New LFG system
by David Nelson 
Dec 7th 2006 at 12:32PM
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So...it has been a couple of days, and I still don't know if I like the new LFG system. Now don't get me wrong, I appreciate that Blizzard is giving the idea a shot, but I still have some problems with it. I think some of my problems stem from the feeling (correctly or not) that I have "lost control" of the situation. Instead of occasionally throwing up my "DM LF2M" message in a channel, I am sitting there waiting, with no response. As you'd imagine, the forum folks have some complaints. Some of the more common gripes:- The system counts paladins, druids and warriors as tanks, and shamans, paladins, priests and druids as healers. Now this system would work OK if you end up with a rogue, hunter, druid, shammy and mage, provided everyone is specced for their task. But if the druid is a moonkin and the shammy is dual wielding? That could be a problem.
- You can't look for more than three instances at a time. If someone is a new level 60, and would happily hit Dire Maul, Scholo, Strat or LBRS, they can't let this preference be known.
- Not enough people are using it. I know it has only been online for a couple days, but I have run into this problem myself. Some forum folks are claiming that the system itself is too difficult for people to use, which is keeping players away, but it seems pretty straightforward to me.
- The level restrictions seem a tad off. For example, some players were complaining about a level 40 being able to LFG for Mara.
- The lack of support for things like PVP raids.
- When you are on an alt, you can't search for groups for your main. You can't find people looking for Scholo if you are on your level 33.
What do you guys think? Have you made use of the channel? Any suggestions on improvements?
Filed under: Patches, Analysis / Opinion
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Hinatanko Dec 7th 2006 12:41PM
I agree with you on the LFG. All the points you made I agree with and are my problems with the LFG system as well. I hope blizzard looks into this and makes some changes.
Shat Dec 7th 2006 12:46PM
If Blizz was smart, they would use the same kind of thing Dungeons and Dragons Online used. Groups looking for more can see which people are LFG and what they're LFG for. People can see what groups are forming, what classes are needed, the level limits, and can request to join the party. It works very nicely, you can form a 12 person raid for one of the endgame dungeons in around 5 minuntes.
crsh Dec 7th 2006 12:51PM
"The system counts paladins, druids and warriors as tanks, and shamans, paladins, priests and druids as healers. Now this system would work OK if you end up with a rogue, hunter, druid, shammy and mage, provided everyone is specced for their task. But if the druid is a moonkin and the shammy is dual wielding? That could be a problem."
It's definitely iffy, but let's not forget that pre-end game instances aren't so demanding on spec. By that I mean that a feral-specced druid can heal just fine (assuming s/he has some +int gear for a larger mana pool), but where this is more of a prob is a resto-spec and resto-GEARED druid cannot make a viable main tank.
Overall, the tool is there and I think it's fine for most cases, but spec definitely plays a bigger part in the needs of a group. DPS classes don't have that problem, but as you said tanking and healing classes do.
DÖT Dec 7th 2006 1:05PM
players on my server are seemingly completely ignoring the new LFG systems...there are yells all over the place, LFGs in general and trade channels, my friend who is a 60 preist got so many whispers in the 30min period she was on it forced her to quit and work on an alt. I have a low lvl preist but all I get is "fort plez"
inster Dec 7th 2006 1:11PM
i wish it would have the option for live and ud strat like it has for ubrs and lbrs. had people joining for live when i wanted to do ud.
Mike Schramm Dec 7th 2006 1:14PM
Part of the problem, I think, is that some of my best groups came from me simply watching the LFG channel. For all of its spammy problems, if I saw a Mara run pop up on there, I was more inclined to run Mara, even if I didn't need it. With the new LFG system, I won't ever see anything about instances unless I go looking for it.
I agree about the alts and the main as well-- many times, I've been leveling with an alt and heard about a group I joined with my main.
How can Blizzard fix it? In a perfect world, they'd do what they usually do and come up with a brilliant solution that changes the face of online gaming. Unfortunately this patch has shown that we don't live in a perfect world-- my guess is that they'll re-enable the LFG channel and leave the new system in place as well.
Sylythn Dec 7th 2006 1:14PM
It seems like they went from a system that was too loose, to a system that was too restricted.
The single best change they could make, as was mentioned before, is to have visible group building. An interface where you could search and browse for groups or individuals that are currently looking. There was an awesome proposal on the forums once that showed a system like this, and I'm really surprised it didn't get implemented in that way. Maybe a mode will surface...but I'm worried the system is too complex and integrated to let a mod work with it. At least CTA had a shot at working before because it was an open interface.
JIM Dec 7th 2006 1:22PM
It seems like a step in the right direction, but I don't see why it has to replace the LFG channel. Why can't we have both?
James Dec 7th 2006 1:33PM
City of Heroes has an excellent LFG system, and I had hoped that Blizzard would have used something similar. My main problem as well is the inability to have more control. Last night I tried to get in WC group, and promptly got placed in a group that had 3 locks and a warrior, with me being a shaman. Looked good, right up til a lock left, then the other two left. I wasn't sure what the deal was til I looked at the warrior...and he was level 15. No way should he have been on our team.
