I’ve recently transformed what started as an expanded bank into a new guild. With TWW approaching, I want to shift this into a real guild focused on casual players. The idea is to create a low-pressure environment where we can develop relationships and eventually tackle harder content without the intimidation factor.
I’ve noticed that established guilds often have high expectations and standards. I’m curious about your thoughts on starting a guild like this at the current stage of the game. Is it doable? Are there players out there who want to enjoy the game casually and engage in “shooting the shXt” aka chit-chat.
I also want to invite guildless members but am aware of how some prefer to be tagless while others find it a turn-off due to spam from other guild invites.
What do you all think? Or am I better off just finding the niche I seek?
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When I made a guild, it was very hard to bring in new members. The best ways of doing that seem to be inviting in starter areas and trying to build a reasonable bottom level that way if you are trying to get it off the ground, however that is a pretty offputting way to actually start getting members. I don’t think it is impossible to build a new guild at this point in time, but it is a somewhat challenging endeavor at the very least. That said, I do encourage you to try, see if you can make that community and bring other like-minded folks together to create a nice environment. It ensures you have control over the guild and don’t have to worry about bad actors in the officer ranks, and I always appreciate seeing new, welcoming and kind communities flourish even if I was unable to maintain that myself. But in my experience it is an uphill battle.
On the flip side, it took a while after my first guild died to find another that was both laid back, and actively chatted with one another. It is an uphill battle both ways I am afraid, at least on that front.
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I really appreciate your feedback. I suppose I have to accept the challenges of recruiting and the uphill battle it entails. Your advice reinforces my belief in the need for a laid-back guild where members can progress at their own pace. You’re evidence that they exist, so I think I will give it a shot. It’s encouraging, so thank you.
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I’m glad that I could offer some encouragement if nothing more. Best of luck to you, Dread, I hope that you are successful.
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I think you can’t offer anything dozens if not hundreds of existing and established guilds already do and with TWW and the removal of server and faction restrictions entirely, it behooves the small guilds to merge into bigger ones.
You don’t have to, of course. Communities exist and it isn’t like there is any real pressing need to be in a guild, but if what you are seeking is a bustling active atmosphere, you are going to be INCREDIBLY hard pressed to build it from scratch since any potential applicant would more than likely just join any of those dozen to hundreds of already more established guilds.
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No, I get it. I am definitely not trying to be unrealistic here. Was more so looking to see the feasibility of it at this stage. Everything points to “Its not IMpossible, but…” haha. We’ll see what happens
I’ll speak from my experience. We get people from the in-game guild system and we don’t know them.
First of all: Discord. People want it and log in to talk about the game. Some don’t like it (I don’t, it’s a necessary evil) but you have to have it. We have a pet channel, I’m not kidding.
Second, you have to lead. It takes work. Your members want to feel like something is going on in the guild, guild chat is good. Even organizing for an Achievement makes it feel active and not passive.
Third: I’d guess that eighty percent of WoW players want to raid. Our guild stops at AOTC but you could define it as normal only or even that you specialize in old raids and tmog runs; people spend an incredible amount of time farming sets.
Fourth: Define who you are. “Laid back” won’t cut it, I’ve been in guilds where nothing happens; totally laid back, boring and empty.
Fifth: Our guild does raid but we have a lot more players who do not. We also have M+ on Saturdays and our players grind that stuff for hours, sometimes well into the night.
Sixth: you have to know the current game. Like I said before, you have to work at it. At minimum you’d have to lead raids and dungeons even if you set expectations low. People will ask you how work orders work or the custom tab for farming rares or even an addon like weak auras. And: I’d bet that you already know all of this too.
Guild repairs are a courtesy but an expectation. Don’t pay for a lot but I think it has to happen.
Finally, on the War Within banner graphic it says “guild improvements” so this might be a fantastic time to start up a guild! I think that you’ll have fun with a little brains and a little talent, with the emphasis on the latter.
bon chance.
Possibly but extremely difficult.
Depends how much of an online extrovert you are & how capable of turning a friendship network into an extended friendship network.
Every guild depends on a common interest, be it social or in-game goal. What would you be including people in?
If youre dedicated to it its def possible. It always helps to have a core group of people beforehand tho tbh.
Yeah, spamming in trade does work, players are always looking.
Our success was in pugging. We had a core group of five or six, opened it up in the looking for group channels and had fun, people came back for fun. Part of it may have been that we had two girls and were not swearing or foul in general. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been offended by language! So, we were a pretty clean group and not everyone wants that. But people would ask about our raid schedule. So, maybe spamming in new zones and dive into the pug scene.
There are like 10x more casual players than raiders. If you’re going to start a guild based on community nows the time.
Next xpac will be the first step on a 9ish year story.
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You are SO right! I’m always asking my friends who is who and why are we here. Often their answer is Warcraft3.
I think this is the perfect time to try and build a guild. Everything is pretty low stakes now so there is time for members to get to know each other without the pressure of pushing new content.
Think about what you want or like in a guild and build on that. But you will need others to help because one person cannot do it all.
Realize the following:
- There are way too many guilds in the game already.
- Why would anyone join your guild over the many other established and populated guilds?
Hard truths. But you need to acknowledge them.