Grouping tool - worth it?

CaffeinatedMayhem · June 2014

After two months, my regular dungeon group is breaking down. My husband and I are still enjoying VR content, but our other members seem to be burned out on the game.

Since we're not part of a large guild (and don't fancy joining one), we're considering using the grouping tool for public and group dungeons. However, neither of us are sold on the idea that it will find people we can work with, much less people who are, um, well, capable. Yes, capable. And know Wheaton's Law.

So, have you used the grouping tool, and would you recommend it?

Grim13 · June 2014

Squirrel?

I tried to use it a couple of times, I've never had it successfully fill enough spots to bother using it again.

Worstluck · June 2014

I've used the grouping tool and No, don't ever touch it.

Pretty useless.

david.haypreub18_ESO · June 2014

I've used the grouping tool and Yes, it works well.

I have had success with it. The main problem, for me, is that the tool won't let you put together a group for dungeons below your level. If you are level 28 for example and want to do a quick run through Fungal Grotto for the skill point, for example, the game won't let you advertise you are looking for people for Fungal Grotto; the only choices you have are the 28-31 dungeons. That sucks.

oxylus · June 2014

I've used the grouping tool and Yes, it works well.

The problem right now is that no one uses the thing. The groups I've found are generally solid though. Since it takes upwards of an hour to fill a group in vet content you know the people you're with really want to run the dungeon hehe.

traigusb14_ESO2 · June 2014

Squirrel?

Need 1 more category.. I used it and results vary. I have always gotten a group where everyone is set for DPS (and not anything else). Mostly it works out.

Most people will just use their solo config, especially pre-50. So you get what you get. VR I have done OK, but see a lot of VR2's which can be rough fro the VR5s, but people are more prepared to alter their builds.

I have trouble going back for normals I have missed. especially in my VR zones.

Lalai · June 2014

Squirrel?

It's okay, but could definitely use some improvement. I dislike how it will auto-put you in a group, even before it has all available party members. It's also a bit out of the way, and not very well introduced.. so many people I know don't really know it exists. It could also use some sort of notification to tell you what role you got placed into a group to fill, especially when you have multiple roles selected.

Sasky · June 2014

I've used the grouping tool and Yes, it works well.

Works well for group dungeons. VR levels it actually does give you better range (I can select any of V1-5 or V6-10 at vet8), but yeah it could use some overleveled options for normal dungeons. The worst is Vaults of Madness (46-50). It's nominally 46-50, but once you hit 50/v1 you can't search for it...

PvP it's worthless. Haven't used it for PvE questing or public dungeons so can't comment there.

MasterSpatula · June 2014

Squirrel?

It's absolutely awful, but often it's your best bet. Definitely closer to "don't touch it" than to "it works well," but still, you're going to need to try it from time to time.

CaffeinatedMayhem · June 2014

I've not used the grouping tool so I really can't say.

Yeah, I hopefully won't ever need this for regular PvE and I don't PvP. But the "can't search for lower level" is going to suck. How is that at VR? We have all the <50 dungeons but missed the VR1&2.

UrQuan · June 2014

I would have voted for "it kind of works, but it's flawed" if there was an option like that in the poll.

thatlaurachick wrote: »

And know Wheaton's Law.

Everyone should know Wheaton's Law. Sadly, not all do...

Audigy · June 2014

I've used the grouping tool and Yes, it works well.

The group tool works well as long you have manners and don't demand high end performances.

If you expect that everyone is a pro gamer that sits 20 hours a day behind his or her PC, then the group tool wont work for you. Keep in mind those in the tool are randoms and you can get everything from the house wife to the raging kiddo.

A grouping tool in an MMO is not any different to pugs or most raiding guilds. Its a pact for the time being, but not for life time. Once you defeated the dungeon, raid or quest you will depart and go your own way.

Gwarok · June 2014

Squirrel?

Roasted or stewed?

Singular · June 2014

I've used the grouping tool and No, don't ever touch it.

All the people here saying the grouping tool works are saying "it works, but you have to adjust for X." Some of the comments above were:

- you have to wait an hour to fill
- no one uses it
- you have to patient with the poor performance of the players b/c the tool randomly throws parties together

In other words, it's a broken tool. It's the worst grouping tool I've seen, which is why most people use the /zone chat to fill up.

