FBs/Calls to Duty, the Blessed Way

[Cilice]

Recently, this topic has come up and I think it's important for everyone to have it clearly outlined how Blessed should be running FBs, just so there's no confusion and our reasons for doing things this way are known.



1.) First and foremost, we are alwaysalwaysalways nice to the tabber, no matter what.

Why? Because, they're doing us a favor. That's why. We're getting a nice bit of exp we wouldn't get, otherwise, and all thanks to them. So, even if they're the snottiest snot, we're nice to them. That's not to say we have to bow and scrape--simply that we're polite. And, we always thank them for the FB, at the end.

2.) You must ensure that squad distribution is set on Free.

The reason we do this is to cut down on hassle, later on. This will be detailed, below.

To make sure any fb squad you form is set with Free distribution, open your Squad Settings (T or Alt+T) and check the radial button that reads "Free" and click "Change."

If the person with the tab forms the squad and it's set on the ridiculously stupid default setting of "Random," explain to them that it'd be simpler to do a quick resquad with the Free distribution setting, to ensure they get the items they pick up.

Note:
Distribution settings can only be changed before a squad is formed.

3.) Make sure the tabber actually has the tab in their inventory.

No one wants the entire party to get all the way to the instance only to find out the tabber hasn't fully completed their culti quest to get the tab. If this ever happens to you, instead of being angry with them when you find out, instead, realize you should've checked, before-hand, in the first place.

4.) ALL drops from the boss(es) of the FB go to the tabber.

That said, if they choose to leave drops for you, you can either accept or decline, but do so graciously, as they're doing you a favor. If they're unsure of which items are important, tell them. Three stars' names are purple and molds' names are yellow--those are priority. After that, any blue-named items and so on. The reason we do this is because we're getting some very nice help from the tabber, in that we get good exp and some reputation for helping them. That, alone, should be enough for us and we should be satisfied with that.

5.) If you're running an FB--meaning that you're directing the squad members on what to do and/or tanking the mobs--there are things you must keep in mind:

• Assume that the tabber is new to the game and doesn't know how to behave in an FB. (Most important for fb19s.) This means....
  

  • "Don't put the tab in until we give you the ok."
    
    (Otherwise, the member(s) who haven't made it into the instance won't get the quest and, therefore, won't get the exp/rep from it.)
    
    
    
  • "Don't attack anything that hasn't already been attacked."
    
    (Obviously, because FB mobs are at least double the HP/attack rate their level indicates.)
    
    
    
  • "Don't heal me until I give the ok, here."
    
    (Healing draws unheld aggro. If you're tanking--and, especially if you're mobbing a large amount--be sure to let them know if/when it's ok to attack/heal.)
    
    
    
  • "Stay back, here. This is a safe spot."
    
    (If you know of a particularly dangerous area--in which mobs roam or has an AOE attack that ranges far--let them know. Otherwise, you could have a dead tabber. If you've no cleric, you've shot yourself in the foot.)
    
    
    
  • "Stay close to us."
    
    (One of the worst things that can happen is that the tabber falls behind/runs ahead. Either way, it's a bad scene and we want to avoid that, at all times.)
    

  
  
• Know that your cleric's life is the party's life and, therefore, your life--at all costs, you must protect them.
  

  If you die, they can usually res you, but if they die, there's rarely anyone to res them. They're there to save your life--the least you can do is try to return the favor.

  
  
  
• Do NOT run ahead and leave people behind. Do. Not.
  

  The one exception to this is ONLY IF you're positive you've cleared every mob in the area between you and the rest of the group. Otherwise, people could get lost and run into an uncleared area and die.

  
  
  
• Know your strengths and weaknesses and act accordingly.
  

  If you've a balanced squad, this is most important. Don't stretch your abilities unless you absolutely have to, because it could mean the difference between the success or failure of the squad.

  
  
  
• Have a clear understanding among the squad members of who's doing what.
  

  This can be incredibly helpful, as it gives the squad members a clear outlook on what their job in the FB is, so they're not attacking things randomly and so on. If there are multiples of any class, compare skill levels and builds before deciding who's going to do what.

  
  
  
• If you're tanking in an fb and you're close to death, do not run. Ever.
  

  (This is a shout out to my bestest homie, evar, Kal. XD) If you run from a boss/mob as you're dying--and you die--the mob/boss may very well turn on any of the nearby squad members and can effectively kill the entire party. Die with dignity, take one for the team and wait for the cleric to res you.

  
  
  
• Communicate.
  

  Unless you're being eaten by a mob, be sure there's an active dialog going on and that you're paying attention to what's being said. Someone might be preparing to make a big mistake and, if you're paying attention, you're present enough to avoid the problem, in the first place. If you know something about the upcoming mobs/area, share that information, just in case there's someone who doesn't know what to expect.

  
  

6.) If you're pulling squad members from outside the faction (which should be a last resort,) try to ensure that they're nice, like-minded folks, as far as fb running goes.

Who hasn't had random adds to the fb-squad and find out that the people added are total jerks? Not fun. So, we can try to avoid this as much as possible in order to make sure that our fb runs are comfortable and happy.

7.) When the fb run is complete and the boss is dead, make sure that the tabber gets a countdown.

The tabber is the priority in any fb and, since they've done you the solid of getting you a nice chunk of exp, they should be ensured a countdown. If they don't know how, tell them to leave the squad for their countdown. Should anyone be stuck in the instance without a countdown and they don't have/don't want to use their teleport skill, resquad with them when you're outside the instance. They'll get a countdown, at that point.

8.) Have fun!

This is a very important part of a happy, successful fb run. Squad-mates squealing with glee over the awesomesauce damage they're dealing is uplifting. Running through and being able to tromp over the mobs--when everyone knows what to do/not do--is invigorating and creates an awesome air of exhilaration. Laughter and joking is encouraged. ;P

I'm sure I've forgotten something, but it's already a gajillion pages long. So, point it out if I've skipped over something important and I can make it a gajillion pages longer!