On occasion throughout my life I've been accused of Kill Stealing.On occasion throughout my life I've been accused of Kill Stealing.
Last night something happened that really upset me though. Someone auctioned free buffs, notably Celerity. Knowing that's an enchanter buff, and thus Clarity was available, I went over to grab it. When I got there they were in combat. I sat and waited. After a while I implied that I had come for it. It was then suggested that if I Resolutioned there group I may get it. I stated they should refine their definition of free, but decided to do so. After a few more minutes, still no Clarity. I was in fact told the enchanter was afk, and asked not to med there. So I said fine, and went on my way. A few minutes later I was told they were back, I could see them moving around, so I sat down to med. Again I still had not received it. After several minutes I was told by someone in the group there was a bit of a disagreement weather I would get it or not. It seemed the enchanter was unwilling to give it, despite his auction to give away "free" buffs, because of his believe I was a KSer.
Now, mind you I've been accused of being a KSer before, this was nothing new. I am very familiar with hatred both because of personal actions / believes, as well as racial hatred, simply because I'm a Dark Elf, I must be or think x, how could it be otherwise. However, what bothered me was his reluctance on a rumor. I had never seen this person before in my life.
I have hereby decided that because of this, and because of an earlier argument approximately 1 week ago, that I would define what exactly it is that qualifies as KSing.
Again I remind the readers, this is my opinion, based on this and previous lives, and only on what I have perceived on my own server.
Kill Stealing is - When someone has already claimed an available target, and another is continuing to attack it.
In order to define what Kill Stealing is not, we must understand various things.
Available Target - An open target is one that spawns at a camp, or is a free roaming target (that which is not being pulled, or trained).
Derailing - Taking any and all partly damaged targets which have been Zoned / Forfeited to the zone line. Thus, killing a train.
Target Claiming - Is casting, or meleeing, an available target. Most seem to count from when the spell hits a target. Thus if you cast on something and someone runs up and hits it via melee, the target has already been claimed as yours.
Trashed Target - Any previously clammed target which is brought to the zone line for disposal. This is usually done to clear a dungeon for an individual, or group, to get back to their bodies. They want the way clear, they don't care who takes the kill.
Requesting Help - Any time someone requests help, be it versus a single or multiple targets, they put all targets up as Forfeit (unless they request help while keeping their claim).
Requesting Help while keeping your claim - Some may request help
and try and keep their claim versus a target.
Ex - (while fighting monster x, monster y spawns) "Can you take (target
y) off me?". This person is forfeiting y, but claiming x.
Ex 2 - "Can I get a heal?". This person is not putting up the
target as Forfeit, but requesting help in a fashion they will gain the exp.
Validating Your Target - You can validate the target by asserting
your claim.
Ex - "This is ours".
Ex 2 - "I'm fine. I'm soloing here."
Zoned / Forfeited Target - Any previously claimed target which is brought to the zone line. This changes the target from Claimed status to Trashed. (Unless you are Requsting Help while keeping your claim).
Now that you understand the basics of what I have perceived let me set a few examples.
Example 1
Group is fighting in room x. They make a bad pull. Instead of one, they get four. They make a shout "Help in room x". Player A, B, and C come in. They are all individual soloists. A and B decide to heal the group. C decides to claim one of the pulls as theirs, pull it off to the side and kill it.
Is player C KSing?
No. Player C is not KSing. When the group shouted "Help in room x" all the targets became Forfeit targets.
How about slightly different... Player C takes the monster that the group is fighting and does over 1/2, getting the kill.
Is player C then KSing?
Again, No. The group still Forfeited all targets by saying "Help in room x".
How about again differently, the group instead shouts "Help in room x. Take the extras."
This then asserts retention of the groups claim to the monster they are currently fighting, thus only forfeiting the extra ones, the ones they are currently not engaged with.
Example 2
Soloist A is at the zone line. He is pulling there because he is a soloist, thus keeping an easy escape since he has no group members to count on, and because if anyone trains he is poised to derail.
Player B comes along and presumes A is in trouble. He takes the kill from A. Is B KSing?
No. In this instance B was presuming A was in trouble. He was not KSing.
How about if A said "I'm fine" while B was fighting the target?
If B continued and got the kill and experience then yes, he would be KSing.
Summary / Solution / Truth
There is a fine line between helping, and KSing. Especially when there is no zone line to use, as in most of my definitions.
Remember this, most of the people in EQ observe and understand these societal rules of KSing, weather they have spoken them or not.
If someone starts to KS and your fine, please tell them such. Don't become upset and try and out speed them to the kill. Don't be vague and say "uh" or their name. Assert your claim, take the time to say "I'm fine" or "No help needed, thanks." If your a slow typer, make a hot key for it.
Understand that some are just trying to help, they may perceive your in trouble, and help in a way you would perceive as KSing.
Be specific when you ask for help. If you want to be helped in a certain way, say so, otherwise whatever you ask for help with is Forfeit.
Most importantly be understanding. A first, even a second time, can be a misunderstood incident. Remember this is just a game. Sure it's about getting experience, but more importantly it should be about having fun.
PS- If someone is helping you and your in a position of forfeiting your target, or you grab a target that was Zoned / Trashed / Forfeited and it's unclear who now has claim, group them, let them take part of the experience. Give them a reason to help, and allow them to help without Kill Stealing.