Author: Acclaim Storm

ABSTRACT (FOR THE READER ON THE GO):

- True Vagabond (TV) hard, tough, but challenging and fun in a different way
- Pick up either Basic Wu-Tang Sword/Fist or Basic Demon Saber/Fist via their clan quests
- Pick up Lightfoot from either Wu-Tang or Heavenly Demon (or both)
- No stat resets = plan your build at Character Creation, and start your build at Losing Self 1
- STR and DEX most important stats (no particular order), CONS and ESS depend on how you play, and WIS useless
- If possible wear 3-pocketed clothing even green clothes
- Roam the world of 9 Dragons, both white and black maps, for best game-play experience and enjoyment
- If not having fun, quit the TV path and join a clan

AUTHOR'S NOTE

I decided to completely rewrite this guide, because I've changed the tone to help convey the objective of my writing this to begin with.


INTRODUCTION

So you've decided to be different. This guide is not meant to convince anyone to go out and build a True Vagabond, which is simply a character that does not choose a clan. Instead, I've put this together in order to give those who have already decided to take this path, a stepping stone of sorts, to get things rolling. Be forewarned: this path is tougher than playing conventionally, because of limitations with many things you might have taken for granted normally. But it offers a different type of challenge, all the while offering more freedom to the player. I'm simply offering some tips on how to get started. The rest is up to you.

Warning: the True Vagabond should NOT be your first exposure to the world of 9Dragons, because much of the fundamental game-play concepts should be learned first.
I will not cover any of the basics, because:
1) This is not the place for it
2) There are many more guides on this board that can do more justice to game-play mechanics than this guide.
Moreover, playing as a TV like a first character may frustrate the newcomers and turn them off of this great game.
Therefore, please experiment with the TV only if you are truly seeking a new way to play.
Furthermore, there has been some talk of people hoping this path will lead somewhere (i.e. an exclusive clan otherwise unreachable by others).
I would say that while it would be nice, don't start this path simply because of that hope. It makes the process become a chore, and takes away the value of doing this in the first place. You have been warned.


CHARACTER CREATION: THE BIRTH OF THE TRUE VAGABOND

The first we must have in mind is that while a character that joins a clan will have 2 chances to reset their stats (at choosing the role and once more via an NPC), the TV will not have that opportunity, so, it¡¯s very important how we distribute our stats since the first level.

1- STATS

Strength should be the highest or second-highest stat of build because it raises damage and defence.
A TV will not have many skills to rely on; so high damage output will be your friend.

Essence is not needed because a TV will not burn through Vital Energy with Steps or Meditation.
Either leave at 8 and compensate later on with accessories, or put the bare minimum into ESS.

Wisdom is not needed too because TV will not have any Chi Kung skill, a TV will only need add to wisdom when it¡¯s a requirement to wear any relic.

Constitution determines the amount of Life your character will have (1 Constitution stat = 20 HP), as well as the regeneration rate.
It's debatable as to how much should be put into CONS, because there always needs to be a fine balance between being able to survive long enough to kill an enemy, and dealing enough damage to finish the fight quickly.
Again, as a TV don't expect to be running around slaughtering enemies.
A recommendation is simply to put the bare minimum to fight comfortably, and increase it only when the situation is too dire for levelling purposes (i.e. having to rest without killing a single enemy).

Dexterity is the most disputed stat in the world of 9Dragons.
There are 2 main schools of thought:
- Rely solely on defence offered by STR
- Rely solely on dodge offered by DEX.
However, one point is certain:
- You must always put enough into DEX to fight competently against the enemies same level than you, by this, you can miss some hits, but you will be able to land enough hits in a reasonable time frame to finish the enemy

Now that I have filled your head with many questions, here's something to make things easier:
- Just put all your beginning stats into STR for the sake of creating a character. Both a STR and DEX build will have more than 18 STR, and 8 DEX is more than enough for the beginning levels.
Discussion on increasing stats after Character Creation will come later.

2- WHERE START
The TV will not join any clan, so it makes no difference where you start your journey. However, a big saving grace for TV's comes from the fact that both Wu-Tang and Heavenly Demon offer their basic clan kung fu's to any characters, as long as they complete the required quests.
Therefore, any TV should strive to either start on one of these maps, or travel to these at around GC1 to start the quests. Obviously, starting on either of these 2 maps is more convenient.

Note: Some people consider that the true way of building a TV would rely solely on the basic kung fu's purchased by Sifu's instead. If you think by this way, it makes absolutely no difference where to assign your character.

A TV can learn LIGHTFOOT from Wu-Tang and/or Heavenly Demon.
Both can be learned doing the quests that net you the clan's kung fu (as well as allowing you to join the clans).
It¡¯s better learn and strive to master both Lightfoot, partly for show and partly to combat the long recharge time so you can immediately take off on the other Lightfoot after stopping with one if needed.


