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I've been gaming on PC for about 5 years now but mostly solo. I really want to get more involved in the PC gaming community but not sure where to start. I see people talking about Discord servers, Steam groups, Reddit communities, and local LAN events.

What platforms have you found most welcoming for newcomers? Are there specific games that have particularly good communities? I play a mix of FPS games like Valorant and Apex Legends, plus some RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3.

Also, how do you handle toxic players when trying to build positive connections? I've had some rough experiences in competitive matches that made me hesitant to engage more.

I think Discord is probably the best place to start for getting involved in the PC gaming community. Most games have official Discord servers now, and they usually have channels for different skill levels and interests.

What worked for me was finding a smaller community within a larger game. Like in Apex Legends, I joined a Discord for players in my region who were around my skill level. We started doing regular play sessions and it felt much more personal than just jumping into random matches.

For toxic players, I've found that having a regular group helps a lot. When you play with the same people, you build rapport and can communicate better. Also, most games have mute functions - don't be afraid to use them early if someone starts being negative.

I've had really good experiences with smaller subreddits for specific games. The main gaming subreddits can be overwhelming, but if you find a subreddit for a game you really love, the community tends to be more dedicated and helpful.

For example, the Baldur's Gate 3 subreddit has been amazing. People share builds, discuss story choices, and help each other with bugs or confusing mechanics. It feels like a real community rather than just a place to post memes.

As for toxic players, I've learned to just leave voice chat in competitive games. Text chat is easier to ignore, and you can still coordinate with pings in most games. Some of my best gaming experiences have been with voice chat off, honestly.

Local events can be fantastic if you have any in your area. Before the pandemic, I used to go to monthly LAN events at a local gaming cafe, and it was a great way to meet people face-to-face. Those connections often turned into online gaming friendships.

Check if there are any gaming conventions or meetups in your city too. Even if they're not specifically for PC gaming, you'll meet other gamers. I met my current D&D group at a local board game convention, and now we play Baldur's Gate 3 together online.

For dealing with toxicity, I try to be the positive voice in matches. If someone starts being toxic, I'll say something like Hey, we're all trying our best here" or just compliment good plays from everyone. Sometimes it helps defuse the situation.

I'd recommend looking for communities around specific genres you enjoy rather than just general PC gaming. The FPS games community tends to be more competitive, while RPG communities are often more about sharing experiences and helping each other.

For Valorant and Apex Legends, there are usually community-run Discord servers that organize custom games or coaching sessions. These can be less stressful than ranked matchmaking and you meet people who are actually interested in improving together.

One thing that helped me was joining a gaming community that does regular game nights. We pick a different game each week and play together casually. It takes the pressure off and makes gaming social rather than competitive.

Steam groups can be surprisingly active if you find the right ones. I'm in a Steam group for cooperative games, and we organize regular play sessions through the group announcements. The advantage over Discord is that it's directly integrated with your game library.

Also, don't overlook Twitch communities. If you find a streamer who plays games you enjoy and has a positive community, their Discord is usually a great place to meet other gamers. I've made several gaming friends through Twitch communities.

For toxic players, I have a simple rule: one warning, then mute. Life's too short to listen to people being awful. Most games have reporting systems too - use them when necessary. Good communities usually self-police to some extent.

I’m at the part in the Elden Ring walkthrough where you have to navigate the sewers beneath the capital, and I’ve completely lost my bearings. The guides mention a specific illusory wall but every path I take just loops back to the same giant pipe.

Yeah, that sewer maze did me in too. Every corridor just loops back to a giant pipe and I start over.

I did bump into one illusory wall near the big pipe and felt like I wasted an hour chasing it, then finally it gave a sliver of progress when I shifted my angle.

Most runs I just ended up at the same pipes, crows squawking in the vents, and I muttered and walked away.

Sometimes I swear the layout changes when you breathe, like the floors tilt or something.

I tried mapping from memory, then realized I forgot a small side chamber I had passed earlier.

Did you try stepping back, taking a breath, and approaching from the other side?

I keep thinking maybe the real problem is not a secret wall but my expectations about a clean path.

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