DDO is the first Massively-Multiplayer Online RPG (MMORPG) based directly on Dungeons & Dragons. MMORPGs are games that allow thousands of people to log in and play with each other from anywhere in the world.

Yes. DDO has a monthly subscription fee of $14.95 per month, although you can sign up for packages that have lower monthly rates in exchange for advance payment.

If you're not into giving out your credit card information, you'll also be able to purchase game time cards at major retailers, or even use PayByCash to make payments by other means.

Minimum Requirements
Processor: P4 1.6ghz or AMD equivalent with SSE
Memory: 512mb RAM
Graphics card: 64mb Hardware T&L-compatible video card
Network connection: 56.6k modem
Software: Windows XP, DirectX 9
Disk Space: 3gb, 5gb for high resolution textures

Recommended Requirements
Processor: P4 3ghz or AMD equivalent with SSE
Memory: 1gb RAM
Graphics card: GeForce FX or better with 128mb of memory
Network connection: Cable modem or DSL connection
Software: Windows XP, DirectX 9
Disk Space: 3gb, 5gb for high resolution textures

Although you can get through the first few missions solo with most classes, DDO focuses on party-based adventures, taking its cue from the PnP games. The further into the game you go, the more questing will rely on groups to be completed.

If you're really set on going solo, you might try starting out as a Fighter or Barbarian, and multi-classing into a Cleric after a level or two. It gets increasingly difficult for the less defensive classes to survive alone against more powerful creatures, and you'll definitely need healing that doesn't come from potions. It won't be easy, and many adventures will still not be possible, but it's one of the more survivable combinations.

Nearly all game mechanics, creatures, and equipment are based closely on Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 - in fact, when you perform most game actions, you'll see your d20 roll along with your modifier.

Veteran D&D players will notice that the spellcasting system has been changed rather significantly to make casting classes more viable at low levels, and that the levelling system has been changed to provide minor, but more frequent gains in power other than gaining a complete level.

The DDO magic system was based on the Unearthed Arcana D&D supplement. Instead of the traditional spell memorization system, where a character learns specific quantities of individual spells, characters now have 'spell points' and cast from a limited selection of spells they have prepared. This works very similar to traditional CRPGs.

Example: A level 1 Wizard with 18 Intelligence has 140 spell points and can prepare three different spells at a time, out of the seven spells in his spellbook. His level 1 spells each cost 10 spell points to cast, though he can use certain feats to modify the cost in exchange for other benefits.

Player characters in DDO can currently select Human, Elf, Dwarf, Halfling, or Warforged as their race - if you're not familiar with Warforged, they're a bio-mechanical race that was introduced as a part of the Eberron campaign setting.

As far as classes go, you have a few more options. Fighter, Paladin, Barbarian, Ranger, Bard, Rogue, Cleric, Wizard, and Sorcerer have all made it into the release. Multi-classing is also in - any player-character can have up to three different classes at the same time, following standard D&D 3.5 rules.

D&D fans will notice a number of obvious ommissions - Half-Elves and Druids for example. The developers have said that additional races and classes are likely candidates for inclusion in later expansions. Prestige classes will also be available, though none of them are available at launch.

The game takes place on the continent of Xen'drik in the world of Eberron, a new Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting created by Keith Baker and Wizards of the Coast. For more information, check out the official Eberron website at http://www.wizards.com/eberron.

pp = platinum pieces, gp = goldpieces, sp = silver pieces, cp = copper pieces. From most to least expensive: pp, gp, sp, cp.

Conversion:

• 1pp = 10gp
• 1gp = 10sp
• 1sp = 10cp
• or 1pp = 10gp = 100sp = 1000cp

There are no mounts in the game. Outside of the main Stormreach areas quests are instanced and there is no need for extended travel. There are certain quests where you travel by ship, but, like a pen-and-paper game, these tansitions are handled quickly and you never actually experience the traveling.

There is no personal housing available in the game at this time and there will unlikely ever be a need for it. However, this could change in the future.

