This guide is not going to improve your aim, or your ability to backpedal effectively. But what it WILL do, is remind you of some simple manners that you should ALWAYS keep in mind whenever you are playing with others.

There's not going to be a test, because most of you have already failed.

I'm sure that got a rise out of plenty of people, and now that I have your attention: I'm guilty of some of the things I'm going to expressly tell you not to ever do in this guide. That's because I had to learn the hard way, and I'll explain exactly why when those topics come up.

Now, with that out of the way, let's get started:

• Remember that you are playing with other people, not bots. They are not there to cater to your every whim. They will make mistakes, just like you will make mistakes. You NEVER have the right to mistreat people because they "could have" saved you. If you're dying, it's because you're not playing optimally either.

I've been this guy. Both playing as and with medics. I even caught myself last night almost sassing off to a guy because he ran AWAY from me (the medic) and because of that he died.

I almost said "That's what you get for running off", and paused halfway through because it hit me of how terrified the poor guy must have been. He couldn't have had more than a sliver of health, maybe 5-10 points. He had EVERY REASON to bail out in a normally rational person's mind, and I should have been keeping a closer eye on his health.

But he didn't shout at me for not healing him, and I shouldn't have even started to snap at him for running away. That's my bad, and I apologized. Guy was super understanding and I have to give him props for that. We all have bad days, but making an effort to show that you are trying to turn aggravation into motivation is a strong argument for teamwork and for the rest of the match I felt more compelled to watch over my team more closely.

Next time you get frustrated, take a breath. It does wonders.

• There is a LOT of players who simply do not understand the mechanics of the game. Be patient, but don't let yourself get run over either. If problem players show up, GENTLY remind them that they are doing something that causes harm to the team. They might just not know.

For example, did you know that "Defend the point" doesn't have much to do with keeping zeds OUT of that zone? It involves you REMAINING in the zone, because kills made outside of that zone give the party no progress. This means if you're a Berserker, your job switches to DEFENSE, not offense.

Gently explain what someone is doing wrong, and if THEN they refuse to straighten up with that reminder, take a look around. Are you playing on normal 10 wave, and it's wave 10 and everyone's geared to the nines? Then it doesn't matter. Don't make a fuss over it.

Is it endless mode, three waves in, and everyone is struggling? Then remind the problem player that they can be voted out, and start a kick-vote. If nobody else votes in, just leave the server. Simple as.

It's not "mean" to ask a player to stop doing things that are harming the party, but make sure you understand what it means to "Harm the party." :

• Harming the party is NOT playing medic and not healing you when you think you need it, even if you're in sight.

• Harming the party is NOT being denied money when you spam request dosh (more on this later.)

• Harming the party is NOT playing a class you already have on the team. Doubling up doesn't hurt anything, as every class has options to deal with every Zed in some form or fashion. Telling people to play a class because you think it's what would work well isn't very cash money, and you'll be the problem player in that scenario.

○ Harming the party IS welding doors that the ENTIRE PARTY has not agreed on. Kiting is infinitely better than "Holding out" and unless the entire party is set up for a holdout, you can easily cause a TPK (Total party kill.).

○ Harming the party IS standing square in the middle of a doorway. You are blocking any sort of shots getting past you, or other team mates getting by you. Body blocking is a huge issue, as most players are extremely unaware of spacial factors.

○ Harming the party IS using leveling servers to boost your level to jump to higher difficulties. The level WILL NOT CARRY YOU, only provide the tools needed to play that difficulty if your skills are up to snuff.

Do. Not. Request. Dosh.

EVER.

It is an INSTANT mark that you are unreliable, and a problem player.

The reason being that if you are asking for dosh, you are insulting those around you.

They, too, need that dosh in order to access their kits and upkeep them.

You are given so much extra cash if you join mid-way in to at LEAST buy yourself something that will do, or you can spend a round focusing on cleanup and assisting other players.

There is NEVER A SITUATION in which asking for dosh is acceptable, and you will be shot down every time.

If you know the player, and you play together often, sharing dosh makes sense.

You can use two players income to boost one, then the other to endgame kits. That kind of trade is fine, but never trust those online who offer it. They're just as likely to leave just after you give them the dosh as give you anything back.

Maybe if everyone takes some pains to teach, to learn, and to become self sufficient, others won't have to suffer after us.

And thus this guide was written.

Because you CAN be the change you want to see, if only you put in the effort.