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  • Raam's Group-leader / Group-member guide
    By: Raam, Posted at: Wed, Jun 4th 6:44 PM 2003
    Rated 4.42 by 7 people


    Welcome to my first attempt of making a playerguide.
    This is directed towards everybody who likes to lead as well as participate in smaller as well as larger groups.

    First, let me start out by saying that there is no right or wrong here and the following guide is my own personal interpretation of the optimal way of leading or being a member of a group in SWG.

    While everybody might not agree with this playstyle, I encourage you all to seek out the playstyle you like, because what it all comes down to is getting the best experience possible out of the game. Joining a group that either is too serious/not serious enough when you personally seek the opposite won't make it fun for you whatsoever.

    So while reading this, please keep in mind that this is my take on explaning how a serious group could function, and not in any way meant to come down on those who don't appreciate this gamestyle. So if you don't agree, please refrain yourself from making unnessecary posts in the thread, but instead just acknowledge that this is one way of going about it.

    For the purpose of this guide, I'm going to focus on making a well-functioning group for Hunting Expeditions(HE). Many of the issues brought up by the guide will have alot of reference to chain of command and keeping a proper structure and dynamic of the group which I believe is one of the key-ingrediences for having a well-oiled fighting machine.

    First some general guidelines. These are extremely important and a vital part of the success of the HE.


    NEVER ATTACK ANYTHING WITHOUT CLEARANCE

    The group leader should (unless he have given someone else the responsibility) always be the one that directs and controls the combat.
    If you as a group member engange in combat by your own initiative it will and can have several affects which in several cases will lower the strength of the group.

    1) You have directed your attention elsewhere and will therefor not be able to keep full focus on the group.
    2) Should the group unfortunately be attacked as a result of an aggro mob from fx. an unlucky spawn, then you wont be available to assist.
    3) If the creature you attacked is among the larger creatures and everybody wasn't ready to engage, it can result in deaths / incaps.
    These are just a few of the possible scenario's by un-timed combat. So remember. Do not attack anything unless it's a good-2-go.

    KNOW YOUR POSITION & PROFESSION
    This is not only profession wise but also location wise when moving.
    As for the location, watch it when your moving around. The golden nr. here is 64m. The group leader might have send you and a few others out to take a flanking role, and this is precisely one of the times where you should be extra careful. Don't run around randomly. Stick with the group or the position your supposed to be in.

    Profession wise... remember what you can do and should do.
    For scouts and combat. Remember to use traps if you can. They can stun/slow movement etc. on the creature you may be fighting and greatly benefit the group. And as for movement, remember to use /maskscent if you have Exploration III. This again lowers the chance that the group will get jumped. As well as combat and traps.

    For marksman and combat. Remember in close combat and in danger that you can use Warning Shot to temporarily get the creature of your back and thereby buying yourself time for a possible heal from a medic.
    For brawlers and combat. Remember to try and taunt and direct attention to yourself instead of ranged combateers who don't have the same defense ability as yourself.
    For people that have medic skills. Remember that a heal can save lives. Remember to set up hotkeys for heal as well as cycling through group members as that will easen as well as speed up the process of healing.

    DO NOT RUN WHEN YOU GET ATTACKED
    A very vital and important thing to remember. Several people have a tendency to panic a little when they get attacked by one of the larger creatures and then start running around. Doing so will result in a few things.
    1) The second you start running, the rest of the group will have a harder time aiming and hitting the enemy. Thereby slowing the process of killing it.
    2) If there are close range/melee fighters in the group, they wont be able to do damage to the enemy.
    3) If there are medics in the group, they won't be able to heal you in most cases.
    Take use of the communication protocol there should be in place (look under the group leading section). If there are experienced marksmen in the group, they will also be able to use Warning Shot to drive the creature away.
    So remember this... always stand still when you get attacked.

    FOR GROUP LEADERS:

    When forming a group, you first need to think about what the purpose of the group should be (Exploration, Hunting, PvP) and build your group according to purpose and size.
    When you have gathered your group members. Always make sure you make it clear what your group consists of profession wise. Combateers (Ranged, Melee), Scouts, Medics and so on. This will provide you with a overall look of what you need to take into consideration when heading out. We'll get back to this later.


