Please respect other members. Please do not post links or information about hacking/warez/cheats.
Read the rules of these forums as we rarely warn before banning. Lost or need RSS check the forum map.
Single Player ForumFor those who favour Single Player & Open Characters MP action. Discuss and help with strategies, gameplay tips and other single player community topics
Been around longer than Baal himself? Are you sure you are still a ‘good’ MP’er?
Newer members really should have a read before you start MPing; it might stop you making a faux pas. That’s French for making a merc of yourself.
The majority of this is a quick-reference bullet point style (•) with additional information asterixed below (*). Yes, I have repeated myself a couple times, partly because I am old and partly because I wanted something covered if someone just skips to one part of the post.
Please comment if you think there is something that should be changed/added. Donations of chocolate are also acceptable.
** My thanks to all those with whom I have MP’d **; it has shown me what makes good and - (rarely) bad MP – which is a major contributor to this guide.
RWM – Rune word mod – enables online runewords
RRM – Red rune mod – turns runes red
Vanilla – Unmodded
SC – softcore
HC – hardcore
MP – multi-player
PvM – player versus monsters
PvP – player versus player
Twinked – using gear other than found usually applies to new characters having Angelic/Deaths/Twitchthroe etc ready to use
Ng – new game
Merc and moron are used interchangeably
Posting a game
In the MP Forum - in the correct thread or via PM if the game is invite-only
Your version and mods installed – EG 1.11b RWM/RRM or 1.11b Vanilla
The game type – SC/HC
Your IP address*
Type of game: runs, questing or PvP
If PvP; level and manners – most other comments here will relate to questing
If new characters, whether twinked or not
If you have a pace in mind, whether full clear or rush
Difficulty level and starting Act
Preferably the host character type: a skellymancer isn’t going to be happy to see four cold sorceresses!
Without spamming the MP thread *looks shifty* try and update it when possible. Get a last minute edit in before the 60 minute edit deadline. Post an update if you’re still going after two hours or so; you might get new people in
*NOTES
Your IP addresses does NOT begin 192.xxx, use www.whatismyip.org to get your external address
Bear in mind you will probably have to open port 4000. If you don’t know how to do this then try www.portforward.com.
If that doesn’t work you can resort to hosting via www.hamachi.cc however only other Hamachi users can connect. Blizzard’s technical support may be able to help you Use the advanced search button - others may have had a similar problem Try to keep technical stuff out of the MP thread, PM someone who needs help. Joining a game
If you use hacked items/drop mods/maphack etc, don’t join
Read the post. Twice. If you’re new to MP read it three times and make sure you understand about the mod situation – RWM/RRM characters should not enter Vanilla games
Check the time stamp. “Act I” posted four hours ago, is likely to be inaccurate
Join with an appropriate levelled/equipped character. Check your gear in ATMA before joining.
INTRODUCE YOURSELF. No apology for the capitals. “<Thyiad” is sufficient. That should be the very first thing you type. Everytime
If you enter and are at a very different level, leave. Return with another character if you like, but don’t stay if you won’t be able to MP with the party. Also a very high level character will ruin the experience gained for lower characters and not everyone wants to rush
If you have a weak character; let the others know and ask if they are ok with it. Just because there is Pally there, doesn’t mean they can handle Baal P8 solo because everyone else is 15 levels lower with negative resists
You aren’t likely to get a party invite until the host has finished tele’ing/everyone recognizes you/your intro has been checked on the forum; just wait for a minute
Let the host invite all party members
The Host “The host is the one that was, the one that is and the one that shall be”. (Forgive the mis-quote, I couldn’t resist.)
The host rules. The host is right. Obey the host. If they want to do full clears and spend 20 minutes looking for the last quill rat and you want to rush through, guess who loses? Yes, you.
Hosts:
Ensure that whoever joins has the right mods/gear/character/level and isn’t banned from MP/trade
Invite players to party
Set the pace
Get first choice on everything – many will waive this but it is their decision
Decide on drop allocation/rotation – host gets all, most in need or rotation – make it clear to begin with, don’t wait until the Windforce drops. If you choose rotation and someone gets ‘your’ grailer, tough. Congratulate them.
