My tale of Korthos Island, the 37 point build, and the deceiver

[Ironforge_Clan]

Alright so yesterday I'm hanging out on Korthos Island on a new character working out a build that I came across late last week. Since it seemed interesting and was something that fit my playstyle I decided to give it a whirl. So there I am on my unguilded test character from my second account running around Korthos Village and the Island. Being bored to tears because I've done those quests ad nauseum I decide to "listen in" on the General/Advice/Trade chatter. Bad idea I know but didn't I mention that I was bored?

So as is the typical conversation threads running rampant in that part of our game I got to hear how WOW was the best game evah, everyone is a noob, some poor chap looking for more people to help on such and such a quest because it is just too hard on normal and how this one person could decimate us all. I will admit that once in a while there is a legitimate question and sometimes there is an actual valid answer thrown out there. Well I pick up on one conversation and there is Mr. Z spouting off providing answers as fast as his little fingers could type. He then goes on to tell everyone how he is a 37 point build.

Hmmm, interesting I think. To the best of my knowledge and belief the best one could do is a 36 point build (2 TRs). I politely say this and I am told I am wrong. Mr. Z ate 5 tomes. Oh okay so he has a 32 point build and ate 5 tomes. Great I tell him, but build points only relate to character creation, at least in my humble opinion. Mr. Z seems to take offense at this and he decides to silence me with the following which I paraphase: "I have 2500 favor points that I earned and 7 level 20 toons so I know what I'm talking about and you obviously don't"

Okay then. Good for him. I quickly look up Mr. Z on the who list and yup he is a FvS...level 4 mind you from some guild I had never ever heard of. So I think to myself...self is this guy with 2500 earned favor points and 7 level 20 characters serious? Does he actually feel that points gained through tomes are considered build points? Giving the gent the benefit of the doubt since I am not omnipotent and there may be many players out there that consider this to be a true statement. To each his own since I don't like to make waves. However, something just bugged me. You know got under my skin about the who "attitude" of Mr. Z.

Well after a few minutes of listening to the devil on my left shoulder argue with the the devil on my right shoulder I decide to send Mr. Z a tell to ask who his alts are. While I wait for a response I quickly myDDO Mr. Z and find out he is the leader of his guild and it has....wait for it...build some suspense....one member....him!

So Mr. Z thinking that he is just that smart responds to my tell with a list of character names. I quickly decide to check them out one by one to verify the seven level 20s and to be honest snoop at his gear. Well funny thing. It turns out that NONE of his characters were 20 with the highest being a 18th level sorc. I did notice that all of the characters were from what I consider an old school guild that I have seen around/heard since I started playing 3½ years ago.

While I'm doing my little private eye work on his characters he does ask who my alts are. Since I wasn't quick to respond he made some little snarky response about my silence. Well since the characters I'd been viewing are from this old school guild I felt there was no reason to get upity over it and since my character might not make it out of Korthos I just told him I was a nobody. I didn't need to start some brewhaha between our guilds....my ego just isn't that big.

Deciding that I truly didn't like his snarky responses to this point I let him know that I did check him out on myDDO and I found it funny how he claimed he had 7 level 20 characters but according to Turbine he had none. Mr. Z then started the back peddle telling me how he holds back his characters for raiding purposes and it is a very common practice amongst the raiding guilds. "Hey" he tells me "just talk to some of the members in Bane and they'll tell you". Hmmmm, Bane? Why would I ask them since you're in a different guild and why would you even mention them? Heck, I know a few people from there (the former loner, the evil one, and the one who's motto is "save a tree...eat a beaver") and have some guildies who came from there as well.

I politely tell Mr. Z that I think he is a liar and tell him that our conversation is over since I won't waste any more time on him. He gets in one more snarky comment and I go about my business.


To the veteran players:

I am beginning to understand and appreciate that many of you have abandoned helping out new players and providing advice or answering questions. I've have resisted that temptation in hopes of finding some gems amongst the turds. But if this kind of "my johnson puts Ron Jeremy to shame" behavior and attitude persists with some of these new comers I might just find myself being that old crotchy guy sitting in the rocking chair on the porch yelling at the neighborhood kids to keep of the grass. If that happens I'll be seeing you at the DDO nursing home.


