World of Warcraft

I'm totally new to gaming, despite my somewhat advanced age (45 in the Real!). Playing solo for about 3 weeks, I've run Borine, my 1st character, up to level 13 on Saurfang PvE & I've got a little bored going it alone, & not really knowing the best way to equip, manage inventory/sell loot, chat, etc.
I'm also looking forward to more challenging combats, teaming on some more serious beasties. I'll probably need coaching, but I can take criticism if it is offered in the right spirit.
I'd like to hook up with similar people, or more experienced players who don't mind coaching a newbie, or both. I generally play around 2200-2400 CET, 3 or 4 times a week.
I have to say that although WoW is the first game, online or other, that I've played ever, I've kind of got into it.
I chose to enter the World as a human warrior as it seemed to be the easiest profile to relate to. I'll build new characters in time, but this guy is my training model; now that I've got this far on my own, it's time to get involved with others so that I can take it further.
Feel free to look over my profile, offer suggestions (I'll be very grateful for any constructive criticism), point me in the direction of how to find others to join up with.
Thanks for reading this far, I hope to hear from someone soon.

Hello,

First of all, welcome to the community.

I will try to explain a few things. But as you play on a different server as I do, I can not help you in any meaningful way ingame.

At level 13, you're pretty much fresh into the game. And a warrior is a pretty solid start.
Lacks self healing at low levels. But that's where the profession 'First Aid' comes in handy.
Also, if you seem to die alot in an area, find an innkeeper or a bartender or any other vendor for that matter, and see if you can find some relevant type of food to heal up between fights.

As for gear. You need to try to focus on the mail type of gear. Atleast until level 40 where you can learn to use plate type.
All better as common gear (coloured with green, blue, purple and orange) have some sort of stats.
Your main focus should be to get Stamina and Strength on the gear.
If you can't find Strength on it. Agility is a fair second.

Secondary stats are not very relevant at this level yet, but to my experience, if you have a choice, try crit, which will make the chance you hit extra hard larger.

For weapons, I would say, go with twohanded swords or maces. Until you know which direction you would like to go with your character.

A good source of information is noxxic.com. But might use some therms not yet known by you. Google might help with explaining on that part.

Specializing in 'Fury' seems to be the faster way to level at the moment. But this is preferential.

As gold goes, try picking up Herbalism or Mining. It's not to hard to level. Takes some time, but what you herb or mine (and afterwards melt) you can put on the auction house for a fair amount.
Just look at the competition on the auction house, for a fair price.
Alternatively, there a lot of addons out there to help you with this (pricing). For example Actionator. (Look at curse.com for this addon if interested).

Once you get to level 15, you can start doing dungeons/instances. This is a good way to play together with other people. (Keyboard shortcut: 'I')
Also, you could find a guild. Just ask in the trade channel when in a major city (Stormwind should be closest to you as a human). Or press 'J' on the keyboard to open the guild tab. This should give some additional information on how to find a guild, using that specific tool.

Some websites to look around at are wowhead.com, noxxic.com and for addons curse.com or wowinterface.com might help you find your way.

Hope this helps you along a bit. Else, don't hesitate to ask.
I'm sure that me or other players won't mind helping you out (save for the school going teenagers with little to no respect for other players and thinking they are the best of the best)

I would say first join a guild, most will help you not only with advice but sometimes items as well.

Once you get your mining or Herbalism going sell the herbs on the auction house and buy the best gear you can. The gear you will need is Mail and has strength and/or stamina on it

From the bad gear to the best gear it is coloured and goes
Grey > White > Green > Blue > Purple
and make sure you buy it for the level you are or just above, you can sort it by level and search within a level range as well.

Once you hit 15-16 join random dungeons as DPS.
At low level you don't really die much and as long as you follow the advice at noxxic.com, just make sure you stand close behind the thing you are hitting as they can't parry attacks from behind and only hit things once the tank, the first one in (not you), has started hitting it.

Your job will be hitting stuff, getting your rotation right and moving out of the way if the target uses an Area Damage effect (AoE).

Another suggestion for you to try is battlegrounds. In battleground you play against other players on the other faction (known as player vs player or PvP). It's not for everyone, and it can be hard to get into, but some people really enjoy it.

At low levels on your first character battlegrounds can be pretty demoralising, as people with better gear may be able to kill you easily, but as you gain experience you will find yourself better able to kill people.

Although it's not the best XP (as you don't get much at all for a loss) it is a fun way to break up leveling and you also get honor points, which can be traded in at high levels for PvP specific gear.

Hi Borine and welcome to the World of Warcraft.

Have a look around and try to find a guild. There will be players in there who will be able to offer you help and advice in the game.

Also, do your research :) Visit the Warrior forum on here. There will be helpful threads in there.

A little advice from myself though. If your looking to be a Warrior tank (stands up the front and keeps the mobs away from other players) the be looking to equip a sword and shield. Gather gear which offers stamina.

Wow, pardon the lame pun, thanks for all the advice guys. There seems to be a lot of consensus in the tips offered.
All this feedback is also very encouraging; I'll be a lot more confident about communicating through these forums now.
Thanks again, time to Enter World...