PvP puppet teams (puppets) are a real problem and have been an issue for quite some time. Anyone wanting proof only has to spend a few minutes checking the 2v2 or 3v3 (4v4 - seldom) current matches. I acknowledge KI has made several attempts to remediate these issues with no real success. I won’t spend the time explaining why puppets are wrong, damaging, or simply unfair as I want to focus on a solution and not another venting session. When you really look at the core of the puppet problem we can identify that the main issue beyond the initial SURPRISE is the lack of being able to level the playing field (i.e. make it fair for both sides). In other words once we realize that we have been thrown into a match we really can’t do anything about it without being penalized (mostly hitting our ranking) .
SO HERE IS MY SOLUTION (SIMPLIFIED): Before any match have the system conduct a Player to Player level verification and if the system finds any discrepancies greater than 10 levels (for example) – simply display a ‘Warning Notice’ within the ‘Sanctioned PVP Match Status Box’ and allow the player to decide to take the match or not (refer to images for examples).
SO HERE IS MY SOLUTION (A BIT MORE DETAILED): Wizard101 pairs up the following teams 2v2 PvP example Team A (typical team) Player 01 is Level 29 Player 02 is Level 30
Team B (ie Puppet Team) Player 03 is Level 02 Player 04 is Level 57
The system will then compare player to players in the following fashion: Player 01 to Player 03 reveals a 27 level difference and flags a notice Player 01 to Player 04 reveals a 28 level difference and flags a notice Player 02 to Player 03 reveals a 28 level difference and flags a notice Player 02 to Player 04 reveals a 27 level difference and flags a notice Player 03 to Player 01 reveals a 27 level difference and flags a notice Player 03 to Player 02 reveals a 28 level difference and flags a notice Player 04 to Player 01 reveals a 28 level difference and flags a notice Player 04 to Player 02 reveals a 27 level difference and flags a notice
Because the system detected a level from player to player greater than 10 it will be prompted to display a level warning notice on the Sanctioned PVP Match Status box which all players get. It should display the level difference between player to player allowing each player to decide to accept (‘GO TO ARENA’) or ‘DECLINE’ the match. On the other hand if the system doesn’t find a level trigger then the standard ‘PVP Match Status box’ will be displayed.
Overall this solution eliminates a lot of frustration and allows the PvP community to resolve its own issue (in a basic sense). Overall I can foresee that puppet team’s will eventually die out as players simply DECLINE Puppet matches.
I think so. From the puppet teams I’ve run into you can easily classify them into 3 different categories: 1. Deliberate: Players deliberately creating teams for the sole purpose of quickly leveling up a character to the status of Commander or Warlord. These players have no respect for those who have honestly built up their rank and tickets through acceptable means. With these teams you will usually find the low level player (i.e. puppet) is the figure head or mouth piece for the team. (90%) 2. Frustrated: Players who have become completely frustrated by being over-run by puppet teams that they have decided to do the same thing as a means to combat (level the playing field) puppet teams. This unfortunately only makes the puppet more prominent. (7%) 3. Unaware: Family and friends who have decided to play together for the pure enjoyment of the game. They usually don’t realize what puppet teams are or the issue regarding them. (3%) So displaying a Puppet Warning Notice just levels the fairness for everyone.
Human Nature: You cannot tell which view of fairness is correct for an individual; however you can empower others with the option to overcome the lack of fairness and judgment through choice
I completely agree that something needs to be done about this, before all my friends I have brought to the game no longer enjoy playing with me and move on to something else.
This fix seems so easy to implement without having to change any match making etc!
I wish we could get a response from Greyrose or Gamma.
PvP puppet teams (puppets) are a real problem and have been an issue for quite some time. Anyone wanting proof only has to spend a few minutes checking the 2v2 or 3v3 (4v4 - seldom) current matches. I acknowledge KI has made several attempts to remediate these issues with no real success. I won’t spend the time explaining why puppets are wrong, damaging, or simply unfair as I want to focus on a solution and not another venting session. When you really look at the core of the puppet problem we can identify that the main issue beyond the initial SURPRISE is the lack of being able to level the playing field (i.e. make it fair for both sides). In other words once we realize that we have been thrown into a match we really can’t do anything about it without being penalized (mostly hitting our ranking) .
SO HERE IS MY SOLUTION (SIMPLIFIED): Before any match have the system conduct a Player to Player level verification and if the system finds any discrepancies greater than 10 levels (for example) – simply display a ‘Warning Notice’ within the ‘Sanctioned PVP Match Status Box’ and allow the player to decide to take the match or not (refer to images for examples).
