Damn pick-up groups. Damn them to Hades.

[Train Wreck]

I haven't been in a single group yet that didn't behave as if we were two to five soloist that are splitting xp.  Try to explain to them the simple concept of having a designated puller, with everybody focusing on one mob at a time, and they're like "huh, wtf?"  Never mind trying to teach them what /assist does.  I was (very briefly) teamed up with a lvl 10 Rogue last night that thought having a Priest in his party meant that he could now take on a camp of five lvl 10 Gnolls.  The first time he did this (out of many), I thought "you stupid jackass" and hit the heal key before he got attacked because I knew what was coming up.  (I knew they would all aggro on me and intended to run to the guard tower.)  However, he was so outmatched that he died before my 2.5 second casting time was over.  Then he was like "wtf, why didn't you heal me?  You could have mentioned that you weren't ready."  He's obviously mastered the ability to roleplay a suicidal, arrogant, ignorant, worthless turd like nobody else in a world full of jackasses could.

I stuck around for a few more of his pointless deaths to play with my brand new Shiney, the Ressurection spell, before going off on my own.  Unfortunately, every single group experience I've had in WoW has been like this.

Anybody else have any horror stories to share?  Come on, you know you do.

[Paelos]

I can't group with pickup hunters anymore. They have ruined about three instances for me now.

[MrHat]

I can't group with pickup hunters anymore. They have ruined about three instances for me now.

Ding ding ding, we have a winner!

I don't group with any hunters I don't know.  (none)

[Sky]

Bad hunters make me a sad panda. Getting flashbacks from being an eq necro, most of whom had no clue how to contribute to group gameplay (hint: I don't mean twitching goddammit, I stopped grouping after that crap).

My one time grouping for non-pvp reasons was with my undead warlock, and the two guys I was with (troll warrior and undead mage) were very wary about him, being a pet class. Apparently there are a lot of newblers playing both pet classes. When I not only didn't wipe us, but instead held us together so we did the whole instance with the three of us, and two of us were too low for it....they invited me to their guild on the spot, heh. So my one grouping experience was pretty good. With sheep and my blueberry pet, we had no crowd control problems at all, which is why I find it ironic that so many people complain about pet classes getting out of control with aggro.

Hell, one of a hunter's strong points is controlling who gets the aggro. Insane.

[WayAbvPar]

My 2 buddies and I usually take on most elite quests together. While going though Dun Garok a week or so ago, we picked up and extra warrior who needed a group. He proceeded to charge in and break several of my saps (leading to a wipeout). I explained how I needed things done, and we had no more problems. He was so impressed that we "used tactics" that he asked about joining Bat Country. I directed him here, so maybe he is reading this. Welcome!

[MrHat]

My 2 buddies and I usually take on most elite quests together. While going though Dun Garok a week or so ago, we picked up and extra warrior who needed a group. He proceeded to charge in and break several of my saps (leading to a wipeout). I explained how I needed things done, and we had no more problems. He was so impressed that we "used tactics" that he asked about joining Bat Country. I directed him here, so maybe he is reading this. Welcome!

It's actually pretty surprising that some people learn from you.  I mean, I did have a great SM group once where I basically had to train the hunter and mage.  But once I told them the sap/sheep/mark the one to kill trick, we blew through the rest of it.

[Sky]

I'm not good with teaching stuff. If I were in a bad instance group (if I did instances, heh), I'd probably just log off and play some guitar rather than train some newbler how to play the game he's been playing for a few months. It's good that you guys take the time to teach 'em, though.

[WayAbvPar]

I come by it naturally- I played an Enchanter in EQ. I had to explain WTF was going on in probably 70% of my pick up groups. If people kept breaking my mezzes after being warned not to, I would leave the group in the middle of the combat. I almost always got apologetic tells from the competent players in the group begging me to group with them again sans fucktards.

There are tons of players who don't look beyond what their character is doing. Some of them are morons, but many of them are just ignorant. If they don't catch on after the 1 free pass and explanation, they get the boot.

[Jobu]

I go sour on pickup groups because of greedy players. Paladins rolling on nice leather armor drops, mages rolling on nice daggers, and priests rolling on leather stuff too. They are rewarded with me hearthing out in the middle of a big pull and letting them all wipe. Fucking bastards.

[WayAbvPar]

I go sour on pickup groups because of greedy players. Paladins rolling on nice leather armor drops, mages rolling on nice daggers, and priests rolling on leather stuff too. They are rewarded with me hearthing out in the middle of a big pull and letting them all wipe. Fucking bastards.

