I thought I’d give you a heads up on a few things that you should and shouldn’t do whilst playing Guild Wars. Any experienced player will have learnt all these things already, and newbies should really listen.

1. Don’t leave home without your keys

Whenever I get to a new area, one of the first things I do is go and buy two keys for that area. Well, if I can afford it, that is. Later in the game the keys get a little expensive (compared to Ascalon’s 50 gold) and I’m usually not walking around with three platinum, but if I am, then I do buy some keys.

Always having keys helps since you can always open chests, obviously, and sometimes you stumble upon chests that you’re not likely to see again (just because the game doesn’t take you in that area again). You’ll save yourself a lot of time when you’re going for the chest hunter title.

Oh, if you’re stinking rich, get lots of lockpicks. Then you can go for the luck title at the same time.

2. Don’t underestimate the level eights.

I’m trying to get the Pathfinder title and noticed that there might be an area of fogginess that I can get to in the Flame Temple Corridor. No big deal, just some level eight Chars to run through. I added henchmen, just because they were there, really. At the time I was quite confident I could take them all myself.

I was actually intending to just run threw them all, once again with an air of authority and an idea that they can’t touch my level 20, superior Ranger. I ran through them all, and well…

The moral: even if they’re a low level, still take them seriously. Even when they drop five gold.

3. Don’t run away.

You’re attacking a group of five Hydras, when suddenly a Devourer pops up with a group of Jade Scarabs. You’re already wondering if you can handle all of this when your stupid henchmen agro another group of Hydras. Joy.

In this situation, I advise you to stay and fight. Don’t run! Running is certain death, at least from that many bad guys. Hammer Troll Unguent (or whatever) and pray that your henchmen do their job. Focus on pick one off at a time, starting with any foe that can heal. Make sure you’re working together; press control and space to get your henchies to attack the same guy too.

You’ll most likely die, but hey at least you’ve taken a few of those Scarabs out.

4. Don’t go back to that outpost, just to get your moral back.

You’ve been running north through Talus Chute, Ice Dome and the Frozen Forest for the last hour and still no outpost. You’re at -40%, your monk died a little while ago and you’re just surviving with Reyna and Orion. Might as well head back to the Ice Caves, ne?

No! If you go back you’ll have to spend hours slaying all those monster’s again. -40% ain’t that bad. I know people that love their DP and don’t feel right playing without it. Plus, Copperhead Mines aren’t that far away. Just push on a little longer.

5. It’s okay to hoard your crafting materials.

I’m sure it’s not just me that feels like I have too much wood, or whatever. Don’t carry it around with you, put it in your warehouse. You’ll be happy you kept it when you get to Cantha and see the sexy Shing Jea stuff.

6. Invest in your primary profession.

There’s a reason PvPer only have one profession; your secondary is really there just to… Well, I don’t know why it’s there but it’s fairly useless. Stop spreading your atribute points over both and put them all in your primary profession. There’s no point in being a half decent Warrior, and a half decent Necromancer when you could be an awesome Warrior. You’ll notice how much more powerful you are quickly.