One thing I have learned about this game is that if you're paranoid, then you'll be very successful at this game. Everybody is out to get you, everyone wants your stuff, EVERYONE wants to ruin your day. Always go through the back door, always travel with friends, NEVER let anyone stand less than 1 hex away from you. Store every item you see, bring only what you need, learn who to trust and who to shoot.
I don't think that a distance of just one hex is enough, I usually go for 3. Also, there's no such thing as 'friends' here; everyone willing to help you should be treated as a potential backstabber, and you should always be ready for your "friend(s)'" turning against you.
Other than that, you've pretty much said everything there is to successfully playing this game. I'd only add "LEARN FROM YOUR (AND OTHER PEOPLE'S) MISTAKES" to the list. Many gamers seem to be largely incapable of that for some reason.
FOnline really is a great game and if you're not enjoying it, it either means that you're doing something wrong OR that you're simply not supposed to play it at all.
The fact that new players are usually familiarised with the harshness of the game just a few moments after they start playing it is actually its enormous
advantage. It's far better to realise that you're not going to enjoy something the very moment you start doing it rather than after having wasted hours getting to know it.
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