New Player Guide

Getting Started

Never played a MUD before? No problem. This guide will get you from zero to exploring the galaxy in minutes.

WHAT IS A MUD?

A MUD (Multi-User Dungeon) is a text-based multiplayer game. You type commands to interact with the world, fight enemies, and explore. Think of it like an interactive novel where you're the protagonist — and so is everyone else online. Everything is described in words, and your imagination fills in the rest.

Step by step

Your first session

STEP 01

Connect

Click Play Now to open the browser client, or connect with a MUD client to star-mud.duckdns.org:4000.

You'll see the StarMUD banner and a login prompt.

STEP 02

Create your character

Type no when asked if you have an account.

Choose a name (letters only, 3–16 characters), set a password, then pick your race and class.

STEP 03

Complete the tutorial

All new characters begin in the Cryo-Revival Bay. Follow the instructions in each room — you'll learn movement, inventory, equipping gear, combat, and travel. Dying in the tutorial has no penalty.

STEP 04

Explore Terra

After the tutorial you arrive at Terra Spaceport. Head to the Training Arena (east from the plaza) to fight easy synth creatures and gain your first levels.

STEP 05

Buy a ship

Visit the Landing Bay east of the spaceport. A Shuttle costs 2,000 credits. Once you have one, you can warp to other star systems. Type ship to check your vessel status.

STEP 06

Learn abilities

You earn 1 training point per level. Visit trainers scattered across the galaxy to learn new abilities. Type abilities to see what you can use, and train near a trainer.

Character Creation

Choose your race

Your race affects your base stats and grants a unique ability.

Human

Balanced · Fast levelling

Adaptable and resourceful. No outstanding strengths but no weaknesses either. The easiest choice for new players.

Special: +1 to all stats every 10 levels

Zelvari

Vulcan-like · High INT/WIS

Highly logical and disciplined. Exceptional mental focus makes them natural psionics users. Low STR.

Special: Starts with all Psionic abilities unlocked

Android

Synthetic · Balanced combat

Extraordinary precision and endurance. Does not need to rest. Struggles to connect emotionally — low WIS.

Special: Self-Repair — regenerates HP during combat

Keth'ari

Klingon-like · Powerhouse

A proud warrior people. Ferocious in combat with exceptional STR and CON. Reckless — low INT and WIS.

Special: Battle Fury — +25% damage below 30% HP

Choose your class

Your class determines your hit points, starting abilities, and ship bonuses.

Soldier

d12 HP · STR/CON · Weapons +10%

Front-line combatants. High HP, heavy armour, and devastating physical attacks. Simple to play, hard to kill.

Abilities: Assault Strike, Fortify, Frag Grenade

Engineer

d8 HP · INT/DEX · Shields +15%

Masters of technology. Can hack, repair, and overclock. Strong tech abilities and cheaper ship repairs.

Abilities: Overcharge, EMP Blast, Nanite Swarm

Pilot

d8 HP · DEX/WIS · Speed +20%

Born in the cockpit. Unmatched ship handling and evasion. Deadly in space, quick on their feet on the ground.

Abilities: Quick Draw, Smokescreen

Medic

d6 HP · WIS/INT · Recovery +30%

Field medics who keep everyone alive. Strong healing, combat stimulants, and surprisingly nasty toxins.

Abilities: Field Heal, Combat Stimulant, Toxin Dart

Survival Tips

Things to know before you die

Type help at any time for a full list of commands.
Type look to examine your current room. Always look before you move into unknown areas.
Red-named NPCs are aggressive — they will attack on sight. Approach with caution.
If combat goes badly, type flee. You won't always escape, but it's better than dying.
Death in the main world costs 10% of your credits and respawns you at your planet's medbay. Death in the tutorial is free.
Use score to check your stats, inventory to see your items, and equipment to check your gear.
Sell loot you don't need to shopkeepers. Type list near a shopkeeper to see their stock.
Your ship needs fuel to warp. Buy fuel canisters from the Shipyard and use them with use fuel canister.
Save training points for abilities that suit your playstyle — you only get one per level.
The Training Arena on Terra (east from the plaza) is the safest place to grind early levels. Stay there until level 5.

READY?

The galaxy won't explore itself. Jump in — the tutorial will walk you through everything.

▶ Launch the Client