Is it bannable? Can a blue respond?

#0 - May 11, 2008, 6:07 a.m.

Is it bannable to use the mage/paladin trick to quickly powerlevel a character? I've seen mixed responses, nothing official. I don't want to go into details b/c I don't want to be responsible for propagating the issue if it isn't allowed. I'm sure those who would know the answer will know what I'm talking about.

I just want to know, because it would help me level up my other characters rather than grinding through the same quests over and over. They were great once, great even a second and third time, but come on...

At any rate, if someone can point to an OFFICIAL post (or better yet, blizzard could respond to this post) it would be great! Thanks everyone!

Was told to ask it in the CS forum. Feel free to delete it from general forums

Belfaire

#1 - May 11, 2008, 6:26 a.m.

While we don't yet have an official published stance...knowing what I do, I'd have to strongly recommend against it. I'm not saying it's actionable (or that it isn't), but I'd be careful and simply not do it.

It's not difficult to see that this isn't a "trick" but an exploit of a pretty clear-cut bug.

Belfaire

#3 - May 11, 2008, 6:52 a.m.

Q u o t e:

I know that you're the voice of blizzard, and that you say it is a bug or exploit. I see it more as "clever use of game mechanics" as told whenever I get explained away why I can't taunt someone in PvP but can be mind controlled. But, thank you for the response none the less I will avoid doing this and find another way to pass my time.

I understand what you mean, but I can say with no small amount of certainty that this is not classified as a clever use of game mechanics.

Glad I could clarify for you!

Belfaire

#5 - May 11, 2008, 7:30 a.m.

Q u o t e:

One question I do have for you, if you don't mind answering, is that if it is not considered a clever use of game mechanics why nobody has come out with an official stance? I mean, if its considered a bug/exploit then why isn't it forbidden? Saying that no official stance has been given is a big problem because lets say that I had not had the sense to come here and actually ask? I may have been able to convince a couple other people to do it, thus potentially harming ourselves in the long run. I know you say you can't say if it is "actionable" - and I understand why, no official response means no stance you can actually give. I've worked in customer service so I know why. But, not having an official stance and only giving a recommendation will not save someone who doesn't know any better. If there was an official stance people could point and say "here, this is where they say you shouldn't do it" rather than potentially having someone do it and get actions taken against their account.

Again, I understand why you can't say anything, I'm just asking if you can say (which you probably can't) why there is no official stance yet. And, if you could do me the great favor of asking those who -can- make an official statement do so, just so that its clarified. I have no interest in breaking the rules but I'd like to know the rules whenever possible so that if I feel the need, I can toe the line and do everything I can to gain an advantage - but without breaking any rules.

I can sum it up with:

Sometimes, a development fix is better than an administrative one.

The issue here is that I can't guarantee a development fix until it's happened, so to avoid possible penalties for those who took part in it should a development fix be impossible, I recommend against it now. That's all.

As far as not having it stated anywhere that it's against the rules, we actually have very few specifics in our policies--they're meant to be broad and somewhat vague, as this is an ever-evolving game (and community!). This would fall under our Exploitation policy if we judged it to be as much.

Belfaire

#8 - May 11, 2008, 7:35 a.m.

Q u o t e:
I don't really understand how it is an exploit, unless I'm not fully comprehending the whole process.

If I'm not mistaken, it involves running in and out of instances, right? I don't know, but that doesn't really seem like an exploit to me. =/

I get where you're coming from, Zer, but have you ever been able to receive full experience when you have two level 70 characters in your party? No, of course not. That's not how it works. Unless you're doing this.

Belfaire

#10 - May 11, 2008, 7:52 a.m.

I simply can't say if action will be taken or not; not because I want to keep it from you, but because I honestly don't know. Apologies that I can't be more direct, but I'm sure you can understand how this is a fairly delicate situation.