Curse

The Josip · Aug 25, 2009, 08:40 AM // 08:40

Just curious, what's your PUGing experience when it comes to Zaishen quests vs normal gameplay?

The reason I'm asking is that whenever I tried to do something with PUGs it was either annoying or a complete disaster (NM only). But I started doing (HM) Zaishen quests with PUGs and so far not a single bad experience (except with horrid game lag last time).

Is it because players are simply better in HM PUGs (by this I also mean attitude), or because Zaishen quests draw a mass of people, so it's easier to make group than usual "grab whoever is in the outpost"? I'll also try Zaishen PUGs in NM when I find time, just to test it.

EPO Bot · Aug 25, 2009, 10:08 AM // 10:08

Almost always a succes. But i am a monk so i usually don't have to deal with bad monks like i expect some others do.

However, last THK session they treid REALLY hard to get themselves killed. It takes skill to take that much damage and aggro so many enemies.

Chocobo1 · Aug 25, 2009, 10:15 AM // 10:15

Not related to Zaishen Questing, but I've found this game incredibly dull to play with Hero Hench lately, so I've gone to the outposts I need and looked for the little 2/8 parties. Eventually it gets a fair few people going, and I can add in my monks. It's honestly the most fun I've had with this game for so long, it reminds me of the old times.

<3.

Z-quest wise, its just nubs raging to do quest. Not really the adventuring inexperiened PuGs that I enjoy.

subarucar · Aug 25, 2009, 11:03 AM // 11:03

When I don't monk I get fed up with bad monks, when I monk I get fed up with players who over-agro or run ahead etc. Usually there's only one in the party, and I simply don't bother healing or protting them unless I have nothing better to do.

As soon as I get asked to run something specific ("HB or kick noob" "GOGO MM" etc) or see a bad build pinged or someone boasting about something I can generally tell its a bad party before we fill up. Just don't realise a party sucks 5 mins into a mission but keep going anyway, leave and go find a better group. H&H, Guildies and Mates work great for me.

the_jos · Aug 25, 2009, 11:04 AM // 11:04

I've played several PvE Z-quests with PUG and most of them were doing ok.
As usual it depends on the party leader to make sure the complete team build will work.
But with many people in an outpost it's easier to create a balanced team than with the few people that are usually in a mission outpost.

AngeliqueSynner · Aug 25, 2009, 11:44 AM // 11:44

Outside of my guild/alliance, I rarely PuG. But I did the Consulate Docks Z-mission the other day with a pug on my monk. It went fairly well, all things considered. I only had a problem with the dervish running too far ahead by himself.
All in all, I think the Z-quests are just bring back the smarter players from ages past. :]

Horace Slughorn · Aug 25, 2009, 12:20 PM // 12:20

I've been using the zquests as a way to work on another legendary guardian title, this time for my monk. I must be really popular though, because I get lots of invites from groups that are 7/8 with no defense

.

The couple of times I did play with a stranger, we went in as discord partners, and the stress was much more managable with 6 well-equipped heroes over 7 ill-equipped pugs.

vader · Aug 25, 2009, 12:36 PM // 12:36

I haven't had any problems with HM PUGs for the Z-Quests. Unfortunately though, I don't think its the quality of players that is improving. PvE skills and consumables make almost any player a better player.

Bug John · Aug 25, 2009, 12:36 PM // 12:36

had a pretty hard time in the deep hm with a pug

it was not a well organized group, and it was difficult keeping everyone calm enough to succeed, we eventually did it in 2 hours

gw players can be divided in different categories, from the jerk who won't listen anything to the unexperienced but dedicated player who will try his best, the failure rate of your pug depends on how many jerks you accidentally picked up

jray14 · Aug 25, 2009, 01:23 PM // 13:23

I've had good runs with almost every zquest PUG I've tried (HM only). Just show up in a party with Rayway or Discordway or Sabway or some other hero build that can heal the whole party, and you're good to go.

fleshharvest · Aug 25, 2009, 01:32 PM // 13:32

I've only PUGed HM... best PUG experiences I've had. Granted that I only did the Zquests 3 times.

imnotyourmother · Aug 25, 2009, 01:36 PM // 13:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by subarucar

When I don't monk I get fed up with bad monks, when I monk I get fed up with players who over-agro or run ahead etc. Usually there's only one in the party, and I simply don't bother healing or protting them unless I have nothing better to do.

