Getting Started

Welcome to Shadowbane!

    This guide is part of an entire series which will take you from the very basics, like accessing the server, to the advanced strategies veterans use to stay on top of their competition. This guide is the culmination of years of similar guides, and has been written to allow new players to learn the game's inner workings at their own pace.

    However, guides aren't for everybody. If you'd like more personal assistance, please reach out and make a post in our Newbie Help Forum!

Account Creation

Before you can create a post, you'll need to create a forum account. A forum account is also necessary to access the game. Fortunately, registering is simple!

1. Navigate to the registration page.
2. Read and agree to the terms and conditions.
3. Enter your user name of choice, then fill out other details. You'll need to validate your email address before the account is activated.
4. Once your account is active, you'll be able to post on the forums if you choose, but it is not necessary.

Tip: If you choose to post on the forums, know that you will need at least 15 posts before you can send private messages or create new threads.

Download

    In order to log in to the game world, you'll need to obtain a copy of the latest Shadowbane client. Since the game is no longer being patched by the original publisher, your old CD copy will be no help here. Fortunately, you can download the latest client from a variety of sources.

    You can search for your own using a search engine, or try these downloads that our community have offered:

• SB Fully Patched Client - Direct Download (Thanks to Vilbradr)
• Download SB for OS X here (Thanks to p2K)

    Install the client to a directory you can easily access, because you will need to make one more adjustment before logging in!

Configuring Your Client For Windows

So, you downloaded the file and installed Shadowbane. Great! But what do you do now? Since the game is no longer supported by its original host, it is necessary tell the program that you want it to connect to SBEmu's server. Don't worry! It's not at all as complicated as it sounds. Just follow these steps:

• 1. Locate your new Shadowbane directory on your computer's hard drive. It's usually found under "C:\Program Files\Shadowbane"
• 2. Click and drag the "SB.exe" file (not to be confused with Shadowbane.exe) to your desktop to create a shortcut.
• 3. Open the "Config" folder, and then open the file called "ArcaneIP" in a text editor (such as Notepad).
• 4. Delete all text you find there, then copy and paste the following info inside:

SERVER= sb-ls.shadowbaneemulator.com PORT= 6000

• 5. Save over the original.

And now you are finished! You may close out of the ArcaneIP file and your Shadowbane directory.

Configuring Your Client For Mac

So, you downloaded the file and installed Shadowbane. Great! But what do you do now? Since the game is no longer supported by its original host, it is necessary tell the program that you want it to connect to SBEmu's server. Don't worry! It's not at all as complicated as it sounds. Just follow these steps:

• 1. Locate your new Shadowbane directory on your computer's hard drive. It's usually found under "Finder".
• 2. Click on Applications.
• 3. Click on SB (right click on SB to Show Package Contents).
• 4. Click on Drive C, then Program Files.
• 5. Click on Shadowbane.
• 6. Click on Config, and then ArcaneIP.cfg.
• 7. Delete all text you find there, then copy and paste the following info inside:

SERVER= sb-ls.shadowbaneemulator.com PORT= 6000

And now you are finished! You may close out of the ArcaneIP file and your Shadowbane directory.

If you would like for faster accessibility to the game, drag the Shadowbane hurlbat icon from Applications to your Dock.

Logging In

    Now comes the part you've been waiting for. It's time to boot up the program and actually log in to the game world! This process is fairly intuitive.

• 1. Run the shortcut to SB.exe you have on your desktop and give the client some time to begin.
• 2. Once you see the login screen, enter the exact same username and password you created for your forum account. Enter those, and click log in.
• 3. If this is your first time logging in, you will be presented with 7 blank character slots. Click on any one of them to begin making your character.

Tip: You can use as many accounts as you wish by simply adding an underscore and an identifier after your username. For example, you may log in with "Bob", "Bob_1" or even "Bob_scout".

Next Steps

    Your machine and client should now be ready to rock! There are further customizations that you can make at this point, but we will cover those later in this series.

    For assistance with creating your first character, proceed to the next part in the Getting Started series: Character Creation. If you've already got a character, or need no assistance, you can proceed right to the in-game portion of the series: Your First Day: Levels 1-20.

(Please ignore the following footer work in progress)

Template:Footer New Player Resources Setting up your UI Helpful Third Party Programs

Your First Day: Levels 1-20 

• Mobile Creature AI
• Concoction Potions
• Damage, Heals, and Death
• Safe Holds
• Prestige Classes
• Training, Powers, & Skills

Working Your Way Up the Ranks: Levels 21-49 

• Joining & Contributing to Guilds
• Traveling Around the Map
• Obtaining Wealth
• Contributing to the Economy

Making a Name for Yourself: Levels 50-75 

• PvP Basics: How to Get Good
• Mines
• Banes
• City Management Basics

Further Reading 

• Class Guides and Popular Builds
• Solo Tactics (Matchups)
• Multiboxing
• Theorybane