TOPIC: Unfortunate Token Predator News

So apparently after the first two days of Origins, it was discovered that there were token predators floating near the entrance waiting for newbies to walk away, ask them what they pulled, and then all but steal their higher tier token pulls for practically a song.

This was caught by TD staff and steps were taken by coaches to make sure any new players had a basic grasp of how the token rarity system worked and what prices certain rarity levels could command in order to combat these predators.

Growing pains of having a new TD community includes this predator behavior, so I'm bringing it to the forum's attention so that the larger community here can be better informed.

Personally, I feel it is my duty as a more experienced player to help protect new players from these douchenozzles and was watching pulls on Friday night to help inform new players how much their tokens could potentially be worth.

While I hope that the rest of this community would voluntarily take up this cause of protecting new players from being taken advantage of by these predators, it is most likely those predators are among this community.

If you are one of those predators, know that Hawk Fingle has put you on notice. I won't tolerate such behavior towards the Origins new player base. This is your only warning.

If I catch you trying to bilk some poor newbie out of their prizes, I will loudly and publicly shame you out of the gaming hall, attracting security and other TD members, who will then be informed of your attempts.

I will even do everything I can to have your badge revoked if possible.

Don't cross a bard on a mission. That's all I have to say on the matter.

I'm very sorry to hear this - but I'm not very surprised. I do hope anyone engaging in this behavior could be discouraged from doing so.

So disappointing....

1). This is why we can't have nice things

2). When the treasure mix gets nerfed, you will know why.

Well said. Hawk.

I feel this sort of abstract, "something nefarious happened" without specifics may do more harm than good.

Much like after TDC many people stated that "they heard" that people were loaning out Charm of Avarice, without any first hand evidence.


Who observed these unfair traders?

What unfair trades were proffered?

Is it possible that people are misinterpreting a volunteer instruction to train new players about token rarity into evidence that something nefarious occurred? When that instruction could have come about for a variety of other reasons?


As much as I've seen people grousing about negative TD experiences, I've also run across a fair amount of grousing from people who have very over inflated ideas about the value of various tokens, and I would hate a new player to come here, read this, and think "AW MAN! I GOT RIPPED OFF! I KNEW IT!" or "TD is full of cheats and jerks." unless there is some evidence that this happened.

If this is an issue (and I am not questioning whether it is) I have no issue calling folks out. I would rather know who so I can decide if I don't want to trade, run, etc with them. I also want to hear their side to see if this was done or if a newer player didn't understand the value of a token and thought they got fleeced when they didn't.

One thing we need to change is how 2ndary tokens are bought.
Newbie" I pulled this CoA,what's it worth"
Vet " it's worth about 1200-1500$, I will offer you $800"
What we as vets need to say is the above with added line someone else might offer you more ...you can check around.

I agree that you should post some details on specific events if possible. I think I bought one treasure draw of any significance and I blind bid against Ed for it, so I don't think it was me (pretty fair system actually). But if I knew who, which token, and how much then I can decide how to proceed.

It can also be a gray area. $50 for an UR isn't unreasonable for some of them. Nor is $100 for Icecrags. I do always try to say that if they found the right buyer they can get more money.

Hawk Fingle wrote: So apparently after the first two days of Origins, it was discovered that there were token predators floating near the entrance waiting for newbies to walk away, ask them what they pulled, and then all but steal their higher tier token pulls for practically a song.

This was caught by TD staff and steps were taken by coaches to make sure any new players had a basic grasp of how the token rarity system worked and what prices certain rarity levels could command in order to combat these predators.

Growing pains of having a new TD community includes this predator behavior, so I'm bringing it to the forum's attention so that the larger community here can be better informed.

Personally, I feel it is my duty as a more experienced player to help protect new players from these douchenozzles and was watching pulls on Friday night to help inform new players how much their tokens could potentially be worth.

While I hope that the rest of this community would voluntarily take up this cause of protecting new players from being taken advantage of by these predators, it is most likely those predators are among this community.

