Getting Started: EF/Zeon Beginner's Guide

Please refer to the Character Creation Tutorial Page if not already to learn how to make a new character.

More in-depth information will be found before video tutorial sections. Most in-depth information will be reposted from ucgo.pbworks.com information that is consistent not out-of-date will be quoted and credit him respectively. To help explain things quickly the following video tutorials have been included.

Customizing Option Settings - (PBworks)
The following information after this point in the webpage mostly comes from PBworks from http://gundamonline.pbworks.com/w/page/9013729/Beginners%20Guide. Information from him will be cited in quotes. Up-to-date information will not be in quotes.

Once you are logged in, click the Option tab.

"The first thing you should do before or after outfitting yourself is tailoring your controls. While the defaults are not difficult to use, it's always to your benefit to create a control layout that's comfortable to you." (PBworks)

Refer to the options menu translation page to understand what the menu is saying.

Default Movement Controls


NOTE: Screenshot is borrowed and reposted from ucgops.wikia.com and is customized key mappings, but following them in order should be consistent with quote.

"If you're using the control listing above, the commands are as follows:

W & S - Forward/Back

A & D - Strafe

Q & E - Turn (Also done by holding the right mouse button and dragging)

Z & C - Roll (When in space)

F & V - Pitch (When in space, also done holding right mouse and dragging)

Shift - Walk/Run hold-toggle" (PBworks)

Control - Jump

U - Toggle Autorun

"R - Reload

Tab - Combat/Peace mode switch

1-7 - Select weapon

8 - Toggle shield on/off

Use your mouse to interact with your environment. To use the hangar, bank, or shops, simply double click on them. To select a friendly player, double-click them when they're in range. While in a vehicle or mobile suit, the range of interaction is greater. On foot however, you'll need to stand very close to who you wish to interact with. For interactions, see the '/' and communicating sections below." (PBworks)

Camera Controls (PB works)
As aforementioned, source is from http://gundamonline.pbworks.com/w/page/9013729/Beginners%20Guide#Cameracontrols

"Numpad (general) - Turn/rotate camera from chase position.

Numpad 5 - Reset camera to default

Numpad +/- - Zoom in/out

Hold middle-mouse and drag - Orbit camera" (PBworks)

Essential '/' commands (PBworks)
Source from http://gundamonline.pbworks.com/w/page/9013729/Beginners%20Guide#Essential/commands by PBworks

"These are absolutely vital commands. used by pressing enter (or clicking the chat bar at the bottom of the screen) and typing them. Memorize them.


 * /transport - This is your all-purpose 'travel' command. Use it to summon a transport aircraft to carry you to any pre-marked (either default or manually) location. Costs 1500 to use
 * /auto - Auto-cruise. When in any vehicle, you can use this to travel (albeit in a straight line, so it's not usable in cities) to any bookmarked location. Advisable in certain situations, but generally it's better to fly.
 * /taxi - If you're in town and not near a hangar, then it's best to use this. It rents you a little car to wander around town in, as otherwise it'd be a very long walk to your destination. This command only works in cities. Costs 650 to use.
 * /getoff - Get out of your current vehicle. If you're in a taxi, it just deletes it from existance [sic]. If you're in a proper vehicle, it ejects you. Generally speaking, you're better off parking vehicles in a hangar (double-click on the hangar building) than leaving them out in the open." (PBworks)
 * NOTE: Leaving any of your machines behind in the open for 30 min. or more auto releases the suit, so anyone can grab it. 3 hours of it leaving it out will cause the machine to disappear.
 * "/mark - Bookmark your curent location, for future use via the /transport and /auto commands. It's advisable to put down a bookmark at every hangar you find, even if you already have a fairly close-by default bookmark. This cuts down travel time dramatically, and allows you to go anywhere you've been before simply by parking at a hangar, transporting to your new location and getting back into your vehicle.
 * /trade - Target a friendly unit (click on them in peace mode - a green hand pointer should appear on them) and type this to open the trade window. You can drag and drop anything from your inventory (backpack or container), or any nearby objects/vehicles you own into your trade panel.


