Part I – Why I raid? – There is no ‘I’ in Team.
Back in the day I told my father that I really couldn’t talk to him because I was on a raid. He didn’t understand this concept. We were fighting Ebonroc, and I couldn’t explain to him right there and then. Alot of people ask me why I raid, and I am about to tell you.
In this day and age of MMO’s it seems we forgotten the word Team, it seems alot of people are just out for what’s in it for them. There are a few rare individuals that have the same vision, for lack of a better term, that I do. To me a guild is not just a social group, we are a team. We even have our own jersey in the form of a tabard.
This vision I speak of is fun doesn’t come from those purple pixels, fun comes from working with other people, achieving your goals, succeeding together, as well as failing together. Through failure we grow, learn, and become closer together as a team.
I come to realize you know I treat my online friends, alot like my real friends. I endeavor to be honest, and honor my commitments. My Guild is planning an Ulduar 25 tonight, and we haven’t really done any 25 dungeons besides a Naxx pug since I transferred, I’m really excited about it. I have been moving my schedule around, and telling people I’m busy just to do this raid tonight.
If I was going to tell my father who is as technical as a coffee table, what a raid is, and what it means. I would probably say it is like a game or a match in a sport. Every week we plan to gather. and beat our opponent. We make a commitment to the team, and really isn’t that what a guild is supposed to be, a team of individuals trying to work towards the same goal. This raid is really important to the guild, how can I not make my best effort to make it there for them.
What gear drops from Uld 25 good for a mage, I don’t know…I don’t care. I never look.
Why I raid then if it isn’t for better gear? I raid because the successes of those around me leads to my success, that the failures around me help me grow and learn from them as well. I raid for pride of the team, to be a part of something bigger then me. I raid because I want to be a part of what makes this game enjoyable for others, I want them to remember who was there chewing dirt with them, and working his ass off to accomplish the same goals.
October 12, 2009 at 5:41 pm
Well said!
And good luck on the raid!
October 12, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Good luck on the raid!
October 12, 2009 at 6:12 pm
Yeah, well said.
“We even have our own jersey.” I’d like to wear the jersey, but ours is too ugly, so I just sport the honor hold one.
October 12, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Very well said!
October 12, 2009 at 6:20 pm
The real reason to play this game in my opinion. Good work and Good Luck downing bosses!!
October 12, 2009 at 7:14 pm
There is a “me” in “team” though!
I agree with most of what you said, except for the never looking at the gear part. For me, and guildies that go as far back as 5 years, gear, server-firsts, and achievements have always been the digital carrots on a stick driving us forward. It gives the whole thing tangible benefits and better meaning.
Good luck in U-25!
October 12, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Haha I was waiting for someone to say that line you win Bronte…..Nothing. LOL!
October 12, 2009 at 7:30 pm
[...] The Book of Grudges Grimnir is Hardcore Rivs got me thinking about something in his post "Why I Raid"…I wasn't really a huge raiding kind of guy, but I've been falling into it a bit more than [...]
October 15, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Can I use this article on a guild ap? Just kidding lol
October 15, 2009 at 3:57 pm
As long as you give me credit, you can use anything you want of mine.