Shardchat destroys fun

Shard chats are simply a way for players to work around poor game design (that makes you play at a specific time by having rewards tied to rank based on that specific time). Chat just allows players to play when they can and not have to be on at 5 minutes before payout to guarantee not being sniped.

It also helps facilitate maximum payouts for people around "busy" payout times - since arena shards were not assigned based on "x number of players per payout times". In fact, since we can (finally) change our payout times, many shard chats actually help redistribute payout times so there is less conflict near the top, by spreading out the active payouts times.

I am NOT defending the behavior of players who run their shard chats more like a "mafia" - join, comply or get crushed. But I would suggest two things:

1) Shard chats can serve a greater good (better QOL for players that cooperate)
2) It's silly for players with the same payout times NOT to try to figure out how to cooperate/work together to maximize crystals, as opposed to constantly knock each other back and forth - all that does is waste crystals in refreshing and leaves unpaid max rewards at the top during those payout times.

Now, I also realize that not everyone who just got a new Revan, and has now decided after 3 years of ignoring shard chats and disregarding other players' payouts times, is going to warmly welcomed by their respective shard chats now. Honestly, them's the berries.

"Kyno;c-1797703" wrote:

"elmarko1234;c-1797696" wrote:
Highest rank of day would also remove all this payout timing changes issues also. Not to mention the stress of playing for a specific hour (Which is horrible to fit into real life).

It's just a better system & if the concern is that too many free shards go around then reduce the max payout a little to compensate. You still have to get to number 1, you still need to beat a number 1 squad so I don't see the problem.

There are many issues with this. Firstly, there are only 24 of any position PO a day, there are an "unlimited" number of top positions in the day, so it's a little different than just decrease the PO a little and it will all balance out.

I see this making any issues with shard chats worse. Now instead of a 24 position based rotation, you have a rotation trying to get upwards of 30-50+ players into first. Shards will be more active, which would make shard chats more active.

Taking a position at some point in time also takes away from the competition. You dont race to be first at some point, you race to be first at the end of the race.

If you know there is someone you cant beat, you simply wait for someone else to beat them then take the spot from them. This would make that easier than it is now to take first, even if you cant win all the time.
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All in all, I'm not saying we couldn't have a better system, I just dont think a top rank for the day system is better.

I agree that can create other issues but the system we have now of people taking turns to win, or simply changing payout time to the middle of the night/setting an alarm - isn't a great one either.

There is also the huge problem of the 'fight-lock system' in which you have to fight somebody else 6.5mins before payout, hopefully leaving the opponent once you are done not enough time to snipe you in the remaining 1m30 seconds.

This is a terrible system. it's not good gameplay & is about using 'out of game' mechanics, such as shard chat & out of combat gameplay mechanics 'lockout timers' to win. Not skill, or having a good lineup.

"Nikoms565;c-1797704" wrote:
Shard chats are simply a way for players to work around poor game design (that makes you play at a specific time by having rewards tied to rank based on that specific time). Chat just allows players to play when they can and not have to be on at 5 minutes before payout to guarantee not being sniped.

It also helps facilitate maximum payouts for people around "busy" payout times - since arena shards were not assigned based on "x number of players per payout times". In fact, since we can (finally) change our payout times, many shard chats actually help redistribute payout times so there is less conflict near the top, by spreading out the active payouts times.

I am NOT defending the behavior of players who run their shard chats more like a "mafia" - join, comply or get crushed. But I would suggest two things:

1) Shard chats can serve a greater good (better QOL for players that cooperate)
2) It's silly for players with the same payout times NOT to try to figure out how to cooperate/work together to maximize crystals, as opposed to constantly knock each other back and forth - all that does is waste crystals in refreshing and leaves unpaid max rewards at the top during those payout times.

Now, I also realize that not everyone who just got a new Revan, and has now decided after 3 years of ignoring shard chats and disregarding other players' payouts times, is going to warmly welcomed by their respective shard chats now. Honestly, them's the berries.

Funny that you say you don’t like chats which operate like a „mafia“ and your last sentence/paragraph (correct me if I am wrong) tells that you are NEVER allowed to be stronger at some point in this game because you HAVE to be a whale and join the shardchat. As if it was their right.

The simple fact is, to get to 1st - it doesn't take skill in beating enemies - it takes collusion between enemies. This can't be the intended system. Nobody would design it like this knowing it would turn out that way.

I refuse to believe that was how it was meant to be played. It's simply the monster they created & the devs can't think of a better solution.

