So much has changed in MMO's over the years - where the opportunity to even stop and help someone if they are in trouble doesn't even exist... because you more or less can't get yourself into the type of trouble where you need help.
So first and foremost - if Pantheon succeeds in being a virtual world in which you can find yourself in situations that you might need others out in the open world... well, that's a win for the game.
As for me, I have always stopped to help people when I had the time, and sometimes even when I didn't. I plan to do the same in Pantheon. The more people do things like that, the more people will do things like that - meaning, I think it is incumbent upon those of us who really want Pantheon to be the virtual world (as opposed to a game) that we have been longing for - well - for years... to set the example.
To me that means everything from fly by buffs, to sitting in a low level area and keeping a group safe, to helping someone get their corpse back (if that is a mechanic in the game). All of the above. No exceptions.
Pantheon, I think, will have the potential to be the world we make it to be... meaning the players and how they do or don't build community.
It's on us.
I've always stopped to help if I could be of help. I prefer using more passive help if they are standing in the fight, as to not cheapen the experience for them, but should they turn to run, I will take a more active role in assistance.
I am with Fulton on this one. I am much more passive. Usually whatever buffs I can offer, maybe a damage shield. At the most maybe a DOT on the mob. Of course if they are going to die I will help to the fullest extent possible. The reason I do this is because this is the style of help that I like the most.
I'd stop and help them. At times I've stopped by watching a new player struggling. They might have a sliver of health left and the monster has more. If it looks like they have lost the fight for certain, I try to save them, but only at the very end. I don't want to intervene unless I'm absolutely sure they've lost, because near death experiences can be exhilarating if they manage on their own, and incase they've accepted defeat already, they'll feel better when saved and not confuse it with killstealing.
The level of help I bring is dependent on the level of stupid that got them into the situation in the first place. I am glad to buff, heal, or assist in turning the tide when a player suffers the occasional bad pull or unexected add. If time permits I ask if they want help before stepping in as I know some people like a challenging experience and would rather push through it unassisted. Most of the time I provide quick assistance on a single encounter as I am headed to a destination, but I have been known to stop and help someone through entire quest lines when asked politely and thanked appropriately.
However, if it becomes obvious the player is out of his league or continues to put himself or others at undue risk then I will let the fates be.
I will usually help if I am able to provide any assistance.
I'm always grateful when another player is able to stop and help me out with something so I like to be able to return the favour to another that needs it :)
I agree with fulton and Azytate on this one.
If the group can pull it off, I dont want to take that thrill of success away from them - including not buffing them from afar. If they can pull it off with what they got that is awesome. I'll buff afterwards, for sure.
Likewise if they start to run then I will buff them on the fly or try to deflect the monster depensing on how far they are as they may decide ot try to come back while the monster is still up.
If they die, I would offer to help rez or whatever and leave monster alone to lick its wounds if they then want to try again, but this time with some buffs. If I am too close, I will kill monster but leave the loot, then rez back the players to their spot so they can re-group but still see and haggle over the loots.
Interesting question. I am wondering whether or not we'll actually be able to make this choice in Pantheon? Will we be able to heal or buff someone while they are in combat, or help them kill the mob that is attacking them? If the plan is to still go with DPS racing, the answer could vary depending on the context of who/what/when/where/why and how. Either way, having a choice in these scenarios would be wonderful.
If it's allowed in Pantheon, I'll help.
I've helped in other games and have been told off by the player that I saved that I was "stealing" exp. I was just trying to stop them from dying, but in sooo many games today dieing means so little that they would have rather died than lose the exp I was "stealing" by helping them.
Kilsin said:If you see someone in trouble while in-game, do you stop and offer them help or do you believe in tough love and watch them learn the hard way? #PRF #communitymatters
I always ASK them first, some people like to do it themselves, others need a little help, communicating..is the best tool. :) I'm a person that likes to do it myself, if I need help, I'll say so. So I respect others the same way. :) A simple "need help"? If they don't ...and I can buff or something I will do that. If I see someone running away towards a zone line with 3 mobs on their tail I'll root the pursuing mobs..to give them a chance to zone. :)
Cana