Boosting /played time /w recruit-a-friend

[Razuya]

I understand that, but I really believe that if it was a huge problem, Blizzard would've already fixed it. As far as I'm concerned people should make the most of it, before (and even if) they change it. Blizzard are aware of the thousands using this unintended glitch, and I believe they will only reduce it to maybe 2x exp if a 70 or w/e boosts. It's good money to them.



We'll see what happens though.

You know, I think with millions of subscribers worldwide, I doubt that RAF will be "good money"... I believe they care more about the game itself than the cash to be honest.

Yes, but look at RAF - it's a huge booster (literally aswell ;]) for their pocket, and for the upcoming expansion.

RAF has been a huge net increase for Blizzard, no doubt about it. They care for the game, yes. But the aim of the game is for profit - afterall, they're all working and being paid.

[Razuya]

At no point was it suggested that the RAF feature was intentionally to function with a higher level character. We only confirmed that the system was functioning that way for a period of time, which was ultimately a loophole around the intended and advertised functionality.

Actually, to split hairs, this isn't true. There is a blue quote during the RAF rollout that said having a 70 in the group with two linked lowbies would decrease the xp by the normal group xp mechanics but the reduced amount would be trippled.

They may be saying they don't want that now, but they did in fact confirm the functionality in the beginning.

EDIT: This was the original quote on the day of RAF release

I saw that too. Hence why I will continue doing it. No way will people be banned over this. There's just too much in the air.



I'm not having a go at anyone, I'm just trying to state that they never said it wasn't intended until very recently, after they found out (probably from their forums) that people have been leveling really fast. They obviously want to put a stop to that and/or reduce the rate of boosting.

[emps]

Blizzard are aware of the thousands using this unintended glitch

Correct, and most of us "thousands" did it under the impression that it was an INTENDED game mechanic. In fact, we had a blue poster confirm that the behavior was working "correctly" as per the design.

They have decided, after the fact, that this is no longer the intended game design. They have stated this fact. NOW, we are all aware of this.

If you had no clue that the rules were changed, and continued to boost, I can see why Blizzard would be lenient.
If you were aware of the rules, and aware that Blizzard did not intend for this bug to be used the way that we have been using it, but you continue to do it anyway because you want a leveling advantage... Would you see where Blizzard could be justified in banning that?

I'm not saying anyone WILL get banned, but at the same time NONE OF US -- including you -- can say with any certainty that anyone who boosted after Friday's rule-change will NOT get banned. As of their Friday announcement, boosting using the 3x RAF bonus IS AN EXPLOIT. EXPLOITS can be bannable. They can also be excused. But none of US has the right to ENCOURAGE players to continue utilizing a "gray area" exploit. None of us would have ANY leg to stand on if Blizzard decided to ban us either.

All I can say is that, during the times that I was boosting, I did it with the knowledge that it was an allowed practice. Now that I know it is a bug, I will no longer be boosting. Now that I know that it is a bug, I will no longer encourage anyone to boost using the RAF bonus. To the best of my ability, I have followed Blizzard rules to the LETTER.

There's a problem here... Since i have been boosting my toons pre-RAF and now during RAF (with 3 non RAF accts and 2 RAF) - I could really care less if they took the boosting+RAF "bug" out. BUT, i still do want to boost my guys/get them geared during instance runs (again could care less about RAF)... Are they saying, I can't run my guys in instances UNTIL they fix the problem??!?!? Wow! That is really "something"...

[Thulos]

Bleh, I just picked up 2 more Battlechests on my way home from work today specifically because I believed I was allowed to boost 4 guys with the RAF exp bonus. I just finished upgrading the two new accounts 30 minutes ago. So to clarify what has already been posted since I've just skimmed through the latest posts. It is, NOW, against the rules to use a 70 to boost RAF characters? :cursing: :cursing:

[ChaoticMonk]

So to clarify what has already been posted since I've just skimmed through the latest posts. It is, NOW, against the rules to use a 70 to boost RAF characters? :cursing: :cursing:

It is not thier intention for it to be used that way. Its a bug so if you use it you'd be exploiting a bug which if I remember right is against the ToS. Will they ban you for it? Who knows.

Maybe someone should post on that thread asking point blank "If I keep boosting this way would it be considered a bannable offense".

