The UGLY side of FFXIV

[Denmo]

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.

It's easy for those who have the option to swear PUGs off. Those outside of endgame linkshells must fend for themselves however.

From my experiences, everyone looks to the party leader to expect to know what he/she's doing. If you form a group and don't know what you're doing, your group tends to fall apart even if everyone is helpful from the beginning. But if you know what you're doing, take charge, and threaten those that would rather act like buttholes with a swift /kick from the group, generally things go more smoothly.

I say, put up with PUGs. But don't put up with assholes. Eventually they'll learn their lesson after the Nth time getting kicked from a group. FFXI forced players to learn the hard way. XIV not so much, which is why it's up to the party leader to take a hard stance if the situation calls for it. Don't reward bad players.

[Jokerz]

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.

This!

I'd also like to add that ls parties usually have better communication tools such as vent and mumble which help when giving out orders. But PUG's that can get organized usually fair well and is a great way to meet new people!

[Gramul]

Yes. I know I'm not a good tank, but how can I get better if I don't experience it.

[charlemagne]

I run screaming from them. Sure there can be good players in pickup groups, but there never seem to be eight of them.

[Aion]

Yes. I know I'm not a good tank, but how can I get better if I don't experience it.

I know it is a hard learning curve for tank if he had to do the content with PUG. My best advice is get a LS and ask them to do the content so you can learn tanking it.

[b0ats]

pickup groups are horrid. I got kicked from my group cause i wasnt a black mage and apparently it was my fault everyone was dying lol.

[Denmo]

Was just in an exp PUG.

It seemed pretty lousy to start. We were a noob group getting guided through Natalan to the wolf camp, many for the first time. Not to mention one of our members couldn't speak english. We died several times just trying to get to the camp. and then when it started no one seemed to know what was going on save for 2-3 people.

BUT it turned into something pretty good! The group leaders - the ones who knew what they were doing - were fairly patient with us learners and gave instructions when someone was doing something wrong, rather than spouting insults. After a while we all got adjusted to the pacing and what was expected of us. Gained around 4 levels each in our late 40s.

This just adds to my belief that with patience, instructions, and good leadership, even the worst PUG can turn around for the better.

Edit: Oh, and I learned an ass-ton about endgame tanking, too. Thanks Marth~~~