The tool should be on a page where you can advertise:
- level range
- desired qualities
- post something about your expectations

etc. Then you should be able to select who applies rather than being stuck with whoever.

Nox_Aeterna · June 2014

The options are a bit ... strong.

I would say it works to a point , dont expect great results and be ready for the ocasional failure, like always really.

The real problem with a grouping tool , in any MMO really , is that sometimes you get people who are not that strong in their role yet , be it lack of gear ... If you get a weak healer for example , maybe it will not be possible to finish the dungeon unless you are strong enough to compensate...

CaffeinatedMayhem · June 2014

I've not used the grouping tool so I really can't say.

Audigy wrote: »

If you expect that everyone is a pro gamer that sits 20 hours a day behind his or her PC, then the group tool wont work for you. Keep in mind those in the tool are randoms and you can get everything from the house wife to the raging kiddo.

"Housewife" - you mean someone with a VR3 main, and 2 lvl 40 alts? I mostly play stamina builds, solo.

UrQuan · June 2014

thatlaurachick wrote: »

Audigy wrote: »

If you expect that everyone is a pro gamer that sits 20 hours a day behind his or her PC, then the group tool wont work for you. Keep in mind those in the tool are randoms and you can get everything from the house wife to the raging kiddo.

"Housewife" - you mean someone with a VR3 main, and 2 lvl 40 alts? I mostly play stamina builds, solo.

Pfft, typical housewife.

Auralia · June 2014

I've used the grouping tool and No, don't ever touch it.

Grouping tool is flawed almost useless. You can only use it for dungeons of certain lvls. I got to lvl 34 and decided I wanted to use the group tool to get a group for the lvl 28 dungeon and it wouldn't list it.

phaneub17_ESO · June 2014

I've used the grouping tool and No, don't ever touch it.

Changes need to be made:
1. Allow players to queue up for multiple dungeons instead of one at a time, you get to see a wider range of players this way.
2. Instead of placing us into an incomplete group right away, show everyone who is currently queued for the same lineup you are along with what roles they will perform.
3. Let us make the choice to either auto-group or form our own based on who we see in the lineup. When it is an auto-group, be a FULL group not just 2 people.
4. Allow people to queue to dungeons more than 5 levels from the starting quest, at least 10 levels from the minimum. Many times you will outlevel the range a dungeon allows missing it completely, and label dungeons the maximum level before it becomes unavailable.
5. SHOW ALL dungeons, whether its available to you within your level or not, everything from Banishing Cells to Vaults of Madness for Pre-Veteran Rank so new and existing players can see when they become available.
6. Tune dungeons for 4 players and auto-fill to 4, but allow dungeon groups to form up to 5 as an option. If you get 1-2 crappy persons in your group it can bring down everyone else, its a redundancy thing that other MMO's compensate for.

Audigy · June 2014

I've used the grouping tool and Yes, it works well.

thatlaurachick wrote: »

Audigy wrote: »

If you expect that everyone is a pro gamer that sits 20 hours a day behind his or her PC, then the group tool wont work for you. Keep in mind those in the tool are randoms and you can get everything from the house wife to the raging kiddo.

"Housewife" - you mean someone with a VR3 main, and 2 lvl 40 alts? I mostly play stamina builds, solo.

Hehe, more based on the fact that the "Housewife" might need to check on the kids, open doors, answer the phone, make dinner etc.

I had it a lot that people couldn't cope with it if someone had to take care of RL stuff or had to look after the kids. Some people do expect that everyone sits 20 hours in front of the PC doing nothing than playing and then they rage if another group member has to go afk for a few minutes.

In other words, it's a broken tool. It's the worst grouping tool I've seen, which is why most people use the /zone chat to fill up.

Thing is, the zone chat is full of Elitism in every MMO. If you don't fit the special Standards of a vocal minority, then you wont get into any dungeons. I believe it will be hard for the wife and husband who opened the thread to find appropriate groups as I am sure, many will complain about the fact that they want to play together and if one of them might be less good than the other or might not play a Char that is currently FOTM, then they will run into trouble there for sure.

The best bet for the OP and her husband might be finding another two like minded players, maybe another couple and play with them.

I honestly can not advice the "trade" chat in MMO´s to find groups, its a very dirty and ruthless place in my opinion.

UrQuan · June 2014

Audigy wrote: »

Hehe, more based on the fact that the "Housewife" might need to check on the kids, open doors, answer the phone, make dinner etc.