Decides who gets first pick of the shrines
Keep order and be a referee
Ensures there are breaks – particularly for stat distribution when questing
With courteous and sensible play, a lot of the above shouldn’t be necessary: do you have to be told a level eight char should get preference over a level 20 character for an experience shrine?
Playtime!
MP is about cooperation and teamwork. If you want to play with yourself don’t join an MP game*
If you are not having fun, leave or close the game down; the second most honest thing I have heard in MP is “I am playing like a prat, I’ll catch you tomorrow” (after four very rapid deaths) +1 respect
Follow the pace set by the host
Be aware of the type of game: if it’s a Baal run don’t go and MF Memphisto
Be courteous at all times including in your characters’ names
Lose the bad language unless you know everyone really well
Drops/monsters do not have sexual preferences – you will offend people and come across as immature
Not everyone is a 70wmp typist so no need to correct every typo but no need to use “w8 m8 I no @ wp” either
Drops are first choice to the host, remember
Try to leave some potions for others
Grab gold. It’s shared in MP, so snarfle away
There is a whole Trade Forum for trading “Anyone got a 5os bezerker axe” is fine, if you have an ISO then post a trade thread
If you see something drop which the host/others miss, tell them. If the host doesn’t want it, the Necromancer is likely to be quite happy about an AoKL dropping.
If you need to go afk/town for potions/get a cat off a sideboard – let everyone know
Plan ahead, if someone is off to town for potions, go with them and repair your weapon. Party trips to town mean more killing time. Make sure everyone is ready before leaving town. If you have trouble with the vendors due to lag, ask if someone else will buy pots and drop them on the ground for you.
Found some cursed Frenzytaurs? TP’d out? Warn your fellow MP’ers that portal is hot hot hot
Similarly, don’t go rushing though a portal. Waiting for ‘clear’ can save the whole group from a rescue mission (amusing anecdote five dead MP’ers plus one more on fast user switching as rescuer)
Always be useful: EG Carvers are fire immune, don’t bother chucking fireballs at them. This applies to all immunes unless you are a light sorceress with Infinity and the monster isn’t on this list as still immune. Use static/telekinesis instead
Be aware of your fellow MP’ers. If you have a cursing Necro, change the Reapers for something else. Two Barbarians? surely not? use highest BO. Two pallys; use different auras. If the group is slaughtering Conversion is uneccessary and often annoying as the group have wait for the monster to become hostile again
*NOTES
There are lots of ways to demonstrate co-operative play:
If you have a decent ping, offer to teleport once in a while
In Act II if there are enough of you to do it safely, split up in teams to do the Magots/Vipers and Arcane Sanctuary
If you know someone has a rubbish connection and you see them just standing there while a monster hacks at them, take some hits for them and protect them until they are out of lag (then recommend a new ISP)
If you are a high life character, take a hit for someone who isn’t.
Barbarians/CtA’ers, use BO. Particularly if someone is teleporting for you
If you can cast Enchant, do so
If a quest requires a party member to be in a certain area make sure everyone is there before completing it. If someone just dropped connection, wait for them otherwise the host might just decide new game so they can get the quest and you don’t want to have to find the Summoner again, do you?
If someone dies, go and help them. Yes, all of you if necessary
Watch your party’s health bar; if you see one dropping sharply go and investigate
Offer gold to someone who can’t afford to resurrect their moron; particularly sorceresses with Insight mercs
Suspicious Minds
If you are banned/using questionable items or mods then stay out of MP
If you think someone isn’t legit, squelch them*, tell the host you have an issue and if they don’t leave, you should. Then PM a Mod. Don’t post “Cabbage is a haxo0r thread” on the forum.
If you are the host, ask the party under suspicion to leave until it is straightened out
If you are asked to leave, by all means ask why, but then do so graciously
Hosts’ last resort is close the game down and PM a new IP address; post an update in the MP thread
If you have been instructed by a Mod not to MP/Trade then don’t – they will find out, you will regret it
*That is the only time the squelch button should be used. If you want to chat, use messenger
Drops
MP is for fun and experience, drops shouldn’t be your main motivator
Hosts’ choice first – yes, I’ll probably repeat that again later
If drops are split, as most in need, it is as defined by the host
‘Round robin’ – everyone takes a turn at first choice is easiest in runs
Don’t grab and ID in a corner while everyone else battles on
If it could be useful, ask if anyone wants what you are about to sell for gold to resurrect your moron – EG 4os Monarch
Some players will refuse all drops; it is still nice to offer though
A Special Mention for the ‘Grabee’
M is hosting, N, O and P are his co-questers. A Zod drops, P grabs it and leaves. What happens next?
