10 Habits That Will Save Your Life Someday
By
American_Knight,
Posted on: 2004-09-28 09:05 in Player Guides
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Don't pull the boss. It'll bring the whole group. Peel off minions.
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Unless you are pulling with Wormhole. (Which can also be pretty nice with those proximity bombs.)
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13a) Try to keep within Aura radius of your defenders and controllers, else you wont be part of thier group powers, especially Healing Auras and Force Fields.
13b) If you can not stick close, stay in line of sight.
13c) If you can not stay line of sight or close to your empath, don't start complaining and telling the empath what to do... empaths dont like being told how to do thier jobs cause they can't chase one person while they are protecting the rest of the team.
13d) Dont tick off your empath, or you will DIE!!!
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LOL! 13d is great! Boy did I cause a big uproar in my team once when I got really ticked off. 
Dr. Lazarus.
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Warm up any new team and build chemistry before taking on tough fights. It only takes a few battles, so you save a lot of time on debt reduction.
Ask the leader what your team's alpha strike is- If he doesn't know, you might need a new leader.
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This is sooooooo true! I hate when I have to repeatedly teach a team this! If the team can't remember a 4 step battle initiation plan (that only consists of 2 steps of prep and 2 steps of attack), then you need a new team or need to only attack easy groups of mobs.
Come on people! Its only 4 steps. Its not like its an AA 12 step plan.
Dr. Lazarus.
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If one member of your team charges in ignoring the who-goes-first-for-the-team decision (*normally* a tanker, your mileage *will* vary) or ignoring the readiness state of the team (ie, someone said "afk" and hasn't come "back" yet) take your pick of just standing back and watching them die, or kicking them from the team.
An unready group is just chain debt collection waiting to happen. Better just him than him and everyone else, too.
--
Related to above... if you have a player who chases a runner into the next spawn group, especially on a larger team... kick them. Another case of debt waiting to happen. I have yet to witness a case where this did *not* result within at least one player's death within 10 minutes.
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Recognize situations that are debt waiting to happen for what they are.
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Such intelligence and wisdom. Wish everyone followed these rules. Wish everyone would learn from them too. Unfortunately there are some hopeless people. *sigh*
What I also hate is when a team member aggros a mob, realizes they can't handle it, runs around like a mad man, and then runs right by an AFK team member causing the team member to die. GGRRRRR....
Dr. Lazarus
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X1 - Adapt. Figure out the strengths and style of your teammates and adapt your playstyle to fit there's. Some teams rush in for an alpha strike - others pull. Some lead with blaster AOEs - others lead with tanks and controllers. Some groups need to knock around foes to be most effective (energy torrent, repel, etc.) and others want mobs in tight groups for maximum effect (fire tankers, spines scrappers, AOE blasters). Figure it out fast and adapt your style to the style of the group at large. Working at odds to the team strategy is stupid.
X2 - Assign one field lead. Follow that lead. A team that is divided is a team that will suffer deaths. A team that is united behind one person will survive. You don't need the perfect plan - you just need a plan that everyone is implementing.
X3 - Let your buffbots buff you before starting a fight. It might take an extra 5 seconds as they cycle through the team hitting everyone with Increase Density and Speed Boost, but it makes fights that much easier.
X3.2 - If you are the buffbot, buff your teammates as soon as you start lining up for the next fight so everyone is at maximum efficiency when the fight begins.
X4 - Teamwork can overcome everything.
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Where the hell are all you guys! I love this! Wish I could find some guys like you all on Champion!
When I hunt with a team in a dangerous area (i.e. mobs are +1 to +2 or more above the highest level team member, or +2 / +3 above team average), and I am the team leader, I always have 2 simple rules for them all to follow:
A) Only one person calls the target group, i.e. only one person selects which group to attack. This is your X2 of having only one field lead. This is to make sure that the entire team KNOWS which group to attack, instead of going off and attacking multiple random groups expecting the whole team to be there.
B) Do not chase fleeing villians - When hunting in relatively open areas, chasing fleeing villians can mean the death of not only yourself but the entire team as buffs and auras may drop while fighting the second group. Or, you might encounter a higher level group that you can't handle.
