you know what grinds my gears?

[AdvancedWind]

First off OP, your case was just a somewhat isolated situation that just cannot be generalized as if it happens on every linkshell. It doesn't. In fact, most linkshells and specially endgame linkshells are pretty fair when it comes down to loot distribution. Since we are seeing only your side of the story, I won't make any further comment on it.

That said, everything else you posted is, quite frankly, bullshit. There are different types of linkshells and, if you don't like something about a specific linkshell, there's only one tip I can give you: Don't join it. It's - that - simple.

First off, you complain that linkshells are "exclusive cliques". Well, guess what? You're complaining about the entire fucking point of a linkshell. A linkshell is a tool used to put players into groups so they can easily communicate with each other, and thus play with each other. The point of having a linkshell is to be part of one those groups, if you don't want "exclusive" (notice the quotes) groups to talk and play with, then newsflash! You don't want a linkshell. Don't worry if that's your case, there are quite a few people out there that also don't.

Now, comes the applications. Again, it's a simple matter:

Don't want to fill applications? Don't join LSs with applications.

All LSs require applications? Make your own, application-free LS. As far as I know, it's either free or very damn cheap to make a linkshell, just requires you to talk to a single NPC on the adventurers guild.

Also, outside of endgame / hardcore linkshells, the app is a mere formality and is basically used just to know who wants to join the ls.

It helps leading people to the ls website (so they can know what the hell happens on the ls), it prevents the officers / leader from getting random "can I join your LS?" messages when they're busy, it prevents LSs from dealing with douchebags, and it also provides basic info that is definitely useful for both parties (do you speak the same language as us? Do you play on the same time as us?). I have yet to see a social linkshell with an app that couldn't be decently filled in like, five minutes. Perhaps ten.

If you can somehow compare that to job interviews or whatever, I'd like to know what stupidly simple job interviews you've been having.

Of course, then we have the whole "issue" about endgame linkshells. The apps are more involved, and will often request info on jobs, experience on games, plans about leveling classes, etc. I will admit, these ones might be a bit more comparable to job interviews, but again: You don't like it, don't join one.

And, quite honestly, they have a reason to do that. They want good players that fit whatever criteria they set up for joining. They want to play the game in a more competitive / result oriented way, they want to get content done, they want to gear up their members, they want to have fun their way. You're the one asking to get in their group. So, they set the rules.

There are many valid reasons for wanting players at X level on Y classes, for example. This post is already getting pretty long, so I won't really mention them; anyways, other people already did that on this sthread.

You might disagree about how they play the game, but generalizing endgame shells and players as some sort of elitist group out there to mess with the n3wbz, say you are entitled to join whatever shell without restriction and that everyone out there should join hands and babysit players for every content is complete bullshit.

"Why don't they train the players'? Because they just don't want to do it, plain and simple. They also play the game for fun, even if it doesn't really seem that way for you. And, most likely, having to teach and bring a complete beginner to endgame is something that's not in their definition of fun.

By the way, many of the strategies and tips you can find about any MMO on the internet has been writen by this very kind of players to help less experienced players.

The bottom line is: There are a lot of douchebags out there. People that will join your linkshell and demand to join parties, demand to get items, ninja loot, argue with other players, scam, steal, cheat, make fun of other members, make racist jokes, and even call your mom bad names. Some of these guys play just one hour a day. Some others might never log out.

In both cases, simple applications can filter most of that crap out.

(this post is likely full of english errors. It's 2:41 AM and I'm not a native speaker; kindly deal with em ^^)

[Biggs]

Op sorry your experiencing these types of players in-game. If your looking for the people that propagate this sort of behavior look no further than 90% of the assclowns that responded to this thread. Just based of most of the responses here to your OP, you are literally preaching to the choir.

[Risae]

OP, i hope you see now what FFXIV has for a "beautiful" community.

[Payadopa]

This is a game not a job. While I understand that LSs want to find like-minded members it is taken to an absurd level with 'filling out an application (lol)'.
Don't most people here have a job that fills their longing for filling in applications? lol
To each their own I guess.

On the other hand, it's a good way for me to assess an LS... (and run away as fast as possible lol)

What happened to the 'I've partied with you for a while and you seem to be a nice/ professional/ whatever person *hands over shiny pearl*' - situations?

[YuriSan]

Most "Hardcore" endgame shells either started from a small group of people that met in a social shell when they where noobs
and so chose to go on together cause they went along well with eachother or a person and a friend thought to start an endgame shell with a website that will allow them to filter crappy players "not like themselves" through the application...

The second type of endgame shells are usually not as good as the first type, the first type usually dosent use applications and websites at all... they just keep to themselves and have fun since they good on their relationships, skillz andgametime/dedication already... so u need to either find a good social ls to start being a part of a group u will enjoy being a part of or swallow it and go through the applications.............

