The Unsearchables

[Root]

I use the search system a lot, since as a new player I don't know instinctively where people will be, or know many of them on an OOC level to hook up with.

So it sort of confuses me why around 50% of the playerbase seem to make themselves unsearchable. Any explanation why?

I use the search to find roleplay, and people, so that I'm not just left to walk around the Shaharan Hills oneshotting goblins. However, if 20 people are on the server, I can assume that about 7 will be AFK, and of the remaining 13, perhaps 5 will be searchable.

Do the people who choose to make themselves unfindable prefer not to be in areas where people they don't know will come and try to chat to them? The search system gives no idea of who is going to be in a place, so if you were looking to metagame someones location, you wouldn't even be able to do that.

I'm just lost for why people don't want to be found by other folks. The more the merrier, right?

[Nil]

So it sort of confuses me why around 50% of the playerbase seem to make themselves unsearchable. Any explanation why?

Quite simply, there are alot of areas that folks will meta game. Attacking the Veritas? You can bet there are a few Veritas players who are checking the search results and attacking. Same with the Cartel.

Also, there are certain less-reputable characters who are looking for areas where there is a lone player for exploitation.

So, I guess the even simplier answer: This is a PVP server - don't give your foe any more advantages than you have to.

[Root]

So people are literally hiding in fear of metagaming PvP'ers?

Seems a shame that it's making it hard to find anyone to roleplay.

[Nil]

So people are literally hiding in fear of metagaming PvP'ers?

Seems a shame that it's making it hard to find anyone to roleplay.

It's a by-product of the number of evil characters on the server. Essentially, you rarely actually want to run into anyone else in a non-public area because they're probably going to try to steal from you/kill you/sacrifice you to some dark god/drink your blood/etc.

[Cornuto]

Quite simply, there are alot of areas that folks will meta game. Attacking the Veritas? You can bet there are a few Veritas players who are checking the search results and attacking. Same with the Cartel.

Also, there are certain less-reputable characters who are looking for areas where there is a lone player for exploitation.

So, I guess the even simplier answer: This is a PVP server - don't give your foe any more advantages than you have to.

It's been a standing policy that anyone who uses the Search for Other's function to find PvP targets or to defend a faction base is meta-gaming and in violation of the server rules. Using it to find non-pvp interactions is meta-gaming as well, but we encourage it because the OOC information isn't being used to the detriment of another PC, and makes the server more enjoyable. In short, use the Search for Other's button to find non-PvP interactions, if you're intent is to PvP, don't use the search function or you shall be smote with DM lightning.

[07paul87]

Sago's almost always unsearchable due to the fear of a hundred pissed off players catching him off-guard.

EDIT: Also, what's with the claims that most of the players are evil? I've only met a few evil characters outside of my own. Most seem to be neutral/good.

[Nil]

EDIT: Also, what's with the claims that most of the players are evil? I've only met a few evil characters outside of my own. Most seem to be neutral/good.

In the interest of not derailing another thread (which I seem to do all the time - it's an illness, I think), I sent you a PM on this subject.

[BedlamX]

So people are literally hiding in fear of metagaming PvP'ers?

Seems a shame that it's making it hard to find anyone to roleplay.

Pretty much sums it up.

You assault a player faction base...you set yourself unsearchable. Can't count the number of times I've seen players log off and back on with a specific faction toon when a group goes into one base or another so they can defend. After a while, it just gets old and you leave the unsearchable on all the time.

Hate PvP? Unsearchable helps keep people from finding and assaulting you. Personally, I hate seeing people label this as a PvP server. That was always used to define purely PvP servers back in the day (yep...I'm old). Sundren is a Role Play server that does not discourage PvP (and even encourages it between factions and groups). Labeling a server "PvP" has always been a quick way to get a ton of people that just love to build the badest mo-fo around and prove it at any chance...with or without RP. So far, Sundren has kept this down. Hope it stays that way. Being unsearchable helps keep the few that like this play-style from ruining the game for those who do not.

