The “bribe” thing kind of worked against us in our next guild, though. One of our friends became an officer to “represent” the rest of us, and got sucked into guild politics. The rest of us left but he stayed because of his responsibilities.

More recently, I was recruited into a guild in LotRO and got my GF in as well. Except that she was playing a needed class and she happens to be really good at her class (healing specced Captain). Worked out great for the kinship, I think.

It’s probably a case-by-case basis thing in general. Just one more thing to look out for in social dynamics of the guild. A good leader should keep these in mind anyway, I think.

Weakness
Two of my guildies simply were not good at the game, one was a GF, and the other was our token guild girl. Very nice players, but not as hardcore as the rest of use.

Loyalty
My loyalty, and my guildies, were to each other way before the loyalty to the guild/alliance we were moved into. Although this has diminished over time, it’s still there.

Bribery
Although I didn’t ask for it, the new guild leader assumed that I would require an officer position for bringing over my elitist players. The guild in response is marginally responsive to my command. A warband left in my hands usually degenerates within the hour, and leadership has nothing to do with it.

Volatility
Situations like this disrespect offend my guildies more than it does to me. They, being elitist jerks, tend to get on people and rub them the wrong way. Just inflaming the problem further.

Excess and Subculture
We don’t fit in well because we’re all used to running with each other anyway. If one of us fills in with another group it’s because they need one more person, not because they see us as the best solution for the group. This goes both ways if we’re running our own group as well.

Overall, being part of a larger group is better for as even with all the caveats. Before we were a small guild hooked into a dying alliance. Inactivity was rising and our communication with other guilds throughout the game was flailing horribly. After merging, our inactive players came back to the game again and people that I had seen perhaps once a week are now regular players again. My personal challenge is getting to know the large guild and establishing myself as the officer I’ve been assigned to be. Something that is resisted every step of the way…