If the host had not specifically stated drop rules, this could be a misunderstanding – don’t over react
If the host had specified drop rules – don’t over react - they could just be trying to ensure it isn't lost if the game crashes - if they come back no harm done
It is up to M have a discussion with P in-game and/or via a PM on the forum NOT via a “P thief stole my Zod omg!!” thread
There is no way to force P to give up the item BUT
This is a Community; knowledge, trust and respect go a long way here – the most honest thing I have heard in MP is “Here, this Vex dropped” +10 respect
Think about how you want people to think about you before you become a ‘grabee’
Questing Specifics
Can be pleasure or a pain if you are in an MP game with the wrong style, don’t be afraid to leave it isn’t for you – the host will understand
Most new games are players 8 straight through, hit Andy at around level 17 – it’s a culture shock if you aren’t used to it. Follow the pace and routine set by the host - keep together with the group unless a split has been specifically agreed.
The host should offer a break to allow for considered stat point distribution
If you can fast user switch, most hosts will be happy to have a rush through Act III even if they quest everywhere else; make the offer to the group
Run Specifics
Host should declare the drop situation if anyone new enters
If someone is teleporting, they won’t be reading the messages. Wait until they have finished
If you are going to sit out a run, let everyone know so they don’t wait for you
Sort out your gear/potions while someone tele’s down or while the drops are being examined, not in the middle of Baal’s Minions unless you absolutely can’t avoid it
Turning up only for the Minions or just the Baal drop is really quite rude; MP or don’t, pick one
Even if underpowered, do something even if it is acting as a decoy or using static
Rushes
It’s likely to be free in the SPF so try and be nice if it takes five attemps to find the Summoner *embarrassed cough*
In LoD only quests you need are:
Act 1 - Andy
Act 2 - Maggot, Viper, Summoner, Duriel
Act 3 - Council, Memphy
Act 4 - Diablo
Act 5 - Ancients*, Baal
*You need to be 20, 40, 60 (N, NM, Hell) to do the Ancients UNLESS someone else above that level gets the quest at the same time or you play Classic SP. Then you can convert the character to LOD in Act III Hell.
If you need to be near the kill to get the quest, it is often easier to die and don’t press escape. You get the quest and no one has to worry about keeping you alive
Give your rusher a Tomb of Town Portal or two; it’s a nice gesture
PvP
Be a suitable level
Know the rules and stick to them
Trash talk is not the same as outright insulting behaviour
Don’t lose!
OK, I need help with this one
Game down
Mutual congratulation/commiseration about drops/deaths
Host, thank the players for coming
Players, thank the host for hosting
Don't spend 20 minutes saying good bye particularly if the host wants to go to bed/dinner/on a date
There's enough walls of text in this thread to build a small gated community.
There's also enough drivel to make a little pond in the middle,
and enough quacks to populate it with ducks. -- Kossy
There is actually an exception to the rules on grabbing and leaving. If for example the Zod did drop someone could grab it, leave and re-enter. That way the Zod is ''saved'' and can't be lost if the host unintentional drops suddenly or the one who grabbed the Zod gets an connection interrupt.
However, you should be carefull about this and it's good to let people know at the start of the game that this could happen. Your best bet if someone grabs and runs is to wait a couple of minutes, see if he comes back and not immediately close down the game and run for the forums to call names.
Quote:
PvP I need help
I will post the extended guide on PvP soon. I'm uh... waiting on a few people (*hint*)
------
EDIT: I'm sorry. I should've mentioned first that this looks like a very well written guide. Nice comments on most things and quite acurate on what I've come across too in my limit MP sessions. Please, everyone, read it :smiley:
& Platinum Pal
nubikoen
Linear Mode
