Elements the Game Forum - Free Online Fantasy Card Game

Elements the Game => Newbie Area => Tutorials => Topic started by: Absol on July 06, 2012, 01:34:33 pm

Title: Foruming 101: How to make your way to the Elements Community
Post by: Absol on July 06, 2012, 01:34:33 pm
So, this is some kind of tutorial on how to make your way here if you want people to not make a fuss on you.
Actually, scrap that, this will be filled by what to do and what not to do. You can read most of them in the rule, but I'll put here for convenience sake. Also because I've seen those mistakes (and even make some of these).
Can I ask this be moved to Tutorial section?

How to make your way to the Elements Community

Starting up
  • Do: Read the rules first. (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php?action=rules) Rules are there to be broken obeyed if you don't want to get in trouble.
  • Don't: Break those rules, duh! Also, don't TL;DR those rules. It's a one-time read for your convenience here.
  • Do: Post your first post in the "Introduce Yourself" subforum under the Newbie Area. Also give details on how you found this game, how long have you been playing, what element you like, small details on who are you IRL, etc. A good introduction might lead to a good stay here.
  • Don't: Post your first post in the "Nerf This Card!" subforum. You will pass of as some whiny newbie who join just because your anger gets the better of you and demand that Dim Shield be nerfed. Even if you said you've played this game for 5 years. Which is false, since this game has only been around for 3 years, by the way.

Stopping by to the Chat
  • Do: Drop in to Chat to hang out there. It's fun, and it can help you with the game. If you have something to ask, feel free to ask there. The link is on the top right corner of this page.
  • Don't: Go there and start flaming. Or whine about a certain particular card *coughdimshieldcough* being OP. Or spamming things.
  • Do: Use mild color in Chat. Something which is easy on the eye.
  • Don't: Use a very bright or very dark color. If it's hard to read, people will ignore it. Also, if someone complains, it's a good idea to pick another color since it won't kill you.
    Protip: if it hurts your eyes, most likely it hurts everyone's eyes too.
  • Do: Click on the name to the left if you want to speak to a certain person in particular. It will create a tag which looked like this: "‹@*name*›"
  • Don't: Type "<@*name*>" manually. It wastes time, and it looks awkward. I'm sure you can see the difference even here.
  • Do: Use PM if you want to talk to a certain person in private. Click the name on the list to the right and type in the text box which appears. This is important, especially during the Tournament.
  • Don't: Clutter the public chat with "*name*, you online?" if you can't find his name on the list to the right. That means he's not even there. An online list is made for a reason.
  • Do: Make use of the Deck Image Builder integrated to the chat. Simply paste your deck code there, and it will automatically change it to link to your deck image. Magic you say? It's the power of SCIENCE!
  • Don't: Ask where the Deck Image Builder is again. It's right there. Don't believe me? Just try it.
  • Do: Correct your fellow chatter politely, if you spot any annoying chatter. Usually those who spams, flames, trolls, or rants about nerfing a card. If anything else fails, use the Ignore button which appears when you click his name on the online list.
  • Don't: Troll them back. It rarely ends well. Except if you do it for the lulz, in which case just get ready to be kicked if you troll him/her too hard.

