MapleStory Beginners Guide

In order to get started at MapleStory, you must first be able to do two things, namely: sign-up and download the game, both of which can be done at the website: http//www.mapleglobal.com. You can either sign-up first then download the game, or you can do it vice-versa.

- Signing Up

To begin playing MapleStory, you will need to sign up for an account. To do so, go to http//www.mapleglobal.com and click on Sign-up. Then you will be asked to select your birthday before proceeding to the “Privacy Policy” and “Terms of Use” page wherein you will be asked to read and accept the conditions set therein before you are allowed to continue on to the two-step sign-up process.

In Step 1, you will be asked for the following:

ID: This ID will be used to log on to MapleStory.
E-Mail: This is your verification and corresponding E-Mail address.
Password: This will be your Password to log on to MapleStory.

Also, you have to fill in two (2) Security Questions which you will need in the event that you forget your password in the future.

Please note that you need to “check” both your ID and email address if they are acceptable by clicking on the CHECK button opposite the said items in order for the sign-up process to continue.

In Step 2, you will need to input your name, gender, birthday, your country, province/state, postal code and ethnicity. Bear in mind that all fields should be filled-in.

In addition, at the end of the page for Step 2, please make sure to tick in the box that says: “ I am the person … “ before clicking OK.

After the sign-up is complete, you will receive a verification email with your verification code in it which you will use in logging-in for the first time.

- Server Selection

To start the game, first you have to log-in by entering your username and password. Once you are able to log-in successfully, you will be asked to select a world and a channel (20 channels available). The choices will depend on the country you are in and the corresponding version of the game. Please note that since a channel is a segment of the server that copes with a large number of players at any one time, the lesser the players in a channel, the fewer network delays the game will experience.

By virtue of it being an on-line game, expect a large number of people playing it at any given time. This kind of situation has given rise to players having to seek out Private Servers where they and their buddies would be able to enjoy the game in the “privacy” of their own little group.

Unfortunately, to my knowledge, opening a private MapleStory server is illegal. And if anyone has been successful in cracking one, I still have not come across it. I heard that it is almost impossible to do so.


- Character Creation

In playing MapleStory for the first time, you will need to create your own character. I consider this to be one of the most fun parts since one can get to design his or her own character. Please be guided by the options below on how best to create your own character.


- Designing your Character

Choose the gender and the particular characteristics you want your character to have:

Male:
Face: Male Face 1, Male Face 2, Male Face 3
Hairstyle: Black Buzz Cut, Brown Disheveled Hair, Black Tobin Hair
Shirt: White Undershirt, Undershirt and Grey T-Shirt
Pants: Blue Jean Shorts, Brown Cotton Shorts
Shoes: Red Rubber Boots, Yellow Rubber Boots, Blue Rubber Boots, Leather Sandal
Weapon: Sword, Bat, Hand Axe

Female:
Face: Female Face 1, Female Face 2, Female Face 3
Hairstyle: Orange Cutie Hair, Brown Down-and-Straight Hair, Brown Bobbed Hair
Shirt: White Tank Top, Green Cotton Shirt, Yellow Cotton Shirt, Red Striped Top
Pants: Red Mini Skirt, Indigo Mini Skirt
Shoes: Red Rubber Boots, Yellow Rubber Boots, Blue Rubber Boots, Leather Sandal
Weapon: Sword, Bat, Hand Axe

o Naming your Character

After you have completed designing your character, the next step is to name it by typing it in the box provided for in the screen. Remember to click on the “Check” button to see if the name can be used. Please refrain from using vulgar and offensive names as this may cause termination of your account.

For a quick reference, please avoid:

1: Names of the Game Masters and NPC’s
2: Copyrighted names such as “Superman” or “Spiderman”
3: Celebrity names such as “Madonna”
4: Names having sexual or offensive contexts
5: Names with drug references like “Cocaine” or “Marijuana”
6: Action phrases such as “StabMe” or “ShootMe”
7: Names referring to hacking like “GodMode” or “Hacker”
8: Names that make no such sense such as “XYZ” or “1234”

- Character Statistics

Next, you will come to the part where you need to arbitrarily generate statistics for your character. This is basically done by rolling the dice, which gives a total of 25 Ability Points that are to be distributed among the 4 statistics. They are as follows:

STR: Strength - will raise your attack power
DEX: Dexterity – will raise your accuracy
INT: Intelligence – will raise your magic attack and magic defense power
LUK: Luck – will raise your chances of being “missed” by your enemies

- Controlling your Character

Movement Keys

Right Arrow Key: To go to the right
Left Arrow Key: To go to the left
Up Arrow Key: To climb up the ladders, or to enter another portal
Down Arrow Key: To climb down the ladders, or to assume a crouching position

Action Keys

Ctrl Key: To attack an enemy / monster
Alt Key: To jump

Others

E Key: To bring up the Equipment inventory screen
I Key: To bring up the Item inventory screen
K Key: To bring up the Skills inventory screen
M Key: To bring up the Mini-map screen
Q Key: To bring up the Quest screen
R Key: To bring up the Buddy / Party screen
S Key: To bring up the Status screen
W Key: To bring up the World Map screen
X Key: To make your character sit on a bench
Z Key: To make your character pick up an item
[ Key: To bring up the Shortcut screen
] Key: To bring up the Quick Slot screen

Facial Expression Keys

There is a special feature in the game wherein a Maple Story Mesos player can change the facial expressions of his character/s. The following keys are needed to use this feature:

F1 Key: To make your character Frown
F2 Key: To make your character Smile
F3 Key: To make your character Shriek
F4 Key: To make your character Cry
F5 Key: To make your character look Angry
F6 Key: To make your character look Confused
F7 Key: To make your character look Annoyed

Mouse Clicks
Single Left Click: To select a Menu option in the game