Guide to Player Guilds ?

michaeljones161b16_ESO · April 2014

Hi

(PLEASE NOTE: I'll post this text in each of the three guild thread categories (PvP, PvE and RP) so hopefully all guild experts will see it. I hope that's OK.)

This is little bit off topic but I wonder if anyone who understands these things would be willing to write a guide to Player Guilds and post it in a suitable place in these forums? Perhaps in the "Players Helping Players/Player Guides" section.

(If such a guide already exists, please point me at it!)

I have played several MMOs (LoTRO, GW, GW2,) but have never really got into the guild thing. I tried when I played GW2 but just felt stupid and "nooby".

However, I am keen to try again in TESO.

Could someone write a short guide for guild virgins like me, covering such topics as:

What is a Player Guild?
Why would I want to join?
Where is the best place to look for a guild? Forums, websites, etc.
How do I join?
How do I choose which one to join?
How do I find a guild that fits with what I want to get out of the game?
What's the difference between PVP, PVE and RP guilds?
Why should I choose a faction specific guild - or why I should not?
What do I need to do when I join to get the best out of guild membership?
What are the commitments of joining a guild? eg time, forum activity, etc,
How does joining a Player Guild actually translate into the mechanics of gameplay? eg joining a party, PvP, party dungeons, etc.
How do guild shops work?
How does the voice chat (that some guilds 'advertise') work - eg Ventrillo, Team Speak, Skype - (Sorry if I got those names wrong!!!) and do I need to use it?
And if I can't find a suitable guild, what do I need to know before starting my own guild?

And any other topics you can think of...

For many newcomers to MMOs, the whole MMO thing can be a bit daunting. Adding in the world of Player Guilds makes it all a bit more so.

In the meantime, I will struggle on looking for the right guild for me!

Thanks for reading.

NeeScrolls · April 2014

michaeljones161b16_ESO wrote: »

This is little bit off topic but I wonder if anyone who understands these things would be willing to write a guide to Player Guilds and post it in a suitable place in these forums? Perhaps in the "Players Helping Players/Player Guides" section.

Could someone write a short guide for guild virgins like me, covering such topics as:

What is a Player Guild? --- Ideally, just simply a convenient & comfortable team of like-minded players/people. No more, no less.

Why would I want to join? --- That is something one should ask oneself.

Where is the best place to look for a guild? --- Primarily these ESO Forums. Sometimes, very rarely, you can stumble upon a legit & lasting guild spamming their 'promotions' in Zone chat. But be cautious.

How do I join? --- The best guilds, imho, have some sort of 'screening process' (separate guild website, in-game chat or trials, etc. etc. ) . But usually, you either get an in-game onscreen Notification of "Player_____ wants you to join their Guild. Would you like to accept?"

How do I choose which one to join? --- Research! Lots & lots of research. As much as you have time for. But if you're short on time, or patience, typically you can tell simply by reading the various guild-leader's forum posts & guild links.

How do I find a guild that fits with what I want to get out of the game? --- Again, the answer to that comes from within yourself. And sometimes, it takes a few guilds to figure out exactly what/who you want. One initial thing though to always find out is: Is the guild considered "casual" or "hardcore" (gaming wise) ?

What's the difference between PVP, PVE and RP guilds? --- Most of the time, not all of the time but...most of the time: PVP guilds are more "hardcore" (power-gamers, aggressive, rush-thru-content, must-have-voicechat types) . And most of the time, not all the time but...most of the time: RP guilds also tend to be more "hardcore" (zero rl talk, intensified immersion, seriously planned events, etc. ) . As for PVE guilds...well...In my experience they always end up somewhere in the 'middle'.

Why should I choose a faction specific guild - or why I should not? --- Best answered by doing your own research here at ESO wiki (or some other game guide site) .

What do I need to do when I join to get the best out of guild membership? ---- Excellent question...hmm... Well, first off: don't be a jerk lol. Don't steal from guild-bank. And don't be entitled. Remember: it's the ESO Dev's responsibility to provide you with Content and a good Gaming Experience. They get PAID to do that...by you. Guilds, and our Community, is just the 'cherry on top' (sweet or bitter , always depends) .

What are the commitments of joining a guild? eg time, forum activity, etc, ---- Depends per guild, per guild-leader.

How does joining a Player Guild actually translate into the mechanics of gameplay? eg joining a party, PvP, party dungeons, etc. ---- Ideally, it should help & enhance *everything*.

How do guild shops work? --- In ESO, not very well lol. But i'm sure it'll get patched/fixed soon.

How does the voice chat (that some guilds 'advertise') work - eg Ventrillo, Team Speak, Skype - and do I need to use it? ---- All depends per guild, per guild-leader preference. Personally, i despise random voice-chatter in my ears while i'm trying to enjoy an RPG...However, the truth is: voice-chats are absolutely crucial during PVP battles and high-level challenging Content. Unless you enjoy 'dying' repeatedly.