That is the main reason I try to keep my contact with anyone outside of my monkeysphere at a bare minimum. That shit pisses me off. I may switch to Master Looter if that ends up being a problem.

[Righ]

.

[Train Wreck]

or 40 man raids have so many folks that most of them can be useless cockmunchers and they still get away with it.

Gotta love how the Starcraft kiddies have taken the concept of zerging into uber-instance raids.  And I'm sure it's true.

[Calantus]

"I became a mage/thief/hunter/whatever to do damage"

That's a quote I hate seeing. When I explain aggro and your roll in it you sit up and pay attention, not whinge about how the group mechanic the game is based on doesn't flow with your vision. When this happens I tell the player that I'll heal them as often as I'd heal the warrior with the same amount of aggro (and if they get lucky a few times I tell my bro not to sunder). It never seems to work as when I ress them they're too busy bitching at me for not blowing my mana healing them that they wont listen to reason. But it's fun. :P

I hate dicks that roll on shit they would want IF they didn't have something better. Few days ago we're rolling SM with a mage and hypnotic blade drops. I ask him if he wants it and he says "yes" so we both roll and he wins. Later on I look at his profile and see he hasn't equipped it. I ask why and he says "I like my sword better". If it wasn't so damn common I'd have felt the overwhelming urge to strangle the stupidity out of him. Had other moments where I bothered to see what people had when going in only to have the paladin bitch that I let everyone roll for a mail piece that was inferior to what he was wearing, and suchlike. Retards.

[Strazos]

Remember, you're dealing with battle.net vets here....BNET!! These dipshits have only hacked, griefed, and used templates in Diablo 1 and 2, zerged in that shitfest called Starcraft, and used the same fucking strat every time they play Warcraft 3.....and most of them came to play WoW, intelligence not included.

[Zane0]

I haven't had too many bad experiences with pickups, actually.

One event does stand out though.  While going through Zul'Farrak in the 40's a hunter in our team failed to restrain his pet, and pulled 6 or 7 mobs at once.  Being the healer, I blow all my mana trying to keep the group alive.  We weren't able to hold all of them though, so eventually decide to run.  Being able to fear, I'm the only one who makes it out.  The same hunter almost does too, but falls short by about 50 feet.  He then proceeds to complain, demanding to know why I didn't heal him (after my mana was gone) while we were running from his overpull.  I decided to leave at that point.

[Strazos]

Yeah, the attitude of said hunter is the general problem within the WoW populace. That and, particularly with warlocks and and hunters, since they can solo so well, they feel kind of invincible in groups. I actually had a friend I played WoW with, who I now refuse to play online with, cause he was such an impatient prick and thought he didn't need a war, because "hunters are so uber, omg!!"

[Righ]

.

[MrHat]

Keep the hunter hate flowing. It's good to hear I'm nearly alone in playing the class well. ;)

As an exception to the rule of bad pickup groups, I had a very good pickup group last night, and again, three of the members were from the uberguild. They were a pair of shamen (one healer spec'd) and a mage. This time I had found a warrior to do BRD with, so I was feeling more comfortable, having a meat shield in plate to hide behind. We progressed quickly, and the only wipeout was an agro error by the warrior on General Angerforge while we were clearing the trash in the room. Nobody needed told what to do, and nobody was an ass about looting.

Ya, I took my guild through Maraudon last night.  We had guildies: me 60 rogue, 51 war, 51 shaman, 47 druid.  We needed one more, a cloth wearer so we don't waste drops, and we got a warlock.  He did exceptionally well.  He also had nothing to complain about because we got that sword that increases spell crit % and like 4 cloth drops that he could wear.  Asshole.  At least he didn't roll on stuff he couldn't wear.

[jpark]

Don't forget the flip side to this kind of discussion - it's nice to see folks new to the genre.

There are bad players and there are naive players.  I expect a lot from both categories in WoW.  Obviously, many new to the genre are playing WoW.  However, the solo content in WoW has a down side - many players may never develop proper grouping skills.  Even in EQ with constant grouping it took a long time to develop proficient grouping skills.  This really points to the benefit of belonging to a guild to facilitate getting groups with players who have similar play styles.

