swglogo
EverQuest Camelot FFXI WoW EQ2 Planetside Lineage II EQOA
Subscribe...
Home...
News...
News Archives...
Store...
FAQ...
Links...
Submit Information...
Login/User...
User Accounts...
Your Characters...
New Commments...
Journals...
Forums...
Main SWG Forum...
How to Become a Jedi...
Out of Topic Forum...
The Asylum...
Allakhazam IRC Chat...
Game Guides...
Combat...
Crafting...
General...
Location...
Macros...
Profession...
PvP...
Starting...
Discussion...
Servers...
Professions...
Races...
Characters...
Full List...
Races...
Professions...
Skills...
Skill Modifiers...
Abilities...
Certifications...
Schematics...
Items...
Badges...
Character Builder...
Geography...
Planets...
Cities...
Places of Interest...
Resources...
Spaceport Routes...
Dynamic Maps...
Search Locations...
Add Locations...
Location Help...
Commands...
Quests...
List...
By Planet...
By Area...
Missions...
Bestiary...
Search...
Trainers...
Facilities...
Stats:
  • Quests: 487
  • NPCs: 3,696
  • Skills: 927
  • Abilities: 3,360
  • Schematics: 1,455
  • Locations: 2,659
  • Users: 557,553
  • Comments: 3,569,673

  • A Meditation on Entertainment
    By: Zagadka/Ycah, Posted at: Tue, Oct 21st 3:58 PM 2003
    Rated 5.00 by 11 people

    A Meditation on Entertainment
    By Zagadka/Ycah


    INTRODUCTION
    ----------
    First of all, welcome the the troupe! Being an entertainer can be a
    daunting challenge, especially for those who are more attuned and used
    to the arts of combat, but can be incredibly rewarding in ways that
    matter most - enjoyment and socialization. In this guide, I won't focus
    on trite details like how much XP it takes to reach what level. Instead,
    I will concentrate on explaining the specific behaviors expected from an
    entertainer. Much like there are strategies and tactics in combat, there
    are in entertaining. Neither is all about pressing buttons and running
    macros.


    STARTING OUT
    ----------
    After your successful release from the Imperial starship, you will find
    yourself facing a hugely intimidating world. The good news is that, to
    start out entertaining, you don't need to do anything more complicated
    than finding the nearest cantina (these can easily be found by pressing
    CTRL+M to bring up the overhead map, or CTRL+V to bring up the planetary
    map and selecting "Cantina" from the menu on the right). Part of the
    first secret is finding the right locale. I generally favor starting on
    Tatooine, in Bestine or Anchorhead (as you are likely not able to start
    in Bestine and can't start in Anchorhead, but start elsewhere on
    Tatooine, you should start with enough cash to buy a shuttle ticket to it).

    Alright, you are in the cantina. Hopefully, it will be packed. Yes, I
    said hopefully. Unlike most other acts in most other MMORPGs, the more
    people entertaining, the better off you are. This is why I suggest
    starting at a well-populated center like Bestine or Anchorhead. Firstly,
    the more people performing in your group, the better XP you will get.
    Secondly, the more guests you will have, which means the more tips you
    will recieve. Lastly, it means that a medic is much more likely to hang
    around and heal your action wounds. If those reasons confuse you, I will
    cover each of these points later on.

    Before any of this matters, though, you need to know how to perform. As
    this is covered extensively in other guides, and this is a guide
    primarily about strategy, I will cover this only briefly. As either a
    Musician or Dancer, you can type /startMusic or /startDance to begin
    performing. A window will pop up and ask which performance you wish to
    start. We'll come back to this in a bit - for now, pick what should be
    your only selection. On your taskbar should be a series of icons with
    musical notes - these are Flourishes. They are the meat and bones of
    everything you will be doing. If they are not on your bar, press CTRL+A
    to bring up the Command Browser, go to the Other tab, and drag them from
    the window to your taskbar. While you are doing this, move your cursor
    to the bottom of the taskbar until it becomes a up/down arrow, and drag
    it down to reveal the second row. This is very important. If you are a
    Musician, be sure to open your Inventory (CTRL+I) and equip (double
    click) on your Slitherhorn. If you do not have one in your inventory,
    you can buy one fairly cheaply from the nearest Bazarre.

    Alright, so you know how to dance. Your next goal will be getting in a
    group. In general, all of your experience will come from being grouped.
    Why? You get MUCH more experience working with a band - and it is more
    fun. Just ask, "May I be invited to the entertainer group?", and you
    will likely be invited shortly. Once in the group, greet your new
    friends. Socializing is the cornerstone of entertainment. You don't get
    experience for it, but it is vital to your quality of performing, the
    tips you will get, friends you will make, etc etc. If you are a new
    player, ask to be taught all of the languages. It is free Appreticeship
    XP for someone, and will help you in dealing with customers.

