Patch 5.4 patch notes
Virtual Realms feature revealed
The Proving Grounds are coming
The latest patch 5.4 newsWoW Rookie: Collective wisdom
by Lisa Poisso 
Aug 12th 2010 at 6:00PM
Let's face it: Crowdsourcing is king. Every company that beta tests its products (hello, Cataclysm!) knows the benefits of having hundreds, thousands or even millions of creative (and not-so-creative) minds plinking away at its features. If we put our heads together ...
Today's WoW Rookie rounds up recent posts at WoW.com that spawned info-rich comments ready to mined by us newbies. Before we dive in, though, I'd like to remind everyone (even you old hands out there who happen to be reading along) to keep sending in your favorite pointers for new players -- things it took you months to realize when you first started playing, things you wish you'd known back in the day. Send 'em in to lisa@wow.com, and we'll run one every week in WoW Rookie.
One more piece of business: Got a question or wondering about something in WoW that has you stumped? WoW Rookie is opening a mailbag section especially for new and leveling players. Send in your questions to lisa@wow.com.
Now, with thanks and much love to our prolific Breakfast Topic commenters, let us unleash the wisdom of the masses!
 |
The best class choice for new players Now that I've seen first hand how easily a new player was able to learn to play a paladin and how quickly she got comfortable with it, I would personally recommend it as the default starter class for any new players. Now I ask you: What do you think is the easiest class for a new player to start and why? |
 |
Tank anxiety and tanking tips for beginners Sometimes, people are not as kind or cooperative as I would like. As a tank, I need to learn how to harden myself against the criticism from others (or else learn to live with the nervous tic that I am convinced is developing). That has been the biggest obstacle to overcoming my tanking anxiety. |
 |
All those little things you wish you'd known Recently I have begun to realize that there are many people just like me who let the simplest nuances of the game escape them for some reason or another. What things are you embarrassed to admit that you didn't know until you were well entrenched in the game? Don't worry, we'll never tell (wink, wink). |
 |
Addons for priest healers This week's Addon Spotlight is an amalgamation of some awesome healing priest addons that can hopefully help out all you aspiring holy and discipline priests. |
Recently on WoW.com: Worth reading for rookies
Reader tip of the week
Psst. Help a rookie brother or sister out; send us your hard-earned wisdom at lisa@wow.com.
From Salerina of Exodar:
Make sure to have Projected Textures turned on! [Hit Escape > Video > Effects, then look at the bottom and make sure the Projected Textures box is checked.] Many players turn it off to improve performance, but leave it on! It lets you see important things on the ground like fire, Death and Decay and all sorts of bad stuff you have to stay away from in order to stay alive.
Visit the WoW Rookie Guide for links to everything you need to get started as a new player, from game lingo for the beginner, to joining your first guild as a mid-level player, all the way up through what to do when you finally hit level 80. Got questions to ask or tips to share? Email lisa@wow.com.Filed under: WoW Rookie
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
waycooler Aug 12th 2010 11:59PM
I'd say, pick what you really want to be. Spend half an hour (or less) reading up on the basics of the classes somewhere like Wowwiki, and pick one that sounds fun! Not what sounds the easiest. You'll be better off for it in the end. There is obviously some overlap sometimes, but picking something -solely- on the basis of ease of play or learning, or because you think things being easy is more fun, is the wrong way to go about it. In my opinion, anyways.
Donhorn Aug 13th 2010 1:51AM
For the first class I'd say a Druid. Why a Druid you ask? It's because of their versatility!
My first toon was a warrior and I... really messed him up bad. But during that time I tried to make a Pally and to this day I haven't had one get over 20. When I finally made my druid he taught me many different play systems, the caster's mana, the rouge's focus and the tank's rage, all of this in a way that let me have flexibility and knowing each form's dedicated role. It also helps having your own self heals no matter what path you chose. I went with a cat leveling style, but went Balance at 80. And even now if I have to I'll shift to cat, like if I get a nasty debuff on my that hurts casters I can switch to cat and BAM problem solved! The bonus of having flight part of your regular training can be really helpful too since a new player won't have all that much gold at those levels. And you gotta love those Moonkin dances! All in all I think a Druid is one of the best starting classes for new players.
Natsumi Aug 13th 2010 2:50AM
I disagree. The versatility makes the class incredibly confusing to new players, especially since new players don't understand the multiple task bar system required for your shifting, not to mention having to learn every current resource system currently in the game. It's a bad choice for new people.
Shaman on the other hand is a great choice. You shoot lightning and heal yourself when injured, it's just that easy. Later on you can hit things while doing that or learn how to throw different lightning and lava at your enemies and cooler heals to yourself and your friends. You also get a shield. It's friggin so full of win the only thing that would be more full of win would be if you did it on a T-Rex on a flying shark with a Lazer on its head.
Dragonrose Aug 13th 2010 8:40AM
That projected textures tip has been the single most awesome thing to improve my gameplay! XD
Bloodshrike Aug 17th 2010 11:03AM
Hunters are awesome for first toons, as long as you read what the trainers say.