Posting deck
  • Do: Read this before asking for deck help. (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,12113.0.html)
  • Don't: Ask for people to make a deck for you, either by showing us your resource or not. Who cares if you have 15 shards or what. It will pass of as showing off, and you being so lazy as to ask people to make you a functional deck.
  • Do: Start a forum search before you post a certain deck to avoid posting a well-known deck. Also, test the deck first. Additional info like main strategy, combo, ttw, winrate, and where to use the deck is very appreciated.
  • Don't: Post a variant of a well-known deck. We don't need a variant of Monodark or Mono Aether, especially if you claimed it as "streamlined". Also, don't get mad when your deck got criticized, nothing personal against you. (even if it's personal, use the report button)
  • Do: Use the Add Deck Image button which looked like this: (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/Themes/default/images/bbc/deck.gif)
    It's available in the panels above when replying to a post. (except if you're using quick post)
  • Don't: Use screenshot to show your decks. Or copypasting the deck image, upload it somewhere, and post it here. It's longer, more tedious, and it does not give the deck code, which we can use to test your deck.
  • Do: Look for something you don't know in the forum. Use the Search feature to the top right of this page. If you're not familiar to Instosis, Liquid AM, or Antabow, use it. Glossary (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php?action=glossary) will also help a lot.
  • Don't: Flaunt around your uninformedness. You may say "I'm new here so it's okay if I don't know these things", but it will pass off to us as "I'm new here and I'm too lazy to learn about those things myself, so I'll just ask them, and I'll just say I'm new here as an excuse".
  • Do: Criticize things civilly. "looks rather lacking in quanta" or "you may want to cut more cards" is acceptable. If a debate is getting hot, use statistics and data to support your answer.
  • Don't: Say "this deck is FAT!!!11one" or "lol u noob you're dek don work". If you're too lazy to spellcheck your posts or too lazy to read the previous comments, then I suggest you to do it instead of commenting.

Being creative, making card idea
  • Do: Read this before posting your card idea. (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,5039.0.html) Also, do the balancing carefully.
  • Don't: Whine about no one commenting on your ideas. It will be commented, but you whining about it will only pass off as whiny little brat who craves attention.
  • Do: Read the card archives and try to come up with a new, innovative mechanics.
  • Don't: Just put in card you think "cool" or "awesome", "just because". Also, picking decent images for card art (which is also not copyrighted) goes without saying.

Having problem, want some help
  • Do: Read this before reporting a bug. (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,11503.0.html) Screenshot helps greatly.
  • Don't: Post something not a bug, that's why you check the Not a Bug (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,11523.0.html) list. No, Singularity is not a bug, it's what you get if you ignore the warning in the card. No, your whine does not matter whatsoever.
  • Do: Read this before asking a new feature. (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,13750.0.html)
  • Don't: Threaten to quit the community if the "best feature" you requested is not fulfilled. You quit, no one lose anything. Even more so if this is your first post.

Getting bored, looking for some activity
  • Do: Read the Tournament Rules (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,6997.0.html) if you want to join one. Particularly the 30-post requirement. If you think you have to post many posts before the nearest deadline, just don't join the Tourney. There's still next week, the Tourney board isn't going anywhere.
  • Don't: Spam the forum with useless, non-constructive posts like "I like it" or "good job". Don't comment on ALL the card threads or necroing old posts either. If there are many new posts you made in a short amount of time, there is a very high chance you're spamming.
  • Do: Join PvP League, but read the rules (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,7361.0.html) first. Many people claim to have gained their PvP skills mainly from League. I myself never entered one, so I don't know yet, but it sounds fun.
  • Don't: Be afraid of entering one. You will be pwned for the first couple of games, but it's a valuable learning experience.
  • Do: Join PvP events (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/board,190.0.html). There will be announcement everytime new event is opened. Join and win cool forum icon!
  • Don't: Drop in the middle of any event. Bad impression is forever, and you definitely don't want people to whine "that disruptor is joining!" when you do want to participate seriously.
    Don't cheat either. Using illegal decks and such. You will be found out, and you will be busted.
  • Do: Join Competitions (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/board,186.0.html). Then non-PvP ones. Such as art competition, card making competition, FG making, things like that. Join and win cool forum icon!
  • Don't: Copypasta source from internet, using copyrighted images, and illegal things. If you do win using this technique, we have to give the forum icon to Google or Wikipedia. And they don't have forum account. So we have to throw it away.
  • Do: Join Battle (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php?action=battle). It's like Elements RPG, and it's addicting.
  • Don't: Quit the game because you need more time to play Battle.
  • Do: Use the Elements Tools. (http://elementscommunity.org/tools/) There are some useful tools, like Deck Image Builder, Bolt Calculator, Deck Code Generator, and such.
  • Don't: Miss those. Sometimes, it's vital to check things like Shard Golem Calculator or Bolt Calculator. In the heat of battle, one slight mistake could be fatal.
  • Do: Use the Elements Wiki (http://elementscommunity.org/wiki/Main_Page) and help out there. We need your help.
  • Don't: Spam your 100th variant of Mono Aether there. Leave deck posting to the experts. People come to wiki to get information. Useful information. If all they get are bad decks, then it will give bad impression to the wiki and the community, and to an extent, to you.

