WoW newbie looking for advice

[Ruvanal]

QUOTE(TriggerHappy @ Dec 15 2007, 11:29 PM) *

It probably would be so bad if they didn't send me on quests into areas where all the targets are 1-3 levels higher than me.
You're in the wrong area, or doing the wrong quest, then. Fastest, smoothest leveling is done with green quests (the color of the quest as it appears in your log book indicates how tough it is based on your level and the level of the mobs involved). It sounds like you are doing yellow/orange quests, that will be quite challenging. You might try another area, or simply another quest.

Another thing to watching at about this point in the game is the quality of your equipment. If you are still using any grey text items, get them upgraded ASAP. White text equipment is usually only adequately in step for progression for a couple of levels till about level 12-15; after that treat it as the grey text equipment, upgrad ASAP. Green text (uncommon or magic) equipment is usually good for about 5 levels from its required to use level before it starts becoming a gimp item. When you start getting some blue text (rare) items they generally have at least 10 levels of use from the required level to use before they start becoming gimp in use. Later around levels 40-50 you will likely start getting some access to purple text items (epics) that can be usable for much longer.

Most new players fail to realise what a difference some of these item upgrades can mean to the character. For example at the low levels of your characters, the difference in having grey text gear and white text gear can be at least 50% extra armor rating (giving quite a bit more physical damage mitagation) and anywhere for a 50% to 120% increase in weapon DPS. Being able to throw some green items into that mix can yield even greater benefit to the character since besides typically better armor or DPS stats, these items usually have various bonus stats on them.

Unlike D2, characters usually cannot go late into the game while still wearing some 'cracked sash' unless they do very well on the rest of their equipment to make up the difference.