Creating and leading a Linkshell

[Mazon]

This past month, my girlfriend and I decided to create new main characters have been leveling the starter jobs. We've been around for a long while, and while having been members of many Linkshell's we've never actually put any thought into creating our own.

While we love to help with missions, quests and other misc. aspects of the game, we're not quite sure what is involved with leading a Linkshell. In particular, not certain what responsibilities come with being the leader of an Linkshell.

I was hoping to get some input from players and their experiences as LS leader.

Forming the LS is another hurdle. I mean how really would you want to go about recruiting members. The /shout method seems...... let's just say, it's not the most appealing to us.

Btw. I'm 60Thf/Nin she's 61Sam/War on our old mains, if that's of any concern.

And we're not against the idea of a new player ls, in fact that's what brought this whole creating an LS to the forefront of our minds. Want to help the new players.

Thank you in advance

[Matera]

Re: Creating and leading a Linkshell

Great basics so far.

First of all, let me say this: I have never led a linkshell, but have had sacks in a few, and have owned linkshell-like teams in other games.

Invite friends first. Get those friends to invite friends. However, LIMIT THE SACKS at the start. I'd say a ratio of 1:8 is a bare minimum, depending on how active you and your friend are. Eventually, pass them out to show appreciation and to trusted members.

If you create a new player shell, be sure to have other high-leveled players in it to keep things interesting. I'm not saying newbies are bad, but sometimes after being spoonfed they start expecting help.

Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man how to fish, feed him for a lifetime. You can give them a few fish to start, but ease off it eventually.

As for leading... Keep things civil, don't allow complete chaos, and don't be afraid to put down your fist.

You say you're leveling new jobs, so just ask anybody without a pearl that you meet in Valk.

Enjoy it though, and have fun. That's the most important thing.

[ItazuraNhomango]

Re: Creating and leading a Linkshell

Why did you two wanted to create a linkshell? Who do you want in your linkshell? If you do not know, perhaps you should not proceed.

Nothing against you or anything, but don't create a linkshell, gather a bunch of people (newbies, especially), then decide you want to break the shell since it wasn't what you wanted in the first place. It's just wouldn't be very nice for the people in your LS.

I would also go as far as saying you should plan out an exit strategy if you do create one; if you ever quit the game, what should happen to the LS? Merger with another? Break shell and have someone else recreate and gather? Continue to pay for your account to keep the shell intact while someone else acts as the leader?

Most important thing, though, is still knowing "Why?" and "Who?" you want...

[Mazon]

Re: Creating and leading a Linkshell

The why: It's hitting hard now more than ever with the release of these new jobs, but I've seen many a new player, in the dunes, in a PL'ed party and thought to myself "Oh dear god, it's already started for this guy"

How do you learn to manage your nuking, curing, weaponskill.....ing, skillchaining, tanking and the likes when someone is holding your hand allowing you to go Gung-ho through the most critical time of your learning phase?

The questions on the basics of FFXI, which aren't properly introduced to the players by simply running through the game.

A place where they can ask questions without the smirks, the pointing, the flaming.
I'm not here to just hand them anything. I'm here with the intent to educate them, as my first LS did when I first started.

We intend to keep this LS. That's why we're looking at what would be involved and what to expect if we do decide to pursue this course of action.

But I sincerely appreciate all the input I can get.

[durecellrabbit]

Re: Creating and leading a Linkshell

As a new player who got given a ls at the start of the game, I needed a lot of help to start of with. The 360 manual was very poor, it only has a few pages of the most basic gameplay, most of it is how to pay them and pointless descriptions of the expansion areas. So I needed to be taught pretty much everything and I never read any ffxi forums then either. Stuff like hate, camping, pulling and tanking. A few of my 360 friends started playing first and were able to help me with some stuff early on like doing misson 1-1 with me. I also got help with getting my subjob skull and kazham airship keys, which took a long time to get. I think we could have done it without them with a full party but it would have been lot more work and we would probably never have found the best places to camp.

