Tip: How I've found groups with PM

[Stenrik]

I play Republic on a low pop server, and spamming general is just not the best way to find groups for flashpoints or heroics. And nobody uses the built in "LFG" system. So I have an alternative. (This sounds like a lot of work but it's really not.)

 

Intstead of spamming general, I:

 

1. "/who" the applicable zone.

 

2. Sort by class.

 

2. Simply PM whoever I think would do the job. So if we need a healer, I'll start with PM'ing sages. "Hey, would you be interested in healing for X in 10 mins? We could really use a good healer."

 

Doing this, I seem to get a bite pretty fast. I've never had anyone be mad at getting PM'd out of the blue. They just say they're busy or don't respond at all. I'm sure some don't even see it, but there are usually enough players to make up for it.

Actually, I think people are flattered to actually be sought out instead of just tagging along.

 

Does anyone else do this? Does it work at higher levels? (I'm only in my 30's so far.)

 

 

(By the way, I'm not against a better LFG tool, cross-server grouping, or server merges. Just thought this works well in the meantime.)

Edited January 27, 2012 by Stenrik

[Umbral]

I've had a large number of people sand me replies "You are now going on ignore" doing this, and then the rest of the time no response at all. Randomly PMing people is very rude. Edited January 27, 2012 by Umbral

[Fezra]

ding ding ding! we have a winner folks!

 

Thats exactly what I do when Im getting together groups for flashpoints.IMO the problem comes in because people are either to stupid or lazy to do this because it really works.

 

And Ive not once had anyone in this game catch an attitude because Ive Pm'ed them.Thats why we have the option to close the chat window and a lot of is how you word your message like the poster below me says.

Edited January 27, 2012 by Fezra

[Cyclonit]

You can improve this by saying "Hi would you like to do $This in $min minutes"? Not forcing players to actually quit what they started helps a lot.

[Stenrik]

I've had a large number of people sand me replies "You are now going on ignore" doing this, and then the rest of the time no response at all. Randomly PMing people is very rude.

 

Really? Well it's never happened to me.

How is PMing someone out of the blue, rude? How else are you going to meet new people besides seeing them physically or having them part of your guild? I understand that if the PM itself is rude (like a demand), yeah. But if you at least say "hi" first...

 

If someone puts me on ignore, let them... they're probably not fun people to group with anyways.

 

 

You can improve this by saying "Hi would you like to do $This in $min minutes"? Not forcing players to actually quit what they started helps a lot.

 

Yeah actually I forgot to mention that and edited the post right after I made it to include that. Gotta give people time to turn in their current quest at least, and not make them feel rushed. But it's still faster than standing around in fleet spamming for an hour.

Edited January 27, 2012 by Stenrik

[Nozzamorph]

ding ding ding! we have a winner folks!

 

Thats exactly what I do when Im getting together groups for flashpoints.IMO the problem comes in because people are either to stupid or lazy to do this because it really works.

 

And Ive not once had anyone in this game catch an attitude because Ive Pm'ed them.Thats why we have the option to close the chat window and a lot of is how you word your message like the poster below me says.

 

Biodrone detected.

[Fezra]

Its not really rude, theres a small percentage of people find it offensive and like someone else said you probably dont want to group with them anyway.

[Varghjerta]

It depends how people are asking me if i thinking about putting them on ignore .

 

The auto dungeon sure have made some people deevolve into stoneage mentality ,

[Fezra]

Biodrone detected.

 

No veteran MMO player with at least a decade under his belt how about you?

[pursang]

It's not at all rude to do so long as your polite and respectful while you go about it and don't say... spam that person with invites.

 

It's always best to be proactive in such occasions.

[Blazehound]

Biodrone detected.

I think you may be trolling.

 

A Biodrone would insist that the WHO tab is incredibly useful at finding groups.

[Stenrik]

It's not at all rude to do so long as your polite and respectful while you go about it and don't say... spam that person with invites.

 

It's always best to be proactive in such occasions.

 

Yeah, like I said above. Greet them, or ask something like "looking for a good healer/tank/dps". Just saying "good" is sort of a compliment in itself after all. If they agree to join, they are affirming that they are good at what they do. Just a little psychology.

 

And yeah, don't message the same person twice if they haven't responded back. That, I agree, is rude and spammy.

Edited January 27, 2012 by Stenrik

[KittyPrawn]

I get randomly PMed all the time to heal. Depending on my mood, I will either respond or I will just ignore it. Most people don't spam me in tells, so it doesn't really bother me.

 

I was lucky to move over with a large group of friends. But, especially as a healer, it isn't hard to make friends that will look to consistently group with you.

 

I know being in a pug can be awful, but the way to find a consistent group is to join them. If you're doing nothing else but standing with your thumb up your bum on the fleet, join up with a heroic.

