So many of you here already know that after going in and out of guilds and trying to find a way to progress with other guilds, I decided WTH and just start an “Official” THL raiding guild.  (Yes, I know crazy thinking there Brig what makes you think you can do this??) :P  Well too late, I’ve done it.

Here some thoughts on how to maybe create and maintain a successful guild.

1. Have a plan/strategy for the guild.

Just like starting up any enterprise you need a plan and strategy.  It needs to define some of the basice elements.

• Define specific achievable and reasonable goals.
• Determine how you will achieve your goals.
• Set Milestones to check progress and progression.
• Expect the same commitment from your members that you give.

You might say, “HEY!!! This is a lot of work!  WoW suppose to be about fun, not work!!”  This is true.  It should be fun. But if you go out in the real world and talk to some of the most successful leaders out there, they will tell you that they are having fun.  That they are truly enjoying their work.  The same sould be said for crating a guild.  If your going to do it, then be prepared for the work involved and part of that preparation is creating a plan and strategy to achieve it.

2.  Think big but act small.

“What does that mean?” your probably asking.  Well it’s pretty simple.  Too many people go into the guild scene with BIG ideas and BIG dreams and BIG promotions!!!  So yes, you get a HUGE amount of applications, maybe from those that can actually achieve your goals, and even more that can eventually rip your guild apart.

So go ahead, think big, that goes back to point #1, but acting small means also remember to be in this for the long haul.  Recruit the right people though.  It might be more flashy to start off by running head first into SSC/TK or MH/BT content, but this can often lead towards ruin because people will focus on their “claim to fame” or phat lootz than building the foundations to a longer term success.

More easily put.. Think quality of quantity and keep your eye on the plan.

3. Never mix Friends/Family and Guilds

If you think this means that your guild should come befor your real life commitments, then your way off base.  Again, take it from life’s lessons on business.  When you go into business with friends or family, it becomes a struggle on how you approach the tough decisions.   Choosing the best raid grouping might mean having to decide between “keeping the peace” and making a successful run.  Is that a place you want to be in?  I know it’s sounds harsh but remember the easiest way to keep from having to make those decisions is to avoid needing to in the first place. (And yes I know there are exceptions!)
Well those are my Top-3 for now.  I’ll think of others and keep you updated.

Tags: Guilds by Brigwyn
1 Comment »

Have you ever wanted to just strike out and do something kinda crazy?  Kinda like walk into your bossess office and just say, “HEY!! You know what?  I can do better than you, so I quit!!” or maybe just take your last $100 and say “What the hell! $100 on Black 13″ at the Roulette wheel?? 

Well, I think I might have just done that.  You see I was in this guild.  Not really a bad guild, but one that had just hit a wall and I honestly felt probably wouldn’t progress to much further.  And if they did, well.. I was thinking I might be able to do better.

Your probably thinking.. “Brig.. What are your driving at?? Get to the point!!”  Alright, here’s the deal.  I’ve jumped into the deep end and created a guild called The Hunting Lodge on (US) Shadowsong.

Yes, I know your thinking, “BRIG!!! You already did that once!! Remember!!”  Yep, I did. But that was different.  It was something more along the lines of attempting a social experiment with all of you being members.  The only problem with it, is we all have our own main toons Hunters primariliy, but some of you have Pally’s or Rogues maybe evena Priest that you just can’t put down.  I know that’s how I feel about my main.  No matter what, I always go back to the original Brig and continue tweaking little things trying to improve.

So here’s the plan.  The Hunting Lodge guild on Shadowsong has a goal.  It’s to be an Elite raiding guild.  We only accept level 70’s right now.  Since we’re just starting out, our main focus for the moment will be to develop a cohesive 10 man team.  Why 10 man team and not 25?  Well, pretty simple. In the expansion, every raid will have a 10 man and 25 man version.  After having several stop and goes at the 25 man thing.  I felt it better to go after creating something a bit easier, but still maintain the elite raiding experience.  How?  Glad you asked.

I need 10 people that are committed to working together as a team.  Not just any team, but become the Elite.  A team that starts off on the easy stuff 5 man Heroics to learn the quick no mistake playstyle.  Then work up to Kara so we can gel as a 10 man raiding team.  Obtain badge gear and then move to ZA quickly for more drops and badges and who knows maybe a few bear mounts.  This is our “Boot Camp”  in the supposedly few weeks before the expansion drops, we work together learn how to play well together, and be able to know how to compensate for any weaknesses that may exist creating an esprit de corps focusing on becoming the best!

The ultimate goal would be for us to be the go-to 10man crew.  Need a healer, pull in from The Hunting Lodge, Need DPS?  None can hit as hard consistently as the players from The Hunting Lodge!!

