Some folks have mental holdovers from other, lesser games, where a holy trinity of heal-tank-dps is essential.
Some people are locked in a tactical freeze, unable to consider approaches other than "what worked last time."
The preferred approach becomes dogma, and anything different becomes heresy.
Some people do not understand the concepts behind other power sets, and that leads to "Force Fields don't do anything!" for example.
"You need a stone tank!" Well, I've met some stone tanks you DON'T need, who can't hold enough aggro to be a good tank, and who don't do enough damage to be a good scrapper.
I once observed that it seems inept players gravitate towards the AT/powersets considered the most vital, perhaps hoping their necessity will outweigh their suckitude.
On the other hand, there are uncommon powersets, played by cunning individuals, who are capable of dragging a mediocre team to greatness, or a pathetic one to at least minimal success. Note them, star them, and embrace them.
Similarly, the meat-and-potatoes ATs/powersets can be used to their full potential by clever players, casting a halo of capability and mandatory selection on the less competent by the less observant.
Some powersets are simpler to use than others, but you can certainly find think of someone who can even screw that up.
I don't expect someone to respec mid-mission to my liking, but I do expect them to use what they have to the best benefit of the team.
You must do enough damage to defeat your foes.
You must survive their attacks.
You must have enough endurance to finish the fight.
www.paragonwiki.com is a great source of information for this game.
New or returning to the game? Want advice from experienced players who want to help YOU?
The Mentor Project: Part of the New Player Council.
TF must have is fun and friendly people. AT does not matter as long as everyone is ready to have fun and not take the game to seriously.
Enough ranting. What's the weirdest team composition that you've ever completed the LRSF, MoLRSF, STF, or MoSTF on?
www.paragonwiki.com is a great source of information for this game.
New or returning to the game? Want advice from experienced players who want to help YOU?
The Mentor Project: Part of the New Player Council.
Whenever we TF over on Justice, we usually let people bring what they want. Well, unless its a STF or something where good debuff really matters big time.
Hobo, you got a point. I was on a LRSF on Sunday. We didn't succeed, but damn, did we overcome a heck of a lot along the way. I had a tonne of fun, even having to admit defeat.
My Crab Spider kept trying to pull Numina, and instead kept getting (seemingly) one-shotted by Synapse. In retrospect, should have had our Mastermind do the pull under Bodyguard Mode.
www.paragonwiki.com is a great source of information for this game.
New or returning to the game? Want advice from experienced players who want to help YOU?
The Mentor Project: Part of the New Player Council.
Had a great time pulling together and running an all-scrap ITF a couple weeks ago, and my wife was one of the scrappers in Infatum's Sara Moore TF last night. During both, the sounds of rejoicing were epic, and a great time was had by all.
I have never had a problem getting in on whatever I want on whatever character I want. The big secret is when they say some crap like "well, we'd RATHER have another troller. . . " you say "welp, all I have is my <AT you want to play>." Works every time.
When I form up a TF? I don't care who comes. Never put together an STF but I am sure even that can be worked around. Some team makeups might be more or less timely, but I would feel like a dink telling someone that they can't bring their X because I think we need a Y. This goes double when there are three open spots in the TF; "holding out" for a whatever sucks. This had led to some fun Freedom Phalanx TFs when I realize half the team is warshades and the other half is controllers who barely make the minimum level, but that just adds some flavour to something that I and everyone else has done dozens of times.
edit: Regarding the STF: Heavy tanks are not needed. Heck, tanks are not needed. Scrappers masquerading as tanks are not needed. Without breaking rules 1 and 2 of fight club, you'd be amazed at what can tank Lord Recluse, even with all the towers up.
<QR>
Must-Haves:
1) Character controlled by a player with a brain. And there has to be no question whether said brain is just a metaphorical construction to justify a possible player's ability to breath (simply stated: no "idiots"...).
2) 7 more of them.
