15 replies to this topic

[malibu43]

Hi folks. I'd like to start playing with some more organized groups and am looking for some TS server recommendations. I know there is already a sticky thread with some servers, but I don't know much about any of them.

I'm not (necessarily) looking to join a clan or anything like that. My opportunities to log in and play come at random times and may only last for a match or two. So ideally it would be a server that has lots of activity and lots of folks looking for an extra player or lots of folks looking to quickly (emphasis on quickly there) team up and drop in a game. I'll be able to listen to others on my team, but I may not be able to talk much. I'll gladly follow orders if someone knows what they're doing. When I do have a chance to play, it's usually around 9PM PDT or 6:30AM PDT.

Any suggestions for servers to try? I connected to Comstar NA last night, but didn't actually have a chance to drop into a game. It looked busy though...

Edited by malibu43, 02 November 2012 - 08:24 AM.

[Drenzul]

Use one of the two unofficial TS servers. Bother work well.

[Mike McSullivan]

Why couldnt you drop? For me the European-Comstar TS is near an instant drop^^. If you dont find a group because all channels are full, well, you can open an own one. Call it Dropship LFG or something and wait till someone joins

have fun

[Redshift2k5]

Helmer's servers (Comstar EU and Comstar NA) are your first stop.

There are 'dropships' which are casual groups. Unless you see 8 dudes with matching merc tags in their names, you're probably looking at several random, casual players who are in a temporary group. Players just like you!

Below that are some merc corps, and below that are some Houses- note that some groups use the existing House channels instead of making their own merc corp channel, but the house channels are still open to the public even if there is a group in it.

Below again and there are non-english language channels if that floats your boat.

Long story short, hop into either (or both!) of the Comstar TS servers, check out the 'Looking for Group' channel, or join an existing dropship with less than 8 pilots.

[xDeityx]

malibu43, on 02 November 2012 - 08:23 AM, said:

Hi folks. I'd like to start playing with some more organized groups and am looking for some TS server recommendations. I know there is already a sticky thread with some servers, but I don't know much about any of them.

So log on and check them out.

[malibu43]

Drenzul, on 02 November 2012 - 08:25 AM, said:

Use one of the two unofficial TS servers. Bother work well.

Which ones are those or what are the addresses? I remember seeing it on the forums before, but I can't find it now.

Mike McSullivan, on 02 November 2012 - 08:28 AM, said:

Why couldnt you drop? For me the European-Comstar TS is near an instant drop^^. If you dont find a group because all channels are full, well, you can open an own one. Call it Dropship LFG or something and wait till someone joins have fun

Wasn't that I couldn't drop, I didn't try because I knew I didn't have enough time. I'll give it a shot next time.

Redshift2k5, on 02 November 2012 - 08:29 AM, said:

Helmer's servers (Comstar EU and Comstar NA) are your first stop. ....

Thanks. It sounds like Comstar is a good place to start.

xDeityx, on 02 November 2012 - 08:30 AM, said:

So log on and check them out.

I can (and I did start with Comstar). I just thought I could at least get a few suggestions here first to give me a better shot at finding a good one faster.

[Dagnome]

For all your TS needs:

http://mwomercs.com/...e-chat-servers/

[malibu43]

Another random question - Is there a guide or explanation somewhere that explains what happens once I'm in a TS group to actually get us to drop together in MWO? Does someone just make a group in MWO and invite everyone from the TS group?

[Dagnome]

malibu43, on 02 November 2012 - 08:44 AM, said:

Another random question - Is there a guide or explanation somewhere that explains what happens once I'm in a TS group to actually get us to drop together in MWO? Does someone just make a group in MWO and invite everyone from the TS group?

Thats exactly how it works. Someone "creates" a group (Typically the orange bubble on TS or "Channel Commander") and adds everyone in the drop ship TS channel on their friends list and invites them to the group.

On that note: it is customary for a player joining a channel to add the "Channel Commander" to their friends list instead of making them add you. It speeds things up.

