The Care and Feeding of Trolls

Posted by J.E. Douglas at 12:47 PM

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If you haven't finished a Garrosh kill yet then turn your head away because I'm going to spoil something big for you.  Are you turned away?   Really?  No Peeking!

Vol'jin is the new leader of the Horde.

See,  I told you not to peek.  But this isn't about that version of trolls.   Those cuddly loveable bezerking trolls that have been both good guys and bad guys in the Warcraft mythos.

This is the other version of trolls.  The ones that jump into conversations with a radical comment just to get a reaction.  You know,  the guy that jumps on trade chat and says 'all [insert race] are horrible people'.   Yep,  everyone has seen one that just enjoys watching the chaos.

I have said many times through writing that players should be allowed to play the game they want.  As long as it doesn't directly interfere with another person's enjoyment.   With the ability to turn off channels,  block users and if all else fails, report them to the powers that be no one has to deal with trolls.

But I think it's important to know how to help a Troll.  Trolls are lost, lonely and just need a big mental hug.  Of course, that's why they act out in front of everyone else.  Go to a 1st grade class and watch for the kid that flicks the ear of someone else.  The one that makes funny faces at the teacher behind their back.  They just need a hug right?

So here are some tips to help with raising a troll right.

1.   Laugh at them.  Now remember, we're not laughing with them because the odds are what they say isn't all that funny.  Laugh at them.  Make sure they know you are laughing at them.  You wouldn't want them to starve for attention so make sure that everyone knows their inadequacies.  Make sure to tell their guild leader that they are lonely as well.  They are showing such a fine example of teamwork and playing that I am sure their guild is very proud of them.

2.   Do not use logic around a troll.  It confuses them and makes them feel small.  Remember hugs not logic when it comes to feeding trolls.  Don't point out that if they spent as much time actually playing the game than saying non-sensical things they would probably be much happier.  Logic has been painful to a troll just like Kryptonite to Superman.    You wouldn't want to confuse them with facts because that would just make them feel stupid.

3.   Please please please do not ignore Trolls.  Remember I told you that they are already feeling lonely and ignored.  You wouldn't want to feel even more ignore would you?   So take your time from making gold and interact with a troll.  Whether it's in the game or on the forums.  Help save a troll from their useless life and insignificant attempt at humor.   Save the world,  talk to a troll.

Sorry,  need to take my tongue out of my cheek and go make some gold today.

Good Luck and Good Troll Hunting

Good Luck and Good Profit Hunting

Garrosh Is My Friend
You Lost That Alpha Feeling
Too Many Coins On My Hand
We All Make Mistrakes
World Without The Auction House
Not So Smart Loot
It Was A Great Day
WOD:  Prepping For The Storm
Special Brand Of Stupid
Silver And Gold Have I None
Worth What Someone Will Pay For It

I'm Not Dating My Guild

Posted by J.E. Douglas at 9:15 AM

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Sometimes you just have to step outside of making gold in World of Warcraft and learn to enjoy the game.   Enjoyment of the game and the people involved is truly what should keep people coming back for more.

My Guild as working on a flex raid in Seige of Orgrimmar.   We had picked up a few players in open raid and were progressing relatively well.   They fit in pretty well with our banter and slung a little bull around when necessary.

Around the last of the raid night one of them commented that he had a date and was needing to get ready.  Of course there was the necessary mocking and announcement that some female was more important than the raid.  It was all in jest because many of the members of our guild are couples including a few that live together.  Anyone who has lived with others for long periods of time will tell you that 'date night' is one of the lifeblood of a good relationship.  But this isn't a dating journal is it?

So after the prerequisite banter the player left for his date.   We continued on for a little bit longer then called it a night.  So I told you this part of the story so I could share another different view of the same story.

The boyfriend of a friend of mine was playing one of the Star Wars MMO.  As he was playing she took the time to go and shower.   Not to be graphic because this is a PG blog, but she stepped out of the shower and wore a towel and little else.  Coming up behind him she wrapped her arms around him.  His announcement that he was 'playing his game' took the steam out of what should have been a much more exciting night than the digital killing of mobs.

