How do you feel about 'lone wolfing'?

[Seed22]

1 hour ago, Story Archer said:

 

I think you might be missing the point there - it's sort of like our individual freedoms. You're free to do anything that makes you happy... right up until the point where you're infringing on someone else's freedom to do the same. There's no wrong way to have fun - UNLESS your fun is hurting other people's ability to have fun. When you make a choice to join a group, you're making a choice to give up some of your usual autonomy for the benefits of being in that group, and the great thing is that the very second you feel like that trade-off is no longer working for you, you can simply quit and find another.

Even better, I only lead teams. Little to no autonomy given because someone is mad the mission got done faster. Complain about it? Don’t really care! I’m the lead. Passive aggressive remark about no one sticking together? That’s nice, I’m still the lead and absolutely not forcing the team to acquiesce to one member’s perceived notion of “proper teamplay”.

 

It’s how I’ve been doing since live days and relaunch. Hence my earlier comment about stalkers. I will never acquiesce to how someone else thinks a team should be run, minus iTrials and raids as I don’t lead those anymore(those were lead in my live days on virtue).

 

Saves me a headache.

[ZemX]

49 minutes ago, ZacKing said:

It seems like some can't grasp that others like fighting stuff, so grouping up in a big ball and nuking mobs isn't really fun for them.

 

Or those comments are coming from people who join teams that AREN'T rolling nuke balls all the time.

 

This is one of the big reasons my favorite teams are leveling mission teams in the 20-40 range.  The lack of Incarnates and level shifts makes a huge difference.  You get something closer to the original intent of the game where teams actually can work together to defeat enemies instead of just being eight demi-gods face-rolling around soloing a map.

 

57 minutes ago, ZacKing said:

I totally get why people want to go off on their own.

 

I don't really because I keep hearing it's for the challenge and.... that doesn't add up.  It has to be more than that because the same or greater challenge can be had solo.   Which means the people doing this lone wolfing either want an audience for their greatness or they just want to benefit from the increased XP that a team gives them, which is somewhat ironic considering a few of the comments up-thread about not wanting to "carry" weaker teammates.   I suppose it's also possible they think splitting away is better for the whole team, but that's very debatable. 

 

It would be a more interesting discussion to have than the one we've been having at least.

[Skyhawke]

1 hour ago, Yomo Kimyata said:

I will also say that it’s probably my favorite badge:

 

https://homecoming.wiki/wiki/Lone_Wolf_Badge

 

No kidding! I mean, you're lending me Blue Steel? BLUE STEEL?!?! What, was Fusionette busy? 😅

[Lunar Ronin]

4 minutes ago, ZemX said:

I don't really because I keep hearing it's for the challenge and.... that doesn't add up.  It has to be more than that because the same or greater challenge can be had solo.   Which means the people doing this lone wolfing either want an audience for their greatness or they just want to benefit from the increased XP that a team gives them, which is somewhat ironic considering a few of the comments up-thread about not wanting to "carry" weaker teammates.   I suppose it's also possible they think splitting away is better for the whole team, but that's very debatable. 

 

It would be a more interesting discussion to have than the one we've been having at least.

 

You get more XP, INF, and drops from soloing a mission at x8 difficulty than you do by joining a team.  So, no, that's not it.  And for me, it's not wanting an audience.

 

I join teams but split off solo while playing a melee character both because sticking with the team on a melee character adversely impacts melee play to the point of making me feel completely useless on a melee character due to the current meta of nukeballing, and it tends to speed up mission completion time.  I only leave to go off on my own if I feel the rest of the team can handle it, so it has no adverse impact on the team, and their play no longer has an adverse impact on mine.  No one loses out on XP, INF, badges, nor drops, so it's win-win for everyone.

 

Why join a team in the first place?  Because A. I want the banter with other players, which can be done while lone wolfing, B. we're all accomplishing the same goal together, C. while I could solo 99% of the TF/SF at x8 difficulty on my own, having teammates is still advantageous for taking down the AV or Hero at the end which is normally the only time people do need to stick together on a TF/SF.

