Infection BBS

.hack//Infection BBS Threads at the start of game.

The BBS, or Bulletin Board System is a forum accessed by opening The World application from the desktop. Before logging into the game, players can check threads for news, events, or rumors. By reading BBS posts, it is possible to unlock new keywords for the Chaos Gate. As players progress through the game, new thread posts will appear over time.

BBS Posts

.hack//Infection BBS post in a thread about keyword creation.

Each post has a Thread title, post title, username, and timestamp. Each timestamp is randomly assigned from 6 possible dates/times. In 2002 most people playing the game would have done so on a CRT screen, which makes it difficult to read the dates. Playing using an emulator makes it possible to read the dats. Some posts are made chronologically out of order, with responses predating the original post it was responding to. The timestamps were most likely not intended to be read by players and do not bear significance to the plot or gameplay. These timestamps do not correspond to in-game dates (INFECTION takes place in an alternate history set in the "future" of 2010) or any known development milestones. The timestamps are formatted from largest to smallest unit of time measurement; YYYY/MM/DD:hh:mm:ss, where YYYY is year, MM is month, DD is day, hh is hour, mm is minutes, and ss is seconds.
The dates are as follows:

 2000/03/03/00:25:41 
 2000/05/29/17:03:58 
 2000/09/16/06:38:01 
 2000/11/02/2:18:32 
 2001/09/20/05:03:49 
 2001/10/20/19:21:45 

The dates have been included with their respective posts for posterity.

Game Start

System Explanation

What's a skill? (2001/10/20/19:21:45)
Author: Parn

I just started playing this game.
When I talked to the shop keeper he said,
"You can use skills by equipping armor and
weapons," but what's a skill?

RE: What's a skill? (2001/10/20/19:21:45)
Author: Ninja Knife

It's an attack that uses up SPs (Skill Points)
during battle. It can damage enemies, or cure
allies. They don't call it "magic," because they're
not just spells, but moves that are used by a
swordsman as well.

Missing Skills (2001/09/20/05:03:49)
Author: Parn

When I changed weapons I lost a skill.
Is there a connection?

RE: Missing Skills (2001/09/20/05:03:49)
Author: JING

Skills are based on equipment and not characters.
So if you change your equipment, you can't use
that skill anymore. The skill you lost was probably
on your old weapon.
Aside from attack power and defense, you should
keep skills in mind...

Thanks (2001/10/20/19:21:45)
Author: Parn

Really?!
I didn't know that so I sold my old weapon.
I thought I just leveled up and learned magic...
>_<

Can't use skills (2001/09/20/05:03:49)
Author: Parn

There's a skill I have that I can't use.
Why is that? @_@

RE: Can't use skills (2001/09/20/05:03:49)
Author:JING

1. You don't have enough SP.
2. Target isn't in range.
It's probably one or the other.
There's a range with every skill, so if the
target isn't within range, you can't use it.
Magic is long range, but attacks are shorter
so you need to get closer.

Can you cast a spell on all? (2001/19/20/05:03:49)
Author: Parn

Are there any spells you can cast on all your
enemies or allies like the other RPGs?
If you can't, it would seriously suck when you
have to heal your party. X_X

RE: Can you cast a spell on all? (2000/09/16/06:38:01)
Author: Quatro

They don't have these. But skills with Range^†
and Range Attack are something like that
since they are area effects
If it's an attack spell, it does about half the
damage to the enemy around the target. So if
you use it wisely, it becomes something very
similar. Well kind of...
Healing spells on allies are similar so you can
heal other members around the target.

About Defense (2000/05/29/17:03:58)
Author: Hinata

I bought a more expensive armor, but it got
weaker against enemy magic attacks.
Why is that?

RE: About Defense (2000/11/02/2:18:32)
Author: Korm

Probably Magical Defense on the armor is low.
There's Magical Defense and Physical Defense.
Even if your Physical Defense is high, if your
Magical Defense is low you can't guard against
magic damage.