That said, while it is certainly possible to run an STF with 8 Blasters, the Bar of Competence tends to be a little high for most to satisfy Must-Have #1 above, let alone Must-Have #2. So...start your teams with things that reduce the Bar of Competence's height. Suddenly things will be a lot easier.
Ways to lower the Bar of Competence:
1) Buff overload.
2) Control (note: NOT necessarily "control powers"...)
3) Debuff overload.
4) Damage overload.
There is no kill like overkill.
Blue: ~Knockback Squad on Guardian~
Red: ~Undoing of Virtue on [3 guesses]~
[ QUOTE ]
edit: Regarding the STF: Heavy tanks are not needed. Heck, tanks are not needed. Scrappers masquerading as tanks are not needed. Without breaking rules 1 and 2 of fight club, you'd be amazed at what can tank Lord Recluse, even with all the towers up.
[/ QUOTE ]
I used to do fairly regular all defender STFs. I think the last one went deathless up until we started on the towers. It gets a little messy, but once that red one is down, you're home free. I've also gotten away with tanking LR as the lone illusionist with non-perma PAs. That one probably should have failed, but you never know until you try and the team was willing to try and fail, just ended up succeeding instead.
Jer
[ QUOTE ]
5) ANYTHING but stoney silence!
[/ QUOTE ]
If I wasnt so stoned I wouldnt be so silent... 
[ QUOTE ]
It's becoming increasingly more aggravating to get into a TF PUG lately. Seems there are becomine more and more "must have" builds - and if you dont have that build - no need to apply. Is this game turning into Guild Wars?
You "must have":
- A stone tanker
- A Kin
- A Rad
- A Cold Fender
etc., etc., the list goes on.
[/ QUOTE ]
I agree, you don't need any of those things to do a task force.
[ QUOTE ]
As far as I'm concerned, the only must haves are a good tank and a decent healer (and perhaps 1 controller)
[/ QUOTE ] This is funny. You directly contradict your opening statement, and you're wrong.
Hi Hey_Tiny.
I feel for ya. You are undoubtly alot like me.... and hate forming teams.
I don't even like bugging my friends for teaming.
I like big teams.... even better is, big pug teams.
But don't ask me to make one.
BC 
[ QUOTE ]
Hi Hey_Tiny.
I feel for ya. You are undoubtly alot like me.... and hate forming teams.
I don't even like bugging my friends for teaming.
I like big teams.... even better is, big pug teams.
But don't ask me to make one.
BC
[/ QUOTE ]
I don't mind leading a team, I don't mind making one - but I don't want to be "That Guy" who puts together a team for that TF unless I have done it at least one time with a more experienced group.
My memory's not as sharp as it used to be.
Also, my memory's not as sharp as it used to be.
"The tip of a shoelace is called an aglet, its true purpose is sinister." The Question
[ QUOTE ]
It's becoming increasingly more aggravating to get into a TF PUG lately. Seems there are becomine more and more "must have" builds - and if you dont have that build - no need to apply. Is this game turning into Guild Wars?
You "must have":
- A stone tanker
- A Kin
- A Rad
- A Cold Fender
etc., etc., the list goes on.
[/ QUOTE ]
In my experience, the only thing that's required to get invited to a PUG TF is that I be logged in. I get invites from random strangers pretty frequently while I don't have a teaming flag set and I'm shopping or selling or whatever.
When forming a TF, I personally never look for a "healer," although I do like to throw in Controllers and Defenders if I can find them without holding things up.
I like trying different team mixes, makes things more interesting.
If we are to die, let us die like men. -- Patrick Cleburne
----------------------------------------------------------
The rule is that they must be loved. --Jayne Fynes-Clinton, Death of an Abandoned Dog
[ QUOTE ]
>> Sheesh. People'll nitpick anything.
