Stormbluff Isle Losing [SF] and other guilds.

[slingblade]

I'm sorry to day, Strike Force, and probably most or all of the other major WvW guilds we have, will be leaving SBI. [SF] is moving to Jade Quarry before the end of free transfers hits. I suspect there with be some other heavy hitters that go with them, and I hate to say it, but my inclination is to go there, too, since WvW is what I do and I don't want to take a beating week after week on a server that's most likely about to enter a death spiral.

Would you guys just as soon move to JQ as stay? What are your thoughts?

www.stormbluffisle.com/index.php/forum/wvw/1383-leaving-and-being-sad

[Fate]

I have no loyalty to a server. So either way is ok with me.

What has to happen for us to switch?

[slingblade]

Jan 18, 2013 13:44:43 GMT -5 Fate said:

I have no loyalty to a server. So either way is ok with me.

What has to happen for us to switch?

As far as I know, you just choose a different home word at after you log in to GW2, but before you choose which toon you are going to play. I think it takes a few days for the transfer to take place.

Not all guilds are going over to JQ, but it does look like many will be heading off in one direction or another. I do have a sense of loyalty to SBI, but it was based on playing with the same people and guilds night after night in WvW, SF being the biggest (at least in NA prime time) and IMO the most fun. The leader of SF, Jedbacca is a really hard worker both on the battlefield and in all other areas of leadership and was the official unoffical leader of SBI's WvW effort. His absence will be a huge, I think, in addition to the sheer numbers of players that will be lost.

[slingblade]

Just to be a little more specific, I think what will happen, since there is going to be a sudden loss of a large number of WvW players, is that SBI will take serious beatings for weeks to come and WvW will be very unfun, until they fall to what their true ranking should be and settle into a middle or bottom tier. I think I am going to go ahead and make the transfer today, since the server is already "full" and I don't want to be left out in the cold. If it weren't for fun WvW, I'd doubt I'd play GW2, so I feel like I have to act quickly. Would love to have BGN come along, but I know this is really short notice for all of us. I had no idea this was possibly happening until last night.

[Tiger Lily]

I enjoy WvW and don't really want to be on a server that is losing all it's best WvW guilds. SBI will probably drop very quickly in the ratings. Tier 1 or 2: most active = most fun.

I'm surprised SF picked JQ as JQ-bashing was very common when we were in Tier 1 (spying, exploiting and jumping puzzle camping), but I personally don't know anything about JQ.

Any info from HeEt or LOV?

[slingblade]

Jan 18, 2013 14:17:10 GMT -5 Tiger Lily said:

I'm surprised SF picked JQ as JQ-bashing was very common when we were in Tier 1 (spying, exploiting and jumping puzzle camping), but I personally don't know anything about JQ.

Any info from HeEt or LOV?

The reason they gave was that they felt JQ had good coverage, except in NA prime time, and that they could fill that spot. JQ is full and I don't know how the heck dozens, or maybe more than 100 people are going to be able to transfer in. I checked SOR and they are not full, but they sure seem to have enough to dominate T2. I've been pretty impressed by their tactics and execution. Some of the SBI guilds/players will be heading over there, so that's another one to consider.

I don't know what HeET is going to do. I think there is a very small number now that plays WvW, at least in NA prime time. As far as LOV, I'm the only one left who plays GW2 at all, from the old group. Griffon will pop on every once in a while, but I haven't seen any of the rest of them in two months.

[Xaja]

Personally, I'd like to stay on the same server as GOD and TeG, but if we can get them all to move over with us, I have no particular loyalty to a server, only to my friends. I agree that we should consider switching and if the consensus is that most of BGN wants to switch, of course my loyalty lies with you all first. Anet has yet to set a date to end free transfers, so I think we have a reasonable amount of time to coordinate an "alliance" wide effort. I would very much like to have the opportunity to be in a competitive world for WvW, since it seems like a few of us BGNers have gotten into it lately.

[slingblade]

Xaja, after Jan. 28 transfers will cost some number of gems and, there will be guesting allowed.: www.guildwars2.com/en/news/guesting-is-coming/

At this point, I'm really conflicted about what to do, if anything. But the clock is ticking. JQ is full and will be hard to get into. SOR may present the same problem, soon. SBI may have several rough weeks, then be OK, or maybe it will never be the same fun competitive community it once was, considering who all's leaving.

[Eldarion]

Free transfers are ending on January 28, Xaja: www.guildwars2.com/en/news/guesting-is-coming/

[Xaja]

Hm, well I think we should do what is best for BGN, so I suppose a poll would be in order, if you could Sling, pm me the servers of interest and I'll try to coordinate on the other alliance forums as well.