 

While there, don't be a negative nancy or a lonely lucy. Talk, joke, have fun with the group. If the group goes well, tell them to add you as a friend and whisper you if they need a (whatever role) in the future. The more you group with people this way, the more you get known, and the sooner you will have super happy fun times!

[Cavi]

I've had a large number of people sand me replies "You are now going on ignore" doing this, and then the rest of the time no response at all. Randomly PMing people is very rude.

 

... what? How else are you supposed to communicate with other players? Sending PMs isn't rude in itself, otherwise we wouldn't have the ability of it was considered universally rude.

 

That's the most ridiculous thing I've read on these forums. And that's saying something!

[coldcite]

Does anyone else do this? Does it work at higher levels? (I'm only in my 30's so far.)

 

Hit and miss.

Something I've found is that this method (which I normally use) diminishes as you level.

 

In fact, I would dare to say it's not that useful at cap as there's a significant content/gear segmentation so to speak, I'm having a real hard time trying to find groups for level 50 normal modes (almost everyone wanting HM only).

[Kabjat]

I've had a large number of people sand me replies "You are now going on ignore" doing this, and then the rest of the time no response at all. Randomly PMing people is very rude.

 

how is it rude? Are you serious? In a social game?

 

WoW....just....I don't even.

[Umbral]

Its not really rude, theres a small percentage of people find it offensive and like someone else said you probably dont want to group with them anyway.

It is entirely rude. You're using a feature that is intended for private conversations between two people that both know each other, and both consent to communicate with each other. You're directly imposing yourself on complete strangers for your personal gain. You're no different from the gold sellers that randomly PM people. That's why people get offended and put you on ignore. Most gold sellers are extremely polite in their PMs, so that makes it ok?

 

Try being a tank, or a healer, and see just how open you are to random PMs from people wanting to know if you'll join their group.

Edited January 27, 2012 by Umbral

[Devlonir]

I'm having a real hard time trying to find groups for level 50 normal modes (almost everyone wanting HM only).

 

And most people will fail once they are actually in those HMs.. really, WoW has ruined what people consider normal gameplay.. the puggers expect to be able to do hardmodes only *sighs*

 

I do the whispering a lot as well when LFG. Just start polite and don't be a leetspeak idiot "u healz? join our grp plzzzzzzz?" but be actually polite (more Zs to your plz don't make you more polite..) and you get not only good people for this current pug, but also people who will remember you for future pugs!

 

And seriously people.. don't think Hardmodes is only where the fun is at.. don't be a tool.

[Malastare]

A week or so ago, my wife and I went to go do Black Talon for speeder cash (items...sold for cash, in the end). We were drastically over-leveled (20) and outfitted with semi-flashy level-appropriate gear. My wife waited at the FP start while I went to go pick up some crafting recipes. While she was there, apparently three or four different people /whispered to her to ask if she wanted to group with them for the FP.

 

She wasn't offended. She actually felt a bit flattered, but the number of people approaching her (a few just stood nearby jumping or waving) was daunting. When I arrived, a couple tried the same with me, but I think they quickly figured out that the two Lvl20's were a group and they didn't have much chance.

 

While it was overwhelming at first, the whole process seemed both more organic and less annoying-to-the-world than spamming LFGs in chat. Neither of us were offended, and I didn't see any sign that the other people were pissed that we didn't join with them. In the end, it was a failure for the suggested tip, but only because we were already grouped (and let's be honest, two lvl20's are already overkill for BT).

 

If someone actually flips out on you an /ignores you because of this strategy, then the system is working: you wouldn't want to group with a jerk anyway and now you don't have to worry about it happening by accident.

[Kabjat]

I play Republic on a low pop server, and spamming general is just not the best way to find groups for flashpoints or heroics. And nobody uses the built in "LFG" system. So I have an alternative. (This sounds like a lot of work but it's really not.)

 

Intstead of spamming general, I:

 

1. "/who" the applicable zone.

 

2. Sort by class.

 

2. Simply PM whoever I think would do the job. So if we need a healer, I'll start with PM'ing sages. "Hey, would you be interested in healing for X in 10 mins? We could really use a good healer."

 

Doing this, I seem to get a bite pretty fast. I've never had anyone be mad at getting PM'd out of the blue. They just say they're busy or don't respond at all. I'm sure some don't even see it, but there are usually enough players to make up for it.

Actually, I think people are flattered to actually be sought out instead of just tagging along.

 

Does anyone else do this? Does it work at higher levels? (I'm only in my 30's so far.)

 

 

(By the way, I'm not against a better LFG tool, cross-server grouping, or server merges. Just thought this works well in the meantime.)

 

 

I think this is a really good alternative.

 

Conversely, I have never responded favorably to random invites being sent to me without a preceding whisper. To me that is the height of rudeness, but I do think your method is a good one.

 

Invites without even a whisper asking if I'd like to group irritate me...especially when they spam the invite after I decline. I have actually had this happen. I suppose it's because they assume I'm a healer. I am, but still.....RUDE. xD

 

It amazes me how often people do this.