[Vyndree]

At no point was it suggested that the RAF feature was intentionally to function with a higher level character. We only confirmed that the system was functioning that way for a period of time, which was ultimately a loophole around the intended and advertised functionality.

Actually, to split hairs, this isn't true. There is a blue quote during the RAF rollout that said having a 70 in the group with two linked lowbies would decrease the xp by the normal group xp mechanics but the reduced amount would be trippled.

They may be saying they don't want that now, but they did in fact confirm the functionality in the beginning.

EDIT: This was the original quote on the day of RAF release

Question: I have Account 1 with a level 70, Account 2 with a level 1, and Account 3 with a level 1. Account 2 recruits Account 3. Account 1 groups with 2 and 3, running them through low level instances. Do 2 and 3 get increased XP? The wording of the faq says the mobs must not be grey to the invitee nor the invited, but does not mention whether an unrelated 3rd person of much higher level will break the xp gain.

Answer: Experience would be mitigated by the presence of a higher level character; however, the mitigated experience would be tripled due to the link. Remember, if one of the linked characters is lower than the other, only the lower level one will receive the XP boost.

Indeed -- I believe that was Syndri's post, correct?

This was the reason I started boosting w/RAF -- because a GM said it was OK. Since that has now changed, I will no longer be boosting using RAF.

So yeah, I don't blame anyone for taking advantage of the situation when a blue confirmed it (much like the Zolo boosters) -- but now that it's a confirmed exploit I think using it while having the knowledge that it's an exploit is a no-no. Personal opinion, of course. But at the same time I wouldn't consider my accounts 100% safe since I (unknowingly) boosted past the Friday announcement.

I can't see how anyone can knowingly justify boosting after this new announcement that it's an unintended bug. Sure, it was OK back when Syndri's post (above) said it was ok. But now? You've got a blue literally spelling it out: IT IS AN UNINTENDED BUG.

I think the case where you had created the accounts and had boosted using RAF during the Syndri-announcement that it was OK, and now can no longer play is a interesting scenario. Would I risk it personally? No. Could you MAYBE get away with it? Who knows -- I like to think Blizzard is a benevolent rulemaker.


Morally, I could never see myself stooping to the level that my own XP gain was worth more than my dedication to being a 100% ToU/Rule-abiding representative of our community. If Blizzard changed their mind on Friday and said "No moar 3x experience boosting for joo!" then I'm inclined to listen.

[Thulos]

So to clarify what has already been posted since I've just skimmed through the latest posts. It is, NOW, against the rules to use a 70 to boost RAF characters? :cursing: :cursing:

It is not thier intention for it to be used that way. Its a bug so if you use it you'd be exploiting a bug which if I remember right is against the ToS. Will they ban you for it? Who knows.

Maybe someone should post on that thread asking point blank "If I keep boosting this way would it be considered a bannable offense".

Lame. The worst part is now I have no ability to help my dudes through an instance just to quests. Hopefully they will put a patch in for next week that will at least turn off the 3x exp if you are boosting.

[Vyndree]

So to clarify what has already been posted since I've just skimmed through the latest posts. It is, NOW, against the rules to use a 70 to boost RAF characters? :cursing: :cursing:

It is not thier intention for it to be used that way. Its a bug so if you use it you'd be exploiting a bug which if I remember right is against the ToS. Will they ban you for it? Who knows.

Maybe someone should post on that thread asking point blank "If I keep boosting this way would it be considered a bannable offense".

Lame. The worst part is now I have no ability to help my dudes through an instance just to quests. Hopefully they will put a patch in for next week that will at least turn off the 3x exp if you are boosting.

I'd ask on the CSF. If you can confirm that, for now, it's not a bannable offense until they fix it -- that would put alot of minds at ease.

[Stabface]

I'd ask on the CSF. If you can confirm that, for now, it's not a bannable offense until they fix it -- that would put alot of minds at ease.

Sure, I'll see if I can get a bite in CSF... Malkorix has been pretty good about answering me so far today. /shrug

[Sanctume]

So what's up now?

1. Is the 3x XP on linked account still working?

2. So if a non-linked 70 booster joins them in an instance grind, it is bannable?

3. Does that mean, a 70 booster to non-linked, non-RAF account is also bannable?

4. So there's no advantage to buy new RAFs account for the sole purpose of getting them boosted with a non-linked 70, right?