Server

There are several servers to choose from when creating a new character. All have heroic names such as Triumph, Liberty, Justice, etc. Once you have created a character on a server, they cannot be moved (ok, as of I11 or 12, you can, but you have to pay money to move them), but you can create up to 14 (I think that's right…) characters per server (also recently changed, but again, you pay money for more slots on the same server).

Most people don't put much thought into which server to play on, but you will find that taking some time to choose a server will benefit you. For example, most of my characters are on the Triumph server because that's where a lot of the Gameampers play. I wanted to be where I could team with the awesome people I'd been talking to in the forums and I did a few times. Since I knew they were all patient and experience players, the teams went well.

Some servers are busier than others. Freedom and Justice tend to have high use compared to most others which is why I've avoided them in the past, but recently, I've been rethinking that. Some of the best fun in the game is seeing the other creative characters others come up with and running into random heroes while you play. Plus, it's easier to put together teams and TFs when there are a lot of people around. Just watch out for Lag issues if your computer or Internet connection are slow.

City Selection

You should have everything you need for creating your character now. The last thing you'll be asked is if you want to enter the tutorial zone (unecessary unless you want the Badge), and then which city to start in, Galaxy or Atlas.

Starting City

As of Issue 9, you can choose one of two cities to start in, Galaxy City or Atlas Park. There are some good reasons to go to each.

Galaxy

• Galaxy is flatter than Atlas so it's easier to get around. Atlas has a bunch of high walls so you can get stuck which is a real problem when you have no travel power of any kind.
• It's directly connected to King's Row which is the lowest level zone where you can get a Police Band Scanner for Safeguard Mission. Of course, you can just take the train to get here too.
• If you like to hang out in Perez Park, but you don't want to fight Hellions, the entrace to Perez from Galaxy is where the Skulls hang out.
• If you are playing a WarShade, your Warshade contact is in Galaxy so it makes sense to start there.
• There are generally less people in Galaxy so if you have trouble with Lag, it's better to start there.

Atlas

• There are more people around so if you like to have a bunch of people for low level teams, you'll have better luck here.
• Atlas has a Sewer Entrance. Many people use the Sewers to very quickly go up to level 6 or so since they're full of large enemy groups leading gradually from level 3 to level 6 or so. It's very common in Atlas to hear Broadcasts for "Sewer team forming!" or such.
• Atlas is directly connected to four zones one of which is the Hollows. This matters because one of your early contacts is sure to send you there on an Introduction Mission.
• If you are playing a Peace Bringer, your PB contact is in Atlas so it makes sense to start there.