Blizzard, if you're listening, ease up on the level restrictions for higher levels--ie, if I'm level 30, leave Deadmines on my list. But, lower levels need have their restrictions tightened. Level 15 warriors should not be getting in Wailing Caverns groups, ever.
Savok Dec 7th 2006 1:31PM
We've known for years that Blizzard doesn't actually play their own game, they simply throw anything they think of out there and watch how many people on their forums threaten to leave.
If they had any sense at all they'd just rip of the City of Heroes/Villains LFG system, people could type the instances they want in the comment section then.
Ken Dec 7th 2006 2:40PM
@Savok...
"We've known for years that Blizzard doesn't actually play their own game, they simply throw anything they think of out there and watch how many people on their forums threaten to leave."
You sound like the latter. Blizzard doesn't play their own games? RIGHT. *cough IDIOT*
Jason Dec 8th 2006 1:05AM
It's an interesting system. Like others, it does kinda feel like you've lost control. I don't like just sitting around waiting for a group to form - spent a half hour waiting on UBRS with 5 of us, and it just never came together. I liked that proactive feeling of actually looking for people.
I like the D&D idea - it would be nice to be able to see what groups are forming and if you could join in or not.
Definitely will second the motion on missing out on higher level instances while on alts. While doing my Ony chain (alliance..) I'd often play my hunter alt while keeping an eye on LFG...that way, when all of a sudden "LFM For Jailbreak" popped, I could do a quick tell and hop on my main.
White Rabbit Dec 7th 2006 2:14PM
I personally like the LFG and just wish more people used it. I was in Hinterlands last night and threw up my LFG for the area and in about 15 minutes got an invite.
I personally like it, but I wish I could LFG for quests that AREN'T elite. Some quests aren't TECHNICALLY elite quests but are impossible alone.
I'm not big into instances *only run a few* so most of your complaints don't apply to me, but I like the system so far
Flit Dec 7th 2006 2:10PM
Why don't you just place a "Forming group for LBRS, join LFG." in General Chat? So that the software given to you by Blizzard works for you, but people know that you are running and people interested can jump into the LFG channel. Then the LFG will evenly match you and give you the right number of tanks/healears or so forth, and you don't have to worry about handling a bunch of tells.
BFCool Dec 7th 2006 2:16PM
Have you guys checked out the "Looking for More" tab on the LFG interface? There you can see every group that is being formed for the particular instances you select and essential browse them. If you turn of "auto-join" then many of your complaints are solved. The only thing I don't understand is why every instance isn't listed in the boxes. I hope they change that.
Hub Dec 7th 2006 2:23PM
Amen, they really need to bring back the global LFG channel. You don't get the spam if you don't want to be in the channel. Yes the chat was annoying sometimes, but it would fascilitate groups forming faster even with the new interface. THIS DOESN'T HAVE TO BE EITEHR OR, BLIZZARD!
If they keep the current interface they need to have an 'any' option for each catgory (e.g. Dungeon: Any). What would be better is check boxes under each catagory.
My biggest complaint about WoW coming for CoH was the lack of an LFG interface. This is a nice step Bliz, but you've got a ways to go yet.
StormC Dec 7th 2006 2:25PM
Well I gotta admit I was very peeved off at the old LFG channel.The clatter down there was so intrusive with enchanter looking for trade to newbie guilds looking for members. I haven't really try out the new system but on the lookout it seem very simple to use it just need the people to get their hands on the mouse to click their desired locations.
But then again most players are in a guild, they really shouldnt have any trouble looking for the core classes in the guild and look for the rest off the street.
Shadowforge Dec 7th 2006 6:59PM
I think the system has a lot of untapped potential at this point. My biggest gripes are:
-It does not appear to save your LFG preferences across sessions. I don't relish the idea of filling it out every time I login.
-They need to have more choices for indicating what you are interested in. Three is not enough for me in most cases.
-The Quests are limited to Elite quests only. I would prefer that I could look for people for any quest in my log, not just Elite ones.
-Not enough people are using it so I am still having problems getting connected with other players.
-The algorithms for matching players appear to be a little screwy. I automatically turn off the auto-join and auto-add options and just use it to browse other players and whisper them to join me.
Khanmora Dec 7th 2006 3:11PM
BFCool has it right in post 14, I just check the LFM tab and /w the group I wanted to join. I was able to run SM and Ulda on my alt yesterday and find another person in STV to help with those stupid elite ogres.
Lamb Dec 7th 2006 3:38PM
I personally think that this new LFG system would be more useful if it
1. makes players choose their role in the group - rogues would obviously choose dps, but for priests or warriors, allow them the option to choose healer/dps or tank/dps.
2. allows players to LFG when they're on their alts - have an option which tells people LFM that you're currently on your alt, but you have a 60 mage available for instances.
These options will make things a lot easier!