spike010 said:

After thinking a bit, I've decided I am just simply not active enough to be a Ranger. I might try for Artist once I improve my building skill.

Click to expand...

This thread was still useful to me and (probably) to the other ranger wannabes out there, it's very helpful to know what is needed in order to be a great ranger.

Also, from my perspective, there is nothing wrong with being a commoner. While everyone, myself included, wants more power and more respect from their peers, MCME ranks exist for specific purposes; if you love helping people out, ranger gives you better tools to do that, and gives you some responsibility for new droogs.

Artist, which is the other 'path' is for those that have clearly proven that they can build with limited supervision. At that point, the staff ranks continue in the same skill base, but provide more tools.
But, the reason that 99% of people join this server, to help build ME, is possible as a thrall. While it is nice to know how the server defines a role, based on the amount of applicants, there are too many people who just want to get the best rank they can. Nearly everything a ranger can do, (they get /tp and /time, woot), you can do for a commoner, I mean, just walk around with some new thralls and talk about the server in TS and you have yourself a tour. The only purpose of the rank is just to let newer members know who they can go for information.

If MCME wanted to have a progression where older, more experienced members moved up would have significantly more ranks and paths. (To an extent a few more wouldn't be amiss). Instead, they fit very essential, but basic roles.

yodog_117 said:

This thread was still useful to me and (probably) to the other ranger wannabes out there, it's very helpful to know what is needed in order to be a great ranger.

Click to expand...

Yeah, after going through the excellent responses out in by the current rangers, i'm thinking about re-doing my application (if you can).

Most posts you have the ability to edit. So you can easily go back and edit your application. If not you can also ask bounders to do so. This also applies to if you want your thread removed, asking a bounder to remove it gives us a good idea as to who still wants to be considered ranger.

However this thread has definitely been an interesting one, in regards for tours, yes we completely allow people to tour each other, it's completely fine, we just hope that we don't get any incorrect information floating about. As rangers we also help with communication between ranks as well as assisting with new players generally outside of tours.

If you guys still have any questions though to ask about the rank, feel free to continue to use this forum or private message one of us, at least personally, I'll gladly answer any queries.

spike010 said:

I just need to get over my shyness. I'm not entirely sure what to do....

Click to expand...

You have a bit of a catch 22 situation going on there, being too shy to join ts because you don't know anyone will keep it that way. Best thing you could do is get on TS anyway, you don't necessarily have to talk, just listen in and get to know some people. When I first joined I hardly talked on TS, until I got to know some people.

spike010 said:

Click to expand...

Sure, and if someone said pick ranger or artist, I would definitely choose ranger as I am not that much of a builder and am relatively active on TS and the like. And if I had more experience with the server I might consider applying, I still feel that people are trying just to get as high as they can. While it is great to strive to be more sociable, that shouldn't be just so you can get the Ranger rank. MCME is one of the best communities I have been in, and participating and communicating with these people should be enough of an incentive to go and talk. In your case, you have seen that you are missing two relatively important aspects of being a ranger, and while you could work to get this to happen, to apply before these two are in place seems premature and exemplifies the rush for higher ranks. We have about two times the amount of ranger applicants then rangers, and generally applicants are accepted when a ranger steps down or moves up. Given that some of these people are never on TS, and the only reason they applied for ranger is that they are not good builders somewhat irks me.

spike010 said:

I understand your view perfectly but I love this server (I mean it, I love this server) and desire to be helpful and significant on the server; there is not much a commoner can do. I have trouble staying at the bottom of the pack. I do not have sufficient building skills for Artist and like to help people, so I was going to try for Ranger. After thinking a bit, I realised I am not nearly active enough to be suitable for this rank. Another thing against me is my shyness and reluctance on Teamspeak. I feel young, as almost everyone there are older than me, by a few years. I also don't know anyone, except for @Dargona1018, who isn't on their often. I would still like to get to know people here, I just need to get over my shyness. I'm not entirely sure what to do....

Click to expand...

In response to Lem, when he got KAG, I was trying to start conversations and teach him about the game through Steam Voice Chat, trying to see if he can overcome a bit of the shyness. Even though both of us didn't talk much, I know that he has it in him, somewhere, to be able to talk and hang out with others.

I can totally understand him being shy since I have only been on TS about, umm, 3 times? Spoke once?

But I agree with @MaDIIReD with him saying that the only way to overcome it is to hop right in.
I could probably hop on one time, and we can all say "Hi" and welcome you into the TS Family, I guess.
It gets more comfortable over time.

Integral to the Ranger role is to assist players / users across the MCME network so Being active in game is just small component of Ranger. There's also the Forums (ie help section) where rangers can offer their assistance.

A public ranger manual may provide insight to this. Hopefully this can be organised in the future but in the meantime just take the.opportunity to sit in on running tours, ask the Ranger questions and brush up on your server/lore knowledge as much as you can

spike010 said:

Yes, I am reusing this thread.
I have been rethinking my chance at Ranger. Before I force myself to get onto TS, I need to know a few things;

• I am usually on a few times on the weekend (unfortunately, I can not access MC often) and typically spend 4hrs a day. Would that be considered too much inactivity for a Ranger?
• Could you implement some sort of thing in which Rangers could teach Ranger applicants like myself how to host a tour, etc. and be able to assist the tours (that was worded badly )

Click to expand...

