Things to think about before you call someone "Bad"

[HyoMinPark]

1. Are they a new player?

Context matters with regards to this. Where are you encountering this alleged “bad” player? Are they a level 16 sprout in Sastasha? Or are they a level 50/60/70 job in an alliance raid? Or an 8-man trial/raid? In an Extreme trial? Savage raid? New to the content is one thing; but once you start reaching the 50/60/70 milestones, you can no longer be considered a “new player” (meaning, “new to FFXIV”).

If the person was new to a class/job, all they need to do is say so. Most people are more than accommodating if the person communicates. However, no communication means less in terms of accommodation, since the other 3/7/23 people have no idea about the player’s specific circumstances. And they will be far less forgiving/patient.

2. Did they recently change their UI/Binds or both?

You should practice on a dummy or in more casual content. If you’re venturing into more demanding content immediately after changing your UI/hotbars/keybinds, then that’s on you for not practicing beforehand.

3. Are they having a bad day or are they feeling sick?

Having a bad day doesn’t mean you can take it out on others, or make others “deal with” whatever you have going on. That’s a very poor excuse. A much better one would be more along the lines of “Sorry, I’m a bit tired; it’s getting late”. Again, though, communication is best in these situations, but I cannot fault for people for not wanting to put up with subpar play—at least in demanding content where you need to be able to focus and perform well/to a certain standard.

If you’re sick, then you should be in bed resting. Not playing video games, in all fairness.

Could be any of these things or more preventing someone from performing well. and to be fair most of the time I find it is.

While everyone has bad days, I’m really going to need some proof of this. Otherwise, it’s just a baseless assumption.

[AxlStream]

Can we stop protecting bad players in this forum? I'm not saying everyone needs to be 100th percentile fflogs but it seems this forum will go out of it's way to protect anybody who just plays horrendously bad.

[RyuDragnier]

I only call you bad if you keep failing easy mechanics such as stacking or you keep trying to ignore mechanics (thereby leading to your death).

[Valkyrie_Lenneth]

Before you post a response in these forums perhaps you should remember this is only a video game. Get a grip people. Seriously.

It is also a hobby. I can say the same about sports or other hobbies.

Just because it's a game doesn't excuse you for wasting other people's time.

At least we don't have riots in the streets when someone loses.

[HyoMinPark]

I only call you bad if you keep failing easy mechanics such as stacking or you keep trying to ignore mechanics (thereby leading to your death).

The amount of people in v12n that run off with the stack marker... it's unbelievable, and I quickly lose my patience with it. Not going to lie. When you're level 70, you should know how to handle stack markers.

My second favorite is the purple AOE trying to stand with the stack when M & F are both showing up. Again, level 70s should know how to handle these. I shouldn't have to tell people "Don't stand with the stack if you have the purple AOE marker".

[ElHeggunte]

Doesn't matter to me. If someone is bad to the point of impeding the progress of the rest of the group, their reason for being so is generally irrelevant. They need to fix what's causing them to suck eggs or they need to go, no two ways about it.

Before you post a response in these forums perhaps you should remember this is only a video game. Get a grip people. Seriously.

I was wondering when this retort would crop up.

I don't care what it is, if it's a task that I set aside personal time for, I'm going to get irritated if some mouthbreather comes along and repeatedly does things that waste that time. The fact that we're talking about a video game doesn't detract from that at all.

[Bourne_Endeavor]

Before you post a response in these forums perhaps you should remember this is only a video game. Get a grip people. Seriously.

[ElazulHP]

It can be frustrating to play with someone "bad", however, who really knows what is going on causing them to be "bad". They could have a disability for all I know or are playing sick taking it easy at home from work or something. It's a good policy to not judge and just shut up and move on with your life.

[Theodric]

Every player has a duty to strive to do their best. That FFXIV is a game doesn't particularly matter - everybody is paying a monthly subscription fee to access the game's servers and we all have a finite amount of time to live our lives. Nobody is obligated to bend over backwards as to not offend the delicate sensibilities of players who refuse to pull their weight. All criticism offered should be constructive, though I've seen even the most gently worded feedback condemned as if it were the most offensive and toxic speech to ever be uttered throughout the entirety of humanity's existence.

[Vahlnir]

I can understand that everyone has varying skill levels and not everyone is going to be on their A game 24/7, be it from simply not performing well one day or being sick. In random dungeons or raids I expect the unexpected, and will never call someone out for not being up to par. However, as far as the party finder goes, if I'm going into a party that has certain requirements (listed or otherwise) I will expect people to be up to the task if they signed up for it. If it says "clear party, know the fight", you are expected to know the fight and be able to clear it. Same goes with farm parties. I will typically mention that someone (never really pointing out who unless it's blatantly obvious) is underperforming if people signed up for something they should be able to do and clearly aren't capable. I won't be rude about it 99% of the time, but I'm human...and that makes me vulnerable to frustration. Most times I will wait till we wipe, then leave without a word. You know, the whole "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all" sorta deal. Beyond that though all I really feel is indifference and will not judge.