[Devlonir]

It is entirely rude. You're using a feature that is intended for private conversations between two people that both know each other, and both consent to communicate with each other. You're directly imposing yourself on complete strangers for your personal gain. You're no different from the gold sellers that randomly PM people. That's why people get offended and put you on ignore.

 

Really?

 

Or wait.. lemme google something..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u70EYe4vy8U

 

There..

 

I mean come on.. it is an Multiplayer game. How do you think to meet new people and make it more multi without whispering? Look, I feel tone of whisper is very important, as I said above, but if someone politely asks me to heal/tank for them than they will get a polite answer that is either positive or negative back.

Whispering is not 'entirely rude', the whisperers themselves can be though.

 

Now get out from under your anti social rock and enjoy other people's company when they are pleasant and don't generalize all whisper as rude.

[Mertissielle]

The issue is more that, on my server at least, 50s rarely have reason to hang around on fleet for extended periods of time. The dailies are on two different planets, the space missions (for credits) are on your ship, the PvP dailies are obviously inside Warzones.

 

More often than not if a 50 is hanging on fleet it's to be near the PvP vendor to pick up their gear bags when they hit 800 commendations or if they get an unassembled piece from the daily.

 

Sure, not everyone does PvP - but for strict PvE players, the incentive is to do dailies on Belsavis/Ilum. Those that run Hard Modes often seem to have a regular group to do it with (we don't have a huge number of 50s on my server just yet, to the point I can recognise most of them by name). It will get easier as time goes on and we get more folk turn 50, but while having the fleet be a hub for all Flashpoints is a good idea, the level 50 incentives are usually elsewhere.

 

That's why a global version of the LFG listing tool we have would be so important. It doesn't need to be an auto-matcher or anything like that (think WoW 2.0 rather than WoW 3.3). But the 50s on Fleet seem to be more likely to be already doing something, or about to do something.

 

It's not impossible to find a group of course, I'm not saying that. I'm just saying that whispering randoms on fleet at the max level on my server specifically would yield worse results than the OP has experienced and it's going to remain like that for another month or two at least.

[DarthMarisa]

I'll admit firsthand I sometimes have a twisted sense of what's "rude" or not. In this particular case I would not be offended by a random PM. If it's a gold seller, I'd just auto ignore without a response but personally I'm agreement with some previous posters that it's nice to feel sought out. I just wish my healing Merc or Operative got requests like my SI. Sorcerors are NOT the only good healers people!

 

I don't actually think they wanted me personally but what it does show is that they put in effort to finding a groupmate and aren't just spamming me. Now, If I'm already tied up with something and I respond that I can't at this time, I do not like the rude responses I sometimes get. I don't get the feeling that the OP is one of those people though.

[Stenrik]

It is entirely rude. You're using a feature that is intended for private conversations between two people that both know each other, and both consent to communicate with each other. You're directly imposing yourself on complete strangers for your personal gain. You're no different from the gold sellers that randomly PM people. That's why people get offended and put you on ignore. Most gold sellers are extremely polite in their PMs, so that makes it ok?

 

It's not just for the personal gain of the PM-er.

Usually the PM-er has an almost-full group. This is maximum convenience for the person getting pm'd, as they know they won't have to wait around at the entrance for more members.

The PM-ed person has just as much to gain from running with a group as the PM-er. And they can always say no or just ignore.

 

I see where you're coming from with the goldsellers, but it's apples and oranges to me. I never thought of the private channel as very sacred and didn't know others saw it that way.

Edited January 27, 2012 by Stenrik

[Mertissielle]

It is entirely rude. You're using a feature that is intended for private conversations between two people that both know each other, and both consent to communicate with each other. You're directly imposing yourself on complete strangers for your personal gain. You're no different from the gold sellers that randomly PM people. That's why people get offended and put you on ignore. Most gold sellers are extremely polite in their PMs, so that makes it ok?

 

Try being a tank, or a healer, and see just how open you are to random PMs from people wanting to know if you'll join their group.

 

lol?

 

I play a Ret Paladin in the #1 guild on my server and I get asked to tank or heal or boost people or whatever all the time. Partly because I'm a social guy anyway and will talk in trade and know a lot of people on the server already, but I get whispered by randoms just as often.

 

I've never once found it rude or offensive. I just tell them I'm busy, I can't or sometimes that I just don't really feel like it if I don't want to go. It's actually kind of flattering in a way sometimes to have people seek me out and ask. Sometimes I do go. One time a lowbie gave me 5g (which to him was like, half his money) for running him through a low-level instance once. I laughed at him and gave him 100g

 

But yeah, it's not rude at all. Sorry if you feel like it is, but you really don't speak for the majority of people, I don't think. And believe me, as a well-known(ish) player of a 3-way hybrid class in the server's most visible guild, I know very well how many people whisper you if you're a tank or whatever. It ain't no thang.