And if I can't find a suitable guild, what do I need to know before starting my own guild? ---- Everything i just answered above and then some. Kidding of course (sorta) . Just do your thing, do what you find enjoyable. Trial & error should lead you to your own truth...eventually.

And any other topics you can think of... ---- I'll leave that to other more MMO savvy people (like Zam, for example) .

For many newcomers to MMOs, the whole MMO thing can be a bit daunting. Adding in the world of Player Guilds makes it all a bit more so.

hey there Michael,

I put my answers for you up above in 'blue' , for whatever they're worth (opinions vary) .

Additionally, here is the recruitment-thread *link* for our guild (KoM) ...

http://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/discussion/73476/kom-knights-of-masser-is-now-recruiting-in-ep#latest

...Just in case you're interested or curious.

Take care either way, and remember: No matter how "daunting" (or immersive) the 'ESO life' can be, it's only just a *game* . You know, sorta like real life.

regards, Nee

Wolfwing · April 2014

Hi michaeljones161b16_ESO,

Let me try my hand at answering your questions.

What is a Player Guild?
A group of players who join under one banner, they are ultimately drawn together for a myriad of reasons; including but not limited to gaming preferences, gender, race, sexual orientation, age, and personality traits.

Why would I want to join?
Well, typically players want to join guild for a myriad of reasons. As mentioned above. An example of why some players join:
-Gaming Preferences (PvE, PvP, raids, crafting, trading, RP, etc)
-Similar real life circumstances (age, gender, race, sexual orientation)
-Personality traits (Some want similarly competitive people, others want laid-back people who can take a good joke, etc)
-A certain atmosphere (Some people want a relaxed environment, others want a competitive environment, others want a strict rigorous guild etc)

Now why you would want to join a guild is another question entirely.

Where is the best place to look for a guild? Forums, websites, etc.
Currently these forums are the best place to look. There are other wikis and such, however there is no general consensus on which is best. You could always try the zone chat, however it is less likely that you will join knowing everything about them from their 3-6 sentence advertisement.

How do I join?
Varies depending upon the guild. Every guild has it's own recruitment process. To give some typical methods:
-Some require you to apply and fill out an application form
-Some simply ask for your in-game name/user id and you can join
-Others ask for a rigorous application and are very selective
-And others still ask for you to chat with them for a bit in order to get to know you before adding you.
Now, I can tell you how to join my guild. However you may not be interested in my guild.

How do I choose which one to join?
First and foremost you definitely want a guild on the same server as you. If you are not on the same server, unless you swap you won't be able to join them in game.
After that, ask yourself what is important to you as a player and a person. Do you want to PvE with a few people? Do you want to just socialize and make some friends? Do you prefer crafting and want to join a guild of crafters that can potentially help you level your professions? Or do you want a group of like minded people? Do you want a guild full of jokers or a serious bunch of raiders? Do you want to join a group that specifically identifies as a certain type of group (LGBT friendly, under 30, 18+, female only, etc). People who typically search for the latter often feel discriminated against by the majority of society and want a "safe" place to coexist.
Ultimately you need to ask what do you want to achieve in game and what kind of people you tend to like. Like NeeScrolls suggested, you should probably research the guild you are joining before hand.

How do I find a guild that fits with what I want to get out of the game?
You must discern what you want/need and then find other like-minded individuals. See above question for more details.

What's the difference between PVP, PVE and RP guilds?
PvE (Person versus Environment)- Guilds that label themselves as PvE focus on questing, dungeons, and other static elements of the game.
PvP (Person versus Person)- Guilds that label themselves PvP focus on playing against other players. In this game that means that your faction (AD, EP, DF) is challenging the other faction in specific instances where you can duke it out against real players.
RP (Role-play)- These guilds take immersion into the game as it is lore-written very seriously. Your character that you created is a person with their own background, personality, and history. When you chat/play it is from your character's perspective and voice, not your own. Real life talk is generally speaking greatly discouraged.

Why should I choose a faction specific guild - or why I should not?
Well, players typically choose a faction specific guild because it insures that more people will be able to play with you for quests/dungeons or at least know what you are talking about when discussing a PvE element. It's really up to you to decide if you care or not.

What do I need to do when I join to get the best out of guild membership?
I would advice socializing and getting to know people. There really is very little point in joining a guild if you completely ignore the guild chat, unless you simply want access to the guild bank and the guild store.

What are the commitments of joining a guild? eg time, forum activity, etc,
Depends upon the guild you join. That's why its important to do at least a minimal amount of research about the guild you want to join.

How does joining a Player Guild actually translate into the mechanics of gameplay? eg joining a party, PvP, party dungeons, etc.
Depends on what kind of guild you join. Naturally a hardcore PvE guild is not likely to want to join you for PvP or raids. However, in my opinion a good guild/a good match can drastically improve most aspects of game play.