Defense and Evade (2000/05/29/17:03:58)
Author: Hinata

Thank you Korm!
I wasn't looking at armor parameters...
Also there's Defense and Evade, what's the
difference?

RE: Defense and Evade (2000/05/29/17:03:58)
Author: Korm

You should check the parameters of your item.
It's probably the first thing you should do.
As for Defense and Evade: Defense lessens the
damage you receive and Evade is the frequency
you get hit.

Do you know tolerance? (2001/10/20/19:21:45)
Author: Korm

You do know that Suvi Lei and Miu Lei (paralysis
and charm) can't be avoided even if you increase
magic evasion, right? If you increase the Spirit
status for curse, sleep, confusion, and charm and
then increase Body status for poison, paralysis,
and slow down, it won't decrease damage, but it
will decrease the frequency you are affected by
those spells.

Elements (2001/09/20/05:03:49)
Author: Baan

There are things like Fire Element in skills.
Do Elements make a difference?

RE: Elements (2001/09/20/05:03:49)
Author: JING

There are 6 Elements for skills, items, and
monsters.

For monsters, there is an icon to the left of
its name. There are similar icons in your status
screen.

Elements have Opposing Elements, so enemies
with Fire Elements are strong against attacks with
Fire Elements, but weak against attacks with Water
Elements. It's pretty simple.

Opposing Elements (2000/03/03/00:25:41)
Author: Baan

So if you cast Vak Don on a Magical Goblin^◇ it
doesn't do as much damage as another spell.

Which Elements oppose one another?
I know fire and water...

Can someone tell me?

RE: Opposing Elements (2000/03/03/00:25:41)
Author: JING

The following are the Opposing Elements:
(BTW the reasoning is just something I came up
with, but I think I'm pretty close.)

Wood (draws nutrient) <-> Earth (decompose trees)
Thunder (lights up) <-> Darkness (covers light)

Fire (boils water) <-> Water (extinguish)

Armor (2001/09/20/05:03:49)
Author: Baan

I got Plate Armor, but I can't equip it.
Can Long Arms equip Plate Armor?
It would bite if they can't...

RE: Armor (yyyy/mm/dd:hh:mm:ss)
Author: Ninja Knife

Sorry, but you're right. Wavemasters can only equip
the lightest armor. Twin Blades and Long Arms can't
equip heavy armor. Other guys can equip whatever
they want.
You should probably check the Armor Status for
that. It all depends on your job class, so you
better know which ones you can equip.

Play Knowledge

They're too strong! (2000/09/16/06:38:01)
Author: MadMax

The enemies are strong in every single area I've
been in!

Check the Board (2000/11/02/23:18:32)
Author: Korm

If you put in the keywords randomly, you usually
don't get to the area that's right for you. You
should probably check the Board more. Other
players will post low level area keywords.

Hey (2001/09/20/05:03:49)
Author: Kojiro

Are you forming parties when you go out?
The difficulty level varies if you've got friends
or go solo. If you've got no friends... well I
can't really help you there.

BTW (2000/09/16/06:38:01)
Author: Quatro

You need member addresses of other players
to form parties.

A member address is like a business card. You
can call up other players in other towns and
areas by mail. Just open the menu in a Root
Town and select the player you want.

If you want to collect member addresses all
you need to do is make friends.

Zeit Statue

Aim for Hero of Zeit! (2001/10/20/19:21:45)
Author: Admin of Time

Does everyone know about the Zeit Statue?

The Zeit Statue at the bottom of the dungeon
is searching for an adventurer to give a title
of honor as the "Hero of Zeit."

Only way to get the title is to get the
Zeit Statue as fast as you can!

Those who want the praise of the Zeit Statue
select Chronicling as your part A at the Chaos Gate.

ᛡ First look for an area close to
the entrance and that doesn't have that many
floors. The Hero of Zeit must also be versed in
looking for an advantageous area.

