Tips on How To Be a Guild Leader

So you have decided to start a guild and have a few friends that will follow you. Excellent! This is the first step if you want to call the shots, but not everything about being a guild leader is as rosy as you think. As our friends Spiderman would say: “With great power comes great responsibility”. Being a guild leader in any Massive Multiplayer Online game is a big commitment because you will be the leader, you will be making decisions and you will be in charge of guiding your guild towards success and downed bosses. Dozens of player will look up to you to be ready for raids, have expertise on the game, be able to lead and give orders and much more. Below, we’ll take a short look at things to consider when you want to be a guild leader.

Regardless of the MMO you play, most of these points below should apply to you, but obviously understand that not all games are created the same, and as such not all guild leaders are created the same.

Enough with the disclaimers; Let’s get to business:

First question you should ask yourself is:

-Am I ready to branch out from my current guild and start something? And is it the wisest idea?

Take some time to think about it. Even if something that you really disapprove of happens, don’t ragequit. Think for a few days and talk with your friends and decide if this is the best course of action. Many times, a simple conversation with leadership might change something that you feel was unfair or wrong. So let’s assume you have thought it over and have no choice but to leave the guild.

-What kind of guild will our guild be?

There are several types of guilds. Leveling guilds, raiding guilds, PvP guilds, jack of all trade guilds, friend guild. Which type of guild do you want to create and do others that will follow you share the same interest? It is crucial that everyone is after the same objective/goal.

-How will you recruit more players?

This is also crucial to your success. Unless you have the required amount of players for raids, dungeons or PvP (whichever your answer for question #2 was) from the get-go, you will need more players. Do you advertise on guild forums? Do you run dungeons with a few of your men/women so you recruit people that see that you know what you are doing? Do you imply your expertise and talent by simply being quiet and downing bosses? Do you reach out to players you’ve played with before and offer spot? Different recruiting methods have their different pro’s and con’s. Decide which would be the best way for you to recruit.

-What type of players do you want to recruit?

This is just as crucial as the above. If you are good, you will have many applicants. You might have a big need for people but do you let everyone just get in, or are you more selective on who is part of your guild? Identify key traits such as “are they just after loot? Will they help others and put guild first? What is their background? Do they have to L2P?

-Will you rule as a dictator or as part of a democracy?

This is also very important. Some guild leaders just like to say “this is going to happen, because.. well yes.” Others like to include their members in decisions. Both have their Pro’s and Con’s as well so decide which way you’d like to lead your guild.

Essentials for all Guild Leaders:

• Know every class at least a little bit.
• Set the example. If you raid, bring all the items you need and bring extra. If you PvP, know how to play. If you are a leveling guild, be sure to help players when they ask for help.
• Know your raids, battlegrounds, etc. If you are a raid leader, you have to know every pull, every boss. YouTube and Google every square foot of the raid. If you PvP, know how to fight each class.
• Be on time. If you set a PvP time or a raid time, don’t be late. (Of course, real life comes first, but unless something happens in real life, don’t be late)
• Know how to explain and talk on the MIC. Just like a President has to know how to give a speech, you need to know how to explain a boss or give orders during PvP.

These are the tips to become a good guild leader, but remember that not every guild leader is the same and the answers you get from these questions will be different. But at least, everyone should have a clear understanding of what to expect as a guild leader in all MMOs.