Turbine has posted a guide to the new Veteran Status feature that allows DDO Unlimited players to skip the lowbie area and create a level 4 character. Players either need to earn 1,000 favor and speak with Nyx Durandimion in-game to unlock the system, or simply wait until the ability to purchase Veteran Status is added to the DDO Store.

It's important to note that Veteran Status earned through favor is unlocked on the server where you earned the favor, while buying the system through the store unlocks the feature on all servers. Of course, players who feel like starting an alt at level 1 will still be given the option even after they've purchased or unlocked the Veteran Status feature. The full guide can be found after the jump.

Know the ropes of DDO and feel confident enough to skip the lowbie area? You can now use the new feature "Veteran Status" to create a level 4 character! Characters who begin as a Veteran Status character will travel directly to the Marketplace rather than Korthos Village, and players can select their character's skills, feats, and abilities prior to docking in the Market. Veteran Status is also an excellent tool to experiment with character builds at low levels!

You can unlock this feature by the following methods:

• Achieve 1000 favor and speaking with Nyx Durandimion.
• Coming soon: Purchase Veteran Status from the DDO Store with a level 4 or higher character!
• Veteran Status earned through Favor is unlocked on the server where you earned the favor. Purchasing Veteran Status in the DDO Store unlocks the feature on all servers.

Veterans start off by creating a level 1 character. These characters enter the world on an airship named “Heart of Wind,” en route to Stormreach. During the journey, they will recount their past experiences to another passenger and go through their leveling decisions to reach level 4.

Before you climb aboard the Heart of Wind airship with your veteran character, you’ll need to prepare first…

Preparing to Create a Veteran Status Character

When you reach 1000 favor on your character, you’ll receive a letter in your in-game mailbox to notify you that you’re eligible for Veteran Status! Speak with Nyx Durandimion, located in the Harbor, and you’re ready to create your Veteran Status characters!

If you are an existing player who already had 1000 favor prior to the launch of Update 1, the game will automatically grant you Veteran Status without requiring you to speak with Nyx. Simply log in with a character who has 1000 or more favor, then log out to begin creating your Veteran Status character.

Veteran Status will soon be coming to the DDO Store! You’ll need to log in with a level 4 or higher character to purchase Veteran Status in the Store once it’s available to players. Veteran Status will be found under the Premium Items category. Once you purchase Veteran Status, you don’t need to speak with Nyx; simply log out and begin creating your character. Be sure to watch our Store promotions (link) and announcements for updates once the feature is available in the Store!

Once you’ve unlocked Veteran Status, every character you create from that point on begins as a Veteran Status character. You will be given a choice to opt out of Veteran Status for your character during the leveling process.

Creating a Veteran Character

Once you’ve finished preparing for Veteran Status, log out of the game to the character creation screen and press the “Create” button. Remember, you’ll need an open character slot to create a new character!

Create the character through the normal character creation process. You’re free to pick a path, or customize the character. Once you’re finished, you’ll have a level 1 character in the character selection screen. Enter the game with this character. Rather than finding yourself on the beaches of Korthos Island, you will be aboard the Heart of Wind airship. Various members of the crew will help you reach level 4 and get back to Stormreach.

Leveling Up

Once you’re aboard the Heart of Wind, speak with Thealeh Auryath. She can be found on the front of the airship on the upper deck. By speaking with Thealeh Auryath, you will be given experience, and three options:

• Abandon Veteran Status - If you feel like playing a level 1 character, you will be taken back to Korthos instead and may progress to level 4 normally through questing on Korthos Island and eventually in the Harbor.
• Follow Your Path – If you started your character on one of the pre-built character paths, you can continue to follow your path and your skills, feats, and abilities will be automatically assigned to you.
• Customize – You can select all of your class skills, feats, and abilities rather than following a path.

You’ll be leveled up to 4, one level at a time, to allow you to make decisions as you go. Remember that once you confirm a level, you will not be able to undo it unless you recreate the character (since you don’t yet have gear, you have nothing to lose).

You can make a character who is single class, multiclass, or even a character who follows the path for part of the way and then is customized. When you’re happy with your level 4 character, it’s time to claim some gear!

Getting Your Starting Equipment

The Minotaur Crewman is in charge of luggage aboard the Heart of Wind… which happens to be your starter equipment! He can be found in the middle of the ship on the lower deck. Depending on your class(es), you will be given a complimentary set of starter gear that includes some of the items normally found on Korthos Island. For example, if you are part bard, part fighter, you’ll be able to pick between a bard-themed set or a fighter-themed set. You may only select one starting gear package.

You’ve got the levels. You’ve got the equipment. Now it’s time to sail for Stormreach!

Sailing to Stormreach

Head for the helm of the ship where you will find the ship’s captain and his navigator piloting the Heart of Wind. By speaking with the captain, Korvyn d’Lyrandar, you will be transported to Stormreach. Rather than arriving in the harbor, you’ll show up at the airship spire located in the Marketplace.

Once you arrive at the spire, you have one last piece of equipment to pick up – a weapon! Speak with the warforged Bellweather Bill, in the top of the airship spire, to be given a choice of  starting weapons. You may only select one weapon.

Life Beyond The Airship Spire

Remember that once you unlock Veteran Status, every character you create from that point on will begin as a Veteran Status character. You may opt your new character out of Veteran Status by speaking with Thealeh Auryath aboard the Heart of Wind. This will instead transport you off the Heart of Wind and onto the beach of Korthos Island with Jeets.

You may still return to Korthos Island and the Harbor if you want to run lower level quests for favor or look for special items or even experience (but remember, the quests will be worth less experience to you because you are now higher level since you’re level 4).

Whether you’re experimenting with character builds or you just don’t feel like going to the starter area of the game, Veteran Status is an excellent feature! Try it today!