 * /transfer - This is good for transferring Mobile Suits and other vehicles from player to player. Target a friendly unit (same way as in /trade), and type this to open the transfer window. Then drag and drop your MS/vehicle into the window and press OK, and the thing switches owners." (PBworks)

Non-essential '/' commands
Source is from http://gundamonline.pbworks.com/w/page/9013729/Beginners%20Guide#Nonessential/commands by PBworks

"These are the commands that aren't essential, but are nice to know anyhow.

NOTE: Almost all the windows and skills that can be used in the game by clicking with the mouse also have a '/' equivalent." (PBworks)
 * /release - Target an MS or a vehicle while in peace mode, just like you target a friendly unit when trading or transferring. Then type this, and the MS/vehicle is no longer owned by anyone and anyone can take it.
 * /unstick - If you get stuck and can't move, type this and miracles will happen.
 * /shield - Type this when you arent wielding a shield, but have on in inventory. This will put it on.
 * /fps on - Type this to show FPS.
 * /fps off - And this to get rid of the FPS indicator.
 * /gesture 0-6 - The only emotes in this game are there. Among them are salute, waving and pointing backwards." (PBworks)
 * NOTE: These differ between MS and in person
 * Person gesture
 * /gesture 0 -  Right arm raises and waves (ex: "Hi! :) )
 * /gesture 1 - Both arms raise up and wave (ex: "Hey Over here!)
 * /gesture 2 - Right arm waves like 1, but only 1 arm
 * /gesture 3 - Salute
 * /gesture 4 - Claps
 * /gesture 5 - Bow
 * /gesture 6 - Beckons Mockingly (ex: Come at me bro!)
 * MS gesture
 * /gesture 0 - Same as 6 in person (Come at me bro!)
 * /gesture 1 - Salute
 * /gesture 2 - Fall in command gesture or come in
 * /gesture 3 - Waves with left arm
 * /gesture 4 - Looks around as if scanning the area
 * /gesture 5 - Indicates 'Move out!' or 'Spread out'
 * /gesture 6 - Fistpump
 * "/scan - If you dropped something and can't find it, but are close by, type this. Works only when you're not in a vehicle or MS.
 * /sit - You sit down. Doesn't have any actual uses other than aesthetical ones. Works only when you're not in a vehicle or MS.
 * /mine - When you go out with a mining vehicle to one of the mining locations, this is the command you mine minerals with.
 * - Not exactly at '/' command, but it's still a nice one to know. When you type that, you broadcast your current coordinates so people will know where you are.

Now That the Immediate Necessary Info. is Done...
Please watch the following video tutorials. If you for whatever reason can't play the videos or prefer to read, skip past Part 2.

Part 1: The Menu Bar, First MS, Basic Training
Synopsis: Learning the menu functions, how to use controls, how to get ms, weapons, etc; how to do basic combat.

INSERT EF VERSION

INSERT ZEON VERSION

Part 2: Mining, Crafting, and Macro
Synopsis: Locations for Zeon mining and Crafting and how to do so.

INSERT VID (EITHER EF OR ZEON)

Communicating with Other Players
Source from http://gundamonline.pbworks.com/w/page/9013729/Beginners%20Guide#Communicatingwithotherplayers by PBworks

"To talk with nearby players you only need to press Return/Enter or click the chat-bar at the bottom of the screen. There you can type any any message. You'll only be able to see chats from players in front of you, so it's advisable you use the journal. The journal can be found at the top of your screen. With the journal you'll be able to see all local chat, system messages, and skill messages.

No MMO is complete without a friends list. To add someone to your friends list get within range to them and target them in peace mode. Then open the Community panel then press the add button. If they accept you'll both be added to each others friend list. Now you can open a chat panel with them at any time by clicking Community button. You can also have a group chat by clicking the group chat button and inviting in respective friends." (PBworks)

Navigating about town
Source from http://gundamonline.pbworks.com/w/page/9013729/Beginners%20Guide#Navigatingabouttown by PBworks

"Navigation is very easy, due to the town maps being in full english. A simple click of the 'Map' button should show you where you are, and where you want to go. If you're not within easy walking distance, use the /taxi command to get around quicker.

