Vanaith Says...

Vanaith is not usually a big raid leader (he leaves that to Galroth when he can), nor is he usually into big-time showy guild leadership (even though he is rank 0), but he does run a fun, fast-paced, and competent gank-style group (in addition to packing a mean and skillful PBAoE). He's taken up a lot of the Mid/Perc slack left when big-name leaders left for other games (post-NF), and he's a big reason why late night RvR is just as fun as always. Although a gank group leader, he's low-key, has got tons of patience, will pick up pick-ups (though with preferences), will accept less than 50% rezzes without complaint, is happy to be lieutenant, and he doesn't get overbearing or arrogant. Plus, he's got a nose for trouble, a good sense of when to attack (or run), and plain old RvR clue. And that's why he's here on these pages.
  1. What kind of leadership do you do in DAoC? (e.g., guild leadership? leading multi-group PvE or RvR raids? RvR gank groups? all of the above?)

    The types of Leadership I tend to stick with tend to be Small scale RVR, Guild, early ML raids. Most of the time I act as a sergeant at arms to another leader and help direct traffic and do the minor communications to free up the main leader. The times I run as primary leader is when things are on a smaller scale, I can and have run large scale raids up to and including relic takes but that is not really my style. I prefer small unit actions.

  2. Have you had any formal leadership training in RL? (e.g., military, leadership seminars, etc.)

    Management training is about the only real leadership training I have had in real life. Even currently I supervise a small number of folks in both my RL jobs. In the past I have been the General Manager for a VR entertainment place as well.

  3. What background has helped you become the leader you are now? it>(e.g., raising kids, just plain leading raids in DAoC, having been a business leader, etc.)

    Management for the most part has helped me to have people handling skills. In addition, I believe that my time working in the Medical field helps give me some empathy towards others and a insight that helps get folks moving in the right direction dispite themselves.

  4. What background/experience (in and out of game) has helped you with the *tactics and strategies* of RvR?

    This one is hard to pinpoint, for myself I think it has mostly come from alot of getting my head kicked in by the other guys. After awhile you learn or you just keep on losing. I do not like to lose to the same enemy strategy more then once, because of this I try to find ways to overcome whatever they throw my way. What has been the biggest help thou has been out of game at a weekly player meet we have been doing for some time here in San Diego. Always helps to have others to bounce ideas off.

  5. What is your approximate age? (20-24, 25-29; or 20-29, 30-39, etc.)

    <cough> 30-39, lets leave it at that ;)

  6. Do you have or have you had your own family? (i.e., live(d) in your own household (not your parents') with at least one other person)

    I currently live in my own house with no one else, havent had the need for a roommate in some time and no permanent attachment to anyone as of now.

  7. What are your goal(s) and motivation(s) as a leader? (e.g., to win? to make sure everyone has a good time? RPs? fame & fortune?)

    I play for alot of reasons, I personally want to have fun, that is why I play, to enjoy my time online, if others can have fun while I have fun even better. I find that sometimes to make things more fun someone has to take charge, at those times is when I lead.

  8. What are the most important traits of a good leader, and what, in your opinion, distinguishes a good leader from a *bad* leader?

    Patience, Patience, Patience... did I mention Patience? After that you really need to make sure you acknowledge people, folks want to feel like what they say matters. Even if its just "Hi, where are Mids at?" folks want to feel like they matter and answering these simple questions goes along way for alot of folks. Bad leaders ... well they blame everyone but themselves for things going wrong, sometimes bad things happen, best to just go "ah well, we did fine folks next time we get em, just need to do a few things diffrent", rather then to yell at folks cause they made some mistake.

  9. What should an aspiring leader always keep in mind? What mistakes should he/she avoid? (Multple answers ok)

    New leaders should avoid trying to MAKE others do what they want, inevitably that is doomed to failure, you can not make anyone do something they do not want to do. However, folks WILL follow directed leadership that has a good chance at success. The best bet to accomplish this is to keep things simple, set rally points, state clear objectives so everyone knows what your long term as well as short term plans on. Make everyone feel like they are a part of the process of accomplishing goals. Make sure if you need help, let folks know by personal tells, nothing beats person to person communication. If you need someone and give them a good reason and something that is fun to do, most folks WILL help out. This mainly applies to the dedicated gank groups, they are a tool that sometimes leaders will forget, they are a tremendous asset for intercepting enemies, and screening a main force. Try not to alienate any of the resources at hand, everyone in Midgard is on the same team and generally wants the realm to do well. One last thing, not everyone wants to be in the horde, this is fine. Find out what the solo's are up to, generally they can do alot of damage if given suggestions.

  10. What, in your opinion, makes a good follower?

    A good follower is someone that is paying attention to what is going on around him and can communicate any major changes around him. This to me is one of the most important things. Almost anyone can learn to play there character well, it takes alot more to be attentive and be able to respond as things change, especially when things change fast in a BG. How many times have we had failed charges due to folks not paying attention to the call to rally up for it? Seeing a call to do something and responding quickly is very important, if you are unable to respond then communicating why is just as important as the leader may not know half your group is mezzed.

  11. Do you have a leader role-model, or someone whose style you emulate in whole or part?

    Rolemodel? That is a tough one for me. I have stolen many good aspects from alot of people over the years from many games and from real life. I am more of a conglomeration of many diffrent leadership styles that I have made into my own.

  12. Who do you think are other good leaders (in game/out of game)?

    For in game, currently I love following Galroth, he makes it so I can be lazy starting at 2am :P, out of game I have alot of folks from mostly WWII I think where great leaders.

  13. Any more comments on your own style of leadership (and/or "followship")?

    My style is more of a sit back and make sure the things that need to get done get done. Be that as a follower or as a leader, making sure that we can accomplish whatever goals we have set out for that night, be it making Midgard blue, getting a relic, or just prying out a enemy from one tower.

  14. Bonus question: Some of you role-play while leading. Any comments on the role of roleplaying with leadership?

    Roleplaying is almost impossible to do while leading. It is very hard to stay in character while trying to direct folks. Anyone that can has my hats off to em. I do believe that Roleplaying makes for a better overall gaming experience aka fun, so anyone that can do it while leading should be praised.

  15. Do you think leadership in DAoC has had positive (or even negative) effects in you and your Real Life? If so, in what way?

    For me this may not really apply, everything I do inside DAOC is for entertainment. I play DAOC to have fun, this is my quiet time. As someone once said to me, a bad day of RVR is better then any good day at work.

  16. If you have alts that take up leadership, do you find that followers treat you differently when they don't know it's "you"?

    I personally have a few alts but for the most part I stick with my one main character, the only alt that ever sees the light of day on occasion is my Hunter but he is mainly reserved for Darkness Falls or running with real life friends with stealther characters.

DAoC Leadership Resources