    As you perform, you will notice that your action pool lowers. You will
    either need to stop performing and rest for a while, or hope that a
    medic/doctor is around to use a stim on you (The Entertainer/Medic
    relationship is an extremely beneficial one for both sides. It is some
    of the fastest and most steady sources of XP for them, and they keep
    your downtime to an absolute min). Once your pool is back up to max,
    start performing again!

    Side note: If you do end up having a lot of downtime, start up a career
    as an Artisan or Medic. While these can be expensive to start out, they
    make the downtime pass more quickly and open up your options down the
    road (for instance, being a Tailor or Image Designer can make your life
    much better, in changing costumes and appearances to keep your act from
    getting stale).

    Side note 2: If you are a Dancer, ALWAYS use your highest level dance.
    You will get more XP. If you are a Musician, ALWAYS use the highest
    level instrument you can. You will get more XP.


    MACROS
    ----------
    At this point, I digress. One oft-debated point of performances are
    macros. A macro is a set of commands - I'm sure you can see the value in
    them already. Some people, however, take this to the extreme, resorting
    to going AFK (away from keyboard) with a macro running to get XP for
    doing nothing. Other people insist that *any* macro is too many macros.
    The truth, as usual, lies somewhere in the middle. I find macros
    essential to performing, and this is why: They let you chat, perform
    emotes and actions, and interact with your customers. I have a couple of
    macros on my toolbar that I can click on, freeing my hands to chat and
    interact with everyone - and this is the core of our profession. Our job
    is to provide entertainment, not just healing mind wounds and battle
    fatigue. If you can make the cantina a more interesting place for
    players to hang out, ply their trades, or even just sit and tradeskill,
    you have succeeded, whether you are a Master or a Novice. It also is the
    primary key to getting yourself more tips.

    A simple macro that I use is this:

    /flourish 3;
    /pause 3;
    /flourish 1;
    /pause 3;
    /flourish 8;
    /pause 3;
    /flourish 7;
    /pause 3;
    /flourish 4;
    /pause 3;
    /flourish 6;
    /pause 3;
    /flourish 5;
    /pause 3;
    /ui action toolbarSlot01

    (ui toolbarSlot01 is the macro code to click the second button from left
    on the toolbar - the first one is toolbarSlot00; by placing this macro
    on that button, it will loop itself. See the macro guides for more
    information about complicated macros. If you want to stop the macro from
    looping, all you really have to do is move it to another toolbar spot;
    when it goes to click on itself, it'll do nothing and stop)

    While this is looping, you will be free to chat or do whatever else you
    would like to. I have several of these, for variety.


    INTERACTING WITH GUESTS
    ----------
    As I mentioend above, this is the meat and bones of entertainment. While
    you are making your performance macros, make a few more. Make a macro
    welcoming people to the cantina. Make a macro thanking someone for tips.
    Make a macro saying that you are getting tired and need a break. Drag
    these to the second row of your toolbar, so you can access them quickly.

    Notice that two of the suggestions I have are thanking people for tips
    and saying that you need a break - they are NOT *asking* people for tips
    and heals. You can get the same effect by thanking someone for something
    as you can by asking, and it is less rude. The other people in the
    cantina will see your message and be reminded about tipping and healing.
    Hell, there doesn't even need to be someone who tipped or healed you -
    just say them randomly and hope someone's brain is triggered.

    Greet as many people as you can, personally. Drag things like the icons
    for /greet, /bye, /smile, /thank, and whatever other social animations
    you liek onto the second taskbar. There are literally dozens to choose
    from, so you'll run out of taskbar slots before you run out of commands.
    When someone comes in, greet them. When they cheer, smile at them. When
    they heal or tip you, thank them.

    As you advance and get more brave, you may want to do some trick things
    like sing songs. You can make a macro for this, such as

    /sing Twinkle, twinkle, little star;
    /pause 5;
    /sing How I wonder what you are;
    /pause 5;

    and so on. Don't make them too long, as they can become annoying and be
    considered "spam" - particuarly if the cantina is really chatty. But
    these can also be fun ice breakers. You can even play games with
    customers - "guess the name of this song, or remove an article of
    clothing" was my favorite game.

    On that note, keep in mind - you never want to anger a guest. You should
    avoid any argument, or try to steer a conversation away from mean words.
    These can ruin the entire atmosphere of a cantina. If we wanted flame
    wars, we would be reading the forums, not hanging out in cantinas, now
    wouldn't we? :-)

    Now, all of this does not mean that you CAN'T step AFK. For that matter,
    I am entertaining while I am writing this. Just try not to do this
    reguarly, and notify your group of status changes.


