The Dos and Don'ts of getting a port
by Robin Torres 
Dec 23rd 2008 at 2:00PM
I'm a dork. I admit it. I love my mage and I love making portals for people, even non-tippers. In fact, you have to work pretty hard not to get a port from me. Which is why, even after decades of dealing with anonymous jerks in BBS chat rooms and on the internet, I was a little shocked at how rude a level 62 Tauren Shaman who shall remain nameless was when demanding a port from me. Maybe he just didn't know any better. So here is a little guide as to how to increase your chances of getting a port from a mage you don't know.
Don't just invite to a group without saying anything
In general, this is a bad idea for anything. You should always send a tell to the person you want to join your group for any reason before inviting.
Do make it a request
Captain Obvious is snickering in the background, but demanding anything from a stranger is not likely to get you what you want.
Do say please
You can even say PLZ if you want, though that may not work with people for whom that is a pet peeve.
Do get your levels right
A level 60 mage cannot port you to Shattrath City, for example. They can't train that Portal Spell until level 65. Mages can port you to Stonard at 35 (if they went there to get the spell) and the major cities in the old world (except Darnassus and Thunder Bluff) at 40. They get the more out of the way city at 50. And if you want to get ported to Dalaran, ask a mage who is level 74 or higher.
Do offer to pay
Portals are not free. They require a reagent that the mage must purchase and keep on hand. Since they cost 20 silver a piece, you should offer at least that much as payment.
Don't make the mage come to you
Go to where the mage is or ask where is convenient to meet.
Don't get belligerent
Even if you do everything right, the mage may not want to port you. Mages don't owe you a port just because they can do it. Just try to find another mage or get to your destination on your own. You certainly aren't going to convince the mage to port you by being angry.
The Spousal Unit later saw Mr. Rudeguywhocan'tspellchief in Orgrimmar about an hour after I refused to port him. I don't know if he found a willing mage or if he made his way from Thrallmar himself. I wish I had asked him if being that rude ever works for him.
Does rudely demanding ports work for any of you?
Filed under: Mage, Analysis / Opinion, How-tos
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 11)
Malyfactian Dec 23rd 2008 2:05PM
You're a lot nicer than me. If I'd been in your position, I'd have published the jerk's name.
The great thing about common courtesy is that isn't so common.
Rihlsul Dec 23rd 2008 2:29PM
*cough*
http://www.wowarmory.com/character-sheet.xml?r=Daggerspine&n=Supercheif
*cough*
Bloodchills Dec 23rd 2008 2:31PM
I love your comment about common sense. I have to agree. Sometimes common courtesy feels like a trip to Rome on a Concord, first class. Strangely... considering that common courtesy doesn't cost anything, why is it so rare?
Beep Dec 23rd 2008 2:33PM
Considering the pic's file name is "supercheif_port_rit" I think she did. LOL
Harmun Dec 23rd 2008 2:35PM
How do you know Rihlsul?
Rihlsul Dec 23rd 2008 2:36PM
What beep said.
Thine image name
doth give away the game.
Harmun Dec 23rd 2008 2:41PM
Beep's post went up between my clicking "reply" and "add comment" :)
Well, now that we know the name of this hoser, some lock should perform some free teleports for him... into large gaping chasms.
/mob justice!
//he'd do the same to you, I'm sure.
joggoms Dec 23rd 2008 2:53PM
I don't understand how people could be that stupid. It had to be a joke.
Swiss Dec 23rd 2008 3:06PM
Why even waste your time typing responses to their rudeness when there's an addon that can do it for you? Meet Automatic Goblin Therapist (AGT, for short). This addon is amazing for use against anyone who whispers you for gold, instance runs, whatever.
http://www.wowinterface.com/downloads/info9780-AGT-AutomaticGoblinTherapist.html
Excerpt:
Ever had an annoying conversation with one of these morons who couldn't shut up?
A brainsick lvl 1 orc asks you every few minutes for some gold?
Whispers with "r u healer?" over and over again?
From now on your personal Automatic Goblin Therapist will do the job for you. He will do the full conversation for you - guarding your back AND doing all the treatment.
Every character who whispers you is added to the Waiting Room.
A left click on a character in the Waiting Room moves it to Surgery where the last whisper and all further whispers are automatically answered by your diligent Goblin Therapist.
A second left click will move the character back to the Waiting Room.
A right click kicks the character out of Surgery or Waiting Room and opens a seat for new patients.
Rihlsul Dec 23rd 2008 4:30PM
Swiss, I love you. zomg.
Sloegin Dec 24th 2008 9:43AM
Eliza + WoW chat = superwin
Bobbus Dec 23rd 2008 2:06PM
That's what I can't stand the most, making portals for rude people. It's ridiculous I get like 50 requests a day, but I do make some good tips!
nders Dec 23rd 2008 2:06PM
should've ported ur self outta there
Arktic Dec 23rd 2008 3:24PM
...or opened the portal while they are not in the group, then walk away.
tanknspank Dec 23rd 2008 2:07PM
Whenever I get a port now, I always inform the mage "Now that's thinkin with portals"
It makes me giggle.
cjshrader Dec 23rd 2008 2:28PM
You should tip with cake
Evieth Dec 23rd 2008 3:10PM
@cjshrader
Ehem. Excuse me, but the cake is a lie.
Gnarlynarz Dec 23rd 2008 2:07PM
I never port without at least a "please" coming out of the person.
And never EVER ask someone to be in your group without asking them first, it's just plain rude.
Yes, even if they are in the LFG channel.
Kakistocracy Dec 23rd 2008 2:13PM
When I am about to kill some one for a quest, and someone comes running to kill him, I would rather get an invite to join the group (even without a whisper) than get ninja'ed, but that seems to be the primary exception.
Brad Dec 23rd 2008 2:26PM
Regarding getting invited in the LFG channel, I auto-ignore anyone who invites me without talking to me before. I just find it's easier because I usually put myself in LFG for multiple things at the same time and I never know what I'm getting invited for.