Twilight's Guide to Surviving Griefers, Gankers, Scammers and Trolls

A guide intended for anyone having trouble playing alongside the many player created difficulties and situations in DC Universe Online. This particular topic is an ever-growing, ever-changing issue that we all handle in our own way each and every time we play.

Section Index
PVE / PVP BASICS

• What are PvE and PvP
• Phase Shifter Location
• PvE / PvP Flag
• Defensive Differences
• Vendor Locations for non-Iconic PvP Gear

GANKING / GRIEFING

• Judgement by Appearance
• Open World PvP and PvE Scenarios
• Bounties

SEASONAL EVENTS

• St. Patrick's Day Event
• Pot o' Gold
• Explore Mxyzptlk's Metropolis Haunts
• Spring Event
• Tides of War
• Little Bohemia Strait Fleet Battle
• Halloween Event
• The Midnight Masquerade
• Winter Holiday's

CHAT BOX

• How to Cope
• PSN Cards
• Offers for Items That Can't Be Traded

TRADING

• Basic Trade Preparation

GENERAL TIPS FOR SURVIVING THE COMMUNITY

• Inactive Duo Partner
• Using Timed Non-Combat Consumables
• Gorillas Throwing Barrels / Players Rolling Cars
• Invite Spamming
• Blue / Red Kryptonite a.k.a. The Meteor a.k.a. The Blue / Red Rock a.k.a. The Nuke
• Finding Collections While in a Group

(Next: PvE / PvP Basics)

PVE / PVP BASICS
What are PvE and PvP?
There are two separate phases to DC Universe Online

1. Player versus Environment - PvE
2. Player versus Player - PvP

These describe the level of interaction between players in a combat setting depending on which phase is chosen.

Choosing between the two phases is the initial step of the character creation process.
Note: Currently you are unable to travel between the two phases until reaching level 9, so choose carefully.

(PC version shown)

Phase Shifter Location
The Phase Shifter is located in both the Hall of Doom (Underneath the Inner Circle) and The Watchtower (Underneath the Hall of Justice)

Hall of Doom Phase Shifter

Watchtower Phase Shifter

PvE / PvP Flag
Players in PvE phase have the option to toggle combat between other players by switching their PvP Flag on or off from the Actions menu (Default is 'Off').

(PS3 version shown)

• Players in PvP phase do not have this option as combat is always on in open world.

While in PvE phase players of the opposite faction will appear with a purple name and as purple squares on your mini-map.

While in PvP phase they will appear with red names and as red squares on your mini-map.

Note: Any player with their PvP Flag on while in a PvE phase appears as a red name and red square on the mini-map.

Defensive Differences
Each phase has an accompanying defensive statistic (stat).
PvE - Defense
PvP - Toughness

(PS3 version of In-game description for Defense and Toughness)

• In order to receive the benefit of the Toughness or Defense stat, appropriate gear must be equipped in corresponding slots. Simply having the gear in your inventory does not apply the stat benefit.

PvP gear can be used upon reaching level 9. This gear affects your PvP Combat Rating in the same way as higher level PvP gear.

Vendor Locations for non-Iconic PvP Gear


MPD 7th Precinct / Midtown Police Station (Hero)
GCPD 12th Precinct / Diamond District Police Station (Hero)
Club deVile / Midtown Nightclub (Villain)
Club 539 / Burnley Nightclub (Villain)

When in a PvE combat situation your defensive concern would be the Defense stat, and when in a PvP combat situation your defensive concern would be the Toughness stat.

• Stats aside, whatever play style fits you best is the one you should stick with.

(Next: GANKING / GRIEFING)

GANKING / GRIEFING
Ganking - One or more players seeking out and engaging one or more lower level players unable to appropriately defend themselves. (Situations and motivations may vary)
Griefing - Intentionally halting the progress of another player, or generally hindering their play in a way that would not normally require direct participation. (Situations and motivations may vary)
Camping - Intentionally staying in an area known to be heavily populated by players of the opposing faction. (Situations and motivations may vary)

It helps to understand that this is a game with two opposing factions which can contribute to any number of reasons why players will feel comfortable attacking or hindering you without being provoked.
Additionally many of the missions have a Hero and Villain version for the same story, thus forcing the two factions together in opposing ways.
Many players will simply see you as another obstacle in the way of their mission.