    ADVANCED PRINCIPALS - WORKING WITH GROUPS
    ----------
    Within your group, several things are important. If you are going to be
    spending any amount of time in the cantina, and you likely will, get to
    know the "regulars". Chat with them in the group. Exchange actions with
    them. Pillowfights are common. Cheer for them when they sing. Comfort
    them when they need it.

    Groups are important, as mentioned at the start of this article, for
    several reasons. Primarily, for some people, is the experience point
    gain from performing in groups. Just as important, however, is the
    "hidden" bonuses. Larger groups sometimes invite in medics/doctors, so
    they can monitor everyone's action pools more easily. These are the
    people you will be asking to train you when you advance in a skill, and
    the people you will be training.

    In general, these are the things that will not only make your
    entertaining career more profitable, but will keep you from going
    insane. Someone who approaches the Entertainer career path from a pure
    numbers/XP point of view will often wonder how entertainers can keep it
    up. It can be boring, they say. These are probably the people who simply
    perform, rather than *entertaining*. Why is this important? Well, for
    one, a pure Entertainer is extremely dependant on tips. Someone who
    *entertains* will get their name seen more, and be more likely to get
    tips, than someone who is silent or, horror of horros, has "AFK" above
    their name. You will also be more likely to get heals, applause, and
    strike up a boredom-defending conversation.


    CLOTHING AND APPEARANCE
    ----------
    I've saved this for the end, primarily because a new Entertainer won't
    be able to have these options while starting out. As you progress,
    however, and gain tips (another advantage for Entertainers is that we
    have very few expenses), you will be able to collect clothing and pay
    Image Designers to alter your appearance. Changing costumes, especially,
    breaks the monotony and keeps your act fresh. I change clothes several
    times each night, so my advice is to always keep several sets in your
    inventory.


    CONCLUSION
    ----------
    Follow these simple steps, and you will be a great *entertainer*,
    instead of a mediocre *performer*. Always do what you can to keep your
    audience's attention and make the atmosphere as enjoyable as possible,
    and you will do well.

    Happy travels!

    --
    Zagadka/Ycah



    SWG: Profession: A Meditation on Entertainment, by Zagadka/Ycah
    [Post] Forum Preferences: Logged in as: Anonymous [Login]
    Save:
    6 threads, 1 page(s) long 
       Hey Reply...
      Posted @ Wed, Sep 15th 3:40 PM 2004
      By: Dasharette
      42 posts
      Score: Decent [2.70]

      I stated this game 3 weeks ago..  I love the entertainer class. I use 2 different macro's I designed my self 8) :is so proud....

      I completly agree with this post the best thing for an entertainer is there social quality.. I talk to my patrons who come into my cantina.. usually they just went on an adventure listen to there story since you may not be going on many your self 8).. or be a psychologist (spelling) and help with there problems...

      My name is Astonish Longstockin im on the Eclips server and my home cantina is in Mos Eisley.. Please come see the head doctor when you can 8)

       
      0 Replies
       I need help My GF is novice entertainer Reply...
      Posted @ Tue, Aug 10th 2:13 AM 2004
      By: BHDuke
      Scholar
      24 posts
      Score: Decent [3.00]

      and its a long way to get to dancer she would need a macro for the basic need to get started. I have myself a medic macro that loops for the same reason like chat or other things. i /we would need a working macro for novice entertainer.

      TY everybody

      Torsten Starrider MBH (Wanderhome)
      Nap Floridian  Master Medic(eclipse)            

       
      ----------------------------
      Who is it? Is man one of God's blunder, or is God one of man's (Friedrich W. Nietzsche)
      0 Replies
       Image Designers are Entertainers, too! Reply...
      Posted @ Fri, Jul 23rd 12:44 AM 2004
      By: Binchcannon
      4 posts
      Score: Decent [3.00]

      I have to say, this beginners guide of yours is excelent. Somebody else probably noticed it, but Image Designers are also entertainers. The context of this guide was more based on "entertainment", as opposed to the entertainer class in the game. New players deserve to know the tricks of how to become a great Image Designer, too. I'm no pro at this profession, but I just thought I'd bring it up. If anyone actually cares, go on and reply to this, and tell us about Image Designing.
      Oh yeah, I just started this profession a while ago. If anyone knows an up-to-date working macro, that'd be VERY helpful.

