PSO is an fun and complicated game with
a huge game world.
After logging innumerable hours on it's play, I feel that I can node some of it's intricacies.
As a note, all content can be found in greater intricacy at it's respective node.
Classes of Phantasy Star Online
When you create a new game, you choose a character class.
Hunters : They can use bladed weapons, and some gun-type weapons, and even a few techniques. Close-combat is your forte.
Rangers : They are designed to use Guns. They can use some bladed weapons, and one race under the Ranger Classification can even use techniques. They are, however, better suited for Ranged combat.
Forces : They are essentially the Mages of PSO and they are best suited for support. They use Cane-type weapons.
Races of Phantasy Star Online
When you are choosing a Character Class, you must choose a race subset. (Races will be referred to generally. For more detail, go to the Hunters, Rangers, or Forces nodes.)
Humans : Middle-of-the-Road type race. Good balance of Technique usage and Strength.
Newmans : Slightly more Technique-based, they are usually slightly weaker than Humans, but they are also more versatile.
Androids : They have no TP and therefore cannot use Techniques of any kind. They are immune to Paralysis and Poison and are the strongest of the races.
Play of Phantasy Star Online
The recommended mode of play is online, although one can play offline. Playing offline is recommended for new players, so they can learn the ins and out of PSO, a MASSIVE game in and of itself.
Online Play : Is utilized by choosing a ship and block in which to meet other players in a Virtual Lobby. Here, you will make a party of four or fewer characters and you will set out on your group adventure. A Sega Keyboard is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY for successful online play, as communication is key to survival.
Offline Play : Is basically the training ground for new players, or for people without $25 to spend on a Keyboard. Here, you learn all of the basic PSO principals, such as Class favorite, the 3-Hit Combo System and the building of your character to Online PSO Standards.
PSO is a large game with nearly limitless possibilities if played online. Oh, and if you do something Really Stupid in the game, like steal someone's stuff, or act like a moron, you'll be eaten by EDB. Don't ask me how. It'll just happen.
My current PSO Character : Lv 77 HUcast