11 replies to this topic

[Elaxter]

Guide to Spotting Noobs

or

"Did the Matchmaker Put Me with Noobs Again?"

Disclaimer: These observations are specific to MWO, however some of this information can be used in other forms of media.

Part 1: What is a noob?

Games these days are riddled with noobs. (Scientifically known as Noobum Hūmānum Ignārum) From popular games like Halo and Call of Duty, to board games like Chess and Sorry!. MechWarrior Online, unfortunately, is no different. But wait! What is a noob?

A noob is an individual who is ignorant about a game's principal mechanics, and usually sees themself as completely non-ignorant of said principal mechanics. Noobs are known for sharing their opinions when unnecessary and make erroneous baseline assumptions, such as "LRMs are OP!" and "PGI sucks, they don't do their job."

Noob is easily confused with the term "bad player," but one can be both a noob and a bad player. Noob is also confused with the term "new player," but a new player is a term to refer to someone who knows that they are new and are willing to take in new information when it is given.

Now that you know what a noob is, you are one step closer to being able to spot one in the wild.

Part 2: Spotting Noobs

Noobs can be easily spotted when one knows what they are looking for. That is why you are reading this thread.

Be on the lookout for these signs. Some of these are not guarantees. You may be dealing with a noob if:

• The MechWarrior is piloting a 'mech with default colors.
  
• The MechWarrior has poor control over his/her 'mech, such as running into walls face first and getting stuck on rocks.
  
• The MechWarrior uses ineffective metabuilds, such as dual AC/20s and LRM Boats. (mainly dropping alone)
  
• The MechWarrior is hostile to players, like that of a pro.
  
• The MechWarrior uses the terms mentioned in part 3.

You can reply to this thread to add more examples to the list if you so wish.

Part 3: Terms Commonly Used

Noobs use a variety of terms when they play. These terms are listed below. Risk level given if said by someone on your team.

• GLHF - Accronym for "Good Luck, Have Fun" (RISK 5)
  
• 07 - A salute, usually accopanied by a clan or group name. Other Forms: o7, O7 <0, <o, <O. (RISK 1)
  
• "Hold Locks Please." - Usually said by LRM boats or LRM-heavy 'mechs. (RISK 4)
  
• "Stick Together" - An attempt to get people to stick together. (RISK 4)
  
• "Press 'R' for Rain" - Said by noobs in order to encourage people to hold locks. (RISK 2) Usually said by a noob who believes LRMS are OP.

Feel free to reply including terms that should be added to the list.

Risk levels:

1. Little or no risk
2. Low risk
3. Medium risk
4. High risk
5. Dangerous Ammounts of Risk. Expect a loss.

Edited by Elaxter, 18 June 2014 - 11:04 AM.

[Colby Boucher]

WAITWAITWAIT - you're telling me that if someone doesn't feel like wasting money on virtual paint in a video game, or has the heart / etiquette to say good luck and have fun, they are a noob? Granted, I do both, and I'm far from the best player out there, but this whole post is just cynical and borderline offensive.

[Nikkoru]

Sounds like the OP is bigoted against LRM's ;P

[Stickjock]

Guilty of:

1. Piloting Mechs using default colors/camo (I'm cheap, sue me)
2. Poor control over my Mechs (tho' I blame the beer at times like that)
3. Using ineffective Metabuilds while dropping solo (they're fun, sue me again)
4. GLHF, GG (sign of good sportsmanship IMO)

I must be a noob... who knew??

[Modo44]

While I agree on the definition, it is much harder to see who is who unless you recognize names. For example, many players from strong competitive teams will greet you with o7 before stomping you into the ground. There are also bad players in great situations (e.g. LRM boat on his 5th ever match and constant locks from a good spotter) and good players in impossible situations (sometimes you just look at the enemy list, and never even try fighting). Not to mention trolling by deliberately going out in noobie green. Your guide is way off in my opinion.

[JGECKO69]

Don't confuse Noob with Newb, there is a difference.

I'd rather spend money on bays or other essentials, than on paint.

GLHF

[Dawnstealer]

I will end games with "gj team" or "gj" as opposed to "gg." Especially if the game in question was a stomp in my favor, the "gg" thing is rubbing it in the other team's face.

[Egomane]

Not really a guide... To the birds we go!

[LordSkippy]

Elaxter, on 18 June 2014 - 11:02 AM, said:

• The MechWarrior has poor control over his/her 'mech, such as running into walls face first and getting stuck on rocks.

To be fair, an Atlas can get stuck on some pretty small rocks on a few maps. Rocks that should get crushed to dust under a 100 ton monster's feet.

[Agent of Change]

Guten Tag from Bird Land!

KAETETôã

is where you have landed

You are here because your thread was bad

and needed to be made better

WE do that here.

In fact our tireless threadsmiths

work day and whenever they feel like it

to improve the badness you tried to

inflict on the forums

Now before you think this be

a lawless land

you must see the 10 Commandments*

*for now

And we have our holy text

Sacred Pages penned by the MODS themselves

And

The Gospel of the MODs written by Acolyte of the Word RoadBeer

Also

it is compulsory that

you allow your ear drums to bleed to

I mean

listen to the

BATTLE HYMN OF THE MODS / POST LERIAN JIHAD WAR CHANT

But more than that we

strive

to make the forum a better place

to provide a place to relax

a place to worship the MODS

and the ELDER MODS

that we may be smote last when comes

the Digipocalypse

Please

feel free

to let your freak flag fly

unleash the birds of war

welcome my... people

to K-town.

[MarineTech]

[Elaxter]

Colby Boucher, on 18 June 2014 - 11:15 AM, said:

WAITWAITWAIT - you're telling me that if someone doesn't feel like wasting money on virtual paint in a video game, or has the heart / etiquette to say good luck and have fun, they are a noob? Granted, I do both, and I'm far from the best player out there, but this whole post is just cynical and borderline offensive.

1) There's paint that cost C-Bills. Spend a million painting your mech blue or red.

2) I'm pretty sure saying "GLHF" is more of a habit for most people. Hardly etiquette. These same people are the ones who say GG when the game was 12 to 0.