Never seen anyone 3-Box like this before

[rabidfox]

Strange...I said the same thing to myself in a quest just the other day...'No you didn't'...'Yes I did'..."'Stop talking'...'I'm not talking, you are'.

Just don't try holding a conversation with Larafay when soloing with hires; she just wants to watch the world burn.

 

[GrayJedi AntiProPaladin]

"[...] getting five free extra loot pulls on all items in the game is surely not what the devs intended to do. Cough cough [...]

The Devs intentionally coded the launcher to Explicitly allow & Support Multi-Boxing did they not?

"still everyone else who thinks logically! LOL"

Hence logically they intended for the downstream effects from this...if they have a huge problem with this they would've just Dis-Allowed it a long time ago (e.g. anything they didn't intend they patch fairly quickly: accidentally making Vecna raid loot BtA contrary to their intent of being BtC so they fixed (albeit contrary to many players' desires), the Hood of Unrest patch, the off-hand versatility snapshotting thing , sonic blast(albeit that one wasn't fairly quickly), etc...)

LOLz indeed

 

[Nod]

The Devs intentionally coded the launcher to Explicitly allow & Support Multi-Boxing did they not?



Hence logically they intended for the downstream effects from this...if they have a huge problem with this they would've just Dis-Allowed it a long time ago (e.g. anything they didn't intend they patch fairly quickly: accidentally making Vecna raid loot BtA contrary to their intent of being BtC so they fixed (albeit contrary to many players' desires), the Hood of Unrest patch, the off-hand versatility snapshotting thing , sonic blast(albeit that one wasn't fairly quickly), etc...)

LOLz indeed

I just couldn't imagine playing with 5 alter ego's of myself, in a MMORP. To each their own though! <3

 

[GrayJedi AntiProPaladin]

Indeed To each their own

BTW not an MMORPG but one can play with friends Or Play Solo and control multiple party members and their additional companions is the Multiple Top Awards Winning D&D game: Baldur's Gate 3

And it's intended that way: both Solo or Multi

and DDO supports both/all these styles of play in its own way

To each their own

 

[Nod]

Indeed To each their own

BTW not an MMORPG but u can play with friends Or Play Solo and control multiple party members and their additional companions is the Multiple Top Awards Winning D&D game: Baldur's Gate 3

And it's intended that way: both Solo or Multi

To each their own

But then you have to play BG3...crikey

 

[Contessor]

Well sorry your opinion is your opinion, but it does not make it definitive as you suggest. The fact that the devs unofficially say boxing is fine with a human at the keyboard makes it, by definition, not exploitive. And other games have the same rule sets. There is no tricking a server. A follow me, or shadow boxer account has nothing to do with the server. It simply is another account logging on DDO. Or is having new accounts on DDO bad? Maybe we should ban all new accounts if that is the case.

I tried boxing, and I just find it too much work. But I have no problems with people boxing. Not sure why it would even matter to anybody, as it does not hurt you.

 

[Nod]

Well sorry your opinion is your opinion, but it does not make it definitive as you suggest. The fact that the devs unofficially say boxing is fine with a human at the keyboard makes it, by definition, not exploitive. And other games have the same rule sets. There is no tricking a server. A follow me, or shadow boxer account has nothing to do with the server. It simply is another account logging on DDO. Or is having new accounts on DDO bad? Maybe we should ban all new accounts if that is the case.

I tried boxing, and I just find it too much work. But I have no problems with people boxing. Not sure why it would even matter to anybody, as it does not hurt you.

Agreed! It's just funny to see

 

[Jaspar]

Well sorry your opinion is your opinion, but it does not make it definitive as you suggest. The fact that the devs unofficially say boxing is fine with a human at the keyboard makes it, by definition, not exploitive. And other games have the same rule sets. There is no tricking a server. A follow me, or shadow boxer account has nothing to do with the server. It simply is another account logging on DDO. Or is having new accounts on DDO bad? Maybe we should ban all new accounts if that is the case.

I tried boxing, and I just find it too much work. But I have no problems with people boxing. Not sure why it would even matter to anybody, as it does not hurt you.

Where have they unofficially said multi-boxing is okay? Have they said all forms of multi-boxing are okay? Or only when you have multiple windows but move and use each account with separate key-strokes?

Also, youve got to love when school holidays combine with weekends...

