Everyone knows that there are rules to everything and everywhere, but somehow someway people tend to forget that etiquette exists everywhere as well. The gaming society is no different. It's still a community of people, meaning that there will be people who get offended by some things being done.
Now, I'm no expert in this, but as a gamer there are a few things that need to be considered. These are just my rules or at least the common gaming sense that I feel need to be addressed. In this section I talk about the do's and don'ts when it comes to parties.
PARTIES
Whether in game or out game, I've never been too fond of parties; I'm not too fond of cooperating with others when I don't know who they are. Sometimes, I need to budge and just party up with another player, especially if it's part of a quest. Solo players! Don't deceive yourselves! If that quest says "[party]" there's a reason for it. Sure you can solo a party boss, but expect lots of running around like a headless chicken, and screaming in the background as you try to wait for that potion cooldown to disappear.
On to the main point! Like any world there's an ideal model of whatever. In the RPG society the ideal party has a Tank, a Support, a DPS, and whatever else you wanna stick in there. This could just be me, but whatever the case those are the essentials to have in an ideal party. Now, it's not always possible to have a five player party or even have all those types in a party. Sometimes, there's two supports only (why though???) or maybe even a tank and two archers. These are all still fine. Where's the etiquette in that you ask? The etiquette is knowing your class and type.
Party Etiquette: Know Your Role
If you're new to the gaming world, it can be easy to confuse your role. It takes some time to get used to, but Qube has you covered. Here's a small list of roles in a party to get you started:
- Tank: These bad boys are locked, loaded, and ready to spring into action. They've got a high DEFENSE, HP, and ATTACK stat. I know they say that the first to go are always at the front lines, but I'd be extremely concerned if you don't put these guys at the front! A tank's main role is to absorb the brunt of the attacks, keeping the party alive, not to mention, the enemy back. You don't ever want that boss near your healers or mages.
- DPS: Weep and cry if you don't have these guys in your team. They're main role is to slowly pick at the enemy's HP with their skills. Sure they don't deal as much damage as you want, but when you pile on the 1s sometimes they can reach a thousand before you know it!
- Support: These guys are your back bone! Don't venture in a dungeon without them! Supports are their to keep morale up and boost the party's efficiency in a fight, whether it's lowering cooldown time or raising stats, these guys are important.
- Healers: These guys are puny. One punt could probably send them to the death screen in any game. Probably. Masters of healing, these guys will raise health and mana when you need it. They can even bring you back from the dead, if they've got the skill for it. These guys are your angels, don't leave home without them. (Yes, I know they're considered support, but I figure they needed a little blurb of their own)
Now that you've got the basic rundown, let's talk about knowing your role. If you're in a party of three and your class is designated as the healer, please don't run to the front lines and assume attacking the enemy.
No. Stop. Child you are gonna get yourself killed.
Sit back and let your designated tank attack first. Why? Because they probably have a higher amount of health and defense more than you. More than that, you've got the skills, or at least capabilities to heal the team members. Don't go running towards the enemy and attacking it with your pow wow hammer! Why would you when another member may have an actual hammer to pummel the living daylights of the enemy??? It doesn't make sense.
Notice I said designated. Yes, that's because sometimes, the classes may not always be the actual classes that perform the task. For example, I often play as a Rogue while my friend often plays as an archer. A Rogue is not meant to be a tank, but when I party together with my friend, I'm often the designated tank as I'm a melee type thus dealing damage from a close range. There ain't no way I'm gonna let that thing touch my long range user friend.
Now, there's no way of just assuming who's who in a party. Sure you can probably assume the other person knows, but it's not always the case. This leads me to my second etiquette.
Party Etiquette: Communication
Assume nothing! Except, maybe, that the other person at the end of the line doesn't know what you're thinking. I have yet to see an MMO or online game, that doesn't allow for communication.
MAKE USE OF IT!!!!
Chances are, that person doesn't know you or how you think. Imagine what it's like when you as a tank have suddenly become support because what you thought was supposed to be support rushed to the front and became tank. That's not good. Take some time before going to the battle, and talk with your party. Let them know a few things. Talk about strategies if this isn't the first time you've battled with the monster/enemy. If you're a veteran and know the game, kindly give your guidance. Tell the others of the attack patterns this enemy does.
Just talk. No, you don't need to let them know that your dog, Lucy, is a chow chow that thinks of itself as a shih tzu and one day pulled the socket from out the wall. There's a big chance, the person behind the character, won't care. Talk about the game and what's happening then and there. Don't make an assumption based on your thinking. As a wise person once told me: "Assuming makes an ass out of you and me."
Let's move on shall we? Now, this etiquette shouldn't even be said, but there are people out there who still do this, so I'll briefly touch on this.
Party Etiquette: Don't Power Trip
Turn down that ego. Seriously, turn it down. Let's say you're an amazing level 35 warrior and your friend is a lowly level 14 mage. From the goodness of your heart, you join them in a party. In your efforts to level them up, you follow them along their grand quest of killing. You get in such a high that these monsters are dying from just one hit and you finish the quest for your friend. Isn't it great they got to finish it fast and have leveled up?
Stop! Frikking stop right there!
Hold your horses buddy and keep it there. Sure you're having fun, but your friend may not be. They came to play the game and you're playing it for them. From personal experience this has happened to me and I hated it. Some nice person kindly invited me to their party to help level me up, however, they ended up doing the quests for me. I felt so unfulfilled and useless, and generally wasn't having fun. Sure I appreciated the gesture, but dammit! Lemme drive my sword deep in the flesh of my enemies! Let me play the game!
As a higher level character, your job is to watch over the little ones. Teach them the ropes, but don't do it for them. Let them fail, let them die. They learn that way and have fun doing it. Your friend's fighting a boss? Be the tank, and take some hits for them. Your friend's doing a collecting quest? Kill the ones they accidentally aggro. Just try to tone that power trip down. If you feel the need to really help them, then make a new character, a lower level one that can go on quests together with them.
Yes, I'll admit, higher level characters can be useful when facing a difficult boss, but let others enjoy the game.
Party Etiquette: Be Polite
BE FUCKING POLITE!!
Look child, there's a person behind that player! Son whatchu high on trying to be saying your blasphemy?!?!?! You don't want anyone being rude to you so I don't understand why you'd make them uncomfortable.
Be sensible and know what you can say. That's all there is to it. As a general rule, if you have nothing nice to say, shut the fuck up. Apologize if you realize you're being rude. That's all there is to it.
BE FUCKING POLITE!!
Look child, there's a person behind that player! Son whatchu high on trying to be saying your blasphemy?!?!?! You don't want anyone being rude to you so I don't understand why you'd make them uncomfortable.
Be sensible and know what you can say. That's all there is to it. As a general rule, if you have nothing nice to say, shut the fuck up. Apologize if you realize you're being rude. That's all there is to it.
That's all Qube has to say for party etiquette! So logging off for now!
