Basic Party Information
In Villagers & Heroes players can form parties with up to 5 others (for a total of 6).
Being in a party grants the members a 10% bonus combat experience boost. This will apply so long as the members are within the same zone. Party members will show up as blue icons on the mini-map, and if they are too far to be seen on the mini-map, then arrows will be displayed in the outer region pointing in their general direction. If a player isn't within the same zone, hovering over their health bar will reveal their current location.
As party members take damage, their health bar will reflect this - so keep a close eye on the total health of your allies during confrontations. Parties also have access to an exclusive party channel. Upon leaving the party, access to this channel is lost.
When players are in a party, all enemies that they claim (hit first) will drop loot that is limited to the party members for a short period of time. Anyone from the party can claim this loot - and if it goes unclaimed for too long, it will become general loot, where even those outside of the party can pick it up.
Anyone in the party is able to invite others using the /invite command. For example: /invite King Leo
Players can leave a party by selecting themselves and booting themselves out.
Party Etiquette
Before getting into the details of party play, it is vital to understand the social dynamics that influence the efficiency of the overall group.
Stay Together
This is the most integral component of a successful party. Every member should attempt to keep an eye on their allies, and do a quick check every couple of minutes to ensure that everyone is keeping up. If you or another member are falling behind and missing credit on bounties, alert your team to please slow down. Likewise, if you are leading the group and notice a varying range of speeds, perhaps ask the faster players to use the /jog command so that everyone is running at the same pace. Additionally, remain vigilant in case another member is disconnected from the game.
Communicate
Communicate quickly and respectfully. Remember that everyone makes mistakes, and there is no reason to call another player out harshly. If you notice a party member is repeatedly making the same mistakes, then let them know politely how to fix their errors. Do not chat too often when in a party though, as it is rude to keep team-mates waiting on you multiple times.
Loot
Take what you need, and leave the rest for your party. It is important to share the loot, and not have one person take it all, unless the other party members are not interested in the loot. Do not make your party wait for you to loot - if they move on, it is your responsibility to keep up. Some groups allow time for looting, while others don't. If you are in the former, it is important to respect that type of play-style. It is always possible to take your time and loot while running solo.
Other Parties
Often your party happens to meet another party along the way, both going for the same bounty. If both groups are able to fit into 1 party for the duration of the bounty, then try that. If there are too many players, whichever party arrived first has claim. However, in order to avoid conflict it can sometimes be best to allow the other party to go first. If a group cuts you off for a bounty do not start an argument. Be the better person and let it go. If your group accidentally cuts off another, then apologize in chat.
Party Types
Equal
Equal party types is when you are running with a group in which all players are relatively the same level range. In this case, finding a leader is imperative. Normally this is the person with the highest defense, or the player with the best route knowledge.
Power Run
Power runs are when a lower level player is being lead by a higher level player. Usually these are best to do after a rebirth, to gain quick levels and skip some of the early grinding. The lower level player needs to stick close to the higher level; and the higher level needs to ensure the lower level is safe! Up until 55, players will get credit for any bounty that is up to 10 levels above them. So the best zones to take someone on a power run, are those with bounties 5 - 10 levels above.
Party Roles
Tank
Tanks are known for their vast health pool and high defenses. They are most often the group leaders, but that is not always the case. The tank's role in a group is to direct as much enemy attention on them as possible. The group should always allow the tank to rush into enemies first, so that this can be achieved. Tanks should always keep an eye on their more vulnerable allies during combat, and rush to their aid if they're being surrounded.
Damage
Damage roles may never seem as the most important role to play in a group - but they are most definitely useful. Without high damage classes, fights would last for extended periods of time and cause mana shortages. Damage classes should focus on defeating enemies as fast as they can.
Support
Support can be any number of things, any many classes play a secondary role as a support character. The most well-known type of support, is via healing & shielding. This is exclusive to holy priests, although hunters do have a few healing spells. Support can also mean stunning enemies, crowd control, boosting allies or de-buffing opponents.
Specialization Roles
It is important to note that the information below is not the only way to play a specialization in group scenarios. Hunters or Wizards - built appropriately - can be tanks for example. The information below consists of the generic uses for each specialization in a party.
Lightning Warrior: Lightning warriors are most often the tank in parties. Use lightning attacks to increase your 'threat' which in turn will turn all enemy attention - or aggro - to you. Protect vulnerable allies at all costs!
Fury Warrior: Fury warriors are a melee DPS and support type. Defeat enemies in quick succession while using war cries to boost allies and de-buff enemies.
Holy Priest: Heal & Shield allies to keep them alive. Proc your tanks or damage dealers to boost their abilities. Or, create a holy paladin and serve as a substitute tank. Buff yourself up with shields and lead the fight.
Shadow Priest: Shadow priests can hit multiple enemies with damage over time abilities and watch them wither away. Detonate your spells for massive damage
Marksman Hunter: Great utility class. Marksman Hunters are above average damage dealers and can also buff allies and de-buff enemies.
Nature Hunter: Nature hunters are a very high single target DPS specialization. Focus on targets with the most health & armor to avoid wasting shots.
Fire Wizard: Fire Wizards are the masters of area of effect attacks. Stun enemies and blast them to pieces using your powerful spells.
Ice Wizard: Ice is a more defensive version of fire wizard. They have the ability to slow and freeze enemies. Use it on the most dangerous ones!