This is a fantastic post by one of our new contributors "Geoponic" on how what it means to participate in an alliance. We hope you enjoy!

Making It In Your Alliance

"Impressing your peers is something almost everyone strives to do,  even if they don't know it. We like to show off, contribute and make our mark on the world. The online world is no different and the gaming world is definitely no different. Minus the few solo players on GOW, we're all apart of an alliance. And it's your job to contribute what you can to your alliance.

Alliance Goals

Each alliance has it's own goal. Whether yours is squashing enemies at all cost, defending your brethren, or having the sole goal to build build build, we all need an alliance that suits our playing style. If you're into pillage and plundering, you don't want an alliance that is about defending and building. You'll be detrimental to their goal! And you won't make any friends. Likewise, if your alliance is about smashing and crashing you don't want to have a handful of troops and a permanent peace shield, not contributing to rallies and wars.

So here are my tips for making it in your alliance, having a name for yourself, and how to be not only a productive member but a much needed one too. Now, I won't be telling you how to best be a fighter, or a strategist, or  a builder. There other posts here already and upcoming to assist you with that. And by reading this post, I'm going to assume that you already having your preferred style of play already.

Be Active

All alliances want you to be active. Not only does it make the game more fun, having someone to chat to, but it means you take the game seriously and that you'll be around if needed. Logging on once a week, won't cut it for most alliances and if they are okay with that, they certainly won't know you by name and any help you do give won't be noticed. You need to be online daily, the more the better. Even if you're SH20 and are waiting days at a time for stuff to end. You can always be lending a hand sharing RSS and if not, tips and advice for your new alliance members. This goes for all types of alliances.

Beware of Your Alliance Profile page

You also need to take note of you alliance's page:

Each alliance has their own profile. And on it they will most likely contain what you need to do to join and detail what sort of alliance you're joining. Here you need a minimum of 150k power, it's common to have a minimum power, it gets rid of people who have only just joined and may not stick around. (Don't worry though there are plenty of alliances who accept new players). And there'll also be alliances who only accept 1mil+ or a certain SH level. Either way there's an alliance out there that suits you.

No Empire Name

No Empire names is very common, an empire name is your bog standard computer generated player ID when you first join. Alliances want rid of them because a) it shows you're bothered about the game and b) it helps identify who needs help and who's active!

Try to Be Social

Willing to chat is fairly common, but not massively. Even if it's not a requirement I say be an active chatter. It helps people get to know you, you're more likely to be helped with RSS and taken more seriously when you have an issue.

Join Fights

If you're in an alliance of fighters, but you're still on tier 1 troops and are one of the lower powered people in the alliance, you can still be a massive help. Whether it's joining a rally (you almost definitely won't get your troops back, but you'll make your alliances attack more successful!) or sharing as much RSS's and speed ups to help the heavy hitters train their troops! Just ask your higher ranked comrades what their plan of attack is and how you can help. They may even tell you to concentrate on building your power, which is fine.

Share Your Resources

For defensive/power building alliances, these are alliances that either get their sense of accomplishment from growing in power, but not necessarily exerting it on others or that are growing to eventually be able to stand up to other fighting alliances. You'll most likely be spending your time, building, sharing RSS and rallying to save your troops. Now it's tempting to hoard you RSS, but if you've still got plenty and you've maxed your queues there's no point in keeping them! If you don't have a bank send them to a shielded player to keep safe or better yet, ask if someone needs them. Getting rid of resources is actually a good thing. I'm constantly struggling to chuck my silver as it makes me a target. People won't bother attacking you you're rallied and have no RSS! But if your stocked on silver and food, you can bet you'll be prowled on.

Again. Be Active.

The most important thing that I can't stress enough is to be active. People will remember you, if you're generous people will be generous to you. It shows you're committed and loyal to your alliances cause. You'll raise through the ranks and will more likely be protected with help from your friends when the kingdom event comes around. If you're the heavy hitter of your alliance, protect them! Share RSS and chat!

Having an alliance of newly formed friends makes the game much more fun. And makes the waiting for things to build and train bearable."

Contributed by Geoponic

P.S. I have an "Events" page coming soon that will analyze every single event and tell you whether you should do it or not. It's going to be awesome!! It will be written by our newest contributor "Taranis" and probably a few special guests as well.