Another class diversity thread

Over time I've seen thread after thread relevant to class usefulness in certain fights and heated players sharing their experiences about how the community responds to them if they have only one class leveled.

It's a pretty hot topic but there's one side of it I never see written down – This is the viewpoint of somebody who’s picking and choosing members to join him on a run.

I had an adorable Bard join my linkshell lately. All the Bard had leveled was Bard. Now granted this isn't Monk or Dragoon however we have a Dragoon onry with us who we've taken on a few successful runs (Cutter's Cry and Aurumn Vale) but we've stopped him coming now and here's why -


There're two factors at work that affect who gets to come and who doesn't.

1) Your attitude

The Bard I mentioned we have dragged with us every single run that they're online for. Not because it's a Bard and they're essential in most standard XIV set ups but because their enthusiastic, encouraging attitude is something that I and other members want to be around. I personally love playing Bard and Paladin as they keep me really busy and feel really fun however our set-ups normally have both the tank role and the buffer role covered by another Warrior and a Bard meaning I step back end up either healing or DD. I'll always make space for this member and other members with a fresh, positive attitude that want to work together with whatever class they've got leveled.
Of course this can only go so far. For example I can only cover one role at a time.

The Dragoon isn’t interested in working together with the group and has no interest in being a part of my community. If they aren’t interested and willing to put in the effort with us then unfortunately the group dictates that they don’t have any time for them, either.


2) Expectations

Turning up to a group on your only class and then reacting badly when you're told that your class won't fit in with the plan is terribly rude. What you are essentially saying is that you have found where you want to be and you want everybody else around you to accommodate to it. If I were to liken this to a real-life scenario I'd say it's very similar to squatting in an abandoned urban settlement and then protesting when the new rightful owners arrive asking you to remove your backside from their new property!
Sometime a class simply isn’t viable and you will be told “No.”

Obviously you can’t run with 7 Warriors and a Black Mage (or can you?) and you can’t avoid being told that you can’t run. There’re two ways you can react to this

1) Grab some cheese and whine.
2) Use your time productively and level your classes.

I understand that not everybody wants to play every class as some classes are outside of roles that people are comfortable with. That being said each role is used inside of traditional set-ups meaning that if you want to stick to one particular role you’d best go and level that class that’s encompassed in that role that is in demand for that particular run!

And I’d like to make a big point here – If a party reconfigures itself to allow you to run with them make sure you say “Thank you!”
Seriously, say thank you.



So here’s what we have learnt today –


Find a community! – A pick-up group won’t have the time or patience with you to allow you to get away with this.

-Make sure that if you join a community it’s not full of elitists only interested in their drops. You want to join a community, not a band of mercenaries.

- If you are in a band of mercenaries who don't waste their time with making such fragile things as human relationships or even if you've joined a linkshell that has an inpenitreble inner circle which you can't seem to break then get out of that community!

- This is effectively done by joining runs when offered, not by being talkative in the linkshell - that can just be annoying and direspectful when you don't attend runs and just socialise. It says to me "I have no interest in working with you guys. I only have interest in making myself look good."

Your attitude is far more important than your class - Most leaders will make exceptions for good member's classes rather than make exceptions for the right classes' attitude.



You don’t get anything for free! - Be nice to your community and it’ll be nice to you!

-Linkshell leaders always want good, positive can-do attitudes!
-Help out your friends with what they need and they'll help you out in return!

Level your classes! – Sometimes you just can’t go on your Monk.

-Rather than milking your cattle and foraging some grapes for a long night of whine do something productive and make yourself desirable!

Let's work together making a more diverse and friendly Eorzea!