New players

[Yomo Kimyata]

3 hours ago, Luminara said:

 

Is that a wombat humping someone's leg?

 

Hey!  I don't criticize *your* love life!

 

[Scarlet Shocker]

7 hours ago, Clave Dark 5 said:

Seen this too, and can freely bitch about it as well, even with love:  I signed up for an ITF recently, and the last guy chosen didn't know how to find Cim, so I went out and led him by the nose (gently!) over to Dark Astoria for the badge, to Steel and the Midnighter's Club, then into Cim.  Only to find out he wasn't high enough level to join the ITF. 

 

D'oh!

 

But not one was mad about it, we just explained it and he left and we went with seven.  I do wish all the new players the best of luck!

 

Well in fairness, if he didn't know the way to Cim, his level should've been one of the first things to check but hey... he's learned something now and hopefully will come back to Cim and ITF glory when he's bigger 😄

[Techwright]

8 hours ago, Clave Dark 5 said:

Seen this too, and can freely bitch about it as well, even with love:  I signed up for an ITF recently, and the last guy chosen didn't know how to find Cim, so I went out and led him by the nose (gently!) over to Dark Astoria for the badge, to Steel and the Midnighter's Club, then into Cim.  Only to find out he wasn't high enough level to join the ITF. 

 

D'oh!

 

But not one was mad about it, we just explained it and he left and we went with seven.  I do wish all the new players the best of luck!

So maybe what we need instead of Twinshot and her ilk is a series of Taxibot missions where the new player is escorted around by an NPC taxibot and shown the basics for getting to a variety of locations and events?

[JasperStone]

10 hours ago, Yomo Kimyata said:

 

Hey!  I don't criticize *your* love life!

 

[Troo]

On 4/7/2023 at 1:26 AM, Scarlet Shocker said:

I realise you're used to sarcasticating most nights, when you're alone - I'm told it's not an uncommon habit amongst those without lives - but to be completely serious for a moment, new players are welcome, and should be made to feel welcome. I hope that person didn't think "this is crap" log off and decide never to return because of their experience. Losing a badge is unimportant compared to growing our precious community.

 

Yes and No.

If someone is trooly new I'll bend over backwards.

 

If a newb is rocking a 50 with billions invested in the build.. well, there's a 'kick from team' for a reason. It's not named 'nicely remove player for team'. They figured out how to farm and find an uber build, let's apply some of that can-do-attitude to the rest of the game and teaming (if we're gonna team).

 

Sometimes hard love is the best love.

 

I could macro a nice message with the kick command.. nah. 🙂

[Troo]

On 4/7/2023 at 12:49 AM, Snarky said:

I wonder where the flow is coming from? If some content provider somewhere is mentioning the old classic?  Or people want a free game with a character customization engine that is to this say unmatched and are each finding us more or less organically?

 

lots of friend of a friend and returning non-vet players

[DougGraves]

On 4/7/2023 at 12:49 AM, Snarky said:

I wonder where the flow is coming from?  

 

Remember when someone started a subreddit for Homecoming?

[Oubliette_Red]

2 hours ago, DougGraves said:

 

Remember when someone started a subreddit for Homecoming?

 

No. But I did find the CoH subreddit just recently.

 

[Astralock]

4 hours ago, DougGraves said:

 

Remember when someone started a subreddit for Homecoming?

 

That sub-Reddit is mostly dead, and one of the moderators posted there a few weeks ago that it was going to "close" soon.  I say "close" in quotes because you can't actually delete a sub-Reddit once it's made.

[Skyhawke]

Like most things, the influx has been a double edged sword for me. I've had interactions with people who've never played the game before and I've given advice, influence and teamed with them some to help them along. Then, on the other hand, one time I had a person spamming LFG asking for help with something and being ignored. I sent them a /tell and helped them with the issue...and found a new shadow. Like Fatal Attraction kinda shadow. Constant /tells...I mean, constant. I even asked if they could take their questions to the Help channel and told them how to use that. More /tells. At one point, I got "hey, I just joined your guild!" I didn't know people could randomly join your SG?!?! I kicked them and /ignored them, but it definitely weirded me out. A needle in the haystack to be sure and it doesn't stop me from helping still, but there are some rather interesting folks out there.