    CLARIFY COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL
    Here there are specifically two things to keep in mind.
    1) How to initiate combat.
    2) Distress call if attacked.
    Make sure you from the beginning clarify these two things. It is highly important that you time your attack since it will result in a much better damage potential in a short amount of time.
    How you will time it is entirely up to you and could even vary from enemy to enemy. Going up larger creatures a proper timed attack is more important than towards a smaller creature naturally since the risk is lower. Could be anything from "Ready, GO!", to something like "3, 2, 1, FIRE!".
    Agreeing upon a proper distress call for group members should also be established. When running, people will be spread out and it won't always be possible to keep an eye on everybody. At least not if your leading a larger group. Therefor, think of a good way people could give notice if they are being attacked so available fighting powers can be directed towards the one under attack.
    One I like to use during my own group leadings is "UA". Simple and short for "Under Attack".

    MOVEMENT
    Remember to consider movement tactics of the group. Remember, the group is never stronger than it's weakest spot so think about possible weaknesses that might open up during movement. Don't split people up of each section of the group can't handle themself or if the rest of the group isn't close enough to assist in possible problems.
    Remember to walk carefully and take use of possible counter measures or skills that may make movement easier. (Conceal, Mask Scent etc.)

    LOOT PROCEDURE / EXP SHARING
    Everybody should get a fair share in the HE. This goes both for loot and EXP.
    Make sure the same people don't always run up and harvest the corpse because they are closest to the mob.
    Make sure take initiative to even out the experience points from combat. Ranged people normally get a great deal more experience than melee people since combat mostly is initiated from range. One way I personally take use of to even this out, is by letting melee fighter alone do the lairs.
    Make sure there is a clearing about who sets up camps.
    Make sure there is a clearing about who heals people in camps. (Let full medics do this instead of people that only are part medics. Part medics is ok in combat since it can save lives)

    BASIC COMBAT TACTICS
    Depending on the size of the group, there is several ways to go about this. Could be one big group, or even two or three squads.
    One thing that you always should remember is to spread out the group before starting combat. If it's possible to draw a triangle between the groupmembers and the enemy, your basically good to go. Triangular combat will buy you seconds since the creature will be confused and uncertain of who to charge, so the more spread out... the better (Tho never far enough to bring yourself in danger).
    When the people get into position, also make sure that no group member never is too far away than they have all group members without shooting range. That way you will be able to shoot at the enemy no matter where it charges. Again, watch where you move to get into position. You don't wanna get another enemy aggro at you.
    Melee fighters always stay in the middle of the triangle with your group so you will have an easier time reaching the target depending on where it charges.
    The same goes for medics. Stay at an optimal position where you will be able to move in the same direction the enemy does because that is more likely where the healing will be nessacary (given the fact that it doesn't use ranged attacks).
    Remember these things as well as the issues mentioned in the 'KNOW YOUR POSITION & PROFESSION' section.

    FOR GROUP MEMBERS:

    How do you be a good group member. Well naturally first of all you should seek out groups that have a playstyle you enjoy. Like I mentioned in the top of this rather long post, do not join a group that have a playstyle like this if you know in the beginning your going to hate it. There is a limit to how much compromise you should do to get experience. Besides, for a group of people that all love one way of playstyle and then having a group member that has another will create a bad atmosphere if it's reflected in the behaviour.
    There isn't much to add specifically in this section if you have read the above. Understanding and approving of those issues will certainly already put you well on the way of accompaning a serious group that uses this playstyle, but let me summarize two very important issues anyway just.


    MOVEMENT
    Don't run randomly around. Stick with the group or the position you have been given. Failure to do so can not only get yourself killed but also create unnessecary hassle for the rest of the group.

    LOOTING
    Don't constantly hawk all the loot just because your the fastest to the stop. It is disrespect and will give you a bad reputation and make the rest of the group members annoyed.