Posting LIKE A BOSS
  • Do: Make your post readable. Use text formatting wisely. Like this, if you want emphasis.
  • Don't: Do this. It's hard on the eyes, and we will ignore you. NO CAPSRAGE EITHER, PLEASE.
  • Do: Use quote for replying to another specific user. Like this:
    Quote
    *insert argument here*
    *insert counterargument here*
    OR
    Quote
    *insert argument 1* *insert counter 1*
    *insert argument 2* *insert counter 2*
    *insert argument 3* *insert counter 3*
    OR
    Quote
    *snip*
    *insert short argument in a middle of long post*
    *snip*
    *insert counterargument here*
    (*snip* indicates you're cutting a part of their post, the irrelevant ones. Sometimes it's not really needed.)
  • Don't: Use thick, nested quotes like no other. It stretches the page, making our fingers tired scrolling down your useless quotes, and God kills a little bunny everytime you do it. Something like this is to be avoided:
    Quote
    Quote
    Quote
    Quote
    Quote
    Quote
    *insert argument*
    *insert counter*
    *insert counter counter*
    *insert counter counter counter*
    *insert counter counter counter counter*
    *insert counter counter counter counter counter*
    *insert a short post which don't need those long quote combo anyway*
  • Do: Use the spoiler button for big images or long posts. For quote combo too, if you really need it.
    Things meant to be hidden and you have to be willing to read it to do so. Also avoids TMI or such if you refuse to read it.
  • Don't:
    Use
    nested
    spoiler
    like
    this.
    It's unnecessary and only irritates the reader. If you must use nested spoiler, use it sparingly.
  • Do: Use "Modify" button on top right corner of your posts to edit things you want to edit. Generally, also include an "EDIT:" tag so people can see what has changed from your last post.
  • Don't: Double post. Yes, you can multi-quote here, so there's no need for double posting.
  • Do: Click on the "Report to Moderator" link available on the bottom right corner of a post if the post is breaking rules. Flaming, trolling, badmouthing, hate speech, inappropriate content, double post, and such.
  • Don't: Make a post which is breaking rules. Else, it can be reported and deleted. And your precious time wasted to post those are gone without a trace. Sadface.
  • Do: Report your own post if you think you've mistakenly post. Something you want to ask but later take back, something you suggested but later feel stupid for posting. Just report it and say "delete by the request of the original poster" or such. Also, help those requesting self-deletion.
  • Don't: Make them in the first place if you can help it. If you can't, then self-report it.

Foruming LIKE A BOSS
  • Do: Use General Discussion for any in-game discussion not about decks, card ideas, PvP events, or such which have their own subforum. Use Off-Topic Discussion for any discussion not related to this game.
  • Don't: Post in the wrong place. If you realize it after you've posted it, you can self-report it to ask for mods to move it to the appropriate subforum.
  • Do: Discuss things civilly. Try to state your opinion nicely. If they reply with nothing but ignorance or hostility, then in worst case you can ignore them by adding their name in Ignore List under your Forum Profile.
  • Don't: Parody the bad users (noobs) here. I know, it's fun and all, but it will net you a "Mild Flaming" warning, along with 20 warning points.
  • Do: Post in Farewell subforum if you're going to be gone. Say why did you go, will you be back or not, and when (estimated) will you be back. Of course, we will be sad to miss you if you're going out permanently.
    Note that you need 200 posts to be able to make a farewell thread. You can reply to people freely, though.
  • Don't: Say that you're going out permanently, and return shortly after. If your permanent farewell is really that cheap, then we might as well take it very seriously and consider you never returned.
  • Do: Link this to newer members if they ask for some tips and tricks.
  • Don't: Take everything here seriously. Most are legit advice, but laced in... unusual humor, to say the least.
  • Do: +rep me after reading this.
  • Don't: Not +rep me after reading this.
Title: Re: Foruming 101: How to make your way to the Elements Community
Post by: DoubleCapitals on July 06, 2012, 01:46:39 pm
Nice tutorial.
It would be easier on the eyes if you put this in a table, with the dos and don'ts on each side.
Title: Re: Foruming 101: How to make your way to the Elements Community
Post by: OldTrees on July 06, 2012, 05:45:52 pm
Good tutorial. (though improvements can be made to encourage people to read the wall of text) +81 rep.
Title: Re: Foruming 101: How to make your way to the Elements Community
Post by: furballdn on July 06, 2012, 05:56:00 pm
What's this? A guide? To actually be a good member? Amazing. :o
Title: Re: Foruming 101: How to make your way to the Elements Community
Post by: YawnChainHow on July 06, 2012, 08:29:56 pm
Quote from: Absol on July 06, 2012, 01:34:33 pm
Do: Use mild color in Chat. Something which is easy on the eye.
Don't: Use a very bright or very dark color. If it's hard to read, people will ignore it. Also, if someone complains, it's a good idea to pick another color since it won't kill you.

