My favorite part about Spiral Knights, bar none, is definitely helping new players get better. Often times I've run Tier 1 with randoms so I can play with newbies (there's a difference between "noobs" and "newbies" by the way), observe them, and offer pointers, and sometimes even lessons, on how to fight with advanced tactics and such.

So, what is this thread exactly?

Well, as it turns out, people without 2-star equipment can STILL get into Tier 2, if someone who's qualified /invites them down after descending past Moorcroft! And likewise, people without 4-star equipment can get into Tier 3 in the same way, by someone /inviting them after they're past Emberlight.

And that's recently what I've been doing. When I run with randoms and some of the players look promising, but can't get into the next Tier because they haven't got the equipment yet, I give them a taste of what's to come by inviting them down into otherwise-forbidden territory. Nothing thrills me more than listening to their exclamations and excitement as they realize Retrodes actually DO have a beam weapon, Gremlins are suddenly owning with combo attacks, and holy cow are those Rocket Puppies shooting HOMING missiles!? ...Yes, it's definitely an amazing experience for me and for them, and the game just feels so much more alive, for the time being it's no longer a chore to try and grind for all the stuff they need, and they can just ENJOY the game without the stressful limitations, just for one night.

And because that's gone so well, I've decided to make my hobby public, and tell the Spiral Knights players who haven't reached the later Tiers yet, that they're ALL INVITED into the forbidden zone with me! Just send me a PM in-game (my name is "Schwalala") telling me you're interested, give me a summary of what equipment you've got on-hand (doesn't have to be exquisite in detail, nor do I have any "minimum requirements" for equipment whatsoever, other than you speak/type at least decent English), and let me know too what times of day you're typically on (game-time, or tell me your time zone, something so there's no time zone confusions XD), and I'll arrange a time where we can form a party and take you on your virgin Tier 2 or Tier 3 experience a little earlier than the rest!

I would appreciate it if you brought at least 100 Energy (whether it's Mist or Crystals) when we begin, if plausible. I can spend a little Energy on you if enemies pwn us, and believe me, they will; you're gonna be deeper in the Clockworks than your equipment is able to handle no matter how skilled you are, so even if you're skilled you WILL take massive damage down here, and I can cover you as best I can, but I'm prone to mistakes too even with my 5-star everything. So I want you to be responsible in that sense, and don't "hitch a ride" off me, this isn't what this is about. It's about having fun, the way Spiral Knights ought to be. :) I want you to do your best, even if you get hurt or die a lot, do the best you can when you're with me! I'll gladly observe you play and give you tips and pointers as to how you could've handled that enemy better, how you should be using that sword or gun, etc. etc.

So, to recap everything:
* Send "Schwalala" a PM in-game if you want me to take you to a forbidden Tier!
* Include a summary (detailed or not, either way) of your weapons and armor and everything, as well as when I can expect to see you online.
* Speak/type at least decent English, i.e. enough to actually communicate with me.
* Bring at least 100 Energy (either Crystals or Mist, or both combined) as courtesy. You're not here to hitch a ride, you're here to surpass an unwarranted barrier in this game. ^^
* Do your best, and be nice to your allies! We won't ask for anything more than your best effort, even if you die!

I look forward to treating you to the forbidden Tiers! Thanks for reading, and have an awesome weekend, nyaaa~ :D
--Schwa

P.S: My guess is that a lot of forum regulars here are already Tier 3 caliber, BUT, if you have friends who are not, please feel free to direct them here! Or heck, there's nothing stopping you from taking them to the lower Tiers yourself... ;D I'm just making this a public thing from my end because not everyone likes to run Tier 2 and 3 with "novices", let alone randoms, whereas I do, because Spiral Knights is not about "winning" to me, it's about the social experience.

P.P.S: OH. If you Tier 3 guys want to run with me while I run some of the novices, let me know! Extra support in battle always helps. :D Bring your patience though, you'll potentially need a lot of it.