Don't Be That Player: The Summoner's Rift

Many of us have been That Player at one time or another. From toxic players, oblivious raiders, elitist jerks and beyond, Don't Be That Player is a series that looks at different scenarios we've all encountered, and how they might be approached differently. 

Three-quarters of a nearly full raid group is gathered in front of Ordos. As the last handful of slots are being filled, one player chimes up and asks for a summon. The first response comes from some random caster: "lol don't be lazy just fly here," seemingly oblivious to the two warlocks slouched nearby. Thankfully in this imaginary situation one of the warlocks ignores the caster, opens a portal and the summons begin. In under two minutes the entire raid buffs up in front of Ordos, pulls, and kills the beast.

The player who can't help but verbalize that requesting a summon is the badge of a lazy player? Don't be that player.

Somewhere down the line, summons have become mostly taboo in pick-up groups. This makes no sense. Summoning stones, whether raid or warlock-provided, have always been the most efficient way to get your group to a location. Between now and Vanilla, when summoning members of your party was common, if not an expected occurrence, many players have bestowed a certain sense of value on the ability to travel from point A to point B as if it's some sort of tremendous accomplishment.

Nevermind that without the entirety of their group, their strength is reduced and the likelihood of a boss kill lessened. Nevermind that summons would speed up the entire process, ensuring the full group found the requisite location quickly and easily. Nevermind that tossing a summons to a player when it's freely available is the nice thing to do. But forget about the nice thing to do, there are already compelling, practical reasons for players not to be stingy about summons. See, you don't have to make this about those lazy summon-accepting players, this can still be all about you.

But seriously, the faster your group is there, the faster you pull, the faster you move on to your next activity.

It's not goblin rocket surgery.

ON THE FLIP

A player is invited to a nearly full raid group for Ordos. Still in the Shrine, the player notices warlocks in the group and quickly types out "Summon plz." The caster from our raid group above suggests they travel there on their own. After some back and forth, the player in the Shrine grabs a taxi and heads towards the Timeless Isle. Ten seconds into the flight, the player notices raid health bars fluctuating. "You pulled?" they ask. No answer. That player then unleashes a string of insults directed at no one in particular and drops group.

Don't be that player.

The truth of the matter is that summons should be expected no more than they should be denied. Players should never join a pick-up group assuming they're going to be granted a summon to the final destination. There may or may not be a warlock in the group, and there may or may not be an arsehole like the one above who will do everything in their power to ensure you don't get a summon.

Before even joining the group, or as soon as you do, start heading to your destination. If there's a raid or warlock stone available, there may be greater success in making requests through complete sentences, i.e. "Would it be possible to get a summons?" You may still get a resounding 'No.' If so, leave it at that. Travel the rest of the way on your own, if you so desire, or drop the group and find another one. Taking a parting shot does no good at the end of the day.

While you might not have shiny purple loot when you leave the group that day, you'll at least still have your dignity.

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