Doctor Archive
Thread: Random Acts of Kindness
I say Hi and starting healing his damage. He says Thanks! Check Two Complete. He's polite and spells whole words.
So I break out the bot and give him a full set of buffs, a stack of my +390 Brandy, a Landspeeder, a 179max VK, and my old 75% Comp ChestPlate with an Encumb Slice.
He gushed thanks forever. All I asked in return was that one day, when he has just walked out from buying some half million dollar pre-sliced Composite and sees a newbie, that he help.
Outstanding posts! I make a point to do random acts of kindness at least once a week, where I will even invest up to an hour in search of a new player to assist. Initially when I first started doing this, I thought punching a large tip was helpfull. I have learned (as many of you have likely learned as well) that what they really need is about a half hour of chat, an email of helpful waypoints, and about a one hour tour of some "how to do's" (either crafting, combat, or what not).
I'm so excited to see this type of post. I'm sure there are hundreds of other examples out there too.
I've given people everything from free buffs to weapons to 20k or more credits simply for 1. being new and 2. being civil and having genuine questions that don't constitute a whine. I figure that a few credits, to me, can be made up quickly but giving a newb directions to good shopping centers and a headstart may save him/her days upon days of work. Easily justified in my opinion.
I've also found that helping people out also nets returns that I haven't even though about. I've had people that I've helped and maintain a casual relationship with give me unexpected /tells with janta blood they've looted or items they've found...all for free simply because they have no use for it.
I agree with FeartheLettuce though, I will not ever give credits to someone who's just sitting around begging.
I had a lot of help when I first started as well, I believe its the reason I play the game still.
I was REALLY new, like maybe on for 30mins, and I was in the starport chilling in my mabriweave *shudder* and I started talking to this wookie (I so wish I remembered his name) and we get to talking about jedi.
He has me open up a trade window and promptly fills it with more pearls and crystals than I have ever seen (even now).
He then duels and accidentally DB's someone hahahaha.
Then as the shuttle lands he tips me 100k and asks me not to *spend it all in one place*.
I've done various things for genuine newbies; be it buying/giving equipment or clothes, tipping them so they can get a headstart, giving them some of my extra comp armor, lots of stuff.
As was stated: I can make back the credits a lot easier than a true noob just starting a profession.
I'll never forget this brand new image designer that I had change my hair once.
I think she had JUST mastered because she was shouting about making changed outside coronet.
Well I had her change my hair/color and it took probably like 30 seconds. I tipped her 25k.
When she got done she said "you can tip if you want, or can afford it, if not I understand".
I told her to scroll up and winked at her, then ran off.
I promptly got a tell, with an enthusiastic "your next change is on me".
Heh.
I do this alot in my travels as well.Sometimes I'll get someone begging for credits and I'll give them 5k or so but if they keep at it it annoys me but usually if I see them I'll buff them up and give them some cash.But one time really struck me as funny I landed on Talus to do some hunting and this guy asks me to get him a ticket so he can meet a friend.First I was shocked his friend didn't do it for him but I said what the hey.So I ask him where he needs to go.And he starts getting mad and calling me a **edit** and a bunch of other not so nice names.It takes several minutes for it to sink into my thick skull to realize he's so new he doesn't understand the big wookie in front of him and thinks I'm playing with him.I finally have to give him a tell just to get him to group with me just to tach him languages.I give him 10k and his ticket then buff him up and send him on his way.He thourghly apologizes and promises to find a way to pay me back.It'll be cool to see if he does someday.I think its our responsibilty to help out the new players as best we can.Maybe thats just me but oh well I also don't approve of griefers.So that should let you know the type of person I am.Hell I won't even buff known griefers if I've heard of them.
Gwarrbacca
This threed is really great to see. And I would like to suggest that a way to sort out a newbie from a veteran begger is to talk to them. Try to start up a conversation and offer to help answer their questions or to give them advice on something. If this turns them hostile I tell them to get a life then a job. If they are actually newbies they are dieing for a little help, someone to walk them through how to make some progress or how the game works. If they can tollerate your "help" from talking then they also get tips or items from me, but only after the verbal "help".
One common thing in SWG is asking for tickets to get somewhere. When I am asked I offer to walk them through how to make the money themselves and stay with them while they do it to make sure they don't run into problems. We go to a terminal and do an in town delivery mission, or a simple hunt mission to pick up a little cash. It doesn't even have to be enough for the ticket, just so they know how to do it. Then after they go through the effort I tip them enough extra to buy a couple of tickets. I figured they earned it by doing the mission. When doing the mission I also don't actually help them in combat unless they get into trouble. Better to let them do it, and just talk them through it. But the tip of extra cash only comes after all the other stuff. Beggers won't put up with playing newbie that long, they are an impatient bunch and unwilling to lift a finger to help themselves.
