The VRChat Survival Pack

You’re finally doing it, huh? You’ve decided to get into VR. Congratulations! More specifically, while you might have your eye on a couple of games, and whether from something you’ve seen on YouTube or maybe my previous article, you’ve decided that you’d like to explore VRChat. There’s only one problem. How do you even get started?

For someone new to the VR space, there’s a lot to take in. What headset should you get? What even are the differences between the different hardware options? What will it take if you plan to upgrade later with full body tracking? Let alone where to start in VRChat. If you’ve heard about the reputation of public lobbies and you’re not about that kind of vibe, where are some good communities you can drop into?

Relax, dear reader. You’re talking to someone with a fair bit of experience in these matters. While I’m far from a guru on the topic, I’m confident enough after nearly 2 years in the virtual world to guide you on your first steps. I’ll be breaking this article down into two big sections with sub-headers going forwards, so feel free to cut to what you need. We’ll look at some hardware options in the first half and cool communities in the second.

And with that, let’s dive in!

Putting The Wear In Hardware

The first big question you’ll face is what tech to stuff into your play space. And let’s face it, this is a big decision representing hundreds if not thousands of dollars over your years in VR. A caveat here as we get into things: if you are already a VR enthusiast I may not mention your headset of choice here. There are a lot of options out there these days, and that number is only growing. You, the buyer, are welcome to supplement what you see here with any amount of additional articles and videos. My aim is to give a brief overview spanning a basic starter range of prices and tech capabilities to get the beginner mind wrapped around the concept of what’s out there. As anyone who’s been in VR a while can attest, there’s always room to upgrade later on.

Another point of note is that I am going to be focusing on PCVR connections. That is, I’m going to assume you’ve got a gaming PC to hook into your headset. While this isn’t strictly required to access VRChat, you’ll quickly find that many of the best worlds and experiences, along with seeing the best avatars, are gated behind having an actual graphics card hooked into your setup. You can certainly skip this if your PC or laptop isn’t up to the task; I’ll note when a headset is capable of running as a standalone (using a built-in cellphone chipset to process without the need for a PC). Just keep in mind that if you want the full experience, you’ll want to hook in through your computer, running something like Steam VR to boot it all up.

Meta Quest 3

Pros:

• Cheaper price
• No lighthouses needed
• Can run without a PC
• Wireless setup

Cons:

• No lighthouses included
• Need to charge frequently or use battery packs for extended play sessions
• Additional costs for head straps/PC connections
• Facebook gets your data
• Older models become obsolete

For what might seem like a slew of drawbacks, there’s no getting around the fact that if you’re shopping on a budget, you won’t do much better than the Quest line of headsets. A brand new Quest 3 is literally half the price of an Index starter kit (clocking in around $500), and if you want to pick up an older model Quest 2, they’re pretty cheap by VR standards now that their newer sibling is on the market. They’re great for casual use, as they don’t require a gaming PC, though again you won’t get into most of the places in VRChat I mention later without PC graphics power.

This starter accessibility comes in terms of other costs. Most folks swear by additional straps needed for comfort when wearing the Quest 3 (sold separately). And of course, you’ll probably want to hook into your PC for the stuff I’m discussing in the second section of this article (sold separately). If you want to get full body trackers for your legs/arms/hips/chest at some point, all the best ones will require lighthouses to “see” them in your play space (sold separately). And there’s the topic that old models go out of date and stop receiving support. A friend of mine loved their older headset but was crushed when they were told that a tech issue was unfixable and the only solution was to shell out for a newer model.

With all that said, Quest headsets have been a mainstay in VRChat for a long time for a reason. Certainly something to consider when weighting the one you’re looking into buying.

Valve Index

Pros:

• Considered by many as still one of the best in overall performance/value
• Great controllers with individual finger sensors
• Easy to set up and use with PC
• Starter kit comes with lighthouses
• Wired/no need to charge headset
• Controllers last about 7 hours on full charge

Cons:

• Expensive
• Wire known to need replacement if damaged
• A bit on the older side
• Heavy
• Hot while running

The Index was my starter headset, and while I’m likely to replace it down the road I have to admit it’s been an absolute workhorse for me to this day. I’m tossing it here as an example of what’s on the opposite end of the spectrum from the Quest 3. This headset requires a gaming PC to run it, but what folks say about its performance is true: for the hefty initial price tag of $1000 for the starter kit (never mind what you already paid for your PC), you get a solid piece of tech. Performance that’s really only limited by your PC’s hardware, controllers with fantastic individual finger sensors, and it comes with two lighthouses (base stations used to pick up the movement of the headset and controllers). It can also accept special prescription lenses that slot over the eye screens via magnets (VR headsets don’t typically allow you to wear glasses under them).

