Help? Or be dragged up??

[Talbus]

Help means I assist you in your goals. This can be done by helping you farm lower levels and by dropping unneeded gear to you at the final level we tackle. Then allowing you time to edit your heros hopefully using the near gear to your advantage. It also means giving you hints on building a successful hero: primary focus, critical damage, attack speed, leech etc. I may not bring my strongest crew, but one based to maximize your efforts. Just as an example: I helped a guy through 6-4 by taking him back to 6-1 and chaining upwards. At 6-3 after the hordes were done away with, I dropped two pages of good gear. When we went back to do 6-4, he was able to keep up and do some damage--we blew through the level. He was ready for it.

Dragging is useless. It means I bring my strongest crew, kill everyhing in sight, quite literally dragging your weak hero through a level he wasnt meant to beat just yet. More often than not, I finish off the boss solo and you recieve NO gear drops. And then I leave you at a level you arent ready for. Not good, not fun for either of us. I have been known to drop a level after your third hero dies and there is no more resurrects...it simply means you werent ready and I wont drag you up to a level you are grossly underequipped for.

Please note it is always proper ettiquette to ask for help in a tell. Let me know what level you need help in. I might decide not to help and for sure I wont drag your butt up a level you arent ready for...that is unless I am feeling pretty mean at the moment.

[AtimZarr]

Technically dragging doesn't exist since players are scaled when playing with other players.

[Talbus]

Technically, yes we are scaled. But when I do over 3 million to another players 480K...that is being dragged up.

[Linnywtf]

I'm also availible to help if anyone needs, i hate playing alone so rather help another than do it ^^

[Pepsi132]

You can easily drag people, it may scale your heroes down, but in 18-4 you get a boatload of secondary stats which don't get scaled down, so scaling down my seraph will still allow it to have 120% attack speed.
I am ashamed to say I do drag people, as in when they beg for you to help, it's much quicker just to whipe the level clean instead of letting them try to kill people, making the game twice as long. Plus it's more fun for the strong player to go on this killing spree, something they can't do in later levels...

[CrystalwoIf]

Technically dragging doesn't exist since players are scaled when playing with other players.

THAT, SIR, IS A LIE.

Now, while it's important to note that I've one of the strongest campaign blitz's in darkspore, meaning that even when I'm scaled down, I'm often very strong comparatively, there does come a point at which it's something beyond carrying. Allow me to demonstrate.

The following is a true story:
*Enters map: infinity - facility with someone. Difficulty is higher end intermediate*
Crystalwolf: Alright. ;D Let's go.
Randomguy: *no response* *Runs ahead with magnos*
Randomguy: *starts hitting the nearest taunt-bot* *gets killed in 3 hits... AS MAGNOS*
Crystalwolf: e_o
Randomguy: *does it again. Dies again*
Crystalwolf: Bro... do you have even one genetic upgrade?
Randomguy: no
Crystalwolf: WHA? O-o ...ok... why... the heck not?
Randomguy: Too expensive. I need dna.
Crystalwolf: *checks profile of this random fellow*
Crystalwolf: X_x Dude... is that really a level 34 weapon you're using... really?
Randomguy: Plz I need help I cant pass alone.
Crystalwolf: Would you like to know why that is?
Randomguy: Why
Crystalwolf: Because you don't have any genetic upgrades. :/
Randomguy: oh
Crystalwolf: :/ So, after these rounds, you'll get those. ok?
Randomguy: no
Crystalwolf: You mean you'd rather people carried you through the whole game?
Randomguy: yes (<- OH, MY, GOD!!!! HE SAID IT! HE SAID IT!)
Crystalwolf: You're playing and you don't have...? wha...?
Randomguy: I need the dna
Crystalwolf: Bro, look... does it bother you that you aren't pulling your weight in rounds?
Randomguy: No can u help plz already I need dna rly bad
Crystalwolf: Will you get a genetic upgrade? :/
Crystalwolf: You also need to grind earlier maps for a better weapon.
Randomguy: omg just help
Crystalwolf: :/ I don't think you heard me. Will you get a genetic upgrade?
Randomguy: no I alredy sed
Randomguy: I dont care I ned dna they r too expensive so no
Crystalwolf: ...
Crystalwolf: So, you got carried all the way to deep intermediate?
Randomguy: Yes
Crystalwolf: And that doesn't seem at all odd to you?
Randomguy: no
Crystalwolf: And you have no intention of even trying to pull your weight?
Randomguy: OMG STFU AND JUST HELP
......
Crystalwolf: You've gotta be kidding me. Have fun tackling this alone.
*Aborts out*


That's real. I'm not even kidding. I palmed harder than I've ever palmed before.

[Inquisitor_Laine]

Technically dragging doesn't exist since players are scaled when playing with other players.

THAT, SIR, IS A LIE.

Now, while it's important to note that I've one of the strongest campaign blitz's in darkspore, meaning that even when I'm scaled down, I'm often very strong comparatively, there does come a point at which it's something beyond carrying. Allow me to demonstrate.

