Elite, Elitism, and Elitist

[Inori-Yuzuriha]

Anyone who uses a damage parser.

[Zojha]

Elite - Stemming from eligere (choosing), an elite is a selected circle of individuals. Commonly, the reason for the choice is an extraordinary exhibition of a certain characteristic (Loyalty, Skill, Knowledge, Power etc etc).

Elitism - Consequently, elitism refers to the belief in the superiority of elites and commonly the idea they should be fostered/supported/praised etc (for example, the idea that rich people should not have to pay taxes because they'd know better than the state how to handle money)

Elitist - A person with the previously mentioned belief.

[Clethoria]

1. How would you define/describe/characterize an elite?
Someone with a clear skill level that goes above and beyond the norm. For example, a Tank that can pull aggro in an entire dungeon and not die regardless of the healer and can carry the whole party. (this is a biased opinion because I love Tanks)

2. Elitism?
Something that people display when they think they're better than someone else, be it because of owning 10 gil more than most players or because they cleared some endgame content.

3. Elitist?
most of the posts on the forum
Similar to elitism, and another form of self indulgence to try and put down others who don't bother or care about what someone else told them was important.

[Xlantaa]

The three words are the same more or less.


1. Elite. Can be perceive as good player who usually beat things easy. But, this is more a subjetive thing. For me, Elite are the same a Elitist. I prefer use "Skilled player" rather than Elite to refer good players.

2. Elitism. Well, a behaviour proper of the elitist players. Usually consist on despise other players skills, kick newies instead of teach them or directly do not let join anything because automatically consider they are bad and they are not allowed to have fun in a game. Also is proper of this behaviour ask for discrimination tools, like do not let newies join or block the access to determinated duties to people cosidered by them as not skilled. They also consider newies cannot get "COil" or "Savage" gear and keep this things onlyfor them, because the others "Are not allowed to enjoy this"

3. Elitist. People who believes they are "Elite", the best players in the game, and don't join/play with others if they do not have their skill level, even if they are no really good player (most elitist are no good players by my experience). Those who cosiderede themselves as elite are usually idiots that thing they never fails and it is always others faults. You can recognize it by the "Fail = Kick" party finder usually (Not all of them are "elitist", but the posibilities are high).

[JunseiKei]

1. How would you define/describe/characterize an elite?

People who are just good at whatever it is they are trying to accomplish.

2. How would you define/describe/characterize elitism?

Elitism is thinking one person is above another in a specific context, in this case games, based on any metric. Most games require, or enforce, some kind of elitism. MMOs have to cater content to players who are genuinely better than other players, and at the same time, compensate for players who couldn't care less about their skill level. The problem mostly arises when players feel that some players who have an "elite status" aren't worthy, or are a hindrance, to the game. This works the opposite way as well, where elite players view bad players as a hindrance on the enjoyment, or progress, of their game. This is a huge factor in competitive games.

3. How would you define/describe/characterize an elitist?

People who enforce elitism passively because they think they are better, or are better, than other players.

[Animarelic]

Actually according to the sensitive Playerbase

1. Elite-Anyone who clears content and offers advice.
2. Elitist-Anyone who clears content and offers advice.
3. Elitism-The act of offering advice due to experience or knowledge.

Basically, if you don't pay their sub and you open your mouth you're an elitist.

[Darkstride]

Elite: someone who is very good at a certain skill

Elisitm: the belief that one's own (perceived superior) skill is the standard and everyone who does not measure up is either stupid or lazy

Elitist: a person who believes their (perceived) superior skill gives them the right to talk down to and insult those less skilled

This is pretty much what I would have written, so I'll just quote it and agree.

I would also add, however, that I think the term "elitist" is overused and thrown at other players far too easily. I don't think there is anything wrong with trying to counsel another player or offer constructive criticism if the way they are playing negatively affects the gameplay experience of those around them. Not everyone that disagrees with another person's playstyle is an elitist. Sometimes people already are just bad or lazy and will continue to do so unless it is brought to their attention in an appropriate manner.

Some people play victim far too frequently and just call anyone who disagrees with them an elitist..

[Hinatea]

I'm enjoying these replies so far. Please don't be afraid to share your thoughts as well! I would appreciate it a bunch.

[Shurrikhan]

Elite - Any player that by combination of skill and social circles, ends up in a level of their own (shared only with other "elite" players) for a sizable portion of serious play. If skill, responsibility, coordination, or any other traits that may be separately referred to positively, are not what sets that social circle apart, it is merely a clique, rather than a circle of "elite" players. Elites, while possibly distancing as a term for an 'other' community, always defines a sum, however haphazard, of positively-definable parts, with successes to match.

Alternatively, anyone who regularly plays to the best of their abilities (whether or not that be while still having fun) and expects nearly the same of others.

Elitist - Though I don't think it should be technically defined as such, I personally use the term to refer to anyone with a low tolerance for training others in any skills, techniques, or mindsets that would have been necessarily to reliably reach the content they're now attempting without special assistance from others. Where others might consider community intervention (in this case, any interaction meant to bring a player up to their expected pace, or to diminish habits that normal gameplay would reasonably discourage) a part of the game or part of the charm of an MMO, they consider a player's need for outside help a failure to correctly play the game, or due to something lacking in that player's mindset in approaching a game centered on team effort.

Separately, this might instead refer to those who are unwilling to use any method not as theoretically and provenly sound as the "conventional" method, even if still likely viable. When push comes to shove, their instinct is to change tactics, configuration, etc. rather than favoring practice and looser adaptation. They take a more decisive and invasive approach to reaching their clear. At an extreme, this may seem narrow-minded, mechanistic, or even to take the fun out of the game, but it will of course appeal to some. "Elitist" play is still a range in a spectrum, which is either in your strike-zone, or not.

Elitism - The belief that one should play near to the best of one's abilities, and that nothing is owed to those who do not.

Or, separately, that belief that progress should take precedence over preference.

[AkashiXI]

Anyone who uses a damage parser.

Yes, because wanting to self-improve without hindering the fun of anyone around you is elitism.