Now this thread is not meant to call anyone out, nor is it about venting your frustrations over mistakes noobs make. These are tips aimed more at showing ways of being considerate than improving your skill at the game.
I don't have a lot of time for playing computer games, so when I play DST I tend to hop on a random server and help out all I can before I have to leave (sometimes hosting my own server if I can't find one, which tends to be lonely), and I thought it would be nice to share ways I've found of not being a liability and not getting on peoples bad sides. I'd like to see other peoples tips too, in case there's some I've missed or just haven't thought of. So here's mine :3
- Don't ask where the Base is Right After Joining: This one's simple, but it goes a long way in not annoying people. Now I know that when you first enter a server you want to know where you can come to at night to cook and spam the /dance emote, but be patient. If you aren't given directions or offered an escort, explore, gather some things, get your bearings. People will respect you more if you survive a few days before asking where the base is located. Who knows, you may even find it on your own!
- Don't Pick Everything: When first entering one of the many randomly generated islands, our brains tend to immediately slip into PICK ALL THE THINGS mode, especially those of us who've spent a fair amount of time in the single player game. However, when playing in multipayer, one has to stop and think, "Hey, if I systematically pick every bit of flint, grass, twigs, and food from around the portal in a ten mile radius, then there won't be anything left for new players!" Please, be considerate. How can you expect new players to survive a few days if they can't even scrounge up enough for a torch?
- Drop some Flint by the Portal: It's a small thing that'll help out people just entering the server. You don't even have to go out of the way to do it; if you happen to be pasing by the portal and have some flint to spare, just drop some by it, or make a pickaxe to leave behind so they can collect their own. Heck, I've heard of people making a chest by the portal containing equipment like torches, rabbit earmuffs, and pickaxes to help new players out.
- Don't Enter in Winter or Summer: Pay attention to the day and season of the server you're joining. If you want to join in a difficult season for some extra challenge, go ahead. Just don't expect everyone to drop what they're doing to help you out.
- If you don't want Strangers, set a Password: You'd think this one would be a no brainer, but I've heard a lot of stories of people joining servers just to be kicked the moment they enter. I assume it only happens when someone doesn't know that they can make a password for they're server, but still, it's rude.
- Drop your Stuff Before you Leave: Before you leave a server, it's nice to drop your items on the ground so others can use them. If you're playing with familiar people on a server you know you'll be on again, you can keep your equipment. In any case it's still rude to leave with gears, a big stack of silk, or any other important items still in your inventory, selfishly taking them out of reach of the unfortunate players left on the server.
- Keep Busy: Look around the base. Does it still need some drying racks? A crockpot? Some farms? Do the traps need to be emptyed? Are you low on wood? Look around for things that need to be done, and if you're having trouble finding something, it never hurts to ask. No one likes a leach.
I hope you enjoyed reading through my wall of text and I didn't waste your time. Feel free to post helpful tips of your own, and you might help a few people become a little more helpful. Maybe.
If you want a tldr just read the bold text.