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.
Your PUGing experience - Zaishen quests
The Josip
EPO Bot
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.
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
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.
<3.
Z-quest wise, its just nubs raging to do quest. Not really the adventuring inexperiened PuGs that I enjoy.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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. :]
All in all, I think the Z-quests are just bring back the smarter players from ages past. :]
Horace Slughorn
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.
. 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
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
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
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
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
I've only PUGed HM... best PUG experiences I've had. Granted that I only did the Zquests 3 times.
imnotyourmother
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.
|
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
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. |
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.
|
qvtkc
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
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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.
|
i actually find pugging more enjoyable than just blasting through it with my guildies as you never know what's gonna happen
cosyfiep
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.
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.
The Josip
OK I see I'm not the only one then noticing a big difference from usual atrocious PUGs
I think you're wrong. I've not seen a single consumable when I PUGed to do ZQuests.
And about PvE skills, that's partially true, but remember that I only played HM with these PUGs. So even with PvE skills, the enemies were more difficult too.
I do it with my mesmer since it's my main char. It's true that sometimes I decide to make a group, but I still can't say I've a problem finding groups. OK, so you're not a monk, but if group is any good they should let you in (unless you're one of those random-skill mesmers hehe).
As for group making, the only criteria I make is:
2 healers
1 warrior *max*
I noticed that even with one warrior I have problems, so ideally I prefer no warriors. When I'm too nice I let one in though
The problem with warriors is that on average they tend to be least skilled players from what I noticed. In HM, you can't just stand still and swing axe, even a warrior needs to kite when low on health, can't just run in and "duel" enemies. For some reason, warriors I see think their role is to charge in bravely and stand still until death or death of the enemy. Understandable, but I'm just not a fan of it, and would rather see them play tactically instead of "im a tank, i soak damage".
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by vader
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.
|
And about PvE skills, that's partially true, but remember that I only played HM with these PUGs. So even with PvE skills, the enemies were more difficult too.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by cosyfiep
and yes my mesmer had the hardest times.
|
As for group making, the only criteria I make is:
2 healers
1 warrior *max*
I noticed that even with one warrior I have problems, so ideally I prefer no warriors. When I'm too nice I let one in though
The problem with warriors is that on average they tend to be least skilled players from what I noticed. In HM, you can't just stand still and swing axe, even a warrior needs to kite when low on health, can't just run in and "duel" enemies. For some reason, warriors I see think their role is to charge in bravely and stand still until death or death of the enemy. Understandable, but I'm just not a fan of it, and would rather see them play tactically instead of "im a tank, i soak damage".
Mouse at Large
The z-quests have revived pugging with other players. Sure, you'll get the good, the bad and the ugly, but if you have at least a passable IQ, you'll have fun and possibly learn a thing or two
Martin Firestorm
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by The Josip
or because Zaishen quests draw a mass of people, so it's easier to make group than usual "grab whoever is in the outpost"?
|
Joiry
I haven't pug'd in years, only recently with the Z missions. I find it to be a mixed bag, I'd say 50-50 of getting in a good group or bad.
I've been in groups with nearly no communication that have easily completed some of the more difficult missions. I've been in groups with lots of communication that have failed hard. Last Dzagonur Bastion, I was in a group by someone claiming to have finished it several times before that day. They very carefully selected people for the group. We failed once (resigned when we lost a second defense) and the second time, the leader who made the group quit (or DC'd, but I think quit). I managed to lead the group of 7 (just with pinging targets and map drawing) to masters.
So, really, by the nature of PUGs, you get a semi-arbitrary collection of everyone. Z mission just means there are more than five people at the outpost.
I've been in groups with nearly no communication that have easily completed some of the more difficult missions. I've been in groups with lots of communication that have failed hard. Last Dzagonur Bastion, I was in a group by someone claiming to have finished it several times before that day. They very carefully selected people for the group. We failed once (resigned when we lost a second defense) and the second time, the leader who made the group quit (or DC'd, but I think quit). I managed to lead the group of 7 (just with pinging targets and map drawing) to masters.
So, really, by the nature of PUGs, you get a semi-arbitrary collection of everyone. Z mission just means there are more than five people at the outpost.
Cuilan
I've been zquesting since it started. Groups tend to be a bit more friendly, willing to wait, and have better builds. There's a few exceptions, but for the most part it's been a better experience.
A lot of it has to do with the leader's leadership and communication. Only problem I see is people who use characters who they haven't put much work into.
My mesmer hasn't had any problems getting into groups and I've seen many consums during zquests. Depends on what it is.
A lot of it has to do with the leader's leadership and communication. Only problem I see is people who use characters who they haven't put much work into.
My mesmer hasn't had any problems getting into groups and I've seen many consums during zquests. Depends on what it is.
pinguinius
The only one I've pugged is Urgoz. Failed the first time, then joined a pug that had a leader who knew what to do and herded us noobs into a successful run.
Darcy
I have pugged many Zaishen quests with success. It is very easy to form a group and, while I'm not going out with four sins, I don't insist on the classic setup. Where I run into problems is with the quests that require you to do, or not to do, certain things, such as many Prophecies missions.
I have tried a pug many times on Aurora Glade and cannot seem to get a group that have actually read the walkthrough on the wiki and know not to cap the last shrine if you want the bonus. So, no more Zaishen mission Aurora Glade for me.
On the other hand, doing the last few missions in Nightfall is a joy with a HM pug. Everyone is usually well aware of what is needed. Does finishing Nightfall make you smarter?
I have tried a pug many times on Aurora Glade and cannot seem to get a group that have actually read the walkthrough on the wiki and know not to cap the last shrine if you want the bonus. So, no more Zaishen mission Aurora Glade for me.
On the other hand, doing the last few missions in Nightfall is a joy with a HM pug. Everyone is usually well aware of what is needed. Does finishing Nightfall make you smarter?
Clone
Not horrible, but honestly my experiences with hench/hero is better 90% of the time.