AFK in PVP

[Cadmar]

AFK in PVP has become a real problem. I really enjoy PVP and it has been ruined by people coming in just to get EXP. I like that SE added EXP to it but I never thought that people would be so lazy. Why not at least try? You may find out you even like it!

Would it be acceptable to just AFK in POTD? No. Any other dungeon? No. Why do people think it is ok in PVP? I know we can report (and I have and will continue) but that only does so much good.

Maybe SE should add EXP per kill/assist or some form of incentive for people to actually try. Right now it is just infuriating.

[AlphaFox]

I would agree with at least giving EXP for dealing a fair amount of damage to that even if you were the worst possible player, but really tried, you would still get the max EXP. I can certainly agree with giving the AFKers who do nothing the entire time 0 exp and seals. This coming from someone who only did it for the glamour.

[Khel]

Seems to be a problem in every pvp game that has matches like these.

[rxnin]

For those who actually enjoy PVP and want to win, but is held back by AFK players "guarding base," I think OP has a great idea.

We should incentivize players, who actually deal damage, heal, or steal bases.

And with new PVP changes, it's more accessible than ever for players to actually try and contribute to the party, rather than sitting around doing nothing.

[Fynlar]

Would it be acceptable to just AFK in POTD? No. Any other dungeon? No. Why do people think it is ok in PVP? I know we can report (and I have and will continue) but that only does so much good.

The issue is that if you just afk in POTD you will never complete the instance, as you won't be able to use the portals. If you don't complete the instance, you obviously get nothing. Obvious discouragement of the lazy approach, and this is how most instances in the game work. Not only will you not get rewarded if your group doesn't win because of your lack of contribution, your party won't get rewarded either, which will make them all the more inclined to boot you out.

That's what's causing the afk issue in PVP; it doesn't have that same discouragement. No matter how you perform, you still apparently get the full EXP. The people who are there solely for EXP (which, as of the release of SB, number a great many people) have no real reason to expend beyond the bare minimum effort to avoid being kicked, whether auto-kicked or manually kicked by their party. The people that are there to actually contribute but don't actually care that much about their team's result or what the rest of their party does won't be as inclined to administer a kick either. Personally, I don't just afk (even if I do think I suck at PVP and I might very well be more of a hindrance than a help at times), but I also don't spend my time in PVP watching everyone in my alliance like a hawk to make sure they're all doing things because I simply don't care that much about what they're doing.

I don't know why they can't make EXP awarded based on personal contribution, seeing how they pretty much went out of their way to ensure PVP in 4.0 is a homogenized experience where everyone has nice round identical HP values and your actions are practically decided for you by the game, so everything is all nice and fair (and at least for me, boring).

[Ranhansha]

Totally agree. Something should be done. I don't like losing, but if we tried and the enemy team was better I can't complain at all, but when we lose due to an afk it's really discouraging since we never had a chance.
Maybe the exp boost was given to compensate for the afks?

[Beckett]

Just boot them. I've never seen an AFK vote kick not go through.

We had this same issue when tomestones were first added to Frontline, and unfortunately we're going to see more of it now with PVE EXP rewards. I definitely think a few problematic AFKers is worth it though. For every 1 person I've seen joining Frontlines to AFK for free EXP, I've heard 5 players who have never done PVP before join up and say they love it. Despite a couple hiccups, Frontlines has never been in a better place than it is now, and I think SE did an incredible job revitalizing it.

[Fynlar]

Something tells me he ain't as "upfront" about it to his parties.

[Driavna]

The numbers of base defenders are huge these days...

[ThirdChild_ZKI]

The numbers of base defenders are huge these days...

Here's the reason I say base guarding (in Shatter) is unnecessary, and please note this is from my experience both well before 4.0 and now:

1. The map shows active combatants. Any enemies currently considered in combat will appear on the map. And when you can clearly see where they are, you can clearly see where they aren't. Is the enemy team trying to push and attack your base? Send a small group to go steal theirs and have the rest defend. That'll force them back.

2. A base guard is hardly effective alone when a group of 2 or 3 show up to scout/steal it. You're just a free kill (i.e. lost points) and the base will be taken anyways. And if you respawn and go charging in again, they'll just do it again.

3. Distractionary tactics -of which my friends and I enjoy doing purely for humor at times - can lure a player/team back to or away from their base or an objective to chase you, in which case you can lure them to strategic points (cliffs, bridges, isolation from your team, etc.) and take them down. "Base guards" are our primary targets for this because you're already alone. And if afk, more free points.

4. Before 4.0 (not sure about now), Ninjas could use their hide ability. However they could not capture a base while hidden. Claiming to stand guard at base in case of NINs was unnecessary, and if that NIN had an Adrenaline Rush (PvP Limit Break), again, that lone base guard is a free kill, and a stolen base. And if caught, they could just go hide. . . And do it again.

Base guarding is largely unnecessary. Especilly if your team is third place. First and second are likely slugging it out or hitting objectives continuing to score while "base guards" do nothing to help their team. Do not try to afk in the name of base guarding or you will either be preyed upon or kicked.