What's with this influx of potatoes?

[Grand_Commander_LuXun]

Recently I've noticed a trend of absolutely HORRENDOUS teams. Like the ones where half die in the first few minutes while in the end, only 1-5 enemies are killed. Even if you are a unicum, you may not necessarily be able to turn the tide. I'm only an average player, so my influence on the battle is limited though I do get good games from time-to-time. 2 days ago, when I was unfortunately tossed into a Tier 8 battle in the New Mexico, the allied Atago and Amagi (the only Tier 8 battleship on the team) sailed off to the far western corner of the map for no apparent reason. In an Epicenter match my team lost 5 ships (3 DDs, 1 BB, 1 CA) in 5 minutes. I ended up doing only 35,000 damage. In a victory on New Dawn, Tier 5 and 6, I was left to fend off 5 enemy ships while the 3 Bayerns on my team were all staying at range. Due to my early death I only did 61k damage and placed 5th on the team in the NM. Had 2 battles tonight where my team lost in 5 minutes, while only sinking ONE enemy. I also get these battles where the enemy is steamrolled before i even have a chance to do much. THere also seems to be a trend of hiding and 'playing chicken', which really isn't fun. What happened to pushing and fighting it out? I also see more destroyers on my side firing torpedoes very close to me. A lot of cruiser players don't know their torpedo range. For example, I saw a Nurnberg firing off his torpedoes at 9 KM while the Nurnberg's torpedo range is only 6KM. Like WTH? I really don't know what's going on with this influx of players who are absolutely clueless. When I ask for a battle plan, there's one of 4 possibilities:

1. There is agreement and people stick to the plan, and things turn out well

2. There is bickering, and I have to use harsh language to force those idiots into an agreement

3. People state their plan as an individual, not realizing that what I'm asking for is a plan for the team

4. People type totally irrelevant crap, joke around or even mock me for wanting to play properly

 

I am perplexed. How do these really bad players even enjoy the game? I swear that if there was a cross-server tournament, we'd send these players to become cannon fodder for our opponents, giving the impression that we are weak, then us decent and good / unicum players go in and start the real thing. Perhaps they would not mind being cannon fodder, as long as they are "having fun."

 

[Grevester]

Did you know that someone notices a trend of horrible teams every single day? You are not special, nor is your ability to notice things. One team has to lose, whether it's a stomp or a close game doesn't matter.

[Grand_Commander_LuXun]

Not saying that I have a special ability to notice things. Just pointing out the fact that we've entered another period of 'potato fest.'

[Spongeman131]

 

I have never seen this game not in a state of "potato fest". That said, they need to do something to encourage better teamplay. It's much more important here than in WoT and it's much harder to do anything by yourself than in WoT as well, which is why the same style of teamplay encouragement isn't working.

 

 

[centarina]

its also weekend.  during the week, i am much more consistent.  

[GiN_nTonic]

its also weekend.  during the week, i am much more consistent.  

 

same here.

 

What I think the problem is (since I see it over and over) is players coming from WoT think the game meta is similar so go look to shield themselves from enemy fire using islands, not realizing their huge BB or Cruiser can't "peak" out and shoot and then retreat again in cover (well most can't do this well like it occurs in WoT).

 

So what ends up happening is too many players put their ships in a position they can't fire back out at the enemy - and in this game for teams its about # of guns firing at the enemy at a given time...not even so much aim on a "Marco" level.  I bet the % is upper 80%+ for win rates if you see teams that keep their fire-lanes open and then can focus on fire on the enemy players who go "peak" out around islands one at a time.

[MrDeaf]

winter, snowed in.

[Giantsgiants]

I would say I have better luck than most people when it comes to not getting potato teams on the weekends. For me, my worst MM luck occurs after 10-11 PM my time, regardless of day.

 

A few nights ago, had this gem of a game, then everything went downhill and it was massacre loss after massacre loss.

 

 

 

 

 

[TheGirlFromIpanema]

Carry harder.

 

I just don't play on weekends any more. Problem solved.

 

[Battlecruiser_Amagi]

I find it that giving friendly advice tends to put the team on course. Like, reminding of the red ships' capabilities, of where to go, and where not to go, avoid giving broadsides, etc. Just be helpful as much as possible.

[TheGirlFromIpanema]

6 out of 10 people can't read/understand maps.

[JervisBay]

I am perplexed. How do these really bad players even enjoy the game?....

 

I'm a bad player and I enjoy it because it is a game.

I also don't take orders from others in the group (it's not a "team", per se")....if what they want to do happens to coincide with my play then fine, otherwise bugger it.

[Canadatron]

My team keeps getting the German Battleships that think sailing at 100km from the battle is the way to play. Survive? Sure. Loss? Certain.

[Battlecruiser_Amagi]

My team keeps getting the German Battleships that think sailing at 100km from the battle is the way to play. Survive? Sure. Loss? Certain.

 

Gotta love those Tirpitz players that shoot HE as their primary ammo

[Raptor_alcor]

Here's where OP is horribly horribly wrong. there never was an 'influx' of potatos, as with every game the potatos consist of about 60% of the population as such they always have been here even back in beta. 

[Anchor_Anchor]

<SNIP IT ALL OUT>  Just leave me the French Fries

 

[Piteous]

I have never seen this game not in a state of "potato fest". That said, they need to do something to encourage better teamplay. It's much more important here than in WoT and it's much harder to do anything by yourself than in WoT as well, which is why the same style of teamplay encouragement isn't working.

 

 

I think you hit it on the head right there. There is no team play in this game, at least in random battles.

[suleiman71]

"We are entering another period of potato fest"

 

Sorry to inform you, OP, but we've never entered a period of potato fest. We've always been in one.