I usually run around unsearchable until I get into one of the towns or other gathering sites. Then I pop it back to searchable. None of my characters are built for PvP. I just don't find those builds fun to play. As such, I really don't want to run into someone that just wants to attack those weaker than themselves (for whatever reason). If one finds me out, at least it is as much a surprise for them as me. Sometimes, some great RP comes of those type of meetings.

Sorry...got off on another tangent. But it does help explain why at least some of us use the unsearchable button

[Nil]

Personally, I hate seeing people label this as a PvP server. That was always used to define purely PvP servers back in the day (yep...I'm old).

I hear ya (I'm old too). But I still feel justified in the lable. My first three charactes were killed by pvpers just while hunting goblins.

I never used to make builds that were that powerful (heck, even with my attempts at making a strong build involve halfings using daggers, weapon finess, and twf), but I felt it was necessary here.

It's a rare day some vampire or necromancer doesn't try to do away with me...

[Verrath]

Odd, in my two+ years here I've only very rarely run into players abusing the search for PvP. Actually, every time I got killed it was as part of fairly intense RP... so I'd have to disagree with the "PVP Server" label. (And I WILL keel you one day, Neffriel. )

There'll aways be those who abuse ANY system in place, but such things are best reported to a DM for review (or the help forum) if you run afoul of such.

I'm also at times disappointed when everybody seems to be non-searchable or AFK, and sometimes I end up logging out because of it, if the usual haunts aren't populated.

I can see the temptation of checking to see if your faction stronghold is being invaded, but on the other hand it can be argued that you tend to be at your HQ a lot, and have a right to defend it from others.... *shrug* Gray area, admittedly. On the other hand, the reverse can also be true ("Oh! someone is at the Veritas, could be a faction member lurking, so let's NOT grind there" - is just as bad in my book.)

There may be occasions where turning off searchable is valid, of course - such as a crimnal fleeing a mob, or the aforementioned hunting party, or folks guarding their HQ (see above)... perhaps people just forget to turn it on again when they are done being secretive?

[Biohazard89]

Personally i havnt experienced abuse of the system or suffered consequences by people who are ( but then again not alot of people want to go toe to toe with Brunus hehe )
But it sure is a damn shame it happens and i personally will rat out anyone i catch doing it.

Im just saying.

[richardleitch5]

I'm also at times disappointed when everybody seems to be non-searchable or AFK, and sometimes I end up logging out because of it, if the usual haunts aren't populated.

Same, if people are not about a place my PCs hang out i dont go serching, and i assume all who are non-searchable as people who dont want my RP. This is probably why Hold is dieing out as one of my mains, nothing to do with him as everyones at the middle of nowhere inn.

[Subal]

While most people are under the impression that the veritas do a search for those inside our Base, We dont leave other places to come and kill you, if we are inside the bunker then yes, we will come up hunting you. Why? Simple, there is no system in place to warn us in the bunker when the place is under attack, so we use common sence, someone is attacking the place . i assure you a alarm would go off. men come and warning the others we are under seige.

Not to derail, carry on!

[Infallius_Daemonium]

Sheesh, all you guys are making me paranoid now ;p

I felt the same way, and I always keep myself searchable for that reason. But, at the same time, I do sometimes travel invisibly or at least with protection spells on to prevent something like that happening... though I didn't start doing it till I was mugged, heh.

I for one don't mind PvP or thieves, etc, as long as it creates roleplay instead of being quick and pointless. Obviously in the case of robbing someone you could make it much more interesting but at the same time less likely for you to succeed by playing it out.

I think that can be done with PvP as well but if you just want to get the gold or kill that guy, meh. If there isn't anything more to it than that I don't think it should be done at all.

[Redjack]

I think I would prefer it if there was no search function at all. It isn't that hard to find other players and some interesting RP develops when you stumble upon your friends or enemies unexpectedly.