Saying this, I ask you?  Do you want to be a part of this?  Something challenging, something that gets you ready for the expansion during these duldroms and at the same time offers you the uniqueness of knowing your creating something different, something no one else can, because it has a single purpose a single goal, to become the best?

If your interested, drop me a line and let me know, whisper me in game, but find me!!.  We’ll be tracking the guild alongside other events here at the Lodge.  I’m hoping some of you will give it some serious thought and maybe hop on board, and if not as a player, then as a spectator, a supporter as we charge toward this goal!

Tags: Guilds by Brigwyn
4 Comments »

This question has probably been asked over and over again for more than a million times I’m sure. Is it possible for a guild that started out casual transition into a raiding guild withought it just melting down or exploding into a huge drama infested mess???

I’m not too sure if it really is. And if it can happen it will take an extremely strong commitment from it’s leaders. Here’s why I say that and some possible suggestions that might help prevent a meltdown or if not disolve it as gently as possible.

I guess the first thing we all need to do is get a brief understanding of what is the difference between a Social guild and a Raiding guild.

Most Social guilds start out with a group of friends that often met either in or out of the game and started questing and leveling together. Often times this core group decides it’s easier to just create a guild and use the guild chat as a common way to talk without having to be in groups all the time. I mean there are times that a NElf might be in Darnassus, the Dwarf in Ironforge and a Human in Stormwind for different reasons. Also, by using the Guild your friends list can now be a little less cluttered and be used for more temporary contacts in game.

Because these guilds often are started on this basis, their structure and goals are extremely loose if there are any at all. It’s this that is probably the most critical difference between a Social guild and a Raiding guild.

You see, a social guild is created for just that. A place to hang out and for everyone to chat, help out and maybe share things, but there’s no other real purpose for the guild. This is especially great when your leveling or trying to complete quests. There’s almost always someone one, and the friendly atmosphere often lends itself towards everyone being willing to offer a hand.

Now with a Raiding guild it’s beginnings are often different. It is created with a purpose, reach the End Game Raiding Content. Now, we can debate at what point there is real raiding. But even during the leveling stages, a guild that’s sole purpose is to complete instances and has the goal to grow enough to see the end game content, is a Raiding Guild.

So what’s the problem you ask.. Why is it so hard for a Social Guild to transition into a Raiding one? Well, it’s perception. You see many Social players feel that their time in game is just that, their time. If they don’t show up? Well, no one is really hurt or let down by it. But in a Raiding Guild, not showing will force the leaders to scramble and find a replacement. This causes 4, 9, 24, or even in the old raids 39 othe people to wait. You see, the game switches from being purely the social aspect to now being a link of dependencies.

It’s critical point that often times leads to the drama and eventual break-ups of most social guilds when they decide to become raiding ones.

So is it possible? Well yes it is, but you’ll need a core group of dedicated individuals. Also, you have to be willing to lose members, maybe even those that you had thought of as friends. Remember, this is a game, it needs to remain fun. And to some, the fun is the social aspect not necessarily the content. Also, the core players need to recognize that now their play time is no longer just their own, they are committing to helping their fellow players see new content. Their guildmates are now dependent upon them in order to see new exciting sites.

If this doesn’t happen, if the guild members don’t agree to this commitment then the guild will never make the transition, feelings will be hurt, and people will become upset and leave anyways.

Well I promised you some tips that might make this a little less tramatic if not dramatic. Here they are.

1. Keep the social aspect of the game alive. This is why you all play the game, right? For fun??
2. Recognize that raiding is a commitment to at least 4-9 other players and shouldn’t be made or broken lightly.
3. Keep raid times limited. Don’t get caught up with the idea that you must finish a raid in one night. True most 5-man content is reset after a couple of hours, but 10 and 25 man content is often a couple of days to a week. So take your time enjoy the journey.
4. Don’t be afraid to PUG (pick up group) for open spots. For example, if your core group is only 5 players and you want to see 10 man content, Pug it. Create alliances, reach out. Who knows, other players may find they like your guild better and join up.
5. Don’t hate those that leave. Recognize that the transition period is going to be tough. Both social players and raiders will leave. Instead of hating these players, keep in touch create chat channels, still use your Vent/Teamspeak servers to keep the friendships and social aspect alive.

I think if you remember these 5 things, you find the transition from social to raiding not as traumatic and maybe even successful.

Oh yeah, last thing. Remember that not everyone wants to raid. Just because you decided to raid, you did start as a social guild. So don’t go overboard and make strange rules like everyone must now be have some arbitrary stat to be in the guild. Let your friends stay, who knows. When your more experienced and can maybe carry them along, they might end up liking raiding and joining you. You never can tell

Tags: Guilds by Brigwyn
4 Comments »