Posts with tag lfg

Clarifications on Cross-Realm raiding and Warlords' Group Finder

by Anne Stickney Dec 5th 2013 at 7:00PM

Community Manager Lore has released some additional clarifications on the differences between the cross-realm functionality being added to the Raid Browser in patch 5.4.2, and the new Group Finder being introduced with the new expansion in patch 6.0. These two features are entirely different things -- the Group Finder is an all new feature being built from scratch. This new Group Finder will allow players to find and create groups for any content at any level.

The cross-realm functionality in 5.4.2, however, is just that -- cross-realm functionality. Currently, the Raid Browser only allows players to see other players from their own realm. In patch 5.4.2, players will be able to see cross-realm players as well -- something that is similar to what the popular addon oQueue already accomplishes via the BattleTag system. Follow after the break for the full post from Lore.

Filed under: News items, Raiding, Mists of Pandaria

LFG vs LFM for Blizzard's Group Finder tool

by Olivia Grace Nov 30th 2013 at 6:00PM

We've been talking a lot here on WoW Insider about the new group-finder tool Blizzard will be putting together to rival the tremendously popular oQueue (yes that is the real link) come 6.0. Lead Systems Designer Greg "Ghostcrawler" Street mentioned another tidbit on Twitter which tied in with what our commenters here at WoW Insider have been bringing up.

@JoDReaper @Bashiok @oliviadgrace Random matchmaking and pug forming are two different and valuable features with different audiences.
- Greg Street (@Ghostcrawler) November 22, 2013

One reason why I love reading the comments is that they often point out ideas and insights that I would otherwise have missed. And exactly that has happened here. As the tweet Greg responded to said, the new system needs to be an LFM system not an LFG system. And, as several commenters have added, here's why.

So what's the difference between LFG and LFM?

Greg hits it in his response to the tweet. On a basic level, LFG is an individual looking for a group, and LFM is a group looking for more individuals. Think back, if you will, to the days of Tol Barad. Once your faction had won the battle on the island, your trade chat would suddenly fill up with "spriest LFG" along with their item level, the relevant achievement for the boss at the time, if they had it, and the request to either PST or /w, depending on what side of the Atlantic you were playing on. It always amused me how, although Trade was filled with LFG, barely anyone started their own group to LFM. As a tank, at the time, I often did exactly that, and believe it or not, I would be ready to go in no time.

Filed under: Warlords of Draenor

Random Acts of Uberness: The voice of reason

by Lisa Poisso Sep 17th 2013 at 8:00PM

"Reading this column always makes me want to go out and be randomly awesome for someone," mused JenniferKinnison in the comments of last week's Random Acts of Uberness. "Which, of course, is part of the point. Plus, it's just the right thing to do to help another person out. It's so unexpected these days that it's to be treasured all the more when it happens."

Caught being uber: Avelianah, Draenor (US-Alliance) I and a friend were in one of those LFR groups that give people chills (not the good kind), full of newer folks trying to gear and perhaps not knowing the fights as well as they could have. There were a couple of uber nasty trolls doing their best to rip apart anyone they thought "deserved" it, and trying to kick multiple people. I would like to send out a hug of appreciation to the repeated voice of kindness and sanity that was Avelianah from Draenor. From giving out pointers, explanations, kind words and discouraging the L33T kicks to the 'thanks for the group' at the end of the instance, she was real class. -- Anonymous

Filed under: News items

Random Acts of Uberness: The lovely pandaren lady with the fabulous robes

by Lisa Poisso Sep 10th 2013 at 4:00PM

It's the times another player lights up your night with precise play, a wicked sense of humor, or unexpected generosity that your login on World of Warcraft becomes something to remember. That's why we're bringing back the feature that lets you send a shout-out or kudos to a fellow player who's made your day in WoW: Random Acts of Uberness.

Caught being uber: Hiyorin of Argent Dawn (EU-Alliance) So there I was! Fighting a rare by the western edge of The Valley of Four Winds on my level 87(?) rogue. And I am losing of course, nearly dead. But suddenly out of the blue comes a friendly pandaren in a set of fabulous robes! Within seconds, she has frozen the rare and started sending of all sorts of shiny magics after him! I keep my distance as the enemy is slowed, frozen and whittled down to nothing! Saving my life and getting me loot, for no reason, other than being kind! (Or so I like to believe.)

