How do you feel about 'lone wolfing'?

[Story Archer]

So I have an Incarnate Scrapper who's pretty damned strong (but nothing more than other experienced players might have), and I frequently find myself running with pick-up groups at varying levels. Often times I am significantly stronger than all but 1 or maybe 2 of the people that I'm teaming with and I find myself running content on a difficulty level I could probably solo. Under these circumstances, if we're in 'kill most' mode and the rest of the group doesn't seem to be having too much difficulty handling our foes as a group, I'll find myself leaping into a second mob alone or going the other direction to speed things along and create a little more of a challenge for myself. I won't face final bosses without waiting for everyone, but anything else I'd consider pretty much fair game. Thus far, no one has called me on it, and it wouldn't bother me if the show were on the other foot (I probably wouldn't even notice unless I was leading the group), so I haven't thought much of it but a recent post regarding rudeness in the game has me thinking.

 

Would this sort of behavior bother anyone, and if so, why?

 

If, under the circumstances described above, I was asked not to do it, I wouldn't, but then I'd probably move on after the mish to find a bigger challenge unless I was chasing a badge or something.

[Gravitus]

As long as you're not making the group lose the game or miss out on badges, I say do you. You're not responsible for someone else's fun or lack thereof if they can't keep up. 

[Greycat]

As long as you *communicate* (and don't rush forward if asked - though, for me, that's mostly an AE thing, because I don't want someone triggering things before the rest of the team sees what's going on) ... *shrug* sure. I've got a group that regularly ends up splitting on longer kill-all missions, I'll end up on one side (or myself and one other,) the others end up somewhere else. We can all pretty well handle ourselves, though, and rush back if we see someone having problems to give them backup.

[Skyhawke]

If it's obvious the group can split, I'll ask if anyone minds if we divide and conquer (especially on a Citadel). If everyone's ok with it, off I go. If not, I stay with the group. 

[Apogee]

At the point where this becomes a thing, why don't you just solo to begin with?

[Psyonico]

My issue is when most of the team runs off leaving stragglers for the (usually) lower DPS toons to clean up.

[Neiska]

I don’t mind as long as it doesn’t mess up the mission or if the lone wolf bites off more than they can chew and blames others. I hasten to add not all of them do this, but some do. Long as you aren’t expecting people to follow you then I am fine with it.
 

I have bigger issues with stalkers who just sneak to the glowy, click and dip out as soon as possible without helping kill things. I mean if you are just going to sprint to the clicky what’s the point? That’s missed exp, inf, salvage and recipes. Why bother teaming if that’s what you are going to be doing?

[catsi563]

one of my pet peeves with regard to lone wolves is when they dont wait for everyone to be in mission which means that slower travelers or zoners may miss out on both exp and influenced and mission completion its been a long running touchy subject for me because it screws over others with no thought for them and their fun.

 

So to be honest Im afraid im not on board with lone wolfing in general this is a multi player game when your on your own its fine roll onwards, but in a team work with the team and make sure eveyrone has a chance to be involved in the team lead says ok go for it then sure go ahead and lone wolf but make sure everyones in zone before you do

[lemming]

I'm alright with people zipping off on their own if they can handle it, though my usual is to "Follow the lead, or tank"    Just wait until everyone is in the mission before starting unless the person said to go ahead.

 

It's always supposed to be a team effort, but different ways of contributing is fine.  Like most things, communications is key.

[Hyperstrike]

Mindlessly "zerg'ing" is generally "bad".

If you commit to attending a date/event, PARTICIPATE when you commit.
Half-assing is a waste of everyone's time.
Oh no!  Participating in a social even with ABSOLUTE MINIMUM INVESTMENT in being "sociable"?

*Spits*

[Without_Pause]

2 hours ago, Apogee said:

At the point where this becomes a thing, why don't you just solo to begin with?

