The "Known" Option....

Tips for LFT/LFM this DXP weekend.. or really anytime.

Listed advice on known - proven methods used to 1. find a team or, better yet, 2. assemble one quickly.

Finding a Team:

- Don't hide; don't set your options to decline invites or to hide your name from local search. Sounds simple but folks ask for the last spot on my running teams with their hide option set to decline invitations. I'll just move on to the next pm to keep things moving.

- Set your team search status and a brief message. Good team leaders do scour the /sea window (cherry picking AT) the second they lose their 8th. You could -the- troller they sweep up.

- Join a task appropriate public global channel. VU2009, Virtue TFs, and Virtuebadges09 are great channels for Task/Strike Forces. Virtue LFG Alpha is as well though I use this more for general teaming.

- Create a search message but be specific. If folks ask, "Anything going on?" in Virtue LFG ALpha every 15 minutes, I'll not be inclined to respond. There's a chance the person is not 100% flexible to every type of running team, either the wrong factionside or seeking something entirely different than my team is working on ( let's say we're running papers and the gent is seeking only a TF). I don't have time to answer every broad-sweeping inquiry and field questions when there's a team to focus on. Instead, try typing something like: "Level 35 def Lf short TF or AV arcs. Rad w/ debuffs." Copy-paste your mini-resume into /broadcast, /request, /sg channels, /public global team channels.. you'll probably get a quicker bite before you start asking in the 3rd channel. Note: factionside, level, AT, special abilities, etc.

- Be flexible. Be willing to switch an alt if it's better suited (so long as it's another alt you had level goals for as well).

- Global friends are a lifeline. If they're on, ask if you can join them. But, also, don't be a mooch. If your global friends are on a team of level 50's.. don't ask to bring a level 1. You scale up but your defense and number of powers to contribute is ****.

- Join a good SG or coalition. If you're so inclined and have been procrastinating on searching for one. I listed this last because some people don't play often enough to join (hence, DXP weekend mad runs), shun groups for their own reasons, or have their own SG only for their alts with which to create a private RP home. Hence, it's the least helpful -universal- advice. On the advocates side, most good groups have global channels.. won't hurt to invest with one character out of your 36.

Assembling a Team: (if you've looked and cannot find one running what you wish to do.. ex: Shadow Shard TF, Lusca at 2 am, PvP badge runs)

- If you're a social creature with a global friends list and a SG(s)/VG(s), use those options first to form, fill, and replace. Take care of your friends and they'll take care of you.

- Next, use Broadcast and Request before Global channels. Sure, Broadcast and Request only appear for the zone in which you are located but the people who answer will already be on the right alt, level, and factionside. They'll be less likely to ask "Save me a spot. I'm finishing this mission." or "Lemme switch to heroes." Nothing wrong with waiting... unless six people pm you with the same request to save a spot.

- Join (and use) all the above mentioned public global channels and then some. Global channels help you advertise to those in other zones. Again: Virtue LFG Alpha, Virtuebadges09, Virtue TFs, and good 'ole VU2009.

- Create a search message but be specific. "Level 35 tank assembling team for +2 level/8 man mob AV arcs. PST with AT and level." Doesn't hurt to be very specific "Levels 14-37" ( I prefer they have travel powers) or "only need debuff or damage right now." Copy-paste your message but stagger the calls. Don't paste in 10 channels and get overwhelmed with PM's.

- If you still have room, move on to /sea and cherry pick. I ***never*** use the search window *** first, before globals, *** because I can reach more people on channels. You'll be playing a game of wait and answer ten questions..

- Don't hide. People may see your calls, switching alts to join you, and forget your name. It'll come to them if they check /sea.

- Do hide! If you're running a good team of 8 for hours, no need to be pestered by every random "Hey, can I join? PLZ!!!" message out there. Focus on the people you're with and they'll stay.

- Look to fill the second someone advises they are leaving. Keep the team full and running. Every time you refill one new open spot is every time you don't have to search for seven all at once.

Either way:

- When using local or global channels to find or create a team, be courteous and follow up. "Team full. Thanks." "Got one, thanks." Others won't waste their time messaging you.

My suggestion is this:

Be willing to form your own team.

If you're broadcasting in Talos or Founder's Falls for a team, and you don't see one forming, but you see two other people looking for a team?

Grab the bull by the horns! Form that team yourself!

You might be surprised who you run into, and you might build a great team.

Especially considering the new SK rules. Gives a wider option for who you can grab without juggling Sidekicks and Mentors.

Good advice, the both of you.

Fantastic advice for this weekend or, as was said, ANY time. I'd suggest clarifying quote #1 to match quote #2 and getting this "stickied" somewhere.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angry_Angel Good team leaders do scour the /sea window (cherry picking AT) the second they lose their 8th.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angry_Angel Look to fill the second someone advises they are leaving. Keep the team full and running. Every time you refill one new open spot is every time you don't have to search for seven all at once.

It's best to start looking to fill that slot as soon as possible -- IF the person leaving is kind enough to (or able to) give any advance notice!

Now if only we could "resize" the search window so we could leave it open...or have it save our settings each time we close it....

If you're running a full team, it's also a good idea to spend otherwise idle time recruiting someone to 'stand in line'.

If you've got only one corrupter or defender, start sending out tells to teamless corrupters/defenders while you wait for the rest of the team to make it to the door. Half the time you get someone who is willing to go with, but 'after they finish <x>'. That's perfect if you don't actually have a slot yet - let them finish <x> and prepare to join your group when someone leaves.

If you're running PuGs, the most important characters are force multipliers. You can't rely on the random people you're inviting to have the situational awareness of the average garden slug, so make sure you've got a big enough safety net to handle an extra pack of baddies or two. That means Corrupters, Defenders, Controllers, Masterminds, and Crab/Bane spiders.

If you don't have at least one of these characters you're relying on 7 strangers playing well, which means you're almost sure to be disappointed. You may not need a h34l0r, but you do need something in the heals/buffs/debuffs group to cover for people who make mistakes.

Or just Jack, Dr. Jack is a force multiplier on his own.

Don't forget to bring a towel.

I have my double xp weekend all planned out, based on extensive research compiled during previous events.

1. Thursday-Friday: be swamped at work with a lot of stupid questions (whoever said 'there are no stupid questions' was blessed with coworkers who can think for themselves), and so be so burned out when I get home that all I want to do is curl up in the fetal position.
2. Saturday: try and fail repeatedly to get into the server.
3. Sunday: finally able to get in, but be unable to do anything due to lag. Give up and watch a Big Bang Theory marathon.

I believe these are realistic, reasonable, and feasible goals.

good option ara i tried it and havent dropped from 8 im at 49 now from 45 ( we had a hell of a time with diablique she took 1 hr 30 mins to kill)
thanks again ara