Just about ready to crawl out of my shell (figuratively) and had some questions that weren't answered by the library or a full-on search here.
I've seen it suggested several times here that new players look to get into a clan academy. I understand what an academy is (essentially, like a farm team or lower level division of the main clan, correct?) but some things escape me. Like, I can see how a low level player would benefit from having access to clan resources (member knowledge via clan/alliance chat and the like) but how do academy members benefit the clan? Seems kinda one-sided to me. I saw it mentioned that the clan gets points of some kind but is it just like a 'more people, more points' policy encouraging open recruiting (i.e. "cattle calls")? I have a "thing" about contributing to any guild I'm in and I don't see how that's possible with the academy thing. But that may be because I know very little about it.
I ran into the Blacksmith in Gludio while doing my 1st class change quest and read up on the quest for Clan Oath armor and ran into a little snag. 922 D crystals for heavy armor? Did some checking in Giran and D crystals seem to be going for like 600ish on Lionna. Is the apprentice usually expected to provide the crystals or is it done on a case-by-case basis? I might have to wait a bit before applying to raise that kinda scratch. The links to the armor that I've seen don't indicate whether it's droppable or not (is there no drop/no trade gear in L2?). Could it be handed down as folks graduate to the big clan?
I guess my major concern is more with the first question than the second. How do I as a lowbie know-nothing contribute to a clan from the academy level?
The clan gets "Clan reputation" points from academy members that get to lvl 40 and finish their 2nd class change. With reputation points, the clan can get clan skills, some items(Apella set) and also higher lvls for the clan itself.
So, many high lvl, well established clans recruit academy members in order to get reputation points. Some of them dont have any plans of actually taking the new players into the main clan when they hit 40, so essentially they just farm rep points with new players.
Ofcourse, some clans also check their academy members for potential new main clan members. And well, it really depends on the clan if they will help you with equipment and leveling. Or if you have to get the Clan Oath armor all by yourself. As far as I know(and remember), you can trade the Clan Oath armor to other players, and they can use it as long as they're part of the Academy(or have been) and are in the same clan. So theoretically you could get a hand down Oath armor.
The main clan benifits when the academy member hits 40 and completes the 2nd class change quest - the clan received up to 400 reputation points. A clan needs rep points to upgrade - adding Knight Orders and clan skills for expample.
Thats how the clan beneifits. One of the benefits to the academy member is the opportunity to get clan oath armour as you point out. This armour is Top D and carries a set bonus. Even with the cost of D crystals at 600-700 the total prices is WAY below a comparable set of Brig or Elven Mithril for example.
That said, a good clan may cover the crystal costs, or pass on a set of clan oath (it is transferable but only academy members can equip it).
Ahhhh, now I see. That's where the 'Reputation Score' on the clan table (in the library) factors in. So a level 5 clan would need a fairly active Academy to generate the reputation required to get to clan level 6 (though I would imagine there are other ways to generate reputation points?). Seems like a pretty cool symbiotic relationship.
yeah the theory behind academies is pretty sound. the harsh reality is there aren't the number of new players to make academies (there are side issues also which I won't go into now) and so it is usually down to clan members rolling alts and putting them in the academy and level them to get points. and yes it takes alot of chrs to graduate to get rep points that are needed - ALOT.
don't let that put you off joining one though. It's a great opportunity to make friends and benefit from the experience of clan members.
Indeed, I have to agree with most that has been said here above.
And Mizrim pointed out a big factor about the reputation points. Yes there is another way of gaining the reputation points but they basically mean that the clan/alliance needs to have Heroes (so top level chars) and plenty of clan/Aliances aren't there yet or else kill some 70+ Raid bosses on a regular basis to obtain a quest item that will award you a % of rep points by the NPC Sir Rosewood of Aden town.
That last is not given to all clans/alliances either as not everyone is lucky to either have the numbers or the potential levels to do so. Hence why the academy has been the major source for Reputation points.
Of course for a new starter the academy gives all the resources stated here by the others and allows the recruite to get a feel of the clan he/she joined as an academic and still decide after it's graduation if it stays or not. In the end it's a win/win for both sides.