Curse

mntlchaos · Dec 18, 2006, 10:15 AM // 10:15

It seems that the continual expansion of the amount of PvE content is making it harder and harder to find groups. Back when guild wars started, it was fairly easy to find groups to do side quests. Now it's impossible. The only quests one can realistically get a group for are primary quests and missions. This seems to be due to the density of players diminishing greatly. What can be done about this?

Deleet · Dec 18, 2006, 11:01 AM // 11:01

Heroes. Already been done.

Nexus Icon · Dec 18, 2006, 11:05 AM // 11:05

Heroes don't work for Unwaking Waters

mntlchaos · Dec 18, 2006, 11:07 AM // 11:07

Okay. Why bother with a multiplayer system then?

Opal Bridewood · Dec 18, 2006, 11:10 AM // 11:10

A nice guild where people enjoy playing with eachother is a nice work-around the problem. I think being in a guild that suits your expectations/playstyle will get more and more important as new chapters roll out.

Sekkira · Dec 18, 2006, 11:11 AM // 11:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nexus Icon

Heroes don't work for Unwaking Waters

I must have been dreaming killing Kuunavang with my heroes then. I wonder how I got masters on it and retained my survivor title.

mntlchaos · Dec 18, 2006, 11:19 AM // 11:19

That's my point. There's still the possibility to do stuff by yourself or with your guild. However, it's practically impossible to find a PUG for anything not on the main storyline path.

explodemyheart · Dec 18, 2006, 11:23 AM // 11:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nexus Icon

Heroes don't work for Unwaking Waters

If it can be done with henchmen, why can't it be done with heroes?

Opal Bridewood · Dec 18, 2006, 11:25 AM // 11:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by mntlchaos

That's my point. There's still the possibility to do stuff by yourself or with your guild. However, it's practically impossible to find a PUG for anything not on the main storyline path.

Yes, but there's not much you can do about that, and frankly, back in the old days everyone was bashing pugs, how bad experience they've got with them. Now that some of the "competent" players are herowaying/guildteaming their way through (mind even before heroes some resorted to henchies versus pugs), PuGs can be quite horrid (I do some pugging now and again just for the nostalgic feeling). So, I mostly avoid them myself (except when I go back to Tyria/Cantha, where there are some quite nice groups, if you pay attention what group you join).

mntlchaos · Dec 18, 2006, 11:28 AM // 11:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Opal Bridewood

(except when I go back to Tyria/Cantha, where there are some quite nice groups, if you pay attention what group you join).

Exactly. That's the part of the game that I'm starting to miss more and more. Sure PUGs were rough, but I found that the most vocal complainers were often the ones that were killing their groups.

Jetdoc · Dec 18, 2006, 03:09 PM // 15:09

Heroes are both a catalyst and a solution to the problem, unfortunately.

This weekend I tried to do Vizunah Square (Foreign Quarter), and I tried for over an hour to get together a PuG that did not contain either a hero or henchmen. People are using them to round out groups (which is good due to the spreading out population), but they are also using them instead of playing with other players (i.e. many of the people I tried to invite to my PuG already had 7 hero/henchmen loaded up and ready to go).

It's a difficult problem A-Net is going to have to address sooner rather than later...there are many players who simply don't want to play with NPC's, but are increasingly being forced to do so, even in earlier stages of the campaigns.

Francis Crawford · Dec 18, 2006, 03:14 PM // 15:14

I don't think you can or should force anybody to play with other people.

Jetdoc · Dec 18, 2006, 03:22 PM // 15:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Francis Crawford

I don't think you should force anybody to play with other people.

Just like I don't think you should force anybody to play with NPC's in a MULTIPLAYER game.

It's a tough issue for A-Net to address, especially with the older campaigns.

Effendi Westland · Dec 18, 2006, 03:28 PM // 15:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nexus Icon

Heroes don't work for Unwaking Waters

Finished it yesterday (me being melee assassin) with 1 other player (ritualist), 2 heros and 4 henchies.

Would have gone with the PuG that was forming, but they weren't patient enough to wait for my mate.

geekling · Dec 18, 2006, 03:29 PM // 15:29

Don't forget that they've announced a promised party-search system this December. (http://www.guildwars.com/press/relea...2006-12-13.php)

So I guess we're in a wait and see what effect this has on the game period at the moment.

Jetdoc · Dec 18, 2006, 03:35 PM // 15:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by geekling

Don't forget that they've announced a promised party-search system this December.

Yep - I'm anxiously awaiting that upgrade...hopefully there is a selection criteria that allows you specifically request no NPC's, master's level completion, etal.

RTSFirebat · Dec 18, 2006, 03:43 PM // 15:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nexus Icon

Heroes don't work for Unwaking Waters

lol since when?

Heros and henchmen work fine on that mission, just make sure to pack plenty of the interrupts.

Patrick Smit · Dec 18, 2006, 03:44 PM // 15:44

A "big" or dedicated PvE guild can solve that problem. You just need to be tighly connected somehow, and not all guilds are formed of bands of brothers.

Btw Unwaking waters is one of the eassiest missions with henchies. Often easier than wrongly composed, strategy ignoring, and rushing people, making it much more difficult then needed.

geekling · Dec 18, 2006, 03:48 PM // 15:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jetdoc

Yep - I'm anxiously awaiting that upgrade...hopefully there is a selection criteria that allows you specifically request no NPC's, master's level completion, etal.

We can always hope.

The thing that makes me a bit hesitant about expecting too much from this new upgrade is the bolded phrasing below. As it is phrased, it sort of implies that the new party-search will be limited to a few PvE quests and missions. If that is correct it'll probably be endgame and elite areas only.
Which would not be so good, at all.

Still better to wait and see what it actually does before making any judgement on its usefulness.

"Party Search — A brand new Party Search panel will be added to Guild Wars this December, which will allow players to more easily form groups. Casual and hard-core gamers alike will benefit from this new system, as it will make it easier for players to form parties for some of the tougher quests and missions in the game, find the last cog needed for a fearsome group that can tear through the PvP arenas, or just connect with old friends online to go explore the diverse Guild Wars world."

Ninna · Dec 18, 2006, 03:52 PM // 15:52

anyone remember Factions?

People didnt ask for Sidequests help in Factions (on mainland)
- cant just blame heroes

plenty of people were playing Factions on release too

Most people prefer grouping for *only* Primary Quest/Missions