Dr. Lazarus
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12) Pulling is slow and inefficient. I remember in the TV trial my group wanting to find ways to solo pull the Freak Tanks. I explained that you won't be able to solo pull them in the reactor. Charging in and controlling a fight is the best part. (ok, I'm a controller)
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There's the problem right there. Rule:
Don't pull the boss. It'll bring the whole group. Peel off minions.
Rule:
It's better to kill a minion than damage a boss. 4 or 5 whites will kill you faster than 3 yellows.
Rule:
The scariest looking enemy isn't always the most dangerous.
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This is an important lesson for low to mid level players to learn. (if you don't know this by the time you are in your 30s.... something is seriously wrong).
My rule when pulling is to pull from the bottom up. Underlings, minions, LTs, then bosses.
When in a team with a team member who can tank and keep the boss busy, I like to have the boss isolated by this team member while everyone else cleans up the minions. Then after minions are gone, beat up on the boss.
Dr. Lazarus
No matter what the level of the heroes in your group never assume that a Tanker can safely start a mob encounter by leaping in and hitting provoke, or that a Blaster can finish it with a well placed Nova or Inferno.
It's humbling when the level 50 Tankers in your group get b-slapped by a mob of Rularuu and your Energy or Fire Blasters get snotted by the same foes when they try to sneak in with Stealth/Cloaking Device + Super Speed to set off a Nova/Inferno.
Adapt - Improvise - Survive
-- Never go into rest mode when a Freakshow Tank is near. One grenade and boom your in debt!! This happened to my wifes scrapper. We were catching our breaths between mobs in the IP TF and someone aggro'd the tank accidentally and his mortar round blew her away, one shot one kill. She was a little PO'd.
Don't know if someone wrote this or not already ---
Don't follow your Stealthed scout too closely! ! !
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Don't know if someone wrote this or not already ---
Don't follow your Stealthed scout too closely! ! !
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A-freaking-men! I can't tell you how many times I've gone looking around corners and into rooms with Stealth going and some blaster follows me in and aggros the whole group. >_<
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Don't know if someone wrote this or not already ---
Don't follow your Stealthed scout too closely! ! !
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A-freaking-men! I can't tell you how many times I've gone looking around corners and into rooms with Stealth going and some blaster follows me in and aggros the whole group. >_<
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This happens a lot when I shoot flash arrow as well. Team thinks I am attacking and starts before everyone is ready.
My tip:
Info all controllers and defenders on your team and see what form of mitigation they have and annouce your findings to the team.
Example:
"Excellent, a rad. Save teh anchor for last."
"Nice a kin. Stay near the scrapper/tank for heals"
" Yay, bubbles."
I do this to avoid the in mission comments from others yelling HEAL!! HEAL!! to the trick arrow defender.
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X1 - Adapt. Figure out the strengths and style of your teammates and adapt your playstyle to fit there's. Some teams rush in for an alpha strike - others pull. Some lead with blaster AOEs - others lead with tanks and controllers. Some groups need to knock around foes to be most effective (energy torrent, repel, etc.) and others want mobs in tight groups for maximum effect (fire tankers, spines scrappers, AOE blasters). Figure it out fast and adapt your style to the style of the group at large. Working at odds to the team strategy is stupid.
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You win the thread. I bet you win a lot of fights in the game, too.
Some days I just wake up cranky. Today might be one of those days...
My version of this list:
1. Communicate with your teammates:
A) Be polite to your teammates. Treat them the way you want them to treat you.
B) For those of you that are under the age of 18 either physically or mentally reread A and then get up from your computer and go have someone explain it to you.
C) Talk with your teammates, break the ice and get to know them a little.
D) If you can't type fast then make some macros or keybinds that say stuff like "Behind us!", "Incoming!" etc. And use them.
E) Let your team know what you can do. Let them know what your Buffs and Debuffs do before the battle begins.
2. Be a good leader or give up the star:
A) Recuit a balanced team. All of the ATs can contribute to survivability and damage output.
B) Deal with the team you have not the one you wish you had. Adapt your tactics to what your team can do.
C) Make your intentions and planned tactics clear to everyone.
D) Make sure everyone knows who the "Point Man" is. Usually the Tanker or buffed Scrapper.
E) Listen to your teammates when they offer advice. Judge said advice based on how it sounds not on how many veteran badges they have.
F) If one member is causing problems send him a tell, let him know politely yet firmly to stop doing whatever is causing the problem.
