Hi guys!
I played daoc for a long time and have been a reader and occasionally poster on freddys. In addition I am fond of rvr. Here is a few thoughts I have on the subject matter and the mindset I use in the game and a few tactical tips for new and inexperienced rvr players. I especially notice a lot of tension between healers and those that die a lot
Attitude
First off, lets be a little thick skinned. When I enter rvr mode it seems a devil wakes up inside me and I become this slightly rude guy that barks a lot in chat and on forums. /rude to enemies feel good and I laugh evilly when my target dies. I become annoyed when allied characters play like wimps or do stupid things ... even though sometimes it may be the right thing to retreat (usually it isn't imo). In any case I am not afraid to express my feelings on the subject, stepping on toes as I go along.
It occurs to me that many players take offense and think I am being personal. If so ... please stop and grow a sense of humor about it. Be angry and irritated but take it out on the enemy not each other. Why do you think Mythic implemented /rude but not /hug? Because they want you to be aggressive, the game mechanics reward offensive play style. If someone barks and rants about chickenshit play style, prove them wrong instead of wasting time on a whine "they're too many buhuum, WE is imba buhuu, they're too high level buhuu, nerf BW buhuu". I hate whines like that. While "Attack their f*ing healers, stop hacking at random targets focus fire, focus on the objective" comments are ok, even if they're sometimes misplaced they at least show enthusiasm and will to win.
WTF NO HEAL?!!!"11
Don't throw out random "wtf no heal?" comments. There are dozens of reasons why a healer cant keep you alive, some of them quite good. If you're in a group with healers (or other players) that suck, try to educate them, lead by example ... or just exit the damn group and see if you perform better ... sometimes It actually helps. When going solo I feel less bound to make sacrifices for the group and can choose targets a bit more selfishly, but most of the time you will be looking at the respawn timer a lot and you do not get rps for your kill if it dies after you do Going solo is a game option and there is nothing wrong with it, but don't expect anyone to support you. Besides fighting in a good group is really cool.
Retreat?
Don't do it unless you know exactly what you are doing. Melee classes have nasty rear position styles that makes your predicament even worse and they can gain bonuses. If you stand your ground you can at least die with dignity and maybe save the group. In addition if you tuck tail and run you make it really hard, not to mention risky as they must break formation, for your support to peel enemies off you. Also when one retreats it spreads and quickly becomes a route. Free rps for the enemy. Back up slowly towards base or friends to indicate you're in trouble. This way you normally last longer and you are more likely to receive aid. I know a lot of players see someone fleeing and think "screw that guy I will help those that fight". If you must retreat try to position yourself between enemy and a healer. If youre a healer, try to get a friendly dude between you and your target. And move backwards! The enemy have their rear assraping abilities right next to their /say lol macro button.
Healers, watch the DPS classes.
These guys can tear through enemy ranks really quick if they are kept alive. This will earn the group a lot of xp and renown not to mention win the battle. In scenarios sort the list on renown and heal the guys that earn the most renown. You will see purple numbers fill your screen you want to be in their group. When you see a WE or a WH go stealth and start a flank run? Follow their lead and charge. This is a dangerous gambit but will often end up in the enemy scattered and slaughtered. If you dont support these guys they get ripped to shreds in seconds. Use heal over time PREEMPTIVELY! Thats the whole point! Start them BEFORE combat, keep them running on all squishies that are doing something worthwhile and renown will pour in. Tanks do not need the same level of attention, they got more health and more armor and better defenses. You can save a dying tank, but the squishier classes need some really really powerful magic if they are below 20% and in the thick of it.
Play other classes
Unless you leveled a class to at least 10, preferably 20 you have absolutely no right to tell them how to do anything. Make a new character now and then and level it up to at least 10 to get a taste of the tactics and strategies that they have to work with. You will be surprised at how much easier it is to group with people if you know their classes a bit. Don't forget to roll both destruction and order and enjoy all of the game!