Hero of Zeit Ranking (2000/03/03/00:25:41)
Author: Admin of Time

Current Hero of Zeit is as follows:

First Place
Title:   Master Supreme
Time:   00:02:12
Player: Balmung

Second Place
Title:   Hyper Falcon
Time:   00:02:26
Player: Orca

Third Place
Title:   Sonic Hawk
Time: 00:02:54
Player: Sieg

Fourth Place
Title:   Mach Wolf
Time:   00:03:38
Player: Highlander

Fifth Place
Title:   Furious Tiger
Time:   00:04:45
Player: NOG

New Transportation System

What about this RTCS? (2001/09/20/05:03:49)
Author: Nogella

You know the new transport system called
RTCS that start tomorrow? I really want
to know if traffic jams will be a thing
of the past. The other day it took me 2
hours to get back to the city from Odaiba!

RE: What about this RTCS? (2000/09/16/06:38:01)
Author: jell-o

No matter what kind of a system, they
need to reduce the number of cars.
I mean there're too many idiots on the
road! Just get rid of 'em!!

"The World" Reaches 20 Million

Congratulations! (2000/09/16/06:38:01)
Author: NoNo

"The World" has sold over 20 million copies
worldwide! The first time I experienced "The
World" was 2 years ago. I still remember how
I felt when I first entered the dungeon. I
wonder what happened to all those people
who helped me out in the beginning.

Neuro Goggle FMD

Impressions (2000/11/02/23:18:32)
Author: Caer

Has anyone used the new goggles they
just came out with? I'm pondering
about buying one, but... Someone please
tell me what you think...

Keyword Creation

Don't quite understand (2000/09/16/06:38:01)
Author: Hinata

I got some keywords during play and tried
them, but they don't seem to work.

I think the parameters on the Chaos Gate
menu are way too strong...

Can someone teach me a good way to combine
words?

Thank you!

RE: Don't quite understand (2001/09/20/05:03:49)
Author: Korm

You really shouldn't worry about the area's
parameters in the beginning.

Beginners should only be concerned with the
level of the area.

This is the parameter that sets the
difficulty of that level, and the higher it
is, the more powerful the monsters are
(and the better the items).

If you combine words randomly, you might get
a really strong enemy and die instantly.

When your level is low, you should use words
with low difficulty.

Here's a sample word for beginners:
Part A: Bursting         Difficulty: 1
Use this and create a key word.

They're too strong!!! (2000/09/16/06:38:01)
Author: Hinata

I used the word Bursting in part A like
Korm said, but the enemies were too
strong and it was game over for me!!!!

Why??

RE: 'They're too strong!!! (2001/09/20/05:03:49)
Author: Korm

There was probably a word aside from
Bursting that set the area level.

Were there more than 2 jewels in the
area levels in the parameter list?

In cases like that, the word with
the higher priority takes precendence.
(One in red has higher priority).

So maybe a word aside from Bursing
was used to set the area level...

Sorry, I didn't tell you before...

It worked!! (2000/05/29/17:03:58)
Author: Hinata

Thank you, Korm!

I see, so more than one word can set
a particular parameter.

But there are parameters that you can't
set with any of the words...

What about those?

What's a Grunty?

What's a Grunty? (2000/03/03/00:25:41)
Author: Crest

I found this item called Root Vegetable in
the field. It was jumping up and down...
I thought it was amonster at first, but
when I looked at the Key Item list, it
said, "Food for Grunty."

So what is this Grunty? Something alive?

Can someone please tell me?

RE:What's a Grunty? (2001/09/20/05:03:49)
Author: JING

Heh, heh.
I didn't know at first too.

Crest, you're probably in Δ server, right?
Well, there aren't any Grunties in that one.

Grunties are living in θ server's ranch,
and kinda look like a mix between a pig and
a cow or something like that...