    SHOW RESPECT AND BE SERIOUS
    Listen carefully to your groupleader, because he's the one who's supposed to run the group. If what he does and say just seems too whacked, then there can be two issues. He's incompetent or the way he wants to run the group just doesn't comply with you. For that there is two ways to solve that problem for you.
    1) Leave the group and find another. (One with a better leader or one with a playstyle you like)
    2) Help and educate the group leader. He might be taking leadership for the first time because he wants to learn that as well. Come with constructive ideas and opinions. Offer your input but do so in a proper fashion
    Remember to go into the group with the proper attitude. Don't disrespect the group leader. Don't disrespect the group members. Doing so will again create a bad atmosphere and only ruin it for the rest, and you don't wanna do that unless your a downright moron.

    I guess there isn't really much else to be said. I hope you enjoyed the reading.

    All constructive feedback and comments are highly appreciated, and please excuse me for any typoes or grammars that might appear in this text as english isn't my first language.


    Signed, Yours Humbly
    - Raam Kx'Thorath
    Member of The Crescent Order

    SWG: Combat: Raam's Group-leader / Group-member guide, by Raam
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    12 threads, 1 page(s) long 
       Thanks Reply...
      Posted @ Mon, Aug 25th 8:33 AM 2003
      By: Anonymous
      Score: Default [2.00]

      Like to say thanks alot for an excellent post. This guide is a must read for all future squad leaders like me and will help people avoid the mistakes which can lead to an unenjoyable hunt.

      Thanks again and good luck all. Happy hunting.                                       

       
      0 Replies
       Bad stuf Reply...
      Posted @ Tue, Aug 19th 11:31 AM 2003
      By: Anonymous
      Score: Default [2.00]

      can sumone plz help me? I was in a group doing missions when it said you lost 130 gungan points. Then some guy in our group said ops. I immeadiatly disbanded. How can I fix my faction?
                                                         

       
      0 Replies
       Rule Number One Reply...
      Posted @ Fri, Jul 25th 5:59 AM 2003
      By: Aeroslin
      13 posts
      Score: Default [2.00]

      Great article! I would just like to reinforce the whole: NEVER ATTACK ANYTHING WITHOUT CLEARANCE! rule with: YOU'LL FIND MY FOOT IN YOUR ARSE IF YOU DO!
                                                         

       
      ----------------------------
      Aeroslin - EQ - Terris Thule
      Sthiz've Ka'Vohrsz - SWG - Valcyn
      0 Replies
       Thanks Everybody Reply...
      Posted @ Wed, Jul 2nd 3:20 PM 2003
      By: RaamKxThorath
      1 posts
      Score: Decent [3.00]

      Hey guys,

      I just wanted to thank everybody for the wonderful comments you all wrote. There is nothing better than see people show appreciation for the work you do, and that is definately a great reward.

      This guide also gave me one of my most treasured experiences during my 3+ months in beta, and that was when I found out that Holocron had quoted me for it in his Holobits.

      Again, thank you everybody. I'm grateful for the compliments.

      Btw.: Feel free to look me up on the Chilastra server.

       
      ----------------------------
      - Raam Kx'Thorath
      1 Reply
         RE: Thanks Everybody Reply...
        Posted @ Mon, Jul 14th 9:44 PM 2003
        By: Anonymous
        Score: Default [2.00]

        My own group guide was in part inspired by some of the nuggets of wisdom which you laid out in this guide. I had not seen it here before now but now that I have I can offer credit.

        Thorn.                                      

         
        0 Replies
       Lairs Reply...
      Posted @ Wed, Jul 2nd 1:22 PM 2003
      By: Anonymous
      Score: Default [2.00]

      The only thing that misses is that nobody should attack lairs, until they have clearance and that lairs should be reserved for the melee classes, because they give massive meleeXP.

      I was on so many hunting trips, where big groups were annihilated, because someone kept shooting the lair....                         