When I think "housewife" and MMO, I think more of Clara from The Guild... Locking the kids behind a gate and letting them fend for themselves

idk · June 2014

I've used the grouping tool and No, don't ever touch it.

The grouping tool is poorly designed and seems more like an afterthought vs intended.
1. can only queue for one thing at a time vs being able to queue for multiple dungeons at the same time.
2. if 2 players queue for the same content and can be placed into the same group the finder goes ahead and creates the group. 2 DPS queuing separately get placed together. A few minutes later a tank, healer and DPS queue together for the same content and they have to wait for a DPS to queue since the original 2 DPS are paired. Basically, it is not first in first to get into a complete group. Very inefficient.
3. group lead is often lost when phasing into something.

Fundamentally lacking in being an efficient tool at the most basic levels. It seems like a summer high school intern working as an office assistant worked on this.

With that, I do get groups on my healer in a hit or miss/lucky roll of the dice. With the VR6-10 dungeons I usually get a competent group where we can finish the content in decent time. VR1-5 was more of a challenge getting players with decent area awareness to deal with some boss mechanics. I figure they washed out of trying group content and do not try to get into the second set of VR dungeons.

theroyalestpythonnub18_ESO · June 2014

I've used the grouping tool and No, don't ever touch it.

I wouldn't say don't ever touch it... it's just never worked for me. Idk maybe I'm not using it right.

joshisanonymous · June 2014

I've used the grouping tool and Yes, it works well.

This is how I found my groups for literally every group dungeon I've done from 1-VR3. It started taking longer for it to find healers and tanks at 40+ but it wasn't impossible and I could often find people from simultaneously asking in the /zone for that level.

I will say that "works well" to me means that it finds people to group with and we end up finished the content. I have, however, been paired with a really bad healer once and a really bad tank another time. Occasionally, the people queue'ing for a dungeon are doing so at too low of a level also, and we aren't able to finish the content. But the vast majority of the time there are no problems.

ArRashid · June 2014

I've used the grouping tool and No, don't ever touch it.

It has so many bugs I don't even bother lately.. unless you want to wait 10 hours for tank and healers, you are better off spamming zone and guild chats...

Even IF you finally get a tank/healer, you will only get them because some turds queue for all 3 roles, of which none can they perform.. oh well.

Anvos · June 2014

Squirrel?

Bit of A and bit of B

Yes you can get a group together to do dungeons but the system is highly flawed.

1. Pre 50 it is nearly useless if you actually complete the zone and don't want to rush halfway or more across the map you'll likely be consistently out of the range for finder. Simple solution would have been Zenni adding them to an over leveled/skill point run tab after they couldn't be used via search.

2. Post 50 the system is hurt by the grind of the month stealing away players and taking up chat.

3. Group finder has bugs such as sometimes sending you to the wrong dungeon group or stupidly pairing a whole group of dps unless the leader manually restarts search. Also there is the horrible missing leader status issue.

4. Lack of useful feature such as multiple dungeon ques, or being able to search for incomplete groups manually.

5. PvP and General PvE are generally useless since it tends to be easier to find somebody in chat or who is exploring/questing the same part of the world.

Pele · June 2014

Squirrel?

david.haypreub18_ESO wrote: »

I have had success with it. The main problem, for me, is that the tool won't let you put together a group for dungeons below your level. If you are level 28 for example and want to do a quick run through Fungal Grotto for the skill point, for example, the game won't let you advertise you are looking for people for Fungal Grotto; the only choices you have are the 28-31 dungeons. That sucks.

This.

Fleymark · June 2014

Squirrel?

It works sometimes, but it can be annoying. Like the no leader thing. And it's not flexible enough.

I mean, it takes moments to get the search started so you might as well use it but don't expect it to be answer to your every desire. Lol

Havelocke · June 2014

I've used the grouping tool and No, don't ever touch it.

There are a few problems with the tool. One thing that really bugs me is that there are vast numbers of sucessfull LFG tools in other MMO's. Lets:

Make a proper pop up box when you get a group
Give you the option to teleport to the group dungeon/location of the group (if outside on missions)
Stop trying to re-invent the wheel just because you think you can

steveb16_ESO46 · June 2014

The tool isn't the problem. It's that the game doesn't want you to group except under very limited circumstances it dictates.

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