Do legit grinders get banned?

BossXV · January 2019

Bots have been a huge topic lately. It got me looking into bans, on steam a lot of people plea they were banned for no reason. I bet a lot of them are lying, but it made me think? What if legit players get banned for grinding?

I myself like to do some materials runs a couple times a week, but when double XP goes on I put on my adult diapers and grind cause I'm tired of being excluded by high cp players in raids. One time when dolemans grinding a player said look at all these dolemans bots. I personally run all 3 dolemans in a loop. (Yes I know skyreach is quicker but this is easier) Maybe they meant the strange players who sit at one spot forever and grind the one dolemans, but even then I've done that when I needed to grind but was burnt out, grind and Netflix. What do you guys think? Is ZOS good about this

Turelus · January 2019

You shouldn't do because there should be plenty of telling ways that you're not actually a bot.

StormChaser3000 · January 2019

I wouldn't worry about dolmens. Those bots sit on just one dolmen at a time.
As for grinding mats I wouldn't worry either. I'm sure that actually all those complaining on steam did one or another violation and just playing innosents.

idk · January 2019

Turelus wrote: »

You shouldn't do because there should be plenty of telling ways that you're not actually a bot.

This ^^^^

Bots are pretty obvious for starters though I would not suggest standing in one place doing basic attacks on dolmen bosses.

Also, most of those that claim they were banned for no reason are lying. Most know why there were banned. Cheaters are notorious for claiming innocents or straight up try to blame game developers in some lame attempt to justify their actions. It is really pathetic how they respond sometimes.

BossXV · January 2019

StormChaser3000 wrote: »

I wouldn't worry about dolmens. Those bots sit on just one dolmen at a time.
As for grinding mats I wouldn't worry either. I'm sure that actually all those complaining on steam did one or another violation and just playing innosents.

That's the thing, even I have sat at 1 dolemans when I was tired, and just watched Netflix until it activates, I mean what if someone's complained? I of course have plenty of other account activity, so maybe they could see.

BossXV · January 2019

idk wrote: »

Turelus wrote: »

You shouldn't do because there should be plenty of telling ways that you're not actually a bot.

This ^^^^

Bots are pretty obvious for starters though I would not suggest standing in one place doing basic attacks on dolmen bosses.

Also, most of those that claim they were banned for no reason are lying. Most know why there were banned. Cheaters are notorious for claiming innocents or straight up try to blame game developers in some lame attempt to justify their actions. It is really pathetic how they respond sometimes.

Ya your probably right, it was just unsettling to see how so many claimed innocence

DoonerSeraph · January 2019

BossXV wrote: »

StormChaser3000 wrote: »

I wouldn't worry about dolmens. Those bots sit on just one dolmen at a time.
As for grinding mats I wouldn't worry either. I'm sure that actually all those complaining on steam did one or another violation and just playing innosents.

That's the thing, even I have sat at 1 dolemans when I was tired, and just watched Netflix until it activates, I mean what if someone's complained? I of course have plenty of other account activity, so maybe they could see.

As long as you didnt stand there attacking thin air, I would find hard to see you as a bot.

BossXV · January 2019

DoonerSeraph wrote: »

BossXV wrote: »

StormChaser3000 wrote: »

I wouldn't worry about dolmens. Those bots sit on just one dolmen at a time.
As for grinding mats I wouldn't worry either. I'm sure that actually all those complaining on steam did one or another violation and just playing innosents.

That's the thing, even I have sat at 1 dolemans when I was tired, and just watched Netflix until it activates, I mean what if someone's complained? I of course have plenty of other account activity, so maybe they could see.

As long as you didnt stand there attacking thin air, I would find hard to see you as a bot.

Good point lol

albesca · January 2019

DoonerSeraph wrote: »

As long as you didnt stand there attacking thin air, I would find hard to see you as a bot.

I hate thin air with a passion, myself

SydneyGrey · January 2019

People might be banned for harassing other players or for saying awful things in chat, and just don't want to admit it, maybe.

Turelus · January 2019

albesca wrote: »

DoonerSeraph wrote: »

As long as you didnt stand there attacking thin air, I would find hard to see you as a bot.

I hate thin air with a passion, myself

Magic missile the darkness?

Anzriel · January 2019

I think they have ways to detect bots specifically, so I don't think they'd ban you if they can't detect anything. Given the number of people I see botting and still don't get banned I think you're probably safe. I also sometimes brain afk dolmens in groups for the jewelry and leveling fighter's guild and I've never been banned.

mdylan2013 · January 2019

As has already been said, I wouldn't worry.