Thank you, Hiyorin, Argent Dawn EU, the lovely Pandaren lady with the fabulous robes. -- Anonymous

Filed under: News items

Random Acts of Uberness: The Sha of Uberness

by Lisa Poisso Sep 4th 2013 at 12:00PM

In the age of LFR, it's the times another player lights up your night with precise play, a wicked sense of humor, or unexpected generosity that your login on World of Warcraft becomes something to remember. That's why we're bringing back the feature that lets you send a shout-out or kudos to a fellow player who's made your day in WoW: Random Acts of Uberness.

This week on Rare Sightings of Azeroth: the Sha of Uberness.

It might not seem like much, but I just dinged 90 for the fourth time, this time a discipline/shadow priest. Being barely geared for heroics (and having a difficult time healing some of those), I sort of shrugged when I saw somebody advertising for people for a Sha of Anger group. I decided "What the heck" and whispered the person. He surprised me by not only telling me he didn't care about my gear but offering to let me heal if I wanted!

Sha of Anger is something I've wanted to kill since the first time our eyes met. This was a shining moment for me, not only to say "I killed Sha!" but to say "I healed Sha!" to my friends, who thought I hated all things having to do with raids.

I just want to say thank you to that random hunter whose name I cannot remember. I hope you read this and know that you made a healer's entire week with that run. Thank you! -- Vilandros, Muradins Resurrection, Muradin (US-Alliance)

Filed under: News items

Whoa -- did you just experience a Random Act of Uberness?

by Lisa Poisso Aug 26th 2013 at 4:00PM

In the age of LFR, it's those times another player lights up your night with precise play, a wicked sense of humor, or unexpected generosity that your login on World of Warcraft becomes something to remember. That's why we're relaunching the feature that lets you send a shout-out or kudos to a fellow player who's made your day in WoW: Random Acts of Uberness.

We know you can't always remember player names or realms, and that's OK. Tell us what you do remember: what day of the week it was, what time of day, your own home realm, any details you recall about the other player, where you were and what you were doing in game. If the players involved read WoW Insider, we're betting they'll recognize your story!

Send in your shout-outs and kudos now to lisa@wowinsider.com. Need an example of what we're looking for? It's short and simple. Take a look at this story of appreciation from way back in 2010:

"I'm not to proud to admit it: when we're short on tanks, my husband and I will let our kid tank for us -- our just shy of seven-year-old, who diligently (and with trade chat disabled and parental controls on, his toon parked in our friends-and-fam guild instead of the casual raiding guild our mains are in) ground his teeny gnome warrior up to 80," writes Haelmari of US Eonar-A. "Tonight, we and some guildies needed a random. He wanted to play. Win/win, right?

"We lacked a healer, so we sucked it up and joined LFG ..."

The uber resolution of Haelmari's situation, after the break.

Filed under: News items

Drama Mamas: How to find a World of Warcraft guild

by Lisa Poisso Jan 7th 2013 at 1:00PM

There's so much more to joining a guild in World of Warcraft than clicking an uninvited newbie zone popup or replying to a random whisper while you're trying to quest. We wouldn't go so far as to say there's a science to getting it right; joining a guild is more of an art, an intersection of careful screening and social serendipity. While it's true that you can successfully fumble about in the relatively unpopulated leveling zones or run the dungeon and raid finders on your own, you'll enjoy a richer, more complete game experience if you play with other players as intended.

This guide is not about figuring out what type of guild might best suit you. (We've cover that in a future guide.) If you're unguilded or dissatisfied with your current guild but not quite sure how to describe the kind of group that would make your online gaming experience feel just right, consider this week's pointers as food for thought until we can analyze your own guild needs.

If you're ready to find a new guild right now, read on for the best ways to connect with a quality organization.

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Drama Mamas

Sunday Morning Funnies: Sweeps

by Amanda Miller Sep 4th 2011 at 12:00PM

Sunday Morning Funnies is your weekly list of WoW-related web comics.

We're back for another week of chuckles and intrigue and cliffhangers!

A special thanks to reader Moeru, who found the archives of the Equinox comics using the Internet Archive Wayback Machine. I hope this helps you, Michael! But seriously, if any of you haven't read through these archives, they're worth it!

Now, for the trivia questions:

What's going on in the picture above?
Who is wearing a monocle?
Name a typical video game move (bonus points if it is a WoW move) that works like PPPP.