The taverns are not only a social gathering spot in DDO. Taverns are also a place to meet quest-givers and garner travel opportunities. Another benefit to the taverns is that the only time a character naturally regenerates is while inside a tavern. Eating and drinking in the tavern aids this process, but you cannot use food and drink outside the tavern so make sure you are properly prepared with potions/scrolls when going into battle.

If you've ever played any fantasy game, you'll be familiar with most of the character races and classes - mostly because most of them were pilfered from D&D in the first place. If you don't know much about D&D, but have played a lot of RPGs or MMORPGs, you'll be quite familiar with all the different character archetypes.

• Clerics
  In DDO, clerics are actually quite awesome. You can heal, you can fight pretty well, everyone loves you for grouping, and you specialize in smiting the undead. If you're used to a game where the primary healing class spends most of its time standing in the back and mashing heal, DDO is going to be very different from what you're used to.
• Bards
  Bards are an inspiration to everyone in their party and a deterrent to their opponents. They can heal the injured, cast arcane spells, do well in battle, and even use rogue skills. In DDO the bard has been fleshed out much better than seen in past games, where they weren't evenly balanced out against the other classes.
• Barbarians
  Barbarians harness the tremendous power of battle rage, which improves as the barbarian gains level. They also develop the innate abilities to sense danger and dodge attacks. No one can deliver as damaging and deadly blows as a barbarian when he's entered into his battle rage.
• Fighters
  The fighter is proficient in hand-to-hand combat and all standard weapons and armor types at level one. The bonus feats of a fighter give them access to melee maneuvers and exotic weapons not available to others.
• Paladins
  The Paladin draws its power from the forces of good and is a sworn enemy of evil. They fear nothing, inspire and heal their companions, and can turn undead.
• Rangers
  Rangers are excellent distance fighters with an aptitude for stealth and scouting. They develop a strong bond with nature and empathy with animals. They also have a favored enemy, which adds bonuses to the damage they inflict when in combat with said creatures. Rangers also have a natural ability for two-weapon combat and are able to cast spells at level 4.
• Rogues
  Rogues are known for their superior knowledge in the arts of stealth, evasion, and sneak attacks. They are unrivaled in their ability to find and disable traps and have a sixth sense for danger.
• Sorcerers
  Through intense concentration sorcerers manipulate magic energy. They can cast spells faster and more often than anyone else, but cannot learn as many spells as a wizard. They are proficient with all simple weapons.
• Wizards
  Wizards learn their art through intense study and their spells are usually devastating. They must learn their spells from a spell book and can add spells to their book from scrolls.

DDO uses a level system familiar to most gamers, but in order to make the game perform better as an MMORPG, character progression is a bit more complex than other games or the pen and paper version.

At launch, there are only 10 levels in DDO. D&D itself generally doesn't support more than 20 levels at all, while most MMORPGs go to 50 and beyond, so some changes had to be made here. The major change is the addition of Ranks, of which there are four per level. At each rank you get an action point, which you can use to give your character minor abilities, although your character will only increase in power at each level mark.

Outside the addition of ranks, character progression works very similarly to D&D 3.5, including feats and skills.

DDO is also different than most MMORPGs in that you can multi-class at each level mark. Instead of automatically advancing once you gain enough experience to level, you get to choose which class you advance in (up to three different ones). Obviously some classes work better than others, but expect to see popular combinations like Fighter/Cleric and Wizard/Rogue running around.

Feats are major abilities that your character has, but that don't increase in rank. Either you have them, or you don't - and they're organized in a tree, so many have requirements. Feats are a powerful way to tune your character to match your playstyle.

For example, one Fighter may be looking to get the feat Two Handed Fighting, which greatly increases your chances of hitting multiple enemies every time you swing, but also requires a fairly high strength. A different Fighter, looking to play a different type of character, might instead be looking at Weapon Finesse and Two Weapon Fighting.

In general, warrior-types get more feats, rogue-types get more skills, and mage-types get spells. For more information on the feats available, check out our Feats Database.

Skills are a measure of your ability to do certain tasks, and are modified by your character stats. Unlike Feats, skills do have a value, and you get a certain amount of skill points at each level to distribute among them. Also unlike Feats, which are very specific in their individual purposes, any class can learn nearly any skill. The main difference is that each skill is flagged as either a primary or cross-class skill, and if the skill is not primary for your class, it will cost twice as much to increase. Cross-class skills are flagged with an asterisk (*) next to their name.