Each town contains the following buildings, all of which are interacted with in the same way - double-clicking on them: There's one special building - the Terminal, located at the Spaceport - but there are only two of them in the game (one for each side). The Zeon one is located outside of Darwin. The Federal one is outside Perth. You can use it to travel into space, obviously enough. This costs 2000." (PBworks)
 * 6th Bank - Where your money lives. Also has a vault with 30 item slots (a single gun will take up one slot, but so will 1000 bullets) for both Backpack (man-sized) and Container (Vehicle-sized) items. You should be alright leaving your money here, as your bank account is (usually) debited directly when you purchase items." (PBworks)
 * NOTE: It is usally best to take all your money with you since it will be easier to see how much money you have. You don't have to worry about losing anything in your backpack since your avatar never dies. Anything in your machine's container however, will be lost unless recovered by yourself in another machine.
 * "Hangar - You ideally want to put a /mark down at every hangar you find. This is where you can store and immediately get into any vehicle you own, assuming you've stored it at a hanger beforehand - your hangar can hold up to 7 vehicles total.
 * Machines - Where you buy vehicles. These are only stock models - fancier suits and tanks with custom engines, improved armor and the like have to be bought from players with crafting skills.
 * Weapons - Buy your weapons, ammo, shields and repair kits here.
 * Apparels - Buy clothes for yourself here, including rank-specific uniforms, if you want to be all fancy.
 * Toys - Boxed scale-model Mobile Suits and ships and magazines on sale here. Just for show/laughs, really.
 * Repair - Get yourself patched up if you're damaged.
 * Command Post - Form squads here. It's free. You can only be in one squad/team at any time, though." (PBworks)
 * NOTE: Only the team leader can add/remove other team members and disband the team at will. If you are not the team leader, you can only "Leave" the team as far as team prvileges are concerned.
 * "Logistics Center - If your rank is high enough (if you're reading this, it probably isn't), you can buy pre-packed forward bases here, to deploy out in the wilderness." PBworks
 * NOTE: You must be at least a Lieutenant to be able to buy the Weapon and Repair tents
 * "Materials/Mechanic Tools/Tailor - Crafting gear sold here.
 * Sewings/MS MA/Raw Material/Weapon Factories - Ply your crafting trade here. Turn base resources into sellable goods.

Buying your first unit
Once you've retrieved your bank money and put it in your backpack, it's time to head over to the Machine Shop to buy your first MS! :) You can /taxi to drive over there then /getoff once you reach it.

BUT WAIT! Getting your first MS tends to depend on your play style (more so for Zeon). If you like beam cartridge-based weaponry, use suits that can use beam weaponry, and so on so forth for Close Quarters Battle (CQB), Hand-to-Hand (H2H), Sniping, Shell or a combination of them (see the Build Recommendations page and Mobile Suits page for more information).

The following lists recommend what suit is great to start off with for beginners for the least money and most performance (though you can chose weaker suits if you so chose based on their look). It is usually best to sell both your starting suits (TGM-79 GM Trainers for EF, MS-05 Zaku I for Zeon), except for Sniper Role (see below).

EF Players : Zeon Players : This varies for H2H and Beam Users
 * Buy the RGM-79L GM Lightarmor - It is fast and nimble, despite it having a TR engine (used for space) as opposed to the more appropriate TJ engine (used for Earth). Regardless it has plenty of dodge for training off the bat and High crit. It can equip most weapons needed for any play-style. Most stock suits (suits buyable from the shop) are outfitted with TR engines.
 * Once your income is high enough, see Advanced Tutorial Page for next suit to get.
 * For Shell, CQB, and H2H users, You can get the MS-06FZ Zaku FZ (either A - regular Zaku II head, or B - German helmet-style head) It is the best starting suit for multipurpose for 0.0 MS (Mobile Suit).
 * Alternatively, if you're shell, get the MS-06K Zaku Cannon. It can use the MS cannon which has 1300 range.
 * Despite these MS having a TR engine (used for space) as opposed to the more appropriate TJ engine (used for Earth), you'll have to bite the bullet and wait for now until you can get enough money to get one crafted or craft at TJ one for yourself. To get one, you'd have to ask or make one yourself with a dedicated crafter.
 * When your income is higher, see the Advanced Tutorial Page on what your next suit should be.
 * For Beam Users, though it's a bit pricey at first, little choice is left for you unless you trained in another weapons style skill to raise your other stats. Buy the MSM-04G Juagg since it is the cheapest beam-capable suit. It can equip the MS Bias Mega Particle Beam gun. Alternatively, you can buy the somewhat more expensive MSM-03 Gogg later if your income (Money) is high enough.
 * When your income is higher, see the Advanced Tutorial Page on what your next suit should be.
 * For H2H users alternatively, you can buy the MSM-04N Agguguy since it is the cheapest dedicated H2H suit with better stats than the Zaku FZ
 * For Sniper Users...you'd have to run your basic TGM-79 GM Trainer and MS run it across the desert anywhere until you get 10.0 MS skill.

