#40 Endgame

All that content, so little time!

Alludra the Mannerly Mage here helping you become that popular guildie!

Let's face it, Blizzard has put a lot into World of Warcraft lately? How much? Well too much actually! How can a player do their dailies every day, instances, and level their professions while still farming and doing pet battles? Well then answer is simple, you weren't meant to!

See the variety of things in the game to do aren't meant to be done every single day, and while I am sure there are players out there who do manage to do a lot, it's not fair or even reasonable to ask everyone to do everything every day or week.

The content is there so we can pick and choose what to do at what rate that makes the game the most comfortable for us. If you are feeling overwhelmed concentrate on one or two aspects of end game until you are done.

And just because your system is working for you don't assume it's the blanket answer for everyone. Remember, we all do things differently, including game. 

#39 Uberleet

Yes, you are that amazing player with legacy gear, stop trashing the new players and help them out!

Alludra the mannerly mage helping you do that thing in the game for the...whatchacallit? Oh right fun!

Lately in my MMO's I have been leveling up new characters. It's a fun way to check out all the new content made for the lower level players.

And I have to say, my favorite part isn't the amazing dungeon runs, the zones, or even the sense of adventure leveling a new character, no. My most favorite part would have to be the guy in every dungeon decked out in legacy gear or subscriber perks, or amazing potions that boost XP screaming about how he's the best while the rest of us in at level gear suck and should bow down to him.

Said no player ever.

Please random guy, make the entire run more difficult on everyone by not letting us catch up before you pull mobs, making sure the healer's ready and oh yeah, wearing cloth while you do all this. What's that? Everyone should have all your leet gearz? Well some of us are new to the game and don't quite have the money to buy things in real money stores.

Here's an idea, why not help new players out and explain things instead of typing obscenities.

Or maybe you just like being reported. That's fine too!

#38 Comfort Levels

No one can dictate your comfort level with them, remember that!

Alludra the Mannerly Mage here, helping you become the player all the gamers want to group with!

It seems I gave out some controversial advice! Yes I knew not everyone would be thrilled with me for suggesting that players go ahead and block people to their hearts content, but I'm okay with that.

How okay? Well okay enough to keep blocking! Without explanations!

You see, no one has the power to dictate other people's comfort levels with them, not only in game but out of game and in the real world, so if someone says they wish to have zero contact with you in the future, you don't get to find out why, you don't get to find out what went wrong. You get to take their word for it, or their silence as an answer.

Because honestly? People don't like to be tracked down and 'convinced' that they are wrong, kinda reinforces that whole creepy OMG get me out of here feeling that made the block happen in the first place.

So, unfortunately, you may never get to make those amends but that's okay. Just move on and make a new friend. I mean, why bother with someone who doesn't want you around in the first place? 

#37 Ignore

Don't feel harassed, use any and all ignore features to make your playtime the best it can be!

Alludra the Mannerly Mage here doing her best to help you be the best player you can be!

And sometimes, even though we are totally awesome, we meet and run into those players who just plain...aren't.

Now we all try to be the bigger person, we all try to compromise, avoid or ignore these people politely. Maybe they are in our guild, an old friend who doesn't listen to the show, or maybe they are just some annoying guy who, for whatever reason, decided that you are going to be his best friend, punching bag, life coach or victim. Doesn't matter, we have ignore.

Now, everyone, I am going to make this clear: DON'T FEEL BAD FOR USING THE IGNORE FEATURE!

Seriously! Sometimes you just gotta block people! Your reasons, whatever they are, are your own, and never feel like you have to justify yourself. Not to your friends, guild mates, raid team or even the person you blocked! A block means I don't wanna talk to you!

And if they go around it, well report them to the mods, now we are in the harassment territory.

Seriously, don't be afraid of using the tools at your disposal, and don't let anyone try and make you feel bad if you want to get out of an uncomfortable situation. 

#36 Leveling

New expansions abound so how to head off the drama that can be caused by mismatching gameplay priorities.

Alludra the mannerly mage here helping you have fun!

One thing that can cause friction for a raiding team with a new expansion is leveling and gearing up speed. Some of your raiders may want to take their time and see the content at their own pace, other raiders want to burn through everything and gear as fast as possible to get back to end game progression. This can lead to conflicts and surprisingly, can be more trouble than the pre expansion doldrums!

So what to do?

To head off any in fighting make sure your raid team has discussed 'the gaming plan' before it actually becomes a problem. If it's already started and your team is at odds it's still not too late. Try and set a compromising time frame to level and gear up inside.

Remember, the key to compromise isn't making everyone happy, it's making neither person happy!

Even after the talk, unless your team is 100% on board, expect to lose some raiders,  but during an expansion's beginning is a great time to scout for new potential guildies and teammates. (Remember guys, when I said not to be rude? Yeah, it's for reasons like this!)

Leveling is just a new type of progression, be prepared, set a time frame and your guild, group, or team can make it through unscathed. 

#35 Achievements

Achievements don't vanish once you change characters, but why spend all your time arguing about it?

Alludra the mannerly mage here helping you be the best player you can be!

Something I love about world of warcraft's new expansion is the changes they have made to the achievement system! I am a huge fan of the fact that all my toons seem to have my achievements linked on them and I can work on progress on whichever character I am currently on. After all, I am the one that earned them, I should get to see how I am progressing!

SO I love hearing how I didn't actually earn them when I am playing on an alt.

Thanks random player for telling me that the weeks of wiping on various bosses working on progression don't matter because I have switched characters. What's that? The horseman's mount I spent four years earning and got on a lucky drop on the wrong toon shouldn't apply to the character I truly wanted it on? We shouldn't question the all knowing RNG's wisdom is that it?

Look guys, like it or not, I worked hard for all my achievements, no matter what character I earned them on. Yes, a level 4 isn't likely to be a loremaster, but for some of us, these are awesome perks we got for working so hard on our characters in the first place.

So what do you say we all live and let live and keep the pvp in the battlegrounds?

#34 Draaaamaaa

Playtime should be fun, not a constant nag fest by a friend who doesn't understand boundaries.

Alludra the mannerly mage here, helping you avoid those social pitfalls in mmo gaming.

One thing I enjoy about MMO gaming is hanging out with my friends over long distances, taking a break from life and in general hanging out and goofing around. SO don't you just love it when your guldmates decide to try and drag you into their drama?

Personally I love hearing how player x can't do the dishes, and won't help out around the house more. Please oh please fill my downtime explaining about everything thatn's wrong in your real life, ignoring the fact that I play to unwind.

What's that? You don't know why everyone's blocking you? Well maybe it's because people play games and don't want to be dragged into a never ending drama fest!

Look, as friends we all care when you are having a hard time, but hearing about real life aggro buttons can be draining on a friendship. And if you are dumping on your whole guild? Friends and strangers alike? Well maybe you should rethink what exactly vent means.

Because before too long, that greenwall might just be gone.