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Humor, Comics, Sunday Morning Funnies

Zarhym hints at cross-realm raiding

by Daniel Whitcomb Aug 17th 2011 at 9:00AM

In a recent player-created thread about cross-realm raiding on the official forums, Community Manager Zarhym popped in with seven enigmatic words:

Zarhym

We have some plans. They're good plans.

source

Filed under: Blizzard, News items, Raiding

Enter to win a ticket to BlizzCon 2011 by donating to Child's Play

by Dawn Moore Jun 8th 2011 at 8:00PM

If you missed your chance to purchase a ticket to BlizzCon 2011 last month, there's still a way to get yourself in the door if you're feeling charitable.

Looking For Group: BlizzCon, a networking site for organizing groups and meetups at BlizzCon 2011, is giving away one ticket to a random member of its website who makes a charitable donation to Child's Play. Child's Play, if you don't recall, is a charity created by the authors of Penny Arcade to give toys and games to kids in children's hospitals.

To enter, all you have to do is join LFG: BlizzCon (it's free) and make a donation to Child's Play by June 30, 2011, at 11:59 p.m. CST. The donation can be for any amount, small or large. To read the complete rules on how to donate for the contest, check out the official contest page.

Filed under: Contests, BlizzCon

Looking for guild feature available on patch 4.1 PTR

by Dawn Moore Feb 25th 2011 at 5:00PM

There's a new, never-before-seen feature on the patch 4.1 PTR right now: Looking for Guild.

The feature only appears when you aren't in a guild, taking the place of the usual "you aren't in a guild" message you get when you're guildless on live realms.

Overall, the feature looks a bit too simplified for serious raiding or PvP guilds, but for anyone looking for a casual, social, or leveling guild, this new feature seems like a great way to ease the guild search.

Blizzard working on ways to improve dungeon finder

by Matthew Rossi Jan 5th 2011 at 1:00PM

The current dungeon finder is of course a vast improvement over the old LFG channel, but it can always be made better. In response to a forum thread about the dungeon finder's ever becoming performance-based, Zarhym weighed in with some interesting news.

Zarhym - Dungeon queue should be performance-based

We would love to implement better ways for Dungeon Finder to detect if players know what they're doing in dungeons beyond just the gear they've accumulated. We have some long-term design goals in mind for this we're not quite prepared to share this early on though. ;)

source

What was more interesting was the idea that Blizzard wants to improve the educational aspect of the service, however. With the current vote kick system, often players who are forced out of a group may have no idea why they failed, especially when they are new to the game.

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Blizzard, News items, Cataclysm

Making the dungeon finder suck less

by Allison Robert Jan 5th 2011 at 9:00AM

Anyone who's read the official forums lately has probably seen a raft of complaints directed at players abusing the dungeon finder and vote to kick features. It's a reminder that people will always figure out a way to twist a system to their own benefit. The most upsetting technique I've read about is two hybrid DPS in cahoots with a third DPS queuing as a tank/healer duo, getting an instant invite to dungeons, and then pressuring the two other members of the party to shoulder the tank or healer job. If they don't or can't fill these roles -- kick 'em after the 15 min grace period and requeue themselves as straight DPS. Voilà -- they are now at the head of the dungeon queue for the next tank or healer! Is it any wonder that players find this enraging?

Heartbourne of Lore Hound offers an analysis of some potential solutions to dungeon finder abuse. As he observes, a proposed rating system for players could be easily abused on its own, so maybe that's not the best way to go. However, I find his suggestion of a social networking angle to be pretty interesting. What if there were a priority system to be grouped with players you met and "liked" before? What if guilds across servers could "friend" each other and form pools of players from which to draw 5-man groups?

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion

Sunday Morning Funnies: Middle-up

by Amanda Miller Dec 19th 2010 at 2:00PM

It's the last Sunday before Christmas, but whether you celebrate it or not, we'll have a treat for you next week on the 26th! Several comic artists are collaborating on a Secret Santa (or Greatfather Winter?) swap. They each have the name of another comic but do not necessarily know who all is participating and don't know who will be drawing their comic. This should be a blast!

Incidentally, if you emailed me and entered as a participant but did not receive my reply email, email me again or check your spam folders.