Equipping your First Unit
Once you've acquired your MS the rest will depend on your play-style. Dabbling in multiple types of weapons is not advisable unless falling into a proved hybrid (see Build Recommendations) Buy the cheapest gear until your skills get high enough. Then you can get the best gear or make your own. Should the weapons break, RTB (return to base) then buy a replacement. When you get strong enough to survive well enough, you can bring two or more of the same weapon or a different one. Lastly, all stock (store bought) shields perform the same, so get the cheapest no matter what...unless you really want the look of a different shield and are willing to pay more (recommended to craft an EX version of it - refer to the Weapons page on information for EX). The following is a basic weapon gear layout for each type:

Beam Users : CQB Users : Shell : Hand-to-Hand (H2H) :
 * (EF) Weapons & Ammunition/Tools
 * 1 x A-E-BR.G-SC-L
 * 50 x EF Lv.1 MS/MA emergency tool kits (free from your bank first time)
 * 2000 x beam ammo
 * 4 x RX-78 Shield
 * (Zeon) Weapons & Ammunition/Tools (assuming you're in a Juagg since it's cheapest beam-capable MS however expensive to start off)
 * 1x MS Bias Mega Particle Beam Gun
 * 50 x ZEON Lv.1 MS/MA emergency tool kits (free from your bank first time)
 * 2000 x beam ammo
 * (EF) Weapons & Ammunition/Tools
 * 1x Beam Saber RX-78
 * 50x EF Lv.1 MS/MA emergency tool kits (free from your bank first time)
 * 4 x RX-78 shield
 * (Zeon) Weapons & Ammunition/Tools
 * 1x Heat Hawk
 * 50 x EF Lv.1 MS/MA emergency tool kits (free from your bank first time)
 * 4 x MS-07 shield
 * (EF) Weapons & Ammunition/Tools
 * 1 x GM Rifle
 * 50 x EF Lv.1 MS/MA emergency tool kits (free from your bank first time)
 * 2000 x Machinegun ammo
 * 4 x RX-78 Shield
 * (Zeon) Weapons & Ammuniton/Tools
 * 1 x MS cannon (If using Zaku Cannon)
 * 1 x MMP 80 (get it anyways if you're using the Zaku Cannon) for the up close enemies
 * 1x Zaku Bazooka (cheapest longrange wep and for non Zaku Cannon users)
 * 50 x ZEON Lv.1 MS/MA emergency tool kits (free from your bank first time)
 * 4 x MS-07 shield
 * 2000 x Machinegun ammo
 * 300 x Cannon ammo (for Zaku Cannon users)
 * (EF)* Weapons & Ammunition/Tools (HIGHLY UNADVISABLE TO PURSUE H2H ROLE DUE TO ITS LACK OF EFFECTIVENESS for EF players...but listed anyway)
 * 2 x MS Grapple
 * 50 x EF Lv.1 MS/MA emergency tool kits (free from your bank first time)
 * 4 x RX-78 Shield
 * (Zeon) Weapons & Ammunition/Tools
 * 2 x MS Claw
 * 50 x ZEON Lv.1 MS/MA emergency tool kits (free from your bank first time)
 * NOTE: Until further notice there may be a bug that freezes your client and lags you out once unequipping an ms claw then trying to drag and drop it/sell it. May have to get shot once or so while swapping out the ms claw or restart the client once back at camp.

