How can we make groups form up faster?

[Seikojin]

I think if there was some matchmaking-like ability added to the lfg and lfm features, it would really allow people to jump in and pug up.

I was thinking something like, auto-search results based off lfm settings. Or lfg can have an lfm autojoin checkbox. If you meet the requirements for the lfm, it auto sends a join request. Or prompts the user if they would want to join so and so's group.

[ArcaneMelee]

I think if there was some matchmaking-like ability added to the lfg and lfm features, it would really allow people to jump in and pug up.

I was thinking something like, auto-search results based off lfm settings. Or lfg can have an lfm autojoin checkbox. If you meet the requirements for the lfm, it auto sends a join request. Or prompts the user if they would want to join so and so's group.

Wait, so you want to automate the blind-invite-spamming? Gawd, no.

Here's another approach.

Use the text portion of the LFM to...

1. indicate what type of people you are looking for.
2. indicate what type of leader you'll be
3. how long it's going to take to get started.

For example, "BYOH, don't release, leaving in 5" works wonders for me.

[DavionFuxa]

I see a few potential problems for this. One is that Turbine can't program every single thing a group leader might want, leading to people automatically joining groups where they may qualify for what the leader has set, but not what the leader wants. A second problem is that this would require a lot of tedious setting adjustment for any leader looking to form a group. Some leaders don't even select the quest or the quest difficulty when they do.

If it was toggable for group leaders then many would probably toggle it off as well because they want to see who exactly is joining; either because there are some people they have blacklisted or because they want to myddo them to check things like fortification or hitpoints first.

[Seikojin]

Wait, so you want to automate the blind-invite-spamming? Gawd, no.

Here's another approach.

Use the text portion of the LFM to...

1. indicate what type of people you are looking for.
2. indicate what type of leader you'll be
3. how long it's going to take to get started.

For example, "BYOH, don't release, leaving in 5" works wonders for me.

As much as putting up a good LFM is, it will still require the leader of the LFM to potentially find members for their group.

I know I am not the only one who logs in, sees LFMs that say nothing or are for level ranges that don't fit, etc, then log off. And that is a big deterrent from enjoying the new content.

I am just trying to have more options added to the game to make it more accessible to people like me, who logs in, no guildies available, no groups up that fit, and logging out because forming a group would take more than a half hour.

[Seikojin]

I see a few potential problems for this. One is that Turbine can't program every single thing a group leader might want, leading to people automatically joining groups where they may qualify for what the leader has set, but not what the leader wants. A second problem is that this would require a lot of tedious setting adjustment for any leader looking to form a group. Some leaders don't even select the quest or the quest difficulty when they do.

If it was toggable for group leaders then many would probably toggle it off as well because they want to see who exactly is joining; either because there are some people they have blacklisted or because they want to myddo them to check things like fortification or hitpoints first.

I think those who would toggle it off, would be leaders more inclined to write a lfm with information to weed out what they don't want.

Also, as a side effect, you wouldn't have to ask for someone to join to reset an instance. They would auto-join and then you thank them and kick them.

Oh yeah, I see those things being issues as well. But having it something people can turn on and off makes it so it is a minor issue at worst. It doesn't have to be defaulted to on.

[Kmnh]

say "BYOH" or "taking the first 5/11" and it fill more quickly

[Seikojin]

To help make it more specific, they could also hadd a checkbox for the lfmer side: completed quest before. This way, it checks their records to make sure they have completed the quest before. Essentially, you could add a bunch of culling options to the lfm system, but I think some way to bring lfgers and lfmers together would do a world of good for the game.

[chodelord]

want groups to form faster? add in Heal spell potions, and make hirelings smart enough to heal at max range rather than at "up your butt" range

[BlackSteel]

make a good rep. for yourself on your server and your groups will fill just fine

[ArcaneMelee]

As much as putting up a good LFM is, it will still require the leader of the LFM to potentially find members for their group.
...

I know that many people use the Social Pane's "Who" tab to see who is online, and send out blind tells asking if they would please join.

The people I run with don't do that - and when I'm in a PUG with someone who does that, I politely excuse myself and drop group.

It's one step above blind invites - it's not as rude, but I still don't like it.