G) If that doesn't work say it again. Politely and even more firmly, and say it in the team window so your teammates know you're addressing the problem.
H) If that doesn't work kick the troublemaker before he drives the rest of your team away.
3. Don't aggro the enemy until you're ready:
A) Never chase a runner.
B) Check corners before going around them.
C) Always take the back elevator.
D) Don't enter the center of the room until you've checked its edges.
E) Pan the camera out and around as much as possible.
F) Look up.
4. Don't get in over your head:
A) Pull when necessary.
B) Don't get ahead of the Tank.
C) Always let your mentor go through any door or elevator first.
D) Always make sure all defensive toggles are on before clicking on any door or elevator.
E) Make sure everyone is ready (not resting or AFK) before taking that next mob on.
5. Think of the team before thinking of yourself:
A) Give Inspirations that you don't use to your teammates.
B) Warn your sidekick before leaving the mission or going to the hospital.
C) If you're having a problem with a teammate argue about it after the battle. If you can't resolve it leave the team.
D) Follow the team leader's orders.
E) If you don't like the way the leader is doing things or the way the team is acting say something.
F) If that doesn't work quit the team and either find a new one or make one of your own.
G) Unless it's an emergency let everyone know that you're going AFK.
H) Unless it's an emergency don't go AFK during a battle.
6. Look out for yourself too:
A) If it is an emergency do what you have to do and remember this is only a game.
B) Go into a building or down the elevator before going AFK.
C) If you have to go AFK outside stand near a drone or on top of a tall building.
D) Click on your teammates and find out what their powers are.
E) Always make sure your Teleport Prompt is ON when you're in a PUG.
F) Heal up between fights.
G) Always stay within range of the Defender's powers, whatever they may be.
H) If someone yells; "Run!" and you're not a Regen Scrapper then run!
I) If your mentor and one or more team members is down and you're not a Regen Scrapper then run!
J) If you see the Tanker running away and you're not a Regen Scrapper then run!
7) Knowledge is power:
A) Check the map frequently, know where your teamates are, know where the exits are.
B) If you encounter a mob that you know nothing about click on it and find out about it.
C) If someone can stealth ahead always let them, even if you don't plan on porting to the end of the mission.
D) Ask your teammates for advice. If you're RPing the arrogant know-it-all then do it OOC.
8) Use good tactics:
A) Use all of the buffs you have. If you have to wait a few seconds until AM or Fort is back up then wait.
B) Let all of the debuffers do their thing before you go in. If you need to wait a few seconds for Flash Arrow or Trip Mine then wait.
C) Stay back around the corner unless you are the one pulling. No really! All the way around the corner!
D) Let the Tanker go in and get the aggro before you open up with your AoE monster.
E) Don't go out in front of the caltrops your teammate just layed down.
F) Don't immoblize targets whose attacks you can't resist, hold them or knock them down/back.
G) Don't use an enemy who can teleport as your "anchor".
H) Don't leave the rest of the party to save that errant Scrapper.
I) Tankers are nice to have, but you still need to watch your own aggro.
J) Tankers and Scrappers should jump over the enemy as they engage them, so enemy cone attacks don't hit the rest of the team.
K) If you're squishy stay away from the Tanker, the enemy has AoE's too.
X) If you see any character of mine asking if they could solo the room, let them.
X) Masterminds are Tankers too.
TW/Elec Optimization
There's some impressive necromancy going on here. 2 and a half years between posts...
"Never steal a wheel belonging to the bat mobile."
ok i knew all of those, but i guess the target is the low levels who don't know lol
keep your team window up, sometimes it's hard to distinguish if an npc just died or a teammate in a large mob..
learn how to look at the screen while typing or don't type during a battle
NEVER PULL A LIEUTENANT OR BOSS SURROUNDED BY ENEMIES! <-- That's a given, but it's ok if they're a straggler and a good deal away..
Never get team teleport in the hopes of saving your team if they start to die, it's too much of a hastle unless in an open area with no enemies except what you're fighting, I did it once and brought my whole group (all red health) into ANOTHER group, completely full, so no chance of reviving and killing off the rest..
in a PL group, the leader, tank, your mentor, are always right, if they're grouchy people that could be the difference between being PL'd and being kicked..
