When I first started playing Salem around 2 months ago someone tried to KO me, my first night of playing, just outside of Boston. I logged off just in time before his bullrun hit. The next night of playing, a little farther out, another player attacked. I ran for my life. On the third night of play I placed a claim, made a few baskets to store some basic supplies. Forth night I logged on to see that I was raided. Everything was gone. I built a wall around my little claim that night. A few more days later I logged in before work to do a little foraging only to witness my wall being bashed down, and I was attacked again.
At this point I thought, "Damn! Salem is a hostile game to new players." And resigned myself to thinking that as soon as someone kills me I'll just quit and move on to another game. I felt like it took me too long to skill, and gluttony up my character that I wouldn't bother doing it again if killed. And that's with really low humors.
After 2 months of play I realize that it's not that hard, nor does it take much time to skill and gluttony up a new character. After you've done it once it's super easy the 2nd, 3rd, 4th... time around.
More than anything else, the danger that other players pose to you is what makes this game fun, and keeps me coming back.
