Guide on finding the right game to join

from Demigod Forums

My friends and I are pissed because no matter what game name we come up with (good players, pro game, premade - you name it), we end up playing against noobs who obviously either can't read, or think just because the beat the AI in single player mode doesn't make them noobs anymore.

So this is my attempt to try to explain to newer players how to read the game names and to understand what it means. For most forum readers this will be pretty obvious, but apparenttly it's not obvious enough for another huge number of players.

What is a noob in DG ? Well of course, I don't claim to have the perfect definition. But I'd say that if you fill one of the following criterias you would be consireded as a noob by most more experienced players.

- If you just bought the game

- If you have played less than 10-15 Internet games

- If you want to try out a new DG

- If you played several games with the same DG but don't have a clear idea of how to play it

- If youre uneasy with chatting during a game

- If your Win percentage is somewhere under 35% (in addition, I'd strongly suggest you to take a look at the Strategy section of this forum to learn more about what you're doing wrong)

List of most game names

- "Noobs" or "Noobs Welcome" : This indicates that the game is suited for a noob. In here, Sedna's summon Yetis, Queen of Thorns don't pick Bramble shield, Oaks just stand still and hit you with Autoattack, Regulus don't fall back under 50% health and UB's follow they prey deep into the enemy base (when I say deep I mean the first 2 towers usually).

- "No noobs" : this is more tricky, as it can range from mediocre players to good players. In here, people will have understood the DG golden rule (don't fucking die), and use basic chat commands like "help" and "oom" (link to TheGuildfordStrangler's Teamplay guide). In here, players will yell at you if you die 3 times before hitting level 5.

- "Good players" : This clearly indicates a higher level of skill. Players in here will likely know each other and have devellopped complementary tactics (like stun, stun, stun for UB and Ereb). Players in these games will understand how to read a tactical situation, wether or not to stay when engaged 1v2, use TP scrolls to come from behind and use potions just after you used your stunning ability. There's also a good chance that some players will be using some kind of voice chat.

- "Pro game" or "Pros" : Usually games aimed at the top 100 of DG players. Expect them to know EVERYTHING about their demigod, your demigod, and all the other Demigods. And maybe even your favourite color or ice cream flavour. These guys will use specific DG on specific maps with specific builds just because they know how to optimize everything. Expect these guys to make almost no mistake.

- "Premade" or "Teams welcome" : This indicates the players hosting the game know each other, play together probably everyday, and most likely spend time together on voice chat from morning till evening. Skill level may vary, but expect players to be somwhere between "Good players" and "Pros".

So please, next time you're in the main lobby, take a second and read the game descriptions carefuly.

And if there's no game matching your abilities, for christ's sake just don't join the next open game just because there's a slot left or because you like the map. It's not fun for you, it's not fun for us bashing noobs, it's just a waste of time for both of us. Even worse, if you're with 2 or 3 people who actually know how to play, you'll just ruin their game.

It's ok to be new, it's ok to learn, it's ok to try out new stuff. Host your own game, people will join eventually. Just don't lose patience after 1 min because nobody joined. Eventually, all the games fill up.

50,418 views 17 replies
Reply #1 from Demigod Forums Top

You created your post 20mins b4 mine, I will leave it there tho :D

I totaly agree with this post. Every1, read, and accept your skill lvl.

Reply #2 from Demigod Forums Top

That is a very good post.

It really help to find the right game and what to expect, with this kind of stuff in mind you can have lots of fun being a casual player or if you are a more competitive person.

And when you have fun in that games, dont forget the names of the guys, use friend list... Fun is the goal here right? ;)

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Reply #3 from Demigod Forums Top

Sigh...

Justin Kruger and David Dunning at Cornell University studied this in their study "Unskilled and Unaware of It: How Difficulties in Recognizing One’s Own Incompetence Lead to Inflated Self-Assessments.”

 

    People tend to hold overly favorable views of their abilities in many social and intellectual domains. The authors suggest that this overestimation occurs, in part, because people who are unskilled in these domains suffer a dual burden: Not only do these people reach erroneous conclusions and make unfortunate choices, but their incompetence robs them of the metacognitive ability to realize it. ...Paradoxically, improving the skills of participants, and thus increasing their metacognitive competence, helped them recognize the limitations of their abilities.
Or in easier terms, people who are bad at demigod are less likely to realize that their bad at demigod then people that are average or better. Ironically marking your game NO NOOBS or GOOD PLAYERS will only attract people with a minimal level of skill cause they are unaware of their skill level (And no, typing "YOU SUCK" will not help.) while actually detract people of average skill level as they are aware of their failings.

 

Reply #4 from Demigod Forums Top

I played with a guy the other day, who really hurt the team bad.  I checked up on his pantheon stats after the game, and noticed some amazing things.

