[Henroo]

So I was thinking there should be a thread where the more experienced and returning players can inform the newer players about general MMO info and etiquette of the game play. You know stuff like the "Do's and Dont's", stuff that irritates you and other players. And other advice in general.

Personally I havn't played any MMO in over like 5 years, and is curious to what I should expect going in and you know, like a general newbie guide.

[bd4]

i love this plan im happy to be apart of it.

here are my bare bones words of advice yohohohohoho!

Ask questions! many MMOs are fully of stuff you will kill you if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time so ask people for help.

Cooperate! even if you rather solo than group eventually you will have to, so make sure you work with the other group members and follow the lead of the one who is making up the battle plan.

Experiment! you may find you like parts of the game you didnt think you would. maybe you do like PVP or find magic more fun than fighting with swords you wont know if you dont try.

Be kind to others! many online players act like internet trolls no one really like to play with them so dont be one.

i'll stop there so others can add yohohohoho!

[Saeryne]

Acronyms!

I have noticed they have changed with this next generation. They are using ones I havent heard of and when I use them from when I was younger I get ??? back.

Oh there are new ones to. Though I try to avoid them apart from the obvious ones like LFM/LFG/WTS.

[Dalkor]

Oh yes, something I am well versed in!

The BIGGEST don't of ALL TIME is... Never...ever...EVER...EVER join a organization (thats the guild in FFXIV right?) and ask for gil EVER.

DO try and group and be friendly.

DON'T tell people how to play their class unless they seem frustrated or ask you for help.

Possibly the best piece of advice for any game, or activity or hobby you are first attempting is to read the manual! Yeah I said it, read. Don't skip over tutorials in the game if you know you aren't going to know how to do something.

Since we are on the topic of reading. READ what the NPCs have to tell you. Not only will this enrich your questing/adventuring experience but it will be much easier to read "kill the 5 bandits terrorizing my farm to the southwest of here" than shout at people for 20 minutes to help you.

Learn the economy and how to make your own money. Every MMO has thousands of different ways you can make your money so find what fits you the best and stick with it. I learned this one very very late in my MMO career (my last WoW session to be exact).

Don't let people get under your skin about a certain way you like to play. FFXIV is apparently going to have the most customizable class system I've seen, so if it works for you it should work for others.

Try to join a guild/organization so you can get a social footing into your MMO. It should be easy with FFXIV since you joined this amazing forum!

I think thats about all I have to say! I hope this helps you understand how to make any MMO an enjoyable experience! And I hope I didn't write too much

[Wanderlustfully]

For all new players to any MMO, the rules are simple...

1: Don't be afraid to ask questions, ever. You'll never know until you ask. We're all new once.

2: Don't hound other players and demand things from them, whether it be time, money, or gear. Be especially thankful if things are given to you, without asking.

3: Always treat others how you want to be treated. With respect.

4: Help those who you are able to, whenever you're able to. Think about what it was like when you first started out.

5: Do NOT be afraid to experiment on your own, and try new things out. One method of playing may just as well work better than the typical "cookie cutter" method that most follow... or it could even be better.

But the most important one I believe, and so many fail to follow is #3. Most people seem to just take and take, and rarely give back. In my experience, anyway. So don't be a part of the problem, be a part of the solution. ^^

[Saeryne]

Although I agree with not being afraid to ask questions, I would give a warning on this also. In guild you will be ok but..

If you ask questions relating to the start of the game/new player questions in a general/area chat you can easily find you will get flamed and verbally attacked by some people. This might not be as much a problem when the game first comes out but further on I have noticed it.

I have seen many a new player shot down by longer term players for asking questions that can be easily discovered via the internet or gamebook. This can give the image of a bad community and discourage new players, which isnt fair.

This post has been edited by Saeryne: Jul 29, 2010 - 2:42 AM

[Wanderlustfully]

Saeryne, on Jul 29, 2010 - 2:41 AM, said:

Although I agree with not being afraid to ask questions, I would give a warning on this also. In guild you will be ok but..

If you ask questions relating to the start of the game/new player questions in a general/area chat you can easily find you will get flamed and verbally attacked by some people. This might not be as much a problem when the game first comes out but further on I have noticed it.

I have seen many a new player shot down by longer term players for asking questions that can be easily discovered via the internet or gamebook. This can give the image of a bad community and discourage new players, which isnt fair.

This is exactly what I mean. Some new players might not even know where to look online for information. And, as little chance of it happening, some players may not even have a computer to find the info, and be stuck with their console only. But Saeryne's right. Unfortunately, a lot of the elite (elitist, snob, highfalutin, etc) players that go after new players for simply being inquisitive, should be shot in the face with a riot gun, filled with salt and lemon juice. Not the kinda players I wanna associate with. And personally, I look for anyone needing help, because I like to assist when possible. However, if the new player is standing around, asking or shouting for handouts... then they should fully expect to be screamed at. You ask for help, you don't demand it. And if you should get it, you be thankful. That goes for any player, newbie or veteran. ^^

[Saeryne]

Please dont mis-understand my post. I was not saying you shouldnt do it.

I meant it as a warning to expect it and not be alarmed.... and possible take up Wander's suggestion.

[karari]

Even the most experienced veteran's can always learn something, even if it's something silly that a newbie could already know.

Case and point:

My friend who raids in WoW did about 6000 dps (damage per second) when Ulduar first came out. All of a sudden on the next fight his dps shot up to about 10000 dps and I hear over Vent:

"Hey guys! I can Maul AND Swipe at the same time!!!" xD


My point being that even if you have pretty much mastered the game, there is always something for you to learn. Therefore, never treat someone lower level as a lesser being as they could probably teach you something also.

[Henroo]

Saeryne you should elaborate on some of the acronyms. You listed LFM/LFG/WTS and said they were obvious ones but...... I have no idea what they mean lol.

