SWG is a social game, but most new players do not understand why it is so difficult to get a group together. Understanding group dynamics will help how to create a group and lead it. When you form a group, you are the leader. Only you can add more members to the group. This is done using the radial dial.
As the leader, you need to understand a few basic functions of the group and the cons involving the wrong person for the group.
1) Extra xp. Everyone earns more xp when in a group, but each kill's xp is divided by the amount of damage each person does.
Con: A character that is much more powerful than the group will either not receive much xp (weaker opponents give less xp to powerful characters. Example, a Master Commando will earn a few xp while a novice marksman may earn hundreds.) or the powerful character will kill everything in one hit (with group attacks it can literally be one attack) leaving the rest of the group without any xp.
Solution: Advertise your experience level when beginning a group. It is much easier to get a group of similar powered characters when you announce your profession. To make it simple, you can announce a novice (or newbie) group (have not mastered their novice profession or are not a novice of an elite profession), intermediate group (have mastered their novice profession or have at least one box at the third level in their elite professions or 7 boxes in their profession), or an advanced group (have 8 or more boxes filled in their elite/hybrid profession). Sometimes the difference between the groups is entirely based on the equipment each character has. A master pistoleer with no armor isn't going to do as well as a novice pistoleer with the best armor, weapon, and has a medical buff. Just keep this all in mind.
2) Higher paid missions. When you take missions at a terminal, you will be offered higher paid missions which are stronger than a mission you would do alone. The more people in the group, the higher paid missions are offered to the members of the group.
Con: Everyone wants to do their mission. Everyone has to get missions. Everyone has questions. Payment is divided to each member. You have to be a GOOD leader.
Solution: You must take charge and tell each person what to do. Especially with newer players, you will be asked how to get a mission, which mission to take, etc. These questions slow the whole process down. The answer is everyone take any two of the highest paid missions from the mission terminal, the closet mission is the gold arrow so follow that arrow after everyone gets their two missions, everyone will need a vehicle so have it ready, on the left is the group names with an arrow where I am, follow me if you are not sure where the mission is, and lastly we will be using groupchat only from this point on so switch now.
Note: This is the most important reason why groups fail. No one likes a weak leader. Poor direction will cause people to leave the group. Do not be rude if someone leaves. Do not be rude if someone is a poor follower. Type commands in GroupChat, and watch out for everyone. Watch their health so they don't get killed. Watch if their buffs wear out. Repeat commands until followed. If someone dies under your command, it is up to you if that person was vital to the group. Either wait for them or make them hurry to catch up. The choice is yours.
3) Fun. It can be more fun chatting with others, having everyone help each other, and killing opponents faster (or at all depending how powerful the opponent is).
Con: Sometimes people are bad followers and some people are just rude.
Solution: After multiple attempts of getting them under control you must let them die, kick them from the group, or ask them to leave. Sometimes you have to get rid of a bad apple as not to spoil it for everyone else. If you have 12 people working with you and everyone has ranged weapons, the person who runs up to the opponent and begins combat may be ruining a coordinated first strike. He gets killed in the first minute of combat since the opponent only has him as a target. He is dead. He didn't have fun dying and now everyone else has to finish the opponent without his help.
Note: This means you have to be a good follower when you are in a group. Just because you know you abilities, you did want to be part of a team. Let the leader lead. If you have a better plan, offer it to the leader.
4) Loot. Each person in the team can gather material from creature if they are a scout. Only one person can loot items from an opponent. Cash is divided evenly to each member.
Con: Everyone wants the loot. One person keeps taking all the loot. Loot is not described when it is taken.
Solution: Add in your beginning command, I will loot all bodies and divide loot after all the missions are completed.
Note: Greed can destroy a group quickly. If you have a better solution, use it. You have been warned.
5) Training. You can train each other while in a group. This is can be done for free. This saves the time and cost of going to a trainer.
Note: You cannot train or be trained in a novice profession. You MUST receive that training from an NPC trainer.
Con: There really isn't any con from this unless someone refuses to train another person or tries to charge them. If bickering began earlier, this will only create another reason for two people to fight.
Solution: Let people train between combat rather than during. Take control of someone if they refuse to train another.
6) Combat. Many people enjoy this part of the game. All the above reasons are created.
Con: Death. Condition of items reduce (armor and weapons from use, other items if killed).
Solution: Have everyone insure their items and store their clone in the same location (I recommend doing this at the closest area to your mission). New players many not be able to afford the fees, and other players may be strong enough they don't have to worry. Just keep in mind if someone dies, you need to have a plan to meet up with them later. I recommend letting people know that plan right from the start.