Do: Make your post readable. Use text formatting wisely. Like this, if you want emphasis.
Don't: Do this. It's hard on the eyes, and we will ignore you. NO CAPSRAGE EITHER, PLEASE.
Combine these two and keep the formatting from the latter? It just so happens that both the background colors and offending colors on the forum and in the chat are similar.

Mentioning the Post Count requirement to create a thread in the Farewell section (200) and the Competitions (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/board,186.0.html) section wouldn't hurt either.

But my nitpicks aside, this looks mighty fine.
Title: Re: Foruming 101: How to make your way to the Elements Community
Post by: Annele on July 07, 2012, 12:49:43 am
Quote from: qwerter on July 06, 2012, 01:46:39 pm
Nice tutorial.
It would be easier on the eyes if you put this in a table, with the dos and don'ts on each side.
Like this?
So, this is some kind of tutorial on how to make your way here if you want people to not make a fuss on you.
Actually, scrap that, this will be filled by what to do and what not to do. You can read most of them in the rule, but i'll put here for convenience sake. Also because i've seen those mistakes (and even make some of these).
Can i ask this be moved to Tutorial section?

How to make your way to the Elements Community

Do's:
Don'ts:
  • Do: Post your first post in the "Introduce Yourself" subforum under the Newbie Area. Also give details on how did you find this game, how long have you been playing, what element do you like, small details on who are you IRL, etc. A good introduction might lead to a good stay here.
  • Don't: Post your first post in the "Nerf This Card!" subforum. You will pass of as some whiny newbie who join just because your anger gets the better of you and demand that Dim Shield be nerfed. Even if you said you've played this game for 5 years. Which is false, since this game has only been around for 3 years, by the way.
  • Do: Read the rules first. Rules are there to be broken obeyed if you don't want to get in trouble.
  • Don't: Break those rules, duh! Also, don't TL;DR those rules. It's a one time read for your convenience here.
  • Do: Drop in to Chat to hang out there. It's fun, and it can help you with the game. If you have something to ask, feel free to ask there. The link is on the top right corner of this page.
  • Don't: Go there and start flaming. Or whine about a certain particular card being OP. Or spamming things.
  • Do: Use mild color in Chat. Something which is easy on the eye.
  • Don't: Use a very bright or very dark color. If it's hard to read, people will ignore it. Also, if someone complains, it's a good idea to pick another color since it won't kill you.
  • Do: Click on the name to the left if you want to speak to a certain person in particular. It will create a tag which looked like this: "‹@*name*›"
  • Don't: Type "<@*name*>" manually. It wastes time, and it looks awkward. I'm sure you can see the difference even here.
  • Do: Use PM if you want to talk to a certain person in private. Click the name on the list to the right and type in the text box which appears. This is important, especially during the Tournament.
  • Don't: Clutter the public chat with "*name*, you online?" if you can't find his name on the list to the right. That means he's not even there. An online list is made for a reason.
  • Do: Correct your fellow chatter politely, if you spot any annoying chatter. Usually those who spams, flames, trolls, or rants about nerfing a card. If anything else fails, use the Ignore button which appears when you click his name on the online list.
  • Don't: Troll them back. It rarely ends well. Except if you do it for the lulz, in which case just get ready to be kicked if you troll him/her too hard.
  • Do: Read this before asking for deck help. (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,12113.0.html)
  • Don't: Ask for people to make a deck for you, either by showing us your resource or not. Who cares if you have 15 shards or what. It will pass of as showing off, and you being so lazy as to ask people to make you a functional deck.
  • Do: Start a forum search before you post a certain deck. Also, test the deck first. Additional info like main strategy, combo, ttw, winrate, and where to use the deck is very appreciated.