[Hanzii]

Some of you guys, I'd hate to play with.
You froth at the mouth and go rabid, when people don't play right.
There are so many words and terms above, that I haven't the faintest idea what means, even though I've been part of this community since the days of LtM. Simple reason? I'm a casual player and always has been. I've always liked the theory of what mmogs could be, but neve felt like sinking serious time into any of them (Puzzle Pirates don't count).
I've played a wee bit of UO, AO and COH, but never EQ and never as part of groups/guilds, so I don't know my role in a group.
I picked a hunter, so that I could solo. I wouldn't mind joining a group for some quests. If I met with somebody willing to teach, I'd listen.
But if I met with somebody, who screamed and raved becuas I hadn't vast EQ-like experience or hadn't read the guide to my class (where do I learn this stuff?) it would probably sour me on grouping and the game eventually.

Bear in mind that apart from the kids, B-net morons and experience mmog refugees I'm sure that WoW attracts a number of casuals like me, who aren't opposed to doing our best in a group, but simply have no prior experience with the dynamics.

[Murgos]

I've played a wee bit of UO, AO and COH, but never EQ and never as part of groups/guilds, so I don't know my role in a group.
I picked a hunter, so that I could solo. I wouldn't mind joining a group for some quests. If I met with somebody willing to teach, I'd listen.

It's simple really, just do what your class does best when in a group and don't be stupid.

If your not a class that takes a lot of damage, don't go stand toe-to-toe with a baddy.  If your class does lots of ranged damage then stand the fuck back and do ranged damage.  Don't pull mobs when no one else is ready.  Infact unless someone else says "Go pull a mob" and is talking specifically to you, don't ever pull a mob.  Don't expect that the group exists to support you, you are not the reason for the groups existance.  Don't wander off alone to go check out whats 'over there', it's not a good idea in horror movies and it certainly isn't a good idea in MMOG's.

Everything else just comes with experience.  Grouping with other people is a learned skill.  Their skills and abilities affect your skills and abilities and it takes time to understand the concequences of those changes.  Because you know how to play solo does not mean you know how to play grouped.  If you can realize that you need to pick up a whole new set of skills to play effectively grouped you are already well on your way to being on a LOT of peoples friends list.

[Jayce]

If I met with somebody willing to teach, I'd listen.

I think this would be the operative thing that would separate you from the unwashed mass.

I do agree, some people in this community are too quick to turn on teh hate, but I think most even here would take the time to give a few pointers to people new to the grouping experience, providing they listen and don't get mad or self-righteous about it.

[Calantus]

I usually take the time to tell people what they should be doing if they don't know. One mage we party with sometimes was brand-spanking new to the genre and we taught him about aggro, saving mana, counterspell, and the correct use of polymorph. That's really all you need to know in most cases as a mage besides IAE spam and a trained monkey could do that. A hunter is even easier. Hit the main mob, don't draw the aggro, and put your pet on passive (and turn off growl ffs). Simple really. Once you get better you can try pulling and whatnot, but until then you just need to not fuck up the aggro as you hurt stuff and the group will benefit. The healer does not want to waste time and mana on your ass, that's what the tank is for. The tank doesn't want to have to make an extra effort to keep the aggro on the mob you decided on making your special friend, they have a hard enough time fighting DPS aggro on the main mob and healer aggro on all the others.

Really it's all about attitude. You can wipe us in the easiest part of the whole damn instance because of naivette and I'll just pull you aside and tell you what you did wrong. We will try again, but your response to my advice will determine if it's with or without you. Deny it was your fault and you're out on your ass. If you refute my point you're out on your ass. If you make an excuse that doesn't include an "it wont happen again" you're out on your ass. Make an effort to learn and we'll spend the time to get you closer to being up to speed. Groups aren't charities, you pull your weight or you get replaced by someone else who will.

[Ironwood]

Don't wander off alone to go check out whats 'over there', it's not a good idea in horror movies and it certainly isn't a good idea in MMOG's.

This struck a chord with me - At the moment, I'm worried about going in to work tomorrow, or peeling the potatoes or putting the washing out - You know, just in case a Son of Arugal leaps out at me and eats me whole.

I mean, what is it with those guys ?

[Paelos]

My rule is, unless you absolutely know, and I mean KNOW the healer blew it, never ever backtalk your healer in the group. I've never had to critique a healer and i probably never will, usually because i don't group much at low levels.

[MrHat]

My rule is, unless you absolutely know, and I mean KNOW the healer blew it, never ever backtalk your healer in the group. I've never had to critique a healer and i probably never will, usually because i don't group much at low levels.

