Smart Play vs Exploitation

[[DM] Daggershard]

It really doesn’t take long when playing on a server to figure out what the majority of the “dos” and “don’ts” are. Just as it is a given part of being a player in a competitive environment to try and seek any edge possible within the guidelines.  To those players that can use the fine print in the smallest of details to gain an edge, we, the team, salute you. Your experience with playing the game and the class has paid off. Welcome to the big leagues.

But then there are also times when there are obvious mechanical exploits. A mechanical exploit is not using the fine print to gain an edge. It is testing the limits of the system, and then using mechanical short-comings on the part of the game engine to create a window in which one’s PC is rewarded in ways that the system itself was designed to prevent. Sometimes these are discovered by accident. But, by and large, we have a very competent team that is quite talented at this, and so those accidental exploits are pretty rare.

As players in a competitive arena, it is expected that many in the community will look for ways to get around the system. And you know what? That’s fine too, to a point. But at that point, the point where one has verified success, that is where it is also incumbent upon a player to come forward and show the staff how it is done. Let the staff see where they have made a mistake or an error. Or, maybe show the staff an unexpected system limitation. No matter what it is, so long as a player comes forward and shows that there is a problem, there isn’t going to be any sort of painful repercussion. In fact, there is more likely to be a hearty thank-you. Any gains a player might have achieved along the way to discovering the exploit are likely pretty safe too, so long as the player is honest and comes forward right away. Those gains, quite frankly, are sometimes hard-earned. And, quite frankly, it would be rather shooting one’s self in the foot to come forward if all the hard work was going to be nullified. So the gains would stand, as a reward for the work, and as a thank you from the staff for being honest and helpful, thus making the server a better, more fair place for everyone, and not simply someplace where exploiters are the ones getting ahead whilst everyone else stands by and watches.

So, if you have seen something that feels like it is likely outside of the way the system seems intended to work, please let the staff know. Don’t use it as an exploit just to further your own aims. Rest assured, we actually pay attention far more than it seems. Exploiters will be caught. And, when they are caught, there are penalties. Loss of items, loss of xp, suspension, or even player ban all become options when one is caught cheating the system. And have no illusions, abusing an exploit is cheating. If you see something exploitable, feel free to send any DM a PM and it will be addressed. Or, if you happen to be fortunate enough that there is one around in game, send them a message you have an exploit, and let them come check it out first-hand. But the key is, report it, and report it in a timely fashion. Don’t exploit it. Time spent monitoring, investigating, and disciplining exploiters is time the DMs could be spending creating a richer, more enjoyable, more interactive environment for everyone.

Thank you.