There are ways for ZOS to tell who is and who isn't a bot, I know there are some in built mechanisms but you'd have to really cane it hard to even get close to being on their radar

Meesha1170 · January 2019

I run loops a lot for various things and haven’t been banned so I think you’re good.

Crixus8000 · January 2019

When I was gearing for pvp I farmed for hours every day, a few days I grinded loops in craglorn for like 8 hours lol, theorycrafting is expensive :P And to level I always do dolmen runs, repeating the circle over and over. I doubt you can get banned for that, it is quite easy to spot a bot, but even if you did for some reason it could probably get sorted out. I have read a lot of those posts too and a few who say they got banned often say they got unbanned later in the thread.

phileunderx2 · January 2019

Standing in one spot and constantly spamming skills pretty much means you are a bot.

Trinity_Is_My_Name · January 2019

Good post but you should be good to go. I"ve been in this game over four years and have done a lot of grinding including the Dolmens in Alik'r. Never been banned, warned or any contact of such type from ZOS.

I will say that I have seen quite a few people in guilds I am in now or have been in that thought the Dolmen runs in Alik'r were all BOTS. When I explained to them it's Players like me and all they have to do is ask in Zone Chat to join they were a bit shocked. They really thought the horde of 20+ players zipping from Dolmen to Dolmen using the Wayshrines were BOTS.

BOTs have a very specific pattern of movement that only BOTS can do. I use Botscanner 2000 to report BOTs and always have the video recorder running when doing so. Helps to have proof of BOTTING if ever asked (never been asked yet).

Anyway, good post. Enjoy the game! It's a blast!

Mettaricana · January 2019

Played an old game called mabinogi and we had an item scroll that when used on a bot it would present them with an image captcha question or a simple questions like what animal is this? that if they could not answer it booted them from the server. It did not work on afk characters but ones that were actively spamming selling gold or engaged in an active bot train. Also of answered correctly by a person they'd be immune to being scrolled again for a week it was fun id log in once a week run through main towns and scroll all the gold sellers. It gave players a bit of gm power over bots

Zweible · January 2019

I wouldn't worry about it. Even bots don't get banned.

ArchangelIsraphel · January 2019

Mettaricana wrote: »

Played an old game called mabinogi and we had an item scroll that when used on a bot it would present them with an image captcha question or a simple questions like what animal is this? that if they could not answer it booted them from the server. It did not work on afk characters but ones that were actively spamming selling gold or engaged in an active bot train. Also of answered correctly by a person they'd be immune to being scrolled again for a week it was fun id log in once a week run through main towns and scroll all the gold sellers. It gave players a bit of gm power over bots

These scrolls were also used to troll and confuse new players, which was an unfortunate side effect of them, because they could be used on -anyone- in Mabi. When my friend first started playing, after I had invited him, he was up in tir chonaill minding his own business, killing spiders on his very first character, which of course was wearing noob clothes. Some girl comes running up to him, shouting nonsense, and because he ignored her, she bot-scrolled him. He had no idea what he was supposed to do, and I wasn't online at the time, so his new character got locked out until he was able to contact the company.

We do not need a mechanic like this in ESO. It was terrible in Mabi, and still is.

starkerealm · January 2019

idk wrote: »

Turelus wrote: »

You shouldn't do because there should be plenty of telling ways that you're not actually a bot.

This ^^^^

Bots are pretty obvious for starters though I would not suggest standing in one place doing basic attacks on dolmen bosses.

Also, most of those that claim they were banned for no reason are lying. Most know why there were banned. Cheaters are notorious for claiming innocents or straight up try to blame game developers in some lame attempt to justify their actions. It is really pathetic how they respond sometimes.

Anyone else immediately reminded of those XBL threads, appealing bans? That was some pretty entertaining internet.

zaria · January 2019

Hard

ArchangelIsraphel wrote: »

Mettaricana wrote: »

Played an old game called mabinogi and we had an item scroll that when used on a bot it would present them with an image captcha question or a simple questions like what animal is this? that if they could not answer it booted them from the server. It did not work on afk characters but ones that were actively spamming selling gold or engaged in an active bot train. Also of answered correctly by a person they'd be immune to being scrolled again for a week it was fun id log in once a week run through main towns and scroll all the gold sellers. It gave players a bit of gm power over bots

These scrolls were also used to troll and confuse new players, which was an unfortunate side effect of them, because they could be used on -anyone- in Mabi. When my friend first started playing, after I had invited him, he was up in tir chonaill minding his own business, killing spiders on his very first character, which of course was wearing noob clothes. Some girl comes running up to him, shouting nonsense, and because he ignored her, she bot-scrolled him. He had no idea what he was supposed to do, and I wasn't online at the time, so his new character got locked out until he was able to contact the company.

