Forum post of the day: 500 ways to help your PUG win
by Elizabeth Harper 
Mar 27th 2007 at 5:45PM
I know -- you don't like PUGs. I don't like them either. But sometimes your guildmates and friends just aren't online and this is the only time you have to do an instance run. So sometimes, PUGs are a necessary evil. And while this thread hasn't quite made it to 500 suggestions (or even close) and it has the same trolls as every other thread, there's some good advice to be found there. The most insightful hint may come from Tseric, however, who recommends:
Clearly define targeting and kill order/progression. It can turn any rag tag band into a functional unit!
All I've got to say is functional units ftw.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
klink-o Mar 27th 2007 6:42PM
I personally enjoy PUGs a lot. I enjoy working with and learning from new people, instead of doing it the same old way with the same people over and over again. Back before the xpack, some of most fun (and successful) runs of MC and BWL I had were in PUGs.
Obmulap Mar 27th 2007 7:03PM
For me it depends on the circumstance, when I needed to go into Scholo for my Shaman Epic Helm quest I knew I definately wanted guild members I know could kick tail. Anything else PUGS are fine. Although sometimes you do get those groups that you wish you could just /wrists and get it over with.
navalpha Mar 27th 2007 7:33PM
Ive had enough of PUGs. Ever. Everytime i get in one, it ends up whiping on the first pull and you just know its friggin scrubs in the group.
Never again.
I'd rather wait weeks to do an instance with friends then do PUG anything anymore.
Ever.
Kazia Mar 27th 2007 8:12PM
I have to echo the sentiments of #1. While I might do vital content with guildmates, I will often pug everything else. This allows me to meet new people, see different ways of doing things and try different things myself. While sometimes it can be a nightmare, we have found some of the best members of our guild just through pugging with them.
And the best way to make a pug win is to either lead it or make sure you follow the person who is.
chaz Mar 27th 2007 7:53PM
If you use raid marks to tell ppl who to sap, sheep, dps, pet kill, etc then PUGs are (generally) just fine. Without some sort of order things tend to ... unravel.
Thijz Mar 28th 2007 6:04AM
The problem with PUG's most of the time is ignorant people, or people that don't speak english. Just like Tseric, I like some strategy when fighting a big group, but before I even get the chance to define the tactics, some dwarf hunter (yes, they're always dwarves and usually they're hunter too) sends in his boar and it all goes terribly wrong.
Zuuler Mar 28th 2007 6:58AM
Hunter's causing problems, who knew?
I have to agree with the whole raid marker thing. Wehn I went after my dreadsteed, I was the only one in the group who had been in DM recently. I had been there with a few other PUG's for the same attempt, and all failed miserably. But since I knew where I was going this time, I was able to coordinate and use the raid markers to guide the group. That run was successful too.
Skibba Mar 28th 2007 9:06AM
I normally lead my PuG's and always use raid markers and more often than not I can lead a band of misfits through an instance with little or no deaths, but over the past few days i've had nothing but trouble, be it from hunters refusing to use traps only interested in dps, to mages nuking boss before the tank has built up any agro, and paladins who part way through an instance tell me they arent actually holy, they are specced in a bit of all 3 talent tree's, therefore offering awful healing and awful dps.
Personal favorite was a mage last night who refused to stand at max range for Murmur and kept standing in the AoE even after telling me he understood the instructions. We wiped on him with 9 minutes until server reset, then trying to run back for one more shot, people agroed the felguard things in the first boss room.
All of these fecked up PuG's have been in Shadow lab tbh, as i've been determined to get to Murmur to get my second dagger so I never have to go back there again (Nearly exalted with lower city i've been there so much) so im thinking im gonna take a break from Shadow lab for a while.
Sadly at present I dont have a guild to do instances with, as it has gone the way of many guilds since BC and disbanded (after being a strong BWL/AQ40 guild before X-Pac) so it looks like I wont be escaping PuG's altogether right now.
dontfront Mar 28th 2007 8:53AM
You just have to treat a pug like a group that has never done the instance.
Clearly define who does what, and most people (who are just like you) will do what they need to do to succeed.
funwithtrout Mar 28th 2007 9:01AM
I've found a new love for PUGs. With my guild all but dead (we've actually started ramping back up), since TBC it became impossible for me to NOT do PUGs. I made it all the way to 60 without having to PUG more than 10 times, but now, I do it multiple times per day. As the only 70 in my guild (and I've been 70 since Feb), I can't just wiat around for everyone to level their new toons to 60. ;)
At this rate, I'll be geared out and be at least revered with the factions I need in outlands before any of them hit 70.
Seper Mar 28th 2007 9:22AM
as a healer... if a PUG doesn't go my way... i threaten to leave... they listen to me from then on out.
If they dont I actually do leave. (i could go into why PUG's fail.. but we all know why ;)
AEC Mar 28th 2007 10:32AM
I like PUGs overall. I have been in some terrible ones too; but it really is a good experience because it keeps you from becoming stuck in a pattern of playing. Learning to be adaptable to different combinations of classes/specs/players and situations is a positive thing.
I would say communciation, being flexible (both in playstyle and in behavior), and group morale are definetly key. Having a sense of humor is very important, nothing's worse than a negative nancy!
Bunkai Mar 28th 2007 9:53AM
@3
I'm with you on the "No PUGs EVER!" train :-)
My guild is large enough, diverse enough, and active enough, that if I can't find a group right away, there will be one within the next day or two. I'm a patient person :-)
mjnadolny Mar 28th 2007 9:47AM
Even when you think/know how to run a pug, there's always somebody else in the group who thinks they can do it just a little better. Then you end up with two people telling the newbs what to do. Pugs = too many cooks in the kitchen.
Strongmark on Arthas Mar 28th 2007 3:10PM
@14, I agree!!
I have been in some great PUGs and some HORRID pugs, but because of those horrid pugs, I have learned to play and learned to be a better player and learned what not to do , therefore making my next pug better.
I think you're on the money though.
Dah Cheet Mar 28th 2007 3:27PM
I PUG a lot since I'm still a noob to the game. First run through a lot of beginning dungeons so it's always good to go with someone who knows what they're doing. Sometimes that doesn't happen and we wipe.... a lot. Everyone gets frustrated and we disband. Then I find a new PUG and try again. Rinse and repeat till I get what I need. Great way to meet people and learn the game.