We probably don't need as much help as we get but that would be up tpo you. We also all get given pearlsack so we can give them to our friends and others. This might not be the best idea, I've given a few to people who I later wished I had'nt but they stopped playing anyway. If new players get too annoying you can always take off the ls like our hl players do when we get too annoying.

[Matera]

Re: Creating and leading a Linkshell

you can always take off the ls like our hl players do when we get too annoying.

Sounds like there's a self-esteem problem going on there.

You guys are people too, remember. The high-leveled players have nothing but a few level on you guys.

[Icemage]

Re: Creating and leading a Linkshell

Really depends on what the linkshell is intended to do.

- New player introductory LS

This sort of LS that basically bands a group of players together so that they can learn from each other and share information about the game and do things together. Typically this type of LS either mutates into one of the more mature forms, or more often simply breaks or disbands as players exit the "newbie" phase.

- Social LS

This is the more mature form of the above, where players simply enjoy each others' company and like to chat with one another. Participation in group events can be common, or can be very rare depending on the composition and chemistry of the people in the linkshell. This sort of LS tends to be fairly stable, but can deteriorate over time as players move on, quit, or shift focus and join other linkshells that more closely mirror their goals and attitudes.

- Goal-specific LS

This is a special type of linkshell that gathers to accomplish specific goals or activities - missions, PvP battles in Ballista or Brenner, crafting, BCNM, etc. Some linkshells of this type are very stable (such as crafting linkshells).

- End-game LS

Composed primarily of high-level players, this sort of linkshell gathers to accomplish the most difficult end-game tasks. There are several flavors of this type, described below (note that the categories are not exclusive - most HNMLSs participate in Dynamis and/or Limbus, and often have a presence in Sky or Sea as well for instance):

--- HNM LS
HNM LSs are dedicated to challenging and defeating Hyper Notorious Monsters in the pursuit of challenge and loot. This is a very common type of end-game linkshell.

--- Sky LS
Consisting exclusively of players who have completed at least mission 14 of Rise of the Zilart, Sky LS members spend the majority of their spare time fighting enemies in Tu'Lia (sky) by force-spawning several different Gods: Suzaku, Genbu, Byakko, Seiryu, and Kirin.

--- Sea LS
The Chains of Promathia equivalent of a Sky LS, members of this sort of LS spend the majority of their time in Lumoria, generally with the eventual goal of challenging and defeating a host of notorious monsters culminating in an eventual battle with Absolute Virtue.

--- Dynamis LS
Linkshells that revolve around Dynamis consist entirely of level 65+ players who enter the various zones of Dynamis once every few days hoping to acquire various rare items, such as artifact armor version 2,

--- Limbus LS
Similar to Dynamis LSs, Limbus linkshells gather together every few days to challenge Limbus, hoping for rare items and the opportunity to upgrade their various relic armors.


Icemage

[Consigliere]

Re: Creating and leading a Linkshell

Here is the reality of leading a linkshell. When you want to take some time off your main job and level corsair to 15, you can't.

Your linkshell needs you to be there at all events or else they won't happen.

If people request help and you are busy leveling Blue Mage, they won't get the help and they will fall behind. Also, other members will follow your example and thing that XPing is more important than helping LS mates when they ask.

If your shell has that mnd set, it will fail.

[Mhurron]

Re: Creating and leading a Linkshell

Here is the reality of leading a linkshell. When you want to take some time off your main job and level corsair to 15, you can't.

Your linkshell needs you to be there at all events or else they won't happen.

If people request help and you are busy leveling Blue Mage, they won't get the help and they will fall behind. Also, other members will follow your example and thing that XPing is more important than helping LS mates when they ask.

If your shell has that mnd set, it will fail.

Leading an LS does not make you a doormat.

[Matera]

Re: Creating and leading a Linkshell

Leading an LS does not make you a doormat.

It doesn't or shouldn't make you a doormat at all.

Just get high level members willing to help out. That way all the assistance is balanced.

Remember to set a good example though.

