New players should start off with different items!
I think the food given to new players (which will be all of us soon) should be a food that doesn't give LP, and like bread, is very filling.
The clothes given out should maybe have a bit more use, seeing as the linen pants/shirts do/give nothing, not even any armor.
I'm fine with the torches.
The fishing rod should be fully equiped with a special newbie line/hook/bait that has a lesser chance of being lost, but also a lesser chance of catching things.
I'm thinking of a silly name for the line/hook such as Loftar's Line, Kaka's Krok, etc.
Lastly, there should be a system message that goes like this:
"Is this your first time playing?"
If you answer yes, it will take you through a tutorial that describes what you should, but don't have to do, in that room.
If you answer no, you will be left to your devices to grab your supplies and leave.