 

First of all, he was like 8-22.  That's a big one right there.  Secondly his games list had games saying "Pro only" and games that said "Noob Only". What is up with that?

 

As mrappard said, self assessment of skills is very poor.  I recall a study that showed that the assessment of ones skills  was a rough bell curve compared to actual skills.  So those who had low skill, and those who had high skill, both assumed success.  Only problem is, half were completely and utterly wrong.

Those in the middle ground were much better at recognizing their skill.  This concept is one that hampers almost all discussions, and the reason I *always* through out the argument of "I'm good, I should know" as being completely worthless when discussing strategy.  Maybe you only think you are good because your ability to evaluate success is impaired.

Reply #5 from Demigod Forums Top

Some times people will join whatever games are available simply because they want to play. Segmenting the player base into skill levels helps ensure a fairer, and theoretically more fun, experience for all involved - however, sometimes this takes a back seat when there is only one game available.

Reply #6 from Demigod Forums Top

Also, pro games frequently aren't any better than no noobs games. People just make them because they overestimate their own abilities.

Reply #7 from Demigod Forums Top

There is a major flaw to your plan. If you insult people, even if you are coming off in a nice way, you will kill your game population.

I really enjoyed Endwar rts, but there was such much elitism in that game that any average joe couldn't even play it any more. It's player base is dwindling to a point where people have to wait 30-60+ mins just to get an 2v2 going.

What I'm saying is if this type of elitism becomes generally accepted you will kill your player base. League of Legends will become main stream as it seems more childish and more to the liking of an average joe. LoL will crush demigod and it won't be a laugh out load matter. All the skills you acquired playing will become pointless. Why do you think World of Warcraft is so successful? It's so mainstream that anyone can pick it up and play. Demigod's single player is very fun and easy to pick up and play, same with endwar, but when it comes to the online experience it becomes a hinderance real quick.

Just think about the game you love and try to better it, the game as a whole and not just yourself.

You can tell me I'm bad at the game that's fine. I enjoy playing comp-stomps with people I think that's enjoyable, I'm not elite so my opinion isn't vaild. I'm not telling you to do anything, I just asking you to think. You want Demigod to last, but you want to gut the fan base.

That feels a bit counter-productive to me.

Reply #8 from Demigod Forums Top

The title reading/skill assesing is a major problem indeed. I started browsing stats just to make sure i get a challenge and not win in 7 minutes >.>

Reply #9 from Demigod Forums Top

a nice post, I wonder how many new people visit this section of the forum though?

Reply #10 from Demigod Forums Top

This really should be a pop-up that appears the first time anyone enters the custom game list.

Reply #11 from Demigod Forums Top

I tend to avoid any game labeled Pros Only, because those people are some of the most rage intensive whiney bitches.

Games labeled for the Region they are in and or something other than an insulting overview tend to fair better in my eyes.

Reply #12 from Demigod Forums Top

The title reading/skill assesing is a major problem indeed. I started browsing stats just to make sure i get a challenge and not win in 7 minutes >.>

Stats can often be misleading...

Reply #13 from Demigod Forums Top

Quoting Misfortune, reply 12

The title reading/skill assesing is a major problem indeed. I started browsing stats just to make sure i get a challenge and not win in 7 minutes >.>
Stats can often be misleading...

 

So can titles apparently.

Reply #14 from Demigod Forums Top

I think theres more to your problem then what you realize.

 

When you play with friends primarily, you develop a sense of each others tactics, and great coordination.  You can play against 3 good players, who are independently good, and may even be able to pull off a few nice group moves.  But you will always have an advantage over them as long as you are playing with a loaded deck.  If you want good matches against only premade teams, you should use forums to arrange them, or look for games with prominent players whom are known to only game with their friends or on vent, etc.  Like _shadow, tombinator, archaic dhaos (sp?) etc.  I see those guys hosting games with the same people here and there, so you and your friends could always join in on them for a match.

 

I honestly expected this post to be the reverse.  A new player pissed at veteren players for always saying 'noobs only' in the title.  (We've all seen those guys going for easy wins).  Hell in Starcraft your best bet at fighting good players was to put noobs only in the title, unless you spent the effort to arrange them (Tenryu told me so).

Reply #15 from Demigod Forums Top

I used to host games as "Good players" or "No noobs." I've since given up, as it's pretty worthless. I just do "4v4 US West" now. Haven't noticed much of a difference, imo.

Most noobs are actually nicer than the "pros". I'd rather play with nice people than jerks. Also, as stated several times already, people have a difficult time with self-evaluation.

Reply #16 from Demigod Forums Top

If you're much better than the nice people you play against, they migh consider you a jerk...

Reply #17 from Demigod Forums Top

Ezz when i remember your UB and when i read this guide i must laugh xD :PPP
Nah just a joke.

A real good post and it is so true, u can wirte what u want its allways the same shit.