[Murphie]

Re: Creating and leading a Linkshell

I see what he was getting at (Consigliere) re: Help.

If you as a leader don't make an effort to encourage higher level members to help out the lower leveled ones, or even to help each other out among the high levels to get things done or even just to encourage LS members to level together if and when they can, then the rest of the LS generally won't do it.

When I first started playing the game I was the shellholder for a small LS of friends (there were about a dozen of us). Some of us staticed together, but all of us got together occasionally to camp NMs, or do missions or quests together. When I left the game, I gave my right hand man the money for a new LS (although he didn't actually need the gil, it was intended more as a way to indicate to everyone that I wasn't leaving them in the lurch, and that he would take on my responsibilities as head of the shell/group/whatever).

When I returned to the game in the middle of last year, I got back in touch with him and he invited me to join the shell that he made with the money that I gave him. It was a mess. No one did anything together, and a lot of the people he had given sacks to were unfriendly, immature, and generally really difficult to get along with. I didn't keep the shell on very often, because the conversations were very annoying, and asking for help, or even just trying to start a conversation that wasn't about breasts, or what was currently labeled gay, or whatever was impossible. My old friends were totally focused on the endgame, and only popped into the shell for a few minutes a day to tell everyone what was happening in their Dynamis or HNMLS shells. Eventually I just dropped my pearl.

Now, on the other hand, since I've started over on Bahamut, I've gotten into a truly wonderful shell made up of folks of all levels. They try to keep from losing members to HNMLS and Dynamis shells by going after HNMs themselves and by allying with another social/help LS to do Dynamis on a regular schedule. Helping others is strongly encouraged, to the point that I often feel embarassed at how many folks are willing to lend a hand to help me with things from time to time (I had five level 75's do my Kazham keys). They all do it because we like to hang out with each other and we enjoy helping our friends to succeed. I really do think that a lot of that has to do with the fact that the leaders of the shell are so focused on fostering that kind of environment. If you lead by example, people truly will follow, be it for better or for worse.

[Aksannyi]

Re: Creating and leading a Linkshell

I've had similar problems as Aelathir, especially after coming back from an absense, only my perfect linkshell had disbanded while I was gone. ; ; (I wasn't the leader, but the "second") I joined a few ls's after that, but they just weren't for me. At the moment, I am the leader of the ls my husband and I share, but we don't have plans to expand it at the moment, except to our mules. Perhaps later in game we will decide to annex our shell a bit, but for right now, it's just easier for us to communicate this way.

[Shoren]

Re: Creating and leading a Linkshell

Honestly yeah. Sad but true but people have a VERY strong "what can you do for me?" complex. You offer to help them, yeah they'll take a pearl. They stay around for as long as they need your help. If you can't help them. No problem they'll just jump on another LS and ask for help.
You know the kind of people. Who ONLY say anything in LS chat if they need help. Anytime else they've nothing to say. Now if you're level 75 and they know you can help them in the long run. They'll stick around, if you're the same level or lower. Odds are you won't see much of them.

Anyrate.
Being a LS leader is ALOT of setting aside your own personal goals in the game and setting higher priority on those of your LS mates. If you have things you want to get done and get done soon, I'd highly advise not starting your own linkshell. Yeah like people said, being a LS leader doesn't make you a doormat, but that's why people join LS's mostly because they need help. Which is not a bad thing. But its like having a stray dog come to your house and you feed it your scraps from dinner. That dog will come back and expect more free scraps. And the more you feed it the more it comes dependant on coming to your house for a meal. Stop feeding it and well it'll stop coming around and go where it can find food. LS members are the same way. Especially beginning players.

Later on after you established yourself this is not a problem, you can say oh well. But early on just starting out that means alot of 'iffy attendance' which means small LS lists. And with the game so late in the stage as it is now they probably have been or will be invited to one of the larger more established LS's on the server and odds are will fall in with that group. When people join LS's they want someone to talk to, more people means more of a chance people are going to be online no matter the time they log in.

