Ask Sedge: Vol 4
“A case of Alt-itis?”
Tue, Sep 15, 2009 at 1:56 PM
I’m in a 25 man raiding guild. Lately, most of our members just log on to raid. There are people on our non-raiding nights, but it’s mostly the same people, and maybe half of those people are happily playing alts. We can barely field any 10 man group outside of scheduled 25 man raid times.
I have nothing against alts, in fact, I’m guilty of mostly playing my alt as well, as it’s the character I enjoy playing most at the moment (I would switch if I could, but there’s no spot for my desired role, currently). I pretty much just log on to raid, do daily heroics and try to pug VoA on my raiding main. The rest of the time I’m farming heroics to gear up my alt. Personally, I don’t see anything wrong with this, as there’s nothing else I can do to improve my raiding main outside of guild raids.
The problem is that I’m not the only one doing this, but not every body’s main is as geared as they should be. We have people leveling alts when their mains can still use Conquest badge upgrades, or not doing the daily heroic for Triumph badges. The guild leadership (as well as myself, personally) would like to see these members spend more time improving their raiding mains outside of raids.
So I need advice on two things:
How can we increase the level of activity outside of official raid times? And how can we push people to go after upgrades for their raiding mains that they can get outside of guild raids (5 man ToC, Conquest badges, etc) without being too Draconian and basically telling people how to play? I should mention that I’m a former officer, so I also wonder if I’m providing a bad example by being on my alt most times.
Thanks
A concerned member
raid n.
1. A surprise attack by a small armed force.
Now, it may just be my sense of equality and fairness between all guild staff and members, but I have always felt that every player who commits to a raid holds a comparable weight in it’s success. 25 people show up, 25 people are prepared, 25 people do exactly what they need to be doing, and 25 people have similar opportunities to be rewarded for their effort. Raiding is a team effort, and I expect my members to contribute equally and pull their own fair share throughout the night. We can all agree on that, can’t we?
I also believe that when it’s an off-night for the guild, players can do whatever they please, if they even log in at all. That’s why it’s an off-night. Watch a movie with your Grandma, come online and stare at the wall for hours, play on an alt, farm mats for raid consumables- whatever. Do what you care to do, but use the night to unwind from raiding and the stress that comes with it. Relax, and prepare yourself for the next raiding session so that you don’t become burnt out.
With those points said, I expect my members to arrive to raids prepared and geared to the best of their ability. I refuse to hear, “I don’t have any potions because I’m out of mats,” or “I hope to get a new ring tonight because my current one is level omghorrible.” I simply refuse, and forbid I’m having a rough night (or there are other players on standby for an invite) because I will not think twice about replacing a lazy worker. That’s right- If there is an upgrade available outside of raiding, mats to be farmed, reputation to be gained, I demand that it’s obtained prior to my raid night.
Harsh.
If a team of players desire to successfully demolish raiding instances, they all need to step up to the plate with their ‘A’ game. From what you’ve described, it sounds like a handful of members are looking to lounge until they are handed their upgrades in the raid. While it may be fun and invigorating to start leveling/gearing up alts, people must not forget that their ‘main’ is just that, their main. When the time comes, your alts are not helping the raid down bosses, it’s those 25 characters doing the work. If they are choosing to forgo upgrading their character, then perhaps the guild should help motivate them to do so. …Maybe have a replacement fill their spot until they can show some effort into bringing their best to the party.
Kind.
Perhaps these players are in the same boat as yourself. They enjoy playing their alts more than their mains at the moment. With hours devoted to leveling, gearing, and participating with their raiding characters, the members just may be looking to get away and unwind from the stress. While it would be nice to upgrade a few pieces of gear, a break from the constant grind could serve as a much needed opportunity to “get away”. How can we influence their decision on time-management?
- Perhaps start a group for a few heroics, and urge them to lend a helping hand.
- Create some friendly competition and make a challenge of it.
- Explain straight out that you’d like to see them better themselves by obtaining easy upgrades.
If no one has made a situation of it, they may not know it is a problem. Take incremental steps towards resolving the issue. Mention the problem, suggest a solution, and then require change, in that order. 25 people are needed to accomplish a goal, and too often do those little increases make game-saving changes. It’s a team effort, so emphasize what’s expected of team members for success. I’m fairly sure that little upgrades will not pose much of a guild problem when brought to light. It’s a game of ‘getting better’. Who would pass up the opportunities for growth when they are so easy to obtain? Communication is key.
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