With that said, the wire that connects the headset is known to have failure issues, needing replacement under warranty if taking excessive strain, say by twisting it too hard or rolling over it with a gamer chair. Though, it should be noted that Valve is very good about issuing replacements. I’ll be honest here. Maybe it’s because I have limited room to move around in my play space or I’m just super careful with my stuff, but I’ve never needed to replace mine, even after nearly 2 years. Take that for what it’s worth. The headset can get a bit hot, making it less ideal if you plan to dance, exercise, or play a ton of Beat Saber, but you can easily remove the cover on the front (don’t worry, it’s designed to be removed) and plug in a USB fan attachment (sold separately).

If you’re into face tracking, I hear you can plug things into this same slot though I’m loathe to give up my fan; I consider face tracking an “advanced” want out of a headset and something I’d be more inclined to buy built-in rather than added via externals. But to each their own. It’s nice to know the USB port on the front is multi-purpose.

Why did I start with an Index instead of something more affordable? Future proofing. You see, since this set comes with lighthouses, I knew that I wouldn’t have to buy them later if I wanted full body trackers. Which I probably would. In short, getting lighthouses with this set saves me in the long run. Overall, I find that the Index, for its cost, is a great value even after the years it’s been around. Its “knuckles” controllers are still sought after for their fantastic finger movement, and I don’t have to worry about lighthouses. One day I’ll replace the headset itself, but I’m going to love that I can keep two of the three hardware bits in that starter box for whatever I use in the future.

The Flex Pick You Choose

Originally, I’d planned to put a midrange option here. Something that falls between the Quest 3 and Index in terms of wallet demands while providing solid performance. The truth is, though, that midrange prices are something of a no-man’s land in VR hardware. Either a headset is relatively inexpensive or it’s wildly pricey. What I’ll offer you here instead then is some advice: there is no such thing as the perfect VR headset at this time. What works for someone claiming a device is perfect is, in actuality, perfect for them. If you’re inclined to do some research, watch some videos or read articles on other products out there, it’s entirely possible you’ll find something that suits your needs better than the couple recommendations I’m including here. That’s totally fine!

Do you value face tracking? Do you want lighthouses because you’re going to get full body trackers? Do you plan to dance in VR? I mean, really dance. Maybe a wireless setup with extra battery packs strapped around all the pieces is the way to go. Maybe you’d rather spend $1000 on the Quest Pro for all its extra features, or on the Big Screen Beyond which is just for the headset itself (no controllers or anything else included). My point is, take my words as brief recommendations if you want something as a launching point for your research. Or if you just want to settle on one of these and jump into VR right now. But don’t let it stop you from seeing what else is out there if you’re curious. Finding a headset that fits you, no pun intended, and delivers the performance you want is going to make every hour you spend in VR all that much more enjoyable.

Picking The Community For You

I’ve said it before. Communities are the beating heart of this social game, but that doesn’t mean you’re strictly limited to discussion groups and book clubs if you’re looking for some places to join up. My recommendation is not to glance at public lobbies and assume that’s all VRChat has to offer. The geeks of VRC have built some truly spectacular experiences, whether you like to play games, watch shows, learn in classes, or just hang out and vibe. My list is by no means exhaustive. Explore in VR and you’ll find even more. Worlds, users, and groups all with links to Discords for managing schedules and chats. I’ve found that great folks exist within just a few degrees of separation between one another, so finding one interesting group will often lead you to others! If you need a hand getting started, here are some of my favorites.

The Virtual Reality Show (TVRS)

Top billing goes to my own first-joined community. I don’t think I realized at the time just how fortunate I was to drop in on TVRS in my first week of VR. The YouTube algorithm fed me some videos, I liked what I saw, and away I went. TVRS is a media studio where guests come for special events about once a month. They could be stage performers, musicians, singers, comedians, or even VRChat staff. There’s often a show portion utilizing the venue’s main stage and then a late-night talk show style portion where the owner, Phia, interviews folks in front of her live audience. She’s also a big fan of the VRChat rave scene, and her studio has its own club, so there will often be an afterparty, if not a main event itself, with live DJs where you can dance, chat, or just vibe. Event nights are always fantastic!