Judgment by Appearance
Many players looking to engage in open world PvP would prefer an easy win and the look of their potential target plays a role in that.

Wearing styles available at character creation, obtained at early points of the game or with minimal effort according to the community can give the impression you are new/inexperienced or weak. This for some players means an easy target.

Example:
A player looking like (A) or (B) may find they run into more unprovoked PvP encounters than a player looking like (C) or (D).
(A) (B) (C) (D)

The Same theory can be applied to your visible level. A level 6 player will likely attract more PvP attention than a level 30 player.

Open World PvP and PvE Scenarios
Scenario A – Your character is consistently being killed by a stronger player or players camping the mission area you need to complete. PvP

Scenario B - You can’t leave the rally point due to a stronger player or players from the opposing faction attacking anyone who leaves the protective dome. PvP


Scenario C - You can’t enter or exit the safe house due to one or more opposing faction players out front attacking everyone on sight. PvP

Scenario D - You are having difficulty defeating NPC enemies due to a player or players from the opposing faction healing them as you deal damage. PvP PvE

Scenario E - You can’t acquire a collection or briefing due to a player from the opposing faction continuously attacking you as soon as you attempt to collect it. PvP

Solutions

• Switch to the PvE phase and complete your mission without PvP combat interactions. (A, B, C, E)
• Equip any PvP gear you may have. Fight the stronger player(s) if they return, make a stand and attempt to defeat them. (A, B, C, E)
• If you are in a league, request the support of your league mates. (A, B, C, D, E)
• Type into the chat box “There is a level 30 Nature DPS attacking low levels at Amusement Mile, please help” or something similar. Try to avoid sounding desperate or helpless, players typically do not like to be ordered around or help those that come off demanding. Generally something like “OMG stupid hero ganking villains here get off ur butts and come help us!!1!” is a statement less likely to produce results. (A, B, C, E)
• Temporarily leave that mission and take on a different mission/race/instance available to you. Returning at a later time when the problem player(s) has moved on. (A, D, E)
• Activate the Rally Point Defenses to push the problem player(s) away, giving you a chance to flee the area. (B)

• Warp to HQ, switch to the PvE phase and continue your activities without PvP combat interactions. (B, C, E)
• Warp to Rally, hopefully putting you somewhere else, do your best to avoid the problem player(s) and continue your activities. Found on the Map Menu. (B)

• If you notice other same faction players in the area struggling in the same way, form a group with them and team up to defeat or drive away the problem player(s). (A, B, C, D)
• Stand directly at the teleporter entrance to the safe house and use a ‘pull’ move on the problem player(s). This will drag them towards you and the safe house guards, resulting in them being pushed away by the guards. (C)

• Activate a shield power or consumable before attempting to collect the item. You will avoid damage for the duration of the shield affect, thus enabling you to claim your prize. Even if they begin attacking you once the shield fades. (E)

Bounties
Every bounty is a magnet for an opposite faction player to try and make your fight harder regardless of PvP or PvE phase. The only universal option between phases is to move on and try the bounty later if someone is giving you a hard time.

• Some players may intentionally heal, buff or find some way to enhance/help the bounty NPC you are currently fighting.
• Other players (opposite or same faction) may intentionally pull surrounding enemies and objects into your bounty fight.
• Opposite faction players may watch your bounty battle from afar, waiting for you to initiate a block. At which point they will perform a block breaker on you from off screen.
• Remember that PvE and PvP have two different defensive priorities, Defense and Toughness. While the bounty is held off by your Defense, the player attacking is held off by your Toughness. Making Bounty/PvP Player battles a potentially difficult situation.

The location of a bounty can mean the difference between a contained NPC battle and an all out Villain vs. Hero vs. Bounty vs. Surrounding Enemies war. Keep in mind the nearest opposite faction base, rally point or mission zone before engaging a bounty.

(Next: SEASONAL EVENTS)

SEASONAL EVENTS

St. Patrick's Day Event

Pot O' Gold
Scenario - Player(s) intentionally hit the pot of gold you are working on repeatedly and then leave, intending to make all of your coins appear at once thus harder to collect.

Solution

• Stand still; give no attention or reaction to the player’s actions. You may lose those few coins in that moment, but not reacting or struggling to collect the coins will speed up their urge to move on. If you continue to try and collect coins or offer some other reaction, you may find they follow you to the next several pots of gold. (Situations and motivations may vary)

Explore Mxyzptlk's Metropolis Haunts
This mission can be completed with much less opposite faction interference if attempted from the PvE Phase.