(i like the first type of endgame ls by far)

[Quatre]

When your linkshell is super tight knit like a family it's very important to be super selective. My linkshell has ~8 members in it but we all play all, and support one another. We're not opposed to new people but we've all been playing for years together, and when it comes down to it we know we have each others back.

None of us are opposed to teaching new people, but when you're that established you want someone who's put in as much time and effort as you have. In my experience, our applications have been more of a formality to introduce yourself to everybody in the linkshell, Obviously, if you play with everyone in the linkshell often enough applications wouldn't even be needed

[SuzakuCMX]

I found a nice endgame linkshell that tells me how to do my job for every endgame content I try. They're very patient and understanding and they help me with all my stuff.

<3 Maybe you guys have suck luck.

[Malakii]

This is has got to be a troll. OP can't be serious. The thing about all this is no matter what, people are going to play this game the way they want. If they want to be hardcore elitist pricks then they will. If they want to just have fun and fuck around then they will. It's cool that you don't like this but, it's not ever going to change! Their really isn't much to be hardcore about till now, since relic are out. Got to remember if that link shell is still up and running then enough people are okay with what is going on. Also applications are such a good way to learn about someone at anytime and you can easy check to make sure they have this and that leveled. So while i think your over exaggerating this a lot or you are trolololing. I appreciate your opinions, I have to disagree with you and say this is an internal problem "you" over everyone else.

[HiirNoivl]

Hey there squiggles!

I can sympathize a little with your points, but you're not doing yourself a favor with this thread unfortunately. ^^;;;

The root of a lot of linkshell problems is the terrible system itself.

Question #1: Why do linkshells need applications in the first place?

Answer: Because at the moment there's no way to boot a member unless he's online. The only way to boot someone who quits game or doesn't log in is to break and remake a shell, which is like moving IRL. Everyone hates doing it and it usually costs the LS a lot. There's no real content to measure skill in the game either. Truly challenging content has only just been introduced. So all the processes of elimination and testing is scooted up to the beginning, the only time when the LS has any real control of itself. It's really sad.

Question #2: Why does class favoritism happen?
Answer: This is a flaw of the game. The LS may have a lot of membership to help get through content. Going through the content in the most efficient fashion benefits the LS as a whole. Your secondary question: Why won't they train people to do a class you won't play? Well, did it not occur to you that maybe someone else in the LS doesn't want to play that class either? Otherwise, wouldn't it make sense to recruit within their own ranks to fill holes in parties? Most LS'es have many members who play multiple classes and rarely recruit at all.

Question #3: Why does loot favoritism happen?
Answer: Because your friends stare at you after the party is over. You may have gone home happy after gaining that Darklight Drop, but sometimes, avoiding drama in the LS is worth offending someone you probably won't see again. A lot of times, drops will get passed to /random winners regardless of whether or not they use/want the item, because LS system has NO features for wishlists in the game or the LS is not organized properly. Or maybe they just don't like you. No one passes good gear to people they don't like!

I hope that helps you understand why LS are so picky and irritating. I'm hoping that LS features and free companies introduced in 2.0 will help solve a lot of problems.

In the meantime, be nice and flexible.

[Nero]

Hey there squiggles!

I can sympathize a little with your points, but you're not doing yourself a favor with this thread unfortunately. ^^;;;

The root of a lot of linkshell problems is the terrible system itself.

Question #1: Why do linkshells need applications in the first place?

Answer: Because at the moment there's no way to boot a member unless he's online. The only way to boot someone who quits game or doesn't log in is to break and remake a shell, which is like moving IRL. Everyone hates doing it and it usually costs the LS a lot. There's no real content to measure skill in the game either. Truly challenging content has only just been introduced. So all the processes of elimination and testing is scooted up to the beginning, the only time with the LS has any real control of itself. It's really sad.

Question #2: Why does class favoritism happen?
Answer: This is a flaw of the game. The LS may have a lot of membership to help get through content. Going through the content in the most efficient fashion benefits the LS as a whole. Your secondary question: Why won't they train people to do a class you won't play? Well, did it not occur to you that maybe someone else in the LS doesn't want to play that class either? Otherwise, wouldn't it make sense to recruit within their own ranks to fill holes in parties? Most LS'es have many members who play multiple classes and rarely recruit at all.

Question #3: Why does loot favoritism happen?
Answer: Because your friends stare at you after the party is over. You may have gone home happy after gaining that Darklight Drop, but sometimes, avoiding drama in the LS is worth offending someone you probably won't see again. A lot of times, drops will get passed to /random winners regardless of whether or not they use/want the item, because LS system has NO features for wishlists in the game or the LS is not organized properly. Or maybe they just don't like you. No one passes good gear to people they don't like!

I hope that helps you understand why LS are so picky and irritating. I'm hoping that LS features and free companies introduced in 2.0 will help solve a lot of problems.

In the meantime, be nice and flexible.

Hiir needs more boobies.