Hello

The theme of this post is a thoughtful, unexpected gift: what I would choose for a friend who plays the same game as I do.

Most people starting MapleStory for the first time or returning to it do so during a major update season, so I have been thinking about what would make a good gift for a friend planning to join then. Of course, their own motivation matters more than anything: someone who wants to play will do so even if you tell them not to, while someone who does not will end up quitting early, no matter how much support you offer.

Assuming that enthusiasm is there, mesos would certainly be a good option for a friend, but my personal choice would be passes. In most games, passes offer generous rewards for the price, with benefits that make them feel almost essential, and MapleStory has been moving more firmly in that direction lately.

There is certainly something to be said for playing without spending, but these passes offer substantial convenience and advantages. For a friend starting out with genuine enthusiasm, that support could complement their motivation particularly well, which is why I think it would make a meaningful gift.

<Welcome Maple Package>: 9,900 Cash

The <Welcome Maple Package> has been available in its revamped form since last summer. Although it initially seemed that each account would only be able to buy it once, the purchase limit was reset with the first winter update, suggesting that it will continue to reset every 6 months, with the first updates of summer and winter.

It is a worthwhile package for existing players, but it has even more to offer someone just starting out.

• Tera Burninator Coupon

Even Challenger World only provides up to 3 Tera Burning characters, so the chance to add one more is a welcome advantage for a new player.

• Beauty Awards Hair & Face Coupons / Skin Coupon

Some characters have appealing default looks, while others leave more room for improvement. Since Mannequin slots are provided by default, it is always worth picking out a hairstyle and face from options that have already proved popular with players.

• Transparent Accessory Set

These items are practically essential, and although recent events have been providing a set as a standard reward, they can be transferred to other characters through the Cash Inventory, so extra sets are always welcome.

• Coupon for 4 Selective Slot Expansion Coupons

These have also become a standard reward in recent events, but they can be given to other characters, so having more is useful here as well.

• Coupon for 20 Character Slot Expansion Coupons

New players need plenty of Character Slot Expansion Coupons, and this package provides 20. Event Coin Shops limit purchases to 5 per season, and although they are available for Reward Points in the Cash Shop, the individual price is 4900 Cash each. That Cash or those Reward Points would be better spent elsewhere, which makes this a particularly useful number to receive, especially considering that the package only included 1 before the revamp.

• Coupon for 6 Types of Trait Mastery Potions

Added as part of the revamp, Trait Mastery Potions bring all your traits to level 100.

The effects of level 100 traits are shown above, and all of them are useful. Insight stands out in particular, as its effect is understood to be equivalent to 5% Final Damage, making it an especially important trait to max out.

Traits do level up gradually through normal gameplay, and established players raising characters in regular worlds can pass along the trait potions they have accumulated through Monster Collection to their alts. That option is not available in Challenger World, though, which makes raising trait levels more difficult.

Trait Boost Potions are available from Event Coin Shops, but it takes 9 to reach level 100, and each potion only raises a single trait, making that route more demanding as well. With those limitations in mind, there is considerable value in being able to use Trait Mastery Potions to bring every trait to level 100 right from the start.

Overall, the package justifies its price for existing players, while offering considerably more value to someone new.

<Challenger Pass>: 19,800 Cash

The Challenger Pass can only be purchased in Challenger World, and players can take part in its event as soon as the world opens.

Looking just at the special support items available through this season's pass, the rewards add up to the following.

• Symbol Selector Coupons: 200

• Experience Nodestones: 300

• VIP Sauna Admission Tickets: 10

• Special Medals of Honor: 100

• Sol Erda Fragments: 400

• Advanced EXP Vouchers: 2,000

• Karma Black Cubes: 20

• Karma White Additional Cubes: 20

• Karma Black Rebirth Flames: 300

• Transcendent Growth Potion (200~269): 1

At their early price of 5.3 million mesos each, the Sol Erda Fragments alone are worth more than the pass costs, so the remaining items take its value comfortably beyond the asking price. EXP-related rewards have also become more valuable since level-based points replaced daily attendance points.

Beyond the item rewards, the +200% damage against normal monsters effect makes it considerably easier to reach the one-shot threshold while grinding, giving me another reason to consider this pass well worth buying.

<Genesis Pass>: 30,000 Cash (subject to change)

The Genesis Pass was not released this season, so I only have information from its previous release to draw on and cannot say much in detail. Still, if the announced plans hold, it looks likely to return regularly from next season, starting in the summer. If it keeps the same general benefits,

the shorter Genesis liberation period, buffs for challenging Commander bosses up to and including the Black Mage, and guaranteed Magnificent Souls—rather than leaving you at the mercy of bad luck—would make it another worthwhile purchase. Those benefits make a noticeable difference to life in MapleStory, including how difficult it is to attempt solo clears of bosses below the Black Mage.

Being a good partner..

Beyond these purchases, if the <Challenger Partner> event returns, I think partnering with a friend and consistently contributing points could be a good gift in its own right.

There is admittedly a mutual benefit here: I would like to help someone through the event, but I would also like to receive that help myself. Still, I think there is something lovely about an arrangement where we are effectively giving each other gifts, with something worthwhile for both of us.

I hope that next time, we will be able to give each other Sol Erda Fragments as gifts.

Thank you for reading