Between main events, the community is always active. There are regular hangouts using VRChat game worlds and experiences. The Discord always has discussions going on if you’re inclined to interact there, and the mods are all wonderful. What this means is that you’ll enjoy a mature, troll-free, safe experience in their community. Phia is super approachable and chill, and she makes sure her community stays well moderated.

What I especially love about TVRS is that it’s a media studio. It’s a hub in VRChat where all sorts of folks come through, and that makes it ideal as a starting point. If you find a performer or group you like one month, one click and you’re in their VRChat group too, following them back to their own space. I’ve been introduced to so many cool groups in VR by following both the guests as well as people in the community I’ve chatted with. My time in VRC would be very different had I not joined up with TVRS in my early days.

Discord Link
VRChat Group Page

Luxe Nova

In the interest of full disclosure, I will say that I volunteer with this group as part of their operations team. Still, how could I not recommend one of the best immersive venues in all of VRChat? If you’re a fan of cabaret-inspired, magical stage performances, Luxe Nova has you covered with their Observa Theater. Performers take the stage in a wide variety of dance styles and theatrics, combined with effects only VR can provide, to create some of the most jaw dropping performances your headset will ever show you. Imagine, if you will, a performer who not only amazes with their dance abilities on stage but who has the power to manipulate the world around you, conjure effects, even warp the venue itself to suit the needs of their fantastical act. All the while, trained floor staff moves about the tables and booths, making sure everyone is comfortable, engaging in light conversation, humor, or even little bits between acts. The whole venue has an amazing life about it. No two shows are ever the same, but they’re all unforgettable!

If you prefer something a little more laid back, Radiance Lounge is also run by the same group. Akin to something between a club and a speakeasy, dancers fill smaller stages in a more intimate venue, the perfect place to enjoy a drink and a chat with some of your friends. Or maybe you’re there alone, in a social mood. The staff is likely to chat you up and make sure you have an enjoyable night all the same! Around VRChat there is something of a culture of drinking clubs, for better or for worse, but in my opinion there is a severe lack of places that make me feel welcome to have just a single, fancy something at home while relaxing with friends. Or just a can of something fizzy. Classy and laid back, with no pressure to enjoy your evening any way other than how you want. For me, Radiance is that place.

Whether you come to relax at Radiance or grab a seat at an Observa performance, you’re sure to leave happy.

Discord Link
VRChat Group Page

Strange Pear Gallery of Fine Arts

I’m a big time event goer in VR. You can do a lot of things with this tech, but personally I’m always looking for neat experiences. They’re not all shows, though. What if I told you there was a gallery in VR that operated like a real-life art gallery? Artists display their work, which is changed out each month, and you can walk around checking them at your leisure. The best part? If you really like a piece of art, it’s often for sale. As in, the actual oil on canvas or charcoal or whatever medium it happens to be. If you decide to contact the artist (their info is displayed near the artwork), they will pack it up and ship it to you so that you can hang the physical piece on your physical wall. Sometimes prints are available, but often you’re purchasing the original work. No NFTs here. It’s a real breath of fresh air.

The gallery is also home to a very chill community of folks who hail from all over VR. This is definitely one of those places that will lead you to more places if you decide to strike up a conversation over a particular piece of art you’re admiring. If you’re aiming to see the gallery at its best, I recommend going on the first Thursday of the month. That’s when the big gallery opening happens, with all the art being swapped up for the new month, often with hired musicians playing in the gallery or other fun events happening. Also, don’t miss the second floor, a show space dedicated entirely to a single artist each month!

Discord Link
VRChat Group Page

Terminus

Immersive dance performances are becoming more the rage in VRC these days. It’s becoming easier and easier to find new places cropping up that want to take a spin at managing their own stage. But in my opinion, along with Luxe Nova, one other venue stands out as being at the top of their game. That place is Terminus. You don’t get Luxe Nova’s fancy venue and attentive staff with this one. The stone benches are as stark as the stage. The trade off is what the performers bring to that stage.