[shortguy on indom]

On 10/7/2024 at 11:39 AM, Story Archer said:

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

• MUCH LIKE NASA HAIRSPRAY... WHO REALLY CARES?

[Owl Girl]

1 hour ago, ZemX said:

 

Or those comments are coming from people who join teams that AREN'T rolling nuke balls all the time.

 

This is one of the big reasons my favorite teams are leveling mission teams in the 20-40 range.  The lack of Incarnates and level shifts makes a huge difference.  You get something closer to the original intent of the game where teams actually can work together to defeat enemies instead of just being eight demi-gods face-rolling around soloing a map.

 

 

I don't really because I keep hearing it's for the challenge and.... that doesn't add up.  It has to be more than that because the same or greater challenge can be had solo.   Which means the people doing this lone wolfing either want an audience for their greatness or they just want to benefit from the increased XP that a team gives them, which is somewhat ironic considering a few of the comments up-thread about not wanting to "carry" weaker teammates.   I suppose it's also possible they think splitting away is better for the whole team, but that's very debatable. 

 

It would be a more interesting discussion to have than the one we've been having at least.

i Lone Wolf on teams when they are moving too slow without decent cause, and because i play on the RP server and i think it suits the character to take charge when faced with less focused teammates. the goal is to generate momentum and "drag" the others forward.

 

i socialize while i do this, so being solo isn't the point really in those circumstances.

[Without_Pause]

2 hours ago, ZemX said:

It has to be more than that because the same or greater challenge can be had solo.   Which means the people doing this lone wolfing either want an audience for their greatness

I have joked on here about being on a team as it's great to have an audience. While saying that is something more to poke fun at, I did a TF with my Tanker and at the end of the TF the other Tanker gave me a complement. If you think getting a complement from another player isn't satisfying, you are oh so very wrong. I don't expect it, but I sure as heck try to be a worthy teammate if I am on the team. CoH would be better off if people acknowledged good gameplay beyond 'nice heals.'

[Enchantica]

1.  Yeah, I " Lone Wolf it sometimes" The key is to make sure not to let anyone see you die.  I have been trying to work on a "catch phrase" for when I " Lone wolf it" so far the one I use the most is ........ anyone have a rez!,
2. 

[Neiska]

2 hours ago, ZemX said:

 

I don't really because I keep hearing it's for the challenge and.... that doesn't add up.  It has to be more than that because the same or greater challenge can be had solo.   Which means the people doing this lone wolfing either want an audience for their greatness or they just want to benefit from the increased XP that a team gives them, which is somewhat ironic considering a few of the comments up-thread about not wanting to "carry" weaker teammates.   I suppose it's also possible they think splitting away is better for the whole team, but that's very debatable. 

 

It would be a more interesting discussion to have than the one we've been having at least.

I don’t claim to speak for anyone but myself, but I can offer alternative possibilities.

 

The reasons why need not be malicious in nature. Some people including myself enjoy “red lining” the engine so to speak. Pushing a build or even a concept build as far as you can.

 

It might also depend on the enemy or mission in question. Some enemies like carnies can be pita. Missions like “kill all” might certainly be faster if people split up. The same goes for “finding the McMuffin” objectives.

 

I doubt splitting up on missions is for any kind of ego, as it’s not really a feat that’s impressive. Soloing an itf is impressive. Soloing GMs and AVs are impressive. Getting a ton of vet levels is impressive.

 

And this isn’t considering the inexplicable. Someone may have taken a wrong turn, or just isn’t paying attention. They might have been enjoying a few adult beverages and have impaired judgment. They might just be on “autopilot” mode.

 

Point is, is there are many other possible reasons why someone heads off alone before trying to show off or act with ill intentions. If bad intentions were their goal, I can think of many far worse things than running off by themselves that they could be doing. Overpulling mobs for example, or trying to deliberately wipe the group or sabotage the mission’s come to mind.

 

As long as it doesn’t cause problems, I don’t mind if people run off. Others might agree. The only thing that really bugs me is when stealth people sprint to the glowie, skipping “everything.” 
 

But it’s okay to like different things. But others liking different things than you doesn’t make them bad, wrong, or malicious.

