Regular experienced group focused on Hells, wants

[nohmask]

a few more regular players that are on approx. 9pm-3am Eastern Standard Time (that's USA for you International players). We pretty much cut our teeth as a group on regular Black Pyramid runs (and now casually do it with 5) and enjoy using strategy and tactics more than the "lawnmower approach" to blasting/crazed tanking through places and hoping the party doesn't wipe. We like to work as a team and keep the cowboy action down, try to keep our egos in check, and take things slowly and cautiously until we get a smart appoach firgured out (and low and behold, we have popped 4 Pyramid Energies in the last two months and 16 runs there, and yes...the first 4-5 were very ugly indeed..heh..). At this point we have two Wizards (plenty), a Bard/Druid/Rogue (one of each available), Tank/AA, Shifter/Cleric/PM, Tank/Rogue, with a somewhat regular Paladin. Doing the math, there are three more spots to fill with some cobo of Druid, Bard, Shifter, Cleric and/or Tank. This would make the ideal party being of two Wizards, Cleric, Druid, Bard, AA, Shifter, and three Tanks of some sort (will there ever be a level 60 Ranger using all that gear and new abilities?, if so...you are welcome as well...)....the rogue can be dragged along as needed for tags. Now for all I know a Shadow Dancer, Monk or something might be a nice addition as well in one of those spots...maybe a different mix from the DM group that has made it all the way will be fun to do.....but we need a regular set to pull from to see (so actually having more like 15 or so that can be drawn from for these forarys in the Hells would be ideal...we can't always be on can we?). If you are interested, post it here or look me up when on the server and maybe we all can do a Black Pyramid run or lower level (1-3) Hell run as a test to see if you enjoy our style of playing. Thanks!

[borges]

Noh: Paragraphs, yo.

Everyone else: I'm the other wiz in the group. It's a truly fun and effective bunch of players. 5-person pyramid runs, 7-person Dis and Min runs (*cue Magnificent Seven theme song*), not to mention very quick tag runs for up-and-coming immos.

Come join the fun!

Cheers, Perin

[dodrudon]

Hey

I've had the pleasure of partying with you guys sometimes, and would like to more often. I have a shifter doing Hells pretty often, a cleric on the way, and starting a dex rogue or a str shadowdancer tank some time soon. The biggest problem I have is post-40, getting those 15 levels to 55. And yes, you can yell at me all you want....

[Kazatel]

I'm usually on at those times, and I've done one or two Pyramid runs with y'all that turned out fine. One was with an AA and the other with my SD (I now have the clone ). It'd be great fun to party more with you all.

[Delfestra Ruinvorn]

I'll be about at those times more often, and have my cleric-self currently as my wizzy-self is corrupted. Look me up, I'd love to lurk in Hell...

[tyranlthixis]

maybe a different mix from the DM group that has made it all the way will be fun to do.....

You know I've been hear a lot of comments similar to this....calling the group "the DM group" I must say that it annoys me. That somehow having DM's in the group the group that finished the hells somehow added some magic and unfair advantage that the average group just does not have.... somehow the groups success is tainted/lessened because of the status of its party members. Thats a mis-characterization of what happened. We received no special help and had no inside knowledge as to what to expect in each area. Funky for one is notoriously forgetful and was just as surprised as us when a massive spawn came to kick our collective asses. He was often torn between his desire to succeed as a player and wipe the group as the head DM. I will say he enjoyed our party wipes a bit too much sometimes. We played as any new player would into new area and took things as they came. Why, because we wanted the satisfaction of doing thing on our own merits.

The only thing we did encounter that others will not is all the minor/major bugs that future players will not have to deal with that the first group through did. For example, on our first runs through levels 1 through 5 there was little to no set loot. We had exceedingly poor loot splits on all the runs we did....and burned through our resources clawing forward with less than ideal groups. I can't tell you the number of bios and stones of succor we had to waste to salvage some of the runs we attempted. Later Funky decided that for the enjoyment of future groups and incentive to move beyond level 2 that more loot was needed. We also got screwed out of loot on a number of occasions because of broken chests, bosses not spawning burs as they should, weaker loot drops than exist now (each pile only dropped one random at first), and the ultimate bummer getting no loot on the final boss. I've checked out others inventory's on my DM and I can tell you most players that are tagged to level 4 or 5 have MUCH better races/builds/gear than any of the players that finished hells lvl 9. Not to mention wasting entire nights on Minaros runs where ossys were doing long distance insta kills and preying upon a single player until they fugued and lost gear, or on failed Stygia runs where because of bugs the monsters were giving massive group kickback of numerous and uncoverable combinations of exotic damage. Most of those bugs no longer exist. The group succeed because

1.) we were stubborn
2.) many of us had a long history of playing with each other (few in group were DM's up until a short time ago)
3.) we are talented players on our own merits (if any of you actually played with any of us I'm sure you would have to recognize that)
4.) we played as a team/worked well together

In spite of
1.) substandard gear
2.) less than perfect race/builds
3.) not knowing what a group needed on each level to succeed
4.) having to come up with tactics on the fly in the face of a new monsters we knew nothing about

I would also say that our group was entirely open for ANYBODY to join. But for the most part nobody wanted to go beyond hells level 2 with us, including many of the most experienced Vets. I'm glad to see others taking up the challenge and as always love to help groups on my own merits fight through areas. But, I really think some of you have some weird ideas as to what goes on on HG.


