[Lady Myria]

***REVISED***
{Editor's Note: To add wisdom, comments, rant, vent, or discuss anything else relating to either Part 1 or 2 of my guide, post on -THIS- thread (101). I am now trying to reserve '102' as a strict continuation of this overall Guide, so any additions to the Guide will -ONLY- be found in the '102' thread from this point on! (Maybe I should just get a website... LMAO)

-->101/102 T.A.'s<--
~Fury
Yun_Li
kyosuke
GrandfatherOlo
Hoshiko
calcnerd
ziryax

Huge hugs and thanks for your additions!!}

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Ok, class! I looked around and didn't really see any commentary on this subject, so I'll take the reins and start it off!

Ok, so you're a newer player and leveling is starting to get kinda rough... totally normal! (Or you're one of those players that fears breaking a nail because you might have to take a slab of wood and ruffle the feathers of a poor little Pheasant... hey, you'd be surprised. LOL!) Anyways, you decide that you'd like to ask a more experienced player for help, typically in the form of "power leveling" (A.K.A. "plvling")... Cool beans!!!

...Except... there are some problems that should probably be addressed. BADLY. Now, ladies and gentlemen, here is a fairly accurate list of what --NOT-- to do/say when you are asking your fellow gamers to help you with leveling:

1.) "PLVL ME PLZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

*takes a deep breath* ...Ok! Umm, putting it nicely... this isn't good. You really don't want to run around trying to play the Desperation card, because it can really rub some people the wrong way. Calm down, take some deep breaths, turn OFF the Caps Lock, and maybe you'll have some better luck.

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2.)
"plvl me"
"plvl me"
"plvl me"
"plvl me"
"plvl me"
"plvl me"
(...repeat as many times as humanly possible before even the NPC's ears start to bleed...)

...Ok, class! Can anyone possibly hint at what's wrong with this picture?? Let me tell you... if there is one thing that can possibly tick off people to the n degree, it's unnecessary SPAM. I don't care what anyone tells you, SPAM IS BAD. Unless you are looking to receive a generous portion of angry ___ (insert applicable profession) in your face... please don't do it. Usually, asking once or twice is more than enough, ok?

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3.) *Scenario:
Newbie: "Team plz"
Experienced Player: "Full"
Newbie: "Kick one"*

O.........M..........G..........
I'm not even going to sugar-coat this one -- In my honest opinion, this has to be one of -THE- most rude and offensive things you can say to a plvler. If the team is already full... then it's FULL. Trust me... when newbies say to "kick one"... and I can promise you this -- someone's gonna get kicked alright. And it's -NOT- going to be someone on the Team...

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4.)
Newbie: "Plvl me plz"
Recipient: "Not right now."
Newbie: "Plvl me plz"
Recipient: "I said not right now, I'm busy talking with my Guild (or other legitimate scenario goes here)."
Newbie: "Plvl me plz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

...I'm pretty sure most of you can see where this is going. This shares a bit with #2 and #3 above in the sense that... if someone is trying to get some training/hunting done, or they are in a City trying to relax/chat on Whisper, Guild, etc... NO MEANS NO. Just because you turn on the Caps Lock or you try asking in different languages, it's not going to help you. Have the decency to respect other people when they just don't have the time or the capacity to give you a level or two. Just because someone is a really high level doesn't mean that they've suddenly become static, and their only purpose is to serve others... many of us -love- to help the younger ones, but we also have to keep food on the table and clothes on our backs too!!

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5.) Newbie: "Ooh, that person's got a STAR over his/her head...
SCOOOORE, plvling!! I'll just join his/her team and get sw33t lvls, r0x0r!!!"
{Editor's Note: Sorry, my generic imitation of 'h4ck3r t4lk' is really really REALLY umm... sux0r, if you couldn't tell? LMAO...}

Ok, so maybe that exact verbage isn't running through your minds, but admit it -- we've all had those thoughts at ONE point in time. You see "the star", and it's like you're staring straight at a Dolly Madison truck -- how can you resist??