 

[BREZ]

Today I Ran across someone in the Argo market-place who was playing three Wizards at once. (approx 4:30pm +1 GMT) This in and of it self isn't too unusual, as I know a few people that 2 box. Where in each case they're never in sync as they often need to swap toons / PC's to move them from instance to instance. (they don't join combat as a result) However, what was different is that all three of this players Wizards and the summoned skellies were 100% physically in sync, as if there was no delay or difference in their movements. (maybe a 1/10 of a second difference) The skellies idle-animation was very interesting to watch as the physical forms appeared on-top of each other and danced back and forth as if each was the shadow for the others. (players forms did this as well) Anyways, the guy ran off as I was attempting to record the video of it. Noticed on the "Who" panel that they went to Crystal Cove.


Odds are that within a quest this is also the case, as its likely that the player is effectively hacking the server or his client code to do it. I'm wondering if the appearance of this individual is a coincidence with the heavy lag I was suddenly experiencing?

Side note: I've posted the player names and guild to the Dev's, in the hopes that they'll look into this situation.

Cheers!

Resin

If you think 3 is extreme, try 5....(6 total).
4 monitors, 2 instances per side monitor, 1 for the top, 1 for the main...that may just be extreme
Rest assured they're probably using a follow me program is all and have to make normal keystrokes outside their main screen.
At least that's how it's been explained to me.
And I'm pretty sure it does not violate the terms.

 

[Weaponalpha]

Where have they unofficially said multi-boxing is okay? Have they said all forms of multi-boxing are okay? Or only when you have multiple windows but move and use each account with separate key-strokes?

Also, youve got to love when school holidays combine with weekends...

The fact that there is an option to allow multiple game instances probably means that the Devs are ok with it... Also, if a school holiday falls on the weekend it is recognized on either Friday or Monday depending. Just saying.

From ddowiki...

Multibox​

Wikipedia has an article on the same subject:
Multi-boxing

CollapsePlay DDO

Multiboxing (or multi-logging) is having the ability to play multiple characters at the same time, either on the same or different computers. Since the majority of needs only require 2 characters, this is often loosely called "dual-boxing", even if sometimes more than 2 are involved. Logging in to different accounts and running multiple characters at the same time is perfectly legal in DDO*, and solves a number of problems, including having an opener for Elite level quests, exchanging items between characters, holding items (aka "mules"), and so on.

(* It is not legal to post in the DDO Forums using multiple accounts. You willbe caught, and you will suffer forum penalties.)

From two or more computers[edit]​

It's as you would expect - log in to diff accounts with each, and you're good.
(Note that attempting to log into the same account again will simply bump you back to the log-in screen with an error stating "Your account is busy...", and bump that currently open game back to the character selection screen. This is true for single-computer as well - see next.)

From one computer[edit]​

Simply launch the DDO game client as normal. The DDO game launcher has a dropdown menu (arrow near upper right corner)...

1. select the Options menu
2. Select the General tab there
3. make sure the "Allow multiple game instances" option is checked

After you've logged in to your first account, use Alt + Tab ↹ to switch back to your desktop view, and log in to your 2nd account. Once multiple instances of the game are up, use Alt + Tab ↹ to cycle through them. Repeat this as many times as you need to (up to the limit that your graphics card can handle - ymmv). (In Windows, once you have 2 or more instances of the game open, you may have to use Ctrl + Alt + Del to get back to your desktop view.)
On one computer, only a single instance of the game can run in the graphic mode "Full screen (windowed)". Other instances will silently fail to start. (DDO Forums).

Builds[edit]​

There have been some builds designed to be generic all around utilitarian builds for multiboxing purposes.

• Dual box openers
• Free-to-play 160 slot bank mule
• Favor Runner (example)

 

[Jaspar]

The fact that there is an option to allow multiple game instances probably means that the Devs are ok with it... Also, if a school holiday falls on the weekend it is recognized on either Friday or Monday depending. Just saying.

From ddowiki...

Multibox​

Wikipedia has an article on the same subject:
Multi-boxing

CollapsePlay DDO

Multiboxing (or multi-logging) is having the ability to play multiple characters at the same time, either on the same or different computers. Since the majority of needs only require 2 characters, this is often loosely called "dual-boxing", even if sometimes more than 2 are involved. Logging in to different accounts and running multiple characters at the same time is perfectly legal in DDO*, and solves a number of problems, including having an opener for Elite level quests, exchanging items between characters, holding items (aka "mules"), and so on.

(* It is not legal to post in the DDO Forums using multiple accounts. You willbe caught, and you will suffer forum penalties.)

