Where is everyone?

[Hamlin]

Pugging is getting really hard these days, especially after level 12 or so. Did Thelanis take a DDO break? Are we all getting snotty and running exclusively with our guilds now? Where IS everyone?

[Thrudh]

What time do you play?

U.S. prime time, Thelanis is full of LFMs.

[Hamlin]

I usually play after 9:00 PM eastern. I've noticed the pugs slowing down this year, which didn't bother me because I always start my own. But lately I can't even get anyone to join my pug in a reasonable amount of time!

And I'm not running weird stuff either. I'll pick either a chain to do or Gianthold side quests on elite, stuff like that. No takers last night.

I've tried twice to pug the challenges to check them out...that didn't work out so well.

I guess what I'm getting at is, there have been a lot of changes in my life between 2006 and today. I have a full time job, small children, wife, etc. I get one hour, maybe two per night to game. I can't sit around waiting for 45 minutes to get one or two people to join my pug. If everyone else is retired, then maybe it's time for me to do the same.

[Cryohazard]

I've wondered the same thing, Hamlin. Things have seemed unusually quiet on Thelanis since Thanksgiving. I'm suspecting its just all the December real-life stuff (exams, bracing for incoming in-laws, going on vacations, etc) starting to eat into people's play times.

[jortann]

I pugged GH side quests on Elite last night. Started around 7:30 PST (western time). Had 5 peeps in 10 minutes. Got the 6th during the quest. One guy dropped after the first quest but was replaced in just a few minutes and everyone else stayed through the next five quests.

So, maybe you just got unlucky....

[Captain_Wizbang]

Hit or miss. Last night on my lvl 16, no lfms, for an hour or so, then all of a sudden 10 of them.

PS tell Sgt Ed hi from lagin

[DrawingGuy]

Well, I've found you're pretty SOL when it comes to challenges. Almost never get people to join a PUG and almost never see one up. It's a P2P, too few of them offer direct rewards, and too few players understand the crafting system for the mats they provide. In addition the varied levels do not offer extra XP for first time, so it's nothing but a grind. Add in the fact that many of the crafted items are not working right (at least according to some forum posts as I have yet to make one), and you boil it down to it being a series mainly for Cannith favor with a 1 favor per... that's pretty much only a friend/guild group you're going to get to agree to it.

As for normal quests, I play normal US prime (which includes 9pm EST), and I've never had any issue getting a party. I play a trapper or healer and I get spammed party invites. As a melee I have to search for parties or make my own... but generally they fill within minutes. But then admittedly I don't always bother looking for parties or making my own, since hirelings, ship buffs, no XP loss for deaths all make "soloing" quests a joke even on elite. This is no longer the game from 2006 that you had little hope without a party, so I see partying as more of a social desire than gaming desire.

On that point, though, I play MMOs FOR the social aspect over the gaming (because heck... there are MUCH better games out there) so if you're ever looking for a party hit me up. I may be a noob with noob gear, but you'll never have to worry about a mob or trap with me around. (as I carry a bag full of weapons to handle most mob situations and because I'm either playing a trapper or blindly run into traps for you so you'll always know where they are) =D

You can usually find me on Porc or Aquamine as they're my mains. Always willing to do any quest even if I've already done it, so you can hit me up as well if you're stuck on a quest.

[Elaril]

This is a total tangent, although I do agree that the PUG scene is hit or miss, but it's cool to see another Philly guy posting. And posting witout an accent.

[mobrien316]

I'm on Thelanis. If you see me in game, feel free to send a tell if you want to do something.

Gregorovic - lvl 17 wizard enchanter
Praetoreus - lvl 18 cleric
Archenpaul - lvl 14 rogue assassin

[Ghibly]

Skyrim

[Mat59765]

offer a quest with somewhat ok XP advertise that its at bravery bonus appropriate lvls and be willing to start early and your lfm should fill pretty nicely, i play mostly during the day UK time and activity has always been kinda meh during that time frame for me so if anything it been better lately during that time frame. Good luck with the challenges though, theyre expensive and a looong arse grind from what i hear so probably got a smaller number of people owning htem and mostly doing solo runs now and again to kill time

[grayham]

I was going to post a similar thing a day or 2 ago, but I went on last night and BOOM. More LFM's than you can shake a festival twig at.

I agree it has been quiet lately. Perhaps I need to be braver and start more of my own LFM's. What's the mid point between "Help, need Guide" and "I can solo this, find a corner to pike in". ? That is what my LFM should read. Not guaranteeing awesomeness, but if we all pull together we'll be fine.

[Aurora1979]

it comes and goes. im on usually evening time gmt.... so... early afternoon that side of the pond.

I ran 3 challanges 12+ times yesterday. Ive not been having a big problem filling groups recently thinking about it.

Finished flagging the last 2 Q in amarath, ran a shroud and a reaver. This is last 2 nights, just put up[ my lfm.

Im not saying your imagining it though OP.... it really does come and go, last week I could barely find anything and was soloing alot.

[MartinusWyllt]

... That is what my LFM should read. Not guaranteeing awesomeness, but if we all pull together we'll be fine.

Yeah, I could start more groups if finding that middle ground, I suppose. Like wiz king...I know it well enough to get the towers and mostly avoid falling through the floor but I can't solo a tower in 7-10 minutes (yet).

I've noticed the lack of LFMs, too, especially of the elite streak variety.

I'd like to get into the challenges a bit as well but I don't know anything about them beyond a bit of light reading so I don't want to lead them.

[Clay]

Skyrim

Star Wars:The Old Republic

[Ironforge_Clan]

Skyrim

Star Wars: The Old Republic

Um that more than two words Clay :D

[Clay]

Um that more than two words Clay :D

true... i had originally had:

Skyrim

SW:TOR

[Ironforge_Clan]

true... i had originally had:

Skyrim

SW:TOR

And to be totally picking on you today SW:TOR isn't a word it is an abbreviation. :p

[Clay]

And to be totally picking on you today SW:TOR isn't a word it is an abbreviation. :p

not when talking with my friends... its: "skrim" and "swtor"

[royboy]

In Irestone Inlet , farming gold coins.


Docsin - Disciples of Sin

[al73r]

waiting for the massive update from not logging in 1yr 3months and x days. Think my gear is out of date?

Turbine needs a more upto date installer.

Alter