I generally only do teams with melee characters when doing TFs. Scrappers are the ones I most feel like I would much rather be soloing. Brutes and Tankers can at least deal with alpha strike and tanking easier. Note, my Scrappers can take alpha strike, but I might not even be able to with other melee characters around. Plus, there's always that aggressive squishy who might be out in front as well. I would much rather 'lone wolf' on a team with a Scrapper. If it's Level 50 content, they can solo +2-+3 just fine anyway. Oh, its +0 since it is for the badge. I'll go my way and look to see who generates the mission completion button first. 

[tidge]

It doesn't bother me at all.

 

The only slightly feels I have that are adjacent to being bothered is when an enemy group that needs to be defeated gets aggroed and strays, delaying mission completion.

[High_Beam]

I am not a Texas Ranger named J. J.

 

I am not a samurai with a "cub"

 

I joined a team to be part of a team.  If I wanted to run around shooting things "lone wolf" then I wouldn't be on a team.  Split teams happen and if I see it happen I say so then follow the core rule of follow the leader. 

[ZemX]

3 hours ago, Psyonico said:

My issue is when most of the team runs off leaving stragglers for the (usually) lower DPS toons to clean up.

 

Who chained you to the floor?  If "most of the team" leaves, then leave with them.  You're not the maid.   If it's a defeat-all and the DPS squirrels are leaving stuff behind, say so.  If that has no effect then the team will get to deal with it five floors down when the little blue button fails to pop up.  Then you can tell them you told them so (this is where I'd add "you assholes" for flavoring) and then teleport your own ass out of that team. 

[CFIndustries]

3 minutes ago, ZemX said:

Who chained you to the floor?  If "most of the team" leaves, then leave with them.  You're not the maid.   If it's a defeat-all and the DPS squirrels are leaving stuff behind, say so.  If that has no effect then the team will get to deal with it five floors down when the little blue button fails to pop up.  Then you can tell them you told them so (this is where I'd add "you assholes" for flavoring) and then teleport your own ass out of that team. 

 

This is something more low-DPS alts should do to drive the point home with with the "DPS squirrels" (love that term).

 

I do it all the time (just skip the stragglers if the bulk of the team has moved on), but there's aways that lowbie controller on a 50+ team who stays behind and hopelessly tries to take the boss the leader (or tank) left behind because the leader wasn't paying attention. I just figure I'm staying with the group where I'll do the most good and not die in a futile battle.

[Snarky]

Depends on AT.  If a Tank i stay with group. If on a. Rute and team has no Tank …same.  On a Blaster?  I could be anywhere.  Anywhere

[Kaika]

I tend to enjoy playing 50 toons with very expensive generalist builds built to be able to solo most of the time. If my group doesn't actively need me or I'm not the one doing the tanking, I tend to go off on my own, for the sheer sake of actually having something to do. Everyone plays on 8 man teams these days and with the games heavy emphasis on force multipliers, tends to lead to just about every since team being a absolute steam roller, to the point that if you stay as a group, alot, if not, most of the damage you deal is over killing the enemies. At this point it's just a matter of efficiency, If most of my damage is over kill with the group, then if I split off on my own, my damage is more valuable. If someone decides comes with me to offer some support all the better, assuming they can survive. Most of my characters can solo just about anything at 4x8 with varying levels of difficulty but, If I die, thats my fault, and if I see my group struggling without me (or someone ask) I return to the group.

 

Honestly though, I'm never a fan of leaders that mandate everyone stick together (assuming its not required by the mechanics) and tend to leave those groups. Sticking together tends to be the easiest way to do thing, but in normal content, specialty at 50, isn't always the most efficient, and I often find it less fun. This doesn't mean I want to solo, if I wanted to I would, I still want to play with a team, I like having that company, the back up, and its not like I never interact with the team or anything while I'm there.

