[DeathsSilkyMist]

Originally Posted by Zuranthium [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

This is completely wrong. You will kill VERY slowly with mino axes only.

A group of 5 Mages and 1 Healer will get at least 4x more kills than a group of 5 melee and 1 healer with that kind of gear. Or even just slotting 1 Mage into said melee group (which you could argue as being the more realistic scenario), you will see a big increase in kill rate.

Mino axe wielding lowbies will still chew through content. I am not sure what game you are playing, but it isn't P99. If your definition of "slow" is any group that isn't running 5 mages, then I guess you are right. But most people don't want to level Mages, which is why you don't see this group composition that often. The point of XP groups is to level a character you want to play, not theory craft the highest DPS group possible.

Originally Posted by Zuranthium [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

In terms of gaining exp/farming, they were not "great". Maybe you liked the people you were playing with, maybe you had fun, but you factually were achieving far less gains. What everyone finds fun will vary, but I definitely do not find it fun to be extremely inefficient in a game like this that is already a big timesink.

When I started EQ in 1999 and was a Shaman and would group with 5 Warriors out in the Everfrost tundra, that was actually some of the most fun I've had, because of how new and dangerous it all was, and how it was a normal thing to be doing at the time (and also because the group was totally dependent on me for heals). But now? Pretty much everyone knows how to level faster and where to farm and how to avoid danger better. At the higher levels where it becomes increasingly difficult to make progress, it is INCREDIBLY boring to play this game without aiming for good efficiency, trying to pull as much as possible and get as many kills as possible, which also re-invites a chance of danger if the group overextends on its resources.

P99 isn't that hard, and you can XP just fine in a lot of situations, including the silly group situation you concocted. It seems like you are someone who prefers to speed through the leveling process faster than normal via static groups. That is perfectly fine, but not what most people do.

Originally Posted by Zuranthium [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Again, gear checks do happen. It's not the norm, but I usually asked melee what weapon they have when forming a group. If they had a shit weapon I would look for someone else, because DPS is ultimately what matters. The point of forming an exp/farm group is to get better exp. If the person joining the group is not going to create a "gain" in some way, then there is no point in bringing them.

No, gear checks do not happen. You are the only person I have ever heard of who does it lol. Just because you do it, doesn't mean it is normal or necessary. Usually the only checks are class checks, because a group normally needs a healer, tank, puller, and CC to function properly. Most of the benefit that group is getting is from utility, not raw DPS.

Originally Posted by Zuranthium [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

If p99 had some kind of standardized prize that's only given to groups that can clear a certain area or kill a certain number of MOBs within a specified time limit, then you would definitely see people caring more. This does actually exist already, but only informally, for the people who want to spend their time as efficiently as possible, which for a new server is incredibly relevant for getting to a certain level and claiming a certain item camp faster than others. And for a non-new server it's still relevant for getting more alts and/or better gear to put your guild in a better position over another guild.

But it doesn't, so this point is irrelevant. People play the majority of the game without needing to worry about DPS checks. Raiding is really the only place where high DPS is important.

Originally Posted by Zuranthium [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Not true with a proper exp bonus in place for grouping, like the one that exists on Red server. Plus on Red server you inherently might want extra people to help defend against possible PvP. Funny how PvP Everquest has FAR more interesting PvE. [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Also, you do often want 6 people for a min/maxed guild group anyway, as it directly benefits the guild for everyone to level up.

I am talking about the real P99 servers. Red is dead, so the XP bonus is irrelevant. And no, a min/maxed group is not going to be running 6 people due to the xp penalty. It would be better to run multiple groups of 3 or 4 players and level in different areas if a guild is trying to fast level characters.

Originally Posted by Zuranthium [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

That is not a fact whatsoever. Especially since the definition of "successful" is personal. For many people, playing the game like a grandpa who just discovered the internet is not a successful or fun way to play.

It is a fact. The majority of P99 isn't difficult. We are not talking about your definition of successful. We are talking about the normal definition of successful, which is a group that can clear content without dying.

Originally Posted by Zuranthium [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

You don't understand how to create a "well tuned" xp group, it would seem.

You are the one who thinks a group of 6 is well tuned. I think this applies to you more than me[You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]