SO HERE IS MY SOLUTION (A BIT MORE DETAILED): Wizard101 pairs up the following teams 2v2 PvP example Team A (typical team) Player 01 is Level 29 Player 02 is Level 30
Team B (ie Puppet Team) Player 03 is Level 02 Player 04 is Level 57
The system will then compare player to players in the following fashion: Player 01 to Player 03 reveals a 27 level difference and flags a notice Player 01 to Player 04 reveals a 28 level difference and flags a notice Player 02 to Player 03 reveals a 28 level difference and flags a notice Player 02 to Player 04 reveals a 27 level difference and flags a notice Player 03 to Player 01 reveals a 27 level difference and flags a notice Player 03 to Player 02 reveals a 28 level difference and flags a notice Player 04 to Player 01 reveals a 28 level difference and flags a notice Player 04 to Player 02 reveals a 27 level difference and flags a notice
Because the system detected a level from player to player greater than 10 it will be prompted to display a level warning notice on the Sanctioned PVP Match Status box which all players get. It should display the level difference between player to player allowing each player to decide to accept (‘GO TO ARENA’) or ‘DECLINE’ the match. On the other hand if the system doesn’t find a level trigger then the standard ‘PVP Match Status box’ will be displayed.
Overall this solution eliminates a lot of frustration and allows the PvP community to resolve its own issue (in a basic sense). Overall I can foresee that puppet team’s will eventually die out as players simply DECLINE Puppet matches.
This is a great idea. The only problem is, It doesn't get rid of puppets.
What I mean by that is, since there's a whole bunch of puppet teams, I'll be getting paired with them a lot. So if I decline each of those matches, I barely get a chance to PvP! What KI needs to do is lower the rank point loss from getting defeated by puppet teams. So if I get defeated in PvP by a puppet team, the system will notice the puppet team, it'll show a symbol of a puppet (just like how they show a picture of a chicken when you flee lol.), and the puppet team won't gain much tickets. Either that or, sadly, restrict players within 20 or 30 (whichever makes more sense) levels between each other. The second option isn't necessary if you do #1.
This is a great idea. The only problem is, It doesn't get rid of puppets.
What I mean by that is, since there's a whole bunch of puppet teams, I'll be getting paired with them a lot. So if I decline each of those matches, I barely get a chance to PvP! What KI needs to do is lower the rank point loss from getting defeated by puppet teams. So if I get defeated in PvP by a puppet team, the system will notice the puppet team, it'll show a symbol of a puppet (just like how they show a picture of a chicken when you flee lol.), and the puppet team won't gain much tickets. Either that or, sadly, restrict players within 20 or 30 (whichever makes more sense) levels between each other. The second option isn't necessary if you do #1.
I agree that this solution doesn’t eliminate puppet teams but allows PvP players to adjust and offer greater control over the puppet situation. This solution offers the least amount of impact on the current ranking system (team pairing) and it can be quickly be implemented without a large amount of programming time from KI. As a programmer this is nothing more than an IF statement with a slight graphical display.
In our current situation my teammate and I can sign up for 2v2 and will get a puppet team almost 70% to 80% of the time. Sure no wait, but not a match I want to deal with. Also we have to remember if we have to wait for a match, so do the puppet teams. Eventually one side versus the other will start to get weeded out. My hunch is the puppet teams will eventually get tired of waiting since the whole point of Puppets is to quickly level up with minimal wait or resistance. We also have to remember that if we as a community keep declining puppet matches we will eventually get solid qualified matches. I think its worth the implementation.
So overall I would prefer a more complex solution with tons of capture and debugging. I just know that KI has way too many things on their plate that most of us have been waiting for a solution for several months with no real impact or change. This may be a band-aide but one I am willing to take.
This is a great idea. The only problem is, It doesn't get rid of puppets.
What I mean by that is, since there's a whole bunch of puppet teams, I'll be getting paired with them a lot. So if I decline each of those matches, I barely get a chance to PvP! What KI needs to do is lower the rank point loss from getting defeated by puppet teams. So if I get defeated in PvP by a puppet team, the system will notice the puppet team, it'll show a symbol of a puppet (just like how they show a picture of a chicken when you flee lol.), and the puppet team won't gain much tickets. Either that or, sadly, restrict players within 20 or 30 (whichever makes more sense) levels between each other. The second option isn't necessary if you do #1.
This change would make it so eventually people wouldn't puppet because they would not get any benefit. Also it would make the time spent pvping more productive because you would get good clean matches.
This change would make it so eventually people wouldn't puppet because they would not get any benefit. Also it would make the time spent pvping more productive because you would get good clean matches.