Edited by Dagnome, 02 November 2012 - 08:47 AM.

[Lin Shai]

malibu43, on 02 November 2012 - 08:44 AM, said:

Another random question - Is there a guide or explanation somewhere that explains what happens once I'm in a TS group to actually get us to drop together in MWO? Does someone just make a group in MWO and invite everyone from the TS group?

1) Join the "looking for group" channel
2) Someone will pop in and say "We could use players in Dropship X"
3) Change to the channel labeled "Dropship X"
4) Look for the person with the orange dot next to their name in the channel. Send them a friend invite in game*
5) Get group invitation in game, accept
6) Profit!

* Sometimes someone will just say "Send player X an invite" or they'll send an invite to you.

Edit to add: The TS3 client has a friends list function (right click on name, add to friends list). I add people who I enjoyed playing with. After a while, you'll just end up logging in and looking for these people, then just jumping in their channel and asking if there's room.

For the most part we're a pretty friendly, casual bunch. There's been maybe two times where I joined a random group and just didn't "gel" with the people in the channel, but for the most part everyone is just there to have a good time and play the game.

Edited by Lin Shai, 02 November 2012 - 09:00 AM.

[stoph]

If you drop in on a group the worst thing that is going to happen is they will tell you they are doing something specific, like small unit tactics or waiting for a friend, and tell you they don't have room. In that case you move onto another group that doesn't have 8 in it yet.

You can always give the disclaimer that you are newer and still learning. If you say that upfront most people will be welcoming and help show you the ropes.

If you do run into a group that isn't decent about you being newer then that is on them and they will burn in a lake of fire.

[stoph]

Dagnome, on 02 November 2012 - 08:45 AM, said:

Thats exactly how it works. Someone "creates" a group (Typically the orange bubble on TS or "Channel Commander") and adds everyone in the drop ship TS channel on their friends list and invites them to the group.

On that note: it is customary for a player joining a channel to add the "Channel Commander" to their friends list instead of making them add you. It speeds things up.

You will know who the "Channel Commander" is because the little bubble to the left of their name is a different color than everyone else's. I think it was orange on the unofficial TS that I was on but the actual color may vary.

The first thing you will do is either invite them as a friend or they will invite you as a friend. Whoever gets the invitation has to click "accept"

After that you will get another invitation, that will be to join the person's group. Again this will be under the social tab on the bottom right hand of your screen. It is supposed to flash when you get an invite but it doesn't always, so I would suggest when you are expecting an invitation just go ahead and go into the "invites" section and wait for it to appear (both friend and group).

Once you are in the actual group, when you are ready to drop, you will want to click the "ready" button that you normally hit to launch into a match. If you go under the group tab under the social menu will be able to see who is designated "ready" and "not ready". The leader cannot initiate the drop till everyone in the group reads "ready".

Be careful not to hit the "ready" after accepting the friend invite but not yet receiving the group invite...This happens quite a bit.

I was initially pretty nervous about hopping on TS servers and searching out games. I started to after a while and have found most of my experiences to be really positive and at worst kind of neutral. I haven't had any bad experiences from people on the TS community.

[malibu43]

Thanks guys. I will give it try next time I have the chance.

[Paul Boudreaux]

Also, about the merc companies on the Comstar TS servers, I dropped with a couple of them yesterday. All of them were very friendly and more than willing to help a new player learn the ropes. None of them had that perceived view of being elitist. Hell they didn't even care what mech I used or that I asked stupid newbie questions XD. It was all about having fun in a social environment. Oh and I would say the average age I ran into so far on the Comstar servers was probably late 20's-early 30's. No whiny brats were heard.

[Ghosth]

Drop into Looking for group, in 10 minutes either someone should pop in looking for people in a dropship. Or, you should have critical mass to start your own group. Better IMO to drop as 4 than to sit there for 10 minutes.

[Taryys]

I am just going to throw this in here since you may find it useful:

[Guide] Playing with Friends, Groups, and Teams