What is the Best Starting World in New World?
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The question of the “best” starting world in New World is a bit of a misnomer. Unlike some MMOs that offer distinct starting zones based on race or faction, New World’s initial experience is primarily dictated by which of the four available starting zones you are randomly placed in: First Light, Windsward, Monarch’s Bluffs, or Everfall. While each zone has its unique aesthetic and resource distribution, Everfall consistently emerges as the most recommended start for most players. This is primarily due to its central location on the map and its readily available abundance of resources. However, let’s delve deeper into why and explore the other options too.
Why Everfall is Highly Recommended
Central Location
The most significant advantage of starting in Everfall is its central location on the map. This makes it much easier to travel to other zones and connect with friends who may have started elsewhere. As you progress, being centrally located will minimize travel time for various quests, faction missions, and resource gathering. This cuts down on early game frustrations, allowing you to focus more on the core gameplay loops.
Abundance of Resources
Everfall is known for its diverse and plentiful resources. You’ll find an abundance of common materials like iron, fiber, and wood, as well as a decent selection of more specialized resources. This is crucial in the early game when crafting and gathering are essential for upgrading gear and leveling up crafting skills. Starting in Everfall gives you a head start in crafting and economy.
Balanced Difficulty
The monster levels in Everfall are well-suited to players starting their adventure. It’s not overwhelmingly difficult, allowing new players to learn the game’s mechanics without being constantly overwhelmed. Conversely, it’s not so easy that it feels monotonous. The mobs in Everfall provide a good balance for early progression.
Active Player Base
Since many players consider Everfall an ideal starting zone, it tends to have a higher population. This translates to more interactions with other players, easier access to trading posts, and more opportunities for group content later on. While population dynamics can shift, Everfall usually remains relatively active.
Examining the Other Starting Zones
While Everfall is often the most recommended, it’s important to understand the other starting zone options and their potential advantages:
First Light
First Light is a coastal zone with a tropical feel. It offers plenty of fishing spots and is generally considered a slightly easier zone in terms of combat. Resources are less abundant here than in Everfall, which may be a slight disadvantage, however, this does make it a great starter zone for those players looking for an easier playstyle.
Windsward
Windsward is another coastal zone, this one with a more temperate climate. It’s a solid starting location with a variety of landscapes. However, similar to First Light, it lacks the resource concentration found in Everfall and is on the edges of the map so it will take longer to travel to the center.
Monarch’s Bluffs
Monarch’s Bluffs is a hillier zone with a mix of grasslands and forests. It can be slightly more challenging than the coastal starting zones and offers less of a central location advantage. However, it does have its own mix of unique resources that can become important later in the game.
The Random Start System
It’s important to remember that your starting zone in New World is chosen randomly. You do not get to pick your initial spawn location. This randomness is part of the design, encouraging players to explore different areas of the map. While you might end up in a zone you don’t prefer, the game is designed to allow you to move between them without too much difficulty.
Getting Together With Friends
If you want to play with friends, coordinating your starts can be a bit tricky. The most reliable method is to all start at roughly the same time and hope the game puts you in the same starting area or nearby. If not, you can swiftly travel to the other locations through the various roads once your first few quests are completed. Remember, while each starting zone has its own specific starter quests, these will quickly converge and lead you to other zones. This makes it easy to meet up and complete quests together if you do not get the same starting zone.
Conclusion: Everfall Remains a Solid Choice
While each zone provides a unique introduction to the world of Aeternum, Everfall’s central location, diverse resource availability, balanced difficulty, and typically active player base make it the most advantageous starting point for most players. However, regardless of where you start, all zones in New World are designed for exploration and ultimately will bring you to the same end points. So, while you may not control your exact starting location, remember that the entire world is open to exploration, and your journey is what makes the experience memorable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the starting zones in New World?
The starting zones in New World are First Light, Windsward, Monarch’s Bluffs, and Everfall.
2. Does everyone start in the same place in New World?
No, your starting location in New World is randomly assigned between the four starting zones.
3. Can I choose my starting zone in New World?
No, the game randomly assigns your starting zone, you do not have the option to pick it yourself.
4. Can I play with friends if we don’t start in the same zone?
Yes, you can definitely play with friends even if you start in different zones. Once you complete the initial quests, you can travel to your friends’ zones and play together.
5. Is Everfall truly the best starting zone?
While not universally true, Everfall is often considered the best starting zone due to its central location and abundance of resources. This gives you an advantage in your early progression.
6. What are the advantages of starting in First Light?
First Light is a coastal zone with a tropical feel, offering easy fishing opportunities and being generally considered the easiest zone.
7. Is Windsward a good starting zone?
Windsward is a temperate coastal zone with a variety of landscapes. It’s a solid starting location but lacks the resource density of Everfall.
8. What makes Monarch’s Bluffs different from other starting zones?
Monarch’s Bluffs is a hillier zone with a mix of grasslands and forests. It’s often considered slightly more challenging than coastal zones and is not as centrally located.
9. How can I ensure I start with my friends in New World?
The best method to start together is to begin playing at roughly the same time and hope you are placed in the same zone. If not, you can quickly travel and meet up after completing your initial quests.
10. Can I change my starting zone after I’ve begun?
You cannot change your starting zone, but you can travel to and play in any zone once you have started and completed the initial quests.
11. Does my starting zone affect my character’s long-term progression?
No, your starting zone has very little impact on long-term character progression. It’s mainly about the initial quests and resource distribution. You will soon explore all zones of Aeternum.
12. Are the quests different in each starting zone?
Each starting zone has unique initial quests, but they will converge into the main storyline regardless of where you began.
13. Is there a reason to prefer any other starting zone over Everfall?
If you prefer a particular aesthetic, or want more of a challenge then other zones may be more suitable. However, Everfall is generally the most optimal.
14. Does the resource distribution make a big difference in the long run?
The resource advantages of Everfall are most impactful in the early game. Once you reach higher levels, you can access any resource in any zone of the world.
15. Is New World solo-friendly?
Yes, New World is very solo-friendly. While group content exists, much of the game can be enjoyed alone.