Realm Population on Gareth

Tuutob

From my short experience with DAoC in the past, I remember Gareth as the most populated server. I am thinking of which realm to join and jus want to know which one is the most populated. If anyone could answer this I'd be very happy.

Thanks!

JulianDracos

I believe Hib is the most populated, then Alb, and in last place as usual Mid.  

Elnator

You would be incorrect   I'm not sure which realm is most populated but last time we discussed this Kunou specifically said it wasn't Hibernia

Tuutob

Does this imbalance in realm population cause a major imbalance in RvR? Because I am planning to play Hibernia (Ranger).

JulianDracos

It can, but in reality there are other issues.  Even if one realm has the least population, if there are the ones out and the other realms are not, then they are going to win.  Just because one side has more population, it does not mean that those players are out more.  Nor does it mean they have good leaders.  Leadership is by far the most important aspect of RvR.  Large groups with bad leaders will die to a smaller group with good leaders. 

Then you need to take into account play styles.  If you are solo, which as a Ranger you might often be, then it won't really matter.  What you will notice is that on most servers, it is Hib versus Alb.  Mid often stays out of it because many of their players prefer 8 man groups.  This is not the way to win at RvR, but is a playstyle better suited for Guild Wars.  So you will see Mid groups go take towers, but will often stay away from keep sieges and relic raids.  At least on many servers.

I really would not worry about it.  One day I can be out and Hib is all there is and no one to kill, the next day it is just be versus many groups.  Sometimes it is just me.  It all really just depends. 

Elnator

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Originally posted by Tuutob
Does this imbalance in realm population cause a major imbalance in RvR? Because I am planning to play Hibernia (Ranger).

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Not really.  If you go to the herald website and look at the realm war status on the various servers and clusters you'll find that, overall, the realms are pretty balanced.  No realm holds a clear advantage across all servers.  In fact, the current 'winner' will change periodically as well which proves that no 1 realm is any more powerful than any other realm, even if they manage to get all the relics. 

Julian said it very well:  Just because a realm may or may not have a higher population means nothing.  What matters is:
1) How many people participate in RVR
2) How skilled they are in RVR
3) How good their leaders are.

Actually #3 is the most important factor   A classic example of #3 is that "back in the day" when Hibernia was generally considered 'nerfed' 'underpowered' 'forgotten' (talking back at release for those who don't remember) My unit moved from MPBT 3025 to DAOC because EA cancelled it on us.  When we arrived (a VERY PvP centric and highly organized Military style Unit) we basically took over the server.  We chose Hibernia for our realm and once we all hit 50 (Actually it started happening once we were in our 40's because we RVR'd from a very early level but because we always worked as a cohesive team, always used team speak and always always always followed our leaders we were more effective than most groups of 50's).  After that, Hibernia basically owned the server until most of us moved on to Shadowbane.  When that happened Midgard, who had excellent leaders as well, took over.  Some of us played both games for a while but being there only 'part time' we couldn't be very effective because our unit was diluted being spread across two games so we made a decision to leave DAOC altogether.  Then when that guild moved onto another game (I think they went to SWG but not sure) Alb had a strong guild step up and they became powerful for a while from what friends still on that server say...

So leadership and skill are the most important factors in RVR.  Always have been, always will be.  If you can't work as a team you will get oblitterated by the team that does.  Solo play in RVR is generally a bad idea   In the battlegrounds it's ok... but in "big boy" RVR.... bad mojo