We do not need a mechanic like this in ESO. It was terrible in Mabi, and still is.

Runecraft had an random event then grinding or farming as it either summoned an boss or you got an guy with an captcha check, if you solved it you got an small reward, if you did not he would tart attacking you, you could run away from all this.
Probably worked better in Runescape as bots was simpler.

for ESO having an world boss with some mechanic would be nice if it spawned in areas there lots of players grind.
If legit players it would be an fun challenge, if bots they would wipe. vFG 1 level mecanic as in stupid around boss you have to move out of perhaps also some added mechanic so you have to move in, nice an slow but one shot.

starkerealm · January 2019

I wouldn't worry about it too much. (If I take their whining at face value) I've been reported four or five times for daring to play in quest zones that someone else was trying to farm. Never heard a peep from customer support.

idk · January 2019

BossXV wrote: »

idk wrote: »

Turelus wrote: »

You shouldn't do because there should be plenty of telling ways that you're not actually a bot.

This ^^^^

Bots are pretty obvious for starters though I would not suggest standing in one place doing basic attacks on dolmen bosses.

Also, most of those that claim they were banned for no reason are lying. Most know why there were banned. Cheaters are notorious for claiming innocents or straight up try to blame game developers in some lame attempt to justify their actions. It is really pathetic how they respond sometimes.

Ya your probably right, it was just unsettling to see how so many claimed innocence

I saw in another game where the devs placed a trap to catch and counter duplicating of items. The manner of duplicating the items was not anything near normal gameplay.

A player claimed he was banned unfairly, that they did not do what they were accused of. A dev countered with how many times he attempted to duplicate the items after the trap was set. The player then blamed the devs for allowing them to do it in the first place (even though the player did not report the issue).

They squirm It is funny at first seeing them try to weasel their way out of it but it does get old. I have no problem with games banning exploiters and cheaters.

Elsonso · January 2019

idk wrote: »

[In another game] A player claimed he was banned unfairly, that they did not do what they were accused of. A dev countered with how many times he attempted to duplicate the items after the trap was set. The player then blamed the devs for allowing them to do it in the first place (even though the player did not report the issue).

One of my problems with how ZOS handles cheating and exploits is that they are so inconsistent about it. Sometimes, they are laid back about it and it is something they will fix when they get around to it. Sometimes, they are all over it, banning people left and right, bodies flying everywhere. Most times, I figure they just sit quietly and hope that not too many people do it.

In the environment we have here, I consider whether "the game allows it" might actually be the way cheating and exploits are handled. Not by players, but by ZOS. Unless ZOS comes across something that riles them up, that is. Then it is "don't stop shooting until you are out of ammo". One just never knows, so how is a player to tell the difference between an exploit that ZOS does not care about, and is now part of the game, and one that ZOS does care about, and should not be done? Avoid them all, even though a large number of other players might be using the "ZOS-allowed" exploit or cheat?

I seem to recall that there is a ZOS-allowed exploit out there right now, with a fix coming Soon™, so I guess players get to do that one until they fix it. I am sure it is not the only one. How are people to know? They really can't.

I don't like that. Not even a little.

DocFrost72 · January 2019

I've grinded for hundreds of levels (not an exaggeration. Back when v16 was a thing I'd delete characters because I didn't like their nose. RIP Syldraaendril) and been accused (mid conversation with the person) once.

Long as you're legit, I'm not sure how it can happen.

Alex_Lex · January 2019

albesca wrote: »

DoonerSeraph wrote: »

As long as you didnt stand there attacking thin air, I would find hard to see you as a bot.

I hate thin air with a passion, myself

Can't find you in my "Thin air haters" guild, d'oh!

LeagueTroll · January 2019

They don’t even ban most mat farming bots. Look how many ppl complained.

Ppl using cheat engine? They banned so few of them, only the extremely obvious ones.

They do ban account share though. But some ppl seem to be in cyro 24/7, I guess zos only look at the ip.

Honestly zos prolly ban more ppl on forum than in the game.