Sniping* : (ONLY AVAILABLE ON EF) The following source is from http://gundamonline.pbworks.com/w/page/9013729/Beginners%20Guide#Equippingyourfirstunit by PBworks
 * (EF) Weapons & Ammunition/Tools
 * 1 x MS Longrange Beam Rifle
 * 50 x EF Lv.1 MS/MA emergency tool kits (free from your bank first time)
 * 4 x RX-78 Shield
 * NOTE: THIS IS A LONG GRIND SO IF YOU CHOSE TO HAVE A SNIPING ROLE, YOU MUST HAVE A LOT OF PATIENCE, DESPITE IT BEING A NONVIABLE ROLE WHEN IN LOW SERVER POPULATION. Even with a Spirit Build, the Sniper rifles do not fire fast enough to overcome enemy players healing themselves with their ER's (Emergency Repair tool kits). One must also have quite a few allies to keep enemies busy from focusing on you. Aerial support would be needed in case an Apsalus II tries to gun you down with its much faster Mega particle beam gun.

"Now to equip your gear. This is largely the same for both Tanks and Mobile Suits. Open your Weapons tab (via the button on the top bar) and click 'equip'. Now, click through each of your weapon slots, and assign a weapon to each. If you have a shield and shield slot, assign that too.

Now click Apply, and you'll equip your weapons...You're now ready to fight." (PBworks)

Combat Controls (PBworks)
Source from http://gundamonline.pbworks.com/w/page/9013729/Beginners%20Guide#Combatcontrols by PBworks

"Combat mode is activated upon hitting the tab button. When in combat mode the mouse cursor turns from green to red. Once in this mode you will be able to attack any available target -friend or foe. To target a target within weapon range, click on it for an initial lock, then press the left mouse button to open fire. To maintain constant fire, simply hold the mouse button down after attaining your lock on a target. To exit from combat mode and return to peace mode, press tab again. Be careful not to open fire upon a friendly. You will receive a warning message upon a lock-on as a fail-safe, so use caution. Should you attack a friendly you will become an open target to other friendly players." (PBworks)

Fighting NPCs
Source from http://gundamonline.pbworks.com/w/page/9013729/Beginners%20Guide#FightingNPCs by PBworks

To reach a camp, it is best to /transport to either Sydney Supply 9 or Melbourne Supply 19.

"And now to put everything into action. Open up the following panels, and arrange them as you see fit:

Machine (Health/Weapon & Shield Damage/Ammo)

Radar (Set it to maximum range)

Container (So you can see how much ammo you have in reserve, plus use repair kits)

Now travel to the edge of your current city with the map open - you should see some faint arrows on the edges of town pointing to 'battlefields'. If you follow one of these arrows for a time (it may take a minute or so) you'll eventually spot a camp, and a cluster of friendly radar blips. This is going to be your hunting base. Make sure you use /mark right beside the hangar here." (PBworks)

NOTE: Reminder: Use /transport to get to the supply camp faster

"A camp is like a small town. It has a bank, vehicle/weapon stores, hangar and repair facility. They're located around every city, and there are frontline supply bases to be found (much) further out in the wilds, which you can /transport to quite easily, as they're pre-bookmarked." (PBworks)

NOTE: You can only Buy and NOT sell any weapons or ms/ma/vehicles back to these trucks; only at cities.

"Once you've gotten your bookmark down, you'll want to wander further out - travel in the opposite direction to the city (it should still be visible on the horizon from here) until you encounter red blips on the radar.

Switch to combat mode and engage - Bazookas/Cannons have high range and power, but middling accuracy and low fire rate. Machineguns naturally have middling power, middling range, fast fire rate." (PBworks)

CQB weapons like a beam saber/heat hawk/beam naginata/etc. are "powerful melee weapon[s], but it wears out quickly compared to other weapons, and requires you to be right up close - this may sound obvious, but if you charge in too eagerly, you can run right into the sight radius of other NPC enemies.

A couple of tips for combat:

- Keep an eye on the radar. Don't get pulled too deep into a fight, and don't get surrounded. Fight on YOUR terms!

- If your shield is destroyed (or nearly destroyed) and/or your damage level hits 50% or higher, immediately begin autorunning back to the camp. If you don't know where it is, use /auto to help you find your way. At this point, you can't afford to lose hardware to stupid mistakes.

- The moment you hit over 50% damage (you can't use them unless you're this damaged), begin using those Emergency Repair Kits - to do so, just double-click on it in your Container panel. As you currently have little-to-no repair skill right now, this will almost certainly fail. Don't give up, and keep trying until you've patched up some of the damage. You can do this while running back to base if you've decided to retreat.

- Learn how each enemy works." (PBworks)


 * NOTE: Tanks are easy targets but have long range, while some MS may as well.