The following is a true story:
*Enters map: infinity - facility with someone. Difficulty is higher end intermediate*
Crystalwolf: Alright. ;D Let's go.
Randomguy: *no response* *Runs ahead with magnos*
Randomguy: *starts hitting the nearest taunt-bot* *gets killed in 3 hits... AS MAGNOS*
Crystalwolf: e_o
Randomguy: *does it again. Dies again*
Crystalwolf: Bro... do you have even one genetic upgrade?
Randomguy: no
Crystalwolf: WHA? O-o ...ok... why... the heck not?
Randomguy: Too expensive. I need dna.
Crystalwolf: *checks profile of this random fellow*
Crystalwolf: X_x Dude... is that really a level 34 weapon you're using... really?
Randomguy: Plz I need help I cant pass alone.
Crystalwolf: Would you like to know why that is?
Randomguy: Why
Crystalwolf: Because you don't have any genetic upgrades. :/
Randomguy: oh
Crystalwolf: :/ So, after these rounds, you'll get those. ok?
Randomguy: no
Crystalwolf: You mean you'd rather people carried you through the whole game?
Randomguy: yes (<- OH, MY, GOD!!!! HE SAID IT! HE SAID IT!)
Crystalwolf: You're playing and you don't have...? wha...?
Randomguy: I need the dna
Crystalwolf: Bro, look... does it bother you that you aren't pulling your weight in rounds?
Randomguy: No can u help plz already I need dna rly bad
Crystalwolf: Will you get a genetic upgrade? :/
Crystalwolf: You also need to grind earlier maps for a better weapon.
Randomguy: omg just help
Crystalwolf: :/ I don't think you heard me. Will you get a genetic upgrade?
Randomguy: no I alredy sed
Randomguy: I dont care I ned dna they r too expensive so no
Crystalwolf: ...
Crystalwolf: So, you got carried all the way to deep intermediate?
Randomguy: Yes
Crystalwolf: And that doesn't seem at all odd to you?
Randomguy: no
Crystalwolf: And you have no intention of even trying to pull your weight?
Randomguy: OMG STFU AND JUST HELP
......
Crystalwolf: You've gotta be kidding me. Have fun tackling this alone.
*Aborts out*


That's real. I'm not even kidding. I palmed harder than I've ever palmed before.

Can fully believe this.

Unfortunately.

[Abimilech]

Like Talbus, I prefer not to drag players either. I will typically use Sage alpha, and enrage the heroes of the player I'm helping, but not enrage myself. I use briars for crowd control and attack with my weapon the same enemy as he is attacking (which will typically keep him at full health), and put down a healing tree if he gets low on health. That way he has to do a large portion of the damage, and -should- learn what works for his heroes and what doesn't.

If the other player insists on running off on his own and getting killed, I'll typically just abort. He obviously doesn't really want my help.

[Talbus]

lol, man....we must have met the same dude.

I am sorry, but I have gotten into the really bad habit of checking their profile for what they have. Heros first, then PVE stats. If I find they are under 75 in the kill death ratio...I wont even waste the effort. IF we get to the planet and they have no healer (medi or sage...even arakna) I will abort out. IF they wont go a 4 chain, forget it. IF they turn out to be catalyst thieves, I will abort.

I will bring a Lumin crew. I will support their hero, but THEY will do the work. At the end of the level, I will drop everything to them. I dont need the gear unless its a really truly one fantastic item and even then I have been known to drop that too.

It''s a shame, but I have gotten where I run with a very closely knit group of guys where I know what to expect. We support each other and rotate who has what and when. Oh yeah, that means a lot of solo time and solo is just flat boring at 18-4 and up.

[CrystalwoIf]

lol, man....we must have met the same dude.

I am sorry, but I have gotten into the really bad habit of checking their profile for what they have. Heros first, then PVE stats. If I find they are under 75 in the kill death ratio...I wont even waste the effort. IF we get to the planet and they have no healer (medi or sage...even arakna) I will abort out. IF they wont go a 4 chain, forget it. IF they turn out to be catalyst thieves, I will abort.

You're not the only one checking profiles first. I do it all of the time.
Another thing I really, really hate?
"Give me the purified part."
"Actually, I rather like the stats on it."
"I don't care. I need it."

Didn't yor parentz evar tell u tht gimme gimme nevar getz? :<

Alternatively, you get the nicer ones.
"Um... if you don't mind...?"
"Out with it son! ;P"
"Would you mind if I could have the purified part...? Like, if that's ok and all. If not, I understand."
Now you see, this second, much nicer person is not only getting parts, I will not rest until they get a part so rare that they aren't going to see stats quite like it ever again.

Srsly, this is a public service announcement to all of you newbiez out thar. ;D
Please, would be nice. Asking, not demanding, would be awesome.
And if you think we're forking over jack-crap if you want to be pushy,
Then WHOA have you got another thing coming. xD

[Altnaharra]

* Prime target to convince that you get mounts at level 60.

[Abimilech]

I hate the part demanders as well. On first request (er demand), I'll tell them that I'll drop everything after the boss. Half of them will just abort at this point (wtf). If they keep demanding, I'll abort. The rest have to work for it, and I will drop everything, including purified parts after the boss, as long as they're still alive that is. At least that gives them motive to work for it and stay alive.

