Post#54 » Tue Aug 29, 2023 11:56 pm
Speaking as Howser, a frequent pug wb leader in NA order:
I agree that during NA time, when it's low population and the premade organized warbands have retired for the day, the importance on how the gameplay proceeds of whoever is leading the remaining wbs, if there are any, is high. And I'm not sure that that is a good thing for the experience of dozens of players in the game on both sides- to have their gameplay experience affected so much by the one or two people who happen to decide to lead wbs that night or not. However I guess it's natural and expected that in a coordinated pvp game when most people are naturally going to be on the apathetic side the one person who decides to take charge and lead is going to have an outsize influence. So be it.
Though, another crucial factor as has been mentioned is the willingness of players generally to continue playing in a wb even if it gets defeated, especially when it is first forming. I am generally loose, sloppy, and aggressive in my playstyle because this is most fun for me and I think others enjoy it too. I don't have a problem wiping over and over, usually I am killed the most in any zone whether we win or lose (with the possible exception of burnheart) but because I'm one of the best healers in the game I think other order players in my wbs are willing to continue sticking around because they at least survive awhile and get a good fight in even if we eventually get wiped.
So I agree that generally NA destros problem is a lack of wb leadership and this is compounded by destro players giving up quickly when they lose. The one feeds on the other in a vicious spiral. When competent leaders like monzerker or notachimp lead destro wbs, my wbs often lose because I'm not as disciplined as they are because that playstyle is not as fun for me. I'll give action even if I know there is a greater than 50% chance I will lose rather than play a waiting game. When svgchoppa is leading destro, because he has a similar aggressive style to me, the fights are usually funnest.
I can say that if I log on at 9 pm eastern time and there are no wbs going on either side, there is near a 100% certainty that if I start one we will start rolling over destro and win the zone and very probably continue winning zones as long as I continue leading it. As I said, I have mixed feelings on the fact that the course of the game in NA time depends on the skill and playstyles of just a few players, but that is just how it is.
There are some misconceptions about whether camping the losing sides wc spawn inhibits the game. Actually this helps facilitate the losing side to get back into the action. If destro is losing and not giving action, I often sit right near their wc and allow them to have the advantage of retreating to safety if they need to. They start attacking me and my wb, and we can't get many kills because they can retreat to safety but they are outnumbered so they can't get many kills either. Inevitably more destro show up, my wb eventually starts losing the fight and have to retreat, and they may wipe us or we might get into an extended brawl after them having pushed us some way from their wc.
I've actually lost zones this way, when destro gets reinvigorated after wiping us all and then we can't regain the momentum. If I had done the usual thing of camping a bo for 10 minutes, waiting for them to get bored and come out of their wc, then promptly wiping them, rinse repeat, then we would have won the zone easily. The winning side must be willing to give action at terms that are unfavorable, such as near the opposing keeps or wc, or make a siege when only 20% or 40% aao instead of continue running boxes, in order to keep the game fun.
