Character Builds: I’ve been using ToSBase’s class builder to plan out skills and classes. They also have community submitted/commented/rated builds you can browse to see what others seem to think works or would be interesting.
EXP Cards: EXP cards give you a specific amount of exp, and each level of card give the same amount all the time. So it’s best to use them right then, or save a couple to give yourself a quick level-up if you find you’re running out of HP/SP and in a pinch. If you use them right away, you won’t have to do as much grinding because doing the quests will push your level along with the map’s required level.
Sockets: Talk to the blacksmith, they can add sockets to your items. Sockets and Enchantments eat up your item’s Potential, so if your item has 3 Potential and a Socket takes 2, you will be left with 1 Potential.
That’s ok, but if you want to upgrade that item beyond safe limits and you fail, you will lose 1 Potential. Just the same, an item with 3 Potential that you’ve failed to upgrade twice will be left with 1 Potential and unable to add sockets.
If I remember correctly, you just need to right-click the Gem and select the item with the socket you wish to fill. The blacksmith can also unsocket the Gem but it will lose 1 level (it cannot go below lvl 1). Gems can be upgraded by selecting Gem Enhance while sitting [Insert].
Crafting: There’s no required level to craft. Crafting requires a recipe that is either bought or dropped from enemies. While sitting [Insert], select the Craft option and choose the recipe to craft. Sit back and wait for your new item.
Hopefully some of this is helpful.
