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A General Guide to Building a Guild

By Chris “Spare” Higgins

One of the greatest aspects of MMO gaming is forming and running a guild.  Guilds can be the grandest or nastiest part about your gameplay experience.  Finding or creating an exceptional guild can make a game really become more than a mere hobby; you have knowledge and resources to fall back on when the game gets rough, you always have people to talk to, and groups are much easier to come by.  

On the other hand, a bad guild can result in anger, frustration, and may even make a person quit the game.  Obviously, that situation is to be avoided at all costs. With this brief, handy guide to building a guild,  the Ten Ton Hammer team hopes you find some advice that could help you run your guild better or, if you're still on the ropes, encourage you to take the plunge and start your own guild.

As a guild leader, it is your responsibility to watch over your guild's members and make sure they are content.

Step One: Leaders

This has to be the most important part of building any guild.  A strong chain of command is something that is imperative to a successful guild.  A leader is not just a title, it is someone who can earn respect with their actions and sets an example for the guild as a whole.  Once the guild leader is determined, he or she should select their chain of command.  The guild leader should appoint an assistant guild leader who will fill that role while the guild leader is off line.  Remember when appointing your number one that this person will act as your proxy when you are not around and represents you so select someone who shares your vision for a guild.  

The most important thing is to make sure your guild members feel they always have someone to turn to at any point with almost any problem and get a prompt resolution.  A leader in your guild should be fair and non-judgmental to either side.  Lastly, you must trust your chain of command and never discuss problems with them in public.  Leader discussions should be kept within the leadership.  

Step Two: Mission Statement

Determining your mission statement is essential when you are initially developing your guild.  Have a purpose – a mission – for your group.  Is it a PvP guild? Or is it a roleplay guild?  This is the kind of information potential guild members will need up front.  The “we are just a bunch of friends” type guild rarely grows past the initial members so you have to determine what kind of guild you want.  

Running a guild of friends is fun, easy, and works for the short term, but normally any growth past the founders is minimal and can end in disaster fast.  Making a mission statement lets new recruits know what they are getting into right away.  It’s better to turn away someone for not sharing your vision rather than have them mad and spread discontent among the ranks.

Raids are extremely important to your guild members, but make sure everyone gets the drops they need.

Step Three: We are in a guild, what do we do now?

If you have selected several exceptional leaders and have a solid mission statement, the guild should run itself with few problems.  However, if you’re just starting out and don’t have experienced guild members beside you, the best way to impart your wisdom to other members of your guild is to lead by example.  If I am raiding a dungeon for an item and other people want that item as well I will set up a raid group and let people know, up front, that this is the order that people will get the drop and we will not stop until everyone has the item.  Don’t be afraid to put yourself on the top of the list if it is an item you need, but don’t stop until everyone has that item.  

Even though each MMO is different, you should still try to organize guild events for everyone in your entire guild, across the games you’re a part of.  An active guild is a happy guild so raids and quest groups are terrific ways to keep members busy and help the people within the guild achieve their goals.  The person you help today might be the new leader of tomorrow, so get everyone active within your guild.

An outstanding guild leader always puts the needs of his guild before their own and makes sure everyone has what they need to survive in an MMO.  Don’t totally neglect yourself, as the guild leader you should exemplify what people look up to, but if you are stock piling for no reason other than to stock pile and a new guild member needs specific items, the right thing to do would be give them the items you don’t need.  

In the end, the loss of income will be reinforced with loyalty and the desire for that person to give back to the guild.  This becomes a cascade effect where, in-time, everyone will be helping everyone.  If people in your guild express their happiness to others, your guild will become very popular very quickly.

Step Four: People/Recruiting

The people in your guild can be a direct reflection of you as a leader and the guild as a whole.  At one point I was not in a guild and not really in the market for a new one.  In my travels, I came across a player who was in need of some assistance.  She asked for help and I decided to assist her.  I helped her with a mission, and she did not loot a single corpse.  When I gave her the go-ahead to loot the corpses, she asked if I wanted them before telling her it was alright if she looted the monsters.  After the mission was completed, she thanked me profusely and tipped me money.  I was so impressed by this attitude that I tipped her back her money with change and explained that I would be joining her guild for the simple reason that she had swayed me.  

As a leader, your people are your biggest asset, and you’ll want to insure the players that you recruit are also individuals who are not going to abuse the guilds generosity and not mistake kindness for weakness.    

When two guildmates are upset with each other, you need to know when to step in.

Step Five: Knowing When to Step In

This is probably the most difficult part of a guild leader’s job description.  When does one step in to quell an argument or render a decision on a situation?  The fact of the matter is, you’ll need to make that based on your own judgment.  This may not make sense now, but it will when you are in the role.  No one likes being told “do this” or “do that” and depending how you say it will determine the effect of the ruling.  A guild leader acts like a judge and needs to stay neutral in any dispute.  No matter who is right or wrong, you cannot take sides because this is not your fight. You exist merely to mediate.

When talking in these situations, it’s best to speak to both parties privately and negotiate a compromise that works for both.  Instead of doing a public trial, take both parties into a group where you mediate and they negotiate, intervening as needed.  Both parties will reach an agreement with your help, you just have to keep it civil and let them argue it out.  It is normal for people to have disagreements and talk things out. Always remember a solution is almost always obtainable.

Lastly, you need to know when you have a bad apple and when it’s time to release that person for the good of the guild.  One bad apple will spoil the bunch, and sometimes it’s best to boot a person before it becomes a larger problem, which leads me to the final topic.

Step Six: Cliques

Cliques are probably some of the most destructive forces in a guild.  You have to watch for cliques because they can form right under your nose and the results can be devastating.  Groups will always form and people will make friends and want to hang out, but when you start to see the same people hanging out all the time you might find yourself in a sticky situation in the future.  This is a gentle reminder that you are not getting everyone involved in the game, and one day you might log in to find 10 to 15 people gone because they thought someone else would be a more effective guild leader.  These groups tend to form when you are not leading effectively, so watch for these groups and respond accordingly.  

Conclusion

In the end its hard being a guild leader, especially in an MMO, and my only advice to you is be honest and fair.  It’s hard to be an excellent leader and no one gets it right all the time. You will make mistakes, but effective leaders learn from them.  

Try to be honest to your guild and when you make a promise, fulfill that commitment.  Being a leader means putting aside your personal goals to help others.  You ask your guild to put their trust in you and follow your selected leaders, but if no one is leading your guild what incentive is there for people to stay?  This commitment can be one of most rewarding experiences you ever undertake, but it takes work, patience, and solid amount of determination.  

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