Hope some of this makes sense and will contribute to longer harder battles for both sides of the conflict, cheers
I played daoc for a long time and have been a reader and occasionally poster on freddys. In addition I am fond of rvr. Here is a few thoughts I have on the subject matter and the mindset I use in the game and a few tactical tips for new and inexperienced rvr players. I especially notice a lot of tension between healers and those that die a lot
Attitude
First off, lets be a little thick skinned. When I enter rvr mode it seems a devil wakes up inside me and I become this slightly rude guy that barks a lot in chat and on forums. /rude to enemies feel good and I laugh evilly when my target dies. I become annoyed when allied characters play like wimps or do stupid things ... even though sometimes it may be the right thing to retreat (usually it isn't imo). In any case I am not afraid to express my feelings on the subject, stepping on toes as I go along.
It occurs to me that many players take offense and think I am being personal. If so ... please stop and grow a sense of humor about it. Be angry and irritated but take it out on the enemy not each other. Why do you think Mythic implemented /rude but not /hug? Because they want you to be aggressive, the game mechanics reward offensive play style. If someone barks and rants about chickenshit play style, prove them wrong instead of wasting time on a whine "they're too many buhuum, WE is imba buhuu, they're too high level buhuu, nerf BW buhuu". I hate whines like that. While "Attack their f*ing healers, stop hacking at random targets focus fire, focus on the objective" comments are ok, even if they're sometimes misplaced they at least show enthusiasm and will to win.
WTF NO HEAL?!!!"11
Don't throw out random "wtf no heal?" comments. There are dozens of reasons why a healer cant keep you alive, some of them quite good. If you're in a group with healers (or other players) that suck, try to educate them, lead by example ... or just exit the damn group and see if you perform better ... sometimes It actually helps. When going solo I feel less bound to make sacrifices for the group and can choose targets a bit more selfishly, but most of the time you will be looking at the respawn timer a lot and you do not get rps for your kill if it dies after you do Going solo is a game option and there is nothing wrong with it, but don't expect anyone to support you. Besides fighting in a good group is really cool.
Retreat?
Don't do it unless you know exactly what you are doing. Melee classes have nasty rear position styles that makes your predicament even worse and they can gain bonuses. If you stand your ground you can at least die with dignity and maybe save the group. In addition if you tuck tail and run you make it really hard, not to mention risky as they must break formation, for your support to peel enemies off you. Also when one retreats it spreads and quickly becomes a route. Free rps for the enemy. Back up slowly towards base or friends to indicate you're in trouble. This way you normally last longer and you are more likely to receive aid. I know a lot of players see someone fleeing and think "screw that guy I will help those that fight". If you must retreat try to position yourself between enemy and a healer. If youre a healer, try to get a friendly dude between you and your target. And move backwards! The enemy have their rear assraping abilities right next to their /say lol macro button.
Healers, watch the DPS classes.
These guys can tear through enemy ranks really quick if they are kept alive. This will earn the group a lot of xp and renown not to mention win the battle. In scenarios sort the list on renown and heal the guys that earn the most renown. You will see purple numbers fill your screen you want to be in their group. When you see a WE or a WH go stealth and start a flank run? Follow their lead and charge. This is a dangerous gambit but will often end up in the enemy scattered and slaughtered. If you dont support these guys they get ripped to shreds in seconds. Use heal over time PREEMPTIVELY! Thats the whole point! Start them BEFORE combat, keep them running on all squishies that are doing something worthwhile and renown will pour in. Tanks do not need the same level of attention, they got more health and more armor and better defenses. You can save a dying tank, but the squishier classes need some really really powerful magic if they are below 20% and in the thick of it.
Play other classes
Unless you leveled a class to at least 10, preferably 20 you have absolutely no right to tell them how to do anything. Make a new character now and then and level it up to at least 10 to get a taste of the tactics and strategies that they have to work with. You will be surprised at how much easier it is to group with people if you know their classes a bit. Don't forget to roll both destruction and order and enjoy all of the game!
Hope some of this makes sense and will contribute to longer harder battles for both sides of the conflict, cheers