Also, compliment them on a job well done after a particularly bad pull.  Healers don't get enough recognition.

[Paelos]

Your avatar got all sexy when I wasn't looking.

[Righ]

Edited to remove offensive comment. I am not worthy.

[Paelos]

Did I say that they are never wrong? No. I said too often they get shit over nothing. There are bad healers out there, I'm sure they exist. However, for the one time a healer fucks up I'd wager there are 20 other times where some jackass overpulls and sinks the raid. So like I said, unless you KNOW they were wrong, keep it shut. I don't like pissing off people that are willing to play a class I never would.

[Righ]

Edited to remove offensive comment. I am not worthy.

[Rasix]

Decaff please. 

Bad communication and overpulls tend to doom a pickup group faster than anything.  I'd say about 5-10% of wipes might be healer error, that's about it.  On higher level instances, healing is often on a razor's edge.  One really bad mistake and your healer or someone in the group is going to bite it and cause a nice cascading effect of everyone in the group getting shitkicked into next week.  That's probably why you should go a bit easy on them unless they're a complete screw up.  And it ALWAYS looks like it was the healer's fault.   Still, it doesn't give them carte blanche to be a complete dickhole.  They have to realize there's more to the group synergy than just them.

I just got into teh ub0r on my server (healers get rushed in if you don't suck).  Due to their lack of priests and other healing classes, I'm never the primary healer for a raid, but often I'm assigned to a secondary tank.  Here's a hint hunters, rogues and cloth classes: you overaggro on 3 or so mobs and you're likely to die before I can target you and hit my 1.5 sec heal.  It's amazing how fast higher level mobs chew through the lighter armored classes.

Ohh and on the subject of bad pickup groups, last weekened I did Dun Garok with my baby rogue.  The group was 3 warlocks, 1 priest and me.  2 of the warlocks went into the building with their pets on aggro.  One warlock kept out his stupid  fellhound even though we needed more taunting.  One warlock pulled without telling anyone and without being in the same room.  2 wipes for them, 2 vanishes for me and a drop from the group the second the quest was completed.   Goddamn morons.

[Train Wreck]

How are healers supposed to stop mobs from aggroing on them from healing?  My Priest is only lvl 12 as I only play it sporadically, but every time I try to heal somebody that has more than one mob on them, the adds all come after me.  For this reason I stick with Renew for healing others whenever possible, but sometimes a real healing spell is required.

What's with the Fade to Shadows spell?  It's supposed to make it less likely for mobs to aggro on me, but I haven't noticed a difference.  Maybe I am just using it wrong?  I've tried both casting it before a heal, and casting it when mobs are on me, with no discernable difference in either case.

[MrHat]

How are healers supposed to stop mobs from aggroing on them from healing?  My Priest is only lvl 12 as I only play it sporadically, but every time I try to heal somebody that has more than one mob on them, the adds all come after me.  For this reason I stick with Renew for healing others whenever possible, but sometimes a real healing spell is required.

What's with the Fade to Shadows spell?  It's supposed to make it less likely for mobs to aggro on me, but I haven't noticed a difference.  Maybe I am just using it wrong?  I've tried both casting it before a heal, and casting it when mobs are on me, with no discernable difference in either case.

I think that when you cast it, mobs are already moving towards you.  It drops you a few aggro levels on their table.  The thing is, if Mr.Friend hasn't done any damage to them I don't think it will work properly.

Or I'm completely full of shit.  My priest is only 12 too, but I haven't bothered to group with any one.

[WayAbvPar]

Haven't played a WoW priest yet, but from past experiences, managing aggro as a healer is a 'feel' thing. You learn to time things to either avoid taking all the aggro or at the least avoid adding to it once something is on you. Don't run around, DON'T attack the critter that is eating your face- stand still and let the others in the party try to get it off you. Throw a heal on yourself (or better, keep some potions on standby) in case they are slow.

If you are the only party member with healing abilities (especiially if the others are melee classes), you are going to be expected to be the healer. Best thing to do is explain to the party what you are capable of doing, so the don't expect priest-type healing from a shaman or druid who is not specced that direction.

[Paelos]

Did I say that you had said that healers were never wrong? No. Get over yourself. Just because you were quoted, doesn't mean I'm attacking you or your precious point.

Sensitive today are we? Typically when you quote someone, then state a reference to something exactly opposite, you're taking issue with the point.