How do guild shops work?
Guilds must have 50 members minimum to access the guild store. In order to see what is in the store, one must go to the nearest bank and after talking to the NPC clerk one simply selects the Guild Store option. The guild bank should shortly load up, don't worry if it looks blank, all one needs to do is hit the search button (R key) or add some filters to pull up the results. This will bring up the current items for sale. You can filter the results by price or by name. There are two other tabs at the top right of the guild shop window; the sell tab and the listing tab. The sell tab allows you to search your inventory, alter the price, and then sell an item. The listing tab simply shows what you have for sale in the guild store, for how much, and for how much longer it will be up assuming no one buys it. You can also cancel the listing in the latter tab as well. Only guild members can access the guild store, which is why trading only guilds have popped up. In the absence of a Auction House (AH), the players of ESO have figured out how to create miniature AHs. Aside from being convenient, there is another reason to start a guild like those; a portion of one's profit/sale goes to the guild owners (House cut/House Tax).

Aside from the 50 member minimum, one's rank within the guild determines if you can access the guild store as well. Check the guild window (G button on keyboard) and then check your guild permissions. This window will show you what your rank is (on the Roster) and what permissions your rank has (Ranks tab). Most guilds want even their newest members to be able to buy from the guild store, so likely you won't have a problem anyway.

How does the voice chat (that some guilds 'advertise') work - eg Ventrillo, Team Speak, Skype - (Sorry if I got those names wrong!!!) and do I need to use it?
Ventrillo, TeamSpeak, and Skype are all third party programs that are not related to ESO or any other MMORPG. Players use them however for convenience, as it is generally easier to speak than type in the middle of spamming buttons on a raid. While some guilds use them simply to socialize, it is almost a necessity if the guild plans on doing PvP or raids. Skype is more of a general voice program not specifically for gaming; you are more likely to hear background noise and some feedback depending on each player's equipment (mic/speakers/headset). Teamspeak and Ventrillo were specifically made for gamers, they tend to only "activate" when a player speaks and thus cut out some of the unnecessary chatter and background noise. However setting them up can be trickier than Skype or other general voice chat programs. Personally I tried Ventrillo and couldn't get it to work properly on my computer. As far as actually using them, one generally needs to install them onto their computer, make sure the settings are correct, and then make sure you can contact/join the desired person's call/server.

And if I can't find a suitable guild, what do I need to know before starting my own guild?
You need to know everything above as well as how to understand/deal with people. You need to have an open mind and realize that everyone comes from different walks of life with radically different life experiences. Even in guilds that look for similar people, no two people are going to be alike. You need to know how to mediate tough situations, because sometimes things in game upset people and other times members may come online already agitated from real life issues beyond your control. You need to know how to advertise and address people respectfully when asking people to join your guild. You need to know how to be assertive, understanding, professional, adaptable, and friendly. You also need to have a deep understanding of game mechanics, game trends, and human nature.

Hope this helps! If you happen to be interested in my guild (I'm a guild officer) feel free to message me. I don't want to shamelessly advertise here though, this post is meant to unbiasedly help you and others unfamiliar with guilds.

NeeScrolls · April 2014

Wolfwing wrote: »

Hi michaeljones161b16_ESO,

Let me try my hand at answering your questions.

....................

Hope this helps! If you happen to be interested in my guild (I'm a guild officer) feel free to message me. I don't want to shamelessly advertise here though, this post is meant to unbiasedly help you and others unfamiliar with guilds.

/whistles-innocently-with-just-a-hint-of-shame

Seriously though: I knew someone else would come along (eventually) and provide a bit more robust answers than i did.

Nice post Wolfwing. --- /bow, Nee

p.s. Hope the OP sees/saw this soon.

Wolfwing · April 2014

@NeeScrolls,

Aw, why thank you! It took me about 3 days to write this though because of real life requirements. Therefore I really do hope the OP sees this soon too lol.

I have to say though, I have seen some of your guild advertisement posts and I respect how you go about advertising. You don't copy and paste like the others do. I bow to you sir *bows

michaeljones161b16_ESO · April 2014

From the OP:

(Again, I'll post this in all three of the threads I started so that everyone sees it.)

Thanks to everyone who replied to my rather long (some would say 'long-winded') set of questions about player guilds. The replies have been brilliant!! Colour coded even!!!

I will be joining at least one of the guilds 'owned' by those who replied. Possibly all of them eventually (I can join up to five, right?).

I will be researching all the guilds whose officers replied to my post. I think the fact that you all replied in such depth and with such clarity is amazing.

I believe that your replies will be of great help, not only to myself, but to many others like me.

Once again, thanks to all.

Wolfwing · April 2014

michaeljones161b16_ESO,

Glad to be of help :-)

NeeScrolls · April 2014

Wolfwing wrote: »

To: michaeljones161b16_ESO,

Glad to be of help :-)

Me too!! ...see ya both around Tamriel sometime i'm sure.

/bow, Nee