I agree the general courteousness is good and the 'treat others as you would like to be treated' should be followed by anyone to create a better gaming experience for everyone.

Any veterens have more specific FF related advice that they can give? I know since FFXIV is in beta so there isn't too specific information to give, but Maybe stuff from XI that potentially can carry over to XIV. Like roles in battle? I've heard terms like pulling, kiting, aggro, DPS thrown around and honestly all I know is what I've inferred them to mean.

[bd4]

Henroo, on Jul 29, 2010 - 9:56 AM, said:

Saeryne you should elaborate on some of the acronyms. You listed LFM/LFG/WTS and said they were obvious ones but...... I have no idea what they mean lol.

I agree the general courteousness is good and the 'treat others as you would like to be treated' should be followed by anyone to create a better gaming experience for everyone.

Any veterens have more specific FF related advice that they can give? I know since FFXIV is in beta so there isn't too specific information to give, but Maybe stuff from XI that potentially can carry over to XIV. Like roles in battle? I've heard terms like pulling, kiting, aggro, DPS thrown around and honestly all I know is what I've inferred them to mean.

those are terms from EQ and Ultima and i will explain to the best of my abilities.

kiting is where you have one or more mobs(common term for enemy non player characters) chase you as you run throughout the area hitting them with a DoT (damage over time) ability to keep the on you while you either give you allies time or kill a large group of mobs with little effort. this is a very useful tactic that few can pull off and in games without zones it becomes harder because the mobs will pull away after so much distance they chased you.

aggro means how much hate you generate with abilities and who has the mobs attention. you most likely hear this as "stop spaming (constantly using as it refreshes) cure it cause to much aggro." or "let me get the aggro before anyone attacks."

pulling is when one person ventures out from the groups safe location to attack from range a mob and lure it back to the group thereby removing the chance of additional mobs or "adds"

DPS means damage per second. this is a role some classes play as like a thief is high damage per second so they will use that to add up alot of damage over the course of the battle. the opposite of DPS are DD or damage dealers. these are ppl who hit not as fast but with such power they can out damage a DPS player overall. people with large weapons or long casting but power spells are examples of this.

buffer/debuffer these terms are related to status affects casted by players and non layers. buffs are beneficial status effects like heal over time also know as HoT. debuff is the opposite weakening the afflicter target making it easier to kill.

mezz or mesmerize means to stun or distract a mob this is a common skill of the CC or Crowd Control role in a group.

tank are the meat shields in a group. it is a role to be hit while everyone else is not.

thats everything i can think of

[Dalkor]

DPS now means anyone who deals damage now, thanks to WoW. I never experienced it in FFXI but they have meters to calculate your DPS and thats how you determine how well you are doing in terms of killing stuff. we'll have to see how varied roles are in FFXIV but hopefully they will be pretty broad compared to FFXI

Oh and the tank thing, pugilists tank and do NOT get hit ;D ive actually played a tank like this in EQII. I guess Ninjasdid this in FFXI but they used "magic" more often than natural evasion.

For final fantasy advice, I couldnt help you until I play the game However always make sure the thing you are going to fight isn't going to destroy you, which in FFXI was just about everything.

[Vagabond Sam]

Great job so far, but to really get the bare bones of Acronyms

LFG - Looking for Group. Means you want to party with people

LFP - Looking for Party As above but the common term in FFXI and most likely FFXIV as we call Groups, PArties

LFM - A leader of a Party is looking for members to join. Can be LF2M (Looking for two members. Ald LF1M and GTG they need one person and they are good to go so you know you won;t be waiting around. Also means it is a good idea if you are prepared as well.

WTS - Wanted to Sell. so Bronze Sword WTS means they want to sell it
WTB - you are asking to buy something 'WTB Buster Sword'

MPK - Monstor Player Kill. When a player exploits monstor behavious to kill other players. A big no no and means if you are being chased by monsters and are trying to escape it is bad form to run through other parties which may get hit by the monster's attacks

NPC - non player character. The citizens of Eorzea

PC - player Character. Us ^^

JP/NA/EU/AU - World Wide Servers Japanese/North America/Europe/Australia. indicates the players home.


The Pull, Tank and Heal mechanics are massively important early concepts and bd4 does a great job summarising

My tips, as someone whos first MMO of any consequence was FFXI, ask questions and be friendly. These games require people to work together and one Avatar means on Reputation. As a Tank on Shiva I would get invites pretty quickly as I was friendly and attentive to my duties in my class. Have fun and be fun to play with and when you have experience share it gereously with Newbies

Also use Auto Translate and Emotes to be friendly with our Japanese friends. I have had some of my most memorable times leveling in the Valkrum Dunes with Japanese parties.

>>[Monstor][fishing][ok!]
>>Beach Pugil [Found it!]
>> [Archery] on Beach Pugil [Get Ready for Battle!]

Can't wait

[Saeryne]

I learnt all my acronyms from DAOC - my first MMO. I never played EQ or Ultima.

[NoNametsu]

Dalkor, on Jul 29, 2010 - 11:38 AM, said:

DPS now means anyone who deals damage now, thanks to WoW. I never experienced it in FFXI but they have meters to calculate your DPS and thats how you determine how well you are doing in terms of killing stuff. we'll have to see how varied roles are in FFXIV but hopefully they will be pretty broad compared to FFXI

Oh and the tank thing, pugilists tank and do NOT get hit ;D ive actually played a tank like this in EQII. I guess Ninjasdid this in FFXI but they used "magic" more often than natural evasion.

For final fantasy advice, I couldnt help you until I play the game However always make sure the thing you are going to fight isn't going to destroy you, which in FFXI was just about everything.

In Final Fantasy, there is always a bunny that can kill you............