Hallowe'en Event Suggestion

First of all, I think this year's event is great, I'm having a blast.

However, I see a lot of in-game Broadcast messages regarding the Mystic Aspect that are, well, angry.

It seems the desired tactic of a vocal few is to wait until all the teams in the zone get to the Mystic Aspect before anyone attacks it so that everybody can get the badge credit.

Leaving aside what may or may not actually be necessary to get the badge, there are a couple of reasons why this tactic, though a worthy goal, is often impractical.

1. Not everyone will be on a team;

2. Not everyone in the zone will see the message in Broadcast;

3. Not everyone is willing to wait.

The third point tends to bring down the loudest criticisms, and since the folks advocating patience are usually trying to help everyone, that's understandable.

But absolute equality in anything just does not exist in the real world, nor does it exist in a game world in which real people are playing.

However, here are six friendly suggestions which should at least help increase the probability of getting more members of teams on-site to attack the Mystic Aspect together.

1. BRING THE RIGHT TOOLS. Make sure you have at least six people on your team, and that at least half of them have an "Assemble the Team" accolade or temp power to gather teammates as efficiently as possible. Someone on the team with a Capture power (Sonic Cage, Detention Field, etc.) would be great to have as well.

2. COORDINATE. Let all the teams in the zone know the order in which the banners will be attacked. Best method: Go in order of the banners on the nav bar, reading left to right. If you already have the badge for the first one, start with the sesond and come back to the first one after you finish the fourth one. Don't worry about which one is closest. The important thing is that all teams be on the same target.

3. BE ORGANIZED. Once the Mystic Aspect appears, search for it efficiently; have the team members spread out according to their position in the team: Leader goes North, second position goes East, third goes South, fourth goes West. If you have eight members, then the fifth goes Northeast, sixth goes Southeast, seventh goes Southwest, eighth goes Northwest (it's a lot simpler than it might sound). In seconds, you will know which one of the team is headed in the right direction, and seconds after that you will be able to zero in on the Mystic Aspect.

4. SHOW GOOD MANNERS. There is no faster way to insure selfish behavior than to start insulting people in broadcast for it. Whenever someone starts broadcasting profanity and outrage about "selfish morons" or "[deleted] jacktards", I can guarantee you that a good portion of folks who would otherwise have waited to attack the Mystic Aspect will respond in kind by ganking it. On the other hand, sometimes things just happen, not because any team is being "selfish", but because they simply weren't aware. Never blame on malice what can be explained by ignorance.

5. BE REASONABLE. When you are a team leader trying to coordinate Apocalypse battles, remember that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of people playing online besides yourself. Most of them want the badge and temp powers as much as you do. ALL of them have paid their fees, as you have, and using the Broadcast channel to attempt to dictate to dozens of strangers - or even friends - how YOU think they should be playing the game, is simply NOT going to work. Period. NO ONE will tolerate that sort of behavior, or take it seriously, nor should they.

6. BE REALISTIC. Cooperation is, by definition, voluntary. When it works, it's great, but it's not always the best way to handle a problem, and it won't always work the way a leader - self-appointed or otherwise - might want it to.

To sum up, just relax, and enjoy the game.

Remember, the seasonal greeting is "HAPPY Hallowe'en"!

Dasher

Hmm, maybe I'm wrong about GM's inherent protection to untouchable.