by Moogie » Mon Jul 05, 2010 7:34 pm
You can afford to raise as many skills as you want to spend time grinding LP for them. Since you're playing with a friend, specialising in a few is a good idea (assuming he or you doesn't quit or move out on their own in the near future).
For starters, the most important skills you need as a fresh new character would be: Farming, Survival, Carpentry, Exploration, Cooking, Marksmanship (for hunting wildlife). Divide those up between the two of you and you can make a good start.
Don't raise Smithing yet, unless you've already stumbled across a mine. If you haven't, it's extremely unlikely you'll find one until you have enough Per*Exploration to find Rustroot and go off prospecting for minerals. Again, that's something a new player really shouldn't be focusing on while there are more important things to be doing, like setting up your farm for a steady food supply and gathering materials necessary to build your Palisade. If you didn't think you'd need one this early, you're wrong. Build a palisade around your plot ASAP, but plan it carefully and give yourselves lots of room, because you won't be able to knock it down.
You should gradually learn and experience enough of the game to branch out and try new things as you go, but this is mostly what you should be focusing on for the time being. Good luck to you and your friend. :]