Having decided to implement a 3rd raid night much to the delight of the majority of Stonewrought, I was rounded upon by one of our raiders who is a very nice friend and valued member of our team. She is not an officer but her points are clearly made from the heart so she has every right to expect clarification regarding her points. I have dissected 2 large statements she decided to place in our raid team Whatsapp chat and I want to use it to answer her legitimate concerns here. I am sure that since she stands by her concerns enough to post them to our full raid team, she will welcome this most public of platforms.
I think other people would benefit from reading and understanding why decisions were made, which is the primary reason for this blog entry.
“I think it’s a concern that a third raid night is just being decided on.”
Did you miss the 2 polls of the entire raid team or do you just not care about what the majority want?
“Has anybody been asked or consulted about which day should be implemented, if any at all?”
Of course people have been asked, almost constantly from it was agreed by the raid leaders that a 3rd night was acceptable rather than resurrecting Ironwall.
“I had no idea the raid team was so unhappy about raiding 2 days a week?”
Again with the polls as tangible evidence, but plenty more I know in the background from personal discussions with raiders.
“I thought it was a fine balance, with the rbg’s and the alt raids as well! What’s the rush all of a sudden?” (Alt raids for some, others must boost on their mains)
There’s nothing sudden about this, it’s actually been agonising waiting for raid leadership to even recognise the team’s clearly evident desire for a 3rd night (even tho it was previously agreed). Sometimes ppl need a nudge and frankly I’m happy to do the nudging when needed.
“For me personally I think it’s a too much. I can’t promise I’ll be there on Fridays and also – I wouldn’t like it if I come back on Monday and bosses have been killed in a day I didn’t commit to?”
Would be great if we could satisfy everyone’s personal needs but it’s all part of being in a wider community. We all have to work together and make sacrifices, my estimate goes on most ppl only being able to make 2 of the 3 nights.
“Sorry if that’s asking too much but I feel this had just been decided behind every bodies back.”
Nothing was done behind anyone’s back. Unless you work towards becoming a Raid Leading officer in the guild then you cannot expect to be privvy to every discussion that happens. Just because I didn’t ask your personal opinion doesn’t mean I haven’t done enough ground work for decision making.
“What bothers me, after asking Gierrod, Scott asked him if he would mind moving the alt raid night.” (I note it may usually be an alt night for this raider but not for everyone)
I would have thought it obvious that as part of my ground work, I would have to seek discussion with Gierrod over Friday nights. That will now become ‘Saturday Night TakeAway’ named by Gierrod who will then decide upon the content, nobody else.
“All of a sudden he (meaning me) can’t make Mondays anymore so the whole raid team has to change to suit Scotts change of situation.”
This is again far from sudden and is something we have discussed on numerous occasions with the raid tea and the leadership in the hope of some movement towards that elusive 3rd night. As stated previously, sometimes the big bad guy must make apparently unpopular decisions to cater to the actual team, and not just a few casuals within the team 🙂
“I get it, I just don’t approve the way how.”
Try leading a guild which hosts a raid team and you’ll understand how.
“This wouldn’t have happened if any other member of this guild had a change of circumstances.”
I have consistently mentioned myself and Devilslotus’ inability to make Monday nights. The reason for the actual timing was due to my own frustration at missing Monday night but that catalyst was only something which was always coming. Frankly imo the team needs to keep hold of committed players like Roar and Devilslotus.
“I’m sure this will be turned again as one big master plan for the benefit of the guild.”
A strong raid team benefits the guild. If you believe things are just going along fine then I’m sorry to point out that you are wrong. Things are ok but I’m not settling for ok and you should be glad about that. Think of me as a quality control engineer ensuring the product maintains high standards and at times carries out an audit (well constantly doing that tbh) taking appropriate action where required.
“It just bothers me that it was decided behind the raid leaders back. Why even have that if your just going to do what suits you anyway?”
The Raid Leaders (we have 2 remember, and a backroom assistant) were fully aware of these plans but since there was no evident motivation to bring them to life, I decided to act. I love action, it speaks louder than words and although I speak loudly, and although my actions seem strange to a few, most understand why I act when I do. If a Raid Leader fails to heed my notifications then I will carry on and make these types of decisions.
Raid Leader picks the team, arranges the strategies, decides on which encounters we will face etc. etc. but I’m sure you will understand that some things are perfectly within the GMs remit especially if they have been discussed and agreed yet not implemented.
Again a blog involving raiding drama lol, yes I do find it funny.
/Salute
This is getting a tad like Hollyoaks 😉 more drama less boobies. However from a raiders perspective a friday night main night would be grate to alot of our guildes considering time shifts from country to country Thursday and Friday were the original dates as far as I can remember and most of the core members can make a friday if it was a progression event.
I speak for myself when I say I am gutted that I can not make Mondays and missing myself from the Mondays night roaster might not change the guild raid progression but what happens when one or more progression raiders are stumped and can not make it three nights gives a flexibility that two nights does not without considering lock outs etc.
I do not always agree with Roar but will standby his choices as the GM as he is honest, insightful and has the best intentions for the guild above all. If the guild wants to progress to mythic then a third night will offer a more sustained flexibility roaster and go toe to toe with some of the other Raiding guilds, not saying that we a primarily raiding guild. However the growth that a third night of raiding will overly scope for the benifit of the guilds development and I welcome it.