Long time player, new to (most) trials

[FFFF]

 

I joined a Lambda trial yesterday, and after taking out the War Walkers, I had no idea what to do next. The only Incarnate trial I feel somewhat confident in is BAF (Behavioral Adjustment Facility), and that's mainly because I learned what to do over on Rebirth and their small and helpful community. I'm sure these aren't hard, and I'm not against some self-education (looking up Youtube videos, for example), but most players run through these mechanically at a speed I can't match right now. 

 

Some task forces have a related problem. I joined a "Kill Most" ITF, and learned very quickly that "Kill Most" is mostly a suggestion. Run through the caves as fast as possible and knock out the Seeds. Herd the Cimeroans as much as possible and only kill them when bunched up. Ignore any mobs unrelated to mission objectives. It seems that I missed the meta on how these things are now run. 

 

This isn't a post where I'm trying to pick on a subset of players. Speed runs have been discussed to death. I also realize that some players have run certain content thousands of times and speeding up certain aspects become second nature even if they aren't intending to speed up anything. I'm just trying to figure out how to catch up mechanically with a player base that's just way ahead of where I am right now. At this point, I can save myself some embarrassment and just run Heather Townsend x20 times, but I'd rather see what I can do to catch up. 

[Oklahoman]

1 hour ago, FFFF said:

I'm just trying to figure out how to catch up mechanically with a player base that's just way ahead of where I am right now.

 

One thought is to research the trial in advance here in the forums and on the Wikis. For the Lambda trial you mentioned, you might enjoy this wiki page that has a visual guide. Note that is for a regular Lambda run, not a badge run - you'll want to know in advance what the run will entail. For a Speed Lambda run the leader often will skip the Training Facility altogether because you usually can't clear it faster than the 2 minutes you have to wait outside for Marauder to show up. Badge runs will probably have you just to go 1 side and then not use the temporary powers you gain.

 

There are YouTube videos you can search for, as well, though they may not explain what is happening. Same with Twitch. Still, it can help to see it all in advance.

 

In general, let the leader know you haven't run it before so they have the opportunity to provide some more info if needed. I ran some LAM badge runs over the weekend and one player told me that they've never been in a LAM at all, so I sent them some discreet tells as we went along and they did fine. Unfortunately, you may get a leader who doesn't give much instruction and all I can say is try a different leader.

 

Beyond all that, give yourself some grace. The first step to becoming sorta good at something is sucking at it, and not really knowing what you are doing. Read chat, ask questions if needed, and be sure to let the leader know you're new to this whole incarnate thing.

[Gerswin Jr]

On most incarnate trials, very few people really know what they are doing. That is why the leader is so important. Through a Darwinian progression of sorts the server has collectively found a minimum level of simple instructions that result in itrial success. Badge runs, especially Keyes and TPN, require a higher level of coordination, so they are more rarely run by any but the best leaders like the previous poster.

 

BAF, Lambda, DD and even Magisterium runs, if not for all badges, are simple enough that ypu can just follow along and attack designated targets. Just run them a while untilnyou figure out what the objectives are and why the instructions are given. It isually makes sense after a handful of runs

[PartyKake]

If you don't know what you're doing, always ask.

 

At this point, I've DONE all the trials; but I've forgotten all their mechanics by now.

 

If you encounter someone who tries to shame you, let us know.

It'll be the first time we've seen that toxic exclusive raider personality in CoX, and then we'll know that we've made it and the game is popular! WOO!

[Oklahoman]

11 hours ago, PartyKake said:

At this point, I've DONE all the trials; but I've forgotten all their mechanics by now.

 

Not saying this to you directly, but it did remind me of another point. Having successfully done a Master of Dilemma Diabolique with one leader does not necessarily mean the next leader will run it exactly the same way. As @Gerswin Jr said there does tend to evolve a common approach, but there are always variations on a theme. Even when you KNOW what you're supposed to do next, it's always best to follow along with chat and keep an eye on the map to see where everyone is.

[mistagoat]

I'm not sure if this works for iTrials but for TFs just head over to test and get the tester buffs that make you invincible and give you kill powers. Then solo whatever TF you're looking learn. You can take it as slow as you like and figure things out in a pressure free environment. Thats how I figured out Aeon, I only ever saw speedy Aeon advertised and I don't like doing speedy anything if I'm not familiar with it but over on test I went at my own pace and took notes.

 

I don't know if iTrials work the same way since I think there are minimum qty of participants required and that could be trickey on test. Not sure on that one though.

[lemming]

53 minutes ago, mistagoat said:

I don't know if iTrials work the same way since I think there are minimum qty of participants required and that could be trickey on test. Not sure on that one though.

There is.   If you hover over them in the LFG, it gives min & max numbers.    When they modified Minds of Mayhem, they dropped the min for testing purposes.

[Uun]

On Excelsior @Oklahoman is the gold standard for leading iTrials with clear instructions. Pretty sure he still won't lead Keyes or Underground though. 

 

On Torchbearer there are standing iTrial sessions at 2pm Eastern Saturday (Pocket D) and 8pm Eastern Thursday (Dark Astoria). While most of the participants are experienced, the leaders are always willing to answer questions. 

[Oklahoman]

28 minutes ago, Uun said:

On Excelsior @Oklahoman is the gold standard for leading iTrials with clear instructions. Pretty sure he still won't lead Keyes or Underground though. 

 

That went straight to my head, so I just ordered an ELEVEN gallon hat from Amazon. I don't enjoy Keyes or UGh so I don't currently run those, but never say never.