To the new (9/09) players:

I'm not against any of you and I'm glad that you have joined our game simply for the fact that you have given Turbine the revenue stream it needed to keep the doors open and the lights on. My only suggestion is that respect is earned through your actions and the merits of your game play. If you have questions you should ask because nine times out of ten if a vet player answers you'll get an appropriate answer. We do ask a lot of you but remember we had nothing when we started. We earned what many of you take for granted. If you can do one thing for me during your trip through Stormreach I ask that you keep your head down, listen, and learn how to follow directions. You can talk smack all you want to your guildies, group and friends. Heck some of the best times I've had in this game are those when we're running some quest and we're more into the banter than the quest objectives.

Lastly:

I'm not sure where Mr. Z fit in and if the old school guild characters he provided me were his or not. I hope not both for that guild's sake because it doesn't help my opinion of them (it was neutral before since I never had any real interaction or run in with their members before).

So for now this veteran casual power-gamer is sitting by the side of the road deciding which path to take. Do I abandon the froobs or do I continue to hunt for gems?

[Chai]

The fact that anyone could argue over a topic such as that is appalling. Then to say they have umpteen level 20 toons to back it up proves nothing. This type of behavior has never been this rampant in DDO however. If you get on a 10 day trial for most other MMOs you will see that your example posted here is actually pretty mild. Heck even look at some WOW or old EQ forums.

[tampaglen]

Hey Iron - nice story...I can assure you, there are gems out there, we're just hard to find.

I've been playing for about 4 months, and although I've picked up a lot since my first login, I would hardly feel proud to march around Korthos Island, bragging about my character, as this guy did.

Of course, in the grand scheme of things, there are people like this in the world - those that stretch the truth for their own prestige. It's unfortunate, but the truth. Don't give up, man. Don't give up on humanity.

[ddaedelus]

All of the gems have turned off general chat and advice also.

[Ironforge_Clan]

Hey Iron - nice story...I can assure you, there are gems out there, we're just hard to find.

I've been playing for about 4 months, and although I've picked up a lot since my first login, I would hardly feel proud to march around Korthos Island, bragging about my character, as this guy did.

Of course, in the grand scheme of things, there are people like this in the world - those that stretch the truth for their own prestige. It's unfortunate, but the truth. Don't give up, man. Don't give up on humanity.

Tam I appreciate the comment and believe me I am usually the first to help someone out. I sometimes joke with my guild mates how I now have a froob stalker and there is this former froob that I helped out just a little bit when he started. You might see him around here once in awhile pining for a certain forum slacker.

[Ironforge_Clan]

All of the gems have turned off general chat and advice also.

You may be right.

[Narmolanya]

What I think is funny is how the mindless chatter that is so rampent in Korthos becomes less and less as you get into the harder areas. It seems these UberNoobers can never get past the marketplace.

[RTN]

Tam I appreciate the comment and believe me I am usually the first to help someone out. I sometimes joke with my guild mates how I now have a froob stalker and there is this former froob that I helped out just a little bit when he started. You might see him around here once in awhile pining for a certain forum slacker.

I leave the general and advice channels open, but have them set to off once I enter a private instance (it's in the settings somewhere). I do it exactly for the reasons you state. I enjoy helping out the froob who has legitimate questions and is asking for help. I find they are very appreciative and for things that cost me next to nothing or nothing.

On the other hand, I squelch the gibbering idiots quite quickly.

[Hellllboy]

There are a lot of Mr Z's out there-I am discovering as well. It gets frustrating because there is so much garbage that it seems very overwhelming.

Thank you for your story-it makes me feel good to know there are others that have experienced the same thing and I am not crazy. +1

[Ironforge_Clan]

I leave the general and advice channels open, but have them set to off once I enter a private instance (it's in the settings somewhere). I do it exactly for the reasons you state. I enjoy helping out the froob who has legitimate questions and is asking for help. I find they are very appreciative and for things that cost me next to nothing or nothing.

On the other hand, I squelch the gibbering idiots quite quickly.

I know the setting is there and use it on my main account. With my second account I'm a bit lazier. Heck I can't even bother to rearrange my bars or use weapon sets.

One problem is that I keep seeing more and more idiots. They're like roaches.

[Ironforge_Clan]

There are a lot of Mr Z's out there-I am discovering as well. It gets frustrating because there is so much garbage that it seems very overwhelming.

Thank you for your story-it makes me feel good to know there are others that have experienced the same thing and I am not crazy. +1

Oh you might be crazy but you are definitely not alone.

[Shaamis]

As the game becomes more intense (?) at higher levels, you'll see idle chat drop down, for a few reasons.

It's quite possible Mr. Z could be a uber-bored Vet with a desire for cheap idolatry at impressing noobs, or he could be a "Faux-Vet" who joined at start of F2P, and speed-leveled, therefore thinking he is a "vet" when he is not.

