DM Quest Spice

[Craig210]

Quest spice, is something I love to encounter, when I know its coming. I am guilty at having rage when a DM has surprised me and the group I am questing with at the last second. But nothing that a few words in tells or on irc can not settle.

The truth is, spice is amazing. I for one hate the grind, I hate repeating the same quests over and over. Normally because i'd rather be doing something else, or because im expecting someone in the party to do something stupid resulting in another quest death. I welcome spice because it makes players actually focus, and improve their game in most cases.

Yes, its frustrating to die to it, and yes it can cost allot, even everything in supplies. But to be honest, id rather fight a challenge and come out on top, than simple hoard potions and be some pvp nut job.

Some of my best experiances on EFU have been through spice, I still remember Alyssara and Talir double spicing corals. Or Alyssara spicing ToM, a fight where I used everything, stabilized 4 times, and stil died with the boss on 4hp.

I think the main problem here isnt that spice killed you and ate your supplies, its that you like the majority of the server. Myself included believe that supplies levels and build decide important events through PvP.

[Incorrigible]

The OP made it very clear what their issue was, so try not to read too much into it. A feeling of dissatisfaction from being in a situation where they had to spend everything that they possessed and still died without any physical, monetary or xp reward. I can sort of agree. DM spice is always a blast, and is -tons- of fun. Truly, it is, and some of it is so creative. I just love it. I can absolutely see how it is disheartening though when you are drained dry from it and unrewarded, just to be left without the necessary objects required for future quests. It's all fun though. You win some, you lose some, just be happy that a DM took the time out of their schedule to do something special for you, and make sure to thank them at the end even if they did figuratively shove a spiked flail up your arse.

[The Beggar]

Some players may benefit from re-reading the post Brittany Panthas linked, with a focus on the alternative routes to getting past nasty things, and the IG clues that many DMs leave in spiced areas that are often overlooked.

Couple that advice to Howland's excellent post "How to Accomplish Things" (or whatever it's called, I'm too lazy to link it right now), and you have an opportunity to really Role Play through and with the DMs. Not everything has to be accomplished at the end of a sword. If you want to attempt to do something outside normal game mechanics, then send the DM channel or the DM running the event a message / tell about what you want to attempt.

[AllMYBudgies]

I find that in situations described by the OP the best thing to do is walk away from the computer screen and take a few moments to calm down and recollect my thoughts.

Yes, situations such as this can be frustrating, disheartening and annoying but often they can be the situations that help forge your character and allow you to rebuild. I believe that not everything should always work out, and situations like this can be wonderful in terms of characterisation.

[Equinox]

Supplies are there to be used. Spice is awesome as it means that the DM's are actively making your characters stories that must more entertaining. Personally, I would rather have jack shit supplies but get spice as it relieves the tedium of repeating the same quests doing the same things.

Yes its hard. but its also hell fun. Efu:M is a rough server, challenges are to be expected.

[Drakill Tannan]

I thought the whole point of supplies was to be able to take more challenges and have fun?

[RagingPurpleGiant]

I like spice.
Moar spice pwease.

[Random_White_Guy]

Low Supplies? - Commit crimes.

Low Levels? Character Advancement Bonus up to Level Six.

There's no shame in admitting to a DM that you don't want spice. If you're honest and straightforward about it I assure you a DM will welcome it ahead of time rather than an aftermath of disgruntledness.

[TheImpossibleDream]

How to alienate DM team

step 1: Complain publically about spice

[Nuclear Catastrophe]

Some people love any form of challenge, some people hate it.

But if anyone ever has any issues, you know the best thing to do is to take it up with the DM personally, in a polite and reasonable fashion.  And if they don't agree with your criticism, take it up with another member of the team and see what they say.

[Takenbymadness]

I'll be honest, this whole thread baffles me. I consider it an honor to have a quest spiced, because that means someone that is in no way obligated to hang with you and do something cool for you has chosen to take time out of their busy schedule to make your play-time more exciting.

Yes sometimes it goes wrong. Sometimes you lose a level or burn a lot more supplies than you wanted to. But that's not the important part, you can get levels and supplies back. The important part is the experience of something new. The thrill of the unknown and unaccustomed to.

My opinion on it anyhow.

[Nightshadow]

When you dwell on your losses too much, you get depressed and start trying to blame other people. It's EfU, shit happens. Effective questing is tough, when you balance out the supplies used and how aggressive you are just enough to make sure you get through the quest without getting butchered. A lot of it relies on hiding behind those folk who take all the supplies. It's not particularly glorious, it's just something that has to be done, as they've got the best bet of surviving, so you're better off flanking with them. Everyone in the party should just focus on supporting the best warrior, by healing, flanking, buffing, etc.

When you get spiced, it helps not to think about what kind of loot or XP the DM will give you.. because you may very well not get any of it. Think instead about what kind of crazy-ass monster you get to kill at the end of it, and brag to people about when you get back to town. That at least is something you're almost guaranteed to get.

