> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cambria-1.gitbook.io/gold-rush-s2/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cambria-1.gitbook.io/gold-rush-s2/guides/paymaster-vs-guild-leader.md).

# Paymaster vs Guild Leader

### ⚖️ **Paymaster vs Viceroy: Strategy Breakdown**

| Role                               | **Paymaster**                                                              | **Viceroy**                                                     |
| ---------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Playstyle**                      | Passive Investor (Idle Speculation)                                        | Active Operator (Guild Manager)                                 |
| **ETH ROI Source**                 | Taxes on Charter sales + Solo cash-ins                                     | Royal Favor splits from Guild members                           |
| **Control Over Players**           | None                                                                       | High — can set splits, assign roles                             |
| **Onchain Exposure**               | Minimal risk post-deposit                                                  | Higher — incentivized to manage players carefully               |
| **Setup Requirements**             | Buy and deposit any number of Charters                                     | Hold Founder NFT *or* deposit 10+ Charters                      |
| **Earnings Volatility**            | Medium — influenced by macro trends (volume of new players, solo PvE risk) | High — depends on guild performance, player behavior            |
| **Scaling Strategy**               | Buy early, hold shares, let volume work for you                            | Recruit/deploy top performers, optimize splits, manage churn    |
| **Incentive to Interfere In-Game** | Indirect — benefits from chaos and player loss                             | Direct — benefits from supporting or sabotaging specific groups |
| **Whale Advantage?**               | Yes — weighted share bonus favors deep depositors                          | Yes — more Charters = more sponsored players = more RF split %  |
| **Social Involvement**             | Low — mostly market watcher, spreadsheet brain                             | High — people manager, diplomat, warlord, recruiter             |
| **Key Risk**                       | Dilution (too many Paymasters reduces % share)                             | Defection, betrayal, underperformance from guild members        |

#### 🪙 **Choose Paymaster if you...**

* Want to bet on macro adoption and game growth.
* Prefer passive yield, minimal coordination.
* Are early and want a set-it-and-forget-it ETH accumulator.
* Want to profit from chaos and PvE deaths (solo cash-ins).
* Have no interest in managing people — just coin.

#### 🏰 **Choose Viceroy if you...**

* Want to build an empire and lead a competitive guild.
* Enjoy player recruitment, resource allocation, and tactical control.
* Can supply Energy Orbs, gear, and incentives to motivate your team.
* Want to be highly engaged in-game, influence the world state, and control regions/events.
* Are willing to risk more for potentially much higher ROI.