...
I know I am not the only one who logs in, sees LFMs that say nothing or are for level ranges that don't fit, etc, then log off. And that is a big deterrent from enjoying the new content.

I am just trying to have more options added to the game to make it more accessible to people like me, who logs in, no guildies available, no groups up that fit, and logging out because forming a group would take more than a half hour.

I don't understand - what's the difference between the system automatically throwing you into one of those groups, and you taking the time to click on one of them?

I don't see how your proposed solution would help.

[Xeraphim]

There was an LFG tab back in MOD 1-2 that worked VERY well. It posted all the players currently LFG and their respective comment beside their Race, Class(es) and Level icons.

Just bring that back to the Social Panel.

Something that does need to change is the following: Currently there is no way to know if an applicant is an Adventurer, Champion, Hero or Legend.

[Xeraphim]

make a good rep. for yourself on your server and your groups will fill just fine

I never have grouping problems, probably for that reason, but I note that there are grouping problems that I have discussed with newer players on occasion and with those on the Reincarnation levelling path.

It's probable that the Legend XP penalty is simply too high and needs to be rescaled (especially when the levels advance past 20). The Hero path is a bit steep for certain builds but not a problem for others.

[MeliCat]

To help make it more specific, they could also hadd a checkbox for the lfmer side: completed quest before. This way, it checks their records to make sure they have completed the quest before. Essentially, you could add a bunch of culling options to the lfm system, but I think some way to bring lfgers and lfmers together would do a world of good for the game.

I like what you're trying to get going and I don't think others have caught the idea.

For a new player grouping can be very intimidating. Such promptings could be very helpful.

For old timers, as has been said, they would turn this feature off ASAP.

Think of the newbies guys!!! As people are leaving this game for other things and just general life, we need to foster an environment that is welcoming and easy to get going for new starters as possible. The number of times I almost quit because DDO seemed so lonely and closed off away from me. But then I would meet someone friendly and it was fun again. Grouping is probably one of the worst aspects when you're starting out. But it's one of the ways people are most likely to *stay*.

[azrael4h]

Something that does need to change is the following: Currently there is no way to know if an applicant is an Adventurer, Champion, Hero or Legend.

There is no need to know if a character is a TR or not. There are ancient Crit Rage Barbarians still floating around out there, loaded with insane gear but still 28 point builds.

[Forzah]

There is no need to know if a character is a TR or not. There are ancient Crit Rage Barbarians still floating around out there, loaded with insane gear but still 28 point builds.

Your example doesn't provide good reasoning for your statement. Who cares about a few 28pt build crit rage barbs? I'm more scared of players simply rejecting all 28pt builds, no matter what. It would really make life hard for F2P'ers.

[MRMechMan]

Automating the spam invite?


gonna go with /not signed

If a leader is gonna spam invite at least make them do it themselves.

[Simplesimon1979]

I think the op is asking for something like what WOW has with it's random dungeon finder. It works well there just cause there isn't as much customizing. Two lvl 20 rouge are going to be pritty similar since the base stats are all the same, but in DDO two rouges can be built vastly different.

[Talon_Moonshadow]

I find just taking the first five who hit join works well for me.

If that takes to long I just take the first two and go get some hirlings.

[fonoi]

I think the op is asking for something like what WOW has with it's random dungeon finder. It works well there just cause there isn't as much customizing. Two lvl 20 rouge are going to be pritty similar since the base stats are all the same, but in DDO two rouges can be built vastly different.

I agree, it is terrible to log into two to three chars and there are no decent LFM's up or none at all for your level range.

Would be interesting if they added a few "quests" that you could queue for, they could even make them daily quests so you could play them once a day for max xp and then everytime after that in the same day you get reduced xp.

[gloopygloop]

One thing that I would like to see is a kind of "LFM notification" where you can pick a couple of quests and you'll get an automatic /tell when an LFM for one of those quests appears.

If I'm solo farming, I'd be delighted to hop out of the quest and jump in to a Master Artificer or LoB. Each of my characters has a few specific quests that I'd like to run and I don't really know the quests well enough to lead them myself, so having somethign that would let me know when an LFM for that quest appears would be a very handy feature.