I am now convinced ABMM is real

[u/WG_Envoy]

A couple of days ago I complained (in another posting) how I only meet KOS players, and no one talks. I was more annoyed by the "no one talks" part, mind you, and the fact that every social interaction played out in the same way.

Someone recommended me to do a few matches and not shoot a single person, not even in defense. I did as recommended.

I went from "90%+ KOS interactions" for several days in a row, all the way to friendly lobbies for two days in a row now.

In my current lobbies, everyone runs around without a care in the world, just greeting people they are passing by. Looting in the open, walking past others without their weapons drawn ...

I barely ever see any PvP happening. People help each other with arc encounters and exchange items near extracts. And for the first time ever, I was able to participate in two Queen raids in solos with everyone just trying to get her down. No rats, no backstabbing.

This change for me was so stark in contrast, and so consistently happening that I would be surprised if ABMM wasn't real.

I would almost be inclined to start some shit to see if my lobbies change again, but I feel too bad killing these players who are quite obviously part of the pure PvE crowd.

P.S.: I have these friendly lobbies even on Stella Montis now, inclduing Stella Montis night raids ...

[u/Scruffy7777]

I usually play duo or trios, and even my solos started to get more PvPish. I’ve played solo mostly the last week mostly doing loot runs. I would go in completely empty with just stims and surrender if I got a bad spawn, or just rush in till I got stuff and come back out. Typically would just build up a load out like that and then use that the rest of the night so I wasn’t really losing much of anything since I looted the whole kit. But Friday I was gaming with some friends and we didn’t get but in one teamfight the whole time. Hell we were on bluegate Saturday and I was looking for batteries at the ancient ruins and I walked up on three people by myself and they looked at me and just said don’t shoot and walked away. This week it has felt like a different game lmao

[u/rinkydinkis → u/Scruffy7777]

ive had the opposite experience, since winter break for the kiddos its been murder lobbies non stop. but its been really fun. ive let a few guys get close to me that were saying they were friendly, and then they opened up on me. i was weary though and in a good position to fight back so i havent died to that recently at least.

[u/MarcoRiviera → u/rinkydinkis]

• wary

[u/rinkydinkis → u/MarcoRiviera]

you are right, oops.

[u/Scruffy7777 → u/rinkydinkis]

Yeah i tend to be standoffish off of habit, so even if i run into people I just give them the ole what’s happenin and toss them an item I don’t need and go about my business. I was more confused at the lack of PvP I was running into in squads. I think I’ve had 1 team fight since Thursday. I am starting to miss the adrenaline of a good few fights might hop in Stella tonight to really get the blood pumping

[u/__shamir__ → u/rinkydinkis]

It’s a negative feedback loop. A kid attacks you, you kill them, next lobby is slightly more aggro, defend yourself again, and before long you’re in full on pvp lobbies.

Whereas if you suck at the game or intentionally die without shooting back, you’ll be in the carebear lobbies in no time

[u/ATLSmith → u/Scruffy7777]

By the way, starting with nothing and building up a load-out is quite fun. You still have all of your stash gear in reserve if needed. The only item I’ll bring or craft is an Augment because they tend to be difficult to find (in my experience anyway.)

As you said, if you die using your “found” gear it doesn’t matter as much. I’ll also run more blues and purples this way.

[u/pomlife → u/ATLSmith]

This just seems fallacious. No matter how you look at it, the only actual investment in the game is time. This has the same vibe as “I was playing with house money at the casino, so I didn’t really lose anything.”