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"Never steal a wheel belonging to the bat mobile."
ok i knew all of those, but i guess the target is the low levels who don't know lol
keep your team window up, sometimes it's hard to distinguish if an npc just died or a teammate in a large mob..
learn how to look at the screen while typing or don't type during a battle
NEVER PULL A LIEUTENANT OR BOSS SURROUNDED BY ENEMIES! <-- That's a given, but it's ok if they're a straggler and a good deal away..
Never get team teleport in the hopes of saving your team if they start to die, it's too much of a hastle unless in an open area with no enemies except what you're fighting, I did it once and brought my whole group (all red health) into ANOTHER group, completely full, so no chance of reviving and killing off the rest..
in a PL group, the leader, tank, your mentor, are always right, if they're grouchy people that could be the difference between being PL'd and being kicked..
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lolwut
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x) Learn you team mates powers / tactics
Inv Tanks/Scrappers and Stone Tanks can not move when in Unyeilding Stance / Rooted. So whilst the combat is going be aware that although the Tank is acting like the Anvil that you will crush the bad guys on - that Anvil may not be moving far. If you run away from them they will be unable to taunt/provoke the bad guys that you have aggroed onto yourself off you.
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Update! For new players JUST getting to learn the game, the bold part above is no longer true. Stone Armor Tanks and Brutes are able to move albeit slowly and Invulnerability Tanks, Scrappers and Brutes don't have movement penalties at all anymore.
However, it is important to know the capabilities of your team.
EX 1:If you're teamed with a level 10 tank, and he/she only has one power out of their primary, chances are it's a bad thing to let them lead a charge into an enemy group.
EX 2:Be aware of what your controllers and defenders are capable of so that you aren't disappointed later if your expectations are, for whatever reason, not met. (i.e. if you are expecting an AoE control from your controller, make sure they have it; also, don't look for healing or a rez if you have a Sonic Resonance defender)
=^..^=. o O (Nothing to see. Just a cat.)
(_ _)~
*Recipient of a Sentai Sage thumbs up of approval.
..v
(==)b
Know what you can scout against. Rikti Drones, Nemesis and Crey Snipers, and Rularuu (eyeballs) ALL have a tendancy to see through Stealth AND Invisibility. If one of them hits you, Stealth/Invisibility loses effect and then the whole room sees you.
If the tank declares "Herding to HERE", don't stand and watch. The difference between soft and hard aggro caps means some mobs will attack you if they see you before they get to where the tank is trying to park them. While they are attacking you, they spread out. AoE debuffers hate spread out mobs. AoE blasters hate spread out mobs.
If YOU are the tank and you declare "Herding to HERE", don't change your mind and suddenly take them to the other side of the doorway.
If you can't help doing knockback, and the fire blaster has just hit Aim - Build Up (it is a distinctive sound, plus there are icons on his status bar), DON'T DO ANYTHING for a few seconds. If he is going to nuke, he does not want the mobs scattered. Aim - Build Up - Fireball - Firebreath is almost a nuke without the crash. He certainly doesn't want his target moved between Fireball and Firebreath.
If you are a Kinetic, slot your Speed Boost with END Mods. All of that attack rate is useless without the blue bar to run it.
If you are an Empath, Adrenaline Boost slotted with at least one SO END Mod can eliminate the blaster nuke crash. He will recover END immediately after the nuke, and may not even have toggles drop.
If you are an Empath, and you are fighting Ghost Widow in the Statesman Task Force, your tank needs Clear Mind. LOTS OF IT. Do not hit him with one or two and then leave off.
Gerbils are for wimps. Real men use badgers.
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I do this to avoid the in mission comments from others yelling HEAL!! HEAL!! to the trick arrow defender.
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Unless of course the trick arrow defender picked the "heal arrow" power! 
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12) Pulling is slow and inefficient. I remember in the TV trial my group wanting to find ways to solo pull the Freak Tanks. I explained that you won't be able to solo pull them in the reactor. Charging in and controlling a fight is the best part. (ok, I'm a controller)
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There's the problem right there. Rule:
Don't pull the boss. It'll bring the whole group. Peel off minions.
Rule:
It's better to kill a minion than damage a boss. 4 or 5 whites will kill you faster than 3 yellows.
Rule:
The scariest looking enemy isn't always the most dangerous.
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Unless you're an invincibility scrapper, then you must have the minions around you while fighting the boss in order to get the full buffs.