I've been playing World of Warcraft for a while now and every so often I find myself leading a raid team. Woo hoo!! As a mom of small kids I'm not able to be a "hardcore" raider, but I find myself getting frustrated using the term "casual" raider as it seems there are many differing definitions of what a casual raider is. With that in mind I've composed both a list of my rules (for when I, personally, am leading a raid that does not have pre-set guild rules in place) and a write up on what a casual raider is... and is not.
My Raid Rules!
1. Don't be an ass hole. If you're having a bad night (we all have those, I get it) I would rather you step out and do something relaxing, guilt free, than subject the rest of the group to a sour temper. Seriously!
2. No calling out other players or posting meters. If you notice a problem with someone (constantly targeting the wrong mob; always standing in fire; consistant low dps) you are welcome to WHISPER the raid leader... with the understanding that the raid leader may a) already be aware and b) not respond to your comment.
3. If you are late for a raid you may lose your spot to another player. I will not ask that player to then step out when you get there! So don't be late!
3. B. If the raid you were subbed for ends up being a continuation, I'm sorry... the person who was there gets right of first refusal. So don't be late!
4. Loot is always Main Toon before Alt Toon and Main Spec before Off Spec and will be clarified at the beginning of any raid I run. If you are asked to run in your off spec you are still expected to roll on main spec gear. Special circumstances for loot do happen, they are discussed ahead of time and are usually for things like a set group of people farming OS3D for drakes.
Being a Casual Raider vs being a Callous Raider.
Casual raiding, as defined by me, is raiding where you are not penalized for an inability to attend or not being the top DPS for your class on the server. Remember that you are not raiding alone, there are 9/24 other people with you!
Casual Raiding IS:
- a chance to spend time with friends in a stress-free (or low stress if it's progression lol) environment.
- a raid free of blaming, shaming or meter posting. If there's a problem with your performance it would only come up in a "progression" run. The raid leader will speak to you privately and offer suggestions on improving your role (whether it's healing/dpsing/tanking).
- focused on gearing up both the "hardcores" and the "casuals" fairly. Learn more about our loot system on the FAQ thread.
Casual raiding is NOT:
- signing up for something and then just not showing up (barring emergencies.) Even posting on the forum to say something came up, so we're not waiting around wondering.
- Showing up late to raid cause it's "just casual". (again, barring emergencies)
- shrugging off working on improving your gear (through heroics and such). You still need to have a certain iLevel to raid and that's your responsibility. Ask for help!
- Coming on whatever toon without checking with the raid leader. When you sign up the raid leader slots you in the role you asked for, if you switch out to another toon without asking you're making the raid leader's job very difficult! Ask!
- a chance to gear up all your alts. Casual or not it's still unfair to roll on gear that is not your "main toon/main spec" unless it's clear ahead of time that there is an exception!
One of the biggest mistakes I've heard from a casual raider is, "but it's just a game". Yes, Warcraft is just a game, but you're playing it with real people. If I told my Grandmother I'll be at dinner at her house and then just not show up, my mother would disown me! "But it's just dinner!" would not fly because it's not about dinner, it's about telling Grandma, "I'll be there" and then rudely not show up!
The same goes for showing up on time... if you tell a friend you'll meet them for a movie at 7pm and show up at 8pm with the movie already 30 minutes in, I seriously doubt your friend would accept, "wow, relax, it's just a movie!" If you know you're going to be late... call/text/email/post offer to cancel (or give up your raid spot)!
I remember being horribly embarassed by someone I met in WoW. Our guild was running Naxxramas, it was old news, all the cool guilds were doing ICC. I got him an invite. He didn't show. We waited 45 minutes before going without him. Later he said, "oh, I was playing Guitar Hero with my wife, I didn't feel like going." I never invited him to another raid. He could have easily logged in and said he wasn't going to make it.
With that in mind here are a list of things to remember when you're casually raiding with Mistreavers.
1. You don't have to bring your own flasks or buff food... but you should be contributing to the guild bank in some fashion (not a gatherer? drop in some cash or make disenchantables for the enchanters to break).
2. You need to be on time and ready to go. That means you have the right gear (that is already repaired); the right spec; the right attitude and can be relatively free from interruption.
3. Chatter and joking is fine and interruptions happen due to lag on mumble... but when it's time for the Raid Leader to explain a fight or you're IN a fight, don't make too many unnecessary comments.
4. If you have a meter or other raiding add on and notice a problem (low dps, too much overheal, no threat on the tank etc). DO NOT, under any circumstances, bring that up in mumble or raid chat. Your only option is to whisper the raid leader (with the understanding that the raid leader may already be aware of the problem).
5. When someone gives you feedback, it's natural to feel defensive, but please try and curb the instinct if the raid leader does need to speak to you about your performance. This is a team effort and we want all our team members to feel comfortable while still contributing effectively.
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