I have been hearing a number of bloggers and podcasters use the term “good” when describing players lately.  In some cases, I know what is meant by the term,  and can only agree partially.   In other cases I have to guess and my guessing is usually way off from everyone’s meanings.

When folks from groups like Ensidia say good, I picture someone slavishly burning through the content that is relevant to end game raiding and ignoring anything else, not stopping to smell the flowers or do the Chicken quest in Westfall.  Their “good” player knows all the nooks and crannies of Naxx or Sunwell and the strategies to the fights there.  This player has geared with specific pieces of gear and specced a specific way in order to do these instances.

I heard Big Red Kitty use the term “Good Player” in the Twisted Nether Blogcast and he did take a little time to elaborate on the term.  The general idea I got from him was that, while it is OK to spec to do max DPS  for raids, it is much more important to be happy with your play style and playing your class and specialization well, not matter how off beat it might be.

Sitting on the train today, I was ruminating over the fact that I am helping an utter newbie start out in WoW, and what things to impart to them since this is their first MMO.  I was tossing around some ideas and came up with the acronym “G.O.O.D.” as my definition of what a “good” player is.

• Gregarious:  Isn’t  afraid to group for quests if going for the same goal as someone else. Will  pick off an add if someone is in trouble or ask if they need help.  Will talk to others as necessary or be sociable.  Will help guild mates out when possible.
• On The Ball: Knows their goals in a zone, knows how fulfill their specialization’s basic role, takes time to mention when they are unable do do thing that a lot of people expect the class to do.  This is not to say an absolute expert, but enough that they are able to play their class solo in PvE for the most part.
• Over themselves: Knows that they are not the only player in the game and is willing to ask for help when needed and will usually around to help others.
• Down to Earth: No Drama Llamas!  Occasional personal drama spill over is going to happen.  It shouldn’t be part of the daily menu.  (…and the Drama of the day is panties in a twist over the forgotten anniversary.  Let the maitre’d know if you would like an extra helping…) If there is a bad pull, a wipe, or a general break down of the dynamic, be agitated for a few minutes, then let it go.  What happened ten minutes ago is not going to matter on the next fight up the chain.  If a change needs to be made, make it, but don’t continue to regurgitate bad feelings over the past.  (This does not excuse malice, but good intentions gone wrong or honest mistakes are nothing to be a jerk over.)

I think that this is just the lightest scratch of what I consider a “good” player but it is a fair start of the criteria I use to determine if I want to group with someone on a regular basis.

What defines a good player to you?