[COH Radgen]

I have to agree with @Uun that @Oklahoman is an excellent ITrial and Raid leader.  I'll add a few general recommendations, however.  

 

In addition to just having your chat window open (and watching for the leader's instructions), you might want to add the REQUEST channel to your League tab.  Some league leaders use this channel so the information shows up in a different color and can be easily recognized.

 

Also, when participating in an instanced Trial or Raid, always check to see which team you've ended up being on.  The system has been known to jumble up the teams in the process.  And always, ALWAYS, check after the beam up (and cut-scene) to see if you've gotten the league star and pass it back to the organizer of the event.

[MoonSheep]

28 minutes ago, Oklahoman said:

 

That went straight to my head, so I just ordered an ELEVEN gallon hat from Amazon. I don't enjoy Keyes or UGh so I don't currently run those, but never say never.

 

certainly won’t fit through the underground itrial caves with an 11 gallon hat

Edited Tuesday at 04:07 PM by MoonSheep

[Championess]

20 minutes ago, MoonSheep said:

 

certainly won’t fit through the underground itrial caves with an 11 gallon hat

 

Are you suggesting @Oklahoman is so phat that even Desdemona quips he has a phat booty?

[Forager]

OP, I had a very similar concern when I returned to the game. I was very unsure of what I was supposed to do, the pace was beyond me and the instructions didn't always feel clear.

 

I was worried about screwing something up, and met with "just ask." A year later and I've kinda figured out that it's not that critical. Just follow the herd, do what the raid leader says and if you are lost, do nothing. You won't understand what is happening, but you won't screw it up.

 

You won't get a lot of insight or on-the-job training during the raid instructions because raid leaders function more like shepherds than field training officers.

 

Whenever I have asked one of them a question as an aside, they have given very thorough and helpful explanations.

Edited Tuesday at 05:46 PM by Forager

[GM Crumpet]

I'm a GM and half the time I hang on for dear life and follow the crowd. Any good Trial leader will explain what you have to do as things happen. Lambda took me ages to work out, and some of the others I just wander about hitting things. Great fun though. My favourite is Dilemma Diabolique, which is pretty easy to get all the badges and Master Of on. As long as you follow the instructions to the letter. 

 

TF's tend to be a bit more "Blast through as fast as you can and try to keep up". Speed runs annoy me though as a lot of the time I literally have no idea what I'm doing. Zip, kill this person. Zip click this thing. Zip oh fight this AV. Done. 

 

Edited to add, any good league leader is really helpful. DM them saying this is your first time and you don't know what to do and they'll make sure the instructions are clear.

Edited Tuesday at 06:54 PM by GM Crumpet

[JKCarrier]

Well, I wish you good luck, @FFFF. I did a lot of Incarnate Trials back on Live, since that was the "Hot New Thing" at the time. But they tended to fall into one of two categories:

1) The leader didn't know what they were doing. Which meant a miserable slog full of dying and respawning that ended with everyone getting fed up and quitting.
2) The leader knew exactly what they were doing. Which meant the kind of robotic speed run you experienced.

 

Neither was my idea of a good time, so I eventually gave up. I hope you can find a way to make 'em work for you.

[Championess]

1 hour ago, JKCarrier said:

1) The leader didn't know what they were doing. Which meant a miserable slog full of dying and respawning that ended with everyone getting fed up and quitting.
2) The leader knew exactly what they were doing. Which meant the kind of robotic speed run you experienced.

 

Any good lead as part of a team had experienced #1 which resulted in them caring enough to learn the mechanics of the individual itrials so that they could get to #2.  

 

The lead having Incan is a big plus so that they can let people play but when needing to focus an objective they can gather stragglers and anyone who got turned around.  A lot of what makes a good team is listening when told certain things.  Then yeah caring to learn things on your own before or after is on the player so they know why the lead is sheparding through to certain things.

Edited Tuesday at 09:25 PM by Championess

[Snarky]

To summarize the best advice. Follow the crowd/Follow your TEAM leader. Unless specifically instructed by League leader to do something 

[lemming]

And again:   Make sure to pay attention to instructions, especially if it's a badge run.

 

League leaders will tell you what channel and after that, it's mostly following the crowd.   After you're on a few, you can get the rhythm. 

[BlackSpectre]

5 hours ago, GM Crumpet said:

...any good league leader is really helpful. DM them saying this is your first time and you don't know what to do and they'll make sure the instructions are clear.

People ask me, and I just reply "Follow your leader, and you'll be fine." LOL

 

Kind of curt and to the point, but at the end I almost always hear from them showering me with praise on how great my instructions were! It's a little embarrassing, but I'm glad they had fun. 🙂

 

[BlackSpectre]

4 hours ago, JKCarrier said:

Neither was my idea of a good time, so I eventually gave up. I hope you can find a way to make 'em work for you.

Hey, @JKCarrier, come with me on a BAF and I swear you'll have fun!

 

I don't do speed runs, but they're more like methodical runs. I give my league mates a lot of freedom. I setup the general structure, and then whatever else happens is up to the league. 1 or 2 people doing their own thing is not usually going to spell doom for the trial, so I don't sweat it... well not much anyway. The other day I was running a badge run for Gotta Keep ''em Separated, and one of the tanks didn't read chat. They ended up preventing us from getting the badge by taunting the AVs to the tennis court as if it was a normal BAF run, but the trial ended successfully anyway. Just meant more incarnate salvage for the rest of us. Started another badge run right afterward, and all went well.

 

People make mistakes, and they usually learn from them. My mottos is "Be gracious, and cut everyone some slack. Just have fun!"