Well, guess what: control yourself!!! Granted, when someone has "the star" over their head, naturally they're either in the process of making a team, they already -have- a team, or... well, they're a team all by themselves. But just because you see "the star" doesn't mean that the person is a beacon sent down from CO heaven to plvl you to your heart's content! Do yourself (and the star-bearer) a favor... at least ASK the Captain if it is alright to join the team. And try to limit your asking to at least one or two attempts... any more than that, and... well, you should know by now! S/he may be waiting for someone in particular for the team, s/he might be AFK / trying to communicate on channels other than Talk... many things. Also too, when you approach team Captains within a City or the Market, you might want to ask WHERE the person is going before you join that team haphazardly... just because they say it's ok to join doesn't mean they're going to take care of you. I know that sounds really bad, but it's unfortunately true... this isn't a world of saints, and you could easily get yourself caught up in a situation that you really don't want, need or deserve. So, to narrow it down to one simple, concrete rule: ASK before you ACT.

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6.) [Thanks again to kyosuke for this point! *hugs*]

Ok, I really can't set up a scenario for this one... but basically, it starts out with a *THUNK* or a *CLINK* or... the fabled *PING!* (a.k.a. silver/weapons/armor/meteors/dragonballs)... those signature sounds that send newbies jumping into the haywire (and typically getting killed in the process).

Back up that train there, kids!! Now, plvling CAN be a great way to earn a little extra cash... but there's a catch. A hugely important catch. ASK YOUR PLVLER IF IT'S OK TO TAKE HIS/HER DROPS BEFORE YOU TAKE THEM!!!

You all need to remember -- being power-leveled is a privilege, NOT a right. Just because someone gives you a yard doesn't mean you need to be selfish and take the mile instead... have the courtsey to ask the trainer if you can share in some of his/her wealth. Many plvlers use these opportunities to make money for -themselves-, since they can rarely make as much when they are trying to level themselves. Even if the team Captain has money on 'allowed'... be nice. Please ask.

And on another note which ties right in with this subject... almost -always-, team Captains will have team item-gathering set on 'Forbid'... there's a reason for that, you know!! Yet there are still those who think that if they just "camp" (stand/sit on an item so no one else can take it) an item that they really want, then "it's ok, it's my item now"...

*BUZZ* SORRY! Unless your 'kill' has been ks'ed (which, if you're being plvled, you shouldn't be trying to kill things anyways), back off and wait until the victor collects his/her spoils. As far as I'm concerned, camping a plvler's drops classifies you as a thief. And if you get PK'ed by someone for not moving when they ask you to move, don't cry and whine and moan about it -- learn your lesson the first time and don't do it again, ok?

[Sidenote: Typically, plvlers will take all of their useless items that they've just gathered, and drop them in a safe spot for their younger teammates to take. Be thankful when they do this! You can typically sell those items to the Pharmacist (or other Shop NPC) for anywhere between 100-500 silver apiece!]

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...Ok, I think these are the most important aspects I wanted to cover. Also too, please don't think that this is a personal attack on any particular person(s), but just take this to heart when you step up to a Sir or Madame and ask for help. In short:

"Be Polite!" Politeness goes a LONG way, and if you can show someone that you're not going to flip a pancake just because they said 'not right now', you are going to have a much more positive impression on people that you meet and grow with. Older players will -want- to help you if you are respectful and calm, so give it a try!

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Helpful 'Politeness' Hints:

> Try using your best effort at structured sentences... maybe even dare the unthinkable dare -- use punctuation!! *GASP*
> Try using 'please' instead of 'plz' or 'plzzzzzzz' or 'PLZZZZZZ!!!!!'... I dunno, maybe it's just me, but a nice old-fashioned, no-preservatives-added 'please' gives me a nice warm feeling inside...
> If someone tells you that their team is full, or they're not available to help you right now, say something like 'Thank you anyways!' or at least let them know you appreciate their consideration. Maybe even wish them good luck on their ventures... even if you're not getting plvled by that person, there's a 99.9% chance you put even a wry smile on that person's face.
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>>>GUIDE '101' ENDS HERE<<<
Please go to 'Power-Leveling Etiquette 102' for the continuation of this Guide! Thank you for reading!!
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{I stickied this post and "enhanced" the subject - ~Fury}

[IlikePIE]

Woah, this is totally well said. I'm going to make this a sticky, lmao, this is such a good lesson for newbies. (As soon as I find out how to make it a sticky!)

