Forum:Abuse of Template:Npc on links

This behavior has been around for a while, but it's retuning, and I would like to see this discussed before it extends too much.

It's pretty simple: some people use Template:Npc in every goddamn character link, no matter it's a story text or the character doesn't even appear in WoW.

As I understand that template, it should only be used inside quest objectives and character lists, not in every single place like some people do.

Well, opinions?--Lon-ami (talk) 10:23, 9 November 2010 (UTC)


 * Agreed, but I don't feel that strongly. You could make a guideline to reinforce the usage pattern. --[[Image:gengar orange 22x22.png]] Fandyllic (talk &middot; contribs) 10:15 AM PST 9 Nov 2010


 * Agreed at all, this template should not be used all around like that.
 * 17:17, 9 November 2010 (UTC)


 * I'm not a fan of the consist use of it myself throughout paragraphs, several times over... I've tried to fight it on the occasions that I've seen it, but with nothing that states that it shouldn't be done, nothing you can do to prevent someone undoing what you undo when someone does it. 05:59, 10 November 2010 (UTC)


 * Let's create and vote a policy!
 * 19:17, 10 November 2010 (UTC)


 * If you haven't been paying attention to Forum:Automatic link formatting, you might want to read it over and comment. If it gets implemented, it could programmatically, continuously violate any policy against rampant NPC link formatting. --[[Image:gengar orange 22x22.png]] Fandyllic (talk &middot; contribs) 10:03 AM PST 11 Nov 2010


 * I'd like to bump this again, before edit wars start.--Lon-ami (talk) 12:08, 20 March 2011 (UTC)


 * While I do dislike the (what we're calling) unnecessary usage throughout articles and inside infoboxes... I personally don't want to insert a policy limiting the use of any template... however, I'd love to get responses and opinions in here, from those using this template throughout articles. 08:17, 21 March 2011 (UTC)


 * Some stuff I would include in the policy, in case we make one:
 * Use it only to link WoW NPCs
 * Don't use it across the normal text
 * Don't use it on lists that are not all WoW NPCs
 * Use it to link to questgivers outside normal text
 * That template, imo, is annoying, and only useful when you want to know a bit of information about an in-game NPC without having to open his article.
 * If you don't what a policy, we could add usage rules on the documentation of the template itself.--Lon-ami (talk) 11:18, 21 March 2011 (UTC)


 * I find this situation annoying, since most of the time it doesn't load the right npc template.--Ashbear160 (talk) 13:08, 22 March 2011 (UTC)
 * I always used it since I discovered that it exists, but I didn't know it could be a nuisance. I think it's nice (just to see the image of the NPC), but if you create a policy to limit its use for me it's the same (even better, I've got less keys to press). --  Forco   sussura agli abissi  21:44, 1 April 2011 (UTC)


 * Personally I do use npc templates to make it easier for a person to access basic information about a particular npc. I had no idea that using them would be a problem. If I had known, then maybe I would not have used them as much. I have no problem with discontinuing using npc templates if it is a problem. What I would like to know is why is it considered problematic to use npc templates in other areas such as using an npc template in a infobox town for the leader? Thanks Seric-2 (talk) 15:34, 5 April 2011 (UTC)

As for it not loading the right template, I don't think I've ever had that happen, at least not permanantly. Occasionallythe popup will appear a bit goofy the first time, but mousing over the link again fixes that; or it'll load the popup from the last NPC link I moused over (presumably from my cache), but only for a split-second before loading the correct one. -- Aaron of Mpls (talk) 05:40, 30 April 2011 (UTC)
 * I've always used it similarly to Forco and Seric-2, to make it easier to see basic character information. Personally, I'd rather have the popup be the default behavior for character links (as it is for item and quest links).


 * I lost this war when "people" decided to make the standard wiki link for items use the item template functionality. It's the same issue: not every reference to an item, NPC, ability, or what have you needs to be a special snowflake.  At least you can work around the default behavior by using " name ".  For items, anyway. --Eirik Ratcatcher (talk) 19:27, 6 April 2011 (UTC)


 * Using a colon works too. (Ex: Green Linen Shirt) -- Aaron of Mpls (talk) 05:40, 30 April 2011 (UTC)


 * Hello? the same guys from 2 years ago keeps doing this.
 * Example: http://www.wowpedia.org/index.php?title=Renee_Lauer&action=historysubmit&diff=2874993&oldid=2867909
 * I'm reverting them, but it would be easier if we had a clear rule on its use.--Lon-ami (talk) 16:30, 23 March 2012 (UTC)


 * Gabrirt has been asked to stop. I think that it was arbitrarily agreed that one usage per name was okay at User talk:Gabrirt, but it is still annoying. Just keep reverting if you really want to make the effort. It is not wrong enough to take action, though I really want to. I think that there are several unwritten stylistic guidelines on the wiki, based on sanity, but they are unwritten and may not even exist as that. Codifying things like that as a reaction to a few problem users may not be a good idea, as it might limit more productive users. If better editors are given more leeway, then you should just ban the users that you are making these guidelines for. However, it is not bad enough to ban him.-- 19:47, 23 March 2012 (UTC)


 * What about including some "USE ONLY WHEN..." on the documentation for template:npc?
 * Something like what I wrote above months ago would be fine. NPC shouldn't be placed on normal text and inside navigation or information templates, it's just bad.--Lon-ami (talk) 20:27, 23 March 2012 (UTC)


 * And they won't be included in boss-Instance-Template
 * 14:13, 7 November 2012 (UTC)


 * There are four persons (including me) at this page that weird(ed) when people say that npc-linking is a problem. Just because it was created to link WoW NPCs does not mean that I can't give another use to it. Considering that I can create a redundant and similar Template:RLC (Rapid Link to Characters) to fulfill the need of view info of some character's page without having to open the page, seems pointless not use Template:NPC when you want to use. 22:14, 22 September 2014 (UTC)