In this weeks editorial I would like to talk about asking for "help" in game, specifically in guild chat, and the rules I use in giving and receiving that help. At first many of you may be confused about the topic, however stick it out and see what I mean.

This topic comes up because lately in my main guild I have seen way to may requests for "LF 70 to help with VC" or "LF 70 to help with BRD" or "Need help with X quest" from players that are sub level 60. Then after 5 minutes of spamming they get mad that no one is helping them and start complaining about the guild not being helpful.

Notice how I call it "help" in quotation marks? That's because to me it's not really asking for help when they are looking for a level 70 and they are a way lower level. What they are really looking for is a hand out, plain and simple.

I don't know about the rest of you, but this has been going on since day 1 and I have had way more than enough. I mean really are these people playing the game to enjoy it or what? Someone has explained to them that there is no "win" in an mmo right? It's not a matter of ever finishing it.

Here's the issues I have with players that are drastically lower level than you asking (or demanding) help from you:

• Is it really help?
• Almost everything in the game pre 70 is easy enough anyway
• Any help you give just hurst them due to experience sharing
• Learn to play the game for themselves

First off, lets get this right, they are asking for someone to DO the quest . instance for them not help them. A level 70 can pretty much solo anything that is pre 60 so its not help. There are a few things to consider here the first being how much of a level difference is there. If a level 65 player is asking for help because the group is sub par or missing a healer of tank, that's one thing, and generally ok, since in a guild you do want to "help" players and this really would be help. Another consideration is if the player is being guided through levels by the guild to fill a role, such as you do not have a raiding Shaman or something else. Lastly, how much has that player contributed to the guild. If it's someone who constantly helps with mats for raid consumables, crafts items for players, helps others, etc, then you may want to consider it.

However, all of the above examples are probably the last people that would ask for "help" in guild chat. They would all be out doing it on their own.

The next big issue is the fact that almost all the pre 70 non-raid content is easy for almost any class to solo or find a group of similar level players to complete it. There should be no reason to need assistance from outside of your level range (2-3 levels higher or lower than yourself). Sure it may take some time to find a group for group quests, but then at least you will be accomplishing something rather than having it handed to you.

Another issue that many players don't realize is that experience is split with everyone in your group and is based on level. This means that if you do get someone to run you through an instance that is significantly higher level than yourself, you wont get much (if any) experience. When this is explained to them, many players say "oh well, I'm here for the loot anyway", which just pushes me further over the edge. So instead of really wanting help of a quest, there here to get free gear... not impressed.

The last big point I'm going to talk about is when people get mad that no one responds or no "help" is given. WHAT? Do I owe you something? Grow up. It's a game and your asking someone to take the time that they play to have fun, to DO something for you. If someone is kind enough to help out, great, if everyone is busy with something else, that's their prerogative. Almost as bad is asking 20-30 times in a guild chat message. It's one thing spamming general as new players join all the time, but why piss off you guild mates.

Maybe all these things get to me more then other players, but they really do get to me. Surely I can not be the only one that likes to feel a sense of accomplishment at finishing a quest, getting and item, or downing a new boss. That sense of accomplishment is (to me) the fun that we get from playing the game. If you let others do everything for you, do you ever have fun playing the game? Why not just watch a TV show instead of playing a game, it is essentially the same thing at that point. I can not fathom how these players get to feel any sort of accomplishment or success over the game. If they do, do they even know the true meaning of the words?

To sum up it all up, I am sick and tired of players that have a sense of entitlement rather than focus on a sense of accomplishment. I can not see any way around it though, other than being very selective about who is in a guild or which channels you chat in.

I just wish every player was reasonable and logical. Very unlikely that that will ever happen though. In the mean time, before you ask for "help" please consider if you're really asking for help, or someone to do something for you. If it is to do the quest for you, either a) Don't ask or b) have the decency to offer to pay someone and not hide behind thinking you're asking for help.

The Messiah has had his say, what’s yours?  Are you just as upset over players that want life handed to them on a silver spoon? Maybe your one of those players and have what you think is a valid reason and would like to post it so the rest of us can heckle you? Either way, I want to hear your comments.

Email me at: Byron Mudry - ([email protected]) or post in our forums thread!