The starting line: Preparing for launch
Game Context: NEO Classic reboots Blade & Soul's 2016-17 content with enhanced visuals, infinite sprinting, and seven starting classes, according to Korea's model and NCSoft's updates.Objective: Provide new players with actionable pre-launch and early-game steps - account setup, character creation, and leveling basics - based on transcript tips and web-verified launch information.Significance: Early preparation secures your identity and optimises the 1-45 (or 36) leveling path, setting you up for dungeons and the endgame, with launch details confirmed for 25 February 2025 at 9:00 AM PST.Launch preparation and first steps: Core strategies revealed
Pre-Launch Setup: Account and Character CreationDownload the game from NCSoft's Purple platform from 20 February 2025 - pre-registration (via the official website) offers a free starter weapon and cosmetics. Character creation opens on 18 February - create a character (minimum three English letters, one space allowed, e.g. "BNS Neo") and save your appearance using the live Blade & Soul client (export from "Images > BNS Character Customisation"). Log in on 25 February at 9:00am PST to claim names on the Heaven Reach or Viridian Coast servers in North America (Europe: Cinderland, Moonwater Plane) - Heaven Reach is expected to be the busiest.Start zones: Bamboo Coast or Heaven's ReachChoose Bamboo Coast for instant quests, or Heaven's Reach for a prologue introducing the Hongmoon student - both will lead to Bamboo Coast post-tutorial, per transcript data. Switch to Blade and Soul mode (Shift + F2) for action combat - smoother than Classic mode. Main story quests (yellow on tracker) begin here - kill three enemies to start, teleporting via the quest button speeds you to NPCs (spam F mid-run to interact instantly).Class selection: Choosing your path
Seven classes start out - Assassin, Blade Dancer, Blade Master, Kung Fu Master, Force Master, Summoner, Destroyer - race-locked to Jin, Gon, Lyn or Yun (e.g. Lyn-only Summoner). Assassin excels at stealth, Blade Master at tanking, Summoner at support - scales instantly (no level restrictions), so test via Auction House purchases (prices TBD) or the Profane Jiangshi weapon (Battle Pass tier 1). The pre-registration starter weapon helps with early kills - equip at level 1 for a boost.
Questing Basics: Main Story and TeleportationFocus on yellow main story quests for XP - Teleport to any NPC/objective (button next to quest) to skip the journey, reducing leveling from 120-140 hours (casual) to 60-80 (optimised). In story dungeons, use infinite sprint to avoid trash mobs - jump to avoid ranged attacks, kill the objective, then double-tap Escape to exit and teleport on. Blue (side) quests yield Valour Stones (20 unlock green skills) - do them after the main story for efficiency.
Skill upgrades: Hardan and Green SkillsHardan's six combat training quests (hidden dungeon rooms) give skill point pages - skip fights by telling Hardan "too hard", which requires Hardan training badges from main quests. Slot points (K menu) into mob skills (e.g. 985 to 1,400 damage) - buy green skill books (e.g. Lunar Slash Combo) from the Yahara Mirage in Cinderland (20 Valour Stones, 1 Silver) to halve the focus cost (3 to 2). Grey skill books from story quests can be slotted into accessories - check tooltips for effects (e.g. focus reduction from Thunder).
Party and Resources: Speed and sustainabilityParty-shared kills and collectibles (one collects for all) speed up quests; switch channels (top-right menu) if crowded. 15 low-level potions (e.g. 40 HP tonics) can be converted to higher-level heals at vendors - stock up for tougher zones. Choice of faction (Crimson or Cerulean, Act 18) will align with friends for group quests - cosmetic only.