So new players will flock to where the most people are. And old players already have a LS home of their own or two or three. So as a leader you have to ask, why would they join YOUR LS over any of the already established ones. And not just own a pearl and log on every now and then. But actually stay logged on to it actively.

I mean new players will be looking for help and help and help. Old players will be on their other LS's alot until your LS has more members to make it worth staying on yours.

This can come down to how 'big' you want your LS to be. Having a BIG LS means there are lots of people on and its easier to plan events and the like. BUT that also means a lot more people who potentially need help. Small LS, are more self sufficient but then makes planning events hard at times as if one or two people don't show there goes your event.

Which brings another area of unity. Lets face it people want two things in ffxi. Exp and gil. But the need for exp kills most LS at times. Since you all level at different paces unless you're a static your LS will be divided. Different goals, in different areas, and they all want to get what they want to get done. So you'll have to get ways for your LS to interact or they'll fall deeper and deeper to their own goals and wants.

Anyways enough ranting. My suggestions.

Starting an LS.
Wait till you're at a high level 65+
At that level start recruiting other high levels. Make it a PURELY social LS. Just people who are cool and just log on to the LS to hang out and talk. People who share the same views. This will be your foundation. People you trust to help other LS mates when you aren't available.
Then have all your LS mates invite lower level characters. Try to get them in level groups. So spend one week in the dunes inviting lvl 15-20. Another in Kazahm inviting 25-30. Stuff like that. That way all the lower levels not only have high levels to help them but also have lots of members their own levels as well.
Encourage them to party together as much as possible. So even if you aren't around to help them the LS can go out and party and have a reason to be active in your LS.
Then go out and get your total noobs. You know just starting out and don't know what job they want to be. By then the LS should be at a goob point. The similar leveled members have been partying together and know eachother better. Higher levels the foundation are really cool people and help when they can, but the stress of helping is always spread over the LS.
Most LS I know have one or two lvl 75 jobs and they are ALWAYS the target for pleas for help. This way The high levels are at a stage where they don't need that much help and if they do can help each other. The mid levels have the high levels to go to for help BUT if unable also have a number of their peers who are the same level to help them out too. Then you have the lower levels who can go to the high levels, the mid levels or their peers.

No matter whats going on they'll have someone to goto. And having it start out as a purely social LS. The high level 'foundation' will always be talking like they usually did and the new members will join in conversations. And through shared helping and a good social enviroment. But remember the social enviroment is the most important. Or you just get people who don't say anything on their LS, and only speak up when they need something. Encourage dialogue.

As far as 'LS' goals. You've no need of making one in my opinion. Get your LS on its legs first. Build the best community of players you can pull together, and then as a group decide what goals you want to pursue as a LS, if any at all.

But yeah don't build from the low levels up. That's what alot of high levels do. Get at a high level and invite alot of low levels that are impressed with their level take on more than they can chew. Low levels need alot of help and are alot of work at times. Build from the higher levels downward. That way the members your have are in a position to help the members your recruit.

Well that's about it. If you want ideas for LS events and junk like that I'm also good for a bunch of those. Anyrate good luck with whatever you end up deciding on doing.

[Thott]

Re: Creating and leading a Linkshell

Ok to start out if you want to lead a linkshell you have to drop a few things that you nromally do, When I was leveling on a friends server just to spend time the linkshell gave 5k a day to whm under 20. that was huge when you start out with nothing. I am just trying to say that if you give people something you will recive something. Maybe make it so lvl 40+ go farming every day. I have also ran a linkshell but I was forced to ditch my higher level activities because they do use you as a doormat in a way... You can create friends but you will not be able to level as much because they want a PL or Raise. They also want you to help them with quest and so forth... good luck on your linkshell but don't let them control your life in game.

[Mazon]

Re: Creating and leading a Linkshell

Taking into consideration everything that has been said, a Social LS looks to be the direction we're heading in.

It appears to be the best place to start, and allow the LS to develop and mature into the LS we would like it to be.

Thank you all. You've been a wonderful help.

/salute