Edited October 7 by Kaika

[Ironblade]

4 hours ago, Story Archer said:

Under these circumstances, if we're in 'kill most' mode and the rest of the group doesn't seem to be having too much difficulty handling our foes as a group, I'll find myself leaping into a second mob alone or going the other direction to speed things along and create a little more of a challenge for myself. I won't face final bosses without waiting for everyone, but anything else I'd consider pretty much fair game.

 

I don't see that as 'lone wolfing' at all.  You're being efficient.  You have specifically taken into account the desires of the team ("if we're in kill most mode"), as well as the safety of the team ("and the rest of the group doesn't seem to be having too much difficulty").  So, you're aligned with the rest of the team and being mindful of their survival.  Not lone wolf at all.

 

Being a lone wolf would involve running off to complete objectives without asking, running off to fight enemies no matter how the rest of the team is doing, etc.

[Frozen Burn]

To me, lone-wolfing is fine provided it doesn't take away from the team experience and what you are collectively doing together - you should be adding to or enhancing, but not taking away. 

 

Case in point - AV fights:  it is really rude and an a**holish thing to race to the end of a map to solo or duo an AV at the end of TF or mission instead of letting the team catch up and enjoy the experience too.  Another.... on defeat alls/mosts... racing ahead to click the glowie and end the mission early... just, no.  

 

Things like that shouldn't happen. 

 

But soloing a neighboring mob or clearing another side of the map - dividing and conquering as a team is fine and great.  

 

[Yomo Kimyata]

If it's your team, do as you will but communicate to others.

 

If it's not your team, listen to the lead.

 

If you have a problem with what someone on your team is doing, communicate.

 

 

[Owl Girl]

i am sort of self-sufficient in my attitude towards everything, and even on a team i will regularly stealth ahead to secure objectives or execute key personnel once everyone is in the door. i'm monitoring the team and watching the map so i can show up at a moments notice if needed, but spend a lil' too long figuring out the game plan and You will find me already halfway done with your mission. don't call me if You don't want results!

[shortguy on indom]

• hoo-h'HOO-hoo-hoo

[Gobbledigook]

I was on an ITF one time. I was a Tanker and I jumped ahead into the mobs to aggro etc. I made sure the team was OK before moving to the next mob.

 

At a 2 way junction in the cave I went straight ahead but a Brute decided to go left. I had engaged a group by now. The team except one guy decided to follow the Brute.

 

I thought ok... and continued ahead. Then the brute team including the Brute wiped. I received a message from the leader telling me I had done wrong and need to follow or be booted. I pointed out I was the Tank and may be better if they follow me. They insisted I follow the leader (blaster) but persisted in blaming me for the wipe. I said "enough" and quit lol.

Edited October 7 by Gobbledigook

[Greycat]

4 hours ago, Neiska said:

I don’t mind as long as it doesn’t mess up the mission or if the lone wolf bites off more than they can chew and blames others. I hasten to add not all of them do this, but some do. Long as you aren’t expecting people to follow you then I am fine with it.

 

Heh. View from the other side:  I used to give one warning when I played emps/thermals/pain more. "If you run off, I'm not chasing you."  Someone blames me because they died and they're the *only* little red arrow on the other side of the map? "Not my fault, I can't heal through walls, should've stayed with the team."

[Techwright]

Lotta good points in the thread.  Whatever is to be tried, has got to be with communication to the team UP FRONT, before the team starts, not as you're racing away from them. This gives you or them the option to back out and find a team that does align with one's desires. 

 

Remind me, gang: is there a distance point where a teammate closer to the door might not get XP from the kills of the path makers?  If so, that's a problem to consider before dashing off.  So is the end room scenario.  I've seen and been on teams that speed and stealth zip past the cave goons in order to lay waste to Jurrasik, leaving behind those teammates who do not have a chance of slipping past, and no effort at teleport is made.  That's selfish, especially if not communicated.

 

It's why I love it when a recruiter announces the mission or task force will be a speed one. If I join with a slow toon, I have to consider it might not get a lot of XP, and might not be present when the AV is felled.