← All news & articlesMake the screen work for you
Before leaving the opening area, adjust text size, camera distance and sound until you can read instructions and notice nearby enemies comfortably. Put the abilities you use most on reachable keys. Move, turn, target an enemy and select yourself deliberately so you know what each action does. Avoid filling every empty button with a macro or addon on your first evening. A clear screen helps you identify what actually needs improving after a few fights.
Follow one local story at a time
Talk to the quest giver, read the destination and identify what counts as completion. Some tasks involve kills, others specific drops or an object to use. If progress stops, check the objective before repeating the same action. Complete a small cluster near your starting settlement and return together. You will learn more from recognizing a route than from following a long list of coordinates whose purpose you do not understand.
Notice what each new ability changes
When you learn an ability, read its range, cost and cooldown, then try it in a manageable fight. An ability that slows an enemy may be useful even if its damage looks unimpressive. A defensive button should be easy to find before you desperately need it. Keep a few recovery supplies ready and watch your resource bar. If you use a pet, practise recalling it somewhere quiet before trusting it in a crowded area.
Learn the town routine early
Find the vendor and relevant trainer, sell obvious junk and check what repairs or supplies you need. Keep quest items and materials you have a clear use for. Resist buying a replacement for every modest equipment slot just because an item is available. A small reserve of gold and a few empty bag slots give you flexibility. Our bags, money and travel guide explains how to keep these chores short.
Choose one next step
After the opening levels, decide whether you want more solo questing, a friend to travel with or a first profession. You do not need to begin everything at once. Follow the solo guide for a steady routine, or compare duo class combinations if you are joining a friend. If the class feels awkward, describe what you dislike before rerolling: range, pacing, pet management and group responsibility point toward different alternatives.
Sources & further reading
Read Blizzard’s announcements
Official information checked on 15 October 2026. Beta details can change; recommendations in this article are the Club’s editorial advice.