A few skills are class-specific, as they are the main focus of a class and it would be problematic if every character had access to them. These skills are the rogue- and bard-oriented Open Lock, Disable Device, and Perform.

In general, rogue-types get more skills, warrior-types get more feats, and mage-types get spells. For more information on skills, take a look at our Skills Database.

There are currently no animal companions or familiars in the game. The closest thing to this is the Summon Monster line of spells, which call forth a duration-limited pet to aid you. Even with these spells, you won't be able to keep a pet with you all the time, as it does cost spell points and you'll need to wait for the cooldown time to pass before using it again.

Very! In fact, grouping may be more important in DDO than in any previous MMORPG. Like a pen-and-paper adventure would be, DDO dungeons are designed around groups of four diverse characters. You'll always want a diverse group around you to make sure you have access to as many abilities as possible.

At release, the max party member limit is 6.

You can create a guild by going into the guild tab, typing in a name, and pressing create. It's that simple. Only one person is needed to form a guild, and there's no cost.

As a guild, you have access to a guild-only chat channel, and guild leaders can promote members to officers who will have additional guild-related abilities.

DDO uses a combat system that is significantly different from the standard MMORPG, opting instead for as system that functions much more like an action game. Although there is an auto-attack option, where your character will continue to swing their weapon at your current target as often as possible, you must block blows manually with your shield or weapon, and actively dodge out of the way of attacks. It's not pure action though, with every attack or action a D20 is rolled with the results being displayed on screen.

Of course, there are many other deciding factors taken into account and you must use your special feats and abilities to be an effective fighter, just as casters must stay out of the fray and use their spells judiciously to succeed.

Currently, when swimming you are not allowed to attack, cast spells, search, nor use any other skill. However, you can loot - as some things are hidden on the bottom of the sea floor. But really, how realistic is it to swing a sword underwater?

In DDO, you don't regenerate hit points or spell points over time. That's right, you can't stop and rest during an adventure to recover at any time, you're stuck with whatever you went in with. Between adventures, just head over to the tavern and grab something to eat - you'll rest up while you're in there.

Most dungeons also include a Rest Point, which will allow you to rest at the shrine to restore some hit points and all spell points. The group's highest Heal and Repair skill levels will increase the amount of health restored. And there's always potions or scrolls if you really need a quick fix, though you might consider bringing along a Cleric or a Bard as backup instead.

This isn't as bad as you might think. Because all dungeons are hand-crafted instances, they're all balanced to be able to be completed by a group of players at the appropriate level. You won't have a bunch of monsters spawning on top of your party during a battle, so you can play smart to win.

Like many different creature types, when encountering the undead you need to be sure you're bringing the proper equipment, as they are almost immune to certain types of attacks and weapons. Blunt crushing-type weapons work well for skeletons but swords have almost no effect on them, whereas slashing-type weapons make mincemeat of zombies who feel nothing from a blunt object.

It's very important that all warriors carry multiple weapon types - even if you haven't devoted any Feats towards the use of blunt weapons, you'll still be much better off with a Light Mace than a Longsword if you're up against a skeleton.

If you have a few casters around, fire always works well, and you might be surprised to learn that any of the healing spells you know will do a significant amount of damage as well. Clerics and Paladins also have their Turning abilities, which can fear, stun, or destroy undead outright.

Not right now. To check if you can use a weapon, take a look at your character sheet and see if the weapon type is listed. Even if it's not lited, you may be able to equip the item, but there will be a severe penalty when trying to use it in combat

Yes, indeed. While in your inventory click on the object. This targets it. Click on the examine button on your focus orb (or press 'Z') and the examine window will pop up displaying the item/armor/weapon's stats.

The greater the number the harder it is to land a damaging blow. In DDO, armor class is the result you need to get on your attack roll to hit that character in combat or that your enemy needs to roll to hit you. Armor class is determined by adding your dexterity bonus (based on your DEX score and your equipped armor) to all your various armor bonuses. You can see the exact stats that are creating your current Armor Class by hovering your mouse over the number displayed in your character sheet.

