Let's talk teams

[CrystalBlue]

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

I don't think any of the above have been banned, for sure not Lethdar.
I've been thinking about the group xp bonus, long and hard. I don't think it'll help as much as you would think. Ultimately you cannot pressure people into grouping. Times have changed sadly and even though EQ is a game of teamplay, it is heavily dependent on your time. Most people want to get xp the most efficient/fast way possible. It takes a long time to get a group going sometimes, between travel and finding the right classes, it can take hours.

Time - First getting the group together. Unless you are lucky, most likely people will be on different continents and certainly different zones. Druids and wizards being the only porters doesnt help since these are two classes you will almost always see soloing. So most likely you gotta find a druid out of group to port your members near where you are. Currently the porting situation isnt good, the few times I've logged on, I've been asked for ports. If you are fortunate enough to find a porter or people near you then you have the next problem, finding the right classes. Without a constant supply of priests to heal groups, untwinked melees are doomed. Even the majority of new clerics solo to 40 now. Besides Chellsea, all the recent chanters (I've seen), are soloers. Druids/Shammies soloin. Even my favorite classs to invite to groups (mages) be soloin it up. Everyone has tunnel vision towards end-game that they forget about the social aspect of this game. Okay now im ranting, back to study.

TL DR, people wanna get to end-game as fast as possible, leaving casuals/group dependent classes in the dust. Without a constant supply of group oriented healers (players that prefere groups over solo), groups wont happen even with a super group xp bonus. Outside a few situations, a healer is ALWAYS needed to form any group.

I dunno about outright bans, but I know for a fact several of those trainers ate nice long multiple day suspensions. Same will happen again if people try it enough, always more then a few people running fraps whenever guild vs guild pvp goes down.

About xp bonus, all the reasons you listed is WHY we need the individual flat rate bonuses to go away and die in a fire, and be replaced with only group bonuses.

Its the absolute only way to save the group leveling game. We are gonna bleed away non-solo classes like a hemophilliac without it. For long term server health and player retention, this must happen and happen fast.