So why is this an important ideal to remember?   It won't be that long before those purples and awesome gear that drops in this raid instances will became the cannon fodder for every vendor and enchanter.   It may be 3 months or it may be 6 months before the next expansion but that sense of accomplishment will be replaced with a new adventure.   Your friends will be the next day or even the next week.   That relationship might need that power boost at that point. 

So if your friend comes up behind you,  wraps their arms around you and whispers in your ear.   Tell them to hold on a sec,   get on vent and then tell your digital friends that you will see them next week.

That's when you really win the game.

Good Luck and Good Hunting

Want to get in contact with me? . Email me at Dragonbear @ gmail. Dot com or find me on twitter at "@JMTCMommar" You can find me hanging out on the Shandris Server, chat me up, and I will buy you a glass of juice. 

Golden Days
Tip For Timeless Isle
Be Prepared
Poor Poor Spirits of Harmony
Not Enough Loot On My Hands
10 Rules To Price My Golem.
Timeless Isle Tagging Is For Rich Chumps
Bring Me the Alchemist
Welcome To Loot Pinata Island
Last Minute Buys and Sells
Patch 5.4: Mental Preparation
You Found What????
Hearthstone:   The Beginning
Patch 5.4: Budgeting for the Patch
Get thee To a TradeSkillMaster 2.0
Patch 5.4 Prep:  No Sleep til Brooklyn
Customer First

Timeless Isle: Tagging Is For Rich Chumps

Posted by J.E. Douglas at 12:10 PM

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Mommar here.

If you're like me you're always on the hunt for a quick run on the Timeless isle to grab the loot from one of the rare mobs that are around.  You hear the call over trade chat that Jakur of Ordon is getting a little uppity and needs a beat down.   Also if you are like me you have many times rushed over to where the mob is supposed to be at only to arrive just a little late and miss out on the loot pinata (what can i say,  I like referring to the area as such).

Everyone and their mother's uncle are wanting certain rare elites to put down for their goody bags.  It's the nature of the game where elites give cash prizes and the size of your bank account drive all the troll women mad.

The most frustrating part of this is the extra large repair bill that players have talked about getting as they continue to kill the new golden goose at that time.  Nothing wrong with that,  someone has to kill him and you only have 20-25 of your pseudo buddies sitting there whacking away as he throws fire and wind and all sorts of other annoying mechanics to kill you.

But it's all in good fun and good prizes and what is a little gold among repair friends.  I do wonder how many guilds still have the repair funds turned on with their guild banks and that repair cost is getting taken out of the bank (Shhhh don't tell my guild leader this).  Tagging and running can also be a viable, yet cowardly technique to gain the wealth without the cost of the repair bill.   Some of my alts that are just getting to the island just don't have the survival with some of the rare mobs.  Melee especially gets crushed with all the fire running around and adds getting dropped on top of your head.

Ultimately the game tone and how you play is entirely up to you.  As always no one should tell you how to play as long as your not annoying other players.  Success is how you measure it for yourself.  The enjoyment of the game and running around just to get a smack into a rare can be just as exciting as standing there going toe to toe for 5 minutes to get that 496 boots you need.

It's all in the eye of the beholder,  and I am beholding a lesser repair bill.

Good luck and Good Hunting

Want to get in contact with me? . Email me at Dragonbear @ gmail. Dot com or find me on twitter at "@JMTCMommar" You can find me hanging out on the Shandris Server, chat me up, and I will buy you a glass of juice. 

Bring Me the Alchemist
Welcome To Loot Pinata Island
Last Minute Buys and Sells
Patch 5.4: Mental Preparation
You Found What????
Hearthstone:   The Beginning
Patch 5.4: Budgeting for the Patch
Get thee To a TradeSkillMaster 2.0
Patch 5.4 Prep:  No Sleep til Brooklyn
Customer First
You're Squishing My Items
The Ways of The Force Are Strange
It's a Date.. Maybe?
Kill The Death Knight.. Kill It Now
Time to Remodel The Financial House
Sense Of Entitlement