Today we’re going to address an important aspect of raid leading, one that can generate potential drama and attrition if done wrong. We’re talking about roster rotations. Raid sits, bench time, core spots, backup raiders.
Raid leaders have the hardest of the jobs. Our task is to make sure that we have a raid group ready to pull at raid times, every raid night. We need to find a way to accommodate 10/25 people in the raid, even if we have 3 extra… or are missing those vital 2. We thrive for the correct group composition for that specific encounter. We need to keep the raid going.
How do we do this? Easy answer: we over-recruit. Problem solved… partially.
When you have more players than raid spots, it’s important to have a plan that allows you to rotate raiders in and out as fairly as possible. You may prioritize attendance, gear, skill, or a mix of all these factors. Important thing here: no matter what your rules are, be consistent about it. Let the players know what they should expect regarding raid sits, and be strict about it.
You can imagine the conflict of interests. For example, player A started with your team, but then real life hits and she had to stay away for a long period. Now she wants back in and after so many raid nights it wouldn’t be a problem to have a spot, right?
Player B wasn’t originally in the team, but stepped up to fill the shoes. He has been online, showing up for raids, even if he’s less geared or less skilled… he’s been always ready to go. If it wasn’t for him, the raids wouldn’t have happened.
The question is… is it fair to sit Player B for the returning Player A? The answer to this question might be “yes” or “no”. It is circumstantial, depending on what your rules are.
Keep in mind that we’re dealing with limited resources here. We only have 10 spots. My personal approach to this – and yes, it is subjective but it is what I believe it’s fairest – would be “reward the people who put more effort into it.”
I run a very casual team. The original idea was to get people to raid under a relaxed schedule, where attendance wouldn’t be a major factor. But this doesn’t mean total disrespect to the team’s goals. There are some unwritten rules of courtesy and common sense.
Most raid leaders experienced the following scenarios: people who disappear without a heads up. People who don’t care to reply to the calendar invites. People who “accept” the invites and never show up. People who show up ONE HOUR late and ask for a spot. Fortunately, this is usually the exception not the rule.
Our raiders need to understand that to be part of a raiding team is always a “both ways” trade off. The team is going to offer you the same dedication, courtesy and effort you put in. If a raider thinks he’s not being treated fairly… consider if he’s putting in as much effort as he’s requesting from the team.
TWO SIMPLE ROTATION SYSTEMS
I have used many rotation systems in the past, and I describe two of them here as an example. Interesting to notice how each system could be perfect for a group and terrible for another.
I have used many rotation systems in the past, and I describe two of them here as an example. Interesting to notice how each system could be perfect for a group and terrible for another.
1. The attendance tracker
If a player shows up, ready to go at raid times, and for some reason doesn’t make the raid team, mark him as ‘sit’. He’s guaranteed to come in the next raid, and won’t be benched again until every member in his group role has also experienced a ‘sit’.
If a player shows up, ready to go at raid times, and for some reason doesn’t make the raid team, mark him as ‘sit’. He’s guaranteed to come in the next raid, and won’t be benched again until every member in his group role has also experienced a ‘sit’.
PROS: Very fair system, players can ‘guess’ when they’re going to be benched, less frustration (I’m sitting tonight but I’m guaranteed in the next raid). Perfect for casual groups, guarantees ‘re-installation’ of members in the rotation in an easy way.
CONS: Harder maintenance, usually requiring a detailed spreadsheet.
CONS: Harder maintenance, usually requiring a detailed spreadsheet.
2. Core spot as long as you come
You start with a ‘core’ team. These member will have priority for invites… until they miss a raid. The person replacing the missing raider then automatically gets ‘core’ status, and will only lose it when he misses a raid, and so forth.
You start with a ‘core’ team. These member will have priority for invites… until they miss a raid. The person replacing the missing raider then automatically gets ‘core’ status, and will only lose it when he misses a raid, and so forth.
PROS: Easy to maintain, prioritizes attendance. More suitable to ‘hardcore’ groups.
CONS: Can be very frustrating, both for people losing their spots and for those waiting endlessly for their chance to get in.
CONS: Can be very frustrating, both for people losing their spots and for those waiting endlessly for their chance to get in.
Be creative and you’ll find what works better for your raid. As long as you’re coherent with your rules and rotation system, you’ll keep your raiders happy and your team going week after week. ~Zhorn
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