  • Don't: Post a variant of a well-known deck. We don't need a variant of Monodark or Mono Aether, especially if you claimed it as "streamlined". Also, don't get mad when your deck got criticized, nothing personal against you. (even if it's personal, use the report button)
  • Do: Look for something you don't know in the forum. Use the Search feature to the top right of this page. If you're not familiar to Instosis, Liquid AM, or Antabow, use it.
  • Don't: Flaunt around your uninformedness. You may say "i'm new here so it's okay if i don't know these things", but it will pass off to us as "i'm new here and i'm too lazy to learn about those things myself, so i'll just ask them, and i'll just say i'm new here as an excuse".
  • Do: Criticize things civilly. "looks rather lacking in quanta" or "you may want to cut more cards" is acceptable. If a debate is getting hot, use statistics and data to support your answer.
  • Don't: Say "this deck is FAT!!!11one" or "lol u noob you're dek don work". If you're too lazy to spellcheck your posts or too lazy to read the previous comments, then i suggest you to do it instead of commenting.
  • Do: Read this before posting your card idea. (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,5039.0.html) Also, do the balancing carefully.
  • Don't: Whine about no one commenting on your ideas. It will be commented, but you whining about it will only pass off as whiny little brat who craves attention.
  • Do: Read the card archives and try to come up with a new, innovative mechanics.
  • Don't: Just put in card you think "cool" or "awesome", "just because". Also, picking decent images for card art goes without saying.
  • Do: Read this before reporting a bug. (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,11503.0.html) Screenshot helps greatly.
  • Don't: Post something not a bug, that's why you check the "Not a Bug" list. No, Singularity is not a bug, it's what you get if you ignore the warning in the card. No, your whine does not matter whatsoever.
  • Do: Read this before asking a new feature. (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,13750.0.html)
  • Don't: Threaten to quit the community if the "best feature" you requested is not fulfilled. You quit, no one lose anything. Even more so if this is your first post.
  • Do: Read the Tournament Rules (http://elementscommunity.org/forum/index.php/topic,6997.0.html) if you want to join one. Particularly the 30-post requirement. If you think you have to post many posts before the nearest deadline, just don't join the Tourney. There's still next week, the Tourney board isn't going anywhere.
  • Don't: Spam the forum with useless, non-constructive posts like "i like it" or "good job". Don't comment on ALL the card threads or necroing old posts either. If there are many new posts you made in a short amount of time, there is a high chance you're spamming.
  • Do: Join PvP events. There will be announcement everytime new event is opened. Join and win cool forum icon!
  • Don't: Drop in the middle of any event. Bad impression is forever, and you definitely don't want people to whine "that disruptor is joining!" when you do want to participate seriously.
  • Do: Click on the "Report to Moderator" link available on the bottom right corner of a post if the post is breaking rules. Flaming, trolling, badmouthing, hate speech, inappropriate content, double post, and such.
  • Don't: Make a post which is breaking rules. Else, it can be reported and deleted. And your precious time wasted to post those are gone without a trace. Sadface.
  • Do: Report your own post if you think you've mistakenly post. Something you want to ask but later take back, something you suggested but later feel stupid for posting. Just report it and say "delete by the request of the original poster" or such. Also, help those requesting self-deletion.
  • Don't: Make them in the first place if you can help it. If you can't, then self-report it.

  • Do: Make your post readable. Use text formatting wisely. Like this, if you want emphasis.
  • Don't: Do this. It's hard on the eyes, and we will ignore you. NO CAPSRAGE EITHER, PLEASE.

