For those who struggle with group content

[JamieRose]

I used to play EQ. Guild politics were far more cutthroat in that game. TBF, the community did manage to make a calendar for what guild goes into a plane on what day. I only went into a plane once, but it took 16 hours to clear it.

I'll say that one thing that's good about FFXIV compared to older MMOs, very little loot drama. Loot drama = major anxiety.

[Carin-Eri]

Found myself revisiting this thread, because I've actually found myself doing less group content lately.

My performance hasn't really improved since I last posted in this thread. Still prone to making the same stupid mistakes. Still don't seem to remember said mistakes so that I don't make them again. Still spend the majority of most group content I play on the floor, relying on good-hearted healers to waste their mana on me. I'm not particularly good at any job, I can't remember mechanics no matter how often I play whatever. I can't do solo/MSQ content on anything but Very Easy most of the time, and even THEN it sometimes takes me several attempts.

I even tried a few Extreme Raids - Zodiark and Hydaelyn - in the hopes that I might learn and improve from playing at that level. I didn't - I mean, the teams did complete them and I did my best to contribute, but hard not to think that I was carried really.

I really do feel as if I have absolutely NO talent for for this game. Which is a paradox, since I love the game nonetheless.

Anyway, again, was reminded of this thread whilst was on my Island Sanctuary (where I seem to spend most of my in-game time lately) debating whether to queue something and unable to actually bring myself to do so for the reasons I noted. Oddly nice to re-read a thread where there was/is at least some acceptance of the fact that some players don't find group content easy.

[UltraPrimarch]

I really do feel as if I have absolutely NO talent for for this game. Which is a paradox, since I love the game nonetheless.

Anyway, again, was reminded of this thread whilst was on my Island Sanctuary (where I seem to spend most of my in-game time lately) debating whether to queue something and unable to actually bring myself to do so for the reasons I noted. Oddly nice to re-read a thread where there was/is at least some acceptance of the fact that some players don't find group content easy.

I too feel as though I lack talent. I lost all my taste for "end game" content when Garuda EX came out and my friends all wanted to tackle the newest extreme content. We wiped, and I'm not exaggerating, at least 100 times without a clear. By the end everyone basically hated each other and one of the "hardcore" guys started forcing us to group with "experienced" raiders who could "guarantee" a clear. Those new guys started hurling blame and insults at anybody who didn't do exactly what they said. We wiped an additional, and again I'm NOT exaggerating, 25 times without a clear. One week of trying to clear Garuda EX and I've never once thought "end game" content looked like anything more than torture.

[Xaruko_Nexume]

I know im bad at this game and most video games lol but I dont let it deter me. There are certain mechanics that I will just never understand. If it isn't telegraphed I probably won't get it and the few non-telegraphed mechanics that I do understand its like an epiphany every time I get one. Its like I just can't recognize patterns. I usually play with my SO and as kind of an experiment there are certain mechanics they refuse to explain to me, and I literally can't figure them out. But if it is explained to me what to watch for, I will do that mechanic every time at a savant level. Just don't ask me to figure it out on my own. If its more complicated than a puddle on the ground to move out of it, I can't figure it out.

And im perfectly okay with this. I have great people to play with most of the time, and as I have often lamented this games stories, music, world and community mean far too much to me to let something like my skill interfere with my gameplay LOL

[Carin-Eri]

I know im bad at this game and most video games lol but I dont let it deter me. There are certain mechanics that I will just never understand. If it isn't telegraphed I probably won't get it and the few non-telegraphed mechanics that I do understand its like an epiphany every time I get one. Its like I just can't recognize patterns. I usually play with my SO and as kind of an experiment there are certain mechanics they refuse to explain to me, and I literally can't figure them out. But if it is explained to me what to watch for, I will do that mechanic every time at a savant level. Just don't ask me to figure it out on my own. If its more complicated than a puddle on the ground to move out of it, I can't figure it out.

And im perfectly okay with this. I have great people to play with most of the time, and as I have often lamented this games stories, music, world and community mean far too much to me to let something like my skill interfere with my gameplay LOL

Thank you for sharing

I'm very much the same - as I said, I don't seem to remember mechanics at all. Doesn't matter how often I play whatever the content is, if it's anything more than a yellow circle on the floor it's very likely going to hit me.

Unfortunately, unlike you, I do become discouraged. I mean, I quite often queue/play with friends - but even then, following a run which involved my performance being dog**** per usual, one of my best friends said "you really did die a lot in that run".

What really sucks is that I really have tried to be better - guides, advice, practice. It just doesn't work.

[Xaruko_Nexume]

Thank you for sharing

I'm very much the same - as I said, I don't seem to remember mechanics at all. Doesn't matter how often I play whatever the content is, if it's anything more than a yellow circle on the floor it's very likely going to hit me.

Unfortunately, unlike you, I do become discouraged. I mean, I quite often queue/play with friends - but even then, following a run which involved my performance being dog**** per usual, one of my best friends said "you really did die a lot in that run".

What really sucks is that I really have tried to be better - guides, advice, practice. It just doesn't work.

I understand where you are coming from. When I was a bit younger, it really bothered me as I was also a part of a much more toxic MMORPG community back then.

