Typing /pvp does not make Neo appear. It will, however, make you end up like him...
Welcome to MxO!
After your stint around the northern area of Richland misisoning for Tyndall (intro missions) and then your chosen Orgs controller (Tyndall ~ Zion, Flood ~ Merv or Agent Gray ~ Machines) tagging hardlines and getting collector items (if you want to) Doing Archive missions are a great source of XP to level you up and to relay the story since the end of Revolutions, be warned, a lot has happened since then.
You'll no doubt soon be inundated with server recruitment posts, some may even simply say the imaginative 'Vector FTW' as usual.
Population may be a factor but ther are other factors to joining a server. Vector is a hostile server, the only hostile server in fact so as soon as you get to lvl 16 you're flagged to everyone not in your Org. This may give a more dangerous feeling to the Matrix and plenty of PvP with some RP thrown in (Generally RPvP). Everyday PvP is different to Syntax and Recursions, it's a lot more fleeting and spontaneous and can happen anywhere.
Syntax and Recursion also have PvP but you opt in by either simply attacking a flagged person, picking up a luggable or typing /pvp. This means that you don't have to participate in PvP if you do not wish to. Usually, due to being able to opt in, everyday PvP is more centralised, usually around the Mara Central HL and in full flow, can have a lot of numbers on each side. Plenty of RP on both Syntax and Recursion too.
Population wise, Syntax is regarded to have higher numbers than Recursion or Vector. Recursion used to be second highest but it seems that more people are playing (or making alts) on Vector recently so I would guess that they are about equal.
Many people would give you the advice of trying out each one for a time to see which one you would prefer.
Some other things to note, Outside of Richland you are in danger from Agents. You have strayed out of the area you have permission to be in. You can 'hack' the system by gaining unique access cards from certain gang members which and using them with each district's node, this will grant you access to different districts, free from access Agent attack. This happens regardless of Org you choose to side with.
Be warned however, that Zion and the Machines are now at war (Archives and Cinematics will show you the reasons) so as well as access Agents, Zion operatives will have war Agents after them if they venture outside of Richland. These cannot be 'hacked' or turned off, like the Access Agents.
The only advice / pointer i could give you here is:
Watch out where the huskies go and dont you eat that yellow snow!
No but seriously..
Study up on the combat system.
Try spy, it's awesome for exploring and not getting killed by mobs.
Look into Hideouts Exile as early as lvl 4 (defeating the boss with some help) and Constructs starting at lvl 15.
When browsing the marketplace, double click the item you want to buy instead of pressing the "Buy" button. A window comes up and asks you if you are sure you want to buy the item. Pressing the "Buy" button too fast automatically buys the item, often a ridiculously overpriced simple item.
On your map, there is a button at the top labeled "..." . Press the (dot dot dot) button to bring up the coordinates on the map.
Visit collectors early on. You'll out level the clothes you get quickly.
Pressing "P" will bring up an informative window. Click on the "Bonuses" tab to learn all your abilities statistics. Also pressing "Upgrade" at the bottom will allow you to level up each ability you have loaded without going back to a hardline. Also allows you to upgrade your Stats.
Load up on Ballistic Resistance. Most NPCs shoot you.
Always use the "Evade Combat" sheild to prevent from being "interlocked" too qucikly. Once in interlock, it is harder to run away from a back fight.
/sit to
Check out this site for guides: http://www.thematrix.rumbaar.net/index.php
Most people are quick to help a player that asks for help without sounding like an 1337-Sp34k3r. You've already got that down, so no worries.
Enjoy the game, and ask for help any time you need to.
I do actually have a serious piece of advice...
take your time. There is so much to see and do on your way to the magic 5-0. Dont skip all the mid level content to just reach max level. You cant go back once you get there!
Lots of good advise phor you so phar. The one I agree with the most is 'take your time'. There is SOOO much to see and do.
/phormalcurtsey
The only advice / pointer i could give you here is:Watch out where the huskies go and dont you eat that yellow snow! No but seriously..
Hee - Criinge, you never cease to amuse me. And here I never took you for a Zappa fan!
Welcome j0hnBigFella! You've got a lot of fun ahead of you, and these folks are throwing in some pretty good advice. I'd like to second the notion of "take your time". I spent a long time getting to 50 and it was worth it because I didn't just grind through missions with my head down and missing the sights.
Even then, I know I missed out on a lot of opportunities. "Contacts" off the beaten path who will give you miscellaneous jobs to do. Events that pop up live, SOE-driven and otherwise. Interesting items, ways to hack data nodes and find goodies...the list really does go on.
In the meantime, don't get discouraged. There are times your techniques will seem to land you flat on your face. It happens to all of us. There are people out there who will be better than you (and sometimes not nice about it)--let that just drive you to learn more, instead of driving you crazy. And if you get too stuck, ask questions, like you just did here.
Best of luck to you!
xXWinterMuteXx / xW1nterMute