"...(if the opportunity presents itself) get into melee range and chop them up." (PBworks)


 * NOTE: ONLY if you are CQB or some combo with CQB, if not, just keep sticking to your weapon role and play style.

"- Enemies respawn quickly. Don't dawdle. Play it safe whenever possible - once you've got more money in the bank (you get a bounty on every NPC slain), you can afford crazy heroics, but not now." (PBworks)

The Loot, Swag, Goodies
Source from http://gundamonline.pbworks.com/w/page/9013729/Beginners%20Guide#Thespoilsofwar by PBworks

"If you've actually won your fight, and there are no immediate threats to your person, you can begin to think about looting. Some enemies leave containers behind - they look like blasted piles of wreckage - just walk up to one, switch to peace mode and double-click it. You can now loot it.

At this point, most enemies will drop very silly things. Toys, hats, maybe a handfull of bullets. Just drag an item from the list onto your unit to automatically put it in the correct slot (Backpack or Container). Occasionally you'll luck out and get something nice like an MS/Tank engine which can be sold at the Mechanic Tool store, or used (in part) to craft vehicles.

Once you're full up on loot, a return to camp to store this stuff in the bank (for later selling in town) is advisable. Rinse and repeat until you're profitable.

Also, by killing enemies, you gradually increase your rank." (PBworks).


 * NOTE: Rank does not hold any special value other than Lieutenant and higher which allows you to buy Weapon and Repair Tents from the Logistics Center.

"The higher your rank...the more tasty and valuable a target you are for enemy players. Watch yourself." (PBworks)

Player vs Player (PVP)
Chances are if you're reading this, you're not ready for pvp, at least not yet. If some enemy player comes charging at you or starts attacking you, your machine is as good as toast. Since you have no to little stats invested to do enough damage, let alone survive. PBworks says the following helpful advice:


 * If you're still at camp and have the opportunity, quickly dive into a hangar and store your vehicle. That'll save you. Other than that, hope that he deems you too small fry to even bother with.

Source from http://gundamonline.pbworks.com/w/page/9013729/Beginners%20Guide#Fightingotherplayers

While the enemy is locked onto you, you cannot hangar down, so you'll have to run around a building (like the hangar) to break off the lock-on, in order to hangar down.

So you got your Machine Blown Up...
Source from http://gundamonline.pbworks.com/w/page/9013729/Beginners%20Guide#Deathdefeatanddishonor by PBworks

"So, you got clumsy. Enemies swarmed you, you forgot to run, or perhaps you just lagged out. Or worse still, you were flattened by a passing enemy player. So, what have you lost?

Well, your current vehicle and everything it contained for starters. Don't worry or panic, though. Just /transport back to town or your nearest camp and load up again, and give it another try. If you don't want to risk money, just use a Magella" (PBworks)


 * NOTE: For the Federation the tank is the Type 61 MBT (Main Battle Tank)

"both the tank and cannon for it are sold for 0 money, allowing you to use them as a risk-free training setup.

Don't give up. Things are tough at first - if you can't handle things solo (it's never easy to), then just contact your fellow players on the IRC channel, or your Team Chat (if you're part of a squad) and ask for help. And if the worst comes to the worst and you bankrupt yourself, don't hesitate to ask for cash. You're more useful to your fellow players equipped and fighting fit than tooling around in a free Magella." (PBworks) Or Type 61.

"Alternatively, you can use use a Magella" (PBworks) or Type 61 "for a while until you're got more money." (PBworks)

In the Case you Commit a Crime...
Source from http://gundamonline.pbworks.com/w/page/9013729/Beginners%20Guide#Crimepunishmentandshootingyourfriends by PBworks "Ideally, you want to avoid friendly fire, but occasionally you'll click the wrong guy in a heated battle, and accidentally shoot him in the back. To him, your name has now turned grey, and he is able to retaliate against you freely, so it's best to apologize.

While your name is grey, you are a hostile target to NPC guards - hence, you'll want to get the hell out..." (PBworks) "and fast.." (PBworks).

NOTE: Going "crim" will actually last an hour currently. Killing another same-faction player will result in 1 hour and a 1/2. If you log out during this time, you won't be able to log in until the appropriate time has passed. This applies to your actual IP address so you won't be able to log into your others accounts either.