[HaveLuteWillTravel]

Frustration is part of the game, you can't have challenge without it. However, it's still just a game, and all those things you lost can be recouped. Besides, sometimes your character has to lose, and badly, because that makes the successes they achieve all the sweeter. The best, most well-rounded characters typically have a full range of experiences to draw from. Being beat up and dragged down builds character!

[Decimate_The_Weak]

The main reason that I get disappointed with a death/no reward situation is that it often times pushes me back to the same stage that I was at days ago. We all put a lot of time into our characters and into this story, so when we lose progress, you can compare it to your little brother throwing your lego battleship at the wall when you just built it.

Still, I love DM spice, and you should embrace it. Take it as a chance to show the DM what your character is all about. It might just intrigue them enough to want to DM for your character another time.

We're all looking to have fun, and we're all far from perfect. I can understand both sides very well, so long as there is no pointing fingers.

[xxWhisperingWindsxx]

Perhaps this will give you a wee bit of perspective Seanzie ...

Mechanically, I FAIL miserably at any RPG game of any sort that has anything vaguely resembling real-time battle.  I'm well aware of this, but yet I still love RPG games so I continue to play them.

EFU is a tough server.  Especially for those of us that aren't game-mechanically inclined.  And it seems that with each incarnation it gets a bit tougher.  I know there are those here that would disagree with that.  We have players of every level here.  Though on the whole, from my perspective, it seems our server tends to attract the better players.  That means the DMs have to build the server to the overall skill level of the player base. Remember, it's their world, we just play in it.

I also tend to have a love/hate feeling about DM spice.  I hate it sometimes because I know it probably means I'm either going to die or drain every supply I have to survive it.  But I also love it because it means that the group I'm with is dynamic enough in some fashion to attract the attention of the DMs.  Again, what is rough spice for some is easy for others.  

You also have to remember that the DMs don't become DMs because they suck at this game.  They get to be DMs because in one aspect or another they epic win at this game.  So generally speaking, what they might deem as easy you might deem as hard.  And yes, we have had some very hard DMs that will push you to every mechanical limit you have.  We've also had DMs that are the polar opposite and want to see PC story advancement and will go easier battle-wise on you or give you a lil extra when needed.

There's always going to be players that are better and worse than any given one player.  There are those that are going to be treasure hogs, those that are XP hogs, those that charge into battle (even to the detriment of the rest of the party), those that are mechanical gods, etc etc etc.  So what does that mean for the average Joe Player.

It means you build and play a PC that fits your style and ability.  I long ago accepted the fact that I'll never be able to play a "bulldozer" or a wizard extraordinaire.  I just don't have that mechanical ability.  Once I accepted that fact, I quit playing the "I wish I could do/be ..." game with myself.  Therefore my level of disappointment dropped considerably.  I make and play PCs that I can realistically handle.  I concentrate on what I /CAN/ do.  It makes it so much more enjoyable.  If you want to stretch your abilities or try something new, play the original content or a different server while you test it out.  Then bring back what you've learned to your playing in EFU.

Yes, there are times that it will be IC for you to join a quest that you know you'll probably end up on the bad end of.  Accept that at the start of it, do the best you can do, and be pleased with what you have been able to do.  There's also going to be times that you can run the other damn way from any given quest or DM event.  Just because it's a DM event doesn't mean you have to participate.  If it doesn't make sense to do it, don't.  If the group that asks you to tag along because they need another player doesn't fit with you or your skill level, don't go.  It's that simple.

Another thing to remember.  There is crap that happens that is outside the control of DMs and players.  My most frustrating and infuriating PC death was due to the simple game mechanics and lag that hit.  There was nothing I or the DMs could have done about it.  I did find out a useful piece of information from it though.  There used to be a built in timer as to how often you could chug a heal potion (don't know if there still is).  That meant I was in the middle of a DM lead event that the entire server was involved in, I got cornered, and effectively caused my own death because I lagged out my system trying to spam heal myself. Sometimes proper timing is everything.

Sometimes we do cause our own deaths.  I tend to be a hoarder of things.  I get the "I may need that someday/sometime" syndrome.  Then I either forget I have it cuz I have so much crap, or can't find it when I need it.  I also get a terrible case of "battle-freeze".  My head just shuts down and I can't think of what I need to do.  Any more, I tend to let the other players get the "coveted" items, simply because I know I can't/won't be able to use them as well or effectively as they can.

It usually goes back to knowing yourself, your playing style, your strengths and your weaknesses.  Be the best you can be within those boundaries and you'll enjoy your gaming much more.

Bless the black little hearts of the players I've had the privilege of playing with that have put up with my ineptitude.  I'm sure there have been a few that put up with me only because it made sense for their PC to deal with my PC, but behind the monitor are calling me every sort of name under the sun and cursing my very existence.  Just as there's probably been a few that have looked forward to the interaction of our PCs.  (and I've felt the same about a few)  I thank each and every one of them.  They and the DMs are what make this place in all it's glory and ugliness. :)

Anyway ... sorry for the long post.  Hopefully it'll help.