Seeing how I'm a new Ranger, obviously I have been seen as having the attributes, so I'll just tell you what I do:

I'm usually on from 4-11:30 PM American East Coast time during the weekdays, and on the weekends, it's usually near all day. I use TeamSpeak during all of that time, and I always talk during the week, but sometimes during the weekend. Also during this entire time, I am directing new players to the Official Resourcepacks, the New Player Guide, or the Minas Tirith Houses Freebuild Guide (people always ask about how they can build ). My view on Ranger is that Ranger is a very critical rank in the community, though it seems to just be a trusted helpful player. You are literally representing the entire MCME community with your actions and words, so it's best to think about what you say or do, and I always have this in my mind when I gleefully welcome new players and teach them the ropes. I feel honored to have been promoted, and I portray that by doing my best to be the best Ranger I could be!

Looking at your post, I can't help it notice a bit of insecurity about things. I thought I'd help with some advice.

First the teamspeak thing: most are insecure to talk to strangers and are more comfortable among people they know. There is one fundamental problem with that though, because how are you gonna know people if you're struggling with the incomfortable start? This isn't an insult but more a statement to think about. So inevitably everyone (not only yourself) struggles with that social barrier. However teamspeak on mcme isn't the same as real life or other community chats. Where real life or the internet can be very hostile, mcme is not. It's a mix of different ages, nationalities and people that all have the same intention: to have fun and play. This makes it very friendly and open for anyone, from that weird french kid that barely speaks english to that old dude who still plays games. If we encounter hostile people, they usually get banned after a while. There is a reason we got nominated for best community at the dragon thingy awards (not good with names). Now all you need is an oppertunity to interact. This could be by joining one of the jobs on ts or just asking to join one of the games we play. O and don't hesitate to bother ranger for tours! Most tours are about integration instead of lore.
If you still are hesitant you can always use chat to talk and just listen on ts to others. It may let you feel more comfortable.

Secondly the ranger thing.
I think explaining how many around here got ranger might give you an insight to what we need from rangers. Rangers are the people who try to lower the entry level for new players. How they do it depends from person to person. Some know a lot of lore and server stuff so when they organise a tour, they get to show people around so they get to know mcme. Hidden parts of the map, locations where stuff happened or what something represents. Through their knowledge the mystery unveils for newbies.
Others might be better at socialising. Those are frequently on ts, talking, laughing and organising games or tours. I remember tf2 fridays or left for dead weekends with some of the exrangers. In the same line, some might organise skin weeks or try to make a cool video about mcme. They are those guys you like in your channel.
Another sort are the dinosaurs. They have been there for a long time and continue to tribute in any way they can. They are those who know what to do on a job before the foreman even started it and who are always helping new kids to handle the ropes when making a road. They aren't that talkative but they can answer questions in chat the fastest and will always see when a question has been asked.

What they all have in common is their ability to help and see what a person would need. They all interact with anyone and are always eager to learn about things whether it is how something is done or how it works. They have a motivation to do stuff and keep doing it. You don't need to ask them for something, they already propose to jump in.

It's not so that these thing are something you have or don't have, they are things you learn as you go along. That's why ts is so helpful cause it speeds up the process and you get some very good friends in the end.

Helpful?

An illegitimate summary of the attributes and mindset of a Ranger
- Overall courtesy and kindness - Everyone on MCME should be considered as a friend because though you may be very far away and have different customs, you are all united under the Tolkien flag, so you shouldn't be afraid to talk to us, because we're just here to have fun. You should also not be afraid to help others in need.
- Activity throughout the utilities of MCME - You should be active on the server, TeamSpeak, and the forums. As stated in my above post, I am very active, but what I didn't mention is that even while I am at school, I am always checking the forums, so you can easily contact me here if you need assistance.
- Responsibility - You are responsible for staying active on all of the utilities, and acting respectfully and responsibly on them. If you are going to go inactive, you should mention it, or else you may be demoted for a more active individual.
- Coordination (thanks Tryfor ) - Always remember you're part of the Region and there are other Rangers who will gladly help you with your problems. If you're not particularly knowledgeable in an area, perhaps another Ranger can assist you. Once a Ranger, always a Ranger.

P.S. Thought of this off the top of my head, there may be some things I missed or messed up.

Yea the biggest part about any role on the server is remember your part of a team. For rangers you don't need to know everything. You might only know Rohan or Moria well that's fine. Do what you know best immerse people into those areas and let other rangers handle other areas and learn from them. Not everyone's an expert on everything middle earth. Also remember your representing mcme so trash talking or cursing at a new player doesn't cut it. You want to be able to handle situations maturely.

Well, how I like your contributions to the forums, you do have to be on the game to get a rank. How would someone do his tasks as a ranger if he's not on the actual place where everything takes place?
Sorry to burst the bathtub bubble but it's a simple fact.