 

If these things are so terrible, I would respectfully ask what makes them so terrible? What was the impact on the mission? Did it cause it to fail somehow? Asking in earnest here, because tone of voice is difficult to convey only through text.

[kelika2]

On 10/7/2024 at 12:21 PM, Apogee said:

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

Trolls need an audience.

Now at this time I wish i knew more works to properly convey what im trying to think here

 

Back then, someone probably got carried and felt good about it and wished to grow up as strong as the person who carried them, and now said growded up person automatically assumes everyone wants to get carried.  they make their fire tanks now and just speed to the end flexing on everyone thinking they are doing a good thing meanwhile 7 people get robbed of exp.

 

However, with no one to flex or rob.. it loses its meaning.

 

Now thats just one scenario, most of the time its some skinnyfat dude with like 15 cans of energy drinks on their table twitching and smoking(vaping?) thinking speed is the only option because they have 50+ alts that need synapes but said person is too afraid to lead or try villain side for their shorter TFs

[ZacKing]

3 hours ago, ZemX said:

Or those comments are coming from people who join teams that AREN'T rolling nuke balls all the time.

 

Could be.  If that's the case and depending on the team, the team leader should speak up and say something if the person lone-wolfing it is adversely impacting the rest of the team.

 

3 hours ago, ZemX said:

This is one of the big reasons my favorite teams are leveling mission teams in the 20-40 range.  The lack of Incarnates and level shifts makes a huge difference.  You get something closer to the original intent of the game where teams actually can work together to defeat enemies instead of just being eight demi-gods face-rolling around soloing a map.

 

You're basically making my point here.  At higher levels some people breaking off on their own are doing it because the content isn't challenging enough for a full group of 8.  Mobs are getting insta-vaped by the group, so there's no meat left on the bone.

 

2 hours ago, Lunar Ronin said:

I join teams but split off solo while playing a melee character both because sticking with the team on a melee character adversely impacts melee play to the point of making me feel completely useless on a melee character due to the current meta of nukeballing, and it tends to speed up mission completion time.

 

^ This exactly.

[TygerDarkstorm]

1 hour ago, kelika2 said:

 meanwhile 7 people get robbed of exp.

You may need to clarify what you mean by this, because so long as all folks are loaded into the mission, everyone gets xp no matter who does the killing, otherwise being able to doorsit farms to get levels wouldn't be a thing.

[ZemX]

1 hour ago, ZacKing said:

Could be.  If that's the case and depending on the team, the team leader should speak up and say something if the person lone-wolfing it is adversely impacting the rest of the team.

 

"Adversely impacting" can be a fine line. The team is going to successfully complete the mission.   But I've been on plenty of mid-level teams where a Scrapper, Stalker, Brute, or Blaster runs off to solo and found myself with the rest of the team whittling down some highly resistant boss thinking, "Gosh you know what we could have used right here....?"

 

Yeah, if it's nukeball time, go nuts.   Though if it's me, I'd still rather duo or trio than go off solo on a team.   But on any "normal", i.e. not endgame, team... my personal etiquette is if you join the team, play with the team.  Unless there's some specific goal to speed or stealth or hunt.  Stick around.  OP asked for opinions and that's mine.

[biostem]

16 minutes ago, ZemX said:

if you join the team, play with the team

Truer words were never spoken;  It's one thing if the team leader is "Leading from the front" and expecting the team to keep up with them, but it's another thing entirely if someone joins the team later on and behaves like this...

[Hyperstrike]

46 minutes ago, biostem said:

Truer words were never spoken;  It's one thing if the team leader is "Leading from the front" and expecting the team to keep up with them, but it's another thing entirely if someone joins the team later on and behaves like this...

There needs to be a meeting of the minds (or the mindless in my case) so we are on the same page, because poor team coordination is the same thing as NO coordination.

[biostem]

1 minute ago, Hyperstrike said:

There needs to be a meeting of the minds (or the mindless in my case) so we are on the same page, because poor team coordination is the same thing as NO coordination.

You'll have better luck herding cats or maybe trying to un-bumble bees.

[Apogee]

1 hour ago, biostem said:

You'll have better luck herding cats or maybe trying to un-bumble bees.

