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Bots are now masking themselves? Report no longer accessible
@ZOS_TristanK , @ZOS_JessicaFolsom FYI - Now we have an issue where when trying to report bots, we get a blank white screen and cannot report them. The blank screen doesn't seem to be appearing when targeting legitimate players. Relogging doesn't help this, so I think it's something on the botter's end that keeps them from being reportable and blocks our access to the help screen.
Any suggestions for us if we can't report them anymore?
Any suggestions for us if we can't report them anymore?
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TheGrandAlliance✭✭✭✭Do it old school way: Try to remember the name of the bot and file a manual help request (report player). You may have to chase em around a bit for this to happen. I like to use teh clipboard and type things into the /s bar... cut/paste until I get all of them. Then I just do one massive report with all the bots as one report.
IN fact reported a 10+ man bot army several hours go. Feels good to report:)
Whether they get banned or not... hopfefuly so...Edited by TheGrandAlliance on May 15, 2014 1:00PMIndeed it is so...3 -
ThePonzzz✭✭✭✭✭
✭Windhelm was a mad house yesterday. A few GMs were should cleaning things up, but the moment they were gone, the army of Argonian bots was ridiculous.0 -
Xnemesis✭✭✭✭Why not make it so that after you delete and then reroll a character, you wont be able to create another one on the same account for 2-3 days.0 -
KerinKor✭✭✭✭✭
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Seems entirely implausible for the bots to affect the server or our game clients in the way you're implying.gardenia.ren67ub17_ESO wrote: »@ZOS_TristanK , @ZOS_JessicaFolsom FYI - Now we have an issue where when trying to report bots, we get a blank white screen and cannot report them. The blank screen doesn't seem to be appearing when targeting legitimate players. Relogging doesn't help this, so I think it's something on the botter's end that keeps them from being reportable and blocks our access to the help screen.
Any suggestions for us if we can't report them anymore?
If you're referring to the while screen in the report dialog then I've seen that from time to time forever, it seems to be when the reporter can't connect to the report server.
Edited by KerinKor on May 15, 2014 2:11PM2 -
reggielee✭✭✭✭yes, they are using something which makes it exceedingly hard to detect them, even if they are standing still and you are next to them. It can be done, i think they are making the targeting space very very small and you have to find the exact point with your mouse
the great news that i take from this is that reporting is WORKINGMama always said the fastest way to a man's heart is through his chest.1 -
TheGrandAlliance✭✭✭✭...thats why I said just to do a manual report. Dont use the f key interface... instead goto the help page and enter in all relevant information.Indeed it is so...0
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Swampster✭✭✭Why not make it so that after you delete and then reroll a character, you wont be able to create another one on the same account for 2-3 days.
I don't think it matters.. they're supposedly banning accounts not characters. It would appear to me by the shear numbers involved they (that's the botters) have found a way of spoofing accounts to the server and can create accounts/characters on demand...Edited by Swampster on May 15, 2014 2:20PMSwampriel - Nightblade (Archer Build) - Ebonheart Pact - Veteran
Swampess - DragonKnight - Eboheart Pact - Lowbie Faceroller1 -
twev✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭TheGrandAlliance wrote: »...thats why I said just to do a manual report. Dont use the f key interface... instead goto the help page and enter in all relevant information.
Would be fine, maybe, if the bots would just cooperate and stand still for a while so I could write the names down.The problem with society these days is that no one drinks from the skulls of their enemies anymore.2 -
KerinKor✭✭✭✭✭
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ZOS have said such reports aren't useful, only reports from the reporter which reports on your location are useful for reporting bots. It was in a 'green' post some time last week.TheGrandAlliance wrote: »...thats why I said just to do a manual report. Dont use the f key interface... instead goto the help page and enter in all relevant information.
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ebunts14_ESO✭✭✭Why not make it so that after you delete and then reroll a character, you wont be able to create another one on the same account for 2-3 days.
Deleting a character does nothing to stop bots, Its the accounts that get banned. But most bots using stolen credit cards because people go to their sites to buy gold or items and bam, Your credit card is used for creating new account and botting.
Not requiring the use of static ip is part of the issue to. Botters are able to mask their real ip otherwise.
Edited by ebunts14_ESO on May 15, 2014 2:27PM1 -
TheGrandAlliance✭✭✭✭
ZOS have said such reports aren't useful, only reports from the reporter which reports on your location are useful for reporting bots. It was in a 'green' post some time last week.TheGrandAlliance wrote: »...thats why I said just to do a manual report. Dont use the f key interface... instead goto the help page and enter in all relevant information.
