Hi! So I just bought this game because I remember thinking it looked cool about 5-6 years ago (god that's like a third of my life). I don't know much about it other than it's an MMO and that the classes all get a second moveset later in the game. All I remember is that the gameplay looked really fun, and I think that this game uses more fighting-game style mechanics? 

Anything I should know before I boot it up? I genuinely know basically nothing, this isn't a joke or whatever. 

For example, what class I should play? Around that same time I played the WOW demo and really enjoyed Druid, is there a class like that? I also liked WOW's Priest, Warrior, and Mage classes, though not as much. One of my favorite games is Dishonored, so if there's a teleporting ninja that would be cool too. I remember back when I first saw the game I really liked the class with a lot of dodges and dark magic, I think it was called Sorceress? I tend to enjoy really high moment speed, shapeshifting, summoning, and psychic powers. I also generally prefer melee to ranged (though I also generally prefer magic to weapons), with the exception of telekinetic type stuff. If I remember correctly this game has genderlocked classes, but I don't really care if the class is male or female.

Another example, how viable is free to play in this game (technically I paid for the game but I assume there's still paid stuff)? I'm probably not going to spend additional money.

Any other info would be helpful too! Stuff like common early-game mistakes, how important interacting with other players is (I'm fine with playing in a group, but I don't like guild style "you must play with only these specific people" type stuff, and I prefer it to be mostly without actually talking to them), etc.

So yeah, I probably shouldn't have bought this game with this little knowledge but I just remember really thinking it looked cool when I was a kid (god it feels weird to be able to say that).

Trust me, if you haven't spent a penny in BDO yet, never do.

There's no purpose anymore in the game, in lategame you just turn in circle to grind, to get higher GS, for... nothing.

Have fun if you wanna be free2play, otherwise just turn to another game.

Bad advice.  MANY people are having a great time in this game.  Some people are not because PA changed the pvp rules to help out new players.

Answering your question - the game allows you to solo and minimize contacts, but it's much more rewarding if you join a guild and/or interact with others.

While you still can - get a refund. This is very, very expensive free-to-play game.

This game, focus around grinding and running in circles killing same mobs, gathering, rear horses over n over to get higher GS, upgrade your ship by doing dailies.. tbh it's a big simulator you can play at your own pace.. choose what you enjoy. Do not listen people who tells you it's very expensive game because it's not you do not have to spend even single penny. Rewards from passes are bad do not even look at them, pets? PA give away tons if them I have never bought single one after 10 months of my game play I have 6 t4 and 1 t5... if u just want progress gear I strongly reccomend u to check ChoiceEU guide how to reach 700 GS fast. As someone above said PA does not forget about F2P and they give away a lot of Item shop's stuff.

Sorceress is the dodge-like dark magic user. She gets a big scythe as her awakening weapon.

Caster classes also are Witch and Wizard, Maegu and Woosa, and Sage.  Dark Knight is a bit of a mix between melee and fighter.

You could probably watch a video on the different classes.

I don't know how many characters slots you get to start with now, but you can make more than one class (just only one season character at a time)

Once you bought the game, you don't *have* to spend any more money on it.  It's possible to buy pets from the MP from other players who want to make silver. The same thing is true for the cosmetic outfits.

There are a couple of subscription items (Value Pack, Blessing of Kamasylvie and Book of Old Moon), but I've honestly been playing without them for 3 years now and don't miss them.

There are a lot of "conveniences" you can buy from the pearl store like character slots, inventory slots, storage in town and more, but if you consider those things, I would go for small amounts at a time.

There are sales of 1+1 pearl boxes a few times a year, so you'd be getting pearls for half the price if you wait for that.

It's probably a good idea to find a beginner-friendly guild that can help you with questions.

Welcome to BDO!

Best paid things to get --- 1) the Tent: allows you to repair anywhere and allows to buy villa scrolls and item drop rate scroll. Get it on sale probably around Christmas. 2) A permanent horse horn for whatever class you REALLY decided to go with. It allows you to call your horse from any distance. 3) The hedgehog pet: increases some gathering stats.

Costume are fun, but honestly... after trying buying a few, I realized PA gives out SO many as event gifts. You can just save them to convert into cron stones which can be used for upgrading high level gear without the gear falling a level if the upgrade fails.

The value backpack, blessing of kamasylvia, and book of the old moon can all be bought (with silver you get from grinding for trash loot) through Central Market. 

Oh ya, you wanna know ALL the basics? Watch "evildousharm" on youtube. He's got guide for like... everything.

If you enjoy meeting new people and making new friends, this is a fantastic game to be apart of! Look up some guides on Youtube by Evildousharm, amazing starter guides.