 

Bumbles bounce!

[GM_GooglyMoogly]

My Googly Eye has been summoned!!

 

 

This topic seems to have brought out a lot of emotions.  As always, please debate the issue and not the parties.

[kelika2]

3 hours ago, TygerDarkstorm said:

You may need to clarify what you mean by this, because so long as all folks are loaded into the mission, everyone gets xp no matter who does the killing, otherwise being able to doorsit farms to get levels wouldn't be a thing.

people needing or wanting exp and someone finishes the mission asap?

[Andreah]

9 hours ago, ZacKing said:

I don't mind it so long as it isn't adversely impacting the rest of the team.  I completely understand why people do it, especially after reading through the thread on Fold Space etiquette.   It seems like some can't grasp that others like fighting stuff, so grouping up in a big ball and nuking mobs isn't really fun for them.  I totally get why people want to go off on their own.

I totally grasp that. If you don't want to group up in a big ball and nuke mobs don't join teams doing that. And if you discover you are on a team doing that, then instead of running off on your own and slowing them down and not supporting other people on that team, then go run missions solo, or make your own team of lone wolves.

 

If you are the lone wolf on my team, you do not get to decide you are not impacting the rest of the team. I do. And that's why, in this hypothetical circumstance, after you refuse to return to the big ball and help the team nuke stuff, you get the boot. You do not need us to go run +4x8 content on your own. Go do that on your own.

[lemming]

6 hours ago, Enchantica said:

 Yeah, I " Lone Wolf it sometimes" The key is to make sure not to let anyone see you die.  I have been trying to work on a "catch phrase" for when I " Lone wolf it" so far the one I use the most is ........ anyone have a rez!,

Mine is usually "Stress testing Build, I think I found the limit"

[TygerDarkstorm]

2 hours ago, kelika2 said:

people needing or wanting exp and someone finishes the mission asap?

Someone speed rushing to the end doesn't automatically mean the other people on the team are missing out on xp so long as they're still doing their thing and killing mobs. And so long as the speed rusher isn't the leader, they can be booted if their behavior is deemed detrimental to the team. And if they are the leader; people not happy with that playstyle will end up leaving the team and the speeder will end up alone.

 

I'm indifferent on the lone wolf matter overall as I can see both sides. There's definitely a feeling of feeling like you're not doing anything on a team of 8 that's steamrolling and most of your attacks end up being corpse blasts, so yeah, it's nice to split on those occasions, whether it's solo, duo, etc. I tend to follow the vibe of the team and the team lead.

[kelika2]

26 minutes ago, TygerDarkstorm said:

Someone speed rushing to the end doesn't automatically mean the other people on the team are missing out on xp so long as they're still doing their thing and killing mobs. And so long as the speed rusher isn't the leader, they can be booted if their behavior is deemed detrimental to the team. And if they are the leader; people not happy with that playstyle will end up leaving the team and the speeder will end up alone.

 

I'm indifferent on the lone wolf matter overall as I can see both sides. There's definitely a feeling of feeling like you're not doing anything on a team of 8 that's steamrolling and most of your attacks end up being corpse blasts, so yeah, it's nice to split on those occasions, whether it's solo, duo, etc. I tend to follow the vibe of the team and the team lead.

i dunno what to say because im not sure what you are fighting for.  it does not really sync up with what i typed before

[Without_Pause]

8 hours ago, ZemX said:

my personal etiquette is if you join the team, play with the team. 

If I'm in the mission map with the rest of the team, then I am playing with the team.

[Frunobulax]

On 10/8/2024 at 5:03 PM, Krimson said:

My stalker never uses stealth and has been the tank in groups. Unfortunately, if you want to play in a group in this game, your Stalker can't be sneaking around like an assassin. You have to thug it out like the rest of the mob.

I constantly end up being the initiator on my stalkers and I always run stealth. Dive in, ae from stealth, backstab #1 priority mob for proc to buff my next ae, then prioritize from whatever's left, if anything. You are probably leaving damage (that could help you retain agro) on the table for no reason unless you're pulling with proximity agro for some specific reason.