THE TOOLS OF DESTRUCTION: WEAPON SELECTION

For those who do plan on using the clan's basic kung fu (Basic Demon Saber, Basic Demon Fist, Basic Wu-Tang Sword, Basic Wu-Tang Fist), it boils down to taste.
The saber and the sword are exactly the same in every aspect save for looks, and their prices as regulated by player markets.
Since (to my best knowledge) the largest clan is Heavenly Demon, sabers might be harder to find in Hefei as sold by players, and might be slightly more expensive due to demand.
Of course, something like this should not stop you from choosing one or other weapon, because both weapons do not differ from one another.
The choice of fists is also viable.
But while sabers and swords deal a larger maximum damage and range of damage, fists deal a larger minimum damage and are more consistent.
I do not want to completely exclude fists from the equation, but in my opinion a TV would benefit much more from having a greater maximum damage output since it gives you a better chance of finishing an enemy faster.

And, if you are the truly hardcore and will shun these clan kung fu's, then the choice is definitely yours.
Of course, if you have a male character you cannot learn Basic Wheel and Basic Dagger, and if you have a female character you cannot learn Basic Cudgel.

One more note, axe is the weapon with the highest maximum damage, but also the lowest minimum damage.


THE FIRST STEPS: TRAVERSING A THOUSAND MILES
The TV plays slightly differently than others, which will also depend on your style and experience.
Have in mind that characters with professions have higher Life and Vital Energy, so you might need to adjust for that.

You will level in the same way as everyone else, at least in the beginning.
I will write out a personal levelling route, which I found to be quite effective (up until low RC anyway). Here it is:

Rather than focus on experience, focus on collecting enough enemy resources to earn yourself TWO level 1 elixirs from Hefei, doing this brings you in sync with the correct enemy mobs at the correct levels.
I'm most familiar with Wu-Tang and Heavenly Demon's clan maps, so some references will be to only those 2 maps.
Also, I am simply listing locations I found to be convenient. If you know better places for these enemies by all means go there instead. Begin collecting these items as soon as you are able to fight comfortably these enemies (which should start at around LS7).

Note: I¡¯m map I have painted in red the areas where you can find the mobs I am speaking abou8t

1) 200 Big Pouches
- At Wu-Tang, from the different Thieves, pretty much everywhere outside the village 

- At Heavenly Demon, from Bloodaxe Giants, found at Bloody Mound 


2) 100 Viper Skins
- At Wu-Tang, located west of the village (Dayun Hill). 

- At Heavenly Demon, they are found between the Black Earth and Soul Mound, and north toward the Hefei entrance, above Bloody Mound. 


3) 200 Cotton Pouches and 40 Golden Cases
- At Wu-Tang, both are found from Bandits, which are located through travelling from Lushan to Baoyang Village (Zengzhou). 


- At Heavenly Demon, Steelclub Madmen are the best mobs for these 2 items.
They drop cotton pouches and golden cases at a much greater frequency than bandits. 


Since you have no clan you can come here for this part of training, even from a white map.
For those who are not building a TV (around GC7~, if you are from a black clan, there's no problem to come here, just be careful with portals guardians.

4) 100 Giant Spider Shells and 100 Tough Cobwebs
- For white maps, Tarantulas are found northeast of Baoyang Village, just west of the Y-fork in the road connecting to Longmen Cavern (Zengzhou) 


- For black maps, they are at Shi Zhang, located far southwest between the third and fourth-southernmost bridges 


5) 200 Leopard Skins
- For white maps, Leopards are at south of the Central Passageway and in Southern Trail. 


- For black maps, Leopards are at Mei Mountain and between Western Walled Plain and Eastern Walled Plain (Shi Zhang) 


5) 100 Red Fox Skins and 100 Red Fox Tails
- For both maps these should be easy enough to find. After all, they are for the OC Heroic Episodes, so I will be lazy and skip 
 


6) 200 Bear Skins
- For white maps, located in Zhengzhou on the way from Baoyang to Wuan Village. You'll find Little Bears first, but if you keep going you'll also see Wild Little Bears and Bears 


- For black maps, located just passing Mei Mountain and some Bears can be found at Western Walled Plain (Shi Zhang). 


After doing all this, you should have reached around RC2-3. This basically kills 2 birds with one stone.
From here on in, it comes to preference as well as choosing enemies that suit your build

I would like to thanks 'Warda' for helping me to make this guide almost precise for those who wants to become a True Vagabond.
In this guide we have discovered so many things from different websites which is good for a vagabond character to make it better and we have tried to put all our efforts to amke it good.

We request the players to help us with this post to make it better and include/update if they are finding or discovering new things.

Source: http://phpbb.acclaim.com/9dragons/viewtopic.php?t=50004