[UnDeaD]

Ah fury, look in the buttom of the page?
or try and edit, and then look

[IlikePIE]

Don't tease me, I'm kinda slow!

[Tama]

Problem is.. Most of the newbies that act the way your saying dont read stuff like this. Only the more 'normal' players do.

Nice guide though.

[kyosuke]

u forgot a very important issue here.... the drops! usually i plvl when i hunt (monsters that i can 1-2 hit kill) and depending on the situation, i might want most (or all drops including gold)...

but ppl u plvl usually jump right at the drops right away (especially if they hear it's a met or if they see an equip that might be useful to them) and not to mention the golds... heck, they even jump at the drops before i get to kill the monsters =P... this is very annoying especially if it's a mob of monsters coz t hey die and scatter their crap equips that they picked up alongside w/ my monster's newer drops...

i usually don't pick up the gold when i hunt/plvl, but i'd rather have them asking first for it, and wait til i'm finished in the area before they jump (and die) for a few gold money coz there's still a monster nearby...

[Lady Myria]

Problem is.. Most of the newbies that act the way your saying dont read stuff like this. Only the more 'normal' players do.

Unfortunately, you're very correct, Tama. However, for those select few in the world who can't even hit the power buttons on their Gamecubes before they read the User's Manuals *coughMEcoughhackwheeze*, this will hopefully give them some much-needed insight.

And... there's always the good ol' standards of "oral tradition"!! In other words... "if you say it, they will read." Ok, so that was kinda lame, but hey -- there's no harm in us who -know- about these nifty Guides giving people who need guidance a 'gentle nudge' (hopefully unarmed ) towards this Forum for answers. Spread the word!!

[IlikePIE]

Originally posted by Lady Myria
Unfortunately, you're very correct, Tama. However, for those select few in the world who can't even hit the power buttons on their Gamecubes before they read the User's Manuals *coughMEcoughhackwheeze*, this will hopefully give them some much-needed insight.

LMFAO at that Gamecube example. Hah! Made me laugh


And you are completely right, Madame Myria (muaha monsiour madame!), atleast SOMEONE might read this, maybe pass to his friends which will pass to his friends - noone knows.

[Yun_Li]

lol...i like others to plvl me but never did those mentioned above I can agree 100%...I hate those ppl as mentioned above...
that's why...I did suggest for the kick butt action..u know better

[GrandfatherOlo]

Lady Myria, I bow my head in respect! This is a job well done. Too bad those freakin noobs can't read, else the world would be a better place. I do have some minor suggestions for your story.

5. Star => joining team
Whenever I'm plvl someone and I don't mind that other want to join, I use the normal mode for team. If I'm only plvling my archer, talking to some friends or simply don't have time to watch over a lowlvl that might get killed, then I set the team option "Access forbidden". That way other people can't join my team, unless I ask them to. In my particular case the star means "Come here, I'll help you. I'm friendly etc."

One other thing:
If you're a tao that is getting plvld, it's a nice thing to do something back to the plvler.... Cast cure on him or the other spells if you're a watertao. Being a firetao doesn't mean you don't have to use cure. I personally appreciate it very much when I'm in the middle of a mob and the person I'm plvling is asking me if he needs to heal me. Doesn't matter that's it's only 60 or 310, it's about being polite to eachother. (The guy that mentioned it was lucky, he got all the gold and the stuff - I was too lazy to grab it all - 200k and 4 uniq)

[Hoshiko]

;_;

If only. If only.

You know what's annoying about the 'forbidden' option: you put it on, and the person does not even realize it. They just run around you saying "team plz team plz team plz". What even bothers me is if I filter the talk mode out so I don't get spammed, and some person runs around me trying to get my attention (there's a WHISPER mode they're not using for Chrissakes)--one time a trojan did this while cyclone was on. It took all the patience I had not to change into PK mode and get rid of the annoyance. Note to low levels: if the person is obviously online, and does not reply back to you after 30 minutes, CHANGE your strategy.