  • Do: Use General Discussion for any in-game discussion not about decks, card ideas, PvP events, or such which have their own subforum. Use Off-Topic Discussion for any discussion not related to this game.
  • Don't: Post in the wrong place. If you realize it after you've posted it, you can self-report it to ask for mods to move it to the appropriate subforum.

  • Do: Discuss things civilly. Try to state your opinion nicely. If they reply with nothing but ignorance or hostility, then in worst case you can ignore them by adding their name in Ignore List under your Forum Profile.
  • Don't: Parody the bad user (noob) here. I know, it's fun and all, but it will net you a "Mild Flaming" warning, along with 20 warning points.

  • Do: Post in Farewell subforum if you're going to be gone. Say why did you go, will you be back or not, and when (estimated) will you be back. Of course, we will be sad to miss you if you're going out permanently.
  • Don't: Say that you're going out permanently, and return shortly after. If your permanent farewell is really that cheap, then we might as well take it very seriously and consider you never returned.

  • Do: Link this to newer members if they ask for some tips and tricks.
  • Don't: Take everything here seriously. Most are legit advice, but laced in... unusual humor, to say the least.

  • Do: +rep me after reading this.
  • Don't: Not +rep me after reading this.
I don't actually think it's easier on the eyes, but Absol can decide how he wants it set out.

@Absol: You might want to add something about using spoilers if your post is going to be quite big. But I love it. Can you do one for real life?
Title: Re: Foruming 101: How to make your way to the Elements Community
Post by: Absol on July 07, 2012, 06:02:31 am
@everyone: thank you. I'll also edit the OP as i see fit. Feel free to suggest dos and don'ts.
@Annele: I'll be using the formatting you made. Thank you. For real life, maybe it will wait till i get big inspiration.
EDIT: implemented. Big +rep to you good lady.
Title: Re: Foruming 101: How to make your way to the Elements Community
Post by: furballdn on July 07, 2012, 06:14:48 am
This needs to be stickied somewhere :>
Title: Re: Foruming 101: How to make your way to the Elements Community
Post by: Annele on July 07, 2012, 06:21:12 am
Quote from: Absol on July 07, 2012, 06:02:31 am
@everyone: thank you. I'll also edit the OP as i see fit. Feel free to suggest dos and don'ts.
@Annele: I'll be using the formatting you made. Thank you. For real life, maybe it will wait till i get big inspiration.
EDIT: implemented. Big +rep to you good lady.

Thankyou  :-* I am now an antlion!
Title: Re: Foruming 101: How to make your way to the Elements Community
Post by: DoubleCapitals on July 07, 2012, 07:18:25 am
Nah you also made the table coding so its ok 'P
Title: Re: Foruming 101: How to make your way to the Elements Community
Post by: esran on July 07, 2012, 07:52:39 am
wow, this is actually a good thing that every new member to the forumn should read. maybe it should be stickied somewhere? anway, +rep.
my suggestions: do:post meaningful advice on card ideas and art suggestions after reading and understanding the thread. dont: post "i like this" or "i dislike this" with absolutely no information, or bring up points already brought up 100 times.
Title: Re: Foruming 101: How to make your way to the Elements Community
Post by: Xenocidius on July 07, 2012, 07:56:31 am
Well, I have to set an example, so I'll be sure to follow these guidelines, including the last do.

I'd suggest not having too many points or people will tl;dr it. Alternatively, categorize and spoiler them.
Title: Re: Foruming 101: How to make your way to the Elements Community
Post by: Annele on July 07, 2012, 08:11:55 am
Maybe add a link to the FAQ section as well? And maybe about small formatting, and when it is required, and when it is not?
Oh, and I can do the spoiler thing if you want.
Title: Re: Foruming 101: How to make your way to the Elements Community
Post by: Rutarete on July 09, 2012, 01:48:42 am
This looks much better than the first draft.
Title: Re: Foruming 101: How to make your way to the Elements Community
Post by: Submachine on July 29, 2013, 01:49:56 am
How is this not stickied? Genious Job!

+rep for Absol, even if he has quit the forums, he deserves the appreciation.
blarg: