A Chilly Rant

[Impact]

Disclaimer: Alright....before I get started and blow off some steam or whatever.....I'd like to say that I luv all (if not most of you guys and 70-80% of the time I don't mind teaming/tanking at all).

But....with that said.......I'd like to say this: Let's be considerate of each other. I can only speak for myself, but I know there has to be other ATs/players that feel like this sometimes ("Are you a healer?" "Can you heal?" "Can you tank?"). It's like no matter what plans you had or what you had in mind to do someone always needs you to do something (in my case: tank) for them. Now....as some of you know, this has kinda been an issue that's been building for a while but it seems like all my efforts to deal with it myself arent really helping, so instead of going on /hide (which has been suggested by quite a few people) I figured i'd come here and do like plenty others have done and rant/blow off some steam about it.

Maybe it's just me but it seems like a lot of the time (even more lately) that whenever I sign on (no matter which hero at that) someone needs me to tank a mission. Now, like I said before I don't mind it a lot, but I just want to give a few little somethings to keep in mind. Tanks have missions too. Players have other heroes. And even though I'm not a hardcore rp'er sometimes I'd like to be able to just do that (and for the hardcore rp'ers.....many many MANY heroes just get...tired of heroing and need time to relax....some of them even retire for a bit (which has also been suggested)). I was talking/ranting about it to some friends/other heroes earlier and a few of the responses I got were, notably "A bad tank is worse than no tank." and "You're a _good_ tank....people need good tanks." Whether I (or whoever) am or not isn't the point to me though......it's to keep in mind that all the ATs need each other to some extent.

And yes I could just say no to anyone that asks me......so in some ways me accepting kind of voids my right to rant (weird eh?) but if I don't these people more than likely will end up with debt.....said debt leads to people complaining/whining about having XXk of debt...so maybe it's just my good deed or whatever. But it really struck me when I thought it was strange that someone asked for help from my defender, like..'wow someone actually wants me to play a hero other than Frost'.

Idunno...guess i'm just rambling on here but I felt like it needed to be saying...could've been because it's been sorta building, could be because I had two hard finals today and my allergies made me sneeze all the way during my second one, and that I just wanted to relax by playing some CoH. *shrug* Ignore this, take it to heart, whatever. Oh and since I'm suggesting stuff....thank you never goes out of style.

You may now return to your regularly scheduled BMF.

[BvS]

I saw exactly what you're talking about this very evening.
You came in to help with an Infernal mission and then immediately had to run off to tank someone else's mission.

It happens to me on occasion, as well. Bombshell's a lvl 50 Ener/Ener blaster. People read the power list and invite, because she has 'Nova'. They don't understand that, in order for that power to work, I have to drop into the middle of a mob and click. All endurance is gone. Defense toggles are dropped. I eat dirt.

I hear them thinking "Debt doesn't matter to a lvl 50." In my case, debt means not being able to raise influence as quickly as I might to give to my other toons, my wife, and my friends. In the event that they raise the level cap (they said they wouldn't but...nvm, different rant), I'd have to burn off debt gained from other people's missions before I could enjoy the new content.

We all pay the same amount to play this game. Each of us should understand that another person should be able to play the way they want, on the toon they want.

And, by the way, thanks Frost :)

[Blue Bolt]

Yeah, I'm guilty of looking to both or you for my AV missions :(
Frosty's one of the very few tanks I know, and he's on the most so that's who I ask the most.

What I do is look at my global friend's list and see if anyone I know is on that is a high level and/or fills a requirement I need. Tanks almost always apply. At lower levels, I could just ask a lvl 50 like Bombshell and we'd team up and take the AV out, but now that I'm such a high level I'm going to have to ask mor people, and look for more tanks, controllers, etc. to ground the guy and distract him.

Now that I'm doing my Praetorian arc I'm probably going to have to look to MORE of my friends, since every other mission is an AV mission. The only other option is a pick-up team and I think everyone will agree that sucks.

:(

[Jade_Dragon]

Yeah. It seems like the closer I get to 30, the more blind invites I get. To the point where it's almost enough to drive you crazy. I close one popup, I get another. :D I don't /hide with my regular characters, but I have with Joe Everyman lately because I KNOW they aren't looking for me.

And I don't group that often except with pickup teams, so I don't really have a reputation. I'm guessing you've just become known as a tank that can be called up at any time. It doesn't seem right to say that you should be rude, but really, take some time for yourself instead of putting yourself out for others. Most people actually understand. And ask THEM if they'll help YOU with a mission once in a while.

[Vendel]

I dont ask anyone in particular to help me out. When I ask for help its to anyone that is willing to help. This way I don't put people on the spot(plus it helps with the rejection) :chuckle:

I have been lucky enough for you to help me a couple of times Frost. And always know that when I am done with a mish I am happy to do anyones mish.


As for Blind invites....even as a blaster I get them alot....its rather annoying. Espically since I dont turn on team seek. And I dont random invite anymore either.... :banana3:

[Alumette]

As a matter of personal policy, I *never* (or I should say rarely) accept random invites, although I always reject kindly ("Sorry, I'm kind of busy right now, but good luck with your mission! Take care!")

I do agree that you should start saying "No," more often, simply because you *deserve* to. You pay for this game for *you*, not for anyone else. And honestly I don't think anyone will think less of you for saying, "Sorry, I can't right now."

If anyone does, send 'em to me. <punches her fist into her palm>

And on that note, if I ever ask you if you're available for teaming or RP, I *expect* you to say no because I know you're a popular guy! ;) I log on hoping to see my friends, but I don't ever expect anyone to play with me. I figure, we're all in this for our own experiences and if we happen to bounce off one another on occasion in-game, it's a bonus.

I think a lot of people feel the same way, so I don't think you should at all feel guilty about saying no to requests.

<hugs>

[Malibu Sally]

Sigh.......... must be nice to be "in demand".

Wish I had your problems Frosty. :|

[Esbat]

I'd like to open myself up for the role of Tank. I don't care about being "the tank" as a Tank I really hate to solo thing things like "Defeat XX" or play Find the Glowie but I guess its cause I have so much love for the support ATs of Defender and Tanker.

So iffen ya don't mind if someone wants you to tank just send 'em to me if I'm on. :shinner:

[8 Ball]

Happens every time I log in my FF Defender....if only Kinetics was so sorely needed *sigh*.

[Impact]

Sigh.......... must be nice to be "in demand".

Wish I had your problems Frosty. :|

Check....*note to self* Forward any tanking requests that I'm unable to fill to Malibu Sally....who will in turn tank them.. Gotcha :cool:

Seriously.....I hope I didn't come off too badly....I really don't mind helping (i'm a helpful guy......as are most of my heroes) but....yeah...just a little something I kinda wanted to get out. I'll delete the thread sooner or later unless there's more commentage/rantage to be made.


And Alumette....we both know that I'm nowhere neeeear as popular as you are :P

[suburbanhell]

Just say no? The game was meant to be played the way you want to play it, not the way 7 other people want you to play it, if I dont' want to take Major out tanking, I don't take Major out tanking...

[Chain Lightning]

Sigh.......... must be nice to be "in demand".

Wish I had your problems Frosty. :|


Sally, you can ALWAYS roll with me anytime. Not kissing butt, or trying to make you feel better, but having teamed with you a few times, I already know what to expect from you. I love to team with any and everybody I've already teamed with or know. That goes for any of you that think you're not popular enough or can't get a team going. Just get a hold of me.

Now then Frost, I've seen this a couple times when grouping with you where it was assumed that you were going to tank. I can understand your frustration. In fact, I have to use my newly acquire free respec on Crimsonstar to make him a more effective 'herder'. He's a tank now, but I made his build more soloable, and if I want to group with him, I need him to herd. That's not a problem for me as I actually want to try this. Only I can easily see how being asked to herd or tank all the time would get annoying. I guess the best course of action would be for you to get a little nasty, even though I know you're a nice enough guy to not want to, and just tell people that you're either busy or don't want to be the damage buffer for their missions.


As far as I'm concerned, I call for help when I need help, not when I need a 'tank' to take damage. I guess I'm weird because when I yell for help, I'm actually more interested in getting a balanced team of different AT's then I am about getting certain AT's for a mission.

I also make no assumptions of how anyone plays their AT. I have no problem if a tank wants to actually play that role, or if they want to have a blaster pull and then run interference once the mobs react. I've been on teams where blasters thought they were tanks and got within melee distance to use their range attacks. Doesn't botter me.

I guess what I'm saying is, I think the game would be more enjoyable for everyone if we just let people play their AT's the way they want and not assume that if they're playing a Tank that they're going to herd or occupy baddies and take the damage, or that Defenders are going to automatically be behind us healing away, or that the Controller will be using holds out the wazoo on bosses, or that the Blasters will use that devasting AoE to whittle down the pack. etc, etc, etc.

[iggy880]

I agree, I mean I made a rad defender and even at early levels I got a team for sewer Vahz hunting and was asked what type of defender. I can't stand these people who generalize, or expect you to your powerset or AT and not a character or person wanting to help. I know some of have had similar problems, and frankly sometimes it drives me nuts. Lukily for me my main is a blaster so I'm not alwyas generalized, but if I don't seem to be blasting with power or accuracy they can get upset because I'm "not doing the blaster job"


(also, thanks for the chance for me to rant a little)

[Nyx]

... I may change my tune in higher levels but...

... I love soloing... :D :lmao: :neener:

(er... I'm going now... dont' hurt me...)

[ThunderMace]

I want you to note, Frosty that I have NEVER asked you to tank a mission :chuckle: :p

'course I don't team with you as much anymore. Have to rectify that.