[Pepsi132]

When I was playing trough the levels, I actually never let anyone help me, or drag me. Im one of those who has too much pride, and would prefer to drag someone then to be dragged. The only drag I ever got was one of the 17s, but that is because it is impossible... Even 18-4s sometimes fear that level...
I completed each level the first time in solo, I needed to make sure I could do it all on my own, without any help, to know if I could continue, or whether I should farm... Being dragged will never help you

[Matau99]

*snip*

*snip*

Can fully believe this.

Unfortunately.

So can I. :0

[Talbus]

LOL!! You got to love this one!!

Talbus: You got TS, right?
Random: Yeah. Gimme the addy
Talbus: OK. Here
(he signs in)
Talbus: Cool. What are you bringing?
Random: huh?
Talbus: What crew are you bringing?
Random: Oh man, I got a Blitz that rocks the house and a Sage that eats darkspore for lunch
(thinks to self "great...did I ever step in a cowpatty")
Talbus: Ok. Follow my lead, dont run ahead, wait for me to posion everything, then move in.
Random: My blitz will wipe up
Talbus: uh huh
(we go to the planet Chaos Fields)
Talbus: Ok, stay behind me
(Random runs ahead and engages a spiky)
Talbus: dude, he's spiky. Let my Krel take him
(Random Blitz dies brings out Sage)
Talbus: dude, back off let me take him
Random: You let my Blitz get killed
Talbus: Excuse me? Really? I told you to stay behind me
(We move on, find an Obelisk)
Talbus: Let me open...
(he opens ob...no cats)
Talbus: dude, you got any catfind at all?
Random: whats that?
Talbus: NM
(he picks up all gear, then runs ahead again--Sage dies)
Talbus: Ok, (expletive) that. You're on your own.
(I kick random out of Teamspeak--then promply leave party)

[Pepsi132]

I still find this problem, everywhere, and it's really anoying:

Player 1: What catas you guys want?
Player 2: Can I have reds?
Player 4: sure, ill have blues
Player 1: I just want dex
Player 3: Ill take greens
Player 1: ok let's go
... 1 minute later, a purified red attack speed comes up, player 4 takes it
Player 2: Dude, I said I would have reds, who took it?
Player 4: Not me
Player 3: not me
Player 1: not me
.... 1 minute later, several greens apear, player 1 takes them
Player 3: Hey, why you take green, i called green
Player 1: There's no pinks, so i need some catas.
Player 3: Come on... Give it back
Player 1 doesn't respond... players are not moving..., not moving on, standing around.... Player 3 then starts taking all the dex catas. Doesn't take long untill one quits, then all quit...
This I see ALL the time! In my experience, catas are the number one causes of fights...

[Talbus]

I usually drop out when the catalysts are being grabbed up like this. There is NO synergy in the group at this point. Its every man for himself...not exactly the theme of co-op play. Newer players havent grasped the concept of synergy yet. Lol, so it is true with some of the more seasoned players too, I must sadly report.

in short, in co-op its all about the group, not the individual. If someone has a high DPS hero, then the others should support him, keep him healed, and let him run. Its so much easier if--as an example--one lets the high DPS viper run ahead shortly, poison everything and bring it back for the kill. Most the time by the time he gets back with the mob they are mostly dead anyway. Its just a matter of mopping up the carapaces under normal circumstances.

I have been in groups where there are two lumins, and two rav squads. When one has his viper out and running, the other should bring out his secondary rav to support. When life runs low and the other must switch out, then the other player brings out his. Swap for swap.

I have no problems backing away from my ravs and bringing Lumin if you are doing better DPS than me. Its all about getting thru the board as a group.

[Pepsi132]

generally, I find, that although groups of 4 are fun, they don't seem to work as well, for the pure fact that people don't realise, Darkspore have 4x as much health! So the players, almost act as if they are in solo, rushing ahead using an ability, expecting everyone to die, but they would only die in solo! In a group of 4, it apears that it deals very little damage, and that player gets killed almost imediatly!
I think group of 3 is better... But I'm sure many of you will want to bite my head off for having said that...

[antilectual]

For groups of 4 there can be huge synergies that make up for lack of solitary power.
1 squad goes lumin main picking up red catalysts, mainly crit rating. (At some point everyone will have 100% crit then.)
1 squad goes strength catalysts (goliath or magnos mains would be my recommendations, they give good mob control and aoe damage)
1 squad goes dex catalysts (viper or krel are probably your best anti carapace heroes - skar too but he's more vulnerable to spiky)
1 squad goes mind catalysts (lumin or orion tend to be strong burst damage heroes)

A 3 player team can be effective as well, but you are more likely to fill everyone's catalysts grids faster in a 4 player, which means more damage earlier and likely faster runs.

[Pepsi132]

What I was trying to say, was 4 groups are better, however, lack of strategies and co-op skills will actually make it harder, obviously if a group has a stragtegy, a group of 4 will be better than a group of 3. But in my experience, people enter a group of 4 with no "co-op plans", they just act as if they are in solo...so... they die...