"Avoid doing this. PvP is meant to be factional. By all means, spar with friends in the desert, but avoid teamkilling if at all possible.

And that's about it, as far as basic play mechanics go. May the glory of victory be yours. Good luck, and good hunting." (PBworks)

Mining, Crafting, and Basic Macroing, Sandboxie
 Mining 

NOTE: If you're going to mine, make a separate character. It will be convenient to transfer funds from it to your combat character or your crafter.

Mining is not absolutely necessary in the game, but it does have the potential to get a lot of cash for your combat character or crafter. It is necessary however for mining for rare mats (materials) needed to get that 8th uprade (Ultimate) for your MS, certain MA, and some vehicles. Mining will pick up raw mats that you can refine later for crafting, but will also pick up gems and fossils, which you can sell back to the Materials shop for a lot of cash.

You can mine in the following locations:

(EF mines): Canberra mines and Southern Cross mines.

(Zeon mines): Brisbane mines, Adelaide mines.

To mine, use the /mine command. Find the dark spots on the map as they can usually be the best locations to mine for gems/fossils/parts.

Both factions can also mine at Richmond or Newman which are the warfare zones, but can yield the rare gems and fossils more easily. They are the only locations to mine for the rare mats known to some as Ultimate parts due to the "(U)" you can see in one of your Machine stats in either Pow, Hit, or Defense. The ultimate parts are the following:  Crafting  :
 * Ginius - The ultimate part to get the 8th upgrade on Pow (power), resulting in U/F/F or Pow U, Hit F, Def F (8/0/0).
 * Mosk - Needed for 0/8/0 or F/U/F
 * Tem - Needed for 0/0/8 or F/F/U

If you want to make your own weapons, make your own MS/MA/BB (BB - battleship)/vehicle, or refine raw mats from the mining locations to make crafting cheaper, crafting will help you a lot. Make a separate account though in case you need to transfer between your combat accounts to the crafting account and vice versa.