Scenario - A player or players from the opposite faction are camping the kiosk you need and attacking anyone that approaches, hindering you from continuing the mission.

Solution

• Survey the area from afar before approaching the kiosk you need. If you see there are players from the opposite faction camping that spot, be prepared for possible PvP combat.
• Before approaching any kiosk, stop somewhere far above or just out of range. Use a shield power or consumable and make a dash for the kiosk, activating it while shielded.
• Even if you are being attacked or get knocked out, all you need to do is successfully activate the kiosk to get mission credit. It does not have to complete the short in-game cinematic.

Spring Event
There is nothing especially difficult or hindering about PvP / PvE interactions for the missions of this event.


Tides of War
This mission can be completed with much less opposite faction interference if attempted from the PvE Phase.

Little Bohemia Strait Fleet Battle
Scenario - A player or players from the opposite faction are boarding the ship you are attempting to save and defeating all same faction players in the area.

Solution

• There are two distinct sides for this mission, one villain and one hero. Make sure you are on the corresponding side and or not too close to the opposing side.
• Check your radial map for any opposite faction players in the area before boarding a vessel.
• Fight the invading players and hold your ground. This can deter any further attempts to hinder your mission.
• Form a group or raid and let sheer force of numbers deter any opposing faction players from engaging you. If an opposing faction player(s) still engages you, there is a large group on hand to support you during the fight.

Halloween Event

The Midnight Masquerade
Scenario - Occasionally you will witness a player who stands far off to the side or in a corner not contributing to the instance. This seems to be done so they can receive rewards at the end of the instance while putting forth as little effort as possible. (Situations and motivations may vary)

Solution

• Ignore their behavior and continue contributing to the fight and complete the instance. Dedicating attention to this sort of behavior in the midst of a battle can be detrimental to the group’s success; inevitably it ends up as two people not contributing (you and the first offender) rather than just one.
• Direct the fight toward the player intentionally not performing, forcing them to either participate or be destroyed by enemies.

Note: It is best to be sure; observe this happening over an extended period of time before passing judgment. In some situations people need to step away from the fight for a moment to handle something personal and don’t want to die, so they seek out the furthest area from the fight and return later.

Winter Holiday’s
The missions for this event can be completed with much less opposite faction interference if attempted from the PvE Phase. Nothing especially different about the mechanics from past events.

(Next: CHAT BOX)

CHAT BOX
Trolling - Intentionally being a jerk to another player because they can. (Situations and motivations may vary)
Spamming - Intentionally flooding the chat box with irrelevant comments, characters or the spammers own needs/requests. (Situations and motivations may vary)
Example:
“CAN SOME1 WALK ME THRU PRIME SEND TELL PLZ
CAN SOME1 WALK ME THRU PRIME SEND TELL PLZ
CAN SOME1 WALK ME THRU PRIME SEND TELL PLZ
CAN SOME1 WALK ME THRU PRIME SEND TELL PLZ
CAN SOME1 WALK ME THRU PRIME SEND TELL PLZ”
Scamming - Intentionally stealing from another player(s) or manipulating a player(s) into a situation that benefits the scammer and/or does not benefit the victim.

How to Cope
Scenario - Someone in DC Universe Online chat is saying something you dislike.

Solution

• Stop reading it.
• Add the offending character name to the Ignore list for the character you are currently playing as.

(PS3 version shown)

Note: the ignore feature is not account wide. If you play as a different character you will have to ignore the problem player from there as well.

• Switch chat tabs or create a new custom tab.

(PC version shown)

Note: You can create your own preferred chat box channels, tabs, color scheme, etc. from the Chat menu in Settings.

PSN Cards
Some players in DC Universe Online will request or offer a transaction in chat that involves a PSN card claimed to be worth various amounts of actual money. (Situations and motivations may vary)

Due to the probability of this being an attempt at a false transaction.
These transactions should be approached with extreme caution, preparation and research.
If you do not invest the time to ensure your best interests are covered in such a transaction, then you may be leaving yourself open to negative results.

