Let me start out by saying I’m 32 years old. Before november last year, I had never even heard of World of Warcraft, or any kind of MMORPG for that matter. I’m not part of the computer generation, I never played games as a child, or as an adult even. I accidentally picked up World of Warcraft because it reminded me of Dungeons and Dragons, which I used to play way way back as a kid. This, of course, was simply done with a circle of friends in someone’s living room, using books and dice. So I felt nostalgic, and bought the game.

I rolled a Night Elf Hunter, and basically understood about classes and stats on gear due to ancient D&D experience. And off I went, exploring Azeroth.

Most likely, everyone who has encountered me during the first 40 levels, must have figured I was a standard huntard. Why ? Because I didn’t know people in game, I have no friends playing WoW, and I certainly didn’t feel like spamming local channels in order to ask my questions. I spent (and still do) the majority of my time reading. I am convinced that I still don’t know all there is to know about my class, and that I make stupid mistakes, even though I managed to get myself to lvl 61.

Here’s the thing. It’s okay to be a noob. I understand that it’s frustrating for people who have 4 lvl 70s showing off their imba epics in IF to be confronted with one while lvling their number 5, but the game is there for everyone. Long time players will leave, new players will take their place, and they have A LOT to learn. If you are not familiar with games like these, or any games when you start out with WoW, all the information that is thrown at you can be most overwhelming. The bottom line is that it is just a game. Perhaps, Gitr, you would’ve done this guy a great favour by helping him out a bit more. Seeing how you seem to be knowledgeable about the Priest class (you have a lvl 70, don’t you), would it have killed you to refer to a few helpful guides, or to just clearly explain what he could do to improve his gameplay ? (The fact that you didn’t probably DID kill you the second time actually). Obviously ‘wand him’ didn’t mean much to this person, and keep in mind that you COULD indeed be dealing with a 10 year old who is trying to the best of his abilities.

On behalf of all people who are starting out to play WoW : it is OKAY to be new. The fact that you people have a whole bunch of lvl 70s lying around doesn’t mean that you should flame kids like these, or players who have a harder time getting into the swing of things. There could be multiple reasons as to why it’s harder for them. And seeing how you all have so many lvl 70s lying around, start being a bit more helpful and supportive. New players will learn. When you group with them you will die less. Everybody wins !!!

I’m a firm believer that he simply falls into the bucket of players who can’t figure out their class because they are either stupid or lazy.

I’m still learning things, too, but not game basics. By level 10, a paladin who has been playing other classes finally looks up information on equipping a ranged weapon of some sort and discovers that the only options are ranged trinkets when they become available, or ranged spells with talents at the appropriate level.

It just doesn’t make any sense to play a game that you pay for in willing ignorance of the mechanics.

Heck, I’ve been playing since day one on uncountable numbers of alts and I’m still finding things out.

It is possible that he might have an experienced friend or two running him up lvls, and when he is left alone, he hasn’t learned properly.