Why do people hesitate about merging Free Companies?

[FinagleABagel]

Because linkshells exist and we probably don't like you.

Seriously, I'm in a 20 member FC and we cleared Turn 4. All you need is a 8-man FC to clear Twintania with a static. Your argument is flawed.

We have our own rules, our own community, our own crafters, our own leadership, ect. We don't merge because we gain nothing from it. I imagine that goes for any other small FC too. Last thing I need is to be spammed by a bunch of know nothing FC zergers that I feel compelled to help because I'm officially "allied" with them in a FC. No thanks.

[AlyssaImagine]

Why does it have to be a full merge? :P

We made friends with another FC and we do runs together. We're both small. We do VC together when needed, we made a linkshell to chat, but both FCs are kept in tact. Many of us are now friends too. I see no reason to need a full merger.

Also, why join a big FC? Do you know everyone in your FC? Do you guys talk? Or just a couple?
I don't want to just be part of a 'group' with maybe one or two friends. I want to group with my friends. :P

[VisRalis]

IF two FCs were more like business organisations for mutual profit - then there's ground for merger talks with a chief executive officer in charge of management...

But small FCs are akin to family structures.
You don't merge families like business.

As previous poster pointed out - that's why we have linkshells.
With that, there's no reason for merging FC's unless you consider each other like family.
Assuming trust was built to such a point over the Internet.

Multiple Linkshells FTW.

[ninthfantasy]

Personally, I don't like huge guilds. Mainly because of many reasons stated here. Less communication, people being left out etc. I prefer a smaller guild, it's easier to make friends and do content. So if I was in a smaller guild that was going to merge into a bigger guild, I'd probably leave and do my own thing. I'm not that interested in getting end game stuff done either, so I wouldn't mind being left out of raid runs, but it'd get to the point where I eventually want to do them, I won't get a place because all the groups have been decided and there's just too many members to freely let people in and out, if that makes sense. In a smaller guild, it's easier to make sure you know everyones wants and needs, and work towards pleasing everyone.

I feel that for me personally, that wouldn't work in a bigger guild - so I'm against guild merges!

[Seezur_Undies]

Would be easier to form a linkshell with other guilds when it comes to raiding if need be.
It's almost insulting to get asked by a larger guild if they want to merge imo. That's just how I see it, really.

Thanks what i was thinking, Why not form a LS. Each FC stays their own FC and has the shared LS. Problem solved

[Lokean]

I want to put my two cents in as a leader of a small FC.

I personally like smaller groups as, we get to know each other, you trust them with your back. Honestly, I've been in too many big groups where you only know people halfway, and you join a raid or something, and next thing you know they do something to piss you off and since you aren't truely that bonded, bam, you hate them, even subconsiouly. You don't play with them, you snap at them, it goes down hill fast and you or they end up leaving, or worse you get booted.

Also, and I know this is in my head somewhere and I'm trying to beat it into submission, leaders don't like giving up power. You say, smaller FCs join us, but, why can't you join them? Why not join a smaller one where the leadership is so tight you can't even poke an atom through it? The only reason stopping you is the prenotion that bigger eats smaller. But, in reality, it's because your leader doesn't want to lose power. It's basic human instinct. We strive for power and leadership, and when we have it we try to keep it as long as possible, in anyway.

[Tooth]

Two reasons.
Power Tripping.
Players who are too lazy to switch companies.

[arctic]

As a leader of a FC with 50 members (so I dunno mid-tier?) I think it’s rather insulting to the other smaller FC to propose a merger. “Hey you look like you’re wasting your time, why not join up and get something done?” That’s just on the basis of a blind invite though, I mean what is your message when you ask them to join coming across as? Getting to know a smaller FC and trying to take them in usually goes a lot smoother if time is well spent integrating the two groups.

There also needs to be a lot of faith placed into the leadership of the larger group as well. I was a small guild leader once (still am?), had a larger guild approach us for a merger. I didn't like what was offered and passed them up. Two weeks later that guild bailed on the server. I had a branch of Across operating in Tera last year. Members started to lose interest in the game so the remaining members + leader merged under another guild. After that, the guild leaders placed a 2nd in command rank on the former Across Tera leader and they went MIA. Then that guild fell apart.

I guess the moral of the story is if a larger guild isn't attracting enough players on its own and is looking to suck up smaller guilds to fill in the void as a quick fix, then small guilds should be very much on their guard.

On another note, I have eaten small guilds in the past. And I doubt it won’t happen again, but those situations were very unique. One was a guild where all the members were great, but the leader was a jerk. We took all the members and the leader was left with only himself to abuse. Another was a sister guild who’s leader had to quit due to personal reasons.

I realize a lot of you in this thread state you dislike larger guilds since there is a lack of communication, but honestly, I think that’s more on yourselves than anything. That may not be a fair generalization for everyone. I know it’s hard to assert your role in a new group, but if you’re the type that just stays quiet because nobody is talking to you, then is it really the FCs fault that nobody knows who you are if you don’t try to speak up and join in?

There might be some cases where yeah, the guild chat is dead and nobody is talking, or yeah, you gave it a shot and the guild is just an empty shell that only exists to exist. But from my observation point, in my guild, when I read “no communication in larger guilds” that kind of sets me off since it’s usually the people that didn’t put in any effort to join in on anything that usually gave that excuse when they left.

Some people just want their hands held the whole time.
“Who wants to join this run?” “Nobody will do this run with me! I quit!” “We just shouted in FC chat, where were you?” “No one asked “me” to do the run!”
I just, ugh, I’m not even sure how to start with that.

Then again, my FC might have a unique view compared to other FCs. In the first two paragraphs of our doctrine is:

“We are all here to have fun and so should you. We understand that the time spent with us in games is your personal time and we will do our best not to waste it.
You are responsible for your own fun. We will always do our best to coordinate and group with each other, but do not expect everyone to drop their current activities to accommodate you. If you need help with anything we will do our best, but help may take time, others are in this to enjoy their personal time as well.”

But that’s just how we do things. It probably sounds selfish at first glance, but its more to protect our members who actually want to play the game from others who want to have the game played for them.

[Sealdorie]

Thanks what i was thinking, Why not form a LS. Each FC stays their own FC and has the shared LS. Problem solved

This is exactly what I did. I have my FC and I have a Linkshell made up of other small FCs for a larger social community. Some people want to have the perks of a FC with their real life friends and family (chest, actions, eventually housing). And while my own FC has more than just my friends and family, I respect those that feel this way.

[Jynx]

My 2 man Free Company will remain this way. Smallest FC evar!