[Eldarion]

If there's going to be a poll, spread the word in-game, maybe even via in-game mail to the members. It's not like there's many members visiting the forum these days...

Edit: If we move to a heavily-WvW-centric server I'm concerned that it will have very little player activity in PvE, except for those who are killing time while waiting in the WvW queues. That will diminish enjoyment for PvE-focused members.

Edit: Notrub from Heet posted on this thread, sounds like he wants to stay: www.stormbluffisle.com/index.php/forum/wvw/1405-what-anets-paid-transfer-decision-did-to-wvw

[tembleque]

Wow! This guild does have a forum! Just found out about 5 minutes ago!

When I was trying to get to SBI it took me over a week of trying before the server was available. Always full. So Im thinking someone better make a decision quick before we get into SERVER FULL mode and can't move.

[Tremor]

Just my two cents here...

I want to stay, while i do mostly PvE I do like to PvP especially with guildies and alliance members. But I also have two family members who plasy on SBI with me, one would transfer if possible, the other has not been on in awhile because he has had surgery and cannot and will not be on for awhile. That said, I would rather stay, I would participate in learning more about WvW and teaching to others if this is what we decide to do. Same goes for PvE and the dungeons, if you all decide to move I guess i will stay and find another guild.

[slingblade]

Two of the three servers I had any interest in (JQ and SOR) are full, so it would be very difficult for everyone to get in, and I don't think it would be the best decision for the guild as a whole anyway, for reasons others have already pointed out.

Another server I have some interest in is Kaineng, because it's being built as a WvW server, but still has to climb the ranks. It's not near full yet, so I might pop over there and try it out for awhile, but I don't expect the entire guild to move. If I do make a move, I'll be sure and report back often and may will likely return to SBI when the dust settles from the current fall out. Along with paid transfers, guesting will be a new option, so that adds more flexibility for all of us to try servers out before we buy, or to come back home to SBI in the event of a move away from there.

[slingblade]

I had told myself if Kaineng had a change in server population from "High" to "Very High" I would go ahead and transfer, at least for 7 days, just to check it out. Sure enough last night that's what happened, so I made the move.

They are absolutely demolishing their two opponents in wvw right now, which is not surprising since they were a lower tier server that's had a big influx of wvw guilds in the last month or so. Kaineng is where War Machine went when they left SBI, which was the beginning of the end of SBI's WvW reign. Don't know how much I can learn in 7 days about the server, since WvW will be a joke until they climb the ranks and face some real competition, but we'll see.

A large part of me would prefer to stay at SBI both because of BGN and my personal attachment to the SBI WvW community, but with servers filling up, and paid-only transfers looming (cost unknown) it seems like a good time to take a look at some options. I will say, in addition to SBI being in real danger of not recovering from so many wvw guilds and players leaving, I have for a few months been really frustrated at the "offense only" mentality that seemed to dominate there.

So anyway, I'll see what I can find out about Kaineng and go from there. Sorry I won't be on the same server as the rest of BGN for now. If I end up staying at Kaineng for awhile, I'll be sure and let you guys know when WvW gets exciting and those interested can hopefully come and guest, at the least.

[Tiger Lily]

WvW is not fun now because of the imbalance in the population between SBI & SoR. We will have to wait until we fall to the correct level for good matches, but it will happen. It will just be different.

There are some long-time WvW guilds & commanders that are staying (Yulo[SBI], Grundlebad[KT], etc.) that will keep us going. And a Chinese guild just joined SBI to give us Oceanic coverage in WvW.

BGN has been on this server from the beginning of GW2 release and we have made friends here. It is a good community.

The unknown is how the exodus of the guilds will impact PvE - population density in the low & medium level areas, event participation, etc.

I was tempted to leave, but I now I don't see any real benefit to changing servers.

(FYI - I consider myself a casual WvW player.)

[Xaja]

After reading everyone's input, it's just the humble opinion of this guild leader that we stay in the current server for the time being for a few reasons.
A) Most of our friends are here, TeG, HeEt, GoD etc
B) Eventually ones SBI drops down to a lower tier server it should be fun again, and since most of us are casual WvWers anyways that shouldn't be an issue.
C) We are still, mostly a PvE guild and from what it sounds like PvE may not be as compelling on a WvW server.

But of course, if the server population does dip because of this, that may affect PvE as well, so switching may be something to consider at a later date.

[Fate]

I will do whatever the guild decides.