"Food for Grunty" is an item that you can
feed them. They don't exist in Δ server,
but if you find any of the food items you
should keep them. They'll come in handy
once you get to the θ server.

PIG?! (2000/09/16/06:38:01)
Author: Crest

A pig... Okaaaaaaaaaay...

Well, I'll try to get as many as I can...

RE:PIG?! (2000/03/03/00:25:41)
Author: JING

Yeah.
You should collect as many as you can.

You can find "Food for Grunty" not only
in the fields, but also in the dungeons so
you should keep your eyes open for 'em.

When you get near it, it goes Boing-Boing,
so you can probably tell.

Spring of Myst

Level went down (2000/03/03/00:25:41)
Author: WING

I've thrown in weapons into the Spring of Myst
that are in the fields, but there are times
when the level of the weapon increases or
decreases.

Is there a reason?

RE: Level went down (2001/09/20/05:03:49)
Author: Baan

I'm not certain, but weather seems to play
a role in whether or not a weapon or an
armor gets stronger or weaker.

When I put a weapon in the grasslands when
it was sunny, it got strong, but when
it was raining, it got weaker.

I haven't tried armor, so I don't know.

At Night (2001/09/20/05:03:49)
Author: 01

I'm pretty sure weather is involved.
Though I don't think it really matters
what kind of field you're in.
When I tried it at night, both weapons
and armor got strong.

What if it's cloudy? (2000/11/02/23:18:32)
Author: Korm

When it was cloudy, my armor got weaker.
But when there was thunder and rain, my
armor got stronger.
By the way, aren't Grandpa and Monsieur
totally annoying?!

I hate Monsieur (2000/11/02/23:18:32)
Author: Quatro

Yeah it does get annoying. Both the
voice and the face.
Well my armor got strong, so I won't
complain.

Golden Axe (2000/05/29/17:03:58)
Author: Baan

BTW, is anyone collecting the Golden Axe?
This weapon isn't that strong, right?

RE: Golden Axe (2000/11/02/23:18:32)
Author: 01

People do collect it.
Someone named Tim wanted to trade for
it the other day. And apparently, there
are a couple more like him, too.

RE: Golden Axe (2001/09/20/05:03:49)
Author: JING

Aren't most of the people who collect the
Golden and the Silver Axe at high levels?
I was asked by Micino for a trade, but I
didn't have it.
But if I did, it seems like he would've traded
some pretty good items. I think I missed out
on a good opportunity there.

RE: Golden Axe (2001/09/20/05:03:49)
Author: Baan

You only have to throw in unwanted weapons
and armor to get Gold & Silver Axe.
I envy those high level players.
They've got tons of stuff they don't need.

Item Trade

Straw Millionaire! (2000/09/16/06:38:01)
Author: Quatro

Starting with "Cat's Blades" and after trading
several times, I got the legendary "Megiddo Wand!"

I never thought I would get something this good!

RE: Straw Millionaire! (2000/09/16/06:38:01)
Author: Crest

Wow.
I want to trade well and get a good item too.
If you have any good tips, please tell me.

RE: Straw Millionaire! (2001/10/20/19:21:45)
Author: Quatro

It's not really a tip, but for example, to a
Twin Blade, the wand for Wavemaster is not a
very important item, right? But even though
it's not important to you, it might be to
the other party.

So you just have to keep an eye on what the
other guy wants and offer that item.

Oh and you can only trade 3 types of items
and up to 99 of each.

Good luck on trading!

After Orca is hospitalized

Coma

Help

After Meeting BlackRose

Let's Play Tag

Challenge Gob!

Usernames

Parn Ninja Knife JING Quatro Hinata Korm Baan Madmax Kojiro Admin of Time Nogella jell-o NoNo Caer Crest

Notes

^† In-game text was yellow, this article uses orange for readability.
^◇ Magical Goblins have Fire Tolerance, so they cannot take any damage from fire spells like Vak Don, let alone reduced damage.