When should I join a Free Company?

[MrSaturn]

So, I've never really been an MMO player, and I usually give up on any MMO within a week or so. When a friend bought me a copy of this, I expected the same. Instead, 3+ weeks later, I've hit lv 40 and am still enjoying the game...

I do still have a lot of newbie questions, though. For example (if you couldn't guess from the title), at what point should I join an FC? I see the random invites from time to time, but how do I know what FC will be right for me? Is there any place to learn up on them, and see what kind of activities they're involved in? For that matter, what benefit is there to being in an FC? Is it necessary or beneficial (aside from the social aspect)?

[Garlyle]

When you join an FC is up to you. If you have friends that are playing, join theirs, if you can. Otherwise, it's more a matter of finding people you like, which can be a little tricky. If you get any invites for an FC, check the FC's information (you should be able to although I forget how) for at least some info on them. It can be hard getting into just any random FC, more because you may find very quickly that your personality and theirs don't mesh at all.

FCs have access to housing (which will include personal rooms when 2.3 hits), and also are able to maintain up to two Company Actions, which are (somewhat minor) buffs that apply to all players, like slightly increased EXP, reduced gear wear, enhanced Control for crafters, etc. Past that, it's all about the social aspect, and whatever shared goals you're interested in - a more relaxed FC will regularly party up with each other, or offer hands to new players that need to get dungeons, etc.

If you're not sure about an FC you get invited to, message whoever invited you and ask! "Do you guys take the game seriously, or relaxed?" "Do you guys regularly help out new players or is it all endgame?" etc. etc.

Some people never join an FC, but I think that's a waste of perfectly good opportunity for social interaction, which really helps kill some of the boredom of the game sometimes.

There are also regularly Free Company advertisments on their individual boards (on these forums, look for Worlds (NA/EU) and then select yours)

[KinnisonArc]

Best avoid those FC that ninja random invite you to death as they only want you as a number and then leave you in the dust (true story from a friend), instead find one that is (really) dedicated to help new players as most FC nowadays focuses on endgame raids that probably won't bother with newbies.

Also there are benefits in joining one, first would be the company's buff. Members in the FC can activate certain actions that raise your EXP gained for example and many more. Secondly will probably be the housing if the FC has it, they can hire NPC in which you can purchase materials for crafts, repair items without having to travel to the shop area and comfortable spot to AFK. Lastly will be the company coffer, it's a FC owned storage that you can store items that could be useful to crafters.

The benefit isn't so big enough that you need to be in one but it won't hurt to have one anyway, you could start your own FC so people can no longer hurl invites at you.

[Shmunkster]

And also, dont forget you aren't locked forever in the FC. I am in my 5th FC. Some previous ones just were not right for me (or me for the FC). I am friends with people still in old FCs and we hook up for content - so leaving an FC does not mean there is hate!

Random Shouts in towns usually have a sales pitch, so try out what you like, or what makes you laugh....and dont be afriad to leave if it doesnt turn out so rosey

[ruskie]

Yeah joining a FC is really up to you. I joined a LS in beta and then that went to a FC. But I soon left because a lot of people were rushing to 50. Then joined a FC that splintered but that lasted for all of 14 days. Then I persondede to a random recuritment shout and was with them 'till end of may then some of us from there splintered and made our own. So it's really up to the individual.

As for what activties etc... best to ask whoever is shouting/or telling to whoever they direct you to.

For us fun and social intercation is the most important part of FC. We help eachother and yes we do some endgame stuff but as we mostly have fresh people it's less of a focus.

[PbFarmer]

I think everyone above got it pretty much right. I however must admit I posting a little bit for selfish reasons as I'm looking to recruit people. These guys above all said the right thing and I can't add a lot. Don't accept random invites, try and branch out with people, and know what you're looking for.

If you're interested at all, check out my post; Up 2 No Good Recruiting. If nothing else, check out the forum for Brynhildr, other people are advertising too if you don't like what I'm selling.

I'm on Brynhildr as well and I'm trying to regain a lot of the power the FC had when it started (I'm basically rebuilding from scratch outside of a few members). Would love to have you if you feel like you'd be a great fit. Much like yourself, this is the first MMO thats ever really hooked me. I played a few others for a hot second (the longest being FFXI for 5 months) but this has gotten me hook, line, and sinker. If nothing else, even if you dont like mine, send me a tell in game (Eirikr Juchardt) and I can try to help you find the right FC for you, I know quite a few leaders of different FCs and we even have kind of a social network we work with internally to help one another on Brynhildr.

[Erudain]

As Kinnison said, don't just join those FC that spam invite everyone they see without a FC.
They just wants you to be a number and won't help you much really...

IMHO any FC that doesn't have the decency to at least send you a /tell asking "would you like to join our FC?" should just be ignored.

[PbFarmer]

As Kinnison said, don't just join those FC that spam invite everyone they see without a FC.
They just wants you to be a number and won't help you much really...

IMHO any FC that doesn't have the decency to at least send you a /tell asking "would you like to join our FC?" should just be ignored.

Happened to me when I first joined and didn't know any better. I lasted in that FC 2 days before I realized it was ridiculous and I was just number boosting them.

[Niwashi]

As Kinnison said, don't just join those FC that spam invite everyone they see without a FC.
They just wants you to be a number and won't help you much really...

Joining those is random. You may get a great community, a horrible one, or anything in between. The only issue with it is that you don't know in advance which it will be. I joined a couple that way (with different characters).

One of them pretty much ignored me. They were inviting low-level players but only running endgame content, so I had nothing worthwhile to contribute. But oh well, at least I got the FC action buffs, which is something more than I'd have if I continued without an FC.

The other one was great. We ran dungeons together. We discussed the game, helping newer players with stuff. We made gear for each other. We chatted. It was a lot of fun (in addition to having those buffs and eventually an FC house).

Now eventually I ended up leaving both of those FCs to form a new FC with a friend. But I'm glad to have made friends in the other FCs I'd been with, and I'd never have met them if I hadn't accepted those random invites in the first place.

[Sakuraluna]

When you join an fc is entirely up to you. There's no timeline for it. They're not necessary to gameplay, but they do offer nice buffs though and a chance at socializing and making new friends and they give you a group of other players to run whatever in-game content you prefer, which for a lot of us makes the game a whole lot more exciting.