There's been some pretty big clan shake-ups in the past few months as people are vying to become more competitive and shake up things to break some long running deadlocks...
But the flip side is that there are other clans who have endured these changes and still remain strong.
Checking back through the Clan War archives, clans have come and clans have gone, a lot just due to natural attrition. But there is one that stands out from the very start, present even at the very first Beta Clan war.
I'm talking of course about the Northwind Highlanders, and I have the privilege of speaking to Deborah Roaché-Hudak, long standing member and recently retired clan leader.
GG: NWHL have been around so long they are pretty much just part of the landscape. How have you guys managed to stay together for all this time?
DRH: I was not around for the first CWs but did see the tail end of the Beta play. Our founding Commander, Richard McKenna, had given over leadership to Thodoris Liolios already when I joined The Brotherhood. There was always a good core group of daily players, still is. That makes it easier to stick around for any game, when you're lucky enough to find good players you end up calling friends and brothers.
GG: So you did actually fight in the Beta wars?
DRH: I remember the Beta being in the MG logo when I began, I wasn't in the first few CWs because I hadn't joined any clan at that point, I assume it was still Beta when I was in my first Wars but to be honest I'm not positive. So many wars ago, I knew so little when I first started...
GG: So can you recall which was your first one?
DRH: I joined 1st Kearney Highlanders but was there only a few weeks and moved up to be in my first Wars with Black Watch. Tracy Wilson was the Clan Leader and we took Silver. It was the 4th CWs. for MG and my first.
I started about 6 months later than those who joined when it first began
GG: I saw that on your medal list but didn't want to take it as gospel... I'd heard that medals weren't always there, especially for the early ones.
Most of us are used to you being the highest ranking player in the game, but can you recall back then what level you were fighting at?
DRH: I believe I was around level 45 for my first Clan Wars. The top level players were in their 60s and 70s.
GG: Yeah, that's a bit of a step change from nowadays..
What sort of mech lineup did you have?
DRH: It would be called a rainbow nowadays.
GG: Can you recall what your biggest mech was?
DRH: Not really sure but I do recall being told to buy enough Ogguns to field a fleet of them. We didn't have equipment back then.GG: OK, that bit about the equipment leads on nicely to the next question..
So what was your first war like? Obviously there weren't any specialists, but were there any other differences, either in the format or the way people played?
DRH: Yes there were but as I mentioned, I didn't know much when I first started. Things like bringing in level 1s to lower a clans average was common but I didn't pay much attention to how the other clans were formed since I wasn't a leader at the time, just a player trying to not disgrace my clan.
The number of crew needed has slowly grown over the years, plus we now have the Super Wars, Faction Wars - forcing clans to join together in groups of similar levels preferably. We also had an unlimited honor guard back then. All the really high levels had a major advantage with additional dodge and damage added to their battles which was limited to 50 after much debate and polling on the MG Player's Page.
GG: So you must have faced a whole heap of individual clans over the years. Can you name a few of the notables and why they stand out in your mind?
DRH: The first clan I joined no longer exists, given the name, Nova in a Can, it would be expected to not last I suspect. I could have been with them for CW3 but refused to accept the invite until after wars ended. I had other aspirations and moved before the next wars started.I knew my name would be on the leader board, I was a daily player. Wanted a clan name to recognize
I shot up like a nova so it was appropriate.
GG: Yeah, I recall you being up there daily... I got recognised by the Heroes on the one day I got you off top spot... only time ever.
DRH: Congratulations! Sorry it's so late.
GG: Only 1 year, 11 months and 23 days, but whose counting...
DRH: Not you obviously, but as I was saying...
I was approached by a few clans when I was climbing. spoke with a half dozen different clan leaders before settling on NiaC. Although I might have accepted the invite to MurderBots (the original ones, not the current AFF affiliates), when I was turned down for the same reason (being too small level) it struck me wrong the way I was challenged regarding my level
Al Smith was maybe three times my level, if not more. Probably was around Level 25ish myself and he may have been 80 or more.
He asked me if I had any plans to level up fast and be where he was any time soon. I had plans bigger than that but choose to not speak with anyone regarding them, actions speak truth and those who could see would, any who wouldn't listen probably couldn't see so it all panned out in the end.
GG: Um, with hindsight that's got to go down as one of the worst judgement calls we've had in game.
DRH: Al already knows what I just said, told him before he quit. He laughed and told me I should have just said something. He would have taken me in if he knew I was gonna fly as I have. I doubt he'd mind me telling you that.
GG: Fair enough. We have however got a bit sidetracked. Notable clans and why they stand out?
DRH: I was too little to join Northwind Higlanders so I choose a Clan Leader I was comfortable speaking with. MurderBots and CyberStorm were the top in D1 when I started. Dark Angels kept trying to recruit me so they stand out. Black Watch was the first Brotherhood clan so they come to mind of course. The 'other' Highlanders are still around, despite Ted trying for over a year to get our name exclusive, it was not to be. The Isle of Misfit Toys were D3 back then, they still are. That stands out in my mind. Probably could name a dozen more clans but those popped into my mind first.
GG: So how long did it take you to work your way into the NWHL, and at what stage did you take over as leader?
DRH: I spent less than a month in NiaC, then about the same amount of time in 1KH before moving up to BW for the first CWs. Maybe another month or two and I was in NWHLs. After about 6 months of play I was asked to join the Triumvirate. Our leadership always relied on three people for major decision making. I also began recruiting from an alt made specifically to be leader of our new clan for those new players joining.
I was playing for maybe a year before I first was given leadership of NWHLs, Ted was going on holiday for a few weeks and asked me to hold down the fort. We had just finished a war I believe, so he expected things to be quiet.
GG: Can you recall if any of the original memebers are still with you?
DRH: Yes. Thane Dawson plays and was one who helped from BW. Dennis Long was already a member when I joined, not sure if he's an original founding member-same for David Campbell- but many of them have retired, he's still playing. Norman Hyslop has played as long as I can remember, still with us. Darth Zed was quitting as I joined but has returned to game and very active for months now. Lonnie Slayton has been around a long time. Andy Conover and Arthur Bruce were more active when I joined perhaps but they still help out for CWs. Hope I haven't forgotten any.
There are others who have played for years, some may have been with the original crew but are in other clans now, not really sure.
GG: I'm sure they'll forgive you if you missed any
OK, last question..
I guess since one of the things we are brushing on is clan longevity, any words of wisdom for leaders or players in order to keep things together?
DRH: Most of us need a reason to keep playing, the player base is what holds together any game, along with financial support, in my opinion. If you want to have your crew survive, bonds need to be made. I have talked about much more than the game with my crew, they are friends I turn to. There is no way I would have stayed this long without them. It's been hard watching some leave but it's the ones who've stayed that have made the difference.
If you want longevity, you must be willing to offer it yourself, first. Then you look for people with like minded goals.
When you have a solid core group of friends working together, you can pull through the toughest of times. Probably good advice for real life as well.
GG: Certainly sounds good
Hey, thanks for your time Debs...
DRH: You're welcome and thank you for taking the time to document some history. It's been bittersweet to walk down memory lane. I won't be in the upcoming CWs, I've gone into CW retirement although I'll be around for battles, KotMs and some Circuits. The three thousand pieces of equipment and weapons to outfit 35 mechas times a couple dozen specialists fields has become daunting and I'm tired. I hope all the player base continues to enjoy MG for years to come.
Submitted by David McCallum #701548