Sometimes it still bothers me when I do a fight ive done before and I seem to be the guy who is laying on the ground dead every few seconds and I really try after each rez to not repeat or make a different mistake, and its frustrating when it keeps happening over and over and I really am trying. I just apologize to my team/SO whoever im playing with and life goes on.
Like you, I have also watched guides, had people explain things to me on Discord, and I often either still just dont get it or dont remember. If I get too discouraged I find something else to do for a bit, while still enjoying the game. I will work on crafting, decorating my house, or just RP/social stuff.

But its okay because normal content in this game is for the most part designed to be completed by almost anyone, if not literally anyone. I just stay in my lane and dont even consider harder content unless its from a previous expansion and im a lot happier for it.

An exception for me was blue mage. When i finally beat the last boss after over 15 documented hours of attempts, I literally teared up a bit. But it wasn't and never is really a feeling of accomplishment for me. Its more of a feeling of "Im so glad thats finally over." Lol

[BenjagoCrowe]

Found myself revisiting this thread, because I've actually found myself doing less group content lately.

My performance hasn't really improved since I last posted in this thread. Still prone to making the same stupid mistakes. Still don't seem to remember said mistakes so that I don't make them again. Still spend the majority of most group content I play on the floor, relying on good-hearted healers to waste their mana on me. I'm not particularly good at any job, I can't remember mechanics no matter how often I play whatever. I can't do solo/MSQ content on anything but Very Easy most of the time, and even THEN it sometimes takes me several attempts.

I even tried a few Extreme Raids - Zodiark and Hydaelyn - in the hopes that I might learn and improve from playing at that level. I didn't - I mean, the teams did complete them and I did my best to contribute, but hard not to think that I was carried really.

I really do feel as if I have absolutely NO talent for for this game. Which is a paradox, since I love the game nonetheless.

Anyway, again, was reminded of this thread whilst was on my Island Sanctuary (where I seem to spend most of my in-game time lately) debating whether to queue something and unable to actually bring myself to do so for the reasons I noted. Oddly nice to re-read a thread where there was/is at least some acceptance of the fact that some players don't find group content easy.

On my own level I can relate to a lot of what you are saying. I've been invited to try EX/Savage content over the time I've playing but it's just not my playground. At least I don't think it should be in a game where at times I'm easily having to be carried through the normal tier. I try not to beat up on myself about it because I can't say I'm the most proactive when it comes to attacking and conquering a challenge presented to me. Yet there are moments where even knowing that it does give a feeling of low gamer self worth and feeling left out when groups you know are getting it done. Aside from that I still find plenty to do be it housing, crafting, leveling, old relic grinds, fate grinds...even gathering grinds (looking at you Island Sanctuary: Sustainable Sourcing III...I'm 26% of the way there, lol)

[Carin-Eri]

On my own level I can relate to a lot of what you are saying. I've been invited to try EX/Savage content over the time I've playing but it's just not my playground. At least I don't think it should be in a game where at times I'm easily having to be carried through the normal tier. I try not to beat up on myself about it because I can't say I'm the most proactive when it comes to attacking and conquering a challenge presented to me. Yet there are moments where even knowing that it does give a feeling of low gamer self worth and feeling left out when groups you know are getting it done. Aside from that I still find plenty to do be it housing, crafting, leveling, old relic grinds, fate grinds...even gathering grinds (looking at you Island Sanctuary: Sustainable Sourcing III...I'm 26% of the way there, lol)

The ironic thing is that you'd think playing, for example, The Minstrel's Ballad: Hydaelyn's Call, would mean I'd be more competent at the normal version. Sadly, when the normal version came up on Roulette I was as useless as ever.

[Jamini]

Found myself revisiting this thread, because I've actually found myself doing less group content lately.

My performance hasn't really improved since I last posted in this thread. Still prone to making the same stupid mistakes. Still don't seem to remember said mistakes so that I don't make them again. Still spend the majority of most group content I play on the floor, relying on good-hearted healers to waste their mana on me. I'm not particularly good at any job, I can't remember mechanics no matter how often I play whatever. I can't do solo/MSQ content on anything but Very Easy most of the time, and even THEN it sometimes takes me several attempts.

I even tried a few Extreme Raids - Zodiark and Hydaelyn - in the hopes that I might learn and improve from playing at that level. I didn't - I mean, the teams did complete them and I did my best to contribute, but hard not to think that I was carried really.

I really do feel as if I have absolutely NO talent for for this game. Which is a paradox, since I love the game nonetheless.

Anyway, again, was reminded of this thread whilst was on my Island Sanctuary (where I seem to spend most of my in-game time lately) debating whether to queue something and unable to actually bring myself to do so for the reasons I noted. Oddly nice to re-read a thread where there was/is at least some acceptance of the fact that some players don't find group content easy.

Have a little bit of positivity in your day.

https://thedecisionlab.com/biases/dunning-kruger-effect

Recognizing that you have no talent simply means you are at the level where you can recognize that you are not good. Coincidentally this normally means you are likely significantly *better* than you think you are, or at least you are at a place where you can improve if you wish to!

I know it can be hard, and you may not want to...that's okay if you don't! But the fact that you were able to get through Ex1 and Ex2 means you certainly Do have that capability. All that stands in your way is preparation, patience, and practice.