People advertising they're running Parsers

[Xrystofer]

If you're so bothered by other people parsing and agree to the parsing before joining said group, then I think that's says more about you than it does about them.

Keep parsing to yourself and all is good. Not talking about it in-game keeps the toxicity at check.

[ChirunoEX]

This game is really most fun in the first few days, before we have parsers and rankings and such. When you don’t have to worry about some stupid number that dictates your worth and how you must play. If only parsers didnt exist and such days could last forever. But that is an impossible dream

How does some random guy who you will never see considering you probably dont even do EX trials using something you dont like using immediately ruin your experience like that

[Alxyzntlct]

Keep parsing to yourself and all is good. Not talking about it in-game keeps the toxicity at check.

Essentially this; I have no issue with parsers unto themselves as I've enjoyed using them to help improve my own performance in the past, but the moment it becomes open/general discussion, it opens up the door to chaos.

Totally fine with it if folks keep it to themselves and/or their regular play groups (statics, friends, etc.).

[nighttimebunny]

I feel the same, having a set time to raid, having to parse a certain way, etc is way too job like for me. Not to mention a lot of people treat it like a job interview

[VelKallor]

I feel the same, having a set time to raid, having to parse a certain way, etc is way too job like for me. Not to mention a lot of people treat it like a job interview

Yup.

Been there, done that, got the t shirt and coffee mug, aint doing it any more. I can log off and do whatever I want, which these days is kicking back with a good book and a mug of coffee and donuts. no set times...and no "job interviews" I do what I want, when i want, or not as it suits me.

As it should be.

[ForteNightshade]

Keep parsing to yourself and all is good. Not talking about it in-game keeps the toxicity at check.

Except they are. Nobody is forcing you to join a parse party. Would you feel better if they simply advertised as "optimization party" "skipping x mechanic" or "high DPS required"? All denote the use of a parser but are simply skirting around with different thermology.

Essentially this; I have no issue with parsers unto themselves as I've enjoyed using them to help improve my own performance in the past, but the moment it becomes open/general discussion, it opens up the door to chaos.

Totally fine with it if folks keep it to themselves and/or their regular play groups (statics, friends, etc.).

This is highly debatable. Parsers themselves don't create toxicity but rather allowing toxic players to remain unchecked does. I know everyone fancies pointing to WoW has the source of all things evil but a significant factor that contributes to their toxicity is a lack of proper moderation. Say FFXIV openly allowed parsers but all the current ToS rules not only applied but were readily enforced. Players saying nonsense like "pls uninstall SMN. ur trash" wouldn't last a day. Meanwhile, someone saying, "Hey, SMN. Your damage is a little low. We're gonna have to rep you" isn't toxic and should never be viewed as such.

What always bothers me is there are many people who don't even realize how much they're underperforming yet genuinely want to improve. I've had players legitimately stunned to discover how low their damage actually was and grateful to be directed to resources that will help them improve, including a parser. Sadly, nobody is going to risk saying anything in-game nowadays when it only takes one anti-parser reporting them to potentially get a strike on their account.

[VelKallor]

What always bothers me is there are many people who don't even realize how much they're underperforming yet genuinely want to improve. I've had players legitimately stunned to discover how low their damage actually was and grateful to be directed to resources that will help them improve, including a parser. Sadly, nobody is going to risk saying anything in-game nowadays when it only takes one anti-parser reporting them to potentially get a strike on their account.

No one is an "anti parser". Not me, anyway. I dont care if you are running one. It doesnt worry me in the slightest. More power to you.

BUT.

With one caveat, that I think we all agree on.

KEEP IT TO YOURSELF.

There are other ways to help people improve WITHOUT bringing parse numbers into the mix. When i was levelling my DNC, i ran an instance, and we stopped for a few moments whilst the tank very kindly told me to look at my AOE tooltips again whilst we waited, as my comments to him indicated I didnt understand them properly.

So I did. Cue ABSOLUTE embarrassment.

He laughed, pulled another pack, this time I did it properly and he just said 'THATS MUCH BETTER, Dancer. Lets GO"

It is never what you want to say, its how you say it.

[FrogDog]

With one caveat, that I think we all agree on.

I don't agree on that. If players want to actively use a parser and advertise their group as such then it's on anyone who wants to deal with that to join. I don't use a parser but I used to use damage meters ages ago when I played WoW. People don't always know how to look at that data but that's not really my or anyone else's problem. There will be bad experiences.

Also an anecdote for your anecdote, for every you out there who will take advice, there are many many more who simply will ignore the chat and continue doing what they were doing before. Then there are plenty of others who will argue or tell you that you have no right to give them suggestions, even though they're playing team content. It's basically even against the rules now to point out to somebody that they're doing something wrong or badly, if they're especially prickly they could report you for it. This is why I almost never even bother talking to people in dungeons now even if I see them struggling.

[JanVanding]

No one is an "anti parser". Not me, anyway. I dont care if you are running one. It doesnt worry me in the slightest. More power to you.

BUT.

With one caveat, that I think we all agree on.

KEEP IT TO YOURSELF.

There are other ways to help people improve WITHOUT bringing parse numbers into the mix. When i was levelling my DNC, i ran an instance, and we stopped for a few moments whilst the tank very kindly told me to look at my AOE tooltips again whilst we waited, as my comments to him indicated I didnt understand them properly.

So I did. Cue ABSOLUTE embarrassment.

He laughed, pulled another pack, this time I did it properly and he just said 'THATS MUCH BETTER, Dancer. Lets GO"

It is never what you want to say, its how you say it.

^^^^^

I actually use tool that will not be named myself to tidy up my rotation, increase efficency and boost uptime by checking for indications where I may be slacking off, so I know where to tidy up.

I could absolutely use the tool for bad, the temptation is there every time you pull up the numbers, but I, like others don't want the tool to devolve into a gate keeping device like it has in so many other MMOs, so only my own numbers and data matter and the rest gets binned.

The problem is we clearly have people testing little by little what they can get away with and that's a road that leads to SE taking our snazzy calculator away entirely, leaving us to only be able to do it the old fashioned way.

[VelKallor]

but I used to use damage meters ages ago when I played WoW.

Then you are painfully aware of how that tool is abused and misused. Widely. i mentioned Sastashas, the equivalent is Ragefire Chasm. I lost cont of the number of times some bozo dropped dps meters in there.

The word PATHETIC comes to mind.