Greetings all,

I had submitted my application in the recruiting forum a few days ago and then later read the thread topic "Welcome!" in this forum.  I don't think I'd find VO much fun if all I did was spend all my free time working my butt off just to pay most of my credits to the guild every month, and that while paying $10 a month to the game creators.  I already have to watch a good portion of my RL paycheck disappear in the real world - it's called taxes.  I looked around the forums to see what the dues are for, but was unsuccessful.  I'm guessing 250k a month may not be much for veteran players who have some sweet trade routes, but to me right now it is a lot. 

I'm sure I just don't understand how the dues benefit everyone.  What are these dues for and how do they help the guild as a whole?  I know guild banks can be worthwhile in some games (as long as they don't bankrupt new members).

Thank you for your enlightenment.  :-)

-Custos

The credits are for 1) TGFT sponsored events such as Nation War or partially sponsored events like the Deneb Run and 2) hopefully guild related future expenses such as purchasing capital ships or building stations down the road.   I'll add a personal 3rd which is giving back to the guild for what it has given me.

Even with the broken trade system, it is still possible, though much more difficult to make the 250k in a trade or two.  Or just run an escort mission or 3.  Regardless, once you can get access to a behemoth or Behemoth XC, credits are fairly easy to come by.  Albeit briefly.

Hello Custos,

I am the newest member of TGFT and have been playing VO since October 2008. I reacted as you did when I first saw the 250K figure. As I leveled up, it didn't take me long to realize that, for even a modestly advanced player, this is pocket change. A big improvement in your income potential occurs when you reach combat 3 and are able to run escort missions. I agree with Fluffy that the advantages of guild membership, on a variety of levels, far outweigh the cost of dues.

There are all sorts of reasons why TGFT membership might or might not be a good deal for you. But I would not count the dues among them, on either side of the ledger.

Best wishes, and happy trading and mining,
--tsreknor

I found out that some Itani escort missions payed around 400k :)

Yep, I got one of those. -- tsreknor

Thank you all for your replies.  I'm glad the sticker shock is just that and really isn't a big deal.  Also, as long as it does go to help the guild and everyone can benefit from it, I'm for it. 

About those escort missions...  I am 4/4/4/5/5, but I have been afraid of the escort missions as I am not the good at combat.  I guess I should try one out and see how it goes.

Thanks again!

See you in the space lanes!

-Custos

Heh, don't fear combat in escorts... in fact, you can use the convoy like sheep across a minefield. Keep an eye on the group list, and let them jump first... if they don't make it to the wormhole or station and get caught in a storm, then you can shift-click a course round the storm. Yes, I have no honour, but I usually only do this when escorting in a Behemoth ;-)

P.S. There are no storms in any of the starting systems, i.e. Dau, Arta, Divinia, Itan, Eo, Sol and Pyronis, so these are pretty safe for escorting.

Good info!  Thanks, John!

-Custos

With the recent update, its actually easier to see how much items you buy sell at which station. Coupled with an XC Behemoth, I found it is quite easy to get to 250k :)

Yep, I just got an XC this last weekend.  It's nice.  :)