a.m.] Chris (Sovereign) says: If you hit 'w' or 's' (or whatever your controls are) you drop out of EK
It works
[9:51:06 a.m.] CHL says: you just can't engage your engine engine
[9:51:16 a.m.] CHL says: the second you turn your engine back on you leave EK
[9:51:17 a.m.] Adrian Young says: EKs give you the fastest turn rates if done correctly
[9:51:17 a.m.] Adrian Young says: EKs give you the fastest turn rates if done correctly
[9:51:23 a.m.] CHL says: Depending on the ship
[9:51:29 a.m.] CHL says: as you can't strafe while in EK
[9:51:32 a.m.] Adrian Young says: EK 2/3 of the way into a turn, then turn engines back on and fully thrust
[9:51:34 a.m.] Andy (Seth Karlo) says: So, EK stops you immediatly
[9:51:35 a.m.] CHL says: ships like the Sabre turn better in an anchor turn
true
[9:51:53 a.m.] CHL says: This is what EK does: It turns off your engine
[9:51:58 a.m.] CHL says: You're drifting
[9:52:02 a.m.] CHL says: you can still turn
[9:52:06 a.m.] Chris (Sovereign) says: You can strafe in EK
[9:52:06 a.m.] Nathan (Hyung Soong) says: What other uses does Ekill have?
[9:52:07 a.m.] Adrian Young says: like in Babylon 5 space fights
[9:52:07 a.m.] Andy (Seth Karlo) says: Oh, kk
[9:52:09 a.m.] CHL says: but you move forward, slowly losing speed
[9:52:18 a.m.] Chris (Sovereign) says: Its how you fight with gunboats for one thing
[9:52:21 a.m.] CHL says: If you strafe it takes you out of EK, doesn't it?
You start moving in the direction of the strafe
[9:52:55 a.m.] CHL says: Also, you can use a CD to knock someone out of EK
[9:53:11 a.m.] CHL says: as the disruption restarts their engines
part of why CDs rape GBs
[9:53:29 a.m.] Chris (Sovereign) says: Kills missiles
[9:53:33 a.m.] Chris (Sovereign) says: Knocks out of EK


How do I get a Zoner IFF?

1. Go to Planet Gran canaria, Make sure that you're friendly with the BHG, if not, get the BHG bribe, NOT the Corsair bribe. Then, get the double Zoner bribe, Or triple, can be quadruple, then, go and get the Outcast bribe from FP6 in O41. You should be neutral to all except Xenos, Unioners and Nomads/Wild/Phantoms
2. Double Zoner bribe on the Freeport in Tau 29. Single Zoner Bribe then GMG missions.
3. Cape Wrath in Newcastle sometimes has a Zoner TRIPLE bribe
4. Gran Canaria sometimes has a Quadruple bribe, and frequently has triple bribes




Ship Loadouts.




Flight Manouvers
Common flight manouvers include Engine Kill, Strafing, and Afterburner.

The key for Engine Kill is usually "Z", unless it has been edited. This does what it says, kills your engine and sets you adrift.

The key for Strafing is usually "A" and "D", for strafing left and right. This is commonly used to avoid incoming fire.

The key for your Afterburner, or your Thruster, is the "TAB" key, unless it has been edited. This gives you a boost of speed that is nearly cruise speed, but where you can still fire your weapons. Thruster upgrades can be purchased, and the better the thruster, the longer you can thrust for.

Popular fighting techniques

• Using mines
  
• Using a Train Cruise disruptor
  
  
• Purchasing an armor upgrade
  
  
• Using a good thruster
  
  
• Using a good scanner (Advanced cargo scanner or Discovery scanner)
  
  
• Using countermeasures
  

---

Seek fun and you shall find it. Seek stuff to Q_Q about and you'll find that, too. I choose to have fun.