New Player Education Guide
A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction
Welcome to the education guide for new Torn players! Education is a long-term investment spanning 4-7 years of real time to complete all courses. This guide is specifically designed for players who:
- Want to maximize their game progression efficiently
- Are looking for clear, actionable education paths
- Do not own a company
Quick Reference: Time Reduction Methods
Before starting any education path, understand how to reduce your education time by up to 35%:
| Method | Reduction | How to Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| Education Merits (10 points) | 20% | Spend merit points on education |
| WSU Stock Benefit Block | 10% | Purchase 1,750,000 WSU shares |
| Principal Job Position | 10% | Reach top rank in Education city job |
These bonuses multiply (not add), resulting in a maximum 35% reduction. Prioritizing education merits early can save you 1-2 years of total education time.
Universal Priority Courses (ALL Players Should Complete)
Regardless of your playstyle, complete these courses first:
1. Intravenous Therapy (Biology)
Course Path: BIO1340: Introduction to Biochemistry → BIO2127: Intravenous Therapy
Why It's Essential:
- Unlocks the ability to fill blood bags
- Critical for healing and self-hospitalization (protecting yourself from attacks)
- Generates income by selling filled bags ($20,000-$70,000+ depending on blood type)
- Many factions require this as a prerequisite for membership
2. Sports Science Bachelor (Complete Degree)
This should be your first complete degree.
Benefits:
- 1% increase per individual stat course (Strength, Speed, Defense, Dexterity)
- 1% bonus to ALL gym gains upon completing the bachelor's degree
Since gym training compounds over time, the earlier you complete these courses, the greater the cumulative benefit over your Torn career.
Playstyle-Specific Education Paths
PATH A: Battle-Focused Player
For players who prioritize combat, ranked wars, and chaining
Priority Order:
- Intravenous Therapy (Biology)
- Sports Science (Complete Bachelor) — Gym gains compound over time
- Combat Training (Complete Bachelor) — Unlocks weapon experience system
- Psychology — 10% passive crime XP bonus + 15% passive dexterity
- Health & Fitness — Passive bonuses: 2% dexterity, 4% speed, 3% strength
- Self-Defense — 6% defense, 5% speed, kick ability, double unarmed damage
- Mathematics — Ammo conservation perks
Total Passive Stat Bonuses from Education:
- Strength: +5% (9 weeks)
- Speed: +14% (27 weeks)
- Defense: +11% (21 weeks)
- Dexterity: +19% (22 weeks)
Key Note on Combat Training: Completing the Bachelor of Military Arts & Science unlocks weapon experience. At 100% weapon mastery, you gain 25% increased damage and accuracy with that weapon. Since reaching 100% requires approximately 2,000 hits per weapon, starting early is crucial.
PATH B: Crime-Focused Player
For players prioritizing crime experience (CE), natural nerve bar (NNB), and eventual PA organized crimes
Priority Order:
- Intravenous Therapy (Biology)
- Sports Science (Complete Bachelor)
- Psychology (Complete Bachelor) — 10% passive crime XP bonus accelerates NNB growth
- Computer Science (partial):
- Web Design and Development — Required for Bootlegging online store at level 50
- Fundamentals of Computer Architecture — Required for Cracking crime
- Overclocking courses — Improve cracking rig performance
- Combat Training (for versatility)
Why Psychology First for Crime Players: The 10% crime experience bonus stacks with the Law city job perk (10%) and merits (up to 20%), providing 40% total CE gain increase.
Education Requirements for Crimes 2.0:
- Bootlegging (Level 50): Requires "Web Design and Development" course to open online store
- Cracking: Benefits from computer architecture and overclocking courses for better rigs
- Scamming (Late Game): Requires multiple Computer Science and Psychology courses
PATH C: Trading/Economy-Focused Player
For players who enjoy the economy, museum trading, and point accumulation
Priority Order:
- Intravenous Therapy (Biology)
- Sports Science (Complete Bachelor)
- History (Complete Bachelor) — Unlocks the Museum
- Psychology (crime XP for income crimes)
- Computer Science (bootlegging/cracking crimes for income)
Museum Benefits: Completing the Bachelor of History unlocks the Museum, where you can exchange complete sets of plushies or flowers for 10 points per set. During Museum Day events (May), you receive a 10% bonus to point rewards.
PATH D: Merit Hunter
For players focused on maximizing merit acquisition efficiency
Priority Order:
- Intravenous Therapy (Biology)
- Sports Science (Complete Bachelor)
- Combat Training (Complete Bachelor) — Starts weapon experience for the 25-weapon merit
- Computer Science (Virus Coding Courses) — Unlocks virus creation for the 250-virus merit
- Law (Busting/Bailing Courses) — Improves bust success for busting merits
- Psychology (for crime merits via increased success)
Critical Merit Courses:
- Weapon Experience: Requires Combat Training bachelor — start early as reaching 100% on 25 weapons takes years
- Virus Coding: Need computer science courses to unlock each virus type; 250 viruses required for merit
- Busting/Bailing: Law courses improve success rates
PATH E: Casual/Balanced Player
For players who want solid progression without extreme optimization
Priority Order:
- Intravenous Therapy (Biology)
- Sports Science (4 main gym courses, then bachelor)
- Psychology (for crime success and CE bonus)
- Combat Training (weapon experience)
- Biology (complete for medical item efficiency)
- Mix remaining based on interest
This path provides strong fundamentals in gym gains, crime progression, and combat capability without sacrificing years on niche courses.
Courses to SKIP or Deprioritize
Business Degree (Skip Entirely)
All business courses relate to company ownership and management:
- Statistics (2% productivity)
- Employee Effectiveness (5% boost)
- Marketing (advertising effectiveness)
- Corporate Finance courses
Skip entirely until you're ready to purchase a company.
General Studies (Mostly Skip)
| Course | Benefit | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Astronomy | None | SKIP |
| Mechanical Arts | None | SKIP |
| English | None | SKIP |
| General Mechanics | +1 accuracy with temp weapons | Low priority |
Quick Reference Table by Playstyle
| Priority | Battle Focus | Crime Focus | Trading Focus | Merit Hunter | Casual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | IV Therapy | IV Therapy | IV Therapy | IV Therapy | IV Therapy |
| 2nd | Sports Science | Sports Science | Sports Science | Sports Science | Sports Science |
| 3rd | Combat Training | Psychology | History (Bachelor) | Combat Training | Psychology |
| 4th | Psychology | Computer Science | Psychology | Computer Science | Combat Training |
| 5th | Health & Fitness | Combat Training | Computer Science | Law | Biology |
| 6th | Self-Defense | Law | Law | Psychology | Flexible |
Additional Optimization Tips
Cherry-Pick Before Completing Degrees
You don't need to complete every course in order. After the Introduction course, target specific high-value courses like gym gain percentages or IV Therapy without doing every preceding course.
Stack Time Reduction Early
Getting education merits, WSU stock block, and the Principal city job position before starting major courses saves years of waiting.
Company Job Trick
If you work at a 7-star Hair Salon or 1-star+ Fitness Center, you can spend 1 job point per 30 minutes of education time reduction — a powerful way to accelerate critical courses.
Conclusion
The most important principle is that time-sensitive benefits (gym gains, weapon experience, crime experience bonuses) should be prioritized early, while static benefits (passive stats, Museum access) can wait until your playstyle solidifies.
Remember: Education is a marathon, not a sprint. Make smart choices early, and your future self will thank you!
Note: This guide was created with the assistance of AI.