The time point, though, is actually a valid one. 'Ample time' means different things to different people, but I absolutely despise when people expect the lowest possible time, then ditch when they don't get it. Or they know that the TF takes at least X amount of time, but they know they can only be around for Y, and then dump on you in the middle. :/
The TF Average x 2 time was just a general guideline I try to use specifically for the majority of TFs (which can be done in around 1.5 to 2 hours for the most part, though obviously exceptions apply).
The flight thing is just silly, though, and doesn't deserve much more consideration beyond that. :P
[/ QUOTE ]
Oh I knew what you meant. I was bored and needed time to kill while I waited for the coffee to brew. It did and I had some, and a bagel. Then I forgot I had posted in this thread until this point in which I'm sitting here waiting for coffee to brew. I would like, at this time to denounce the need for going back to the moon in favor of creating a process that can instantaneously turn a coffee bean into coffee while it's sliding down my throat. That or coffee gummy bears. Really, I'm good either way. So yeah, just me being a caffeine deprived doosh. 
"If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one?"
- Abraham Lincoln
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
>> Sheesh. People'll nitpick anything.
The time point, though, is actually a valid one. 'Ample time' means different things to different people, but I absolutely despise when people expect the lowest possible time, then ditch when they don't get it. Or they know that the TF takes at least X amount of time, but they know they can only be around for Y, and then dump on you in the middle. :/
The TF Average x 2 time was just a general guideline I try to use specifically for the majority of TFs (which can be done in around 1.5 to 2 hours for the most part, though obviously exceptions apply).
The flight thing is just silly, though, and doesn't deserve much more consideration beyond that. :P
[/ QUOTE ]
Oh I knew what you meant. I was bored and needed time to kill while I waited for the coffee to brew. It did and I had some, and a bagel. Then I forgot I had posted in this thread until this point in which I'm sitting here waiting for coffee to brew. I would like, at this time to denounce the need for going back to the moon in favor of creating a process that can instantaneously turn a coffee bean into coffee while it's sliding down my throat. That or coffee gummy bears. Really, I'm good either way. So yeah, just me being a caffeine deprived doosh.
[/ QUOTE ]
*Stares at her mug of amaretto coffee.*
...Coffee-flavored gummi bears would be kinda cool.
My Must-Haves for a successful task force:
1) Team mates with a sense of humor
2) Team mates who appreciate MY sense of humor
3) Team mates who STAY the entire task force
4) A distinct lack of Chat Silence... I like chatter.
5) On going jokes about one particular thing (face plants, a toon's name or costume, etc) that get more and more outrageous as the play goes on.
Actually, come to think of it.. those are my requirements for pretty much any team.
My mind wanders so often you've probably seen its picture on milk cartons. - Me... the first person version of the third person Steelclaw
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
>> Sheesh. People'll nitpick anything.
The time point, though, is actually a valid one. 'Ample time' means different things to different people, but I absolutely despise when people expect the lowest possible time, then ditch when they don't get it. Or they know that the TF takes at least X amount of time, but they know they can only be around for Y, and then dump on you in the middle. :/
The TF Average x 2 time was just a general guideline I try to use specifically for the majority of TFs (which can be done in around 1.5 to 2 hours for the most part, though obviously exceptions apply).
The flight thing is just silly, though, and doesn't deserve much more consideration beyond that. :P
[/ QUOTE ]
Oh I knew what you meant. I was bored and needed time to kill while I waited for the coffee to brew. It did and I had some, and a bagel. Then I forgot I had posted in this thread until this point in which I'm sitting here waiting for coffee to brew. I would like, at this time to denounce the need for going back to the moon in favor of creating a process that can instantaneously turn a coffee bean into coffee while it's sliding down my throat. That or coffee gummy bears. Really, I'm good either way. So yeah, just me being a caffeine deprived doosh.
[/ QUOTE ]
*Stares at her mug of amaretto coffee.*
...Coffee-flavored gummi bears would be kinda cool.