[Yevonai]

As a new player, I heard about how great CoH was and I love playing.  However, every time I try and do team missions in a team, everyone else seems to know exactly where to go, what hallways to go down, where to teleport, which entrance to wait at, etc.  I just got so lost one night, I felt like I was holding everything back, I was always way behind the others trying to figure out where I'm supposed to be.  I just get so frustrated that everyone else seems to know exactly where to go even though I look at the map and compass it only confuses more sometimes.  I just left the team after dying a map behind the rest of the team, I gave up.  This game can be really frustration for someone that has never run these kinds of missions where you are speeding along map after map, going directly to objectives and moving on.

[Astralock]

13 minutes ago, Yevonai said:

As a new player, I heard about how great CoH was and I love playing.  However, every time I try and do team missions in a team, everyone else seems to know exactly where to go, what hallways to go down, where to teleport, which entrance to wait at, etc.  I just got so lost one night, I felt like I was holding everything back, I was always way behind the others trying to figure out where I'm supposed to be.  I just get so frustrated that everyone else seems to know exactly where to go even though I look at the map and compass it only confuses more sometimes.  I just left the team after dying a map behind the rest of the team, I gave up.  This game can be really frustration for someone that has never run these kinds of missions where you are speeding along map after map, going directly to objectives and moving on.

 

CoH veteran players have a very bad habit of assuming that all other players are ten+ year veteran players as well.  "There are no new CoH players" is a common, and extremely incorrect, refrain.

 

I'd advise against joining anything advertised as a speed run.  When you join a group that isn't advertised as a speed run, mention to the team that you are a new player and you'd like to go slow.  If the team agrees, great.  If not, leave.  If they agree but people speed anyway, mention it to the team leader.  If it continues, leave.

[ZemX]

15 minutes ago, Yevonai said:

I just left the team after dying a map behind the rest of the team, I gave up.  This game can be really frustration for someone that has never run these kinds of missions where you are speeding along map after map, going directly to objectives and moving on.

 

For learning the game, I'd recommend staying away from "speed" Task Forces and sticking to "radio" teams until you have a better handle on things.  These are teams doing repeatable missions for XP.  As such, they tend to be a lot easier to follow since they are defeating what's in front of them as they go, not skipping around the map trying to speed complete objectives.  If you play a Tanker or Brute, you might be asked to lead the team into each fight.  So keep that in mind.

 

A ranged character like a Defender, Corruptor, or Sentinel might be easiest.  Sentinels are pretty safe thanks to the armor secondary.   But mainly, range lets you shoot from the back of the team where you can get a better view of what everyone is doing and how they are playing.  Good way to learn.

 

You can also run Task Forces that are advertised as "casual" or "kill most/all" or something like that.  Since they will operate in a similar fashion, moving steadily forward and defeating what is in front of them.   

 

Teams will still go like crazy travelling between missions, which is again where radio teams are easier.  All missions will be in the same zone so it's just travelling door to door.  Not figuring out how to get to some zone you've never been to.

 

But definitely TELL people you're new and ask questions.  I think the community is pretty good here and usually wants to help.  You can ask questions, in game, in the /help channel too.

 

Welcome!

 

[Captain Fabulous]

53 minutes ago, Yevonai said:

As a new player, I heard about how great CoH was and I love playing.  However, every time I try and do team missions in a team, everyone else seems to know exactly where to go, what hallways to go down, where to teleport, which entrance to wait at, etc.  I just got so lost one night, I felt like I was holding everything back, I was always way behind the others trying to figure out where I'm supposed to be.  I just get so frustrated that everyone else seems to know exactly where to go even though I look at the map and compass it only confuses more sometimes.  I just left the team after dying a map behind the rest of the team, I gave up.  This game can be really frustration for someone that has never run these kinds of missions where you are speeding along map after map, going directly to objectives and moving on.

Did you mention to the team, or at least the leader, that you were new and needed some help? If you don't let people know you need a helping hand they're not gonna know to give it. I've found that if you let people know at least one person will help you along.

I've been playing this game since beta, and there are still a number of TF and task forces I've never done. Or it's been so long I don't remember. And I'll always tell the lead up front that I'm going to need a bit of direction.

If all else fails then I'd say to do less attacking and more watching. If the team move on, stop whatever you're doing and move with them. Like any other game it takes time to learn.

[SeraphimKensai]

45 minutes ago, Yevonai said:

As a new player, I heard about how great CoH was and I love playing.  However, every time I try and do team missions in a team, everyone else seems to know exactly where to go, what hallways to go down, where to teleport, which entrance to wait at, etc.  I just got so lost one night, I felt like I was holding everything back, I was always way behind the others trying to figure out where I'm supposed to be.  I just get so frustrated that everyone else seems to know exactly where to go even though I look at the map and compass it only confuses more sometimes.  I just left the team after dying a map behind the rest of the team, I gave up.  This game can be really frustration for someone that has never run these kinds of missions where you are speeding along map after map, going directly to objectives and moving on.

