Should I Start a New Character in New World? A Comprehensive Guide
The decision to start a new character in New World is a significant one, heavily dependent on your individual circumstances and goals. Generally, creating a new character is recommended only if you are fundamentally unhappy with your current server’s population, faction balance, or want a truly fresh start to re-experience the early game or pursue a different build path without respec limitations. Otherwise, the game offers ample opportunities to change your build, gear, and even faction on your existing character. Let’s delve deeper into when and why creating a new character might be the right choice for you.
Reasons to Consider Rolling a New Character
There are several valid reasons why you might be contemplating leaving your current character behind and venturing into Aeternum anew:
1. Server Issues: Population and Faction Balance
Perhaps the most compelling reason to roll a new character is to escape a dying server. If your current server is plagued by an incredibly low population, making finding groups for expeditions or participating in wars virtually impossible, a fresh start on a more active server is highly advisable. Similarly, if one faction completely dominates your server, leaving little room for competitive gameplay in wars and territory control, a new character on a server with a better faction balance might be the only way to experience this core aspect of New World.
2. Learning the Game Again from Scratch
New World has evolved significantly since its initial release. Major updates and overhauls have changed combat mechanics, questing, crafting, and many other fundamental aspects of the game. Starting a new character allows you to experience the updated game from the beginning, providing a more streamlined and engaging learning curve. This can be especially beneficial if you played at launch and took a break, finding yourself overwhelmed by the changes upon returning to your original character.
3. Optimizing Your Build From the Start
While New World allows for respecs of attributes and mastery points, it’s not entirely free, and can become expensive at higher levels. Furthermore, changing your mind frequently or experimenting with numerous builds on a single character can consume significant resources. A new character provides a clean slate to meticulously plan and execute your desired build from level one, allowing you to maximize your leveling efficiency and resources based on your intended end-game role. This allows for a more focused and optimized leveling experience.
4. Playing with Friends on a New Server
If your friends have decided to start playing New World on a specific server, creating a new character on that server is the only way to join them from the beginning. This allows you to experience the game together, level up alongside each other, and participate in group activities from the outset. The social aspect of New World is significantly enhanced by playing with friends, making this a strong motivator for creating a new character.
5. Re-experiencing the Early Game
For some players, the early game of New World holds a certain charm. The sense of discovery, the initial challenge of survival, and the gradual progression of your character can be incredibly rewarding. Starting a new character allows you to relive this experience, enjoying the journey from rags to riches once again.
6. Avoiding Past Mistakes
Perhaps you made some questionable decisions early on with your original character, such as distributing attribute points inefficiently, leveling crafting professions you no longer want to pursue, or squandering resources. A new character gives you the opportunity to avoid these past mistakes, allowing you to approach the game with a more informed and strategic mindset.
Reasons to Stick With Your Existing Character
Before committing to a new character, consider the following reasons why you might be better off sticking with your current one:
- Significant Progress: You’ve invested a considerable amount of time and effort into leveling your character, crafting professions, and acquiring gear. Abandoning all that progress is a significant loss.
- Respec Options: New World offers attribute and mastery point respecs, allowing you to adjust your build to suit your current needs. While not entirely free, they are generally more cost-effective than starting from scratch.
- Gear Transfer: You can transfer some gear and resources between characters on the same account using storage sheds in different settlements. This can mitigate some of the pain of starting over.
- Faction Change: You can change your faction, albeit with a cooldown period, to join a more active or strategically advantageous faction.
- Server Mergers: New World often undergoes server mergers to consolidate populations and improve overall server health. Your low-population server might be merged with a more active one in the future, eliminating the need for a new character.
Things to Consider Before Making the Leap
- Server Transfer Restrictions: Be aware of any server transfer restrictions. Some servers might be locked to new character creation due to high population.
- Time Commitment: Starting a new character requires a significant time commitment to level up, gather resources, and progress through the game.
- Opportunity Cost: The time you spend leveling a new character could be spent further progressing your existing character, improving your gear, or mastering your skills.
- Potential Regret: Carefully consider whether you will truly enjoy starting over, or if you will eventually regret abandoning your existing character.
FAQs: Your New World Character Concerns Answered
Here are some frequently asked questions to help you make an informed decision about starting a new character in New World:
1. Can I transfer my items or gold to a new character on a different server?
No, you cannot directly transfer items or gold between characters on different servers. You can only transfer items between characters on the same server using storage sheds in different settlements.
2. Can I transfer my character to a different server?
Yes, character transfers are possible. However, they are subject to restrictions such as server population limits and faction balance. Also, there may be a cost associated with server transfers. Be sure to check the official New World announcements for the latest transfer policies and restrictions.
3. How often can I respec my attributes and mastery points?
You can respec your attributes and mastery points at any time, but the cost increases with your character level. The first respec is free, but subsequent respecs require increasing amounts of Azoth.
4. Will my progress on crafting professions be reset if I start a new character?
Yes, all your progress on crafting professions, gathering skills, and territory standing will be reset if you start a new character.
5. Can I have multiple characters on the same account?
Yes, you can have multiple characters on the same account, but only one character per server.
6. What happens to my house if I start a new character?
Your house will be lost if you start a new character on a different server. You will receive a partial refund of the purchase price.
7. How long does it take to level a new character to max level?
The time it takes to level a new character to max level varies depending on your play style, efficiency, and the current state of the game. However, with optimized leveling strategies, you can expect to reach max level within a reasonable timeframe.
8. Is it worth starting a new character just to change factions?
In most cases, it is not worth starting a new character just to change factions. You can change your faction on your existing character, although there is a cooldown period after each change.
9. Will server mergers affect my decision to start a new character?
Yes, server mergers can significantly impact your decision. If your server is scheduled for a merger with a more active server, it might be worth waiting to see if the merger resolves the population issues before creating a new character.
10. Are there any benefits to playing on a low-population server?
While low-population servers can be challenging, they can also offer some benefits, such as easier access to resources, less competition for crafting materials, and a more tight-knit community.
11. Can I use my existing character’s storage sheds to help level my new character?
Yes, you can use storage sheds in different settlements to transfer resources and gear between your existing character and your new character on the same server. This can significantly speed up the leveling process for your new character.
12. Will I be able to experience the new content and updates on my existing character?
Yes, you will be able to experience all new content and updates on your existing character. Starting a new character is not necessary to access new features or gameplay elements.
13. What are the key differences between starting a new character now compared to when New World was first released?
The game has undergone numerous changes since its initial release, including adjustments to combat mechanics, questing, crafting, and the overall world design. Starting a new character now offers a more streamlined and engaging leveling experience compared to the launch version of the game.
14. Should I wait for a new expansion or update before starting a new character?
This depends on your personal preferences. If you are interested in experiencing the new content as it is released, you might want to wait for a major expansion or update before starting a new character. However, if you are simply looking for a fresh start and want to re-experience the game from the beginning, there is no need to wait.
15. What is the most important factor to consider when deciding whether to start a new character?
The most important factor is your overall enjoyment of the game. If you are unhappy with your current server, faction balance, or build, and you believe that starting a new character will significantly improve your experience, then it might be the right choice for you. Weigh the pros and cons carefully, and make a decision that aligns with your goals and preferences.
Ultimately, the decision to start a new character in New World is a personal one. Carefully consider your motivations, the potential benefits and drawbacks, and the impact on your overall enjoyment of the game before making a decision. Good luck venturing back into Aeternum!