Examples of actual in-game shouts involving PSN Cards:

(Character names and screen names were blocked for the purpose of this guide)

Offers for Items That Can’t Be Traded
Occasionally you will see a shout in chat something like this:
“WTT RIDDLER SHIRT FOR NIMBUS AURA”
“SELLING BATMAN BOXERS FOR 20MIL PST”

Always be sure the item you are interested in can actually be traded before entering the Trade screen. Unfortunately some players may use this tactic to ensnare other people, and your best defense is to research before acting. (Situations and motivations may vary)

(Next: TRADING)

TRADING

Basic Trade Preparation
Trading in DC Universe Online is done at your own risk and should be approached with caution and preparation.

Tips:

• Take inventory of what you are trading and how many, as well as the amount of money you have before and after the trade.
• Take a screenshot of the inventory/money before and after the trade.
• Keep your trade communications with the other player in the chat box or with the PSN message system. This can act as a record of your transaction before and after.
• Write down the name of the player you are about to trade with, in the exact way it appears in game. Be accurate when it comes to these characters: O, 0, I, l, I, L, 1, v, M, S, 2, 3, E and Z.
• Take the time to look over the items you have placed in the trade window as well as the other player’s items before submitting the trade. Being impatient or acting too quickly on this screen can lead to misunderstandings, false claims of scamming and simply not giving the other person enough time to finish adding their items.

Familiarize yourself with the Trade screen

(PS3 version shown)

(Next: GENERAL TIPS FOR SURVIVING THE COMMUNITY)

GENERAL TIPS FOR SURVIVING THE COMMUNITY

Inactive Duo Partner
Scenario - The partner in your duo appears inactive or won’t contribute to the Duo.

1. Check chat to be sure you haven't missed a “brb” or “help someone is breaking in my house” type message, ultimately explaining the inactivity.
2. Use your microphone to initiate conversation and ask if there is a problem
3. Use your Group/Shout/Say/Tell chat tabs to ask if there is a problem, Give them time to respond.
4. Give them time to respond.

If it seems they are for sure doing this on purpose…

Solution

• Leave the duo.
• Try and proceed as far into the duo as possible on your own.
• Attract the attention of multiple enemies and let them chase you back to your duo partner. Forcing your partner to defend themselves or die.

Note:Try not to spend more time dealing with the situation than it would take for you to start a new duo instance.

Using Timed Non-Combat Consumables
Before using a timed consumable item like the XP-Booster Box or an R&D Scanner, switch to PvE phase. This will insure minimal interruptions from other players and getting the most out of your time frame for use. Whether powerful in PvP battles or not, fighting while the timer has been activated is a waste of resources and possibly real money if the item was bought.

Gorillas Throwing Barrels / Players Rolling Cars



Solution

• Move away.
• Correctly obstruct the throwing area of the player and they can't actually throw anymore.
• Standing directly in front of the player and activating the item just as it leaves their hands from a throw, will burst the barrel in mid air or cause you to grab the item yourself.
• Hovering or hanging just out of reach, for players with Flight or Acrobatics.
• Throwing items right back at them seems to carry a strong message.

Invite Spamming
Some players will repeatedly send an invite to another player for Duel, Trade, Group, League or Scrimmage interaction. By doing this an on-screen window appears and overrides anything else the receiving player was doing. This tends to happen more to players that are at the broker, mailbox or vendor interfaces. Additionally players that just finished a long duel with visibly low health are also targets for Duel invite spamming as some players may see it as an easy target/win. (Situations and motivations may vary)

Solution
Settings menu has an option for each form of invite to be enabled or disabled under Gameplay.

(PS3 version shown)

Note: Other players can tell when you are switching between styles for your character, because they can see the actual changes as you make them from your style menu. If this is done in a heavily populated spot there is high chance you will receive a trade or duel invite during your customizing.


Blue / Red Kryptonite a.k.a. The Meteor a.k.a. The Blue / Red Rock a.k.a. The Nuke
This is an interactive open world item that possibly adds a precision buff to the player +group/raid of whoever is currently holding it.

In PvE phase the rock automatically switches the player that activates it into PvP mode as well as anyone else that activates the item.


Scenario - Some players use this as a means of initiating conflicts by dropping it in an area of newer players where their curiosity leads to activating the rock and PvP flags being turned on. Then the player that place the rock there will rush in for the easy kills.

Solution

• Don’t activate the rock.
• While in PvE phase, turn the PvP flag on and rush the player holding The Rock. Get the drop on them first.