Enough business; here is the list! It even features several new comics:

Jinylee. *New!
WoW, eh?: A Hot Side of Beef
Away From Reality: There's No Aggro Like Snow Aggro
Penny-Arcade: A Priori. Also: Wolf of the Year
Dork Tower. Also check out the one previous. *Never previously featured!
Out of World: Beneath the Shadow part 4 and part 5
Disciplinary Action: Episode 17
Chainsawsuit: Wow What a Difference. Also: Wow This Is Great! *Not previously featured!
Beyond the Tree: Quest Complete and Dear Edwin
Teh Gladiators: Gun vs. Cannon: Round 1
Complex Actions: A Moment with Silk's New Rogue and Or Your Azerothian Destination of Choice
Tales from the Crossroads: Into the Fire
Safe Passage
Coffin Comics: Just a Bad Dream
Coffin Minis: Buddum Chh
What's Shakin': Page 15
Torment of the Week: Long Story Short
GU Comics: Whassat? and Shave and a Haircut and Intervention
Dark Legacy Comics: Battle
Fourth Wall: Simple Like That
Lorgrokni's Travels: Goblin Loan 1 and Goblin Loan 2 and Lovable Oaf
Blood and Thunder: On Procrastination
The Daily Blink: Yes, I'm Aware, I'll Get Letters and Poster #3: Mekkatorque and A Flyer in the Auction House
Arena-Inside: Indeed He Does! and Indeed He's Not... and THIS ... IS ... CHRISTMAS!
Travels with Tenthunders: Neither an Alliance, nor a Horde. Discuss
LFG #417 and #418
The Warcraft Hero in: How to Fight Your Dragon
NPC: The Future of Shopping Is Now and The Couple That Wows Together...
Guilded Age

Gallery: The Sunday Morning Funnies guide to WoW-related web comics

Filed under: Humor, Comics, Sunday Morning Funnies

Sunday Morning Funnies: Change is good

by Amanda Miller Dec 12th 2010 at 2:00PM

It's super secret Santa time! The suggestion was put forth by Azarizotza last week in the comments section, and there seems to be some support for the plan. So, if you run a comic that gets featured here from time to time and you would like to participate, shoot me an email by 8:00 p.m. EST December 18. I'll shuffle the names and email them back out. Edit: If you don't have my email from our gallery correspondence, you can always use the WoW Insider tipline.

Now, for the list:

From the Thunder and the Storm's crossword is now playable online.
Slash AFK: Not Prepared.
Tales from the Crossroads: Out of the Frying Pan...
Blood and Thunder: On New Class/Race Combinations.
Safe Passage.
Torment of the Week: Pray for Peace.
Travels with Tenthunders: Stuff Green People Like.
Teh Gladiators: That Tank Looks Familiar.
Arena-Inside: Cry 'Havoc' and Let Slip the Dogs of War... craft. Also, ... undersized furbolgs?
Lorgrokni's Travels: Girl Gamers and Little Flashing Buttons and On a Budget.
Out of World: Beneath the Shadow part 3.
DLC: Ashes to Ashes.
The Daily Blink: Your Epic Fan Poster. Also: Take Two Potions Daily and The Maelstrom.
NPC: Perfect. Also: Computed and A Whole Old World.
Complex Actions: Offer May No Longer Be Valid. Also: The Morning After.
Beyond the Tree: Excuse Me Mr. Equine Transport Officer, Would You Mind Stopping Pronto.
Fourth Wall: Bad Idea and King of the Hill.
Away From Reality: Midnight.
The Warcraft Hero in: Super Guest Comic.
Guilded Age.
LFG #415 and #416.
What's Shakin': Page 14.
Coffin Minis: Fly Troll Air.
Coffin Comics: Re-Zoned.
Disciplinary Action: Episode 16.

GU Comics has a slew of WoW-related comics this week:

Real Quick.
Release Day.
Crevasse Hole.
Rotating the Buffet.
He's Back. This one may only make sense if you follow the comic, but reading the short blurb at the bottom should help.

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Humor, Comics, Sunday Morning Funnies

WoW Insider Show

Subscribe via iTunes for our latest show.

Hot Topics

Upcoming Events

Event	Date
Love Is In the Air	2/2 - 2/15
Blackrock Foundry Normal and Heroic open	2/3
Darkmoon Faire	2/8 - 2/15
Blackrock Foundry Mythic opens	2/10
Lunar Festival	2/16 - 3/2
Blackrock Foundry LFR wing 1 opens	2/17
Blackrock Foundry LFR wing 2 opens	2/24
Darkmoon Faire	3/1 - 3/8
Blackrock Foundry LFR wing 3 opens	3/10
Blackrock Foundry LFR wing 4 opens	3/24