Hello there! So you're new to Torn City and don't know where to start, and for some reason landed on this page to look for guides. Well, I would like to share things I should have known and/or done early on. And i do hope that this would help out new players out there!
[NOTE] I'm a relatively new player myself, but hey! I'm at least a few weeks older than you.
1. The existence of this awesome guide by Baldr
Heck! I wished I knew of this since day 1. This explains thoroughly pretty much essential stuff you need to know. But this can be a long read. Read it all when you have the time. Be sure to read all the way to the last part. Link:
https://www.torn.com/forums.php#/p=threads&f=61&t=16034448&b=0&a=0
2. Renting higher-tier property is better than having your own mid-tier ones
I'm not sure if everyone feels this way, but at least this is my observation especially if you plan on being serious getting your stats up. Renting is cheaper in the short term, and money spent on (expensive) upgrades can be used to make more money instead. Don't get me wrong: properties can be a lucrative source of (passive) income, but not as a beginner with little money.
3. Grim's gym is better to train defense on than any of the starter gyms
Grim's gym is the gym available when you are in jail, and is superior in defense gains until you reach middleweight gyms. Use this fact to your advantage.
4. Jobs from player-owned companies give better stat gains (and salary as well, in general)
Although the gains is quite specialized in two stats (in my experience in a sweets shop), 18 MAN and 36 END is much much greater than +1 to +3 of starter jobs. In my case, the missing INT can be filled up by education. There are pros and cons from both player-owned companies and starter jobs. But as a beginner, i think getting to level 3 and apply in a player-owned company asap would give you a headstart.
5. There are easy high-level targets for you to attack
As with many RPGs, defeating higher level enemies yield higher player exp, but these enemies tend to be a lot stronger than you are. Luckily here in Torn, there is a shortlist of players who have relatively low stats for their (high) level. Shuffling between them would get you levels pretty quick. The said list is in Baldr's guide.
6. Scamming isn't punishable in this game
This one is the most surprising to me. I asked two mods via chat and they affirmed this. Even if you check the rules, there's nothing prohibiting us from scamming. So new players should be very careful.
7. Merits are very important
And they can affect your long term progress. There are different sorts of combinations, but my preference is to max out "Education Length" first because I value time. What comes after that, I will leave to my future self (lol).
8. As long as you have the green leaf icon near your name, you cannot be attacked by others.
Green leaf means you're a new player. The status lasts for 2 weeks, and you are safe from other players' attacks. With this in mind, along with #7...
9. You should get the 500-winning streak achievement during your first 14 days
Winning 500 consecutive attacks and defends is difficult when you've got older players with stats way above you attacking you. There are many guides teaching you how to do this, but my point here is go get it while it's a lot easier.
10. Buying a donator pack (DP) would literally skyrocket your early-game progress
While this game isn't really P2W, using real money as a newbie will boost yourself a lot, whether you choose to sell it for market value or use it. In the monetary aspect, without using real money, it took me some weeks to get a net worth equivalent to that of a DP (with a lot of luck involved). Now imagine if you had a DP on Day 0. If you're a fan of capitalism, then you'll progress exponentially.
So that's 10 things from me, a 3-week old citizen of Torn City. There are many other things I can add, and I may have forgotten. But these were the first that came to mind when I wrote this.
Have fun and enjoy the game!
-------- PERSONAL PLUG --------
P.S. If ever you feel like going for a fresh start after reading this, just use this link! You may share the link to your friends too! Thank you!
https://www.torn.com/2476154
P.P.S. I'm looking for people who can loan me WSSB bonus block once in a while (for free, hehe) for the time reduction. Will return as soon as the course is started. I won't scam, I swear. I have my own ways to make money and it won't be via scamming. Just send me a chat in-game.
[NOTE] I'm a relatively new player myself, but hey! I'm at least a few weeks older than you.
1. The existence of this awesome guide by Baldr
Heck! I wished I knew of this since day 1. This explains thoroughly pretty much essential stuff you need to know. But this can be a long read. Read it all when you have the time. Be sure to read all the way to the last part. Link:
https://www.torn.com/forums.php#/p=threads&f=61&t=16034448&b=0&a=0
2. Renting higher-tier property is better than having your own mid-tier ones
I'm not sure if everyone feels this way, but at least this is my observation especially if you plan on being serious getting your stats up. Renting is cheaper in the short term, and money spent on (expensive) upgrades can be used to make more money instead. Don't get me wrong: properties can be a lucrative source of (passive) income, but not as a beginner with little money.
3. Grim's gym is better to train defense on than any of the starter gyms
Grim's gym is the gym available when you are in jail, and is superior in defense gains until you reach middleweight gyms. Use this fact to your advantage.
4. Jobs from player-owned companies give better stat gains (and salary as well, in general)
Although the gains is quite specialized in two stats (in my experience in a sweets shop), 18 MAN and 36 END is much much greater than +1 to +3 of starter jobs. In my case, the missing INT can be filled up by education. There are pros and cons from both player-owned companies and starter jobs. But as a beginner, i think getting to level 3 and apply in a player-owned company asap would give you a headstart.
5. There are easy high-level targets for you to attack
As with many RPGs, defeating higher level enemies yield higher player exp, but these enemies tend to be a lot stronger than you are. Luckily here in Torn, there is a shortlist of players who have relatively low stats for their (high) level. Shuffling between them would get you levels pretty quick. The said list is in Baldr's guide.
6. Scamming isn't punishable in this game
This one is the most surprising to me. I asked two mods via chat and they affirmed this. Even if you check the rules, there's nothing prohibiting us from scamming. So new players should be very careful.
7. Merits are very important
And they can affect your long term progress. There are different sorts of combinations, but my preference is to max out "Education Length" first because I value time. What comes after that, I will leave to my future self (lol).
8. As long as you have the green leaf icon near your name, you cannot be attacked by others.
Green leaf means you're a new player. The status lasts for 2 weeks, and you are safe from other players' attacks. With this in mind, along with #7...
9. You should get the 500-winning streak achievement during your first 14 days
Winning 500 consecutive attacks and defends is difficult when you've got older players with stats way above you attacking you. There are many guides teaching you how to do this, but my point here is go get it while it's a lot easier.
10. Buying a donator pack (DP) would literally skyrocket your early-game progress
While this game isn't really P2W, using real money as a newbie will boost yourself a lot, whether you choose to sell it for market value or use it. In the monetary aspect, without using real money, it took me some weeks to get a net worth equivalent to that of a DP (with a lot of luck involved). Now imagine if you had a DP on Day 0. If you're a fan of capitalism, then you'll progress exponentially.
So that's 10 things from me, a 3-week old citizen of Torn City. There are many other things I can add, and I may have forgotten. But these were the first that came to mind when I wrote this.
Have fun and enjoy the game!
-------- PERSONAL PLUG --------
P.S. If ever you feel like going for a fresh start after reading this, just use this link! You may share the link to your friends too! Thank you!
https://www.torn.com/2476154
P.P.S. I'm looking for people who can loan me WSSB bonus block once in a while (for free, hehe) for the time reduction. Will return as soon as the course is started. I won't scam, I swear. I have my own ways to make money and it won't be via scamming. Just send me a chat in-game.