FAQs: So the same question doesn't get repeatedly asked (I'll put stuff from forum posts, PMs, and chat)
Q: Will Guilds be forum-only, or will there be an in-game part to them too?
A: They will end up consisting of a combination of both forum-based events as well as PvP Events.
Q: Will this interfere with War?
A: Hopefully not (unless you're a Guildmaster, ofc), as this isn't scheduled to start until March. With this also being a milder event (which it can be due to being much longer than the others), we hope that War burnout won't affect the attendance too much.
Q: More info?
A: As this isn't coming out for a while, we didn't want to release it so early in advance, though the "full" release of Guilds and all they entail will happen mid-February. What more we could say is that this will include teams earning points based on winning (or scoring highly in, to be discussed) PvP Events and Forum-Based Competitions, as well as the Guildmasters having small tasks the each Guild can do in a period of time, most likely a week or 10 days (said tasks would be for points and not required).
Q: Does 12 guilds mean one for each element?
A: Yes, that is the plan, unless we get next to no participation, then we will lower it as needed.
Q: Do you have to join a Guild, and, if not, how will not being in a Guild effect you?
A: No, you do not have to be in a Guild. Also, not being in a Guild won't do too much to you, it could be considered as not participating in Brawl or War. Also, if you choose to not join a Guild, you can always change your mind and rejoin once Guilds take members again, which will happen roughly each month.
Q: How does joining a Guild help us?
A: Like all events (keep in mind, this is much more mild and will last much longer), this will give you experience in not only PvP-related things, but Competition-related things as well. Being in a Guild encourages you to be more active in the community, and it also will give you a chance to help out newer players, if they would choose to join a Guild.
Q: How are guilds going to function and stay stable over the long term given (presumably) similar membership sizes and activity levels [to War]?
A: There are a few ways that we have considered. The first of these would be to have some required events, where if you miss X of them, you will be replaced. Another could be that at the end of a certain period, people could be "evaluated" by fellow guild-members, and then voted off if considered too inactive (Guildmasters would watch this to make sure it isn't abused). Lastly, the Leader of the Guild could PM the Guildmasters explaining the situation, and then Guildmasters could watch their activity (both in Guilds and on the forums in general) to decide whether or not they should be replaced/removed.
Also, as I derpingly read your question, the size of Guilds completely depends on those who decide to participate. If we have less people, we could combine Guilds to make 6 or 4 total (two or three elements to a guild). I'd say the least we would want on each Guild if we had 12 would be 4 or 5 people plus the Leader, though, if it's on that borderline, we could fold Guilds in half so each would have more members. Hopefully, more people will participate, as, and I've said this quite a few times, Guilds are supposed to be much more mild than War/Brawl, and easier to join.
Q: How easy/difficult will it be to change Guilds? Is it left up to the Guildmaster, or has there been a defined process to do so if it allowed?
A: There will be a process that needs to happen (still in the works), but we know for sure that to join another Guild, you need to give your current Guild a three-day notice as well as remaining guildless for one week before being able to join another.
Q: Do I have to be a PVP'er to be in a guild?
A: Nonono, PvPing is one aspect of what happens in a Guild, but Forum-Based things, including but not limited to Card Creation, Competitions, and possibly Forum-Based Games also play a part. The goal of Guilds is to have something for everyone.
