I’ve done SFK twice this week with the same pally and priest, and I have noticed a few things about them which I don’t like, and it has spawned this list of what not to do in a PUG. I’m going to try and leave the obvious things out, like being a ninja.
1. Don’t be Afraid to Speak Up: This is probably my biggest problem in a PUG. Most of the time when sometimes drop which I can use, and it would be an improvement, but I can survive without it, I just roll greed. I usually have a hard time speaking up about rolling need on a green. If you don’t say so, this BoP blue might become vendor trash, or that BoE becomes someone else’s profit. I lost my opportunity to get Rethilgar’s Shoulders not once, but twice, to the priest, who is either DE-ing them, or vendoring them because I didn’t speak up.
2. While in Combat, Focus on Combat: Don’t start looting things the second the first mob of the group is down. Not only is it frustrating to see the loot rolls on my screen, the group is either losing dps, a tank, or healing because you have to see what <insert mob name here> dropped. To a lesser extent, this applies to skinning/mining/professions in general. I am guilty of this one unfortuntely. I will run around skinning mobs, while the group moves on to the next pull. If you are going to gather or craft something, make sure you tell the group.
3. Just Because You Have the x Profession, Doesn’t Mean You Get the Loot: I’d like to hear what your opinions are on this one. I’m getting annoyed at how everyone seems to be a JC and thinks they can roll need on all the jewels which drop, and some even go so far as to loot on any ore which is found. I couldn’t care less about them looting some copper or tin, but I like to stockpile the jewels up and either AH them or send them to a JC in my guild. And with this priest from SFK, I suspect she wasn’t even JC. If you agree with this, how far can you take it? I’m sure there are some over-zealous enchanters who have rolled need just to DE stuff.
4. I Don’t Care About Your Alts: This one bothers me so much. I hate it when people start to brag about their other toons. Big deal about having 5 70’s, it doesn’t make up for your crappy dps. The only time I’d want to hear about your alts, is if you are going to get on one to give us a free run, or because it’s around our level and it will better complement our group than the current character. I’ve been in groups where there is a huge debate between which person is better, based on how many 70’s they have. All that means is you have more time on your hands, or have been playing longer. Longer playtime != more skilled. Any sentence that starts with “I have a level 70 <insert common dps>, and this is how you need to play your class.
5. Attempt to be Civilized: The PUG group never benefits from you making a lame your mom joke, or perpetuating the anal <insert skill here> fad. Comments like, how does my rogue have more hp then you in bear form, also never help. I never openly humiliate someone in party/say/guild chat. If I feel the need to crack jokes, which happens often, I do so in whisper mode, or just to myself. If someone feels like they are being picked on, they won’t be happy, and the group is going to suffer. Offering them advice can be tricky, many players don’t like being told how to play their class. And berating them in party chat won’t help them see your point of view.
6. Know What to Expect: Let’s face it, you are in a PUG. You’re going to get stuck with all kinds of people, some good, some bad. Your tank might afk during the middle of a fight, your healer might be passive aggressive and let you die on purpose, you might have a hunter who wants to melee, or a mage who thinks wanding is their best form of dps. You have to roll with it all. If you want to control the unknowns, then get a group of trusted friends or guildies, don’t rely on the LFG system.
So that’s my two cents on lowbie PUGs, I guess it’s probably much different at the high levels, so maybe there will be a followup once I get to some new instances. What tips do you guys have for PUG Manners.
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August 15, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Annderia
I like the list you made here, good explanations for the “don’t”s, too.
It’s amazing that so much of this advice is pretty much common sense, and yet people STILL have trouble like this with PUGs. Even people who typically follow these rules can slip up from time to time, too, like if they’re having a bad day.
I think it would be cool post on how to give helpful, POLITE advice to others, so that maybe some readers will stop and think before they say something along the lines of “You’re doing it wrong,” or “That’s not how you play .” Advice sentences should probably start with “I think that” or “Maybe you should try .”