I'm a total noob and just started playing a few weeks ago. After reading through the forums and all the recent posts about wands I'm left with some questions.

What exactly is the wand system? It sounds like there are random places assigned per character to find A/B/S wands.

If I were to find a A/B/S wand it sounds like that spot would only spawn for me?

Do all mage type classes get the detect artifact spell? The help files on classes doesn't list this spell.

I was told shapeshifter U/D would be the best class for someone knew that didn't know the mud very well, does A/B/S stay through shapeshift? I know the class spells fall when you change shape and need to be recast until you get to lvl 34-37 for the appropriate control.

Thanks

>I'm a total noob and just started playing a few weeks ago.
>After reading through the forums and all the recent posts
>about wands I'm left with some questions.

Well, to start off...glad to have ya, and hopefully you have fun. Don't mind the bitter old geezers we got runnin' around here :)

>What exactly is the wand system? It sounds like there are
>random places assigned per character to find A/B/S wands.

The wand system probably most simply described as a means to get moderate to immense damage reduction. Obviously, not getting hurt as much is a good thing.

1) All "pure" mage classes (Necromancer, Invoker, Conjurer, Transmuter, Shapeshifter) now have an inherent spell similar to shield. It's on a timer though, so you can't have it up all the time. It's nice though when you know a fight's coming.

2) Each class with the wand skill (The five above plus anti-paladins) has a random location generated for their character for each of three limited "sleek" wands. These are very high level versions of the various aura, barrier, and shield spells and are relatively reliable to get once you've found where yours are.

These are typically found in a semi-reasonable location in the game. Though people argue on what "semi-reasonable" refers to. It could be in a mage-themed area, or on a strong mage mob in the game, or maybe in the corpse of some poor sap who robbed some mage. Also, one thing I don't think a lot of people understand is...some of these locations I think are DESIGNED to encourage teamwork. You may have a spot that's not very easy for you to get yourself, but maybe you can convince your friends for help, or trade favors to help someone else, so that you both win.

3) If you can't find your "sleek" wands, there are all sorts of other locations where you can find or buy various potions, (pills maybe?), wands, talismans, or scrolls that have these spells. These act exactly like any other limited sword or cool item you might find in that there's only X of them, and if some other player has them, you're not going to be able to get it. Fortunately, all magical items only have limited uses, so if they use theirs up, you might beat them to getting a new one.

>If I were to find a A/B/S wand it sounds like that spot would
>only spawn for me?

Not quite. For the items in part 2 above, the sleek wands will spawn for anyone who happens to have that same location. However, I believe these will spawn pretty regularly though for you in most situations.

>Do all mage type classes get the detect artifact spell? The
>help files on classes doesn't list this spell.

I'm about 99% sure all pure mages are able to get this spell. I don't know if anti-paladins do, and I'm pretty certain no-one else gets it. It's a quest as well, that involves some learning (or asking other characters in game) on your own, and a bit of exploration and observation in general.

>I was told shapeshifter U/D would be the best class for
>someone knew that didn't know the mud very well, does A/B/S
>stay through shapeshift? I know the class spells fall when
>you change shape and need to be recast until you get to lvl
>34-37 for the appropriate control.

Yes, all the ABS spells stay through shapeshifting. As do (probably most) other non-class spells such as if a healer sanctuaries you or such.

>Thanks

No problem!

Thanks for the info. Makes much more sense now.

As an addendum, only classes that learn the Detect Magic spell are able to learn detect artifact, so that puts AP's out of the running, as they do not learn this. But any other mage class, will be able to learn it with enough Exploration and Observation experience.

And, for me personally, I don't want my wand spot to encourage teamwork. If I have to go through the hassle of finding someone to help me get my wand, I may as well just have them stand in front when killing someone so I don't have to bother with the wand in the first place.

And yes, Utility Defense will serve you very well as a newer player. I have always liked Utility and lots of people are always looking for a good tank to stand in front. Have fun.

...

1: APs get detect magic.
2: APs do get detect artifact.