The UGLY side of FFXIV

[Matsume]

lol...I can't help myself

All pugs are equal, but some pugs are more equal than others...

[Molly_Millions]

I can't stand pick up groups. In my experience, if the first time you try something with a pick up group and you don't win, half the group ends up leaving. I'll wait for hours to get a whole group of LS mates before I'll think about forming a pick up group.

[Denmo]

Are players gimp if they choose not to join endgame linkshells? Am I to be labeled with the worst if I'm not part of some elite group?

Not all players you pick up in PUGs are bad players, so let's dispel that myth please.

[Razzle]

I find it kind of funny to label randoms as anything.

Aren't we all randoms to each other? Labeling it as "certain something" (good or bad) just doesn't make sense...

So you partied with some randoms and lost? So what? It's just a game, try again and see that you will do better no matter who you party with.

If someone doesn't play as good as you why not teach them?

I love partying with randoms and NEVER did I run into an "evil random who ruined my game"...
I guess I'm just lucky!

[Jinko]

heheh I've never been kicked. I just hate to see all the mudslinging and tempers flaring. Egos and attitudes can really ruin a good game

I've had some awesome PUG's but yesterday I had the worst one I have had in any MMO I have played, not because we couldn't complete Hamlet, but because one elitist D**** decided to blame everyone else (mudslinging came quick and fast after the first insult was thrown).

It was both funny and annoying at the same time.

[Hulan]

I find it kind of funny to label randoms as anything.

Aren't we all randoms to each other? Labeling it as "certain something" (good or bad) just doesn't make sense...

So you partied with some randoms and lost? So what? It's just a game, try again and see that you will do better no matter who you party with.

If someone doesn't play as good as you why not teach them?

I love partying with randoms and NEVER did I run into an "evil random who ruined my game"...
I guess I'm just lucky!

To be fair, there are some serious sociological ramifications to going with an established group and a random group that have nothing to do with the individual skills of the players. Established groups will have a predetermined hierarchy, while random groups will vie for power. Similarly, established groups will have a sense of group loyalty. Namely, they know that there are consequences to their behavior. While in a random group, those consequences are less easily defined.

That isn't to say you won't find the occasional horrific linkshell group, or spectacular random group. I myself tend to go with random groups more often than not, since my schedule is chaotic and I often cannot make it to linkshell events. But there are valid reasons why pick up groups tend to be less competent.

That being said, I happen to agree with you more than the OP. Pick up groups are the life blood of any MMO, otherwise there is only stagnation.

[LillithaFenimore]

Are players gimp if they choose not to join endgame linkshells? Am I to be labeled with the worst if I'm not part of some elite group?

Not all players you pick up in PUGs are bad players, so let's dispel that myth please.

I WILL ostrecise you sir!

[Keith_Dragoon]

I did enjoy the one pickup we got for our Ifrit run(7 LS 1 Random). Guy came in calling shots telling people what to do and when to do it and was saying "I don't want this to be a complete fail!" At the end of the fight the grand result was NOBODY in the run except said guy was hit by anything aside from vulcan burst and 2 hr. He died a total of 3 or 4 times.

Even after that he continued to spew out orders and try to tell us what to do. :P

[Lux_Rayna]

Are players gimp if they choose not to join endgame linkshells? Am I to be labeled with the worst if I'm not part of some elite group?

Not all players you pick up in PUGs are bad players, so let's dispel that myth please.

Its not that they are bad players, its just that they are almost always a bad team. In a linkshell teamwork is basically required, but in a pug individuals have a hard time working as a team because they cannot acknowledge a leader. Everyone is smarter than everyone, and everyone knows how to play everyone's job better than everyone else, so any possible adjustments an ls could easily make are simply arguments and flame wars for pugs. This is why ppl say pugs are generally terrible. There is no cohesion precisely because no one wants to be told what to do by someone else. When you are a part of a linkshell, you all have that guy who will give orders and you accept that. Its part of running with a linkshell, a hierarchy. There is no hierarchy in pugs, so its just a flame-war filled with "ima do it my way." Too much hubris leads to no teamwork, that is a pug's most common affliction.

That being said ive had some great pugs, but I have ppl in my ls who swear up, down, and sideways they will never touch a pug ever again.

[Yoohre_WildRiver]

yesterday i did a pug and it was a mess.. but.. it was also extreme fun, the fight became so challenging i was having a lot of fun in a fight i usually farm with my LS and nothing goes wrong. felt new. PS we won anyways