Player Complaint - Jason Heathcliff

[Miraviel]

Your Byond Key: miraviel

Your Character Name: Lily Lockie

Accused Byond Key(if known): -

Character Name: Jason Heathcliff

Approximate time and date of the incident (Central US Time for fastest results): 15:00-16:00

What rule(s) were broken: Rule 2. Roleplay

Description of the incident: Lately, whenever I got him as an XO he did not display too much experience with command or strategy. His plans were bound to fail but he stuck with them despite multiple squads telling him they would not work. (This time it was to build three separate FOBs on Prison despite us having some kind of an event where metal was not available to be ordered from req? Citation needed but this is what I could gather from comms.)

Instead of focusing on command, he quickly pushes blame and has no idea what morale means. It also feels like he quickly develops grudges on squads which is alright as a person but not as a command member, it can be very detrimental for the rest of the marines.

TL;DR: I think he should play SO and learn how to play command because right now it's hardly believable that a person like his character would ever make it past ensign without an NJP or two.

Evidence (screenshots, logs, etc):

After the Bravo spec was down, he went on a lengthy description:

CDR Jason Heathcliff [Command (XO)] says, "Bravo spec has been devoured by a creature and being transported."
(...)
CDR Jason Heathcliff [Bravo (XO)] says, "SPEC GOT OUT AND SET IT ON FIRE"
CDR Jason Heathcliff [Bravo (XO)] says, "IT RESWALLOWED HIM"
CDR Jason Heathcliff [Bravo (XO)] says, "IF ONLY HE HAD BLUE FLAME EQUIPED."
(...)
CDR Jason Heathcliff [Command (XO)] says, "SPEC, IF YOU USED BLUE FLAME, YOU WOULD HAVE KILLED IT"
CDR Jason Heathcliff [Command (XO)] says, "Bravo spec is being transported far west"
(...)
CDR Jason Heathcliff [Command (XO)] says, "BRAVO SPEC IS BEING NUGGETED"
CDR Jason Heathcliff [Command (XO)] says, "IT'S TORN OFF HIS FEET"

At this point, I asked him to cease on commandd freq:

ENS Lily Lockie [Command (PO)] says, "XO, kindly stop."
ENS Lily Lockie [Command (PO)] says, "This is very bad for morale."

To which he immediately just switched his story to bravo freq:

CDR Jason Heathcliff [Bravo (XO)] says, "Your spec's feet were torn off, before being reswallowed."
CDR Jason Heathcliff [Bravo (XO)] says, "Your spec is now dead"

Later, as things started to go sour, he spent his efforts only on blaming delta:

CDR Jason Heathcliff [Alpha (XO)] says, "Delta Unga failed us"
CDR Jason Heathcliff [Alpha (XO)] says, "Instead of build the Sec fortifications, they pushed west of Library against orders"
(...)
PFC Jamie Peters [Alpha (Mar)] asks, "How are things going down there?"
CDR Jason Heathcliff [Alpha (XO)] says, "Badly becuase of Delta."

In about 10 minutes, full evac was called:

CDR Jason Heathcliff [Alpha (XO)] says, "Everyone, make sure to give Delta your kind regards for sabotaging this entire operation."
CDR Jason Heathcliff [Charlie (XO)] says, "Everyone, make sure to give Delta your kind regards for sabotaging this entire operation."
CDR Jason Heathcliff [Bravo (XO)] says, "Everyone, make sure to give Delta your kind regards for sabotaging this entire operation."

Again, this is nothing rulebreaking or something I think one should be jobbanned for. I think this just stems from not fully knowing what he was expected to do as an XO. I checked the round's logs to see if I just cherrypicked his worst moments - up to the evac, he had 37 lines over comms, of which about 3 were related to current events or to commanding, the rest were either chatter like this or just one-worded, non-essential lines like "Alamo" (?).

How you would punish the accused: Just nudge him to play SO for a while, I think he multitasks well but he still needs experience. For now, him having access to all channels and being in an all-decisive role harms the marines more than helps them. He could be a good command player provided he was shown the ropes!

[davidofmk771]

Well, a good few of delta did run out into the library, and most of delta didn't know to go to engineering before building the sec cades, but I can't see much wrong with placing IC blame on people and squads. It might not be nice but it isn't against any kind of rule. It's up to a player how 'nice' they wish to RP, regardless of how viable their orders seem. It's happened and it's over.

[NGGJamie]

I'm not particularly seeing anything here that constitutes a solid rulebreak. Being incompetent in and of itself is not against the rules. Unless you think perhaps he intentionally sabotaged the marines in some kind of grief. It seems more like he tried something that failed horribly, and shifted the blame in an IC context. Shifting blame in-character is not an OOC violation.

[Miraviel]

I was not sure if player complaints were strictly for rulebreaking cases or for poor job performance as well - this complaint is more for the latter, not exactly for his behaviour. I know being a hardass here is what constitutes as normal, I just believe he needed some prodding to practice SOing or he will keep failing as XO; and without a CO, XOs guide the entire marine side.

I am perfectly fine with it if you deem it invalid, though!

[Viperious]

I would like to address the points made in this player complain.

1. I've been actively playing XO/SO for months in preperation for my 2nd CO application once they open up.
2. Every squad followed orders to the T except for Delta which failed both of the tasks provided to them. Which is something I am unfortunaetly growing used to as an XO.
3. By not completing either of the tasks provided and by flat out ignoring a specific order I gave NOT to go further than engineering, we did not have substantial defence on the south flank of LZ1 which led to the loss of most marines, and Charlie being completely cut off from the LZ and slaughtered.

However, I will admit that I was being petty against Delta, both IC and OOC. IC for their failure to fulfill their provided tasks, and OOC for this continued behaviour often resulting in the failure of most Operations.

In regards to my communications with Bravo, I was overwatching them at the time and was trying to feed the CO with critical information of a spec being killed and dragged away at the front. I tried to organise a rescue assault, but within a couple minutes, evac had already begun.

[Vispain]

Character Witness:
I do believe I've seen him act similar in several rounds, but eh, I don't think really (as OP said) there is any rulebreak or punishment even needed.

At the very least, I hope he sees this player complaint simply to understand his weaknesses and how he can improve.
In this case I'd say that would entail ceasing the heavy amount of "blame game."
Only issue I can see here is ICly the quantity he might be blaming and people's perspectives of his reputation as a result. Once again though, no rulebreak. Its all just a IC thing and trait he should avoid if he wants command rounds to go smoothly.


Me to Jason mate: The trick to playing the blame game IC is to not over use it. Avoid all caps too. You want to appear calm and organized even when you aren't. Oh and uh... avoid trying to tell people how to do their job, just tell them what to do. Then base your decisions around that.
Announcing people's failures only hurts morale and causes routs, if you are going to mention a death at all, mention it in a way that promotes bravery, respect, and continuing the fight.
As for Delta mate...work around it. Hell, base the objectives you give Delta around it. If you think they are best as cannon fodder, use them as the bloody cannon fodder scouts... or the Quick Reaction Team cannon fodder reinforcements for the more valuable, competent squad.

[NGGJamie]

Closed

No OOC rule break is present. Everything mentioned is an IC issue, outside of the scope of player reports.