"elmarko1234;c-1797708" wrote:
The simple fact is, to get to 1st - it doesn't take skill in beating enemies - it takes collusion between enemies. This can't be the intended system. Nobody would design it like this knowing it would turn out that way.

I refuse to believe that was how it was meant to be played. It's simply the monster they created & the devs can't think of a better solution.

Correct. That’s why I asked before why CG/EA isn’t thinking about a better solution. I think it’s because they want the players to refresh for crystals. And yes, I know that’s the reason why shardchats exist.

I don't blame people for using shard chats mind, it's a required evil based on the rubbish system in place. It's up to CG to provide a better one mind, but due to how long it's gone on I don't think they even seem to think it's a problem sadly.

"elmarko1234;c-1797711" wrote:
I don't blame people for using shard chats mind, it's a required evil based on the rubbish system in place. It's up to CG to provide a better one mind, but due to how long it's gone on I don't think they even seem to think it's a problem sadly.

But I am not willing to „just accept our fate“. And I am sure a lot of people think the same.

I like to think of shard chats as an extension of the cooperative multiplayer that guilds enjoy in TB/TW. And (at least in my experience) it isn't just about climbing as high as you can. I've met some cool people and had good game-centric discussions on Discord. It's a place to discuss theory-crafting and ask for help without all the negativity that can sometimes pervade the official forums. Still, sorry that OP is having a tough time with their shard. It shouldn't be a strong-arm tactic. Everyone gets better together if we willingly help each other get better.

(Edit for clarity: by negativity in the forums I'm not saying anything about this thread. Everyone here has so far been civil and constructive. We can disagree and still get along. Much appreciated! Carry on!)

"Noxfire27;c-1797701" wrote:

"mvmss;c-1797690" wrote:
No, it doesn't.

What would you have lost, by joining the shard chat?

It's simply a way to be gregarious, cooperate and maximize returns, to stay competitive. There are plenty of people to hit when climbing and I see nothing wrong in being civil about it.

I had an issue in fleet, with a Russian guy always attacking me on my payout, which was the same as his. We were the only ones on the same payout and, yet, he would always attack me while climbing. He would not reply in game, nor on Discord. I reached out to his guild leader, who was quite nice, and no reply from him. One day, I got fed up and I locked him at 17, I think. We could both be #1 and #2, but since he would always attack me, I burned crystals to hell and locked him there. On the 3rd day of this back and forth nonsense, both of us missing out on hundreds of crystals, he reached out swearing at me. And he, at this moment, understood that cooperating was more benefitial to both of us and it has been this way, ever since.

You may have learned a lesson for life right there. In the end, you are the one who did not join when invited, so now you live with the consequences of your choices.

This is just a game, but, in real life, certain doors will only open to you once.

Bad excuses like this that you make up for yourself because you cheat are the main problem, not a solution. Lesson for life? Are you serious? „You have to cheat because we do, otherwise we will punish you“? It’s ridiculous that you want me to play against the rules and when I decline it’s my fault and I have to „live with the consequences“? That’s a new level of being a hypocrite. Wow.

I am not condoning them bunching up against you and I don't ever do that. If you interpreted that from what I said, sorry for the misunderatanding.

But, YOU were invited to the shard chat, YOU denied the invitation, so now YOU will live with the consequences of your choice, until they invite you again. It doesn't get any more clear than this. Yes, it sucks they are now picking on you, but you call them cheaters and wanna play lone wolf against a pack, good luck. They are getting to the top and it seems you are not.

Arena is like the hunger games. Cooperation is key for maximizing rewards on a competitive environment. What you call cheating I call being smart and gregarious.

By the way, out of curiosity, how many people are there per shard?

"GunnerFCm;c-1797718" wrote:
I like to think of shard chats as an extension of the cooperative multiplayer that guilds enjoy in TB/TW. And (at least in my experience) it isn't just about climbing as high as you can. I've met some cool people and had good game-centric discussions on Discord. It's a place to discuss theory-crafting and ask for help without all the negativity that can sometimes pervade the official forums. Still, sorry that OP is having a tough time with their shard. It shouldn't be a strong-arm tactic. Everyone gets better together if we willingly help each other get better.

You talk about Discord-channels in general as a „social-media-platform“. I am with you with this, joined a few on my own and running one for my guild. But don’t mix it with a „mafia“-like shardchat where „you have to be in otherwise we will crush you“-thing.