A note to FAF veterans.

[gnatinator]

With the recent influx of new players, it looks like Forged Alliance is growing again. I think I can speak for everyone here when I say this is an awesome thing as it opens up opportunities for more and bigger events, more variety and more recognition for such a great game.

However, our community is also very hardcore and can seem cut-thoat/elitist/unwelcoming online to new players at times. On the bright side this can be improved by having some extended courtesy to new players...

• Don't smurf in noob games. Free wins aren't satisfying, and this will only frustrate new players.
• Give noobs helpful tips rather than berating them. Don't harass new players. This game is HARD. Help them! Send them to this thread: http://www.faforever.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1610
• Warn noobs when they join higher level games, suggest they create or join a noob game. If the noob wants to play in higher level games in order to learn faster, that's awesome and should be encouraged. But many noobs won't have understood the rating system yet and will get destroyed and discouraged.

It's pretty much unavoidable that a new player will lose their first 20 games because of how difficult Forged Alliance is, even though we all know that in the long term it is an extremely satisfying game. New players have enough of a hard time as it is so go easy and remember that we were all noobs once.

[eXivo]

agreed 100%
i'm also willing to train new players if they so desire, add me on skype username: exivo_

[Softly]

Training can be best found here: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1614

Sign up too eXivo, Voodoos got a great set-up I think.

[Eukanuba]

Good post, new players should be welcomed.

[Adraius]

I'd like to add some tips for noobs as well:

-ask questions and talk to random people. After your game with somebody ends, they don't disappear, you can still find them in the IRC chat. There's a nice set of new players joining right now, and the community is small enough that it's likely you'll be seeing the same names today, tomorrow, and farther down the road. Make friends, and ever better, playing buddies!

-live replays are awesome, both for recreation (I'm recovering from surgery right now, and have enjoyed watching some really great recent games) and education. Build orders differ from map to map, and some hidden items to reclaim can be key; check out how others (pro or not) play the map.

-learn how the rating system works, both to help find good matches and help your morale. Scan through this article for a start, and keep in mind that a) it will take awhile before the rating narrows in on your skill, and b) only the lowest 'likely' rating is displayed. To see your skill curve (or another player's), right click on your/their name in the chat. As a (very) rough guide, under 900-1000ish is newbies/noobs, from there to 1400-1500 is medium/good, and above 1500 is really good/pro.

-lastly, a shout-out to Styr, who hosted the first game I ever played, and set up a great match with all skill levels. Saw him the day after in a TA4Life cast; I hadn't ever realized I was playing with the best.

Good hunting!

[Doompants]

Also -- familiarize yourself with the Wiki.. I've been able to quickly find and link wiki pages to noobs who are having problems, and it's WAAAY better than just kicking them without an explanation.

Likewise -- I got kicked from the lobby last night 10 seconds after a bystander (who wanted in) said I was lagging when I was <150 with everyone except the observer. I don't know if the lesson here is just "don't be a d***", or if it's "Give guys a second to respond", or what, but this kind of behavior really kills the community.

[Eukanuba]

There is a minority of players that can get ragey and abusive, and there's just no need for it. I find it really offputting and I'm sure brand new players might just decide never to come back if they're on the receiving end of it. The community should do all it can to discourage players from getting ragey and/or abusive, it's unpleasant and I don't want my hard-earned leisure time spoiled by some idiot who feels the need to verbally attack other people who share his niche-as-fᴜck interest.

TL,DR: BEING A NOOB IS NOT A CRIME

Having said that, I do sometimes want to give unsolicited advice to noob opponents who just do it all wrong, but I usually stop myself in case it appears rude. Mind you, I recently watched a replay in which a top 100 player surrounded all his mexes with pgens. What hope for the rest of us?

[Adraius]

Mind you, I recently watched a replay in which a top 100 player surrounded all his mexes with pgens.

Slightly offtopic, but THIS!!!! WHY?!?!?!

Do they know something we don't? Is it best to surround early then reclaim and replace once you get T2 power? Even if they just had a brain fart, I'd like to hear it so I'm not haunted by the possibility that there's a secret trick to get .0001% more out of your economy. ._.

Also, I'm one of those players who as a lower simspeed. As such, I have to avoid the big 4v4s and such that I love. If any of you noobs out is also stuck with a slower comp but wouldn't mind a -2 Setons or something, dial me up. =P

[Ze_PilOt]

You gain half of a power generator when you upgrade it.

[Casimus]

I have enjoyed playing and helping new players, there is a lot of noobism on FAF and it should be wiped out. If anyone wants to learn the basics on Setons for example then by all means gimme a shout. Im not one of the best but im always very happy to help.