      Peace out.
      Binch Cannon: Wanderhome Galaxy
      Killika Korr: Gorath Galaxy

       
      0 Replies
       good guide Reply...
      Posted @ Mon, Apr 19th 9:17 AM 2004
      By: ZarkarnisDarkstarz
      3 posts
      Score: Decent [3.00]

      I thought it was a good guide for the most part. Just wish i found it b4 i started.                                                                

       
      0 Replies
       Excellent intro! Reply...
      Posted @ Mon, Nov 17th 9:29 PM 2003
      By: MaewynRose
      1 posts
      Score: Default [2.00]

      Another couple of points to add to a wonderful intro:

      1) to newbies: asking for tips/heals is crude. Tips are a bonus, not a requirement. And if you need your action damage healed, take a knee or sit down. If there's a medic around, s/he will see you and heal you soon; if there isn't, your action damage will heal itself naturally, and faster if you're seated or kneeling.

      2) teaching languages does not give Apprentice XP.

      3) if you're a dancer and using a macro, make the pauses between flourishes longer depending on the dance. At least 5 seconds for low-level dances like the Basics and Rhythmics, up to 25 seconds for Formal, the Lyricals and some of the Exotics flourishes.

      4) if you MUST go AFK for an extended period of time, please move to a side room or at least to one side of the dance floor, so that others can use the space to perform. Moving is polite if you're doing a large-real-estate dance (Formal or the Lyricals) for the same reason. Roleplayers and others appreciate not being danced through. ;) It's also polite to sit yourself in a chair to exit the game.

      5) I disagree with Zagadka's otherwise excellent how-to on two points: don't thank someone for tips or heals if you didn't actually get any, and don't put smiling, winking, or other emotes in your macro. While thanking people does remind others to tip/heal without actually asking for it, "thanking" like this in lulls turns into spam. Emotes in macros have the same effect, and even if you're at the keyboard, once your macro repeats itself a few times, people will assume that you're not (since some AFK-macro-ers have found out how to turn off the AFK sign).


      Ay'a Ketok (Starsider)
      Master Dancer

       
      0 Replies
       More tips on Becomeing a great Dancer/Musican Reply...
      Posted @ Wed, Oct 22nd 10:35 AM 2003
      By: Anonymous
      Score: Default [1.50]


      I just want to add to the great How to Zagaka gave.
      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~First off finding a cantina i think the easiest way is /find then scroll and find Cantina (the 2nd choice from the top).
      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  Another great thing is the band flourishes you can do. You won't get XP but great for working those tips. Better to have you and who ever else who is going to join you in your band flourishes doing the same dance. Then simply use the command /bandflourish (same as regular /flourish it is 1-8) EXAMPLE /bandflourish 3
      **Also If you would rather not perform the bandflourishs then type /bandflourish off
      To turn them back on /bandflourish on
      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~You know sometimes you come across the occasional rude customer. Don't want to stop dancing just for that person. Have no fear. They thought of that too. Simply type /deny (or was it /denyservice)with the person targeted or type out their name after the command.
      *note it will tell the person you have denied them service.
      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      Also Master Dancer and Musicans can buff minds. Dancers buff primary, and Musicans buff secondary.
      The command is /setperform You can either target the person or type out the name of the lucky person.
      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      Also a handy tip on changeing dance with out stopping dancing is /changedance
      (make a marco of it too =) )
      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      You could make a macro of starting your dance instead of doing /startdance then scrolling thro everything to find your dance
      Example /startdance poplock
      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      If you do plan to use a macro that loops I suggest one for when healers cannot be found.
      Just toss in a after your last flourish and pause.
      /stopdance;
      /pause 5;
      /sit;
      /pause 240;
      /stand;
      /pause 3
      /ui action toolbarSlot01

      **Note I usually have /startdance exotic4 at the top of my macro to make me startdancing.
      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      To stop doing those Macros that keep looping the easiest way to stop is /dump and that will stop all looping macros and any macros that are running.
      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      Let's not forget those great lil things like /smile or /wink! Those are pretty nice to show. Esp like /thank. For those nice tips I like to stop dancing and /thank the person (to show the action with it). Make sure they are targeted so you won't be thanking everyone =P
      To get the complete list of use Ctrl A and select Social, You then can scroll down top veiw them and you can drag your favorites to your action bar.
      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      Ever see the lil thought bubbles above the heads of ppl? Here's how to do it. use the : then type it out expamle :loves that dance and wonders what it is. It would then show up as Shayleigh Starbound loves that dance and wonders what it is.
      **Note It would also show up in all green letters in Spatial

      **************************************************
      Well that's all I can think about for now.
      So good luck and I hope that help in your journey to become a great entertainer.
      Ever need help or training on Naritus server and can't find someone to train you just drop me a tell. I'm nearly always on!
      Shayleigh Starbound
      Master Dancer
      (near master Tailor too!)
      Naritus Galaxy

       
      0 Replies
      0 Message(s) skipped by filter settings, 6 displayed
      Anonymous posting has been disabled on this forum.

      Forum system by Illia