^ Here is the reason why most people that do the Z-Missions find them enjoyable.

1) its NOT in an outpost persay to get the quests.
2) People are looking for FAST Clears - in other words..only doing it ONCE
3) Don't RES the IDIOTS!!!

A good party of 7 is more effective than a idiot in a party of 8

Also 99% of these people have already done these missions/quests once so they know what to expect or read up about them on the WIKI before they attempt it. Thus...knowledge is POWER and Power is Speed and Speed is the Goal and the Goal is the well whatever Gold coins???

El Presidente · Aug 25, 2009, 01:51 PM // 13:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_jos

... it depends on the party leader to make sure the complete team build will work.
But with many people in an outpost it's easier to create a balanced team than with the few people that are usually in a mission outpost.

With a larger pool of players, it's easier to get that team; still, there are some that are 'grab-n-go' and rush out the door before everyone is set.

Quote:

Originally Posted by imnotyourmother

Also 99% of these people have already done these missions/quests once so they know what to expect or read up about them on the WIKI before they attempt it.

Generally, I've found most of the PUGs have completed the Z mish the first time for the above reasons...

qvtkc · Aug 25, 2009, 02:25 PM // 14:25

Generally I have good experiences with PUGs on Zaishen quests. Take some time to get rid of the bad ones before starting (you can usually tell pretty quickly who is bad. They are the ones who won't reply, won't listen, or will demand insane things like one specific team build or something), and you'll be alright.

snaek · Aug 25, 2009, 02:30 PM // 14:30

my zq pugging experiences have been great. about half the time i form and the other half i join groups. i find that really it only takes about 2-3 good players to beat the mission. i've seen some pretty questionable builds, but went with it anyway and we did just fine.

Silmar Alech · Aug 25, 2009, 02:39 PM // 14:39

It is fun to join PUGs with Zaishen quests. They succeed most of the time, and are very disciplined in comparison to ordinary PUGs. At the beginning, it was clearly visible that for many players it was the first step into in hard mode. These were the weakest party members, but they played carefully and disciplined, so the party succeeded at the end.

For me, it is interesting to see which ways exist to play a mission. If you only play H/H or with your guild, you always do it the same way and would never see alternatives.

Ebony Shadowheart · Aug 25, 2009, 03:02 PM // 15:02

I don't think I've ever PuGed any of the Z-quests. I always go with my fiance, and occasionally we take some of our friends/allies with us.

In general though, I've had great luck with PuGs. I've gottne a few where someone was terrible, or just an ass, but I'm willing to dish the hate right back in those instances. Works out for me.

The Juggernauot · Aug 25, 2009, 03:05 PM // 15:05

honestly very enjoyable. im not against pugging these missions cuz ive meet some really intresting/cool people doing so. I usually lead the party but im not a ping or kick build nazi either. just go over the basics and double check and make sure everybody is clear on whats expected/going on and everything lovely.

willie nelson · Aug 25, 2009, 03:11 PM // 15:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Juggernauot

honestly very enjoyable. im not against pugging these missions cuz ive meet some really intresting/cool people doing so.

what he said,
i actually find pugging more enjoyable than just blasting through it with my guildies as you never know what's gonna happen

**cosyfiep** · Aug 25, 2009, 03:43 PM // 15:43

most of the pugs for the z stuff have been pretty good, with the exception of the elite area bosses (factions and duncan areas)...these have been groups of people who have mostly never been in the areas and have no idea what to do etc.....almost every one of them I have been in has failed.

The missions have been good for the most part aside from the people who cant remember the mission

.....or the bonus/masters part....(they are all on wiki, read up before you join a group..or am I the only one who likes to be prepared?)

Of course my monk found it easiest to get a group, my ele had and ok time, sometimes my rits could find a group (half of the time they wanted a healer not a spirit spammer channeling type....)....and yes my mesmer had the hardest times.

overall I'd say 90% good, 5% iffy and 5% ugh.