GuardianHawk wrote:
This threed is really great to see. And I would like to suggest that a way to sort out a newbie from a veteran begger is to talk to them. Try to start up a conversation and offer to help answer their questions or to give them advice on something. If this turns them hostile I tell them to get a life then a job. If they are actually newbies they are dieing for a little help, someone to walk them through how to make some progress or how the game works. If they can tollerate your "help" from talking then they also get tips or items from me, but only after the verbal "help".
One common thing in SWG is asking for tickets to get somewhere. When I am asked I offer to walk them through how to make the money themselves and stay with them while they do it to make sure they don't run into problems. We go to a terminal and do an in town delivery mission, or a simple hunt mission to pick up a little cash. It doesn't even have to be enough for the ticket, just so they know how to do it. Then after they go through the effort I tip them enough extra to buy a couple of tickets. I figured they earned it by doing the mission. When doing the mission I also don't actually help them in combat unless they get into trouble. Better to let them do it, and just talk them through it. But the tip of extra cash only comes after all the other stuff. Beggers won't put up with playing newbie that long, they are an impatient bunch and unwilling to lift a finger to help themselves.
That is so true. Any one who is really new, would be thrilled to have you walk them threw missioning and such.. to the point they would feel bad for taking your time. I tend to do the same myself, because I like killing nunas. 
You can tell a "professional newb" or a "fake newb" straight away with this approach. Example. I'm at the bazaar checking for some hide quick and a female avatar comes up in starter wear. She asks if I could help her buy some clothes. Sure I say, first you double click this red terminal. No no, I know how to do that.. I don't have enough for that stuff on there.. ok. So you need to learn how to do missions then; I'm starting to grin inside at this point. I can't do missions, she says, I dont have a weapon. Oh that's easy hun, you don't need a weapon, you can do delivery missions, come with me and I'll show you how. I then motion for her to follow. At this point I'm starting to laugh on my side of the screen. I can already feel her tensions building up. Then it hits. Look, are you going to help me get some clothes or not? Oh, do you mean am I going to give you money that I missioned to earn to buy your clothes with? A few seconds of silence.. followed by me.. you're funny.. welcome to ignore loser.
A truly new person's response is usually, you mean I can do missions and earn credits without a gun? Gosh yes, please show me how. Those I usually walk through how to do the delivery missions, make a new outfit for (or buff - depending which char I'm on) and tip a bit of traveling creds too. Usually I've got an extra swoop around too. I think it's the sincerity of it all that takes us back to our first day and it's honestly just kinda fun to see the response of disbelief when you give them all the stuff
Hiya Craig,
I am from Sengkang. Nice to hear another Singaporean playing.
I was into my 2nd week of play when an outgoing (leaving) character gave me all his pets, droids, full sets of ubese armours and 220k creds. Helped me a lot there and now my guildies chipped in often for me to buy buff packs. Now I sorta label myself Guild Buff Doc.
Wobble Min - Gorath
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Master Medic, Not a Master Doc, Not a Full-Fledged Scout, Not a Full-Fledged Brawler, Beginner Creature Handler
I remember, at the beginning, how hard things were. Getting enough credits to learn a new skill from the npc because no one else was around who could teach it, splitting the cost of the skill with a fellow doc so that one of you could learn and then teach the other. Sampling for hours trying to get enough resources for the week, trading healing for resources to make more packs etc.
As I advanced, and became able to make the better meds, I started sharing what meds I had with the newer medics to help them along their path. Teaching them how to craft, how to heal, and usually giving out a F&C tool or two.
Once I finally hit Master Doctor, I decided to try and help up and coming medics even more. I'd drop my tag and head into a nearby medcenter after a night of hunting, usually with plenty of wounds to go around. I could have easily healed it myself, but I figured I'd give some xp to folks who needed it. Came across a couple Docs, one of whom finally made it to Master Surgeon and needed training. The two of them couldn't afford the cost of the NPC so, after they had finished healing me, I popped up the MD tag, trained her, gave her a handful of RezKits and around 10K. They both thanked me profusely, and it was really pretty cool.
I've also tried to help random folks and new comers with creds and weapons, but have yet to actually go the in-depth route and 'teach' them about the game(other then the medics back in the day). Think I'll try that next time