Behind the Banner is a series that shines a light on Albion's many diverse guilds, from fierce PvP warbands to tight-knit social communities. Each episode delves into the identity, playstyle, and goals of a different guild, offering a glimpse into what life is really like behind the banner.
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- Guild Name: CompletelyStrange or “COM”
- Alliance: Leaders of [WhyU] Why Are U Running
- Guild Leader: JustMeWhyNot
- Date Founded: December 3, 2021
- Size: 256 (active) / 285 (total)
- Primary Language: English
- Server: Albion Americas
- Discord: discord.com/N8gUBmfS9
Tell us about your guild.
CompletelyStrange was originally a small group of friends who were in it purely for the fun, without caring much for endgame content. We’d rather focus on helping each other and newer players.
That’s still our main focus, even though our numbers and the content we do have changed quite a bit by now. Our name still fits us – we’re completely strange. Some of our ideas may sound ridiculous at first, but you might be surprised when they actually work.
A good example is our beloved “Pike Gang.” Born out of a joke, it’s just a group of members in the cheapest T4 gear – and of course… pikes! It may not sound great in theory (and it still isn’t on closer inspection), but the Pike Gang has made millions in PvP and even managed to capture Black Zone Outposts. It’s not the most efficient way, but it’s basically no risk and a whole lot of fun.
Why did you choose this name? Is there a story or meaning behind it?
The name represents how we always approached things – not necessarily conforming to the “norm” and not always doing things the same way others do.
What sort of activities do you focus on?
We follow a simple principle. As long as our members are willing to put effort into something, we can do it:
- If they want to join certain content, they can ping content-specific roles in our Discord
- If enough members are interested, the guild supports events with gear and/or Silver
- COM combines players from all Albion playstyles, so there's a wide range of content to choose from
In parallel to member-hosted content, we have Mentors, members who’ve proven trustworthy, helpful, and knowledgeable. They’re asked to take on that role as the main pillar of scheduled content. They consistently put in a lot of time and effort, and they are the glue of our community.
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What sort of members are you looking for?
We welcome anyone who wants to learn, teach, or just enjoy a good time with laid-back players who aren’t too into the ultra-sweaty side of things. We expect everyone to treat each other with respect and behave in a civilized manner. Apart from that, anything goes.
Where is your guild primarily located?
Our Hideout is in the Roads of Avalon. Right now, we share our Road with six lovely allied guilds and their HQs. Everyone in the alliance has full access to our Hideout, it’s a central place to team up, trade, duel, refine, and craft. We chose the Roads because most of our members prefer small-scale PvP over ZvZ. Plus, the Roads are always changing, with new areas, new resources, and new adventures every few hours.
Do you have any rivalries or ongoing quarrels with other guilds?
We try to avoid in-game politics or personal vendettas. We focus on internal growth and building a positive environment. That applies in our Hideout region as well. But there’s one moment that stands out: when CompletelyStrange and MANDRAGORA became allies, after being hostile neighbors in the Roads for a long time.
What does your guild do for fun?
We run all sorts of events, tournaments, and workshops. Donkey races through lethal zones, weekly activity rewards, PvP and economy workshops, group game nights, picture contests, and just casual voice chats. There’s always something going on.
What is your guild's approach to the game? Do you have any core values or beliefs that guide how you play together?
Patience, especially when things go wrong. That’s probably our most important value. We all started somewhere, and no one knows everything. We share knowledge through member-written guides and in person, and we celebrate when members succeed using that knowledge. Even then, mistakes are normal. We all make lots of them along the way. What matters is getting back up by working together. One of our members summed it up best: “CompletelyStrange” Characters Welcome!
What are some of your most memorable battles or activities?
Honestly, it’s usually the goofy, mostly “useless” activities that are the most memorable. We’ve collected a lot of those situations over time. For example, we decorated our entire Hideout floor with our shiny corpses:
What are your goals for the future?
This season, we’re in the process of purchasing or associating city stations, ideally one in each city, based on local bonuses. That’ll help support members’ passive economies. Next season, we plan to finish setting up all our guild islands. But COM doesn’t tax members – if they want to contribute, they can donate resources for upgrades. It’s fully voluntary. Teamwork makes the dream work!
What is your ultimate goal in Albion?
Our core goal is to help, teach, fame, and train members. That effort restarts with every new player who joins. Some will stay. Some will move on to Black Zone guilds. Either way, we want them to succeed, and if things turn out differently than they expected, they’re always welcome to come back.
Anything else to share about your guild?
I would like to express how incredibly proud I am of all our members, allies, and friends who have supported us through times of success, doubt, and everything in between. COM wouldn't exist without you, and I'm grateful our paths crossed. This is especially true for our lovely Mentors: TJSOLI, MasterPantheon, Daucina, RubberDuckie, OneTap25, Samasamasama, and Slywynn – they alone make up half of COM’s heart and soul.
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