'Tis the season of being thankful for those around you, and WoW players are no exception. Often times, we focus solely on the trolls and the haters, but there are plenty of exceptional adventurers in Azeroth. These players are kind, generous, and often do not receive the recognition they truly deserve. Here's a heartfelt list of twelve gamers I'm truly thankful for, as they make the game exciting and enjoyable. To all these players, I /salute you.

1. The Gracious Quester.

When you see us both heading for the same cave, you kindly whisper me and ask if I’d like to group up. Well, of course I would! We fly through quests in record time, demolishing any kobolds or wolves that stand in our way - but it doesn’t stop there. We spend the afternoon racing through each questing zone, obtaining level after level, learning new abilities left and right. When one of us finally logs off, we’re sure to add one another to our Friends List. You, Gracious Quester, make the long grind to max level truly enjoyable.

2. The Patient Instance Group.

Yes, I’ve been to this dungeon before. No, I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going – I’m genuinely sorry. I’m switching back and forth to my map every five seconds, trying to navigate my way towards the rest of the group. I may have gotten lost, I may have caused a few /facepalms here or there, but you, Patient Instance Group, wait calmly for me before pulling the next boss. Not everyone knows all these corridors like the back of their hand, and you understand that.

3. The Cheerful Chatter.

It’s a normal evening here in town. The auction house is full of train sets, I keep getting pelted by paper zeppelins, and trade chat is undeniably full of repetitive, silly questions. “What spec is best for a level 24 warrior?” “Which weapon is better for a frost mage?” “Where can I get a plainstrider?” Many players will either refuse to respond or answer with unhelpful, trolling heckles. But not you, The Cheerful Chatter. You are always there to lend a helping hand. Whether you answer directly in chat, or you provide a detailed whisper, you’re always available to help players with the most pressing in-game questions.

4. The Considerate Guild Recruiter.

How many guild invites do you receive when you first enter the game as a level one character? Five? Ten? It’s not uncommon to have walls full of text whispered to you automatically, explaining the obvious reasons you should join this guild or that one. But – did the recruiter even ask if you were guild hunting? Did they care to know what type of guild you’d even be interested in? Are the days of thoughtful, honest guild recruitment far gone, lost in the distant past? For many, the answer is yes, but you, Considerate Guild Recruiter, make sure to approach guildless players in a genuine, understanding way.

5. The Polite Miner.

I know you see me standing here, courageously fighting this wild boar. In three seconds, the beast will be dead, and I’ll immediately start mining this node right next to me – that’s the reason I’m out here, after all. You, Polite Miner, respect that I was here first. It doesn’t matter that you’re not in combat, you’re mounted, and you could easily steal this copper from underneath my pickaxe. You treat others as you’d like to be treated, and that makes all the difference. I /thank you wholeheartedly.

6. The Righteous Defender.

It’s the wee hours of the morning, and I’m standing here /crying to myself. Why? A bored enemy player has decided to kill all of my questgivers – not once, not twice, but every time they respawn. It’s been twenty minutes, and I’m about to completely give up. Then you appear, Righteous Defender. You may not have the best gear or be the best PvPer, but your presence gives the enemy a reason to leave. Your protection and generosity is most appreciated.

7. The Helpful Guildmate.

You, Helpful Guildmate, are always going out of your way to help the fellow members of your guild. Whether you’re offering instance runs, giving some lowbies a free ride on your passenger mount, or offering up a little extra gold to help with repairs – you pride yourself on making the game enjoyable for those around you. Your efforts do not go unnoticed, and you’re greatly appreciated.

8. The Buffing Passerby.

What is this? Who gave me Fortitude? When did this Mark of the Wild get here? It’s a small gesture, but it makes a noticeable difference when I’m out questing or in an instance. You, Buffing Passerby, take the time to give buffs to others – asking for nothing in return. You may do it manually, or perhaps you have a nifty macro, but, either way, it's the thought that counts.

9. The Dedicated Officer.

Who was it that spent their weekend putting together a website for the guild? Who spends countless hours recruiting, making sure the guild’s ranks are filled with worthwhile players? Who stocks the guild bank, gives money for repairs, and organizes weekly raids? It’s you, Dedicated Officer. You are an integral part to the success of every guild, and you dedicate your time, gold, and sanity to make sure all aspects of the guild are functioning properly.

10. The Merciful Foe.

Oh – hello, intimidating enemy. I see you watching me from behind that tree, pondering whether or not to squash a player fifty levels below you. Yes, I am flagged, but I can explain. It’s all a huge misunderstanding. Please, Merciful Foe, find it in your heart to spare my life. I will /beg and /apologize as much as necessary. If you do let me live, I’ll quickly /hug you and be on my way. If you must kill me, I understand. But you, being so thoughtful and kind, will do your best to cheer me up by /dancing on my cold, lifeless body.

11. The Thoughtful Acquaintance.

In game, it’s easy to escape the troubles of real life. Rent may be due, work may be stressful, but Azeroth is waiting, and we’re ready to do some dailies. Sometimes, we may share our woes and troubles with guildies or friends, just to let off some steam. You, Thoughtful Acquaintance, understand that a little encouragement goes a long way. Whether it’s a heartfelt letter in the mailbox or a quick whisper before a raid, you make sure to let others know you’re there for them. It may seem like a simple gesture, but to many, it means the world.

12. The Optimistic Raider.

How many hours has it been? Three? How many times have we wiped on trash? Twelve? While the raid leader is slamming his keyboard against a wall and the off-tank is raging mercilessly in raid chat, there you are, Optimistic Raider, bringing rays of sunshine into everyone’s rainstorms. “At least we know what’s wrong now, so we can fix it next time!” “Wow, so that wasn’t great, but the healers were AMAZING that last go!” “Wonderful job everyone! Now, let’s just get that caster CC’d and we’re good to go!” Oh, Optimistic Raider, you are a glimmering beacon of hope, and you are appreciated.

These twelve players are the backbone of MMOs like World of Warcraft. It's their kindness and willingness to help others that makes the game more enjoyable for everyone, whether you're completely new to the game or a seasoned professional.

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Brianna Reed

@briannamclark

Brianna engages with the Gamepedia community through editorial content and social media. When she’s not busy tweeting about gaming news, she enjoys playing tabletop games, spending time outdoors, and binge-watching sci-fi.