Poisonenvy
What does "Casual" Raiding mean?
I recently read a blog about creating a new guild and it got me to thinking that, although in several places we describe ourselves as "casual", I've never really specifically stated what I mean by that. As mentioned in that particular post, different people see it different ways.
So I thought I would set down here how I view what "casual" means for our "casual raiding".
For a start off, it means that no-one in the guild is required to attend raids - we don't kick people if they don't sign up for X number of raids per week/month.
It also means that we don't perhaps raid as often, or for as long, as other raiding guilds - twice a week usually, sometimes three times, for between 2 to 3 hours at a time.
It means that, if someone needs to suddenly go /afk for 5 minutes to rescue the puppy from the flip-top bin, or the child from getting stuck head first down the toilet - we understand.
But, just because we have a casual approach to signing up for raids and how often we raid doesn't mean we view raiding itself casually.
I expect those who sign up, to turn up. How rude is it to sign up, say you're going to be there, and then just not bother? It may be understandable if your internet dies, or you have some family emergency ... but deciding you'd just prefer to play an alt, or go for a bath, or watch some TV, without telling us, is not acceptable. Imagine how you would feel if you had arranged for a friend to come visit you, and they just didn't turn up, with no message or reason?
I expect those who sign up to know for a fact that they are able to raid. That they fulfill any raiding requirements (gear level, output level, ability level, etc) and do their homework. If you've not done a particular boss fight before, do some research. If you can't manage to run a 5-man heroic instance without having to go /afk every five minutes, without dying on virtually every boss, without standing in "fire" constantly, then you can't raid.
I expect those who attend raids to be online in time for the start of the raid, to be fully repaired, to have any buff foods, flasks or mats necessary, to be fully glyphed and to be able to operate at a high level. If you know you're going to be distracted during the raid, if you decide you can watch TV or text, or email people whilst in the middle of a raid, then you shouldn't be raiding.
In short, if you want to raid, you have to be prepared to raid, have the ability to raid and be able to concentrate on doing so.
Everyone occasionally has an "off" day, but we cannot afford to carry people. If you want to raid, you put the effort in, or you don't raid. We know that we're not the best .. but as long as we TRY our best, that's all we ask.
However, saying all that, raiding is a very rewarding experience. If you are willing to put the time and effort in, it is an opportunity for us to experience new fights, new locations, collect new loot and learn new jokes :P
by Poisonenvy on 2011-08-31 09:52:57