One of the most exciting and unpredictable aspects of online gaming is the sheer variety of players you encounter. You never know who will be on the other side of the screen—someone from the other side of the world, an unexpected ally, or even an unlikely antagonist. Throughout my years of gaming, I’ve had some incredible, memorable experiences with strangers that have left a lasting impression on me. Here are five unique stories from playing the online game last war best heroes with strangers that reminded me just how unpredictable and entertaining the online gaming world can be.
1. The Unexpected Lifesaver in Fortnite
It was late one evening, and I was playing Fortnite in solo mode, trying to get better at the game and push myself to reach a higher rank. I was on my final life in a match and had just barely survived a battle with another player, barely making it out of the zone. My health was low, my shields were gone, and I was limping across the map, hoping I could get to a health pack before the next storm closed in.
Out of nowhere, a player came up behind me, and I thought, “Here we go again. I’m definitely going to lose this one.” But instead of attacking, they threw me a med kit and a shield potion. Surprised and a little confused, I quickly grabbed them and healed up.
Before I could type a thank you, the stranger gestured in front of me to indicate that I should follow. They led me to a safe area, dropped more supplies, and stuck with me the entire game, defending me from enemies as we worked our way toward the final circle.
We didn’t talk much during the match—just a couple of “thanks” here and there—but their actions spoke volumes. They didn’t need to help me, and yet they chose to. Ultimately, we made it to the final few players, and while I didn’t get the victory royale, I was grateful for the stranger who became my unlikely savior. We ended up sending each other friend requests afterward, and we’ve played together a few times since.
2. The Surprise Team-Up in Call of Duty: Warzone
I had always been the type of player to avoid voice chat, preferring to play Call of Duty: Warzone in silence or using quick text commands to communicate with teammates. But one day, I found myself in a squad with three strangers who all seemed incredibly friendly and enthusiastic from the start. They had no issue chatting in the voice channel, and after a few rounds of strategizing, I decided to let my guard down and engage.
The gameplay started like any other round—cautious drops, looting, and sneaking around the map—but soon things took a strange turn. One of the players, a girl with an upbeat voice, casually mentioned that she was playing with her brother and that they used to play games together growing up. The next thing I knew, the third player, a guy with a deep voice and a slight accent, mentioned that he was a competitive player trying to take a break after some intense practice.
It turned out they were all connected through their childhood gaming memories and wanted to rekindle their bond with this random group. It was heartwarming to see them support each other throughout the match, offering encouragement and helping each other out with kills. We ended up winning the game, and it felt less like a competition and more like we were part of their reunion.
The team spirit and nostalgia were palpable, and although I was just a stranger to them, I felt honored to be part of their special gaming moment.
3. The Glitch That Made Me Famous (For Five Minutes)
There’s nothing more frustrating than a game-breaking glitch, but sometimes, they lead to the most unexpected and hilarious results. I was playing Rocket League one afternoon, trying to get my rank up in casual play when I experienced the most bizarre glitch of my life. During the middle of a match, my car suddenly shot up into the air and began flying around the stadium like a UFO. I could still control it, but it was almost like I had activated some kind of cheat code, only it wasn’t intentional.
My teammates and the other team were in utter disbelief as I zoomed around the map, scoring goals and flipping through the air. At first, it was all a bit of a joke. I could hear the players laughing in the chat, and some were even applauding my “skills” (which, let’s be honest, were more about pure chaos than actual ability).
To my surprise, a stranger on the other team sent me a message afterward: “Dude, that was legendary. We’ve all been talking about you on Reddit.” Apparently, someone had captured footage of the glitch and posted it on a Rocket League subreddit, where it had gained a little traction. For about five minutes, I was briefly famous in the Rocket League community for being the guy who somehow broke the game in the most hilarious way possible. It wasn’t a match to be proud of in terms of skill, but it was certainly one of the most memorable.
4. The Stranger Who Taught Me Patience in World of Warcraft
I had always been a bit of a hothead when it came to World of Warcraft’s PvP content. I loved competitive play, but I would get frustrated easily if things didn’t go my way. One day, I was playing a random battleground with a group of strangers, and after we lost a match that felt completely unfair, I started venting in the chat. The other players weren’t much better—they were just as upset, but instead of escalating the situation, one player, who I later found out was named “Serenity,” calmly replied, “It’s okay, we’ll get it next time.”
I was taken aback. Instead of feeding into my frustration, Serenity’s calmness had a soothing effect. We went into the next match, and even though we lost again, they maintained the same positive attitude. They weren’t upset; they were just enjoying the game for what it was, focusing on improving with each loss.
Eventually, I started to follow their lead. With their encouragement, I stopped getting angry when things didn’t go according to plan. I began to enjoy the game more, appreciate the little victories, and even laugh at the absurdity of certain situations. In the end, that random stranger helped me shift my perspective on gaming—and life—by teaching me the power of patience.
5. The Troll Who Turned Into a Friend in Among Us
I had just joined a game of Among Us with a group of strangers, and right from the start, there was one player who stood out. They were constantly trolling, accusing other players without evidence, and making sarcastic remarks in the chat. At first, it was frustrating to play with them. Everyone else was trying to get the tasks done and play the game seriously, but this person seemed hell-bent on derailing the entire session.
But something shifted midway through the game. After one particularly heated round, where the troll’s accusations caused chaos, they suddenly admitted, “Okay, I might have been messing with you all, but you guys are good players. Let’s just have fun.”
It caught everyone by surprise. This random troll who had been so disruptive earlier was now apologizing and trying to turn the game around by being a more positive teammate. By the end of the match, we were all laughing together, making jokes about the crazy round, and just enjoying each other’s company. In the end, we added each other as friends and even played a few more rounds together.
It was a reminder that sometimes, even the most difficult strangers can surprise you with their change of heart, and what starts as a frustrating experience can turn into a genuinely fun one.
Conclusion
These stories are just a handful of the countless unforgettable experiences I’ve had while playing online games with strangers. Whether it’s a surprising act of kindness, an unexpected collaboration, or just a funny moment that brought us together, online gaming has a unique way of fostering connections. Even though we may start as strangers, the experiences we share in these virtual worlds can leave a lasting impact, reminding us that behind every username is a real person with their own story. The unpredictability of online gaming ensures that no two experiences are the same, and that’s what keeps me coming back for more.