[/ QUOTE ]
Not just flavored. I'm talking some violation of nature that makes coffee bear shaped gummi. I'm not saying we wouldn't get our hair mussed. But I do say no more than ten to twenty million killed, tops. Uh, depending on the breaks.
"If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one?"
- Abraham Lincoln
Xalaqia wrote:
[ QUOTE ]
Some folks have mental holdovers from other, lesser games, where a holy trinity of heal-tank-dps is essential.
Some people are locked in a tactical freeze, unable to consider approaches other than "what worked last time."
The preferred approach becomes dogma, and anything different becomes heresy.
[/ QUOTE ]
Pretty much my experience of people who "have to have" the right team makeup. Usually, no amount of explanation will sway them from their mistaken beliefs.
And yet sometimes I still join because I have a few hours to burn through.
--NT
They all laughed at me when I said I wanted to be a comedian.
But I showed them, and nobody's laughing at me now!
If I became a red name, I would be all "and what would you mere mortals like to entertain me with today, mu hu ha ha ha!" ~Arcanaville
My Must-Haves for a successful task force:
1. Fillers.
Yeah, I'll join a task force where the leader has team composition tunnel-vision. They can be fun too.
www.paragonwiki.com is a great source of information for this game.
New or returning to the game? Want advice from experienced players who want to help YOU?
The Mentor Project: Part of the New Player Council.
I hate the new trend, "Must send tell with build." I saw that the other day so I sent a tell, "I'm built like a brick !@#$ house, can I join?"
[ QUOTE ]
I hate the new trend, "Must send tell with build." I saw that the other day so I sent a tell, "I'm built like a brick !@#$ house, can I join?"
[/ QUOTE ]
I usually say "Bad/ToTheBone" or "Awesome/Win". But my personal policy is not to join any pick-up teams where they say "We need X".
[ QUOTE ]
Some folks have mental holdovers from other, lesser games, where a holy trinity of heal-tank-dps is essential.
Some people are locked in a tactical freeze, unable to consider approaches other than "what worked last time."
The preferred approach becomes dogma, and anything different becomes heresy.
Some people do not understand the concepts behind other power sets, and that leads to "Force Fields don't do anything!" for example.
"You need a stone tank!" Well, I've met some stone tanks you DON'T need, who can't hold enough aggro to be a good tank, and who don't do enough damage to be a good scrapper.
I once observed that it seems inept players gravitate towards the AT/powersets considered the most vital, perhaps hoping their necessity will outweigh their suckitude.
On the other hand, there are uncommon powersets, played by cunning individuals, who are capable of dragging a mediocre team to greatness, or a pathetic one to at least minimal success. Note them, star them, and embrace them.
Similarly, the meat-and-potatoes ATs/powersets can be used to their full potential by clever players, casting a halo of capability and mandatory selection on the less competent by the less observant.
Some powersets are simpler to use than others, but you can certainly find think of someone who can even screw that up.
I don't expect someone to respec mid-mission to my liking, but I do expect them to use what they have to the best benefit of the team.
You must do enough damage to defeat your foes.
You must survive their attacks.
You must have enough endurance to finish the fight.
[/ QUOTE ]
Much truth spoken here.
------->"Sic Semper Tyrannis"<-------
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I hate the new trend, "Must send tell with build." I saw that the other day so I sent a tell, "I'm built like a brick !@#$ house, can I join?"
[/ QUOTE ]
I usually say "Bad/ToTheBone" or "Awesome/Win". But my personal policy is not to join any pick-up teams where they say "We need X".
[/ QUOTE ]
Whenever you ask me if I am interested in coming on one of your TF runs I think I almost always ask you what to bring and you always answer, whatever I want.
Given I recently ran a Dr. Q with 6 Scrappers and 2 Tankers followed by a Sara Moore last night with 5 Scrappers a Tanker and a Blaster... the only "Must have" I have is that people be at least half as crazy as I am, everything else is gravy.
Infatum on Virtueverse