Tyran

[borges]

I haven't seen any suggestion, in this thread or elsewhere, that the first batch of demi-gods had any sort of unfair advantage.

That said, when your party of 9 consists of the head DM and 4 other DMs, be prepared to be called the DM party. For ease of reference if nothing else.

[dodrudon]

Yes, I see it as a term of respect (as well as ease of reference). The decision to make one a DM is not undertaken lightly here. It reflects not only a player's skill, but more importantly their character.

As often mentioned, HG is a team-oriented server. In order to be a player here, you have to have some level of competency, and to get far, you have to be good. Not only that, you have to be able to get along well with others and play well in a team. Not surprisingly, the players that know how to play on a team and get along well with others are the best players here, and because of the latter they made DMs. Hence, DMs are some of the best players on the server.

Or something like that.

[stonewarrior]

Tyran - I think you are missing the point of Noh's post entirely. As part of the group I can assure you that none of us feel any favorable treatment was provided. In fact I think it is safe to say we not only have a load of respect for your collective efforts but that we have also learned a good bit from information that came out of your runs.

I do not know if other players / groups have the feelings you are suggesting but calling your group the "DM group" is a lot easier than saying Tyran, Saber, Funky, Acaos, FUSA, Arch, Cath, Littlekins and Ashman (I went and looked it up as to not leave anyone out...respect!) Also, I believe what Noh is referring to when talking about a "different mix" is a different set of classes than what your party consisted of. If you go back and reread it you will see she is discussing possible classes for a party makeup.

Peace, John.

[phalthallus]

I have to agree with the others here, that when/if I've ever used it, it was as a term of respect. I don't know if you've seen others comments in-game, or misunderstood comments here, or maybe there was some derogatory connotation to "the DM group" in another thread that I missed, but I've never heard anyone use that term used in any way other than respect. If anything, it's the complete opposite, and the people I've played with strive to be like "the DM group" (citing your group's reasons for success, the same ones you listed, not saying anything about an unfair advantage). Every person/group I've talked with has said how impressive it is to be through level 9, and have conquered the Hells in their entirety, and gives praise to "the DM group". And as someone else pointed out, the majority of your group typically was made of people who either were DM's, or became DM's recently.

I think that all of Evey's and yours and everyone else's "Layer X Conquered" posts here were met with the utmost of respect and awe, with a possible exception here and there. THIS was certainly not one of those posts, and I hope you didn't take it that way (even though I didn't write the original post ).

[dodrudon]

As to the 2nd group that will soon conquer the Hells, you guys better post screenies!!! (you know who you are)

[tyranlthixis]

Been watching/helping some different groups (including one from Sheinja) and there are at least 3 distinct groups that are close to going all the way again. Most of our guild are tagged up until level 7 now, so its just a matter of catching up a few stragglers and finding the time to do the last 3 levels again (no small feat in itself ). Plus we have a couple of good friends who are eager to get their character or other characters demi'd. There could be an explosion of demis in the next few weeks! We shall see!

*this shameless plug has been brought to you by the fine people of Sheinja*



Tyran

[dodrudon]

Then in the immortal words of Mr. Bean, "Eet's a race!"

[Ironfang]

I must say I agree with the previous posters that people calling you guys the "DM Group" is in no way disparaging your accomplishments but merely a way to identify the group. I think from now on people should call you the "First Demi-Gods" instead.

I think you need not worry about what others think or say, your achievement speaks for itself and everyone knows when you are playing as players you follow the same rules as the rest of us. I am sure many people were just jealous (myself included) if for nothing else the speed at which you conquered the layers and the amount of time you are able to devote to the game. No one is denying you are talented players.

I think some of the animosity might have come from your posts of "conquering and mastering" the different layers. While I understand why this was done for posterity sake and I probably would have been excited and done the same, I think some people found it boastful. I have heard comments to this effect and even of a suggestion of players going into the Beetle Cave and taking screenshots to make a parody of the posts.

At one point or another I have played with every one of the "First Demi-Gods" and I find you all to be fun, down to earth people, tht work well in a group and communicate well. I truly hope this does not effect any future invites I may receive. I enjoy playing with all of you and was just trying to shed some light on what I have observed in regards to your post.

[FunkySwerve]

Have to agree with Ty, about the 'DM group' thing, as I've heard any number of times players whining that the party had it easy or had some unfair advantage, which is all the more noxious for how completely backwards the perception is, as Ty has so skillfully illustrated.
Funky