Alright, so I finally put together this little guide for anyone just jumping into DreamMS. I remember when I started, I was totally lost, like a chicken with its head cut off, didn’t know what was what. So I figured, why not share the pain and the gains, right?
Starting Out: The First Steps
When you first log in, it’s a whole new world, but don’t panic. The first thing I did—and you should too—is figure out your class. I picked a warrior, because, well, I like smashing things. Others go for mages or archers, but seriously, just pick what feels fun. Don’t worry about ‘best DPS’ yet. You’re a beginner!
I rushed through the beginner quests. They are boring, yes, but they give you starter gear and some fast levels. Don’t skip them thinking you can power level faster elsewhere. I tried that, got smacked down by some basic mobs, and had to backtrack. Learn from my mistake, folks.
Get Your Links and Keybinds Sorted. Man, I spent like an hour trying to find the optimal setup. DreamMS is different from classic MapleStory in terms of interface flow. Customize your keyboard shortcuts immediately. Put the important skills where your fingers naturally land. I’m still tweaking mine, but getting the basic pot keys and main attack button right saved me heaps of time and rage quitting.
Grinding Gear and Levels
After hitting level 30 or so, the real grind starts. You need Mesos, and you need EXP. Focus on the low-level PQs (Party Quests). I did so many PQs, it felt endless, but the EXP gain is solid, and you get some decent beginner accessories. I was stubborn and tried solo grinding early on, but PQs are just way more efficient, and you meet people, which is important for later content.
The Gacha System. Okay, this is where I spent too much time and Mesos initially. The Gacha gives you all sorts of temporary boosts and sometimes even decent cosmetic stuff. Use it sparingly when you’re starting. I blew almost all my early savings trying to get a cool hat. Bad move. Focus on functional items first.
I realized quickly that leveling gear is paramount. Don’t just rely on drops. Start using those Enhancement Scrolls as soon as you get them. I failed a ton, wasted so many scrolls, but eventually, my weapon started hitting harder. It’s a slow burn, but necessary. I kept failing 60% scrolls like they were 1% scrolls—the RNG gods hate me, I swear—but persistence pays off.
Mesos Management and Economy
This is probably the hardest part for a beginner: making money. Early on, I was selling everything to NPCs. Dumb. Dumb. Dumb.
- Use the Free Market. Even if your item is cheap, someone will buy it for more than the NPC vendor. I started selling those basic ores and leathers I got from grinding. It added up surprisingly fast.
- Hunting Bosses. Once you hit level 70-80, start trying to join boss runs, even the easier ones like Zakum or Papulatus. The drops, even the messy ones, sell well. My first Zakum helmet drop felt like winning the lottery, even though it was a low-stat one.
I also spent a fair bit of time just hunting monsters that drop high-value items, like certain scrolls or crafting materials. It’s slower EXP, but the Mesos reward is worth it. I spent a few days just whacking Specters for those Power Elixirs; they sell like hotcakes.
Tips I Wish I Knew Sooner
1. Community is Key
Seriously, find a guild. I wandered around solo for a month, and progress was glacial. Once I joined a friendly guild, suddenly boss runs were available, people shared tips, and I stopped getting ripped off in the Free Market because they told me the actual prices. Don’t be shy; people in DreamMS are generally helpful to new players, especially if you ask politely.
2. Potions Management
I was always running out of HP/MP pots. Learn to estimate your consumption based on the grinding map. I started carrying stacks of cheaper pots for low-level mobs and saved the more expensive ones for emergencies or bossing. Running back to town every ten minutes because I underestimated my consumption was annoying.
3. Max Out Secondary Stats
For my warrior, I focused only on STR initially. Big mistake. You need enough DEX (or whatever your secondary stat is) to hit those mobs reliably. Missing attacks constantly tanks your EXP rate. I eventually had to spend some Mesos to reset some stats just to fix this blunder. Don’t be me.
Look, DreamMS is a blast, but it has a learning curve. Don’t rush the early stages, enjoy the grind, and definitely, absolutely, talk to people. That’s how I figured out most of this stuff anyway. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to fail another 30% scroll.