@KerinKor Please provide evidence for your claim. I fail to see how reporting a name of a character, where they are, and what they are doing at the time isn't a "useful report".Edited by TheGrandAlliance on May 15, 2014 2:28PMIndeed it is so...1 -
Tarwin✭✭✭Wow, this is insane how diabolical these drones are becoming
Yet, they can't even think of a good name for their bots?5 -
Xnemesis✭✭✭✭Why not make it so that after you delete and then reroll a character, you wont be able to create another one on the same account for 2-3 days.
I don't think it matters.. they're supposedly banning accounts not characters. It would appear to me by the shear numbers involved they (that's the botters) have found a way of spoofing accounts to the server and can create accounts/characters on demand...
err if you have all 8 character slots filled and all 8 have done the once and done quest that gives a gold reward those characters are useless. So they have to delete and reroll so a new character can complete the quest. This is why you see an endless train of bots completing non combat quests in windhelm and coldharbor. They essentially create a character port in and complete the quest. Then they take the 250g reward and deposit into the bank. Then they delete the character and reroll. If you put a timer on the delete charcter feature you prevent them from making once and done characters. It is futile to report a character that is deleted from existence within a 3 minute window. I am not suggesting this because I believe that zos is only banning characters it is in an effort to rid atleast this form of botting and gold farming. Putting a 3 day timer on the delete character function would leave a minimal footprint for those that play the game legitimately. I believe this is a much better option then removing the quest rewards from some quests.Edited by Xnemesis on May 15, 2014 2:28PM1 -
ijRoberts✭✭✭Why not make it so that after you delete and then reroll a character, you wont be able to create another one on the same account for 2-3 days.
I don't think it matters.. they're supposedly banning accounts not characters. It would appear to me by the shear numbers involved they (that's the botters) have found a way of spoofing accounts to the server and can create accounts/characters on demand...
While this would be another fix that harms the legit players, it would stop the bot accounts that AREN'T being reported from repeatedly creating new characters for quest reward runs.
2-3 days might be a bit extreme. Perhaps a few hours would be enough to deter botters (until they come up with their next scheme).1 -
GreySix✭✭✭✭✭
✭Really thinking we're seeing one of two things at play:- ZOS is overwhelmed, and the bots are simply out of control for the foreseeable future
- ZOS is fully aware, and they're preparing a "nuclear option" to annihilate as many bot accounts as possible in the near future
Crotchety Old Man Guild
"Hey you, get off my lawn!"4 -
Xnemesis✭✭✭✭Why not make it so that after you delete and then reroll a character, you wont be able to create another one on the same account for 2-3 days.
I don't think it matters.. they're supposedly banning accounts not characters. It would appear to me by the shear numbers involved they (that's the botters) have found a way of spoofing accounts to the server and can create accounts/characters on demand...
While this would be another fix that harms the legit players, it would stop the bot accounts that AREN'T being reported from repeatedly creating new characters for quest reward runs.
2-3 days might be a bit extreme. Perhaps a few hours would be enough to deter botters (until they come up with their next scheme).
IMO you have 8 character slots, as a legit player you have no need to delete more than one toon every three days. And yes its just a fix until the next FOTM bot scam emerges0 -
Milanna✭✭✭Really thinking we're seeing one of two things at play:- ZOS is overwhelmed, and the bots are simply out of control for the foreseeable future
- ZOS is fully aware, and they're preparing a "nuclear option" to annihilate as many bot accounts as possible in the near future
I would go with 1
But maybe I´m just projecting, because I certainly feel overwhelmed
EU-server
Mila the True (Aldmeri Dominion)
Milanna the Cold-hearted (Aldmeri Dominion)
Raphael the Cunning (Ebonheart Pact)
NA-server
Cassius Tanicius (Daggerfall Covenant)
I just found garlic, you blood-suckers better stay clear4 -
Xnemesis✭✭✭✭
Makes for a good show and then when the GMs leave the bots will be back just implement the 3 day CD on the delete character function and call it a day.
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TheGrandAlliance✭✭✭✭|
Lol, manual handling is the most ineffective way of solving this problem, practically useless.
It is profitable though. Assuming a bot account costs 50USD... if a GM were to ban 2-3 accounts/day they would pay for their salary.