If you are one of those predators, know that Hawk Fingle has put you on notice. I won't tolerate such behavior towards the Origins new player base. This is your only warning.

If I catch you trying to bilk some poor newbie out of their prizes, I will loudly and publicly shame you out of the gaming hall, attracting security and other TD members, who will then be informed of your attempts.

I will even do everything I can to have your badge revoked if possible.

Don't cross a bard on a mission. That's all I have to say on the matter.

+1000 Hawk. And hearing this doesn't surprise me. Shit like this happens. I grew up in a pretty bad inner city environment where a fair number of people were always on the lookout for an easy way to make a quick buck. So yea, douchenozzles are out there. I rarely play Bard and can't sing worth a damn but I'm with ya on this. If I see stuff like this happening at GC I'll be sure to give you a run for your money in terms of calling out the offenders. Shysters beware.

Matthew Hayward wrote: I feel this sort of abstract, "something nefarious happened" without specifics may do more harm than good.

Much like after TDC many people stated that "they heard" that people were loaning out Charm of Avarice, without any first hand evidence.


Who observed these unfair traders?

What unfair trades were proffered?

Is it possible that people are misinterpreting a volunteer instruction to train new players about token rarity into evidence that something nefarious occurred? When that instruction could have come about for a variety of other reasons?


As much as I've seen people grousing about negative TD experiences, I've also run across a fair amount of grousing from people who have very over inflated ideas about the value of various tokens, and I would hate a new player to come here, read this, and think "AW MAN! I GOT RIPPED OFF! I KNEW IT!" or "TD is full of cheats and jerks." unless there is some evidence that this happened.

It obviously was serious enough that those in charge felt it necessary to add to a coach's responsibilities.

This came directly from the coach of my last run on Friday night, and according to his words, he and the other coaches were directed by higher powers to make a group announcement to inform new players of the rarity scheme of tokens and give an approximate value for each rarity as a direct result of predators waiting for newbies to make their treasure pulls and then offering them an awful lowball of $10 or $15 for the higher tier tokens they pulled.

That is good enough evidence for me.

Kirk Bauer wrote: I agree that you should post some details on specific events if possible. I think I bought one treasure draw of any significance and I blind bid against Ed for it, so I don't think it was me (pretty fair system actually). But if I knew who, which token, and how much then I can decide how to proceed.

It can also be a gray area. $50 for an UR isn't unreasonable for some of them. Nor is $100 for Icecrags. I do always try to say that if they found the right buyer they can get more money.

I'm not accusing those who know better, like you or Laz or MasterEd or any of the actual solid traders and sellers here on the forums. We have a rating and review system in place here on the forums to help combat unfair or shady practices. And I have nothing but good things to say about you.

The only details I have is the coach of my last run making a group announcement that due to these predatory actions coaches now had to make sure to inform new players more about the rarity system in place. This wasn't a private conversation, this was a coach in the coaching room making an announcement to the entire party.

If you want more details, I expect you would have to approach higher powers at TD than coaches.

To be fair, Origins doesn't have the rarity posters or token collection posters up, so there isn't much information readily available to new players regarding what tokens do or their value outside of the game other than through talking to vets or volunteers or staff. I can completely understand why a token predator would see Origins as a field full of suckers.

I'm making a solemn vow to shrink that field as much as possible while keeping a Hawk eye out for predators. My main weapon will be information and being available to answer any questions for new players or at the very least point them in the direction of trustworthy people like Laz, Kirk, or MasterED or even TD staff. After all, being better informed leads directly to loss of opportunity for these butt-cheese munchers.

I guess this is hitting me rather personally, as it was Raven who managed to help me out with trades for some healing items back when I was a one-run noob, and if she had done me dirty I would have probably walked away from TD and never looked back. Instead she was so awesome to me that it made me want to play more and get more involved. I want to pay that kindness and help forward as much as possible. Hearing that predatory practices being committed at the con leading to coaches having to make a party announcement during coaching hits me right in the heart.