First of all, TAKE YOUR TIME

Take your time to:

- Explore each location and short section of the game.

- Talk & ask stuff (mainly about lore and current situation) to all characters that are avaliable for it.

- Don't try to have all the items inside your inventory, you are not superman. Word of advise, location Vulture's Nest (Your designated base) there you have two lockers one named KZ0012's lockers (Your Locker) and other one without name just named "locker" use both of them to keep items for crafting that you dont really need to have with you all the time or to save some unique weapon.

-Don't disassemble everythig you find. I know is tempting for some extra materials...but sometime you need certain item, for certain NPCs.
Trust me you are gonna regret later having disassembled that Radio ECHO-8...

-Always look for recipes, yeah...you cant buy everything on this game. Why? Well you are gonna get empty pockets way too soon. It's better to craft some items by yourself.
You have Workbench for crafting ammo, explosives, nescesary items for hacking or lockpicking and parts for repairing and maintenance of your equipment (armor & weapons) Yes, your armor can break, your guns can jamm a lot if you are not careful enough.
There is also Chemistry table for crafting Stimpacks & other variety of useful "drugs".

Doesnt matter what class you pick.
If Helot, Tector, Thingmaster, Jaeger or Ordinator.
Just pick whatever its suitable for you or your taste.

Currently im making my second walkthrough as "Ordinator", my first one was as "Tector".

I always spend my first 2 skill points on "Computers / Learning". (Hacking & Reading books)
One for "Scammer". (Stealth & Lockpicking)
One for "Mechanic". (Fixing & Weight)
One for "Bombs". (Defuse mines and explosive dmg)




But i highly suggest you to max out (that means spending 5 skillpoints) first "Computers / Learning" or try to keep it around 4.
Max out Scammer to 2 for the moment
And highly recommend Mechanic at least 3
Why just 1 point on Bomb? its all you need believe me.





Read everybook, make sure to do that please, that's a way to level up fast too.
Also the first levels using the workbench at the garage from Vulture's nest gives you significant xp if you need a little boost for reaching a new level.
Make sure not to rush the main quest...that means speaking with the character Cpt. Riebel (Once he is at Vulture's Nest location) always explore the map of station, visit old locations, speak with the locals, ask for quest, do all their sidequest...that's they way you are gonna get more exp. than rushing just the main quest.
For example, once i got into Vulture Nest and finished speaking with Riebel and doing just 2 quest for him i started roaming around location D-106 speaking with for example Dr.Onner, Voznek, The Barman from Rainbow-106 and the Citizen Soldier behind the Administration building. Asking them for quest and doing them.
Also speaking with locals from certain place like Voznek from D-106 you can get a quest where he will mark on your map a new location called "Square Of Glory" where you can find even more quests and also get better stuff.
From time to time, visit Yarva (Military Base) and ask her for quest, she gives you some good rewards.
If she doesnt give you anymore quest, also the other characters at D-106 then carefully proceed to speak with Riebel and proceed with the main quest.
When you finish Riebel quests, you can revisit the old locations, where you were sent by him.
Why you may ask me? well places changes...and with change, brings new stuff to loot or even do.

Short words: Give it priority to all other characters until they say to you: "Go and report to Riebel." or "You should talk with your commander officer"


That's all for now...please if something isn't understandable leave a comment i will do my best to polish this starter guide and the one im making for a clean walkthrough without gamebreaking bugs.