Definition of a Vet vs. a Faux-Vet in this reference is someone who has been playing DDO for 2+ years BEFORE F2P, and Faux-vets are F2P members who power-leveled to cap.

But to the OP's original comment, I think it was just a Faux-vet getting a rise out of new player naive game knowlegde.

[RTN]

One problem is that I keep seeing more and more idiots. They're like roaches.

Too true. My squelch list has grown exponentially over the last couple months.

[Bunker]

Resume readers are great. Many times, you can tell how incorrect a players is by how much resume the recite to backup thier knowledge, or lack there of. In any case, spouting off how many capped characters one has really doesn't help them. Anyone and thier pet monkey can get to 20.

[KingOfCheese]

Resume readers are great. Many times, you can tell how incorrect a players is by how much resume the recite to backup thier knowledge, or lack there of. In any case, spouting off how many capped characters one has really doesn't help them. Anyone and thier pet monkey can get to 20.

I think I ran with that pet monkey the other day. Not very good--but better than their owner. Both were level 20. The monkey had 8 capped characters--one was a 39 point build.

[Chai]

What I think is funny is how the mindless chatter that is so rempent in Korthos becomes less and less as you get into the harder areas. It seems these UberNoobers can never get past the marketplace.

Naaa, they just pike raids all day with their 0% fort 250 hp paladins, or so says alot of other OPs in the past. Apparently they too have 7 level 20 toons to back up that their current gimped character was geniously crafted. maybe they used the 37 point build template...

[Seelowe]

I refuse to believe that the behavior described in the OP's thread was absent prior to the game becoming f2p and I do have an opinion on the matter, that compared to other f2p and p2p games alike the general (emphasis on the term general here) attitude and behaviour in chat channels/forums is more mature in ddo.

that said, obviously there will be some kid, grownup with inferiority complext from his rl or other wannabe online badass gangstah, that will try to present himself for more than he is, but that should be nothing but that. one guy, doing one thing.

imho, there is just the silent majority out there, that gets a bad reputation bc of "real loud and noisy" minorities like mr Z.

[LawstCawz]

Years ago when tomes were still rare, it was not uncommon for someone to count an inherent bonus towards build points when describing a new toon they rolled. Since Z's in an old school guild, he most likely came back from a long break.

On a related note, myddo FTW. Liars and gimps lookin' like a fool with their pants on the ground.

[Narmolanya]

I refuse to believe that the behavior described in the OP's thread was absent prior to the game becoming f2p and I do have an opinion on the matter, that compared to other f2p and p2p games alike the general (emphasis on the term general here) attitude and behaviour in chat channels/forums is more mature in ddo.

that said, obviously there will be some kid, grownup with inferiority complext from his rl or other wannabe online badass gangstah, that will try to present himself for more than he is, but that should be nothing but that. one guy, doing one thing.

imho, there is just the silent majority out there, that gets a bad reputation bc of "real loud and noisy" minorities like mr Z.

I am sorry but you are wrong. I have been playing since July 2007 and it was not like this before. It was an adult community and childish behavior was slammed rather quickly. Not to say there were not one or two that acted like that but almost no one did.

The problem with FTP is that is costs players nothing. That brings a lot of young folks to the game, with the mentality to match the age. I noticed the change the first day DDO went free to play and I haven't played one day since where I haven't seen "your mama does (fill in the blank)" at least 3 times.

If you don't act that way then don't get upset when people complain about others for acting like that, clearly no one is talking about you personaly then.

[Zenako]

I refuse to believe that the behavior described in the OP's thread was absent prior to the game becoming f2p and I do have an opinion on the matter, that compared to other f2p and p2p games alike the general (emphasis on the term general here) attitude and behaviour in chat channels/forums is more mature in ddo.

that said, obviously there will be some kid, grownup with inferiority complext from his rl or other wannabe online badass gangstah, that will try to present himself for more than he is, but that should be nothing but that. one guy, doing one thing.

imho, there is just the silent majority out there, that gets a bad reputation bc of "real loud and noisy" minorities like mr Z.

Believe it or not, before F2P the general chat channel was nothing like it is today.

a) it was quiet and hardly used...expect for mis-tells
b) none of the nonsensical bragging and epeening ones sees was taking place (that was reserved mostly for party and guild chat channels)
c) The one real exception was during game/server wide events when multiple groups would coordinate actions like during the marketplace invasion.

Before f2P there was NO profanity filter, nor was there a need for one...