@Astralockdefinitely hit the nail on the head..the game is 19 years old, and a lot of us have played for a significant amount of that time, so yes you will find people that seem to know exactly where to go, what zone the next mission will be at, etc. In time you will as well. The most important thing I can think of is letting people know that you're a new player and that you dont know the content if that's the case. Most often people will adapt to help you learn it, and will show you the ropes.

 

Speed TFs are a bit of another story, most casual pug speed TFs will have 1-3 players that can carry the whole TF on their back, and will invite anyone willing to come along for the ride and rewards. I'd advise against joining these until you are comfortable with the content and know what to expect and the limits of your character. There's another type of speed TFs that are pre-mades where a team of players will bring 8 heavily IO'd characters to blitz the TF in as fast as possible, sometimes recording the TF to post for speed running records. You'll see things like a 9 minute ITF or a 11 minute Apex and a 10 minute Tin Mage. And those are modest times for a pre-mades speed run team. Not everyone participates in speed runs and that's okay.

 

Long post short, let people know you're new, and 9 times out of 10 most people will adjust to make you feel welcome and help you out. A tip, you can watch YouTube videos of content you're looking to try, and read the related wiki pages ahead of joining a team for it to familiarize yourself with it.

[Snarky]

1 hour ago, Yevonai said:

As a new player, I heard about how great CoH was and I love playing.  However, every time I try and do team missions in a team, everyone else seems to know exactly where to go, what hallways to go down, where to teleport, which entrance to wait at, etc.  I just got so lost one night, I felt like I was holding everything back, I was always way behind the others trying to figure out where I'm supposed to be.  I just get so frustrated that everyone else seems to know exactly where to go even though I look at the map and compass it only confuses more sometimes.  I just left the team after dying a map behind the rest of the team, I gave up.  This game can be really frustration for someone that has never run these kinds of missions where you are speeding along map after map, going directly to objectives and moving on.

I get this.  I joined Live after the game was already going a couple years.  I was broke and stupid. Or it felt that way. It must be so much worse now.

 

There are things you can do. 

1) If you like solo play I recommend playing story arcs.  All maps in CoH are put together from a large but limited number of lego like parts. Learn the shapes, the hiding places, etc. You do not need to memorize, just start to get familiar.

2) Play the same content over a few times. Whether that is a Posi 1&2 a few times in a row, or once a day, or whatever content you gravitate to.  Learn that "run" and it will be much easier on a fast moving team. The skills you learn being in sync with your team will help you even in content that is new to you.

3) Learn to recognize good leaders.  Running incarnate content on Excelsior? Always join a team from Confusion or Oklahoman!  Granted I will join anything I need a badge for, but developing a eye for who is good can help, especially in harder content. Get a friends list going. 

[Solarverse]

On 4/7/2023 at 4:26 AM, Scarlet Shocker said:

I realise you're used to sarcasticating most nights, when you're alone - I'm told it's not an uncommon habit amongst those without lives - but to be completely serious for a moment, new players are welcome, and should be made to feel welcome. I hope that person didn't think "this is crap" log off and decide never to return because of their experience. Losing a badge is unimportant compared to growing our precious community.

 

Unlike some insufferables on this forum, I will give you the respect of letting you know why you got a thumbs down from me.

First, he never indicated that he did anything nor said anything to cause this player to quit his team, much less verbally gave this player complaint about any badge which is a complete fabrication. You used a strawman as an argument against him, and everyone who knows me knows that I absolutely hate when people use strawman arguments, it has become this forum's "I win" button weapon of choice for a very long time now.

Secondly, pretending @Snarky is somehow without a life because he is sarcastic (most often in a comical way I might add) and indicate your credentials on this judgement by crediting some entity in the ether who "told" you this about sarcastic people begs the question, who here truly is without a life?

 

Lastly, if this game is so fragile that we have to welcome each and every player by going out of our way to make them feel welcomed, then clearly the problem is not with Snarky, but within the game itself.

 

In other words; your comment toward Snarky was uncalled for.

 

Edit: And as I read on, I see you already recognized your error, so good on you for that. That is far more than most would do this day and age.

