Black Desert Online: Tips and Starting Guide for Beginners

Choose Your Class Wisely

Black Desert Online has 12 classes to choose from when you first start the game. They range from a basic swordsman to a powerful sorceress, and even include ninjas. These classes are more than just for show, though. Each one has a unique way of moving and fighting. That means they’ll be the primary factor in the way you play.

Choosing the wrong class can lead to you not enjoying yourself at all. But don’t worry, we’ve put together a simple overview of all 12 classes so that you can choose whichever one best suits you

Getting Around

Black Desert Online is an MMORPG that eschews most known conventions of the genre. Focusing on more of an action style of gameplay, players can move about freely in the open world by running, jumping, and climbing on everything they see. This lends to the game feeling more open than most other titles in the genre.

Moving about is simple, with the WASD keys being used for walking and running about, while Tab switches between travel and combat ready stances. Going into combat ready will brandish your weapon and slow you down a bit, so keep that in mind.

You can also auto-run to a destination if you want. Open up your map and right-click on any location. Hit T to auto-run to that place. 

Quests

Quests are used to earn experience, currency and loot. There are several different types of quests for players to embark on during their journey in Black Desert Online. You can check out the types in the list below:

• Main Quests: This are your story quests. Completing these progresses the narrative of the game.
• Black Spirit Quests: You know that little black spirit that follows you around? Well it gives you side quests that can tie into the story. Gaining access to these requires that you meet set conditions, such as level or talking to certain NPCs.
• General Quests: Side quests given to you by NPCs. They’ll ask for information on something and you have to go and get it.
• Exploration Quests: Similar to general quests, except you have to locate a place.
• Trading Quests: These quests will require you to obtain and trade specific items.
• Production Quests: Same as trading, only this time you have to make specific items.
• Repeat Quests:  These are quests that you can do more than once, allowing them to be farmed to a degree.

Depending on what you’re in the mood for, you can choose the type of quest that suits you best. It’s better to know what you’re getting into rather than just going in blind and ending up bored. 

Finding Vendors and Other NPCs

The world of Black Desert Online is very open, and that can sometimes mean it’s difficult to find the person you really need to talk to. Whether it’s a vendor, a stable, or a quest giver, there is a way to solve your problem.

On the upper right-hand corner of your screen, you’ll see a magnifying glass. Click it then select who you’re looking for. After that, press T so you can auto-run to the nearest available person who fits your selection.

This makes it much easier to get rid of unwanted loot and talk to some NPCs. 

NPC Uses

NPCs aren’t just around to give quests. They have several uses that will help in your adventure. Talking to them allows you to build relationships which can earn you perks when dealing with specific individuals. NPCs can be:

• Quest Givers: They give you quests where you can earn experience, supplies, gear, and inventory space.
• Vendors: Will sell things to you and buy things from you.
• Blacksmiths: Can repair your equipment as well as increase its durability.
• Warehouse Managers:  These guys run the warehouses you can find in each town. Warehouses provide 8 spaces of storage (which you can upgrade later). Place heavy items you don’t need in here.
• Stables: Purchase a mount, store a mount.

Use them when necessary. Talk to them. It will make your life a lot easier.

Combat

Combat in Black Desert Online is a lot more skill-based than in other MMORPGs. You can move freely about, you have real aiming, and you can control the field as you would in an action game. This means that you can’t just rely on a hotbar, and you will actually have to hit enemies.

On the flip side, that also means that they have to actually hit you as well.  Use this to your advantage at all times. Run around, take the high ground if you’re a ranged fighter, use dodge (Shift key), or any maneuver abilities at your disposal. You don’t have to get hit, so if you have the skill, make them pay. 

Play In a Party

Black Desert Online allows for you to play with up to four others (for a total of five party members). To create a party, just hit R when a player is nearby to request that they join you.

Party members share experience and can even complete quests with one another. For beginners, this makes the game much more easy to handle since you have others watching your back. Make sure to party up with players of different classes, as this will provide advantages to everyone and keep the party ready for any situation.

You can also invite friends directly to join you if you don’t want to play with strangers.

More Black Desert Online

• All Classes and How to Choose the Right One
• Make the Ugliest Character and Win Prizes!
• Try Out the Free Character Creator