Starting a new RPG can be an overwhelming experience. Where should you go first? Should you accept as many quests as possible or be more selective? What class is a good pick for beginners? Dragon’s Dogma is no different; if anything, its unique pawn system can make it even more difficult to get your bearings.

If you need a little guidance, we’re here to help. We’ve got some tips and suggestions from our playthrough that will help you out in your adventure. If that’s not enough, we even tapped the game’s director, Hideaki Itsuno, for his own pointers on how best to survive (and thrive) during your adventures in Gran Soren.

Get to work, slacker

You’re certainly free to roam around the countryside, slaying goblins, bandits, and whatever you come across, but that kind of lackadaisical approach may not be the most efficient way to go. If you’re looking for some direction in your life (specifically, where to go next), take on some quests. But how? “Players can take on the quests by talking to NPCs and looking at notice boards,” Itsuno says. “Sometimes quests can begin automatically during your course of gameplay. Given the number of quests in the game, I would suggest accepting all the quests that you can take and only try to complete the ones that you feel like playing at that time.”

Itsuno’s advice is worth heeding. Since many of the starting quests reward your character for doing things she’d already be doing, it makes sense to take on as much as possible, as soon as possible. After all, you may as well be rewarded for slaying all those rabbits.

Pick your pawns

Pawns are a critical element of Dragon’s Dogma. These AI-controlled companions travel with your character, providing advice and dealing damage along the way. You have your own created pawn, but you can also hire two more along your journey. What should you be looking for?

“In addition to searching for pawns based on something simple like their character class, or skill set, players can also search for pawns based on their knowledge of particular enemies or quests,” Itsuno says. “Pawns that are more knowledgeable of quests or enemies will offer valuable tips to players that will help them advance through the game.”

I’m not knocking the importance of the tip, but it doesn’t help to know that there’s a treasure hidden nearby when you’re drowning in your own blood. I found that mages were invaluable companions early on—particularly if you aren’t playing as one yourself. Their healing abilities will save the day time and time again. (ProTip: If you see yourself enveloped in a green haze, someone is trying to heal you. Stay still, if at all possible.) Their long-term usefulness becomes more an issue of player preference as you progress (and your inventory becomes filled with healing potions and items), but mages are worth their weight in gold pieces in the game’s beginning.

Save your game

Dragon’s Dogma has an autosave, but it’s typically reserved for when you’re entering or leaving a major area. There’s a lot of real estate in the game, and you can spend a lot of time between those circumstances. It goes without saying that you should be saving your game regularly, but I’ll say it anyway: Save your game regularly. It will save your progress, and, more critically, it will save your sanity.

Hybrid classes rule

There are a lot of classes to choose from in Dragon’s Dogma, including the typical mage, fighter, and rogue types you’re accustomed to. They’re all balanced and fun to play around with, but hybrid classes are where it’s at. They blend the best aspects of several different classes, and they border on being overpowered (in a good way). Itsuno and I both agree on hybrid classes, though we differ on which one is the best.

“I prefer the Mystic Knight as my class,” says Itsuno. “Mystic Knights serve as a ‘Battle Mage’ style class and are capable of doing impressive melee damage while still having a number of magic attacks at their disposal. One of my favorite special abilities for the Mystic Knight is the skill ‘Magic Cannon.’ This skill summons a magical orb that shoots out enemy-seeking magic orbs. The skill is best used when you’re encountering many enemies at once. Players can run away from the battle, summon the orb, and rain down magic on their enemies. What’s also great about this skill is the orb takes on whatever enchantment you have active at the time, so if your weapon has a fire enchant active, the orbs that the magic cannon shoots out will be fire enchanted as well. It’s a great skill and can really turn the tide of battle.”

Personally, I favor Magick Archers. These guys are a mix between the sorcerer and ranger classes, and they’re a tremendous threat at range. I spent a lot of time exploring Gran Soren’s various dungeons and caves, which you’d think might put an archer at a disadvantage. Nope. My magical bow was able to fire off special ricocheting bolts, which bounced off walls and into the darkness. Better still, they grew stronger with each rebound. I loved firing blindly and then hearing wails of pain, followed by XP indicators as the unseen enemies died. The hunter bolt was equally awesome, allowing me to paint up to 10 targets a la Panzer Dragoon and unleash a simultaneous attack. As it turns out, there are a lot of places to target on a cyclops, and I used my reticule to light them up like Christmas trees whenever I came upon one of the beasts.

Pace yourself

It’s smart to keep an eye on your character’s health indicator, but don’t ignore your stamina. Your stamina pool governs a lot in the game, and maintaining it is critical to your survival. Fortunately, there are plenty of collectables out there to keep it filled.

“Stamina potions are definitely worth their weight early on,” Itsuno says. “Player skills drain a player’s stamina gauge, so being able to quickly replenish stamina is incredibly valuable in combat situations. Also, climbing on monsters or grappling with them will drain the player’s stamina, so keeping your stamina gauge filled can help keep you alive. Saurian tails are also edible and will restore your stamina, so definitely keep an eye out for those as well.”

Pick up everything

There’s a lot of stuff to collect in the game, and you should make a point of grabbing everything that isn’t nailed down. Some of it can be used to create potions and items. Other items are useful when you want to upgrade your equipment. Even junk can be sold for a profit. Make sure you aren’t overburdening yourself with all the loot, though.

“I would recommend that players make use of the storage that is provided at shops and inns throughout the game and carry only what they need when setting out,” Itsuno says. “Item weight affects player speed and stamina, so players are better off traveling light. Also, this allows for players to have more room to collect loot while they’re adventuring.”

Smiths will know what you’ve collected, even if it’s in the storage chest. That means you don’t have to walk around with a bunch of ore in your pockets when you want to upgrade your gear. They’ll pull it out of the chest or your inventory; it makes no difference to them.

Upgrade your stuff

Speaking of upgrades, make a point to upgrade your gear whenever possible. Visit the armorer in Gransys when you’re done with a quest or have leveled up. Chances are, you’ll be able to buy new gear or upgrade the stuff already in your possession. As with a lot of RPGs, money becomes less and less of an issue as you play. Don’t feel too bad about blowing all your cash on an impressively powerful new sword or pair of boots; you’ll recoup that investment in no time.

Keep in mind that sometimes it makes more sense to upgrade a mediocre item than to replace it with an expensive one. Lower-tiered gear can usually be enhanced with readily available components; so don’t be fooled by those initially unimpressive numbers. Don’t be surprised when you discover that a fully upgraded pair of leather boots that you got early on is substantially better than a spiffy new pair you found deep in a powerful monster’s lair. Those spiffy new boots are going to be tougher to upgrade, since they require rare components.

Gransys, sweet Gransys

When your pawn inevitably tells you that Gransys would make a fine place to establish a home base, she isn’t kidding. Gransys is host to nearly every kind of merchant and service provider in the realm, and you’ll be visiting it often. It’s centrally located, but you’ll probably get tired of backtracking. Do yourself a favor and thoroughly explore the city when you first arrive. There’s a merchant that sells ferry stones, which are items that can instantly whisk you back to Gransys from anywhere in the world. Load up on them. You’ll thank me later.