One thing to remember is that there are different types of armor bonuses, and bonuses of the same type will not stack. For example, if you're wearing Platemail, and you find a set of bracers that also increase your armor bonus, you will not get the benefits of both. Common armor bonus types include Armor, Shield, Natural Armor, and Dodge - check the details of the item to find out what it has.

Armor Class can be confusing if you've played some D&D in the past, or other D&D games. D&D 3rd Edition changed the way armor was rated so that higher it better, not lower.

You can have your equipment repaired by an item vendor, but there is a chance of permanently lowering the overall durability of the item. It can still be used, but eventually the item will wear out and it will need to be replaced.

Yes, you can. If you'd like to try to negotiate a trade or sale, try using our Auction House to put your items on the market.

You can trade with players directly, if you're meeting face to face. You can email items (for a fee, of course).

Once you have access to more of the city, you also have the option of selling goods to the pawn shop, which will pay more than standard NPCs and also offer those items up for sale to other players (at a substantial price). If you're looking to buy an item ingame, this is where you'll want to go, but expect a better deal if you can buy it from another player directly.

There's also the auction houses, where you can buy and sell items at your leisure. In fact, some people make quite a good living at doing this!

These are collectable items. There are certain NPCs in Eberron that ask that you collect a number of these items and give them in exchange for items, such as potions. These items can be found in dungeons, be dropped by slain monsters, or be growing along dungeon walls. Examining the item will usually tell you who you need to find to turn it in.

For a more complete list of collectible items, take a look at out Items Database.

Banks are available in the Marketplace and House Kunderak. There are 20 slots for storing your valuables and freeing up space in your inventory. For those of you wondering, there is no shared banking, so you cannot take things from your bank with a different character than the one that placed the items there.

There are three different items that you can get as part of promotional offers:

Amulet of Natural Armor: This item was available to anybody who preordered a copy of the game. It gives a +1 Natural Armor bonus, and equips in the neck slot.

Boots of Running: The Limited Edition version of DDO includes these boots, which increase movement speed by 5%.

Brooch of Water Breathing: The Brooch is available as a limited-time offer from DDO boxes purchased from Target. The promotion will run from March 14th to April 30th. The Brooch gives the user 2 minutes of waterbreathing per use, and can be used once per rest period.

When a promotional key is added to your account, all characters on the account, and all characters created in the future, will obtain a copy of the item.

Why yes there are! In fact, DDO is all about quests - the majority of your play time will be spent adventuring in dungeons, most likely with other players.

Unlike most MMORPGs, you get no experience for doing anything other than questing. You do not get experience for slaying monsters at all, although you can earn bonuses on adventure experience, and all experience is awarded on quest completion. Because of this, avoiding enemies is just as viable as slaying them all, and might just increase the party's chances of surviving.

Think of the messages you get as the words of the DM, and pay attention! When one of the Guardsmen mumbles, "The Captain shall not be slain while the Guardsmen still walk," for example you learn several things;

1. There is a Captain
2. You'll probably have to slay him
3. You'll probably need to kill the Guardsmen first

Rest Points are areas of a dungeon where you can regenerate some hit points, restore spell points, and change what spells you have readied. They usually include a resurrection shrine as well, which will allow any party member to restore a fallen ally member to life, as long as someone has picked up and brought their soul stone to the shrine.

Rest Points are few and far between, and can be an indication that either something big is coming up, or you've reached the halfway point in the dungeon. Like if there's one by a big, menacing looking door, something big and menacing is probably on the other side of that door. Don't be so quick to use them though, if you find one and are still in good shape, it might be good to wait until you really, really need it.

Some quests give you the option of running missions again on different levels: normal, hard, and elite. As you can imagine, the spoils and experience for these levels increase with the difficulty, but so does the chance of ending up dead. Completing a dungeon all 3 times will provide bonus experience for going through it all 3 times.

You can also run certain dungeons multiple times at the same level, as many times as you'd like, but the experience reward is decreased each time you go complete it.