       
      0 Replies
       Great!! Reply...
      Posted @ Mon, Jun 30th 4:31 PM 2003
      By: Anonymous
      Score: Default [2.00]

      I have been on numerous missions as the leader now and followed the guide, it works wonderfully!! Excellent work!                                                                

       
      0 Replies
       about loot Reply...
      Posted @ Sun, Jun 29th 11:53 PM 2003
      By: Anonymous
      Score: Default [2.00]

      Very nice guide, what you think if in the loot section, one player that take all the loot and at the end of the combat or hunting sesion, share the loot with the rest of the group, maybe the leader can take all the loots and give it wiseley to the group.                                      

       
      1 Reply
         RE: about loot Reply...
        Posted @ Mon, Jul 28th 1:34 PM 2003
        By: rendek
        15 posts
        Score: Decent [3.00]

        Hey, I'm not totaly shure because I can't play the game untill tomorrow (thanks to a bad graphics card) but I have read many, many, copy and paste 10 times, guides on SWG and I have read a few on grouping, anyway, I heard that there is a comand that will split the spoils of a kill evenly among all group members automaticly.  Can't think as to the name of the comand, you would have to look at the command list in game to find it.

         
        ----------------------------
        IT(Illuminati Trading) Wants you!!
        http://www.online-gamers.org.uk/it/index.php
        0 Replies
       Well well... very nice Reply...
      Posted @ Sun, Jun 22nd 11:55 AM 2003
      By: Anonymous
      Score: Default [2.00]

      I was just told that my guide was posted here.

      How nice of you to remember to put down credits, and thank you all very much for the positive replies.

      I have to say.. I was also quite proud when Holo quoted me for this guide in his Holobits.

      Again.. thank you very much for all the nice replies.

      - Raam Kx'Thorath
      The Crescent Order            

       
      0 Replies
       MEDIC!!! Reply...
      Posted @ Sat, Jun 21st 1:36 PM 2003
      By: Anonymous
      Score: Default [2.00]

      Good post.

      As with most, if not all, MMORPGs when grouping selecting and engaging targets in a co-ordinated fashion is a must.

      my experience while in Beta was that most groups tended to use Zerg(tm) tactics and just hose down anything that moved.

      this can be effective aslong as you all attack the same critter. I was on a hunting trip to endor in a group of 20. This was reduced to 6 when an un-cordinated attack on a spawn went wrong (there'll be a TV series coming out soon "When pulls go wrong" :)) because someone started targetting anything they could. They hit the lair which spawned more defenders which ran riot with us.

      As there are no "rezzers" if you get killed you will end up back at a cloning centre which could be many many miles from your group. if your friends were in the group and survived, that's a real pain in the ass to get back to them or go do something on your own for an hour or two.

      lastly, the latest patch notes say that high level mobs, which used to leave you incapped if there were other people in the group attacking it, will now death blow you before switching target. as some mobs can do 800+ points of damage (which is enough to kill in one shot alot of non-combat classes) it makes it essential to take a medic or two along with you to heal the main tankos they don't get incapped. previously you would never really needed to with the ZERG!!!!

       
      0 Replies
       Advice Reply...
      Posted @ Sat, Jun 21st 2:04 AM 2003
      By: Anonymous
      Score: Decent [2.50]

      Good post- My only addition is when giving advice, keep it minimal & send tells.  Don't advertise to the whole group.                                                    

       
      0 Replies
       playguide Reply...
      Posted @ Fri, Jun 20th 10:37 PM 2003
      By: Anonymous
      Score: Default [1.50]

      Great playguide.. I enjoyed it very much and i will surely use it in the game when i am in a group and i am the leader. :)
      Thanks for giving me a real inside on the way group hunting/exploration works, because b4 this post i didnt have any idea about the way the game works in group related combat.

      Cheers
      Apothecary19            

       
      0 Replies
       GOOD. Reply...
      Posted @ Thu, Jun 19th 10:13 PM 2003
      By: flabajaba
      84 posts
      Score: Default [2.35]

      Good stuff.  Everyone is saying how we should only stay in a group with good leaders. I will take this advice. Thanks.                                                   

       
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