The way I put it to friends in VR that I’m dragging to a show: whereas Luxe Nova’s theater is a draw in itself, a living, breathing entity thanks to its dedicated and rather large staff, with Terminus you get just some seats and a stage. You also get your mind warped inside out, your eyes melted by lasers as you are pulled out of where you were sitting and into who knows what dimensions the performers have conjured. The Terminus performance space is something of a holding pattern you relax in between transportations to completely different worlds. It exists as something all its own, and it is a special experience indeed.

Come for the show, but stay afterwards for the open stage! Folks will use it to show off things they’re working on that aren’t yet finished, or they’ll just keep performing because they enjoy it. You’ll see old favorite dances again, or maybe a guest will come on stage and try something new out. You never know what you’ll see, but the fun will keep going a while after the official show ends. If you need some decompress time, move off into the grass, away from the stage, and chat with the performers or other attendees. Everyone here is also cool peeps.

Discord Link

The Black Aces

I joked in my first article about VRChat that somehow, for a game about hanging out and being social, the geeks had turned it into a fully functional flight sim. If you like flying planes, or maybe you just want to attend a cool air show, The Black Aces certainly live up to their name. Throughout a number of plane worlds, each with their own jets to fly, you can learn the basics of flight simulation. The discord is also full of friendly folks who fly in other games as well, so if you’re a true aviation nerd like me, you can probably find a wingman for your other hobby games as well.

Tournaments are hosted regularly, if you want to try your hand against other virtual pilots. Be warned, though. They’re quite good, as one of the first TVRS videos I saw regarding VRChat can attest. If you’d rather just spectate, the Aces also host some fantastic air shows, true spectacles of acrobatic excellence using planes both real and fantastical. These are irregular, so I highly recommend you keep an eye on their discord for event postings.

All things considered, even if you’re not an aviation geek I recommend trying out a plane at some point. Things are so much more streamlined here than in literally any other simulator. Even a novice can pick up out a set of wings and get in the sky, as long as the motion sickness doesn’t get to you. There’s not much else to say here. These folks know planes. They makes planes go zoom. If you’re looking to make planes go zoom in VR too, or if you’re even just a little curious, there’s literally nowhere better. Don’t miss it!

Discord Link
VRChat Group Page

Honorable Mentions

There are simply far too many groups I’ve loved in VRChat to give each a small write up. And again, my list is by no means exhaustive of the things out there. Still, I’d feel remiss if I sent you away without an even more diverse list of offerings on the various VRChat groups available. If any of these interest you, search them up on the VRChat website and request to join them. If a group uses Discord to coordinate (and most do), the link to join that Discord will be in the group once you’re in. Most of all remember: if you have an interest, you can probably find something about it in VRC!

Helping Hands: A community for teaching and learning sign language in VR. They also hang out and play games as a community regularly.
Failed To Render Comedy: Winner of the Raindance award in 2023 for “Best Immersive Experience.” A live comedy club full of laughs.
Project SCHISM: A popular VR rave venue. Go for the music and dance, vibe, or chat with other attendees as you like.
The Jazz Lounge: Live jazz music events. Occasionally they do collabs across groups and timezones to bring in even more music from around the world.
VRChat Trans Academy: a safe, moderated community for trans folks and allies. They offer some classes as well, such as voice lessons.
VR Dance Academy: A dance studio that teaches styles from ballroom to belly dancing. They accept half and full body users (that is, folks without full body trackers and those with, respectively).

No End to VRChat

If there’s perhaps one thing I relish more than anything else while I’m in VRC, it’s watching a friend enjoy themselves at an event, especially if I’ve taken them someplace they’ve never been before. If the walkthrough of some basic hardware has spurred you on to research a headset that will serve your needs, if my overview of communities has given you ideas of places you’d like to visit once you’re in, then I couldn’t be happier. VRChat is full of so many amazing, talented, and creative people. A conversation I had just last night before publishing this article reminded me that the community I work in, Luxe Nova, is over 120 volunteers, all of whom are fantastically creative people. It is truly a feeling to be surrounded by so much creativity.

I hope that this “starter pack” can help you make the jump into VRChat. There is so much to see here, so many awesome people to meet. Whether you enjoy being just a single face in a crowd, enjoying a show, or having engaging conversations with those around you, there’s something for everyone here. Maybe I’ll see you at one of these events. If you spy me, come over and say hi. And no matter where you choose to let your VR journey take you, I hope you enjoy both the trip and the destination.