It is true that a little politeness goes a long ways. Polite noobs I tend to take care of very much, and those that talk get VIP sort of treatment from me (I remember their names and take care of them even after the levelling session). Whereas if, some way or another, an impolite noob DOES manage to get into my team: call me mean, but I often let them die. I sometimes stand in a corner as if lag has frozen me, and wait for the Apes or what have you to smack them dead...

[Zargo]

A very nice guide wich I hope everyone will read

[calcnerd]

EXCELLENT GUIDE, PEOPLE!

i have a few takes of my own here too. mostly just reiterating what was already said

Originally posted by Hoshiko
It is true that a little politeness goes a long ways. Polite noobs I tend to take care of very much, and those that talk get VIP sort of treatment from me (I remember their names and take care of them even after the levelling session). Whereas if, some way or another, an impolite noob DOES manage to get into my team: call me mean, but I often let them die. I sometimes stand in a corner as if lag has frozen me, and wait for the Apes or what have you to smack them dead...

i feel the exact same way. if i'm leveling, i have no problem having people tag along, but don't expect me to watch your back constantly. if i see danger heading your way and i'm not in the middle of getting some great xp myself, chances are i'll jump over & try to get the monster before he crushes you. if not, just revive & meet me back where you died. simple.

------A VERY IMPORTANT ADDITION------

if you ask me to create a team, and i don't, let it go. i can't tell you how many times i'm just sitting there talking to people & they keep spamming "CREAT TEAM" over & over. then, they create the team & keep inviting me to it. this does nothing but piss me off. the other day, i was invited about 15 times in a row to a lv 15's team in mystic castle. if i'm leveling you, it's gonna be my team & my virtue points.

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another thing that really ticks me off is after you get a good drop and the noob keeps spamming "GIVE ME ITEMS". this usually results in you getting kicked off the team. the items i dont want, i'll drop somewhere. wait for my drops, or leave.

i can't say enough how important politeness is when you're asking me to be pleveled. just last night i was guarding in twin city mine when some level 5 noob comes in & starts attacking the other people. i killed him, then a water tao revived him. i asked him what he was doing. "I NEED ORE" he replied. his caps must have been stuck on

noob - "HOW DO I GET ORE?????"
me - "mine for it"
noob - "HOW DO I MINE???"
me - "get a pickaxe from the storekeeper in twin city, then come back"
noob - "LVL ME TO 15 SO I CAN MINE"

at this point, i was getting a little bit agravated, mostly b/c of the caps lock, but decided what the heck, i'll try & help the guy out.

me - "okay, i'll level you for a few minutes outside"

after i get him to level 9 (about 10 mins at heavy ghosts), i have to go. dinner time

i disbanded the team & then was flooded with "TEAM PLZZZZ"
"TEAM PLZZZZ"
"TEAM PLZZZZ"
"TEAM PLZZZZ"
"TEAM PLZZZZ"
"TEAM PLZZZZ"

AGH!!!!

i teleported & disconnected.


/rant on

now, a question of my own. what is it with all the noobs asking to be leveled in mystic castle? i can level a lv 20 person faster at ape city than mystic where it takes 4 or 5 hits to kill monsters. the amount of noobs that now infest mystic castle is horrible.

/rant off

[Yun_Li]

It's not only that...for most water tao we'll get

"revive pls"
"revive pls"
"revive pls"
"revive pls"

grrrrrrr....noob always wants that and when plvl noob while hunting they will asked for going to higher lvl monster to plvl...now who is the master?

[Hoshiko]

Originally posted by Yun_Li
It's not only that...for most water tao we'll get

"revive pls"
"revive pls"
"revive pls"
"revive pls"

grrrrrrr....noob always wants that and when plvl noob while hunting they will asked for going to higher lvl monster to plvl...now who is the master?

At least the water tao can do something about it!

What about the fire tao that keeps getting flooded the same message but can't do diddly squat?!

We should make this our 'noob powerlevel bash' topic as well, just to have something to pour our anger onto. Heh. Speaking of the drops thing: I had a noob who kept asking for my *mets* once. I mean, you're already powerlevelling them, you're already getting very little VP, you're doing all the work, and now they want the rewards?! Jeesh. I blame some of you high levels sometimes...spoiling them so often. :P