Finding Collections While in a Group

Scenario - Player A searches the environment and finds a collection. The found collection now appears as group loot that all other players can roll NEED, GREED or PASS on. Everyone rolls NEED and Player A loses out on the collection due to someone else in the group.
Alternate Scenario - The instance has been completed, but one player remains near the exit or follows you around and rolls NEED on everything you find.

Solution

• Communicate with your group and establish terms, rules or an understanding about loot you will come across while together.
• If the spotted collection is far enough away from the other group mates it won’t be entered as group loot and go straight into the inventory of who collects it.
• Wait for the other group mates to leave the group before attempting to find and collect collections.

That’s it!

Hopefully this guide has given you a few more tools to assist you while playing alongside the unique DC Universe Online community. Have fun out there and try to treat others as you would like to be treated.

------

Twilight Man

PvP Hot Spots

Some locations in open world PvP are more prone to player combat than others, below is a listing of those areas.

Metropolis

8th Precinct Metropolis Science Police HQ

Centennial Park: Superman Memorial Statue

Chinatown MPD Station / MPD 5th District

Club deVile / Midtown Nightclub

Club L'Excelence / Little Bohemia Nightclub

Ellsworth Memorial Hospital

Little Bohemia PD

Metropolis General Hospital

Street between Metropolis University Corilan Hall and Bell Tower

Metropolis City Hall

Metro Station Building Area

Metro Urgent Care Center

Outlook Park

Queensland Boardwalk

Science Police HQ Northern Outskirts mission area

Sheeda's Den

Shin Li Po Gardens Area

Rally point near Shin Li Po Gardens Area

Gotham

Amusement Mile

The Bowery

The Entire Cape Carmine storyline area

Club 539 / Burnley Nightclub

Diamond District Police Station / GCPD 12th Precinct

East End Area of early villain tech mentor missions

End Police Station / GCPD 9th Precinct

Giodarno Botanical Gardens

Gotham Mercy General Hospital

Gotham University

Knightsdome Sporting Complex Area

The Big Belly Burger near the LexCorp Reclamation Project

Malone Improvement District

The Otisburg Riddler Mission Area

The Entire Robinson Park Area

The Tap Room / North Burnley Nightclub

Note: If you engage in the open world Diamond Heist or Ring War PvP Events while in a PvE phase your PvP Flag is automatically switched on. This will remain until you stop engaging the event for 5 minutes.

You must have been ganked, trolled, and hated on a lot. You also have a lot of extra time in your hands. I doubt many with read this guide

And this is for those that do, many or few.

I read and liked it. Didn't know about the pvp rock. Gonna try that tomorrow!

Thanks!

Dude.....your thread deserve this. If I had this when I was starting out I would be the most successful dcuo player today.

You posted this in the wrong thread.

Will this be on the final?

I read it too, been playing since F2P and had no idea what the cog on rallies did.
This is really useful for beginners and should be on the mobile app (if they ever launch it).

The problem with something like this is that the people who need it the most are the ones who are least likely to see it. That is a real shame, imo.

This is exactly how I feel about so many great guides on these forums like the Gadget guide, The Seasonal Guides, the HL guide and the Sorcery Guides. I've noticed that the experienced players seem to out number the new players on these forums. It really would be nice if there was some other way to get the information in these guides to people as they are starting out or struggling.

and with this post I just made making it visible once again on the recent threads list I'm sure one of the forum mods will see it now and move it to Oracle's Database lol

Good job man do you mind if i put a link to this on my leagues website? we have many new members that could really benefit from this

No worries at all, have at it. Hopefully it can assist anyone who reads it.

Though the guide is fine.. It was a pretty good read...

I have to touch upon the "PSN Card"....
It is against the rules to trade those and should never be traded anyway..

Now can DCUO stop a transaction between two people that know each other and just happen to send "20mil" to a friend and the other guy happens to send a "thank you" with a code for 20$? No..

But the chances of getting scammed are very high.. as there is no way to prevent this.. you cannot put the PSN in a "trade screen" to make sure both parties get what they are trading...

This also goes for getting Mods made.... Unless there is a good rep for the person making the mod... only trade Mats for PRE MADE mods... (again this is for people that you don't know from Adam and just barely met with no reputation)

Me--- I have about 4 of every color of bytes on my person at all times.. so I can always PRE MAKE a mod for people that want one made to ensure peace of mind that they are getting their mod for their mats and not hoping some guy is just going to run off with their Mats.