From two or more computers[edit]​

It's as you would expect - log in to diff accounts with each, and you're good.
(Note that attempting to log into the same account again will simply bump you back to the log-in screen with an error stating "Your account is busy...", and bump that currently open game back to the character selection screen. This is true for single-computer as well - see next.)

From one computer[edit]​

Simply launch the DDO game client as normal. The DDO game launcher has a dropdown menu (arrow near upper right corner)...

1. select the Options menu
2. Select the General tab there
3. make sure the "Allow multiple game instances" option is checked

After you've logged in to your first account, use Alt + Tab ↹ to switch back to your desktop view, and log in to your 2nd account. Once multiple instances of the game are up, use Alt + Tab ↹ to cycle through them. Repeat this as many times as you need to (up to the limit that your graphics card can handle - ymmv). (In Windows, once you have 2 or more instances of the game open, you may have to use Ctrl + Alt + Del to get back to your desktop view.)
On one computer, only a single instance of the game can run in the graphic mode "Full screen (windowed)". Other instances will silently fail to start. (DDO Forums).

Builds[edit]​

There have been some builds designed to be generic all around utilitarian builds for multiboxing purposes.

• Dual box openers
• Free-to-play 160 slot bank mule
• Favor Runner (example)

Nothing there about single key presses for actions across multiple characters though. Just having extra changes on chests, or being able to stand on pressure plates.

6 Wizards all casting the same big spells at the same time would clear a room pretty quickly and trivialise content... which I would think is against the TOS.

I know WOW had different rules over the years but settled on banning that sort of multi-boxing - 5 Shaman casting chain lightning was the favourite of many.

 

[Toblakai]

Before the auto follow program, I would send my secondary accounts in to the first group of mobs and carry their stones to the end chest. The auto follow just made it easier-ish. Other use would be a buff bot parked in the front.

Auto follow should be built into the game, just like it is in LoTRO.

 

[Weaponalpha]

I would imagine DDO is in favor of multiboxing since to truly benefit from it one must own all content so it is the same as if seperate persons owned each account. Additionally anyone who multiboxes is usually of a personality that is inclined to spend more since they seem to be obessed with maximizing gains. All in all it's a win win for DDO and us since it is more revenue for DDO and usually one of the multiboxes is a buffer bard. Bard buffs r the absolute best!

 

[vryxnr]

Where have they unofficially said multi-boxing is okay? Have they said all forms of multi-boxing are okay? Or only when you have multiple windows but move and use each account with separate key-strokes?

Also, youve got to love when school holidays combine with weekends...

It will take some time and effort to dig up (time I don't have right now, sorry), but there have been multiple times when a dev has stated that it's okay so long as you are at the keyboard controlling the actions. The old forums had several dev posts about it, I'm sure these forums do too, I'll have to check the discords as well. When it comes to 3rd party software to assist in boxing, they've always been intentionally vague, as it depends on how one uses it. I personally do not use Awesome-AF-auto-follow because it can be used in a way that breaks ToS, but it also can be used completely within the rules as well.

I don't expect any official post or declaration about it because tbh it's sch a small/niche thing that it really doesn't require that much hubbub. (even though this conversation seems to happen every few months starting from someone freaking out about it)

 

[Jaspar]

It will take some time and effort to dig up (time I don't have right now, sorry), but there have been multiple times when a dev has stated that it's okay so long as you are at the keyboard controlling the actions. The old forums had several dev posts about it, I'm sure these forums do too, I'll have to check the discords as well. When it comes to 3rd party software to assist in boxing, they've always been intentionally vague, as it depends on how one uses it. I personally do not use Awesome-AF-auto-follow because it can be used in a way that breaks ToS, but it also can be used completely within the rules as well.

I don't expect any official post or declaration about it because tbh it's sch a small/niche thing that it really doesn't require that much hubbub. (even though this conversation seems to happen every few months starting from someone freaking out about it)

Which I think is the point. The OP said he saw something which looked like it was against the TOS. Others piled on to have a crack at them for daring to report something.

I have multiboxed before but without any 3rd party software to sync the characters. I know others who do the same.

To the person saying 6 accounts means 6 times as much money for SSG, you can get pretty much everything for free just by playing. Maybe doing a one-off purchase to unlock Premium, and then just play the game. Eventually everything becomes available for points rather than $$$.