Edited April 10, 2023 by Solarverse

[Scarlet Shocker]

9 minutes ago, Solarverse said:

 

Unlike some insufferables on this forum, I will give you the respect of letting you know why you got a thumbs down from me.

First, he never indicated that he did anything nor said anything to cause this player to quit his team, much less verbally gave this player complaint about any badge which is a complete fabrication. You used a strawman as an argument against him, and everyone who knows me knows that I absolutely hate when people use strawman arguments, it has become this forum's "I win" button weapon of choice for a very long time now.

Secondly, pretending @Snarky is somehow without a life because he is sarcastic (most often in a comical way I might add) and indicate your credentials on this judgement by crediting some entity in the ether who "told" you this about sarcastic people begs the question, who here truly is without a life?

 

Lastly, if this game is so fragile that we have to welcome each and every player by going out of our way to make them feel welcomed, then clearly the problem is not with Snarky, but within the game itself.

 

In other words; your comment toward Snarky was uncalled for.

 

Edit: And as I read on, I see you already recognized your error, so good on you for that. That is far more than most would do this day and age.

 

Well I hope @Snarky took my comment the way I'd intended it - as light-hearted, slightly deprecating, off-the-wall humour. I'm guessing you did not see it that way given your response, but Snarky clearly did because he gave it a thumbs up. I am not in any way competing with him or trying to do him down; if you look closely you might find we have had much positive interaction in the forum, and sometimes even in game. Also, for reference, you may want to check out how Snarky portrays himself.

 

I was in no way admonishing him or any of his team-mates for the outcome, simply expressing a hope that it didn't have unfortunate consequences and I'm genuinely sorry if that's how you read it. I reread my post again in light of your comment and I still don't see it.

 

No, the game is not fragile - the fact that the fans who love it so resurrected it from the dead (indeed, that's arguably else Snarky has in common with this game, being undead himself) - is a testament to that. But I do believe that fans and players do have a duty to treat others well and with respect especially when first engaging with them and I have had my own share of awful experiences in other games that so completely turned me off of them I will never return. I was simply trying to express that concern.

 

 

[Snarky]

1 minute ago, Scarlet Shocker said:

 

Well I hope @Snarky took my comment the way I'd intended it - as light-hearted, slightly deprecating, off-the-wall humour. I'm guessing you did not see it that way given your response, but Snarky clearly did because he gave it a thumbs up. I am not in any way competing with him

I will destroy you and feed your body to the hydra heads!

[Scarlet Shocker]

9 minutes ago, Snarky said:

I will destroy you and feed your body to the hydra heads!

 

That's the only offer of head I've had all week so I'll take it! 😄

[Luminara]

1 hour ago, Scarlet Shocker said:

Well I hope @Snarky took my comment the way I'd intended it - as light-hearted, slightly deprecating, off-the-wall humour.

 

I don't believe it's possible offend @Snarky.  Not here.  He might have a line that can't be crossed IRL, but if he were any more laid back on the forums, he'd be dead dead, not fundead.

Edited April 10, 2023 by Luminara

[ZemX]

31 minutes ago, Luminara said:

I don't believe it's possible offend @Snarky. 

 

[Solarverse]

1 hour ago, Scarlet Shocker said:

 

That's the only offer of head I've had all week so I'll take it! 😄

 

His head game is the bomb.

 

[Doc-Holiday]

I'm a "new" player. Played during live and was present and online the day the word came down that the servers were going to be shut down. I am not a "veteran" player as I never got beyond mid-tier game-play ( I enjoyed working through the story-lines and the content). I am certainly new to Homecoming and prior to my log-in here last week I had not played CoH since the closing of the live servers.

 

How did I come to be here? I decided to look up any information on the CoH revival efforts I had been aware of over the years and made my way to Homecoming.

 

I'm currently on Everlasting and have only one character, Galeno. I am thoroughly enjoying my experience and relearning the system through game play and helpful players.

[Clave Dark 5]

9 hours ago, Yevonai said:

everyone else seems to know exactly where to go, what hallways to go down, where to teleport, which entrance to wait at, etc.

I still get that from playing some of the strike force missions that are off the beaten path, so you're not alone in this just because you're a new player (there's a couple of them I just never play because of this).  The best advice I can give it to tell the team leader that you're new, and if they still speed ahead and ignore you, they're trash and you can move on.  😃  Most teams and players are better than that.  If you ask, some will even discuss the strategy with you, like "now we have to clear this area right in front of city hall before we go in so we don't get zerg-rushed by ambushes," etc.