Asssuming nothing gets refunded (as some on forums claim; without proof) of course...Edited by TheGrandAlliance on May 15, 2014 2:48PMIndeed it is so...0 -
zhevon✭✭✭✭
Why the hell doesn't ZoS have a central FAQ with all non-obvious info? Its almost impossible to find official info. This is kind of significant.
ZOS have said such reports aren't useful, only reports from the reporter which reports on your location are useful for reporting bots. It was in a 'green' post some time last week.TheGrandAlliance wrote: »...thats why I said just to do a manual report. Dont use the f key interface... instead goto the help page and enter in all relevant information.
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KerinKor✭✭✭✭✭
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Can't be bothered, if you don't believe me then fine. The reason given was that only the Report dialog report will contain location information they want to identify where the bot is.TheGrandAlliance wrote: »
ZOS have said such reports aren't useful, only reports from the reporter which reports on your location are useful for reporting bots. It was in a 'green' post some time last week.TheGrandAlliance wrote: »...thats why I said just to do a manual report. Dont use the f key interface... instead goto the help page and enter in all relevant information.
@KerinKor Please provide evidence for your claim. I fail to see how reporting a name of a character, where they are, and what they are doing at the time isn't a "useful report".
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GreySix✭✭✭✭✭
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Why the hell doesn't ZoS have a central FAQ with all non-obvious info? Its almost impossible to find official info. This is kind of significant.
ZOS have said such reports aren't useful, only reports from the reporter which reports on your location are useful for reporting bots. It was in a 'green' post some time last week.TheGrandAlliance wrote: »...thats why I said just to do a manual report. Dont use the f key interface... instead goto the help page and enter in all relevant information.
You didn't see that guidance clearly indicated in Subparagraph 56.3 of Annex 45, of Update Notes Special Instructions 1.033456.3? It was clearly visible in 3-point italics! What the heck is the matter with you???
Crotchety Old Man Guild
"Hey you, get off my lawn!"10 -
TheGrandAlliance✭✭✭✭Can't be bothered, if you don't believe me then fine. The reason given was that only the Report dialog report will contain location information they want to identify where the bot is.
Having 5 stars doesn't mean your information is vaild. Nonetheless: A bot army that spends hours grinding in the same place can easily be found by the character who reports the location (if standing nearby). The player sending the report has a position... and if the bots are there it is easy to find them.
FUrthermore they can simply check teh character's names that are reported, see what they are up to, and make a ban decision that way. They don't need all the information you "claim" to make a ban.
Unless you can "prove" that mass reporting is "useless" then your 5 starts means nothing. Please do not provide false information to others on forums.Indeed it is so...2 -
Kililin✭✭✭✭Really thinking we're seeing one of two things at play:
- ZOS is overwhelmed, and the bots are simply out of control for the foreseeable future
- ZOS is fully aware, and they're preparing a "nuclear option" to annihilate as many bot accounts as possible in the near future
But the second option leaves lots of gold and wares in the economy, i do not think they will catch everything. Not even all bot accounts, much less the gold or wares they generated.
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GreySix✭✭✭✭✭
✭Special hint for GMs: Bots tend to hover around Level 3, wear prison garb, group all in one place, move in lines with each other, and have names like "fheirfphiefhasf."
Happy to help.Crotchety Old Man Guild
"Hey you, get off my lawn!"4 -
Gillysan✭✭✭✭
Maybe in the first couple weeks but this is no longer the case. I'm seeing real names now and also seeing gold seller mail from @somethingresemblingarealname.Special hint for GMs: Bots tend to hover around Level 3, wear prison garb, group all in one place, move in lines with each other, and have names like "fheirfphiefhasf."
Happy to help.
Crafting Services http://tinyurl.com/GillysansStore Organizational Guide http://tinyurl.com/GillysansEnchanterLeveling
ESO Dwemer Ruins List
Dwemer Forum Thread3 -
Celysa✭✭
Maybe in the first couple weeks but this is no longer the case. I'm seeing real names now and also seeing gold seller mail from @somethingresemblingarealname.Special hint for GMs: Bots tend to hover around Level 3, wear prison garb, group all in one place, move in lines with each other, and have names like "fheirfphiefhasf."
Happy to help.
Yep I sent a report yesterday since I am now seeing they have first and last names ie: rtiw dpkit
I was thinking maybe to throw off a search for inappropriate names? I do agree this has gotten worse lately. I see them out in the open in all zones and alliances.
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