How Do I Get Started?
By Chad Merritt

It all depends on the type of league you’re interested in. For more information on various types of leagues, read previous entries in the “What Is FW?” area?

First, you’ve got to join. Most leagues are open for applications, while others may announce spots available as handlers leave or owners decide to add to their roster. By the time you make the decision to try and join, you should have done your homework. You need to look at various league webpages or message boards; read their cards and roleplay to get a feel for league. Make sure that the league’s operation matches what you’re looking for: if weekly cards are important to you, look at the card frequency; if storylines and character development are your top want, then make sure you read enough cards to get a feel for the history. The same holds true for all sorts of other league characteristics: it’s your job to make sure that if you want Poser images of your character created, that the league offers those; or if you’re interested in a league with a large staff, that the league has it.

Also, check out the characters. If a league already has three ‘dark and brooding’ characters, and the character you have in mind just happens to be the same, odds are likely that the staff isn’t going to be interested in adding another. If a league seems to be face-heavy, try to join with a heel. If there are 15 ‘extreme’ characters in the league, you might want to consider a more technical, less ‘flashy’ character. In many leagues, it’s all about creating a good balance, while having some unique characters with strong personalities and distinct characteristics.

Once you’ve done your research, find out how to join. Generally, leagues will have information posted on their site, explaining how to join or if spots are currently available. If you’re still unclear on how to join, either send an e-mail to a staff member, or post a note in the ‘out-of-roleplay’ section of the message board (if they have one). Also be sure to ask any questions you may have about the league’s operation in general. Remember, it is not the owner’s or staff’s responsibility to tailor the league to your wants… you can’t expect a league that’s been open three years or even three months to change everybody to suit you…no matter how good you think you may be.

If a league has a join form set up on their site… fill it out, even if you have a more extensive profile of your character written up already. Be sure to fill in all the blanks, and include a sample roleplay if necessary. Even if a league doesn’t specifically request a sample roleplay, you may consider e-mailing one to a staff member, along with any other pertinent information about the character you’d like to include. Don’t beg, don’t plead, but do stress the fact that you’ve been following the roleplay and the cards, and that you feel like you would fit well in the league.

If a league turns you down, don’t get too discouraged. Some ‘major’ leagues receive hundreds of applications in a given month and may only have one or two spots to fill. Otehrs may only be looking for ‘big names,’ (in which case they shouldn’t have ‘open’ applications in the first place) so it may have nothing to do with you and your character, but the ‘ego’ of the league. If a staff member writes you back, feel free to ask them why you didn’t get in. Do it politely and honestly; it may simply be that they filled the open spots, or that they felt the specific character you applied with just wasn’t the fit they were looking for. The league may even be looking for tag teams exclusively…. There are all sorts of reasons, most of which have less to do with your ability than with the league’s circumstances. By no means should you write a league owner and complain about why you didn’t get in… that’s the quickest way to make sure you’ll never get in…and the quickest way to become known as a ‘problem handler.’

If at first you don’t get accepted, try, try again. Continue looking at up-and-coming leagues and find out where you can fit in. There are always leagues starting up that need new blood and new characters. Not every league wants characters that are ‘names’ in other leagues…some want to start fresh and build their own history. Use search engines to look for leagues off the beaten path… if you didn’t make it into a specific league, check the links from that site to other leagues, some of which may be run by member of the original league. Use resource sites and their forums… look on designated ‘advertising’ boards, and even think about posting information about your character and what type of league you’re looking for on those boards…. owners are always on the lookout for good characters.

Once you get accepted, be ready to work. Don’t expect to get put in a major program against one of the league’s top characters right away. Most leagues are going to expect you to earn your stripes… and that can take weeks and months. Concentrate on being productive, even if you lose a match early in your league career that you feel you should have won. Fantasy wrestling is like anything else in life… it’s not always fair; but that doesn’t mean your time won’t come.

Most importantly, have fun. If you feel like you’re being taken advantage of, then leave with the minimum of hassle and find another league you’re interested in. Remember that half of the game is what you put into it.