Hey guys!

I really want to get into BDO just to chill and relax in the evenings by grinding mobs and resources, but I saw that season will end in 2 days, and now I am not sure if it is worth it to start a "normal" character (I know that season chars become normal ones, but I read that there are a lot of benefits for seasons chars).
Do you think it is worth getting into without a seasonal character?

Thank you all in advance! :) 

Hi there, 

Generally, season chars are the way to go for starting BDO. However, even if you start now and make a season char, you still will get a whole bunch of goodies that will help you in the progression of the game. You want to make another season char, as soon as the next season starts, but believe me when I say that you want to get a level 20 season char from this season already, just to get a bunch of the rewards for later.

Overall, starting with a normal char is a lot more difficult after a while. The beginning (normal questing and doing the main story until the end of mediah) is basically the same though, as you have naru gear (and maybe Narchillian) available.

So i'd say its fine to get started with the game if you

1. Take your time just questing / exploring / testing out the game

2. Want to do some lifeskilling

3. Don't move on from the starter areas for a bit

If you want to put your whole mind to Progression and grinding, then making a non season char wont be a good time.

If you want to be relaxed, play the game after work every once in a while and just vibe, youre all good (just remember to make a season char next season so you can unlock the higher tier stuff easily).

The way I understood your post, youre looking for something more aligned with the second option. So I'd say for you its fine to just make a season char for the first 2 days of season, and see where it takes you. Then just continue onwards as much as you want.

Thank you so much!
I think I'll start a season char then today and play/chill a bit :) 
When the new season starts I'll make sure to make a new one ^^

Are there any hints yet when the new season starts?
I can't find anything about it...

When I first started the game, it made me pick a season character.  Personally I found it confusing and not much fun.  All you do is create a season character. Then you play it on a season server.  They give you armor and weapons only your season character can use, which is part of the confusion for me.  Your season character cannot buy "normal gear" from the shops, you must complete the season character with the special gear.   If you toss the gear out or sell it, you are done, you can't get it back. Without it the character can no longer fight.  I had a better time with the normal character.

The other thing (my big mistake) I went to Everfrost and they treat you as if you know everything and everyone.  Don't go to Everfrost!  It is story mode of this game and not much fun, unless you like to hear NPCs ramble on for several hours about things you cannot understand.  They place a mild warning on it, but they should never offer it to new players.

Maybe someone can explain the season better, but there are 4 per year.  You can start a season anytime, but they run for 3 months and you are stuck in them until you graduate at the end of the season.  The lack of information is very reason I am turned off of ever making another season character for myself.   I believe you can see my 2 characters on here, the season fighter (Billy) got to level 51 with the boring Everfrost story in about a week.  The witch (Miss Tical) also made 51 basically fighting a lot of monsters and doing quests as a regular.  She was more fun and didn't take anywhere near as long.

Hi there, maybe this can be of use for both of you: https://www.blackdesertfoundry.com/season-servers-guide/

This is a complete season guide, and tells you what you can do with which item, when you get it, and what to do etc. Its quite helpful, and we usually link it to most beginners so they dont get overwhelmed with all the infodump you get at the start of the game.

Here the answers to a few points I saw above:

1. New season: There is no announcement for a new season so far. However, we usually get the new season somewhere between 1-4 weeks after the last. A new class is coming out soon (there are usually seasons for new classes), and the "pre registration" (which you guys can also do here for some goodies: https://www.naeu.playblackdesert.com/en-US/Intro/Preregist_MaeguWoosa) runs out on the 14th of December. So it is likely that we will get the new season very soon.

2. The season char can only use season gear correct. It cannot buy gear from the market and use it (it can buy gear but not use it). However, the seasonal gear you get it hugely better than any gear from the marketplace that you can afford at the stage of the gameplay you are at. So it is very much beneficial to use that route. If you finish seasons with full Pen Tuvala gear, you basically shave off 2-5 months of early, outdated gameplay off of your BDO experience. That is why it is recommended to do so. Short tip too, as a season char you are not confined to the season server, you can still channel hop to the normal servers if you wish to.

3. Everfrost is the starting area for veterans, yes. I recommend you start at ancient stone chamber if you are a new player.

4. If you toss or sell the gear, you cannot continue: Kind of true, kind of not. If you talk to fughar, you can exchange Beginner Black Stones for the gear again. You can also try to restore the gear using the in game restoration options, or send a ticket to support asking them to return the items.

5. You are not stuck in seasons until the end. If you wish to, you can graduate early after completing the season pass objectives fully. At this point, the game judges you ready to make your own decision on how to go on forward. But be aware that getting a full PEN tuvala set is extremely helpful, especially during your first season (or rather, the first you focus playing on. 2 days of season dont exactly count, you just want the free rewards from that :p)
6. And lastly, if you guys run into any more questions, don't hestitate to ask either in game, here on the forums, or in the official discord server. We ambassadors, as well as a lot of other players are always happy and willing to help new players find their footing and answer questions: https://discord.gg/blackdesertonline

I would suggest to see some video guides on youtube for starting players. Also there is leveling guides and to be honest if you spend some time to see the videos you could be 61 lvl until the end of this season. If you have all day to play. But it will be a little rush and you gona lose the fun to make things slow and with understanding. BDO is complex game and guides are your best friend. Could be very fun if played relaxed with no hurry and very frustrating if you dont have patience.

Thank you all for the replies and the feedback!
Since I won't be able to start today I will just start tomorrow on the normal server :) 

When I understand I bit I will maybe start a Season Char when the next season starts ^.^
Have fun playing ya'll!