MMO Etiquette Part 1

I was just running around in Oatbarton, trying to kill some random enemies for XP and gold, when someone came along and helped me out. Why was I annoyed?

You might think that MMORPGs are all about social interaction and that helping each other is a good thing. Not necessarily. When you help someone by attacking their target, you don't get any XP, which I'm sure you knew. But did you also realise that by interfering, you actually halve the XP that they earn. So if they didn't need your help, but you were passing by and decide to give the target a bash, you might have reduced the time it takes to kill it, but you've also wasted half their XP.

So, when is it right to help out when you've not been invited to? I think it's a judgement call - if they look like they are about to die, then most users would welcome the relief. If they're doing fine, then there's no need to step in.

If you're wanting to ask them something, like whether they are doing a similar quest to you, wait until they've finished. And while we're at it, it's always better to send a Tell and ask if they'd like to fellowship with first, before just inviting them.

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