------ [CREATING YOUR CHARACTER/GETTING STARTED]

Q: What server should I choose? / What do I need to know about selecting a server?

A: Server choice is only relevant to two things: limitations by region (NA or EU), and world vs world.

Although you can whisper and talk to other players cross-region, if you choose an NA server, you will not be able to play the game with EU people. However, you can pay gems to swap from an NA server to an EU server (or vice versa) at a later date if you wish.

Server choice only materially affects what "world" you'll represent when you play world vs world.

On /gw2g/, the NA guild is on Tarnished Coast (also the unofficial "roleplay" server) and the EU guild is on Seafearer's Rest.

Q: What is the best class? / What class should I play?

A: Ultimately, whatever you find fun. There is no "best" class. All classes are viable across all game modes but may perform stronger in some game modes than in others.

If you have a specific game mode in mind and want to know your better options, ask the thread.

Q: Can you give me a rundown on each class?

A: Read the Wiki (https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Profession).

Q: I want to play a [support/healer/tank/DPS] role, what is the best choice?

A: Guild Wars 2 is a game where any class can theoretically fill any role, although some perform certain tasks better than others. All classes have access to both damage and support options and are expected to damage and support simultaneously.

Q: What race should I choose? / Does race effect gameplay?

A: Race choice does not significantly impact upon gameplay.

Each race has 6 unique skills (https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Racial_skill), they are mostly for fun and flavor and you are not put at an advantage/disadvantage by choosing one race over another, nor is any race better suited to one profession over another. Racial skills cannot be used in PvP.

Your race choice effects the following:

- Your character's personal story from level 1 - 30.
- Choices of cultural armor (http://dulfy.net/2012/07/21/gw2-armor-previews/#9), special armors that are race-locked.
- Your character's voice and quips when dialog triggers.
- How NPCs react to your character and special dialog options (sometimes).
- How certain armors or clothes appear on your character.
	- All charr and asura, regardless of sex, use male armor skins.
	- Female charr and asura situationally have access to female skins with outfits. Be sure to preview outfits before purchasing them to see which skin applies.
- Race DOES NOT effect hitbox - a norn and an asura have the same hitbox despite being visually different in size, they also move at the same speed although asura appear to run faster.

Q: How do I name my character?

A: Depends on your character's race.

- Human
The human formula for a name is simply a first name and a surname, i.e. "John Smith". Humans in Tyria have different ethnic groups roughly corresponding to real-world ethnicities. Ascalonians are Anglo-Saxon, Krytans are Mediterranean, Canthans are Asian and Elonians are African. Name accordingly.

Name generator: http://fantasynamegenerators.com/human_gw_names.php

- Norn
Norn are similarly versatile to humans and usually have a first name and a surname. First names are Northern European/Scandinavian in origin (but flexible).

Norn surnames come in two flavors:

1) A combination of an adjective and noun roughly corresponding to that norn's achievements (i.e. "Knut Whitebear", "Hildr Trollbane", "Bergtrolde Icetreader").
2) Show the norn's own ancestry by taking a parent's name and adding -sson to it if the character is a male, or -sdottir if the character is female (i.e. "Braham Eirsson" - literally means "Braham, Eir's Son").

Name generator: http://fantasynamegenerators.com/norn_names.php

- Sylvari

Sylvari have Celtic-influenced names, primarily from Irish and Scots Gaelic, but sometimes Welsh (e.g. "Sieran", "Ceara", "Atheide", "Cianan").

Name generator: http://fantasynamegenerators.com/sylvari_names.php

- Asura

Asura have a single name, usually one to three syllables, with a harsh and punctuated sound to the ear and double consonant (e.g. "Blorpp", "Gorr", "Exiffa", "Zrii"). The double consonant is common but not strictly necessary. Masculine names tend to be shorter and ending in a consonant, while feminine names end with a vowel.

If you have trouble finding a name that isn't taken, consider adding a title/occupation to the name (e.g. "Golemancer Blipp" or "Arcanist Ceera").

Name Generator: http://fantasynamegenerators.com/asura_names.php

- Charr

Charr have a first name and a surname. The first name is extremely flexible and can be almost anything but is often Greek or Roman inspired.

A charr's surname is comprised of two words and denotes information about what warband they're part of (e.g. "Brimstone", "Steelcrusher", "Soulhammer", "Tremblebones"). One part of the name refers to the warband they're part of, the other is chosen by the charr themselves to reflect some aspect of their personality or ability (e.g. "Rytlock Brimstone" - he's part of the "stone" warband and "brim" is his chosen variation of his surname).

Name Generator: http://fantasynamegenerators.com/charr_names.php

Q: How do I level up as quickly as possible?

A: Yeah, don't do that. Hitting level 80 doesn't take a long time like it might in other MMORPGs and most players cite the first lv 1 - 80 journey as one of their more treasured experiences in the game.

As a F2P player, your options for quick levelling are quite limited. Consider a combination of completing quest hearts and events in the open world, completing your personal story as it comes up and doing PvP to earn Tomes of Knowledge which can be consumed for levels.

If you've bought the game, you can grind levels by entering Edge of the Mists through the WvW icon at the top of the screen. Locate your commander (look for a triangular icon on your map) and join the zerg of people that should be following them. Tomes for levelling up will also drop at certain intervals from daily log-in rewards.