With so many people playing DAoC these days it seems like it should be easy to find a group.  But more people have more difficulty finding a good solid XP group than you might suspect.  From what I’ve seen, many times it’s easier to build a group than to find one.  I’ve had a lot of success building XP groups in the past and wanted to share what I do to put a group together.

First, there are a LOT of people out there who would love nothing more than to be invited to a good group for some great XP.   I’ve made more in-game friends through doing this than almost anything else.  Hopefully in building your own group you’ll not only get the XP you’ve been looking for, but you’ll get to know some good people along the way.

Second, when you begin to organize a group, know that the people you've invited to join you will look to you to be the leader in filling and organizing the group.  You started it and it’s your responsibility.  However, party members are great at suggesting friends or guild mates who could help complete the group.  But ultimately, the success of the group is on your shoulders.  Sometimes it takes a little perseverance to get a group going but it’s almost always worth it.  Below are some steps that will hopefully help you as you build your group.
 

Getting eight people together without a plan has caused many a group to flounder and eventually fail.  Your plan should include:

• Level range for party members

• One or two XP locations that will be good XP for your group

• Required class breakdown for the group appropriate to the targeted mobs (healers, casters, tanks, strealthers, etc.)

Pick a range of levels for your group.  A range of seven to eight levels is reasonable.  Opening up a group to a larger range lowers the relative XP for all group members and lessens the fun.
 

Depending on what mobs you’ll be taking on you'll need a well balanced group.  Some mobs come in groups; some are resistant to magic, etc.  Know what you want your group make-up to be ahead of time.
 

No one creates a group to intentionally exclude members.  However, having a reasonable level range and class makeup is important for the success of the group.  If you’re unable to accommodate someone in your group because that role is filled, ask them if they would like to be put on a waiting list for the next available spot.  Sometimes this has to be done.  Remember, you’re trying to make a successful group and that may mean excluding someone to not hurt the remainder of the group.
 

First thing, create a chat group.  No XP group starts immediately with all party members in the same location ready to go.  As you find your group members, invite them to a chat group.  These group members will help you complete the group with suggestions for members and you can keep them apprised of when and where to meet.
 

No one likes chaos.  Things can take a long time to get going in DAoC.  Set expectations when you invite your potential members.  Here are some things to let potential members know when you invite them:

• State the group goal (Parthenan Farm, Darkness Falls seal gathering, Finlaiths, etc.)

• State the meeting location (Mag Mel, Caille, Ligen, etc.)

• State the target start time (one hour from now, 8:00PM, etc.)

People are involved in what they’re doing.  While they might be interested in joining your group, don’t have them rush to the meeting location only to wait 45 minutes because the remainder of the group hasn’t arrived.  Give a reasonable start time.  When I’m building a group from scratch I allow at least 45 minutes before the planned start time.  This gives people time to finish what they’re doing and get to the meeting location.

When you invite people, ask them in a way that doesn’t make them feel obligated to join.  You want party members who want to be in the group and will stay.  Groups that break up quickly are a waste of everyone’s time.  When inviting members I usually ask “Are you interested in an xyz group starting at 7:00?”  If they’re interested, great.  If not, I tell them good luck and look for someone else.
 

If you’re in a guild my first suggestion is to build a group from within your guild.  Announce to the guild what you’re building and take folks on a first respond, first served basis.   In many cases you won’t be able to field a well balanced group from available, online members of your guild at that time.  Ask your partially filled group in chat if they have party member suggestions.  

If you're still lacking in members do a /who class and a /who level range and start private messaging folks.  I have had more luck finding group members to complete a group this way than any other.  There are many people out there that would love nothing more than to be invited to a well balanced, good XP group.  Remember, when asking potential members, tell them about the plan for the group so they can make a good decision on joining.

If your group is successful there is a good chance people will want to get their friends or guild mates into the group.  Whenever you have a waiting list you’ve done your job well.  If someone asks to join and you have no room ask if the person wants to be the waiting list.  They may be busy later when a spot opens, but it’s definitely a good practice to keep a waiting list.  This will also help your group when a key party member needs to leave putting the group in a position where they can't maintain the pulls or XP rate.  Having a waiting can benefit everyone and keep your group going.
 

It’s not always feasible to fill the next available spot with the next person on the list.  If you’re losing your healer and your next two people waiting are a tank and healer in that order, the healer will take precedence over the tank.  In high level groups it’s not uncommon to maintain a waiting list in three parts: healer/meser, caster, tank/stealther.  If you are maintaining a waiting list in this fashion always let people know what to expect.  For example, "You'll replace the next caster we have leave the group."
 

Your job a group leader is to build the group, coordinate the group and keep the XP flowing.  Initially it’s a bit of work, but I have had more satisfying groups and played with more great people through doing this.  For questions or comments email me at pharaoh@guardiansofvalor.com.