Just Starting SK. Nub Here.

My advice is to work your way through the rank missions. Play on the highest difficulty that doesn't frustrate you. When you get stuck, for example at a Hall of Heroes, try playing the Arcade instead.

At the top of the New Recruits forum there is a permanent link to Useful Links for New Knights. You might read some of it. We have an extensive wiki. It's not perfect (especially because a lot of the images are missing right now), but you can learn a lot about the general rules and specific equipment and levels.

Make a Combuster...

How to play
[RMB] Attack
[Scroll] Switch Weapon
[X] Shield
[Space] Dash
[C] Shield Bash
[1] Sprite Skill 1
[2] Sprite Skill 2
[3] Sprite Skill 3
[4] Consumable 1
[5] Consumable 2
[6] Consumable 3
[7] Consumable 4
[P] Check Yourself
[U] Forge
[Esc] Skipping Forge Animation
[Tab] Minimap
If you don't like some of the hotkeys, then you can switch them. Because these are not the default hotkeys.

1. Test out a variety of Swords, Guns, and Bombs that you get as mission rewards, as well as statuses. Take note of which weapon type, weight, (light vs heavy swords and guns), and status effects you enjoy using the most on monsters.

2. As Bopp said, just work your way through the missions until you get stuck, then practice in the Arcade.

3. Consult Bopp's Sword Guide and Bopp's Armor Guide on Spiral Knights Wiki once you get to Tier 2. If you're a Gunner, Bomber, or Hybrid, some of Bopp's advice for choosing swords can be applied there, too.

4. In levels, practice being careful and not charging in swinging blindly. You WILL die all the time if you do that in Tier 2. Use your shield often, and remember your dash, it can really save your life.

5. Above all, have fun. Try not to let the game become a job or a chore like many do with MMOs.

This guide was also a small help to me starting out: http://www.kongregate.com/forums/97-spiral-knights/topics/219772-beginn…