Why make one? Most of the crafters online are Macroing (covered later below) and are afk (away from keyboard). What few crafters that are active are not always online or refuse to deal with other players if they do not speak the same language (though this is not always the case, it can happen). - You can not choose to develop EX weapons. It happens randomly when developing normal weapons. - The chance to get EX weapons depends on the difference between your Arms Construction skill and required skill for a weapon. The higher your skill is the better chance you have" (Admin John of UCGO Private Server). -Pow = Increases your attack power. -Hit = Increases your accuracy. - Def = Strengthens your armor and shield. They can be upgraded for a total of eight times combined. The MS/MA Construction skill requirement for upgrading is +3.0 per level. Example: Gouf requires 65.1 in skill to craft. If you want to upgrade Pow seven times you will need 65.1 + 3.0*7 in skill. Upgrading to Ultimate, level eight, requires the same skill as level seven" (Admin John, of the UCGO Private Server) - Source is from the ms-ma factory page on the ucgoserver.com site. GQ items can help you further distribute and balance your character stats to how you'd like them in the end. They will also slightly help you level up, but not significantly. Their bonus is seen more in the end game PVP Items made hold a higher chance to GQ when the crafter is at least 5.0 - 10.0 higher than the skill level required to make specific items" (UCGOPS wiki site)
 * Refining Mats
 * Refining Mats tends to net a lot of profit, but not on the Zeon side as much since Zeon can only refine up to Titanium Ceramic Composite. Usually EF players do this as refining mats to make Lunatitanium nets quite a profit. Besides using refined mats to make money, it can save you money for crafting weapons and vehicles since the Materials shop sells the refined mats for somewhat to quite expensive prices (though sold cheaper at Newman and Richmond). Some players may mine the raw mats then refine them, but it's much easier to buy raw or refined mats from the Materials shop then refine them into the desired mats.
 * To refine, either have raw mats needed for the desired material then double click the Refinery to "Refine" your raw mat/refined mat to get another mat. Please refer to the Crafting list page or the main ucgoserver.com site for the refining list. Try refining to create 1 product at a time to level up your skill to about 10.0 or so, then refine for 10 products at a time. Refining 10 or more will yield a +1 bonus product if the refining attempt succeeds.
 * If you fail an attempt, up to 1/3 of the materials used will be returned.
 * Weapon Crafting
 * Making your own weapons takes place at any Weapons Factory in any of your faction's cities. This is quite useful for yourself as it can be somewhat of a pain to ask both weapon and MS crafters and pay a lot of extra money for their time (which isn't wrong, as they drop what they are doing to work on your request, probably spend quite some time to make an EX* version for you and then charge you for the expenses). NOTE: If you do buy or plan to buy weapons quite often from weapons crafters, then be sure to tip them to show appreciation and thanks for their time. *An EX version is slightly better than a regular version that you make or buy from the Weapons shop.
 * Building weapons require mats so head over to the Materials shop in a truck Gaea/Farenheit/etc. or Shaverfish (fighter plane capable of being used in Earth and in space but requires 10.0 fighter skill to pilot). Please refer to the Weapons Factory page or the official Weapons Factory list on the ucgoserver.com site http://ucgoserver.com/weapons-factory/ to find out what mats and skill you need to craft the desired weapon.
 * Starting out at 0.0 Arms Construction, you can only craft the tank/fighter cannon (only useable by the Type 61 MBT (EF) or the Magella Attack tank). Craft it several times, to raise enough skill then you can move onto the next weapon.
 * It is important to note from the Skills (see Player Stats if not already) that it is better to have more skill than required to lower the fail rate on the weapon.
 * With higher than required skill for the desired weapon, you can have chance to get an EX version of the weapon*
 * "About EX Weapons
 * - EX Weapons are like normal weapons but better.
 * Lastly, weapons crafting can be more profitable than refining, but with more risk involved since weapons can fail more often than refining the desired mats. It'll depend on the skill of the weapon and your current Arms construction skill
 * If you fail an attempt, up to half the materials used will be able to be retrieved.
 * MS/MA/vehicle Crafting
 * Crafting your own MS/MA/vehicle is quite convenient but also very expensive and requires your miner to fund it quite often.
 * Like any crafting, you must buy the appropriate mats for crafting the desired vehicle, then head over to the MS/MA factory
 * 0.0 MS/MA construction lets you start off building the Type 61 MBT Custom for the EF and the Magella Attack Custom for the Zeon, the grind on this skill can take much longer than weapons crafting, so have a lot of patience!
 * Now some MS are available in different colors! Another neat feature besides Apparel (clothes) to personalize your style! See the Mobile Suits page and click on an MS to see if it has alternate colors.
 * You can upgrade your MS if you have at least 3.0 points higher than the required skill.
 * "Upgrades
 * MS, MA and vehicles can be upgraded to improve their performance. There are three different upgrades: Pow, Hit and Def.
 * Up to half the materials used will be retrievable if a crafting attempt fails. However, the engine used to craft the desired machine will be lost.
 * Make sure your crafting skill is over the requirement for that machine you want, or else the fail rate can be horrible (though it's mostly the case for end-tier suits).
 * Tailoring (Clothes crafting)
 * Tailoring is has a unique interface but requires two kinds of mats at a time
 * To get the mats for making clothes, go to the Sewings Shop (Refer to the crafting list page or the Tailor link on the ucgoserver.com site)
 * Some clothes allow you to dye them in different color
 * See the Crafting List page for more info. what dyes you can use later on
 * When your skill is high enough, you can make GQ clothes
 * "Certain item slots, Helmet, Gloves, Dress, and Glasses, will give a bonus to stats when made GQ
 * Macro
 * A Macro is an automated script used by Auto It for example. Since much of the crafting is a long grind, many crafters will make a script for both mining and crafting. Even making hotkeys for convenience is what makes macros useful for ucgo.
 * To learn more about Macros visit the Macro Guide page
 * Sandboxie
 * This is a software that allows you to run a second instance of UCGO (assuming your computer can run it twice without suffereing much lag)
 * This is NOT the same as Virtual PC where it can have it's own mouse
 * Having sandboxie is not surprising amongst players that need to trade between their accounts at the same time.
 * To use Sandboxie on any software or game (even the internet), simply right click the program and "Run Sandboxed"
 * Google Sandboxie and download the free version to allow one sandboxed client of UCGO, otherwise pay full to run multiple clients. Warning: running more clients on UCGO takes its toll on your computer, but if your computer has enough processing speed and ram, then you're fine.