 

[GrayJedi AntiProPaladin]

yes, u can get pretty much everything for free just by playing, but that takes a long time ...in order to get all characters to be able to go into all the same quests for multiboxing

also in their post, they're talking about multiboxers who are min/maxers - such min/maxer multiboxers who are trying to pull the best loot ASAP are most likely Not gonna wait up to 6 months after a New Xpack comes out to buy for points, so they're more likely to buy a bunch of the Standard bundles...maybe 1 account buy the Top tier, the rest buy Standard tier from ca$h web shop

but obviously it's Not always the case - there are mix of different kinds of multiboxers just as there are for soloists or non-multiboxer players ....some/many want to min/max Now/ASAP, some are OK to wait until later (might be a longass time later if buying packs with points earned from playing)

 

[rabidfox]

also in their post, they're talking about multiboxers who are min/maxers - such min/maxer multiboxers who are trying to pull the best loot ASAP are most likely Not gonna wait up to 6 months after a New Xpack comes out to buy for points, so they're more likely to buy a bunch of the Standard bundles...maybe 1 account buy the Top tier, the rest buy Standard tier from ca$h web shop

They're also probably buying XP pots across the board as they'll want all X number of accounts to level at the same pace.

 

[Spook]

I normally dont comment on these threads as I do multibox occasionally and its the only reason I still play. Devs have deliberately stayed away from the topic as I believe they dont want to officially endorse or condemn the practice as it is fairly common for most long term players to play 2 accounts simultaneously and either stance is likely to upset a decent chunk of the playerbase.

The official stance grandfathered in from the Turbine days is as long as you are at the computer controlling the characters it is ok.

Hello,

Dual-Boxing or Multi-Boxing is perfectly fine. As long as you are at the computer(s) while actively playing you won't be violating any Terms of Service. This topic is often a point of confusion due to "unattended macros" being banned. As long as you are actively playing you can run as many characters as you want without fear of being in violation of the rules.

I hope this helps answer your question. If you need any further clarification just let us know.

~SDM

https://forums-old.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/247338-Multiboxing?highlight=multiboxing until we hear otherwise from SSG officially this is the line I keep myself to.

 

[Anurakh]

Yes I've seen this software, and not what I saw today was definitely not this.

Yeah i get that, as I've seen this software work. However what I saw today to near absolute sync'ing between three Wizards and three pets at the same time. This wasn't lag, as the player was running across the market to the harbor and all three were still in sync, not following a few seconds behind as if a play needed to alt-tab to shoot the command to follow. Even the skelly animations were sync'd, which I've never seen before.

Note: I was at the market place bridge and saw them all teleport in at the exact same moment. The movement and animation was so surreal that I though I was watching a single player glitch until I notices there were three names.

No, you haven't seen that software. I don't know what you're thinking, but it's not the dungeon helper software they're telling you about. With that plug in you don't have to alt-tab. Your alts simply follow you in perfect synchronicity and you have the follow command in your main window.

Alts don't actively attack though, they just follow you. At most you can have passive abilities such as the walock's aura or activated autoattack, but it is a following software, it does not allow you to finely control the attack of your alts.

DH software seems to be allowed by the devs, since they asked in this forum if it was ok, and the devs did not say no. You have a topic dedicated to this software in this same forum.

You should educate yourself better before reporting innocent behavior. You waste SSG's time and may cause inconvenience to innocent people.

 

[Steeme]

The official stance grandfathered in from the Turbine days is as long as you are at the computer controlling the characters it is ok.

There is no debate about having multiple accounts and controlling them "actively".

The issue is where players are actively playing one instance and using a script or tool to effectively bot multiple other instances of the game.

While there seems to be a high level of confidence in this thread that this type of botting is "allowed", when Sev was asked about it on a weekly stream it was clear that he did not like that players were using tools in that manner. My best attempt at a paraphrase going off memory is "You shouldn't be doing that".

(Note: I don't know which episode it was but it was likely on a stream last year, probably a friday stream. It would be an episode where Sev was a guest and it may have been around the same time where a forumite had posted some concerns about spotting a player with botted accounts).


Edit: My post wasn't meant to instill any arguments, it was presenting the facts. Sev was asked during a Q&A on the livestream whether it was Ok to use an "auto-follow" program and his response was clear. If you don't believe me, that's fine. But I feel like this thread is missing some facts which I am attempting to document. Whether you disagree with my use of the term "effectively botting" has no effect on the actual discussion and we can agree to disagree in that respect.