To boot or not to boot?Follow

Get rid of him. No one wants someone like that around.

Well, it depends.
When you say "social/event" I'm assuming you mostly mean a social shell with friends who hang out and *also* do events.
If that's the case, then you're pretty much in the same situation as I am.

We too have had this type of player. Each and every time, it's been settled once a few of the "core" members agree that we do witness this type of behaviour.
The shellholder had a talk with the offending member, letting them know "our playstyles, and what we're looking for in the shell are not compatible".
Most of them actually took the hint and left without (further) drama. Two exceptions *did* take offense, and were then told what the reason *really* was, down to the nitty gritty.
Of course, they denied everything.

Anyways, none of the core members felt like the shell would have been any richer a place for keeping these members on board, much the opposite.. and when it all comes down to it, that's what matters..

Otherwise, you just get people dreading to log in to the shell because they'll just be asked to help whomever with something for nothing in return, ever...

All comes down to how much of a "social" or how much of an "event" shell you're runninng though.
People get away with more in the former than the latter.

Best of luck either way

-Fin

I almost support your decision to boot this individual. However, where is the line drawn between linkshell business and private matters outside of the linkshell? It's fair to say the population of your server might welcome a player warning of some sorts but more than likely 5,000 gil issue will just be dealt with harsh criticism. In your case it's a private matter. Now if he's openly asked for help on the linkshell and gotten it and never returned help; then people should just stop helping this individual. Gil issues usually are a personal issue and I don't think you should jack his pearl based on just that.

My idea of a social linkshell structure would personally work the same way any event linkshell would run. If player A helps Player B with for example Artifact Armor. You could take time into account, 60 minutes to complete or you could use points. When you help someone then you gain points. The linkshell could then use these points to see who hasn't been a great helper. You could use your points to ask for help on missions and you would take priority of helping as a group in missions.

Something like that; though this is borderline babysitting and honestly most people are not in a shell to be serious about anything. Only just have someone to talk to and a better way to meet people. And of course more people to ask for help. FFXI is a community intensive game though. There are a lot of things where you'll need other peoples help.

A more simple approach that you could personally do like I have done. I have a full 200 page notebook with names of people who have helped me, lend me gil or given me items. I also record the names of all the people I have ever helped. I try to keep the notebook to a 50/50 balance. So if I got help for two things this week then I would go out of my way to help two other people. And obviously payback any gil that I have borrowed etc. It's the easiest way to give back to the community and get your name out there as a great player who is willing to do anything for anyone.

Out of ideas now but that should get you started. As a last point: you are the leader of a linkshell so in the end it's your responsibility to protect the other members in your linkshell. The gil issue is a red flag but it's a small amount. However him not wanting to pay you could be poison to the linkshell down the road. It might be in your best interest to remove him. Large endgame linkshells have been known to instantly fall apart due to one member causing tons of trouble. Protect your members at all costs. Even if someone is against you kicking that guy out. Leaders have to be willing to take criticism even if you might be in the right.

Edited, Nov 28th 2009 7:36pm by Excenmille

Confront > give one more chance > boot

Seriously, lets be honest here. Team mates are so disposable and replaceable in MMORPG land that you don't need to take crap from people.


Further to the matter, it is because of these come-and-go-server-hop social practices that this very player is allowing himself to act the way he does. He doesn't really care if he gets kicked- or he would make more of an effort; and if he does get kicked, he'll just think "whatever" and move on to find the next pushover.

Don't bother wasting your time, give him one more chance to pay you out of generosity, then kick.

Only takes one person to ruin a social shell if they're annoying enough.

Get rid of him.

What he said.

I would confront him first, point out his obvious downfalls and then tell him to straighten up or ship out. If he doesn't change after that, boot his a$$ to the curb.

Point the player to this thread and show him how he is about to get the boot. Chances are he will kick himself out of your LS without you guys doing practically anything.

I'd say discreetly ask members of your LS (with your shellholder's blessing) what their opinions are. If you've got a 50/50 sort of situation, where half like him, then you've got a real problem, and how to solve it without pissing anyone off is... a difficult question. More than likely, though, you've got about 80% of the shell as irritated as you are, and the other 20% indifferent. That'll make it a lot easier to pull the trigger, and will also reassure other members that sackholders don't make arbitrary decisions without consulting everyone a little first.

Win/win I'd say, barring that aforementioned 50/50 scenario, in which case, good luck.

Sounds like one of those people who thinks XI is an offline game with a built in chat program to get help with things.

I think he just needs a reality check. And if that doesn't work... boot him.

You might as well boot him while you have the chance. It sounds like the type of player where someone in ls says, "Gee I haven't seen so-and-so lately", then you see him at like Whitegate AH with a different social pearl on or something. Point being he'll leave sooner or later for another shell to annoy w/o saying so anyway, you should take care of business now.